As I began my descent down the short flight of steps, I noticed two figures emerging from the crowd—one quite familiar, the other vaguely so,
Mother was at my side at that moment, giving me a look of approval as she went ahead to begin the introduction that was to be had.
"Seraphis, allow me to introduce the current head of House Caelum and Supreme Commander of the Verlice military—Lord Karyst."
I glanced at the man, taking in his features, and internally jogging my memory of the past two hours worth of knowledge from Esil.
He was tall as a tree, with a long, dirty blonde mane of hair, and wearing a classical suit with simple colors that didn't do well to undercut his broad chest and bulging muscles.
His eyes were a muted beige, but more than that, there was an aged scar running down the skin of his left eye.
I also noticed the faint glittering of what appeared to be diamond studs in his ears.
"Prince Seraphis. A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness," he said curtly.
Ah, so he's not just muscle. Good to know.
"The honor is mine, Lord Karyst. Your reputation precedes you. I've heard much about your skills as a mage and general. Perhaps you could teach me a few tricks, sometime," I greeted him in kind, pleasantly surprised by his eloquence, despite his imposing stature.
At this, he nodded, his eyes appraising me with newfound interest.
In this downtime, though, I took this moment to quickly examine the dress Altius was wearing.
It was jet-black like the night sky, but with a subtle sheen to it that caught the light of every movement, glimmering like stardust woven into midnight, and cascading down her lithe figure and pooling at her feet with an almost liquid grace. It contrasted well with her wheat blonde hair.
"With that done, I must apologize, everyone. I have some business I need to attend to," Mother began, turning to me. "They are just as much of your guests as they are mine. Treat them well, and aim to enjoy yourself today."
I nodded. "Yes, Mother."
I thought I saw a faint smirk flicker to life on her lips as she turned and walked in the direction of a few particularly important looking nobles, and I committed their faces—or more accurately, their flashy attires—to memory, as I made a mental note to try and avoid them. I already have enough to deal with as is.
"Anyways, happy birthday, Sera!" Altius exclaimed, drawing my attention.
"Likewise. Happy birthday, Prince," Karyst commented, his calm demeanor and voice a cool contrast between that of his daughter.
"I appreciate you both. My thanks for attending," I said politely.
At this, Altius' eyebrows narrowed, her face scrunching into a disgruntled expression.
"We're by ourselves, so it's okay to spare us the formal talk, you know. Just leave it to the adults!"
Unable to retort her remark, I smiled sheepishly, instinctively reaching for an unpresent loose piece of my hair.
Although she had a point, it would take awhile before I could begin to unwind like that.
I was expected to play the part of a prince, after all, though a part of me wanted nothing more than to listen to her suggestion.
"By the way, there's some cake and other stuff over there that I've been dying to try out since its all started… Let's hurry before it gets too crowded. Move your feet, go go!"
"I get it, I do, but don't start pulling, you idiot! I have a reputation to uphold!
Our antics were quickly interrupted as two distinguished figures emerged from the crowd, both imposing in their respective rights.
Lord Karyst stepped forward, his presence a comforting shadow as he met them at our side.
"Ooh, Uncle Dars, and Auntie Raven! Hello, hello, welcome!" Altius was the first to speak up, her tone cheery, and eerily reminiscent of a clerk from some type of shop.
Lord Darsen, a tall and composed man adorned in formal beige and burgundy robes embroidered with a silver emblem, inclined his head slightly as he stopped just short of me, his posture stiff with formality and his face sharp as he acknowledged Altius and I.
"Your Highness, young lady Altius, I extend my greetings to you both. For formality's sake, I am Darsen, Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, and current Lord of House Atragal. My house extends its heartfelt congratulations for your seventh year of life, Prince Seraphis."
Then, meeting Karyst's eyes, and in a deadpan tone, he said, "And I suppose you are here as well, Lord Karyst of House Caelum. Once again, for the sake of formality, I suppose I will offer you a greeting, too…"
The Supreme Commander let out a chuckle on the border of guffaw and raised a hand.
"Haha. It's good to see you, too, old pal."
Lord Darsen seemed reluctant to take his hand but eventually gave in and they relished in a firm handshake. Despite the Chancellor's intense gaze, his eyes were gentle as he regarded Karyst, respect scintillating in his deep olive eyes against the undercurrent of pretense.
Lady Raven's lips parted as if to speak but the two gentlemen continued to claim the floor, their exchange becoming more and more… robust.
Still though, her voice found its way through, naturally slipping between it like a soft breeze—neither loud nor forceful yet undeniable.
"And just when, pray tell, will you two allow me the courtesy of my introduction?"
The sudden change in the air reigned the elders' attention back in, their silent conversation abruptly stilled. I felt my flesh rise as a shiver ran down my spine watching the change in the dynamics of the confrontation, the two imposing men seeming to shrink in on themselves as if they were prey in spotlights.
She stepped forward, her navy blue hair styled in a layered bob cascading like waves—though those weren't the only things bouncing, a distant thought ensued, which I quickly reprimanded myself for—as her dark crimson eyes met my own.
Lady Raven bent down just slightly enough to be near eye level with me, her royal blue dress accentuating her figure nicely, and the subtle, floral scent of chamomiles wafted through the air.
"Forgive me for the late introduction, Your Highness," she began, her tone accusatory as her gaze flickered back on the two elders who avoided eye contact, "I am Raven, Lord of House Vedras, and Chancellor of the Ministry of Justice. It's an honor to be present for such a momentous occasion, and it's even more of one to finally meet you. I'm looking forward to getting to know you."
A soft, graceful smile touched her glossed lips, and I felt my face flush.
There was a certain resonance to her voice, like a finely tuned instrument. It was neither overtly seductive nor aloof, but it undeniably captivating.
Averting my gaze for just a split second, I took a brief moment to remind myself of where I was, reeling in my thoughts. "Yes, likewise, Lady Raven. Thank you for attending." Was all that I managed to say without losing my composure any further.
Then, she turned her attention to Altius, her demeanor softening.
"Altius, dearest, still as energetic as always," she said with a knowing smile. "Take care not to exhaust our young prince before the night is through."
The young girl rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Auntie, it was that one time! And really, it's not my fault, honest! How was I to know that Serenith wasn't a fan of Sunspire? Seriously, who doesn't like Sunspire?"
Lady Raven chuckled slightly.
"Well, I suppose you offer a fair argument. Speaking of which, Serenith couldn't make it to today's event, unfortunately. She was feeling a bit… under the weather, so she stayed at home with everyone else. I apologize for this. I know just how close you two are."
Altius seemed troubled as she replied.
"Oh, that sucks…" her voice lingered before catching itself, "But it's okay, though. It's far more important that she recovers. I can see her some other time, and I'll even introduce her to Sera! Give her my regards when you see her again." The Chancellor's brows rose a fraction of an inch at her informal mention of me but otherwise didn't respond much.
"I'll do just that, then," she said, finally. I gently cleared my throat, sensing that the conversation had begun to die down.
"Lady Raven, Lord Darsen, I cannot thank you both enough for attending my birthday party, once again. Truly, it holds much significance to me. The same goes for you two, as well, Lord Karyst and Lady Altius. I am forever in your debt—all of you."
The head of House Atragal was the first to respond, swiping away my remark with a quick gesture of his hand as if to say, 'Nonsense, Your Highness,' and the others had similar responses.
"It's a privilege for us all to be present for your first coming of age ceremony. A shame that all of the houses could not attend. It is a bit odd that Bladal wasn't able to attend, he's usually the first to be present in all matters of entertainment…" the Chancellor seemed to be in thought for a split second.
"Ah, but forgive me, where are my manners? You'll have to excuse us, Young Lord, for Lady Raven and I still must give our greetings to His and Her Majesty. It was a pleasure to get acquainted with you, I hope to be able to talk with you sometime soon. Until next time, then."
And with that, Lord Darsen dipped his head slightly, falling into step towards Mother.
I looked to Miss Raven, who shared the same sentiment as the former, giving me a warm smile as she, too, was on her way.
Altius took that moment to impatiently remind me about the food stands, and we began our journey, waving goodbye to Karyst as we departed.
***
We arrived at the connecting area between the main ballroom and the secondary dining area.
There was warm lightning, plenty of seating, and a counter to the far left that led to a kitchen where, despite my distance from it, I could see cooks working. There was light-medium traffic.
A tapestry of scents assaulted my senses the closer we got to the stands; spiced meats grilling over open flames, the aroma of freshly baked pastries, and the sweet tang of fruits unfamiliar to me.
I struggled to even decide where to look.
Altius, however, was different. Her expression mirrored that of a calculating tactician, someone who just carefully laid out an elaborate plan within mere seconds. She turned to me, grinning as she pointed excitedly to the different stands.
"Sera! Look at that one, it has pastries. We can butter ourselves up with that as we work our way up, moving on to the meat and other big foods! I've been eyeing those berry-stuffed toasting pastries since earlier, and I've been dying to try them again. Come on, let's go!"
Before I could respond, she was bouncing towards the tables, her enthusiasm unmatched.
I sighed and trailed her, though movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.
I turned around, trying to follow the waves of distantly familiar wheat-blonde hair that I saw briefly. Finding nothing despite my searching through the crowd, I shook my head, reprimanding myself for my lack of focus.
That hair color…
It reminded me of Altius.
As we passed through the area, I weaved through the web that is social relations with grace, maintaining proper poise as I greeted notable and regular guests alike, all eager for a chance to meet me.
I tried my best to mask the hunger swelling within me from the wafting scents of sweets and grilled meat.
Eventually, we approached the self-serve buffet area that Altius wanted, and it didn't take long for her to swipe two stuffed toasted pastries and stuff one in her mouth as she handed me the other.
"Ah, these were totally worth it! I got you a cardinal cherry flavor; mine is wild lavender. Hurry and try yours!"
I shot her a look of scrutiny.
"Altius, it's not polite to talk while chewing…" I gently scolded.
The young girl reeled in on herself slightly, her cheeks flaring into a rosy red color.
"Ah, sorry, sorry, you're right. I shouldn't've—"
"That being said, however—"
I took a bite out of the flakey buttery layer and crispy golden exterior, my expression slipping for a second and mirroring my thoughts. "...These are really good."
Altius beamed, finishing off her food. "See, see, I knew they would be good! Let's get another one and then head over to the other foods!"
Nodding, we both grabbed another pastry, different flavors than our former ones, and relished in our time eating them before moving on.
We continued this very cycle with a variety of the dining area's goodies, ranging from cinnamon rolls and fruit tarts (a different kind of the ones we'd just eaten, topped with fresh fruit) all the way to the grilled meats. Eat, enjoy, leave, repeat. That was just what we did.
It lasted the better half of an hour or so, I'd say, until eventually, a certain someone interrupted us.
Altius and I only noticed when we heard a voice speak up as we took turns sharing a bite of each other's food.
"Oh wow, yours tastes like grape jam! I wish I would have got that one…"
"It's no big deal, Altius, we can just swap. Here. I'm more inclined towards strawberry jam, anyways." "Really? Thank you!"
"For you, anytime–"
"Well well well, what have we here? Two human children stuffing their faces tirelessly like starved dormants. Forgive me, but I was under the impression that I had arrived at a distinguished party meant for royalty and nobles such as myself. I didn't know I stepped into a pig's pen."
A young half foxian boy adorned in a wine-red, velvet tailcoat and black dress shoes walked into the connector between the dining area and the main ballroom.
His ears were orange, white, and fluffy and they pointed upwards rigidly, and his steps were heavy with arrogance as he and his entourage—two half foxian males slightly taller than him—made their ways closer, snickering like the children they were.
I rolled my eyes, struggling to fight the urge to sigh.
"Ezra of House Favreau." My tone was flat as I acknowledged the boy.
"Welcome to the party. Despite your unnecessary remark, I do appreciate your appearance."
In the weeks leading up to today, Esil began to drill into me the more important characters on the continent in preparation for my birthday party where some of them could be gathered.
It was for obvious reasons, of course, but it was still quite the pain to remember so many names and faces. The Favreau household was no exception. It was a fairly recent yet somewhat influential subsidiary house of the Vaella-Baella kingdom, known for their clothing business.
They've only been around for about three or so decades, but they've made such progress in the industry that even the very king and queen of Vaella-Baella themselves can often be seen wearing some of their produced attire.
They've become something like a staple of their domain now. People travel far and wide just to get their hands on some of their luxurious products—namely their silk robes, which are their main attraction.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Verlice was no exception. Even we have a few stores in our kingdom, so I had to play the nice guy with this child so as to not spoil our relations.
The downside of swift success, however…
"Tch. Don't flatter yourself, Prince. I'm only here because daddy—er, father—said I must be," he scoffed. "I would rather die than mingle with humans."
…Is the arrogance it can foster. I gave in and sighed inwardly.
Tonight's going to be a long one.
"Yeah, yeah," the chubbier of the two lackeys suddenly said, bouncing on his heels, "The young lord's daddy ordered him to come here! Whoever said we came because he was a fan of the King of Verlice and wanted to make friends with other kids here? Definitely not me! We would rather be caught dead than to hang out with idiot humans! Isn't that right, Brother Idya?!"
He crossed his arms, shooting a glance to the tallest of them all: A boy with glasses, short curly hair, and a stern look on his face.
The young foxian adjusted his frames with two fingers, pushing them further up his nose, the warm chandelier lighting reflecting in his lens as he briefly shifted his position.
"Hmph. Don't ask me. I wasn't paying attention. Ask Ferry himself," he said, finally.
A lightbulb seemed to materialize above the chubby one's head.
"Oh, good point, Brother!" He turned back towards his young master. "Alright then—Ferry, what do you think about what I said? Did I get it correct this time? Last time you said I wasn't supposed to mention something, but I couldn't hear you over the loud music…"
There was a brief stretch of silence before anything happened after that.
Altius and I exchanged confused looks with one another at the group's almost theatrical antics.
Was this some sort of… attempt at comedy? Or perhaps, at a common troupe where an annoying little noble is suddenly underscored by his childish antics?
Either way, it was poorly developed…
I had so badly wanted to speak… But I held my tongue, intent on maintaining the princely demeanor I've managed thus far.
Each second made it even more difficult…
I need to keep up appearances. It'd be best for neither of us to say anything about it.
We'll handle this in a very controlled and mature manner. Right, Alti—
"Pssh. Ferry."
Altius snickered, a teasing smirk creeping onto her face.
It wasn't long before Ezra Favreau began to shake uncontrollably, and steam might as well have formed clouds above his head.
Quickly grabbing the young girl by the hand, I pulled her back towards the main ballroom in a rush.
"Excuse us, gentlemen, but we have elsewhere to be. Please stay and enjoy your time. I'll see you later… Ferry."
And with that we were out of the room in a few seconds.
In the seconds following, a loud, indistinguishable noise ensued, but thankfully, it was somehow muted by the relaxing, jazzy music playing via the speakers in the ceiling overhead.
Altius and I chuckled amongst ourselves as we made our way through the ballroom, indulging ourselves in a bit more of the various activities we could do.
After quite some time, when we were all tired and tuckered out, we finally made our way all the way to the very back where an ornate set of double doors opened to reveal a large, empty balcony decorated with commodities.
I closed them behind us as we stepped out on the marble-stone floor, illuminated by the moonlight just enough for the ingrained patterns to be visible.
My future retainer, unable to contain her awe, let out a soft gasp and made her way to the balustrades, peering over them so closely I worried she might fall off.
"Altius, come back a little bit. That's… dangerous." I moved to usher her away but was swept away by the scene.
Beyond the balustrades, the city's lights glimmered with an opalescent glow, holding me spellbound. Buildings, street lamps, and homes seemed to speak of lives lived and histories shared, past and present woven together in the moment.
Far below, the water surrounding the palace reflected the moonlight, casting our estate as a serene island.
A sense of melancholy settled over me at that sentiment, but looking at the large bridge connecting the estate to the mainland helped to bridge some of that sense of distance.
"It's really pretty from this high up! I've never seen it from this angle…" She marveled. "It's a shame the two princesses couldn't be here to see this… Ah, the problems that come with royalty. My little Noe would've loved this!"
"...Yeah. It does look nice."
We silently took in the scene until a breeze of wind sent both of our hairs in a flurry, and we backed away from the edge, giggling.
It took several spells for our laughter to die down, and when it did, I cast my gaze back to the city, the gentle glow of the lights feeling heavier this time. Altius moved to my side, resting her arms over the balustrades.
"Hey, Sera, I have a question for you," she spoke after a few more seconds of silence.
I gave her a curious look, though I realized she couldn't see me. "What is it?"
"How does it feel? To, you know, be a prince and everything? Does it ever… scare you to know that you'll eventually become the ruler of Verlice? Of all these people?" She turned her head and her emerald eyes met mine.
"I already feel like I have a lot of things to worry about as of now, so I couldn't imagine the idea of ruling over a whole kingdom," she chuckled.
Averting my gaze, I took a moment to gather my thoughts, surprised by her sudden seriousness.
"It's… not easy, honestly. The thought of it does worry me a lot… But I'm not alone, I've started to realize. Esil is someone who I can especially rely on, along with Mother and Father. And even the maids of the palace are always really good to me. Also… I have you as well. I know it'll take a lot of time until I'm truly ready, but there are some upsides, I guess."
She gave a small, understanding nod, turning her look back to the city; silent, but contemplative.
Sensing her hesitance, I pushed onwards.
"Would you mind telling me more about yourself, Alti? Despite all the time we've spent together, you've never once opened up very much… Though it's okay if you don't. I was just curious… Do you have any siblings?"
"..."
…Should I not have asked that?
I thought I read the room correctly, but if not then…
Did I just ruin my only friendship in this world already?! Ah crap…!
"I have a… sister."
There was a brief stretch of silence in between these words and the next.
"Or rather, had a sister. Back when I was really younger, she and I used to play a lot. I would always catch her training her magic, and, being the child that I was, I wanted to be included. Of course, I didn't know at the time that I was hindering her, but she never seemed to feel that way. She'd play with me whenever I wanted. My sister was a very hard worker despite how young she was. Every time I saw her she was always training and learning, doing the very best she could, whether it was with her magic instructor or by herself. According to Father, she was too much of a genius for her own good. And funnily enough, she awakened her magic core a month later than you did, meaning you're the one who broke her record for being the youngest awakened mage in known history."
I sucked in a surprised breath, but otherwise didn't respond.
That's… quite amazing.
Her sister must've really been talented… To think I beat her by a month, and I have the benefit of having a second life.
"She sounds like a really talented person. May I… know what's become of her?"
I was careful with my words, though Altius didn't show much of a reaction. "I don't know," she said, finally.
"I haven't seen her in years, ever since she got up and disappeared one day. For all I know, she could be dead by now." The indifference with which she delivered these words caught me off guard, and the young girl seemed to deflate as she continued.
"What I can say for sure, though, is that she didn't leave because she wanted to. She was cast out… By the elders of the Caelum House. Despite having awakened her mana core early, she didn't awaken to the fire magic that they all take so much pride in, so she was outwardly ostracized. The manor of Caelum is home to not just my father and I, but also to my late mother's mothers and distant cousins. Around this time, Father was really busy and couldn't know of it, and my mother was too sick to do anything…"
Though her tone was leveled, the subtle shaking of her shoulders told me all that I needed to know. I reached out to her slowly. "Alti–"
"—Prince Sera." I spun on my heel to the sight of Esil spilling out into the balcony. Her gaze swept over us in a practiced manner.
"His and Her Majesty are looking for you. It's time for you to open your gifts," she said curtly. "Oh, it's finally that time! I've been waiting for this!"Altius' voice shot up suddenly, and I whipped around to her.
"You should hurry, Sera! I can't wait to see your reaction to what my father and I prepared for you, hehe." I studied the young girl as she bounced on her heels towards the door, unable to quell the unease at her abrupt shift in attitude, like a mask had dropped and another was in its place.
"Well… alright then."
We all made our way back into the ballroom, and I took a breath, glancing back at her in search of any hint of her earlier mood. But it was no good, she was a pro.
Just who exactly is her sister, I wonder…
And why haven't I heard anything of her? If someone so amazing existed in our kingdom, I'm sure I would've at least heard about her…
I sighed and tried to push my thoughts into the back of my mind.
All that matters now is that I get through today's party while maintaining appearances.
***
ALTIUS CAELUM
The crowd gathered together in one tightly knit ball of mass, scents, and hushed chatter, as we all watched The Prince ascend the short flight of steps, arriving at a landing where dozens of gifts of all shapes, sizes, and colors lay dormant.
Each present was unique in their design and figure. Some were opulent, shining with rows of silver and gold with the intent to be eye-catching, while others fared better in other ways; namely, the noble emblems inscribed upon them.
Something they all shared was an air of mysteriousness within them that was almost taunting.
As His and Her Majesty finished a speech that I was too in my thoughts to hear, they beckoned Prince Seraphis to begin, and I found it hard to contain my excitement as he carefully unwrapped the first gift.
Inside the box was a shortsword—more of a dagger than anything—sheathed in a traditional leather scabbard embellished with markings and ornate designs. Something I noticed almost immediately was the small—yet very apparent—unblemished crescent moon that decorated it—a symbol of house Vedras.
Sera's face went wide in awe as his eyes traced its outline before finally deciding to unsheathe it, revealing a sleek blade inscribed with small runes and slightly gleaming with the soft press of magic.
But to most of our surmise, the blade was a dark silver-y color, bordering black even. "This is…" His words fell short of themselves, and an applause erupted from the crowd.
A night silver blade… That's amazing!
Night silver was a rare material used for blacksmithing, and occasionally, jewelry. It was highly conductive with mana, and the only way to acquire it was to go harvest it from either a B-rank dungeon or above, making it that much more impressive. That weapon would last him for a few years, likely even a decade, with how good quality it would be.
I hope my gift can match that… I thought solemnly.
Seraphis exchanged excited glances with His and Her Majesty, Aunt Raven herself, and then finally, his beautiful overseer, Esil.
I wish Mom was here to celebrate this with us, a thought suddenly occurred, and I realized my mind still lingered on the conversation from earlier.
I quickly refocused my attention. I needed to stay focused and in the moment. That's all that mattered now.
My wheat-blonde bangs didn't make it any easier to refocus, however, as they lay in my peripheral; a forever-reminder that I'd inherited more of my dad's features than my mothers—unlike my sister. She had both blonde, and—
Another ripple of applause pulled me from my thoughts, and I looked to see that I had missed the opening of another two presents. One, a miniature statue of a fox—a symbol of good luck from the foxians—while the other was a small globe that mimicked the current weather conditions. Additionally, there were a few high grade magical elixirs.
Shaking my head, I silently reprimanded myself.
I'm not doing a good job at this.
In one hand, Sera wielded an array of gemstones that shone like a kaleidoscope under the warm lighting of the chandeliers, closely kept together in some sort of container that had them each separated, and in the other hand, he held a piece of clothing—a coat of sorts, it seemed.
Something was amiss about the coat, however, in the usual places where you would find the decorative ornaments were instead empty casings.
It clicked at that moment.
The Prince carefully removed one of the gems from its place and clicked it into place on the coat, where the ornaments were missing, changing the color of the coat so that it matched with that of the gem.
It wasn't obvious for anyone else, but for me, I could see the tinge of dissatisfaction staining his vigorously practiced smile. I couldn't blame him, to be honest, that sorta gift was kinda… lackluster compared to the blades and magic elixirs that lay by his side.
Another half hour passed of this, until finally, he reached over, picking up a particular box that was less attractive than the others, but by no means less in terms of quality.
My heart thumped with anxiety and excitement as I noticed the bright orange and blue present.
This one is Father's… I hope he likes it!
Clutching my dress, I watched as Sera unwrapped the present, revealing a small dark leather box embellished with the Caelum family insignia—a golden shield inlaid with ornate stars, with bleached wings sprouting from the sides and curling over it. Noticing this, he shot Dad and I curious glances before resuming.
Sharply scintillating as it captured and reflected the soft lighting was a would-be simple, silver pendant, if not for the small vial that hung from it. Encased within the vial, liquid mana pulsed gently, casting a delicate glow. The primary hue was a deep, tranquil sky-blue topaz, but as it rippled within, other colors emerged fleetingly. Streaks of silvery white, crimson, aureate, and glimmers of amber all swirled with ethereal patterns, fading and reappearing elsewhere within the vial as if caught in a lambent dance.
An appreciative whistle caught my focus, followed by an abrupt uproar of applause.
"It's a mana vial!" "A brilliant gift, indeed!" "Leave it to House Caelum to outdo everyone with their own goodies, eh?" A few voices landed on my ears through the tumult.
I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, relief passing through my body in waves as I watched a light of satisfaction and excitement flicker to life in Sera's eyes.
His gaze landed on Dad and I, nodding thankfully as he put the pendant around his neck, which fit perfectly.
But inwardly, I felt even more assured of my victory against my Father's gift, seeing that he was satisfied with that. Hehe…
A servant soon appeared at his side, carrying a rather sizable metal cage with a draped curtain over it—also engraved with the Caelum insignia.
He handed it to Her Majesty, who then passed it over to the Prince with curious eyes.
Seraphis carefully removed the cloth, revealing a creature that shook the audience to their core.
"Woah…"
"N-no way, right?" "Is that a magic beast…?!"
"Of the Lychnus genus, as well…! That's at least a B+ tier magic beast!"
Murmurs quickly blurred into cheers and applause, and I struggled to bite back a wide grin as I watched Prince Sera's face mold into the brightest, most clear-cut expression of satisfaction that I'd seen all night. And I knew instantly that I had won.
"Looks like my gift prevails!" I teasingly nudged Father.
He 'Hmph'ed', a surefire sign of acknowledgment, and I threw my arms into the air.
"Yes!"
Following this event, the process of opening gifts went on for another half an hour or so as he obtained a variety of presents from various nobles, along with a few unnecessary introductions—nobles announcing which gifts were theirs, promoting their societies, and subtly trying to introduce their daughters as potential suitors to the Prince, no doubt vying for favor—until there was nothing else left, concluding this section of the event.
The revelry continued into the night for a long while after that before I found myself suddenly growing tired.
***
SERAPHIS ELTATH VERLICE
While Esil and a handful of maids saw our guests out, others were busy cleaning up behind them.
Seeing the amount of people flooding out of the ballroom was a wake-up experience.
It attested to the surreality of my situation.
I, myself, saw a few particular guests out as well, namely Lady Raven and Lord Darsen, but there were a few others; more political figures from somewhat distant lands who wanted a chance to meet me.
By the time everything was finished, sunlight was shining through the glass walls with early morning radiance.
I shot a glance over to Karyst, who I'd primarily seen conversing with other people throughout a large portion of the party, carrying a sleeping Altius in his arms in a very endearing, princess-like way. He was talking to Mother at the moment.
Despite how boundless the girl's energy appeared, it seemed that she, too, had a limit.
A slow smile creeped on my face at this thought, and I realized that I could finally relax.
"Prince Seraphis." Karyst's voice snagged my thoughts, as he approached, his conversation with Mother reaching its end.
"I wanted to tell you: Good luck on your journey. I can tell at a glance that you possess a great amount of potential, and I'd like to see it realized within you. Altius and I will be returning to Lendorre today. She will be sad that she wasn't able to see you off, but I hope she can forgive me for not waking her up."
Lord Karyst's gaze softened as he looked over at his daughter.
"Something else I felt the need to tell you is: House Caelum will always be with you. In the next few years from now, when you return from Testruam, there'll be a ceremony held to officially crown her as your retainer."
His tone became more serious the more he went on, grave and steady, and I suspected his feelings relating to the situation with his lost daughter were surfacing, if only a little.
"When that time comes, your lives will be tied together, and she'll be bound to serve you. And when that day arrives, know that it's just as much of your duty to have her back, as it is hers to have your back. No matter what. Can you swear to it?"
"...I solemnly swear. On my honor as the Prince of the Verlice kingdom I will always, no matter the circumstances, uphold my rightful duty and side of this agreement."
Karyst spun on his heel, aimed towards the entrance, and started in his stride. Before that, though, he paused, shooting me a nod.
"Good. I find the look in your eyes to be convincing. You'll do well in the future, so long as you uphold your integrity and pride. By the way, what will you name your new gift? The magic beast, I mean. It was a gift from Altius—she insisted it would be the perfect thing for a young prince."
I cast a quick glance over to Esil, who was holding the sleeping magic beast in her arms.
Her fur was a silky, silver sheen, with beige undertones, and her eyes—when she was awake—were a light magenta.
"...Seraphina. I've put a lot of thought into that name, ever since I first saw her. I'm really grateful for her, by the way, and I never did thank you, either of you, so… thank you."
His eyebrows raised a fraction of an inch, and I thought I saw something like a smirk appear on his face.
"Think nothing of it. I'm looking forward to seeing the bond you two develop," he said, turning away.
And with that he was off.
The weight of his words settled on me as his figure disappeared through the wide double doors of the ballroom, each footfall hammering into me the nail of responsibility—the one I had just sworn myself to.
Though, I felt as if it was much deeper than just that. It was a sense of honor. Pride. Belonging.
Maybe all three. It was unfamiliar to me, whatever it was.
I'd always felt that bonds like this were of no importance; fleeting, and hardly a foundation for any relationship. Like chains.
But, as I spoke those words that stirred within me in a heartbeat, as if on instinct, I realized that they could be something else—something that grounded me, to help me stand on.
And… My pride. As a Prince. As a person—was something I'd never known until now.
It seemed like my new life was starting to finally take effect and etch itself into my character, which I always considered to be a blank canvas. It was as if I had, for the first time, taken a step into a part of myself I hadn't known to be there; hadn't even considered to have existed.
It was strange… Entirely foreign.
In my past life, I never had such responsibilities or bonds, never mind the opportunities to make them. Life on Earth was dull, boring, and gray, and everyday soon became a messy blur of doubt and despair, all bearing into me relentlessly.
This… was a nice change of pace.
Now, I had one extra person to work that hard for. So, I had to succeed.
"Seraphis." A voice—like the calm ripple of water in a quiet stream—pulled me from my headspace, and I felt a soft shift in the room's energy.
Turning, I found Father approaching with slow, measured steps and an unhurried pace, stopping just short of me. He paused, his deep amethyst eyes taking the chance to trace the outline of my figure. "You've… grown quite a bit since the last I saw you."
The words were delivered with a hint of reminiscence, and a flicker of—what appeared to me to be—regret.
"I won't ask for your forgiveness of my continued absence in your life, I know that may be a bit much as of now. What I will ask, however, is that you don't resent me. Or rather, resent our duty. Fortune and opportunity are two very different things. And our lineage has been fortunate enough to be granted an opportunity—a duty—to lead. Yet, in the midst of fulfilling the demands of our role, we often become perfect strangers to those we care for most, even if that is not our intention. It is as much of a blessing as it is a curse…"
His voice lingered for a heartbeat. "But that's not what I came to discuss."
"I'm pleased to see that you were able to handle yourself well. The network of our kingdom's connections is vast, and certain individuals can make it difficult to manage. Nonetheless, you appeared to be capable of calm reasoning and maintaining a friendly demeanor. That's good. It's a skill you'll need," he finished, lifting a finger.
With a fleeting spark of mana, a small, velvet black box appeared in his palms.
He opened the box slowly, revealing a striking ring nestled within the dark velvet lining.
The interior of the ring was midnight black, with a subtle, iridescent sheen that seemed to drink in the light, amplifying the contrast between that and its exterior.
Wrapped around this interior was a silver band, polished to a radiant sheen, and adorned with small, diamond-like gems that scattered light with every slight movement. Set atop the center of the band was a familiar crown of captured, silver star-glimmers, the lead one being noticeably more apparent, raised enough to declare their presence.
I sucked in a breath. "This is… The Verlice ring...?"
My eyes flickered back and forth between the King and this gift.
"I can't, Your Majes—Father—I fear I am not at the appropriate age or mindset to receive this legendary heirloom."
My slip up of words caused his face to change just slightly, revealing the downturned crease of a small frown.
"Take a closer look at it. You'll see that it is not the ring you speak of. This is but a mere model of it, something equally as important and is an official symbol of your royalty. It is both your mother and mine birthday gift to you, my son. Wear it with pride, as it is more than just jewelry, as you'll come to find out. It is known as the Crownsguard ring, and within it is a gift of our lineage. By entrusting you with this gift, I am formally acknowledging you as someone possessing the potential to succeed me as King. Once I've given you the Kingsguard ring, you'll be officially recognized as the ruler of Verlice."
Slowing my breathing and taking a deeper assessment of the situation, I could see that he was right.
The Kingsguard ring was still on his finger.
And it possessed more shades of amethyst rather than silver.
This thought led me to wonder more about Mother's ring, which I realized I'd never taken note of.
Carefully, I reached out my hand and retrieved the magnificent creation—lightweight and smooth to the touch. Slipping it on, a sense of magic rippled through my body, raising bumps on my skin.
I felt a new… "connection" to a space that wasn't here. That was when I realized.
Another ripple of mana outburst again, this time from myself, and suddenly, my consciousness was split into two, bringing me into an opaque area.
So this is an extra dimensional storage ring…
The sensation was similar to multitasking. Like, if you tried to game with background noises that kept you looking over your shoulder in half-curiosity.
Not overbearing, but would definitely take some time to get used to.
Something I also noticed was the presence of an item, the gift he was talking about. It was a small, jagged fragment of…obsidian?
I guess my confusion leaked into my expression, because he was explaining in the next moment.
"That stone is something akin to a puzzle, if you will. It represents the Trial of the Inheritance, and will allow you to forge a very necessary set of skills inherent to the Verlice lineage. I've had to undergo it once before. The reason I'm giving this to you now is to represent a promise. There is… much I regret in our relationship, Seraphis. I've not been the best father, and we've long since had conversations overdue. That is why I'm making you this promise: When you return, I will tell you everything. The truth about the seal placed on those of royal origin, the taciturn prophecy, and the origin of those with Golden Lineage…"
His attention seemed to linger elsewhere for a second before he caught himself.
"That has concluded the crux of which I wanted to pass on to you… However, one last thing is: Do not interact with the stone unless you find yourself in dire need of power. It is a fickle thing, one that you may easily become lost within, if you don't have someone there with you as a tether. Otherwise, simply allow me the opportunity to do it with you, walk you through it. As a father would. I'll be looking forward to your return. When you come back, you'll be tasked with partaking in more official duties, so as to build your experience. Use this time to learn all that you can from our elven friends. They will be a crucial ally to you in times of need."
***
And so, several more days passed by, until finally…
"Hah… Nothing much better in life than a nice, hot shower." Drying my hair off, I shot a smirk to Seraphina. "Right, Seraph?"
The young fox, still dripping wet, held my gaze with a look that could only be explained as one you'd give someone who made you experience unimaginable horrors.
"Don't give me that look. It was necessary—I've been up all night twisting and turning in anticipation; I needed to wake myself up, somehow—and besides, what better way for us to bond? We can't make bad first impressions with the elves, either."
She didn't seem totally convinced, so I sighed, picking up the other towel and gently wrapping it around her.
"Let's just get this over with quickly, my new friend. Mother prefers to be punctual, so we shouldn't spend too much getting ready."
Not much longer afterwards, I threw on a simple yet comfortable set of clothing that I figured would be easy to move in, though it looked no less grand than what I usually wear.
I took one last glance over my belongings, ensuring everything I needed was with me.
The dagger that Lady Raven gifted to me, along with the rest of my clothes and other things, were all situated inside my ring, meaning there was nothing for me to carry.
As for the mana vial pendant Altius and Karyst got for me, it was tucked underneath my shirt, safely hidden away from the outside world.
Once I felt ready to head off, I started towards the door, opening it, but was greeted with a contemplative Esil standing with her knuckles outreached. She took one look at me and gave me a slight frown.
"Young Lord, seriously, you must take better care of your appearance. Honestly, what are you going to do without me?"
Taking my hand, she pulled me towards the mirror in my room. From there I was met with the sight of a boy with unruly, half-dried hair that fell down the sides of his face.
"Ah… Right, sorry."
Sighing, she retrieved a bigger towel from the bathroom, taking more care than I did to fully dry my hair. Once that was done, she reached for her pocket, withdrawing a small, black hair band, and began to put my hair up.
"Watch carefully."
A sense of nostalgia overtook me at this, and I remembered all the times she'd done this for me.
Usually, she'd have finished this in less than a minute, but today, she was moving much slower than before.
Had I not looked closely at her face in the mirror, I would've never noticed the tears welling in her eyes. It hit me then. That today was the last day I would experience this again. A reminiscent melancholy sat—firmly—in my stomach like a rock. It took everything I had to not let my emotions slip.
I had gotten comfortable with this life, but everyday from now on would be spent training and getting stronger. I probably wouldn't be able to experience this moment again, either, as I'd be much older when I returned.
"Time is… more fickle than you may imagine, Sera." Esil broke the silence.
"One moment, you're a highly skilled adventurer on the cusp of a breakthrough, and the next, you've gotten a job as a maid to one of the Four Blessed Kingdoms. Life has a way of throwing at you the most bizarre of circumstances. It'll sneak up behind you and leave you wondering to the Great Erus Fauna 'What happened?', if you aren't careful enough."
She paused. Though her gaze was on me, I could see the passing of many intangible years bringing her attention elsewhere.
"I remember the days when you could do nothing except cry and… use the bathroom on yourself," she began again, slightly chuckling to herself, and I felt my face flush. "E-esil!"
For the first time ever, I heard my overseer break into something like full on laughter as she seemed to recall the not-so-fun earlier years of my life.
Despite experiencing such an important moment in my relationship with Esil, I felt a sharp pang, like something was amiss. I couldn't put my finger on it, nor could I muster up any reaction to seeing Esil in such a state, other than my embarrassed face.
We sat like that for a few minutes, and her fit of laughter soon died down into soft chuckles as she picked up from where she left off.
"But here you are now. Five years young and brimming with ambition. My, how you've grown."
By this time, she finished putting my hair into a ponytail, my bangs neatly styled so that they weren't in my face.
Then, she continued.
"This is my gift to you, Young Lord. I don't have much to offer to you, I'm aware, but I hope that, at the very least, this knowledge will have been imparted to you. When you're in Testruam training, it'll be helpful to keep your hair from impeding your vision. That band is the same one my very own mother gave me as a gift. And now, I'm passing it on to you."
"Esil…" My voice cracked.
"Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to become so sentimental. I'm sure whatever endeavors you decide to pursue from now on, you'll accomplish. You have the power to bring happiness to all whom you may encounter, do not forget that. Please, continue to do your best from now on, Sera. Safe travels. I'll see you some other time…"
Seraphina took that moment to jump on the bed, announcing her presence. "And you, too, little one," my overseer shot her a sly smirk.
I threw my arms around my foxian caretaker, embracing her into the beary-est bear hug my small form could manage, and she reciprocated the gesture. We held like that for a minute, or two, or maybe a few, I couldn't tell, before I pulled away, breaking the spell.
"Thanks, Esil. For everything. I'll see you later!"
In a swift motion, I spun on my heel, exiting into the hallway, followed by Seraphina.
A tear slowly trickled down my left cheek, and I took my palm and wiped it away, thankful that I had managed to hold it in until after I left the room.
Her words echoed against my thoughts.
"You have the power to bring happiness to all whom you may encounter."
I didn't want her to see me crying. I had to show her that I was ready for the journey.
Memories of my earlier years resurfaced one by one as I passed by certain areas in my descent through the palace, each one leaving a sort of reminiscent mark in my heart.
I was grateful to everything the Verlice kingdom had done for me—for everything that had been given to me.
Compared to my past life, that is.
To this day, uncertainty still surrounds my sudden reincarnation, or forced summoning, rather.
But regardless of my initial worries about my new life, everything had turned out surprisingly well.
Despite this, though, I came to realize a few things.
This life I wanted to live—the one of a powerful, world renowned Hero—wasn't going to be nearly as smooth-sailing as I originally thought. I was naive, I admit.
With peace in the world, no wars to be fought, no gigantic dragons to be slain, it was up to me to find ways to grow stronger.
Simply being born a prince wasn't enough.
My gifts would have to become stepping stones to my success, and it would be more about how I utilized them going forward that would discern whether or not I'd reach my goal as the strongest mage on the continent. It wasn't going to be an easy life, I'll say that.
But for now, my first goal was: To survive my training in Testruam.
Next: To grow strong enough to become an adventurer.
It's important to break apart your dream into ascertainable pieces, after all.
Eventually, I made my way outside and boarded the carriage with Mother—who I noticed to be quite full of food—and the journey partly began. First, we had to make our way to the warp gate, which is how we were going to get there.
Traveling via carriage would be too long and strenuous on Mother's body, apparently, and this way was instant. I'll admit, she never did strike me as the frail type…
Anyways, the ride didn't take very long at all. I had hoped it would be so that I could soak in the views more, but it seemed that wasn't possible.
"It seems we've made excellent time. We're here, my Lieges," the carriage driver announced.
"The warp gate to Testruam stands before us, in all its glory." We disembarked from the carriage.
As Mother handled the payment for the services, I found myself inching towards the gate, drawn into its otherworldly radiance.
All I could manage was a hushed "Woah…" But even that felt insufficient to convey its grandeur.
A path cut from stone stretched ahead, leading to a dais, and at its peak stood a masterpiece—a union representing the art of magic, along with human ingenuity.
Rising over thirty feet tall, the structure was unblemished, carved from marble. Its shape defied my understanding.
It resembled a diamond pivoted on its X-axis and then compressed from the top .
But what truly captured me was the shimmering barrier within—a pink amethyst veil that seemed to transcend the boundaries of our natural world.
It had an ethereal quality to it, like an oil slick on water, its swirling, ever-shifting patterns seeming to possess consciousness of their own.
Yet… something felt amiss.
I hesitated to refer to it as mana, it didn't feel right.
There was a certain quality to it, one that existed beyond the familiar framework of mana, though it was certainly some type of magic; an existence that resisted definition.
I took note of the four guards stationed around the gate, two positioned at the base, and two above.
The ones at the bottom meticulously checked for papers of identification and such, meanwhile the two at the top stood with the blades of their polearms pointed at the sky.
Mother was then at my side, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Warp gates, portals that bridge two distant points in space. The secrets of their creation have been swallowed by time, as so many things are. Yet, the mages of today have ensured their continued function and preservation. They are, after all, divine gifts in their own right," she explained, a sly smirk raising the corners of her lips.
"The first time I stood before one, I was no less enchanted than you are now. My guardian at the time found it all too amusing—perhaps more so than he should have. Watching you now, I think I finally understand his humor."
Her smile lingered on for another beat or two, before her expression softened.
"But that was a long time ago, in a moment that no longer belongs to me. Come now, Testruam awaits us."
I followed her lead, stepping forward toward the guards at the base of the dais, on a different path than the ones of the small crowd of people in line.
They quickly snapped to attention, shifting to allow us passage.
As we ascended the stairs, a single glance from her was enough to make the guards at the top lower their weapons and step aside as well.
Finally, we stood before the gate. My eyes were fixed on the swirling barrier in front of us.
So this is it… Everything boils down to this, hm? All that's left is to walk through.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Then, a question arose in my mind.
"Does it… hurt? To go through it, I mean," I blurted out, a bit louder than I intended.
"No, though it is a peculiar sensation. It takes some time getting used to," Mother responded, shifting slightly. "The sensation will pass just as quickly as it emerges, Seraphis. Try not to ponder it too much, as you'll likely end up on a dead road."
"Right…"
Goodbye Verlice.
The next time I return, I'll be a more skilled mage. Stronger, and closer to achieving my goal.
But then again… I was only going to be gone for a few years. Nothing so dire.
And so, we took our steps through the cool spill of pink amethyst, our stride bringing us through the confines of space itself.