I set down the fork with practiced grace. I took a sip of the warm tea while secretly eyeing Mother and Father's wine-filled glasses, jealousy hidden as best as I could. The cup emptied, and I set it down soundlessly on its ceramic plate.

I resisted the urge to burp as effortlessly as breathing as I wiped my mouth with the provided napkin.

Leila turned to me from her seat. "Would you like some more, My Lady?"

I shook my head gently. "No need, thank you."

She blinked at me a few times, as if asking if I was sure. I gave a small smile, hoping that was a signal that I had had enough to drink.

Leila's head turned down, as if disappointed… though I couldn't easily tell with how still her expression looked.

Mother drank her wine until it emptied, and once again, Leila turned to face her.

"Would you like some more, My Lady?"

"No need, Leila. Enjoy your meal."

Leila's head turned down again before she took another bite of her steak, and her chewing it almost looked like she was pouting.

Unlike most other tables, where their attendants, be it butlers or maids, were standing, Leila was sitting alongside us under Father's direct orders. I could tell it was a weird sight because we were getting stares left and right, not from the nobles weirdly, but by seemingly envious attendants.

Though I didn't have Feyt's ears at the time, I could tell they were murmuring something about how unfair it was that Leila got to sit and eat and stuff like that… I couldn't blame them, to be honest. If I'd been standing all night while a coworker beside me got to eat steak… I'd be seething as well.

Even Leila herself seemed to notice this, as I had never seen her subtly fidget this much before. She was itching for work, for any reason to stand up and resume her duties. I knew Father ordered her to sit and eat for her to relax, but I had a feeling this was torture for her.

Eventually, she finished her plate and then arranged her silverware as perfectly as I did.

Though her face remained still, I had a feeling she was trying to think of a way to excuse herself to return to her duties. She looked like how a robot would while processing information.

Father and Mother eventually finished their meals as well, cleaning their mouths with the napkins.

What now?

After the meal, were we allowed to roam around? Or should we just wait for another announcement? I looked around, and no one seemed to stand up even after a while. It could be because we really weren't allowed to do so, or they were in the same dilemma as me.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind me. I instinctively turned around. A young butler was approaching our table, eventually standing before the four of us. He offered a deep, respectful bow, a hand placed on his chest.

Father's eyes narrowed, and Mother set down her wine glass with a faint click, eyeing him as well.

"Good evening, Lady Carine," he said, still bowing with his eyes closed. "His Highness the Third Prince requests the honor of meeting you. He awaits in the garden, should you accept his invitation."

It took me a moment to process what he said. But even when it clicked, I was still caught off guard.

Huh?

—

Walking down the corridors of the palace was a sight to see… The warm yellow glow from the Luminite, the several Royal Knights patrolling, and even the occasional mage-type Royal Knights wandering on the castle walls outside the windows. Even as my privileged noble self, I would find the sight interesting.

Too bad I was busy holding back a yawn.

The butler from before walked a pace before me, and Leila was by my side. We were being led to what I would assume was the palace's garden, where the Third Prince awaited my arrival.

Mother and Father at first seemed reluctant, but hearing that it was an invitation from the Third Prince himself, I believed they caved in and gave me the go-ahead to meet him. Of course, Leila had to be by my side at all times.

Unlike me, her eyes were laser-focused.

Wish I had [Enhanced Stamina]... Or the stomach to drown in coffee.

—

The walk continued in silence as Ricent placed his last piece.

With a quiet smirk, I lifted one of my own and ate his, leading to a devastating combo that cleared the board of his pieces.

"What?! Why didn't I see that?!"

I breathed a sigh of relief. Fighting this dude was surprisingly tough. His moves were unpredictable, and when I thought of punishing him for it, he would always initiate a counterattack that devastated my board beyond saving.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

He was either a prodigy at this game, or just plain lucky.

So far, Ricent had won six games, while I had won only two. It didn't help that I hadn't played checkers in a while, even if the name is 'Warring Knights' here.

Outside of games, Ricent and I didn't talk much about anything else, and that was alright. It was fun playing with him then, and it still was. His collection of games never seemed to stop growing.

"Another round, Feyt?"

As I was about to suggest that we play another game instead, I heard creaking floorboards of the stairs. Aunt Diane's footsteps were approaching us.

The door opened, and she poked her head in with a gentle smile.

"Hey you two, come downstairs real quick. It's almost time to say goodbye."

Time to go home, huh?

I figured it was time anyway. It was already a while since the New Year, and even Feyt's eyelids were starting to feel heavy… Not to mention Carine's.

"What? I wanna play with Feyt some more!"

Aunt Diane narrowed her eyes, glaring at Ricent. I heard him gulp behind me before eventually standing up.

"Y-Yes, mum."

Ricent and I followed Aunt Diane down the stairs, the warmth of the pub enveloping us.

The pub was empty besides us. Dad was standing by the counter, shaking the sleeping Fray awake. Mom, meanwhile, was snoring soundly next to a tower of bottles. I didn't believe she passed out from drinking, just that she was coincidentally sleepy.

"Come on, bud. Time to go home," Dad said while rubbing Fray's back.

She groaned in response before opening her eyes, reluctantly.

Dad noticed us descending the stairs and flashed a smile. "There you are! Just in time. We were about to leave."

"Already?" Ricent's voice cracked as he turned to me, almost desperate.

I chuckled softly and gave him a light nudge. "Don't worry! I'll be back soon. And when that happens, I'll bring you that game I promised."

His eyes lit up instantly, his pout replaced with pure excitement. "You promise?"

I nodded firmly. "I swear."

He grinned, all traces of sadness seemingly gone.

But I, myself, couldn't quite feel that way.

Tomorrow, a carriage will come to pick me up. I would be back in the capital before I knew it. It… might be a while before I could see Ricent again, not to mention my family. Fray could probably visit, like she did once in the past, but Mom and Dad?

But worrying won't help. The best I could do for now was cherish this moment and do my best out there.

Fray had stood up, groggily rubbing her eyes. I noticed a few milk stains on the side of her lips.

Dad didn't even try to wake up Mom. She was asleep so soundly, a war drum might not even wake her. Instead, he lifted her on his back as she cuddled into him. The sight cringes me a bit.

"Alright, we're heading out!" Dad said to Aunt Diane.

"Of course, be safe!" Aunt Diane said, waving her hands happily. I didn't think I ever saw her this happy before, usually she kept to herself and only show small smiles. But after what Mom and Dad promised her, I would be surprised if she didn't react this way.

"Bye, Ricent!" I pushed through my sleepiness and gave an earnest smile and wave.

"Yeah!" He nodded. "Come back soon!"

Outside, the cold night air grazed my skin as we started down the road.

I glanced back one last time. Ricent stood at the doorway, waving like he'd never run out of energy. I raised my hand in return, the distance between us already stretching further than the road itself.

Before long, we returned to our home in silence. Everyone needed rest, including me.

I crashed into my bed, a smile forming as I hoped that I would wake up early tomorrow.

—

"We have arrived."

A sudden voice pulled my attention to the other side. I had been idly walking, following this butler throughout the turns and halls, fighting the urge to sleep the entire time. I didn't even want to think about how long it took for us to get here.

The inner garden was, as expected of the royal palace, opulent. It was a sight to behold, with countless flowers and plants, vibrant in both color and shape, arranged neatly in formations and packs. The starry night sky complemented its arranged beauty.

What stood out as the most attention-grabbing, however, was the lone figure standing underneath the moonlight. That golden hair, that posture… Even if he stood facing the other way, I could tell who he was.

The Third Prince, Julient.

The butler bowed as he stepped away from us, going inside the palace, leaving me and Leila alone with the Third Prince, basking in the moonlight.

I took a deep breath.

"Lady Carine. I shall wait here for the sake of privacy."

I gave Leila a small nod. "Of course."

After preparing myself, I slowly approached, my steps echoing down the stone path.

The faster I finish this meeting, the quicker I can sit back down and rest.

He didn't move at first, simply standing there with the moonlight woven through his golden hair. When he finally turned, he did so dramatically. It made me wonder if he practiced that sort of thing in his room.

He smiled at me as he offered a slight bow. "Good evening, Lady Carine. I am glad you accepted my invitation."

Of course, I accepted. What else am I supposed to do? Say I'm busy and continue eating?

I offered a bow myself, with my head at the exact degree expected when greeting a royal family.

"Your Highness," I said, my voice deliberately calm. "May I ask why you brought me here?"

Julient studied me for a moment before speaking. "I simply thought you would prefer a quieter place for us to talk."

"...I see. What matter did you wish to discuss?"

He nodded slowly, his expression solemn despite smiling in the silver light. "I heard you had an intruder that caused you particular… trouble. Has the matter been dealt with?"

"Intruder?"

So he knows of the 'Sebastian' incident.

"Why, yes… we've pushed through our troubles with him," I said, hiding my disdain that I let him go hidden deep beneath my breath. "But… why do you ask, Your Highness?"

"Curious. I was just curious." Julient chuckled softly, turning to the night sky once more. "I would also offer my deepest apologies for not protecting you well enough."

He offered a deep bow, deeper than any royal family should offer to another.

"Your Highness. There's no need to bow so deeply."

I couldn't say the attack on the castle was his fault. It was something no one could've expected.

"But I must take responsibility. Not only did I invite you to the party… I also failed to protect your family from harm against that 'intruder'."

He's taking the blame for that too?

But seriously, if anyone saw that a royal family was bowing this deeply to me, I might get more rumors than I knew how to deal with.

I cleared my throat to catch his attention. "Your Highness, you have nothing to apologize for. The intruder's actions were unforeseeable."

"Is that so…?"

Slowly, he straightened, his smile unwavering.

A quiet pause stretched between us. Then he clapped his hands, and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "Very well. Then how about I make it up to you?"

"Make it up?" I parroted.

How would a third prince make up for a mistake?

"As you may know, I hold certain influence over the academies in this capital," he said, pacing slowly before me. "That influence has granted me access to things most could only dream of."

"That is why…" He reached inside his pocket for something, producing a small piece of folded paper, and slowly began to unfold it. "I shall offer you this… A cheat sheet for the entrance exam, by yours truly!" he said with a wink.

…Huh?

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