Meeting with the Princes

Aya thought she was dreaming.

Crisostomo, the friend she'd made and abruptly parted with, shouldn’t have been here. She was confined in a castle guarded at every hour, and outsiders couldn't enter without permission. But then again, it was late at night. She was supposed to be asleep, so the sight of the boy deploying a flight spell to climb up her balcony and into her bedroom could’ve all been a dream.

Yet here he was standing before her with that familiar smile on his charming face, as though the last time she’d seen him hadn’t been with him wounded and bleeding.

“I-Is it really you?”

“Your hero, ‘Crisostomo’? The one and only~”

“...A hero doesn't call himself a hero just to appear cool,” she deadpanned, unimpressed.

He chuckled, “I see. Besides, a prince is more fitting in this situation, don't you think?”

“Yes! Have you read that story about a prince saving a princess trapped in a castle?! It's so romantic! I really like the author's writing style and choice of words and…” she trailed off, realizing, “Hey, wait, this is trespassing.” This was the palace, and she was under house arrest. ‘Seriously! He can't be here!’

“Not unless you want me to come.” He stepped closer to her. “Weren’t you waiting to see me?”

She could immediately tell he was teasing her, even though they hadn’t known each other for long. Her first impression of him was that he was confident and capable. Back when they met, she genuinely believed he was a real-life hero—until now, truthfully. She was indebted to him for everything he did for her in those times of adversity. With them finally safe, she found herself thinking how much there was to know about the boy. 

And at that moment, she remembered, “You never told me who you are.”

His eyes widened. It’s sudden, but she felt an urgent need to say it, and he seemed ready to tell her too. He made a somber expression.

“My name is Calixtus. I'm the son of Rah Ruxandrion and grandson of Etor Gallahan Theovaleo.”

‘Rah Ruxandrion?! He’s an island chief’s son, and not to mention, the king’s grandson?!’ The revelation had Aya staggering. “W-Will I be executed for endangering your life?”

“What are you talking about?” he snorted, incredulous. “You’re a Divine Vessel, a princess of this kingdom. My life is worth less than yours.”

“It’s not! All lives are important!”

“And yet, you assume you’ll die because of me.”

“Ngh… I was shocked, okay?! I had the feeling you’re the son of a noble, but I never imagined you’re… No, wait! That's why Lord Drevazio and Professor Favian said... Nghhhh...”

“Well, you know who I am now,” he muttered with a downcast gaze. “Would you rather I leave?”

Her jaw dropped. “What? Why?”

“You look upset. Maybe you feel deceived or-”

“Are you an idiot?! Do I look upset to you?!”

He paused for a second, staring at her with doubt and concern. “Is this normal, then? You don't have a fever anymore. Are you feeling alright?

She turned away with a sigh. “It has nothing to do with what you’ve told me. I’m not upset, just…worried. You shouldn’t be here right now.”

“Because of the punishment? I heard. I’m sorry you have to go through all of this. I don't mean to cause you more trouble.” He gave a rueful look.

“I’m worried, but…” She took a deep breath, steadying herself, then smiled at him. “...I'm also happy to see you, Cris- Oh, Calixtus, right?”

“Since we’re friends, just call me Calix.” He repeated the words from when he first attempted to tell her his name, and like that time, she felt overjoyed that her wish of having a friend came true at last.

“By the way, if you're nobility, couldn't you just send me a letter?”

“I sent several letters, but I never received a response, so here I am.”

She went still. “I didn’t get any, though?”

“...You didn't?” All of a sudden, the air around him shifted. “Aya, listen to me.”

It turned out that Crisostomo, or Calixtus, came tonight not only to see Aya.

He disclosed that he'd assisted in the investigation of the assassination attempt on her. Of course, as a minor, he’s not privy to all the details. The king had ordered the knights in charge to keep the case strictly confidential. Still, he'd gleaned enough information to warrant her caution.

There’s a conjecture that the perpetrator had refrained from using magic at first. He’d pushed her towards the beast with the intention of passing off her death as an accident. That way, there wouldn’t be any evidence that a mage was involved. Ultimately, though, magecraft had become the last resort. He'd attacked solely with lightning spells, which were what Drevazio had used during the wild beast subjugation.

“A-And the masked man wanted it to appear like the lightning hit me by accident?”

Calixtus nodded, looking grim. “That's the speculation.”

“I… I don't get why they're doing this.” Aya shuddered, distraught.

“Be careful, Aya. We still don't know who's after you and what it's for. Don't trust anyone easily.” He looked towards her bedroom door. “Not even those close to you.”

---

“Focus. Remember what we practiced.”

At Maruscha's words, Aya straightened in attention.

Before her was an extravagant display of fine porcelain, fragrant tea blends, and elaborately garnished pastries. For the first time in a long while, she'd gone out of the Diamond Palace today to attend a tea party hosted by the other Divine Vessels at the Royal Palace. It was quite unexpected. As if preparations for the crowning ceremony hadn't been hectic enough, the invitation was sent two weeks prior to the event.

'Worse, Calix told me all that ominous stuff the other night. I'm not really in the mood for this.'

But the tea party had been arranged in her honor. This was Aya's first social gathering, so she couldn't afford to object or ruin it. It had even taken painstaking care to dress her up for the occasion.

The gown she wore was richly embroidered with gemstones and dyed in deep shades. Maruscha said she looked regal in it, though it seemed she disregarded how her youthful appearance contrasted with the mature design. It was too stiff and prominently sophisticated for her age. Still, the head maid insisted.

‘I don't know much about fashion, anyway. Let’s believe in Lady Maruscha and concentrate.’

There’s a more important matter at the moment, and that’s how to focus in this situation, as Aya was told to.

With her were four handsome young boys indulging in delectable savories and idle conversations—a view so dazzling she instinctively wanted to close her eyes. The novels she read weren't lying about princes. It's as though the gods themselves had sculpted them. After meeting Lorenz and Maruscha, she thought she was past getting fazed by people of such striking beauty, but they proved her wrong. Thankfully, at least, they're no longer paying attention to her as she withered away.

After her nerve-wracking obligatory self-introduction, the princes talked about one another's recent activities, conveniently casting her aside like an ornamental floral arrangement—conspicuous but neglected.

‘A flower vase is what I am,’ Aya decided.

At her right was a boy with vibrant red hair and eyes, his refined manners exuding impeccable composure that made him seem older than his years. Next to him had delicate features framed by soft green hair and eyes, as well as an enigmatic expression that gave off an air of mystery.

‘The first is Prince Enzo, the Divine Vessel of the God of Fire, Rhomignische. He's the oldest among us.’ Aya glanced towards the other boy. ‘And second to the oldest is the Divine Vessel of the God of Water, Irsedaquor. He's Prince Gabriel.’

On her left were two more boys. One had honey-blond hair and purple eyes, who appeared to have a warm, sunny personality from how brightly he smiled. The other with light brown hair and orange eyes was notably assertive, his every word and action showing clear confidence. Both were the same age as her.

‘That’s Prince Aiden, the Divine Vessel of the God of Wind, Lihnventhus, and also, Prince Drystan, the Divine Vessel of the God of Earth, Thaeusmund.’

Aya had memorized all of them by now.

While nervous, she was thrilled to meet the four princes of the kingdom. She used to only hear about them—about their virtuous acts, lofty achievements, and of course, their otherworldly good looks. But now, she had the opportunity to get to know them better. Seeing them closely like this made her realize how young they were behind all the prestige, and yet, they were still capable of acting in accordance with their station.

‘Lady Maruscha told me this would be a good learning experience, but…’ The head maid had advised her to speak only when spoken to. As a lady, she had to be passive around gentlemen. That was why she was content with playing the role of a flower vase. She didn't imagine it would be this tiring, though. ‘Calix would know what to do, being the king's grandson and all. I wonder if I can also be friends with- Eep?!’

One of the princes suddenly looked towards Aya, as if hearing her thoughts.