Fabian Naso

Clang.

I nearly cursed myself for being careless before looking at my back to see the guards rushing towards me but found none, I sighed in relief before continuing what I was doing, but now, much more careful. In haste but accompanied by caution, I opened the metal doors that is connected towards the garden. Just as the door opened enough to let me pass through, I once again looked back, just to be careful. Seeing no pursuers, I continued my escape. I stepped foot on the grassy land of the garden and carefully shutting the door.

A passing cold breeze brushed against my skin, making me shiver and pulled the robe of mine closer to my skin in hope to gather more heat. It was a futile attempt to even wear one, sigh, I must hurry then before freezing out here and increasing the possibilities of getting caught.

With that in mind, I hurriedly entered the maze-like garden of roses, passing the correct ways to the storage room. I must thank the moon's light for illuminating my way. It's already midnight, and I mustered up much courage to slip past my maids and the guards guarding my room by putting on a dummy me on the bed and oh-so-graciously escape from the balcony. I want to tell father that it's their fault for teaching me magic that if I am not mistaken, too advance for the people outside the castle just by judging Fabian.

Not so long, I am once again in front of the storage room's door.

I stood there, pondering; whaaaat, seriously self? We're doing this?

Ugh, there's no point on making enemy with myself. I touched the door before looking around cautiously. The surrounding is still as the night, I can't feel any humans nearby. But I am still unease.

I turned to find a flower and squatted in front of it before chanting an enchant; “Awaken.”

There, the flower begun to glow softly as if something spiritual entered its form, it glowed under the moon's light, creating a rather peculiar serenity. This should be enough, even if this is not advance as the elders and the skilled sorcerers can do, this much can at least notify me in case something or someone is coming. Content with my countermeasures, I entered the storage room.

I frowned upon entering, why is it so dark? Not that they usually light this room.

"Fabian?" I called out softly. "Where are you?"

"I-I am here! But, uh, I don't really know… I can't see anything."

I glared towards nowhere, how incompetent kid. "Can't you, at least, produce light?"

"Well, I'm sorry! I can't produce one. Y-you see, I am only eight years old."

What's with the age? I already was practicing magic since I was seven. Is he merely saying excuses for his incompetency?

I sighed, it can't be helped then. Facing my palm upward I chanted. "Vocō, Lūminis."

Slowly, small particles of light manifested on my palm, enough to let me see the crouching creature in front of me. He lifted his head, relief to see the light.

"Thank you…"

"… Think nothing about it."

"You really are an odd ball, aren't you?" Speak for yourself! I glared at him. He flinched before questioning. "How can you attain such length?"

So I was right. I thought to myself. I am truly advance than them. But why is that? Does my status or bloodline affect my capabilities? I was not taught about this thing. Fabian shifted from crouching to sitting then looked upwards, thinking. What could be this curious creature thinking of?

"Well, I heard something like this too. The villagers said that there are some cases that the child is just too talented or a genius or- aha!" He suddenly looked at me with big sparkling eyes. I just noticed that his eyes are deep blue, like the ocean above us. "You're part of the nobility, aren't you? Not the princess because I don't think she'll go around and talking to some stranger like me, I heard that no one even saw her even since she was born, neither the queen was seen, but you're a noble aren't you? Since you live inside the castle."

What kind of princess does this human think I am?

"Yes, I am. I am part of the nobility." I answered, not a lie but not the full truth either. There are indeed some of nobles living inside the castle, but they are forbidden to inter act with me and so I was to them. And as I speculated earlier on my childhood days, no one really knows me outside these four gates of the castle. And the maids and the guards might have received a specific order to keep my identity secret.

Why is that though? It's not that as if I can go outside without guards tailing behind me. It's also not that as if someone will have the guts to attack me. With my current level, I am confident to take on attackers or any burglars who will dare.

"That explains it then!" He said rather excitedly. "I never talked to a noble ever in my life! I see them as intimidating humans; it's hard to get close of them."

Fabian sure is talkative, which works so much in my favor.

"Then be grateful for I am sparing my attention to a peasant like you." Be even more grateful because you're talking to the princess."But Fabian, I do not want to beat around the bushes anymore; I am here to claim the compensation."

The poor child visibly gulped. "Y-yes! Of course! S-so, what is it you want Miss- uh..."

"Rosalia."

"M-miss Ro-rosalia- EH? Huh? Are you sure your name is Rosalia?"

I furrowed my brow before asking why. He mirrored my confusion and said that it is strictly forbidden to name a child after the rose except the daughter of the king and queen. I was shocked; I never knew a regō like that existed. I thought back of my lessons with my various teachers; I never heard of it.

I was silent a while after that, only coming back to reality after Fabian called out for me.

"Sorry," I said. "I know that, I am merely testing you. My true name is- Diana, my name is Diana."

I regretted the name a while after.