Chapter 4 : The Lost Prince

“My name is Celia Marisol. And I am your loyal vassal.”

His mind froze, still processing the surreal information he was being told, and still in turmoil over all that had just happened.

“.....”

Haru looked at the corpse of Akaji, blood curdling out of his mouth and spilling out into a puddle onto the gravel floor.

“I…” She stopped herself, her amber eyes gazing into his, her hand reaching out to his. “...I understand, my condolences.”

“.....”

She reached out, knowing nothing of the state of their relationship but she felt like it was right, as she wrapped her arms around Haru’s head, holding him close to her chest.

Haru’s eyes stayed fixated on the body, his eyes growing blurry with tears as he began to sob uncontrollably.

“I'm sorry for coming late.” She apologised. “The familiars squawking through me off from finding you, but that is no excuse for the loss of an innocent life.”

Her angelic voice was mellow, understanding, as if she knew all the right words to console him as he stayed there in her arms. His body slowly succumbing to exhaustion. Why am I… why am I so slee—

Celia held the boy, his head laid in her lap. She looked upon the dead body before her. Who was this man? Why was he important to her prince? Why were there familiars in a world of no magic?

The questions plagued her mind like an unfinished choir, grasping her soul in mystery as she slowly gathered herself up, picking up her prince and walking off beyond the moonlight.

Would the prince like this? To be carried like a maiden? I suppose I won't tell him, if only to preserve his sense of dignity of course.

She felt bad of course but she couldn’t resist the joy in her heart. The relief that she had found a taste of home in this new unfamiliar world.

— — — — —

Haru’s eyes fluttered open slowly, his senses adjusting to his newfound surroundings.

Why am I on a rooftop…?

He checked his phone: 22:55PM.

“I see you've finally awakened, I hope you found my makeshift pillow comfortable?”

His eyes were once again enchanted again by the elven girl that stole his heart and alongside that he could smell the comforting fragrance of vanilla. He sat up, turning to see that he was laying on her cloak.

So that's how she smel—stop being a pervert Haru!

Coursing his hand through his hair, he asked:

“So what happened… earlier I mean…?”

She looked at him gently, her eyes returning back to the moon. “We had to leave him there, it would only cause problems for us if they saw us there. Especially considering that someone is hunting you.”

“I see…”

“But first.” She turned towards him, face gentle as she bowed deeply. “I must apologise for not coming to your aid earlier. I noticed your face at the train station earlier but was unsure if you were truly the prince of my beloved nation, so I watched and followed you from afar, but when the familiar came I was disoriented and unable to keep track of you. But when I saw your eyes next…”

She straightened her gaze.

“I knew with the utmost certainty! You truly were the lost prince of the United Kingdom of Aurelia.”

For a brief moment there was nothing but pure silence.

“...can I be honest?”

“Of course my prince.”

“I'm not the lost prince you're looking for.”

“But your eyes!”

“Birth defects.”

“Your complexion.”

“Recessive genes make my skin extra oily.”

“Genes?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just trust me, I'm not a prince. Just some random Japanese dude that looks different, been that way since birth.”

“I see…”

She clearly didn't fully believe him but it seemed that she didn't want to risk accidentally offending him.

“My name is Haru Tadashima by the way, you can just call me Haru if it's easier.”

“Haru-sama…”

“Haru’s just fine, you can leave out the honorifics.”

“If you wish.”

“So…”

“Yes?”

He stood up, giving her cloak back to her. If he was honest he couldn't help but feel like he was on cloud nine — if it wasn’t for Akaji’s death he would be beaming with joy — he was talking to a bona fide ten out of ten elf girl that considered him her prince.

“Are you like an elf or something…?”

She looked down, ashamed. “Half-elf.”

“Ah, no wonder your so pre—”

He held himself back at the lost moment, he didn't have the kuhunas to say that.

“—I meant how on earth did you get here, y'know, to this world?”

She looked down, puzzled as she contemplated for a moment. “Alas, I don't know unfortunately, all I personally remember was going unconscious and awakening earlier today, alone in this city.”

“I see… Celia, right?”

She nodded back.

“Would you perhaps like to stay at my place for the time being. Of course if you don't feel comfortable it's fine but…”

He thought of an elaborate excuse to have a beautiful girl in his house.

“You don't seem to know where you are or have anywhere to go, and I apparently need protection. And once again you seem rather good at that, so…?”

“Explain no more. It would be my honor, Haru-sam—I mean Haru.”

And that's how they ended up at his home.

Only an hour later and Haru had given her a rough rundown of her predicament on the journey:

He started by explaining that she was in Japan, a futuristic nation (compared to hers) filled with only humans, with no magic, something she had already been able to figure out herself but still happy to hear it from his mouth.

He then explained the properties of the modern world, using all his knowledge that he had spent watching ‘random information / debunking’ videos on YouTube.

Before finally landing on how weird it was that not only did people not recognise her elven features, but that she could speak the language and read it, alongside getting such a strong grasp of her surroundings so quickly.

“It's strange, it feels intuitive to me, as if my mind already understands these things but they don't have the terminology for it. Well… except for the pushy thingy majigy I walked through earlier, it was quite resistant to my advancements. What a strange and inefficient doorway…?” She mused, misunderstanding that she was supposed to pay to go past.

So that's how the ticket gates were broken…!

“Welp there's probably more things you're gonna be confused by so if you need any help, you know who to call!” He pointed at himself smugly, he was loving every second of this.

He opened his front door, slamming it behind them as he led her through. “Lady's first!” He added, making way like he was her butler.

She looked around at the place. Quite small for a prince… maybe he likes to pretend to be of lower class? How humble!

“So this is your wonderful abode?”

“Yeah, wouldn't call it wonderful though.”

If he was honest it was more of a dump, only taking care of himself made him less prioritised with cleaning.

Food, trash and dirt could be found throughout the house. He was already feeling first hand embarrassment. Yeesh!

I don’t remember leaving it such a mess!?

“Meow.”

Celia looked down slowly, her amber eyes gazing upon eyes of yellow. Her hand rushing to her sheath and her body moving in the way to protect her ‘lord’.

“Be gone untamed beast of sin!”

Her eyes gleaned at the strange creature.

Haru grasped at her handle quickly, not wanting his entire house to be destroyed by the aftermath of this unnecessary conundrum.

“Hold on there! That's my cat!”

“Meow.”

“What is a cat?”

“It’s a small pet.”

“I see… it seems quite powerful, is it its job to guard your abode?”

“Meow.”

“Yeah, Az guards my house from rats and stuff.”

“Rats, they must be quite fearsome things for you to herald such a creature for protection.”

Haru couldn’t help but snicker at her naivety. “They're more annoying than dangerous to be honest. Are you not used to cats?”

“Hm, no they are not in my world as far as I know, but anything in my world with black fur is certainly quite dangerous.”

“I see…” Haru picked up the cat slowly, holding its cute self in his hands. “...well here they are more cute than dangerous.”

“Meow.”

“Would you like to stroke him, his name is Az.”

She looked at the cat suspiciously. It didn't seem to pose any form of apparent threat, but she did not want to risk upsetting such a powerful creature.

“Uhhh, why are you shaking his paw?”

“Meow…?”

“Because I do not wish to provoke this powerful beast without expressed permission.”

“I see…” He had said these words more times than he should have tonight.

He set the cat back down, motioning for Az to go play by himself. His golden eyes turned to meet hers, his expression serious.

“Celia?”

“Yes.”

He looked down, his hands trembling in fear. “Do you mind, if you know anything, explaining what it was that attacked me earlier? I… I need to know what killed my Uncle.”

She thought for a moment, hand to her chin. “I believe that what you saw—if similar to my world at all—is a dark familiar, a broken soul manifested in shadow by a puppet master.”

“Puppet master?” Haru asked, concerned.

“Yes. I believe you are being hunted by a greater force, one that in all likelihood will not stop until it has taken your life. And willing to take the lives of others in its pursuit of yours.”

“.....” Haru's mind rushed in thought, what if Akaji had never tried to help him. He would have been safe, able to go back to his wife and kids, and even grandchildren but now he was dead.

Dead saving someone as useless as me…

“But I promise.”

Her eyes stern.

“To protect you, no matter the cost.”

Her decision was resolute.

“On behalf of my honour as an Arknight, I will not let any harm come to you as long as I live!”

He felt pathetic, he was relying on the girl he fancied for protection, yet he couldn't help but feel his fear lessen. How far have I fallen…

He put his hand out to shake hers. “I'm in your care, Celia Marisol.”

She took his hand in hers. “So am I.”

They did not understand yet, just how true those words would be.