In the following days, I immersed myself in the vast trove of knowledge housed within the Imperial Library, voraciously devouring texts on the intricate art of Mana, its potential, and the depths of its capabilities. The more I delved into the subject, the more I realized the gaps in my understanding. It was no surprise, considering I had never before taken it upon myself to explore or master such a complex discipline. Ignorance seemed like a refuge in this context. The power of Mana was a ubiquitous force attainable by all, yet its mastery was a pursuit embraced by only a select few. This may explain why the Temple remained unscathed amidst the chaos of war, as the priests and monks within its walls were known to be some of the most potent wielders of Mana in the realm.
"A lone lady within these vast walls is a dangerous entity," a voice remarked, gradually approaching me. I smiled in recognition; it was Alexander.
"Hello," I greeted him, closing the book I had been engrossed in.
"What are you reading?" he asked, sitting beside me.
"Books concerning the study of Mana," I replied, displaying the array of volumes I had amassed from the Imperial Library's shelves.
"What spurred your interest?" he questioned further.
"Ah, that's a secret." It was an odd sensation. In my previous life, the man seated beside me would eventually be the one to end my life in five years. Despite this foreknowledge, I found myself inexplicably at ease in his presence.
"Your Grace," I began, locking eyes with him.
"Yes?" he responded.
"I beg your pardon, but are you familiar with the legend of Selene?" I inquired.
"Of course," he confirmed, reclining slightly in his chair. "Isn't it a tale known by all?"
"Do you believe it to be true?" I pressed further.
"No," he replied firmly.
"Why not?" I probed.
"I do not place faith in such curses or the existence of divine powers," he explained.
"Alright then, how about this?" I interjected, nudging the book I had set aside. "Do you recall the legend of the origins of Mana?"
"But that's not merely a legend. We possess historical records and evidence," he retorted.
"If that's the case, why does everyone treat the Legend of Selene as common knowledge?" I challenged.
The young prince regarded me with crossed arms for a moment, exhaling audibly. "I suppose it's a cautionary tale meant to dissuade children from succumbing to their baser instincts. A lesson in the perils of yielding to one's greedy desires."
"Do you believe that?" I probed further.
"Not particularly," he responded, a contented smile playing on his lips.
"What do you believe then?" I persisted.
"I believe we should go out for lunch," he declared, rising from his seat. He turned back to me, extending his hand.
"What happened to your hand?" I inquired, accepting his gesture graciously. Upon closer examination, I noticed faint cuts marring Alexander's hand, partially concealed by the cloth wound around it.
"It's nothing," he muttered.
Gently, I raised his hand to eye level. "Is this truly nothing?" I questioned.
"The King's tournament is drawing near, in case you've forgotten. And as a 'Prince of Aethralis,' I am obligated to participate in the event," he explained. The Prince shook his hand free. “Thank you for your concern, my dear friend, but I believe you have more important things to worry about.”
As Alexander briskly turned away and set off at a determined pace, I struggled to keep up with his hurried stride. "Hurry up, I'm starving," he said over his shoulder.
My relationship with the Prince had long been a thorny issue for the families we belonged to. My father, Sebastian Huntington, had fought alongside the then Duke Cyrus of Aethralis during the tumultuous War of Unification. When the Kingdom of Aethralis emerged from the ashes of the three dukedoms, King Cyrus bestowed upon my father the title of Duke of Emberforge and the esteemed role of Prime Minister of the Realm, solidifying our family's deep-seated connections with the royal household.
Consequently, my relationship with Alexander had always been subject to disapproval from those who called this kingdom their home. Alexander comprehended this well and maintained a careful distance from me whenever we appeared together in public. I could discern the anguish in his gaze as we strolled through the streets, ears ringing with the whispers of onlookers.
"Why is Lady Sophia in his company?"
"Doesn't he realize the shadow he casts on the Prime Minister's daughter?"
"She probably pities him."
Despite our mutual affections, Alexander harboured the understanding that no matter who he was or what he embodied, our realm would never sanction our union.
However, if indeed Alexander was destined to embrace the powers of darkness, then it fell upon me to steer him away from that ominous path, even if it meant standing by his side as society glared or shunned us.
Lost in my ruminations, I returned to reality only to find the Prince no longer before me. "Your grace, wait!" I called out urgently, hastening my steps to catch up with him.
"A lady such as yourself shouldn't be running after someone like me," Alexander retorted, observing as I burst through the doors of the Imperial Library.
"These gowns are far too unwieldy for chasing after anyone. I must ask the Lady-in-waiting to craft them with a lighter fabric," I muttered, shielding my eyes from the radiant midday sun that bathed the sky in brilliant hues.
"I've arranged the carriages," he informed me, brushing off my remark.
"Send the other one away. Join me in mine," I insisted.
Immediately, the Prince shook his head in refusal. "No."
Glancing around, I noticed the scrutiny of the nobles and library attendants fixated on Alexander. Ensuring to meet each gaze squarely, I seized hold of his arm, squeezing it firmly.
"What are you doing?" he whispered, attempting to extricate his arm from my grasp.
"Aren't you supposed to escort me?" I questioned, irked by Alexander's disregard for proper etiquette. "You invited me on a date, and yet you arranged for two carriages? Does that make any sense?"
"I-I didn't mean to..."
"Then send the other carriage away and accompany me in mine."
Relenting to my insistence, he acquiesced and swiftly led me to my waiting carriage. "Thank you," I murmured, kissing his cheek. The Prince blushed, settling in beside me.
"You must exercise caution in your actions," the Prince cautioned as the carriage began its journey. "You're well aware of how swiftly word spreads throughout the kingdom. The last thing I want is for you to suffer on my account."
"Your grace," I murmured softly, reassuring him, "you need not worry about me. Not to mention, are we just going to forget that you didn’t escort me out? Instead, you made me chase you."
Alexander turned his gaze towards me, leaning his head against the carriage window. "There's something different about you. You seem far more resolute," he observed.
His compliment prompted a blush to creep onto my cheeks. "Thank you," I replied.
He offered me a warm smile. "Whoever has the privilege of marrying you will be an incredibly fortunate man," he remarked, his gaze drifting back to the passing scenery outside.
"W-Would you accept me?" I blurted out, grasping his arm. This second chance at life had taught me to cherish these fleeting moments a bit more. And now, here I was, asking him if he would accept me. Oh, how peculiar life had become.
In the world I left behind, I often found myself walking a tightrope of uncertainty regarding my feelings for Alexander. Love, deep and true, resided within me, yet the fear of rejection and the possibility of being relegated to a sisterly role gnawed at my heart.
I cherished this connection more than words could express, and that very affection was what made me hesitant. What if I took the wrong step, uttered the wrong words, and lost this precious bond I held so dear? The fragility of our relationship weighed on me like a fragile glass sculpture on the edge of a precipice, and I tiptoed, afraid to shatter the delicate harmony we shared.
The moment I mustered the courage to confess my love to Alexander in my previous life, it was already too late. The person he had become bore no resemblance to the one I knew; the warmth in his eyes was extinguished, and our once cherished bond dissolved in the tumult of his crumbling sanity.
Witnessing that tragic future unfold before me served as a stark reminder of this second chance at life. I couldn't afford to repeat the same mistakes. If there was any possibility of preventing Alexander from succumbing to the seductive allure of darkness, then I was determined to do everything in my power to save him.
"You know I can't," he responded gently.
"Just this once, can't you be selfish?"
"I can only stand by and support you from a distance. You know that," he affirmed, giving my hand a tender squeeze. "Now then, where would you like to go?"
"You didn't plan a route?" I queried.
"When have I ever planned a route?"
I couldn't contain my amusement at the situation. These were the instances I cherished the most in a realm dominated by political intrigue and bureaucratic machinations. Despite the hardships Alexander had endured and continued to endure, his playful spirit was something I adored about him.
His warmth and concern had become familiar to me, even though I knew they served as a mask to conceal the pain he bore. If only I could alleviate his burdens now and liberate him from the chains that bound him. Perhaps then, Alexander's smile could radiate with genuine joy, devoid of underlying anguish.
A yawn escaped my lips as I drew closer to Alexander. "May I stay like this for a while?" I whispered.
"Of course, my lady," he acquiesced.
The two of us remained quietly nestled in the carriage, enveloped by the distant hum of the bustling city, until I surrendered to the embrace of sleep.
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