"My dear, he's the one I mentioned before - your betrothed, the Crown Prince," Duke Labelle said gently, trying to help her recall.
Lady Cecilia stared at Prince Caleb's eyes, then quickly averted her gaze. The idea of losing her memories was difficult enough but now, to learn she was engaged to someone she couldn't remember, sitting so close to her was overwhelming.
Prince Caleb's breath hitched at her question. "My Lord, did she..." he began, hoping it wasn't what he suspected.
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness," the Duke confirmed. "She has lost her memories due to her head injury."
"This must be a lot for you to take in," Caleb said softly, giving her hand a light squeeze. "But we can take things slowly. You don't have to force yourself to remember everything at once."
He gently pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Imperial Highness," Lady Cecilia replied, politely withdrawing her hand, unsure of what to feel.
Prince Caleb stood. "Then rest for now. We leave for the capital tomorrow. I can't be away from the palace too long."
"We'll make the necessary preparations," Duke Labelle said, bowing as the prince took his leave.
"Zephora," the Duke called out.
"Yes, my lord?" she stepped forward.
"See that everything Cecilia needs is ready. You'll accompany her to the palace."
"Understood," Zephora replied with a nod.
The Duke turned back to Cecilia, kissed her forehead, and said softly, "Don't worry too much, my child. You're in good hands." Then he left the room with the others, leaving Zephora behind to begin packing.
"Uhm… excuse me?" Lady Cecilia said hesitantly, watching Zephora move about the room.
"Yes, my lady?" Zephora paused and turned toward her.
"I was told we grew up together. Does that mean... you know everything about me?"
Zephora smiled gently and walked closer. "Not everything, but most of it, yes."
"The man who came here..." Cecilia trailed of shyly.
"You mean the Crown Prince?"
"Yes"
"What about him, my lady?" Zephora asked.
Lady Cecilia glanced away, cheeks tinged with red. "Since he's my betrothed... does that mean I loved him?"
Zephora paused, considering her answer carefully. "You've been friends since before your engagement. I remember nights when you'd sneak out and return looking radiant."
"Was I meeting him?" Lady Cecilia asked, curious. "But why in secret?"
"I never knew. You never told me," Zephora said honestly. "You were supposed to marry after your coming-of-age ceremony, but you asked to delay it until you were twenty-four. You said you wanted more time before marriage, knowing how demanding life would be afterward. The Empress and your father opposed it, but the Crown Prince agreed. He respected your choice."
Cecilia looked down. "What do you think of the Crown Prince?"
Zephora's answer was immediate. "Not only is he the heir to the throne, but everyone in the empire knows how deeply he loves you. He's never been shy about showing affection in public."
"He seems to be a good person," Cecilia muttered, feeling relieved from the answer to her questions.
Zephora sat gently at the edge of the bed and took her hand. "I'm sure the more time you spend with him, the more you'll begin to remember."
Cecilia nodded quietly.
"Ah!" Zephora said suddenly, as if struck by a thought. She rose and walked to the dresser, opening a drawer and pulling out a small, locked box.
"What's this?" Cecilia asked curiously.
"It's your diary, my lady," Zephora said, placing it carefully in her hands. "You've always written in it. I hope it can help you remember."
Cecilia ran her fingers over the smooth box, her touch soft against the locked clasp.
"Where's the key?" she murmured to herself.
"Haaa..." Lord Edric let out a long sigh.
"You seem troubled," Rue observed, glancing at him.
"I've been trying to find the lady I saw on the stairs that day but no matter how hard I look, I haven't seen her since. I'm starting to wonder if I imagined it."
"What will you do if you find her?" Rue asked.
"I'll woo her, of course," Edric said with a grin, already picturing the scene in his head.
Rue raised a brow. "From what I've heard, your past romances haven't exactly been serious."
"I'm serious about this one," Edric replied, determination firm in his voice.
They stepped into the room and immediately, a hush fell. Everyone turned to look at them, and the once lively chatter vanished.
"Why is it suddenly so quiet?" Edric muttered.
He scanned the room for empty seats and saw a familiar face at the back. It was the lady she's been looking for.
"Ah! It's you! The lady on the stairs," Edric exclaimed, a grin lighting up his face as he rushed toward her.
Elery blinked, caught off guard. She looked confused as Edric stopped in front of her.
"We meet again," he said warmly. "I was the one on the stairs."
"Oh! That was you?" she said, recognition dawning. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize."
"No need to apologize," Edric chuckled. "May we sit beside you?" he asked, gesturing to the three vacant seats.
"Of course," Elery said, nodding.
Edric eagerly took the seat next to her. Rue followed behind, and as he came into view, Elery's eyes met his and froze.
"My Lord!"
"Your Highness!"
They spoke in unison. Elery was surprised. Rue looked just as shocked.
Behind Rue, Sir Conrad appeared, drawing Elery's attention.
"Sir Conrad is also here," she noted.
Sir Conrad gave a respectful bow. "Your Highness."
Edric blinked at the sudden formal air between them. "You know each other?"
"We worked on a case together a few months ago," Rue replied calmly.
Elery's gaze shifted to Greta, who sat rigidly in her seat, clearly overwhelmed by the attention.
Is he the Marquess Greta mentioned? she wondered.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness," Rue said.
"And you as well," Elery repsponded.
Rue and Sir Conrad took their seats next to Edric.
As soon as they sat down, Edric leaned toward Rue and whispered, "Why didn't you tell me you knew her?"
Rue gave him a look. "She's the one you've been talking about?"
"Yes!"
"Well, I didn't know you meant the princess. And I didn't know she was here."
"I didn't even know there was a princess in Vestur," Edric muttered.
"She's the second princess of Dostani."
Edric's eyes widened. Bright hair… blue eyes… How did I not recognize her? Ahh! I hope I didn't make a bad impression! he screamed inside his head.
"Alright, settle down," a stern voice said.
Everyone turned as the professor entered the room, adjusting her glasses as she surveyed the class.
Greta leaned toward Elery and whispered, "That's her. Nyrvana Corvaris, Princess Liora's best friend."
Elery looked toward the front, where Nyrvana stood, her eyes fixed on Elery's direction.
"Before we begin," Nyrvana announced, "I have an important announcement. The Umbra Hunt will take place three weeks from now. You will be paired with someone of the same level, but different magical expertise. This exercise will test your adaptability and collaboration under pressure."
Murmurs rippled across the classroom.
"You will be evaluated based on performance, teamwork, and strategy. Partners will be revealed on the day of the hunt. So I advise you to train and enhance your skills starting now, your advancement depends on it."
Edric, barely listening, snuck a glance at Elery.
Please let me be paired with her... he thought, heart fluttering.
"Just as you feared, Your Majesty," one of the officials reported, "the situation at the border between Dostani Kingdom and the Vestur Empire has worsened. They've grown increasingly aggressive. Frankly, I don't believe they're interested in settling this peacefully."
The High Chamber was tense, its council members gathered to address the brewing threat.
"They want an excuse to start a war," Queen Thalora said firmly. "Sir Darian, Sir Aurex, how are the preparations on your end?"
Sir Darian, the Queensguard, stepped forward. "Everything is proceeding smoothly, Your Majesty."
"I'm still waiting for the remaining soldiers from several noble houses," added Sir Aurex, Lord Commander of Dostani.
"Even if we gather every soldier and knight we have, we'll still be outnumbered," another official said, anxiety in his voice.
Queen Thalora rose from her seat, lifting a small ornate box from beside her. "That may be true but we have this."
She opened the box and took out a green shard.
"I'm sure you all know what this is capable of," the Queen said. "For generations, the queens of Dostani have searched for and collected these. Now, the time has come to use them."
Her gaze fell on the two knights. "Sir Darian. Sir Aurex."
The two men stepped forward and knelt.
"You are the kingdom's strongest blades, my sworn protectors. Now, the realm needs your strength once more."
With a whisper of power, the shard floated from her hand and embedded itself in Sir Darian's forehead, glowing briefly before fading.
"Sir Darian of Stormreach, accept the gift I bestow upon you."
"I graciously accept, Your Majesty," Sir Darian replied solemnly.
Queen Thalora turned to the other knight and lifted another shard.
"Sir Aurex Lucen, accept the gift I bestow upon you."
As the shard embedded itself in his forehead, Sir Aurex bowed his head. "I graciously accept, Your Majesty."
"With these," she said, voice steady, "protect the kingdom from those who seek to destroy it."
"As you command," they both echoed.
As the knights and council members departed to prepare for the coming battle, Queen Thalora suddenly coughed violently.
"Your Majesty!" Lyra, her lady-in-waiting, rushed to her side.
"You shouldn't have attended today's meeting. Your health is getting worse," she said, her voice filled with concern.
"I cannot let them lose hope... not now," the Queen whispered, stifling another cough.
Blood stained her handkerchief.
Lyra's face paled.
"We should call the princess and Sir Lucian back," she urged.
"No..." the Queen shook her head weakly. "It's better they're not here."
She reached into the box again and took one of the remaining shards.
"Lyra," she said softly.
"You've been with me since you were a child. You stayed at my side when you could've had another life. You're not just my assistant - you're family."
The Queen lifted her hand, channeling a quiet glow of magic. The shard rose and gently entered Lyra's forehead.
"Use this to protect yourself, should danger come."
Lyra's eyes brimmed with tears. "I'll use it to protect you, Your Majesty."
The Queen smiled weakly as Lyra embraced her.
By a secluded lake, Elery stood with her palm pressed against a tree's trunk, just as the Headmaster had taught her.
"Think nothing... hear nothing," she whispered, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "I am the tree, and the tree is me."
She stilled her thoughts, connecting to the calm energy flowing from the tree into the earth. A deep peace settled within her.
But the moment shattered with a sudden snap of a twig breaking behind her.
Startled, Elery turned. From the bushes emerged Rue, disheveled, with leaves clinging to his hair and clothes.
"Your Highness?" Rue blinked, equally surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking the same. This is where I usually come to practice," Elery said.
"Ah... I'm sorry for disturbing you," Rue said, turning to leave. But Elery reached out and gently took his hand stopping him.
"You can stay here. This place is quite hidden so not a lot of people know this place."
"Thank you," he said, settling on the grass beside her and gazing out at the crystal-clear lake. The stillness stretched between them until they both spoke at once.
"So, why are you here?"
They said in unison which made them chuckle.
"You go first," Elery offered.
"I didn't know where else to go," Rue admitted
"If you don't mind me asking... is this about the emperor?" she asked.
"Yes."
So it's true, Elery thought. He really did kill his father... or at least, that's what they say.
"But I never did the things they accused me of," Rue said, looking disheartened as he stared at the lake with many things going on in his head.
His voice trembled, edged with frustration. "I feel useless. I can't even protect the people who risked everything for me."
"That's all the more reason not to give up," Elery said, resting her chin on her knees. "Someone out there still believes in you, and they're waiting for your return."
Rue turned to look at her, surprised by her gentle conviction. He exhaled deeply and smiled faintly.
"I guess this is what I really needed... someone to talk to. I haven't said anything to the people around me. Everyone's grieving something. I didn't want to add to their burden."
He lay down in the grass, arms behind his head, staring up at the sky.
"Now it's your turn. I thought you were heading back to Dostani with Sir Lucian."
"I came here looking for answers," Elery replied.
"Answers to what?"
She hesitated. Should I tell him?
Rue had opened up to her. She decided to do the same.
"My family's curse."
Rue sat up.
"I've never heard anything about a royal curse."
"It's not publicly known but people speculated because none of us live long." Elery lowered her gaze.
"What makes you think the answer is here?" Rue asked.
"My sister came here searching for it. She died trying. And the dark mages we fought in the forest, they knew her. They were heading north. Here."
"Have you found anything?" Rue asked.
"Not even a clue. I searched the library, but came up with nothing."
Rue looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled.
"Then let me help you."
Elery's eyes widened. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I need help too. Let's help each other, Your Highness."
She considered his offer. There was only so much she could do alone.
"Alright."
Rue smiled and extended his hand. "Pleasure working with you, Your Highness."
"Likewise, partner. And just call me Elery," she replied, shaking his hand.
As they stood, Elery's vision swayed and her knees buckled. Rue caught her quickly, his arm steady around her back. They looked at each other surprised.
"So this is where you... were..."
Lord Edric came out of nowhere with Sir Lucian behind him looking winded and dishelved.
Edric hurried to Elery and took her hand to steady her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes. Just a little dizzy from sitting too long." She quickly composed herself and moved forward. "There's a path here. Let's go." She led the group ahead.
Edric looked at Elery then to Rue who was following her with his gaze.
Edric nudged at Rue's arm as they walked. "So... what were you two doing here?"
"We ran into each other by accident," Rue said shortly.
Edric narrowed his eyes. "I thought you weren't close with her. What I saw back there says otherwise."
"It wasn't like that."
"Do you like her?" Edric asked bluntly.
Rue stopped in his tracks. "No."
Edric stepped in front of him. "Then help me get closer to her."
"That's something you should do yourself."
"You just said you don't like her," Edric insisted. "So it's not a problem, right? Just help me get to know her better."
Rue exhaled sharply, already irritated. "Fine.
"Thanks!" Edric said, clapping Rue's shoulder before hurrying to Elery's side.
Rue just looked at them ahead feeling annoyed.