The first prince, Albert, opened the door to the king's room; the chandelier shook as the doors hit the frame.
"I greet Your Majesty," Albert bowed.
"Albert, what is it? You never visit me unless you want something from your father," the king replied.
"This time is different, Father," Albert retorted.
"How so?"
"Arian's engagement… I suggest you cancel it, Father. It would do us no good," Albert held his head high.
"What?!" the old king exclaimed.
"Think about it, Father. What do you think would happen if the people heard that she's to be married to someone who isn't even of noble blood?" Albert added. "And is he even fit to be a hero? From what I've heard, two of the four almost died on their first mission. Are you really sure you can make them the kingdom's heroes?"
The old king was flustered. His son had a point; other nobles would certainly challenge Felix's legitimacy if they heard of it. And they couldn't see the future; the boys might die during their missions.
"So? What's the solution?" the king conceded.
Albert smiled. "I say we cancel the engagement now, and if the brat you've taken in can prove himself, he can then be considered…" Albert said.
"Though I also have another suggestion," he continued.
"What is it?" the king asked.
"Why don't we… offer Arian's hand to the so-called third prince of the Kraelion Empire—" Before he could finish, the old king gripped his throne, emitting a powerful mana pressure.
The prince's clothes fluttered in the wind; he braced himself, gritting his teeth.
How can he still emit such immense mana pressure?
"Albert… you dare sell out your own sibling?" the king's low voice amplified.
"Oh, no, Father. What happened to the 'I'll do anything for this kingdom' vow? Have you forgotten, perhaps?" Albert said, his eyes squinting as wind dispersed from the pressure. He leaned forward as a means to avoid being swept away.
"You fool! Our kingdom has prospered for a long time; there's no need," the king retaliated. "Get out of my sight!" The king waved his hand, and the prince flew out into the hallway. His back slammed against the wall, and he spat blood. The large doors closed.
He picked himself up.
"Hah, how hypocritical, you ould fool. You say that yet you still keep people under your thumb," Albert muttered.
Albert straightened himself, brushed the dust from his garments, and left grinning.
Meanwhile, on the city streets, Sol, Simon, and Josh's heads emerged from behind a bench, disguised in civilian clothing.
"Look at that guy," Josh whispered.
They watched Felix from a distance, blending with the crowd. Some street vendors offered him food, but he refused; he seemed to be waiting for someone.
The princess!
"I can't see her face because of her cloak, but I'm sure it's the princess," Sol whispered, his brows furrowed.
"No wonder he excitedly left after the general announced our break," Simon added.
"They're leaving! Let's follow!" Josh said.
They stood up and blended into the crowd.
"Congratulations on completing your first mission, Sir Felix!" the princess said, smiling. Her hands held the hood of her cloak, preventing her face from being seen.
Felix blushed. "Thank you, Princess, I—" The princess abruptly covered Felix's mouth.
"You'll get me exposed if you keep addressing me like that," the princess whispered, pouting. "J-just call me Arian," she blushed.
Felix also blushed and became flustered. "Alright, A-Arian," he said, his ears turning red. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Pff, hehe, you have a good reaction, Sir Felix! Shall we go now?" The princess reached out her hand, smiling.
The two left the busy street stalls, the other three right behind them, interacting with the stalls but keeping their eyes fixed on the couple.
The couple entered a café.
The three spied on them from outside, looking through the window. They sat on a bench. Sol noticed a newspaper; he made a hole in it and used it to peek through the window.
Josh noticed what Sol was doing. He looked around but found nothing. Instead, he lowered his hat, covering his eyes.
Simon, on the other hand, panicked. He didn't know what to do; he stood up and left the bench.
"Hey… where are you going?" Josh whispered, but Simon ignored him.
Simon walked to a nearby fruit stand. A vendor enthusiastically greeted him.
"Hello, sir! Please pick what you like!"
Simon picked a large, round fruit, about the size of his palm. He liked the small bumps on it; they reminded him of a basketball. The fruit smelled like honey and lemon.
"How much is this?" he asked.
"Ah, that's ten coppers, sir!" the vendor replied.
Simon paid and left, returning to the bench.
He sat down and started eating.
It's shit. I've been scammed. In one bite, it tasted bitter and salty. I want to attack that vendor, but it's my fault for not knowing how to eat it. He's new after all. But he continued eating.
What the fuck… Sol and Josh stared at him.
Simon shrugged and resumed spying on the couple.
"So? How was your mission?" the princess asked, stirring her coffee.
Felix was zoned out but eventually snapped back.
"Oh, ah, it's alright, nothing much," Felix replied. "We captured a man who was making magic-enhanced methamphetamine. He had a strange name: 'Bergheinsen.'"
"Hmm, that's cool," the princess replied, gazing at Felix, her palms supporting her cheeks.
Felix was mesmerized by her gaze.
"A-Arian," Felix suddenly said, "I have something to ask. Is that alright?"
"Sure, go ahead!" she replied.
"W-why did you accept the engagement?" Felix shyly asked, his head lowered. "You could have rejected it, and if you did, I wouldn't blame you. Everyone has the right to choose their soulmate."
"Hehe, I was wondering when you'd ask," the princess retorted.
"Huh?" Felix's brows furrowed.
"Just like you said: everyone has the right to choose their partner, and I chose you." She pointed at him.
Felix blushed.
"Of course, I didn't agree at first, but when you brought your friends just so they could meet me, that was enough to make me agree. I mean, who wouldn't want to be bragged about to their lover's friends?" she added.
"Lovers? Haha, I guess I should live up to it then," Felix replied, smiling.
The two continued their date until evening, and the three continued to stalk them.
…
Back at the castle, in the chambers of the second prince, who was sleeping soundly, inside his dreams…
It was again the endless dark void. Logan faced the faceless being.
"Why are you here? Why did you choose me?" he asked.
Silence. The being didn't reply. Logan was irritated but could only wait. Finally, the being spoke.
"The dogs…" Its voice crackled.
"What?"
"The dogs… one of them is reversed," it added.
"What are you saying? I don't understand!" Logan shouted.
Then, Logan was suddenly lifted by the entity in no more than a second, holding his mouth shut. He struggled but to no avail.
"Watch your tone, child. You might be his creation, but I doubt he'll remember you if I cease your existence," it threatened.
Then, it returned to normal.
What was that? Logan panted, checking his mouth.
"I will grant you strength and aid you in whatever you desire. Just kill the one who is unaided," it muttered.
It raised its hands and pointed at Logan.
A pungent smell of metal wafted from behind the faceless being and spread around the place.
Logan's irises turned to pinpricks.
What?
Then, a massive amount of blood flooded the void, washing Logan away. He struggled, swimming, but had no sense of direction. It was all blood where ever he swam to.
The metalic taste of blood filled his mouth, He struggled until he ran out of breath, his eyes rolled up; he slowly lost consciousness and drowned.