The next morning arrived quietly. Before dawn had even painted the sky with streaks of gold, Crown Prince Matthew had already departed, leaving the residence calm in his wake. Zuleika rose promptly, her movements deliberate and graceful, and was assisted by her personal maid, Cess.
Though news of the attacks at the Empire hovered at the edge of her mind, Zuleika felt no fear. The Feltogora Empire was strong, capable of handling its own affairs without Nexus stepping in. She straightened her back, brushing away the lingering worry like dust.
Once dressed, she inspected herself briefly in the mirror. High-waisted trousers gave her freedom to move, paired with a crisp, loose white blouse tucked neatly in. Practical yet regal—exactly as she liked. With a nod to herself, she headed toward the dining room.
Upon entering, the familiar aroma of breakfast greeted her, and there, at the head of the table, sat Princess Aquila. Zuleika froze for a brief moment—this was the first time she had seen Aquila again since their... argument at the Imperial Palace.
The servants quickly placed a plate, spoon, and poured tea before her. Zuleika sat across from Aquila, straight-backed and composed, but the tension in the air was undeniable. Aquila didn't even glance up, her silver eyes fixed on a parchment as her lips moved with quiet grace. Her hair cascaded in waterfall waves, adorned with small floral pins that perfectly matched her ensemble.
Zuleika pressed her lips together, deciding it was best to eat quietly. Back to square one, she thought wryly, though a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes.
Cess approached carefully, bowing with her usual precision. "Princess, shall I tell the servants to ready the boat? You mentioned visiting the river today."
Zuleika's face brightened instantly, a childlike glee appearing for the first time that morning. "Yes! Absolutely. I've missed it—the water, the fish… everything! Let's not waste a single moment!"
Cess bowed again and departed, leaving Zuleika to her breakfast. She lifted her spoon with renewed vigor, tasting her food as if she were savoring the simple joys she had almost forgotten.
Then, from across the table, Aquila's voice cut through, smooth and teasing. "I see the Nexus Princess has finally reunited with her precious fish. Pray they treat you better than your last fishing expedition," she mocked, though her eyes still scanned the parchment.
Zuleika twitched a brow, refusing to be intimidated. "Mock all you want, Princess Aquila. At least my fish don't glare at me like some silver-eyed princess obsessed with letters and pins."
Aquila let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh without looking up. "Letters, pins, and orders… all more reliable than the company of wild fish. But I suppose it takes a true artist to find joy in splashing water."
"Oh, please," Zuleika shot back, leaning forward slightly, voice dripping with playful indignation. "I am perfectly capable. These fish respect skill when they see it. Unlike some who respect nothing but their own reflection and an ink-stained parchment."
Aquila's lips curved into a small, amused smile, though she did not lift her gaze. "Do try not to fall more in love with them than the river itself, Princess."
Zuleika smirked, finally letting herself laugh quietly. "Not a chance. But I might let them teach you a lesson next time you get too smug with your silver eyes."
Zuleika took another sip of her tea, smirking as she set the cup down with deliberate care. "Honestly, Princess Aquila, I didn't think anyone could be so… proper all the time. It must be exhausting, keeping that perfectly polished image of yours."
Aquila's silver eyes flicked up, narrowing just slightly. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and a faint flush crept across her cheeks. "And you, Princess of Nexus, seem incapable of ever taking anything seriously," she shot back, voice tight with restrained irritation.
Zuleika leaned forward, placing an elbow on the table. "Oh, come now. Surely even someone as… precise as you could appreciate a little fun? I could show you what true skill looks like—my fishing skill, for one."
Aquila's eyes rolled, her tone cool but firm. "I hardly see how fish—or rivers—concern me in the slightest. I prefer to stay out of muddy water."
"Afraid, are we?" Zuleika teased, tilting her head and letting a playful grin spread across her face. "Or perhaps worried you might lose? I'd hate to think the silver-eyed princess of Feltogora couldn't even best a Nexus Princess in something so simple!"
Aquila stiffened, rising from her chair in a dignified motion. "I have no need for your childish challenges. I—"
"Wait, wait!" Zuleika interrupted, leaning back with mock innocence. "Don't stand so quickly—you might sprain something. I wouldn't want the mighty Princess Aquila, feared for her grace and intellect, to lose a battle to… well, little old me!"
Aquila's cheeks colored further, the faintest scowl forming as her hands gripped the edge of the table. "You truly enjoy testing my patience, don't you?"
Zuleika's grin widened, her crimson eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course! What's the point of having a challenge if you're not going to make it… interesting?"
Aquila paused mid-step, clearly weighing whether to walk away or confront her teasing, while Zuleika leaned casually on the table, arms crossed, her grin unyielding. "Come now, Princess. I can see it in your eyes—you want to try, don't you? Afraid you'll admit you secretly enjoy being outdone?"
Aquila's lips pressed into a firm line, but there was a subtle twitch at the corner of her mouth. She didn't answer, only stared daggers at Zuleika, who simply laughed softly, victorious in her verbal sparring.
The servants in the room glanced nervously between the two princesses, uncertain whether to intervene, as the table became the battleground for words rather than weapons—and Zuleika was clearly winning.
Aquila furrowed her brows, her silver eyes flashing with barely contained annoyance as she finally spoke. "Fine."
Zuleika's crimson eyes sparkled with mischief, and a triumphant smile curved her lips. "I knew you couldn't resist a proper challenge," she said, almost sing-song, her excitement barely contained.
In the next moment, Zuleika was holding a small, neatly packed bag. "And look what I brought," she announced, jingling the bag slightly. "Fishing rod, secured straight from the Estate of Revazkerio."
Aquila's lips pressed into a thin line as she trailed behind Zuleika gracefully, every movement precise and regal. "You've been planning this, haven't you?" she muttered, though there was no real bite in her tone, only restrained exasperation.
Soon, they reached the riverbank, where a large fisherman's boat waited. But this was no ordinary vessel; its polished wood gleamed in the sunlight, brass fixtures glinting along the rails, and a small canopy embroidered with the imperial crest shaded the seating. Aquila sighed audibly, stepping inside with her usual elegance.
Zuleika, on the other hand, gleamed with childish delight. "Come on, let's go!" She turned to the servant standing at the oars. "Now! Paddle us out!"
The servant bowed and began paddling, and the boat glided smoothly over the river's calm, shimmering surface. The morning sunlight reflected in playful streaks across the water, and gentle ripples lapped against the sides of the vessel. The surrounding banks were lined with willow trees, their long branches trailing into the river like soft green curtains. Birds flitted among the branches, and dragonflies darted across the sparkling water.
Zuleika leaned against the railing, eyes wide with wonder. "Look at this! Isn't it beautiful? Just like the view at home!" she exclaimed, twirling the fishing rod in her hands. Her crimson eyes seemed to reflect the sunlight, bright and alive with enthusiasm.
Aquila, ponytail swinging neatly behind her, sighed again, her arms crossed. "I don't see what's so thrilling about sitting on a boat and trying to catch a fish," she said, though she glanced at the water now and then, her silver eyes scanning the ripples.
"Oh, come on! Don't pretend you're not impressed," Zuleika teased, hopping from one foot to the other like a child. "Look at the water! The trees! The breeze! You're practically glowing over there, I can see it!"
Aquila huffed, flicking a strand of hair from her face. "Glowing? I am maintaining my composure, thank you very much. Unlike some people who act like they've discovered magic for the first time."
Zuleika grinned wickedly, tilting her head. "Magic? Maybe! I mean, look at this river—it's practically sparkling. It's alive! And these fish… oh, you'll see, Princess Aquila. They're clever, fast, and oh-so-hungry. Perfect for my skills."
Aquila's lips twitched, trying to hide the twitch of a smile. "Hungry, huh? I doubt they'll be able to resist someone like you, throwing your rod about like a child chasing butterflies."
Zuleika's crimson eyes gleamed. "Butterflies, huh? Maybe I'll catch a few… and then teach you a lesson in fishing while I'm at it!"
Aquila groaned, exhaling dramatically. "This day is going to be unbearable."
"And delightful!" Zuleika shot back, laughing as the boat drifted deeper into the river. She leaned over the railing, peering into the water like a child seeing her old friends. "I missed this so much… almost forgot what it feels like to just… enjoy life!"
Aquila remained standing near the center of the boat, hands lightly resting on the railing, trying to keep her composure but clearly aware of Zuleika's infectious enthusiasm. "Enjoy life, huh?" she murmured. "I'm beginning to see why Nexus is full of such… chaotic energy."
Zuleika's grin widened, crimson eyes sparkling even more. "Chaotic? Oh, Princess, I call it fun. And today, I'm taking you along for the ride!"
The boat cut smoothly through the sparkling river, ripples fanning out in perfect arcs, and the two princesses continued their playful war of words, echoing over the gentle lapping of water and the calls of distant birds.
The boat had drifted into the middle of the vast, sparkling river, surrounded by the soft rustle of willows and the occasional chirp of birds. Zuleika planted her feet firmly, holding her fishing rod with determined focus. Her crimson eyes glinted with excitement as she leaned slightly forward.
"Princess Aquila! Watch closely!" Zuleika called over her shoulder, her grin wide. "This is how a proper Nexus princess catches a fish!"
Aquila let out a small sigh, folding her arms, clearly uninterested. But she still watched—there was nothing she could do to stop Zuleika, and her silver eyes, though unamused, followed every movement.
Zuleika twirled the rod expertly, casting the line with a practiced flick. The hook sank into the calm waters with a soft plop. She held the rod steady, eyes narrowing slightly, waiting for the tug that signaled a bite.
A sharp jerk shot through the line. Zuleika's eyes widened, her lips parting in excitement. "Ah! There it is! The first catch of the day!" She adjusted her grip, reeling in carefully, arms steady despite the squirming on the other end.
With a final pull, she lifted the fish from the water—a sleek, silvery creature that glimmered in the sunlight. It flopped vigorously in her hands, tiny droplets flying through the air. And then—splash! A few stray drops of water landed directly on Aquila's face.
Aquila's nose wrinkled, eyes narrowing, and her lips pressed into a thin line of frustration and disgust. "You—" she started, her voice tight, as she wiped at the tiny droplets with the back of her hand.
Zuleika didn't notice, still grinning, holding the flopping fish high. "Look at it! Look how strong and shiny it is! See, Princess Aquila? This is the skill of a true fisherman! I told you no one fishes better than me! Isn't it magnificent? Isn't it glorious?!"
Aquila's patience snapped. With a swift, precise motion, she opened her palm and—slap!—the fish flew back into the river with a spectacular splash. Her brows twitched as she glared at Zuleika.
Zuleika froze mid-cheer, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing as if no words could capture her shock. "No! My fish! What… what have you done?!" she cried dramatically, leaning over the side of the boat, peering into the water as if mourning a fallen comrade.
Aquila, still standing with perfect posture, arms crossed, scowled. "You! You were flailing that poor creature around like some child! It's a fish, Zuleika, not a trophy! Control yourself!" Aquila didn't notice it because of her frustration but she forgot to insert Zuleika's title as she called out her name, though, Zuleika didn't noticed it.
Zuleika pouted, lips quivering in exaggerated dismay, pointing at the water. "It… it was mine! Mine! I caught it fair and square! And you… you just… slapped it away!"
Aquila's eyes narrowed, lips twitching in irritation. "Yes! And it's back where it belongs. Now maybe you'll learn that not everything is for you to parade around like some circus act!"
Zuleika's crimson eyes welled up slightly in mock despair, her lower lip jutting out. "But… but I love it! My beautiful, flopping, perfect little fish! And you… you… you abused it!"