[Flambard] "The Prince is only eight years old this year, Your Majesty." She stared at Liene with an expression that suggested she was wondering if there had been something wrong with the apple juice she had just finished. [Liene] "I am well aware of that. But eight is an age where one can accomplish many things, is it not? It is even an age where one could join a mercenary group." That, of course, was not factual. Black had escaped the slave traders and joined a mercenary gr

[Dief] "I still don't understand, Shellan." He whispered with a wide, excited grin. [Dief] "How did you know? I only switched seats, so why did they decide not to go on their trip?" [Shellan] "Human psychology is perhaps too multifaceted and profound for an ordinary eight-year-old to understand." [Dief] "Mmm… sometimes I have no idea what you’re talking about." [Shellan] "It means you don't need to know. You just have to do exactly as I say." [Dief] "Do I have to switch seats

[Liene] "No! You cannot." She cried out, her voice laced with flustered urgency. [Black] "…May I not?" The reply came as a low, velvety whisper through the wood. [Liene] "Yes. Right now is… not a good time." [Black] "What is it that isn't good?" She meant that she was in no state to face him, but his mind went elsewhere. [Black] "Your mood?" [Liene] "No, it’s not that…" She shook her damp hair. [Liene] "I am sorry for breaking my promise. But I genuinely cannot go through wit

This is impossible. Shellan clutched her fork with her small hand. The ornate engravings on the handle dug into her palm, leaving crimson marks, but she was too preoccupied to notice. How could this be happening? Just a short while ago, the air between her parents had been thick with an unusual tension. Her mother had pointedly avoided eye contact, while her father had stared at her without so much as a blink. It was obvious that the fault lay with her father. One didn't even

[Shellan] "How could you be so rude, Dief?" It was Shellan who broke the sudden silence. [Shellan] "When someone greets you, you are supposed to acknowledge them. How could you just stand there muttering to yourself?" [Dief] "Ah… right." He hurriedly composed himself, dropping to one knee and extending his arms in a formal gesture of etiquette. [Dief] "Welcome to Nauk, Little Lady of Alito. Please, forgive my lack of manners." [Seira] "Think nothing of it." With Shellan and D

[Liene] "Ah, the timing is perfect." Just as she said, the Alito’s carriage was currently pulling up in front of the main castle. They were not late. However, Black did not feel particularly pleased. He felt there was no need to go this far just to greet them. Black knew it was pointless to try and stall. The kind-hearted Liene disliked discriminating against others, and she was the type of person who maintained her royal decorum regardless of who her guest was. Just because

[Knight] "Halt!" A thunderous shout pierced through the walls of the carriage. It was so forceful that the entire vehicle seemed to shudder from the impact. [Dieren] "…Dammit." He scowled, his face contorting with irritation. This maddening country never seemed to know the meaning of hospitality. Even though they clearly recognized the carriage of a Grand Ducal house, the guards insisted on stopping them at every border and outpost to verify every single person's identity and

[Liene] "It’s not as if he did anything particularly strange." At her response, one corner of his mouth pulled downward. [Black] "He did plenty. Have you forgotten?" [Liene] "Rather than saying I forgot, wouldn't it be more accurate to say nothing happened?" [Black] "I’m telling you, he did." Whenever his dissatisfaction grew, a faint crease would appear between his brows. It was different from the expression he wore when showing anger toward others; perhaps this look was a h

It was a beautiful day, much like any other. The sun shone brightly, and the breeze was cool. In this season, just before the arrival of summer, Nauk was filled with days of fluttering excitement and anticipation, as if preparing for the abundance to come. It was also the time of year when news of all sorts traveled most frequently. And so, the news arrived on such a day. [Shellan] "This is a sudden piece of misfortune. I refuse." [Dief] "Oh, I like it." The answers from the

Crackle, crackle. The sound of logs burning in the fireplace felt cozy. Equally cozy were the people who had bathed, changed into their nightclothes, and tucked themselves back into bed. Today, they had pushed the twins' beds together, creating one massive bed where the entire family could lie down together. The twins were ecstatic. Even as dawn approached, they showed no signs of sleepiness. Dief had noticed a bruise where the chest of drawers had pressed against him, but he

[Henton] "That is..." She faltered, swallowing her words. [Henton] "...I do not believe it is my place to say." [Shellan] "Why not?" [Dieff] "Is someone forbidding you from telling us?" A complex expression crossed Madam Henton’s face—one far too nuanced for seven-year-old children to fully grasp. [Henton] "It is likely because the Princess and Prince are still quite young." [Shellan] "Pardon? That sounds very strange." Madam Henton offered a lonely smile, the kind worn by so

Every cabinet and drawer in the jewel chamber had a keyhole, and every single one was firmly locked. The children, having tried to pull every handle they could reach, were now huffing with exhaustion. [Dief] "I think we have to go back out and get the keys." He said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. [Shellan] "We can't." She shook her head. [Shellan] "The Madams split the keys between them; each has half the set." His eyes widened in surprise. [Dief] "How did you find that