Chapter 320

Chapter 320

After teatime had ended, it was time for Lucas to be guided to his quarters.

The second empress, Dustia, personally escorted Lucas. The room allocated for Lucas was located on the first floor of the palace.

"From now on, youll use this room."

Lucas belongings were already neatly arranged in the room by Alberto.

Lucas opened his mouth slightly as he entered the room. It seemed even better than the room he had used back in his family home.

"Thank you for showing me, Second Empress Mother."

"...Lucas."

Dustia crouched down in front of Lucas to meet his eye level and gave him a warm smile.

"Ive heard about the hard times youve been through. Its been difficult, hasnt it?"

"..."

"Im not going to say you should consider this place like home, but... Ill do my best to make sure you can be as comfortable as you would be in your own home. Ash and Serenade will help as well."

"...Thank you, Second Empress."

Lucas bowed his head slightly.

"Ill also do my best."

"Lets all do our best together."

Dustia smiled casually.

Somehow, that thoughtful smile seemed really motherly.

Embarrassed, Lucas quickly stepped back and accidentally knocked over a candlestick on the desk.

"Ah...?!"

Before Lucas could catch the falling candlestick, the fallen candle hit the floor and flames were about to spread on the carpet

Snap.

but they didnt.

Dustia reached out and flicked her finger, and as if time rewound, the candlestick soared back into the air and neatly returned to its place on the desk.

"Uh...?"

Startled, Lucas looked at Dustia and saw a sparkling gray magical power around her.

It was as if a clock was being wound; the spiraling magic power was drawn back into her body.

"Cough, cough!"

After performing the mysterious miracle, Dustia coughed roughly. Only after her coughing had stopped did she wink at Lucas.

"Ah, Id get in trouble if they found out I used magic... This is a secret between us, Lucas, okay?"

Dustia extended her pinky finger, and Lucas, almost unconsciously, extended his own.

Their pinkies intertwined and shook up and down.

It was a promise to keep the secret.

Smiling sweetly, Dustia gently stroked Lucas golden hair and then waved her hand as she left the room.

"Have a good night, Lucas. If you need anything, call for Alberto."

"Yes, yes...! Sleep well!"

Dustia, who seemed to find Lucas polite bow adorable, waved her hand and closed the door.

Lucas, who had been staring blankly at the closed door, stumbled and collapsed onto the bed.

His mind was cluttered. Everything felt awkward.

The circumstances that led him here after losing his parents, the kindness bestowed by unfamiliar faces, the cold bed covers and pillow in the winter air...

And the mysterious magic Dustia had just displayed.

Lucas turned his head to the side with a short sigh.Findd new stories at novelhall.com

And spotted Ash, breathing out white mist against the window, clinging on from the outside.

"...?"

Rubbing his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things, Lucas found that he was not mistaken. It was really Ash.

The eight-year-old prince was clinging to the window of Lucas room, shivering, and mouthing, Can you open this?

"?!"

Startled, Lucas practically rolled to the window to open it for him.

Ash tumbled into the room, grinning with his cheeks flushed from the cold.

"Hello, Lucas!"

"Ah, hello... Your Highness."

Lucas, who still couldnt grasp the situation, asked in confusion.

"What brings you here at this hour...?"

Then, Ash grinned mischievously and exclaimed,

"Lets play!"

Lucass blue eyes narrowed in bewilderment.

"Excuse me?"

"Playing with a friend at night has always been my dream! Serenade leaves the house at night, and Im super bored all by myself!"

With that, Ash eagerly climbed back onto the windowsill and gestured outside.

"Follow me! Ill take you to my secret base!"

The young prince disappeared out the window. Lucas, flustered, hastily followed suit and emerged outside.

It was cold, even though it wasnt snowing.

Puffing out white breaths, Ash navigated the narrow stone walls of the Kings Castle, ascended the outer stairs, and finally, after clambering all the way to the roof

Entered an attic just below the castles peak through a window.

Gasping for air, Lucas trailed behind. Ash then proudly announced, pointing to the attics interior,

"This is my secret base!"

Secret base... was a generous term for what was a simple attic.

There were childrens books, toys, and a chessboard scattered about, along with blankets, lamps, and jars filled with preserved fruits.

Ash proudly spoke to Lucas, who was blinking and looking around.

"Ill make a special exception for you to enter!"

"Th-thank you...?"

"Ah! The password is this! Remember it!"

Ash raised a small hand and knocked on the window.

Vowing to request a lesson from the old maids in the palace, Lucas nodded to himself in approval.

Unaware of his escorts sinister plans, Ash let out a deep sigh as he stood on his tiptoes.

"I wish I was a little taller..."

Currently, Ash was shorter than Serenade.

Ash didnt seem to like the reality that the girl he liked was taller than him.

Lucas thought that this was just a phase and that Ash would eventually grow taller than Serenade.

But at the moment, the desire to tease outweighed the urge to console.

"Youre not growing taller because you stay up all night, you know?"

"Why are you so tall, then? Weve been staying up together!"

"Height is genetic, you know. Plus, I practice swordsmanship every day..."

"Ugh! Stop bragging and share some of your height!"

Ash, who had been lamenting, sighed and pulled something out of the wardrobe.

"Here, Lucas! Take this."

Puzzled, Lucas accepted the item.

"What is this...?"

"Its a sword."

It was an iron sword.

The blade was around 50cm long, shorter than the wooden sword Lucas usually used. It appeared to be specifically crafted to be carried within the Imperial Palace.

However, it was just the right size for young Lucas to wield.

Lucas opened his mouth slightly as he admired the glint of the blade. From the hilt to the blade and the scabbard, it was stunningly exquisite.

Ash shrugged awkwardly.

"I thought you should start using a real sword instead of a wooden one. I got permission from Alberto and had this custom-made in the Imperial Capitals forge. Do you like it?"

"Your Majesty..."

Moved, Lucas looked at Ash, who added,

"Itd be embarrassing for me if my bodyguard showed up with a crappy sword at our engagement ceremony... Dont you think a wooden sword lacks... visual impact?"

"...Please give me back my sentiment. Ugh."

Grumbling, Lucas slung the sword onto his belt. Though short, it looked quite impressive.

"Good, my bodyguard!"

Satisfied with Lucass appearance, Ash slapped him on the shoulder with a determined look.

"Im counting on you to be my squire today!"

"Yes, yes. Any special instructions?"

"Alright! Lets go!"

Ash took a deep breath and confidently stepped outside. Lucas followed closely behind.

As they moved down the hallway, servants and maids, busy attending to the engagement guests, noticed Ash and broke into applause and cheers.

Walking with a mix of modesty and confidence, Ash led the way, and Lucas followed, holding back a smile.

Finally, they arrived at the banquet area set up in the courtyard of the palace--

"Ah."

In the middle of the lush summer garden,

A stunning fifteen-year-old Serenade stood waiting.

The girl with shiny, aquatic-colored hair wore a beige dress that resembled what is commonly known as a Mermaid line.

She looked, quite literally, like a mermaid.

"Ah..."

Serenade blushed and looked away as her eyes met Ashs. Her long eyelashes cast shadows over her large, silver eyes.

"..."

Ash stood frozen, unable to take another step.

Absolutely breathtaking.

After closing Ashs gaping mouth, Lucas shook his head disappointingly.

Then,

Geez.

Wham!

He pushed Ash on the back.

"What? Wha-whoa!"

Ash stumbled into the center of the garden.

The one who steadied the wobbling Ash was Serenade. The two swayed for a moment before finally regaining balance.

And then, as if on cue, they both burst into laughter.

Laughter spread among the guests attending the engagement ceremony as well.

Seated in the banquet area were the Second Empress of Dustia, Count and Countess of Silver Winter, and various nobles, all clapping and laughing.

Only one person was crying: Alberto...

Albertos face was stiff, as if trying to control his emotions, but tears streamed down freely.

Lucass once-prided mustache drooped at both ends, saturated with moisture. What a disaster, he thought, feeling a sting on the bridge of his nose.

Be happy, Your Highness.

Amidst applause and cheers, young boys and girls touched foreheads, exchanging joyful conversations.

Watching the adorable and heartwarming scene, Lucas absentmindedly scanned the audience.

And then.

He saw Fernandez standing in the guest section.

Though he hadnt seen Fernandez in five years, the seventeen-year-old had grown up so much he was almost unrecognizable. However, there was no mistaking that dark red hair and eyes, and that aura.

"...!"

As Lucass eyes widened and his shoulders tensed, Fernandez raised his index finger to his lips.

Shush.

Fernandezs eyes, visible through his glasses, let out a thin smile. Lucas clenched his teeth without realizing it.

A small orchestra began to play. The young couple awkwardly pulled each other close and began to dance.

In the warm and dazzling sunlight, the engagement ceremony commenced.

And Lucas had to follow Fernandezs gesture, stepping into the looming shadow.