Chapter 9: The Road Ahead
Morning arrived far too quickly.
The first rays of sunlight spilled through the tall windows of Ashford Manor, bathing the room in a warm golden glow.
For the first time in years, Vee woke before anyone called him.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the packed suitcase resting beside the door.
His academy uniform had already been prepared by the servants.
A deep navy coat trimmed with silver.
A white dress shirt.
Black trousers.
A crimson tie embroidered with the Royal Academy's crest.
His sword rested neatly against the wall.
It looked... different somehow.
Not because it had changed.
Because he had.
Only a few weeks ago, he had been swinging his blade with reckless confidence.
Now, every time he looked at it, he remembered Kai.
"You're stronger..."
"But you're still inexperienced."
Vee smiled to himself.
"...Not for long."
He changed into his uniform, fastening every button with care.
Looking into the mirror, he barely recognized himself.
The carefree boy who loved joking was still there...
But behind those violet eyes was determination.
Today...
His real journey began.
---
When Vee stepped out of his room, dozens of servants lined the hallway.
Every one of them bowed.
"Good morning, Young Master."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"You don't have to do that every time."
An elderly maid smiled.
"We do because we want to."
Another servant stepped forward carrying a travel cloak.
"We wish you a safe journey."
Vee accepted it with a grateful nod.
"Thank you."
He continued toward the dining hall.
The familiar smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the air.
Usually, mornings in the Ashford household were filled with conversation.
Today...
The silence felt heavier.
His father stood near the window, arms folded behind his back.
His mother sat at the table.
The moment she saw Vee...
Her eyes became watery.
She stood so quickly that her chair nearly fell over.
"My baby..."
Before Vee could react, she wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"Mom..."
Her shoulders trembled.
"I know..." she whispered. "I know this day would come..."
"...but I wasn't ready."
Vee gently hugged her back.
"I'm only going to the Academy."
"I'll visit."
She pulled away and cupped his face with both hands.
"You say that now..."
"...then you'll make friends."
"You'll become stronger."
"You'll become famous."
"And one day..."
"You won't need your mother anymore."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Vee smiled softly.
"That's impossible."
She blinked.
"No matter how old I become..."
"No matter how strong I become..."
"I'll always need my mom."
Fresh tears escaped her eyes.
"You always know what to say."
His father walked over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"He has to leave eventually."
"I know."
She sniffled.
"I just..."
"...I still remember when he was small enough to sit on my shoulders."
Vee laughed.
"I think you've got that backwards."
His father nodded seriously.
"She's right."
Vee stared.
"...Dad."
His father's face remained perfectly straight.
"You were a very unusual child."
Even his mother laughed through her tears.
Vee sighed dramatically.
"I have been betrayed."
The mood lightened.
For a brief moment...
The sadness disappeared.
His mother wiped away her tears before looking directly into his eyes.
"Promise me something."
"I promise."
"You haven't heard it yet."
"I'll probably agree anyway."
She gently flicked his forehead.
"Listen."
He rubbed the spot.
"I'm listening."
She smiled.
"When you leave this house..."
"You'll meet people stronger than you."
"Smarter than you."
"People who will praise you."
"And people who will hate you."
She took a deep breath.
"But don't let any of them change the person you are."
"Stay kind."
"Keep smiling."
"And remember..."
She rested a hand over his heart.
"...you will always be my baby."
For a second...
Vee couldn't find any words.
He simply nodded.
"I won't forget."
His father gave a satisfied nod.
"Good."
Then, with perfect timing, he cleared his throat.
"Oh..."
"One more thing."
Vee looked at him.
"When you arrive at the Academy..."
"Don't forget Princess Aurelia will be there."
Silence.
Vee blinked once.
Twice.
"...Princess?"
His brain stopped working.
"The girl from the ball?"
His father nodded.
"The very same."
Vee's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
"...Wait..."
"...She's a princess?"
His mother couldn't hold back her laughter anymore.
"You really didn't know?"
"I..."
"...No!"
"I thought she was just another noble!"
His father raised an eyebrow.
"You spent nearly an hour talking to the Crown Princess of the kingdom..."
"...without realizing who she was."
Vee buried his face in his hands.
"...I'm never recovering from this."
His mother giggled.
"Oh, I think you will."
His father gave a faint smile.
"Perhaps that's why she enjoyed talking to you."
"You treated her like an ordinary girl."
Vee groaned.
"I made jokes..."
"I told her parties were prisons..."
"I forgot to ask her name..."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"...Can I stay home?"
His father laughed—a genuine laugh that surprised everyone in the room.
"No."
"You've already embarrassed yourself."
"You might as well face the consequences."
Even Vee started laughing.
He shook his head.
"I can't believe it."
The Crown Princess.
The mysterious girl from the balcony.
The one he had promised not to forget.
She was waiting for him at the Royal Academy.
And somehow...
That thought made him even more nervous than facing Kai ever had.
Outside, a royal carriage rolled through the gates of Ashford Manor.
It was time to leave home.
It was time for Vee Ashford's true story to begin.