Chapter Two
Later, in Calix's private quarters, Anton returned with the question still lingering. "My lord," he began carefully, "who do you think is your bride?"
Calix's lips curved into the faintest smile. "The brave one."
Anton frowned. "The third princess?"
"Funny, isn't it?" Calix mused. "She's the first princess by birth, yet in title, she's the third."
"My lord, do I send her away?" Anton asked, still cautious.
Calix's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "She's interesting."
Anton bowed. "As you command, my lord."
"Don't speak of it further," Calix warned. "If it's her destiny, she'll live it. We have no say in this, Anton."
That same morning, a guard approached the chambers of the Lady of Honour. Bowing, he announced, "My lady, the King invites you to the court to welcome the Margravian royal family."
The maid received the message in her stead and nodded. "Her ladyship recieves the order"
The guard bowed once more and departed.
Soon after, the maid helped her mistress dress, adjusting the fine layers of fabric before stepping back. "All set, my lady."
Avena lowered her royal veil, the silk falling gracefully around her face, and stepped out of her chambers to meet Gorgon, who waited for her.
"Let us go," he said, offering his arm.
Together they made their way toward the court. The moment her presence was announced, every eye in the room—lords, ladies, and visiting envoys alike—turned and settled upon her as she walked forward, regal and unshaken.
Princess Avena curtsied gracefully, her veil shimmering under the soft glow of the royal hall. "Princess Avena Seraphiel greets and welcomes the Grand Monarch and the four great princes of Morgravia."
Lysander's booming laughter filled the court. "Whiteford, I like this daughter of yours. Why don't we let the young ones bind?"
Lord Liora rose slightly from his seat, smiling diplomatically. "Right. Dean?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Dean answered with a deep bow.
"Lead them all to the garden," Liora commanded, "and send a message to the Crown Prince to return now."
Dean inclined his head. "As you wish, Your Grace." With that, he guided the young royals out toward the gardens, summoning attendants to attend to them.
Meanwhile, Helena leaned toward her sister Melita, her eyes sparkling with interest. "That prince," she whispered, her lips curving mischievously. "I like him. Both of you would make a great match."
Melita flushed, lowering her eyes for a moment before admitting softly, "I… I like him too."
Helena clasped her hand with a knowing smile and tugged her gently. "Come, let's go talk to him."
Across the courtyard, Calix watched in silence. His gaze followed Avena, who walked alongside Gorgon, his protective presence at her side undeniable. Yet the moment Helena and Melita began moving toward him, Calix's attention shifted. He could feel eyes on him—curious, assessing, waiting.
He straightened subtly, his expression unreadable, but inwardly, a spark of intrigue stirred.
Helena caught his eye as they drew nearer, her lips curling into a smile. "My lord," she said softly, her tone carrying both respect and something unspoken, a test of his reaction.
Certainly. Below is the content of the notebook in prose format:
Calix entered the room, his voice calm yet authoritative as he introduced himself: "I am Lord of Justice, the fifth prince of Morgravia, Prince Calix Kaerith Thorne." Helena stood by, mentioning to others, "I'm Helena, and this is my elder sister Meutia. Our sister is ugly and proud, right?" Meutia, surprised, glanced at Calix, while Helen stepped back in fear. Calix smirked and asked, "What, afraid?"
Roan approached Avena and said, "My Lady, you must be lonely, right?" Avena responded, "You must be Lord Roan." With a touch of ego, Roan replied, "My popularity has flown here." Avena nodded and remarked, "Yes, popular for mistreating his wanting-to-escape wife." Roan was left speechless.
Excusing herself, Avena said, "Excuse me, my lord," and went to sit by the river. Calix, noticing her departure, called out, "Avena?" She looked up and stood. "Yours?" Calix confirmed, "Your husband." Avena stretched her hand out, and Calix kissed it lightly, surprised by the warmth he felt. "I prefer the you who's carefree," he admitted. Avena, thoughtful, remarked, "Being surrounded by enemies disguised as family makes me..."
Certainly. Here is the next part in prose format:
Calix looked at Avena and motioned for her to point out his flaws. She did not hesitate. Meutia changed the subject to tomorrow's evening. Calix agreed, replying, "Fine by me. Beloved, your sister wants a duel. Would you come watch?" Avena nodded and asked what time the duel was. Calix answered, "Tomorrow evening. I'd love to see you fight too." Avena replied she couldn't until the wedding week was over, but Calix only smiled, "It doesn't matter. I'll see your fight then," his face softening.
Edstin apologized, saying he would rather spend time alone with his wife. Calix then led Avena away from the others to a quiet place. Avena asked, "Why did you bring me here?" Calix explained, "I have something for my wife. By the way, I love the cool way you saved people back then." Avena asked when that was, and Calix answered, "The day of the thunderstorm." Surprised, Avena asked if he was there. Calix confirmed.
"Why didn't you help?" Avena wanted to know. Calix replied, "You would reject my help, saying it doesn't concern Morgravia." Avena admitted he was right and asked, "Now, what do you have for me?" But Calix changed his mind, saying, "I'll give you after our wedding—Avena, you must wait." Avena accepted, understanding, "It's a tradition here that till the wedding day, no one is..."
Certainly. Here is the next part in prose format:
Calix agreed to see the bride's face, mentioning, "I see." Gordon, the fifth prince, addressed Calix and warned, "Fifth Prince, my lady, let's head back to the palace. It's dangerous to venture farther." Calix asked why, to which Amon replied solemnly, "There have been cases of disappearance of people lately." Calix gave Anton a signal and said, "I see. Let's go back then." The four of them returned.
Later, in the Ruperta Quarter, Meutia confided in her mother, Ruperta, about her admiration for the fifth prince. "Mother, I like the fifth prince. Can't I be his wife?" she asked. Ruperta was surprised and asked her daughter to clarify. Meutia replied, "He's cool. He's charming and caring. You need to see the way he cared for that outcast." Ruperta doubted her, but Meutia insisted, "Yes, mother. You should see the way he cares for her." Ruperta looked at her guard and instructed, "He bowed and left. Let's wait and see if the guard soon comes back. What did you see?"
The guard reported, "Your Grace, I saw the Morgravian Prince and the princess having a walk. I overheard from the maids that the Prince has been going about asking for the princess's favorites. They also had lunch at her quarter." Melita smiled, "Mother, you see what I am saying."
Ruperta said, "I'll see your father on this matter."
Melita responded, "Yes, mother. You should go meet father.