“Good, you’re here–what the hell happened to you?” Hyasar scowled at the sight of his closest aide. The smell of alcohol permeated the air.

Ikras hadn’t bothered to cover up his bruises and swollen face, going back inside the elder prince’s chambers not long after. “I got into a scuffle outside the palace, Your Highness.”

Hyasar was amused, which was a rare occurrence these days. “I keep forgetting how young you are. Come–you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

The boy obediently came over and sat opposite him on a couch. It was the only place in his bedchambers that were intact, as the prince had flipped and thrown furniture around in a flurry earlier this morning. The servants took them out the moment he calmed down to replace them, and they had yet to come back. The prince didn’t care one bit as he leisurely brought a wine bottle to his lips. Not wanting to test his patience any longer, Ikras began reporting on his findings.

“Prince Calypse and Lady Florencia have been exchanging letters less and less this year. Either they’ve gotten into a quarrel no one can discern, or they are simply awaiting seeing each other in person soon.”

“Ah.” The prince’s expression switched to one of boredom. “That’s right, she’s finally enrolling this year. I never liked how headstrong she was whenever she came to Luvaird before. How bothersome.”

“Your Highness…” ‘You’re only disappointed that you can’t seduce her.’

Even if Hyasar truly knew what he was thinking, he still waved away the obviously concerned tone in his voice. “I still have no idea what that painter saw in her. Drawing a picture of what he imagined she would look like as a grown woman just because he was so mesmerized by her beauty as a child? Isn’t that the weirdest thing? Yet Father was incredibly upset when that painter died.” He set the wine bottle down. There was hardly a drop of it left inside. “Enough of this. I’m going to find something else to drink. I have too much free time on my hands these days, you know.”

“Go ahead, Your Highness.”

Seeing his utterly blank gaze, Hyasar scoffed. He didn’t have the energy to yell at anyone or work on anything anymore. He walked out of the room, kicking the door wider as he left.

Ikras could only sigh. It seemed the eldest prince fell lower and lower with each passing year. He was certain he managed to get by this far by purely forcing himself to care.

…

A week passed by too fast for Ellowyn’s liking.

By the time it came for Florencia to depart, she was the only one who came out of the manor to bid farewell to her. She remained the sole person in the estate who knew her sister’s true intentions of leaving early for the capital. Still, it took a lot to hold back the ache in her heart.

The duke had been called away on an emergency business trip, whilst their mother’s coughing fits were increasing in frequency with each day. Therefore, Florencia had insisted on letting Helda stay in bed.

The air felt heavy and sullen as the Vestein sisters faced each other.

“I wish Mother was here with you,” said Florencia. In her hands was held a small suitcase full of necessities. The rest of her belongings were already packed at the back of the carriage, and a few knights waited on standby. They would accompany her all the way to the Luvaird capital.

Not wanting to make her feel anymore guilty, Ellowyn did her best to put on a grin. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s looking down at us from her window right this moment.”

Florencia giggled, but even that lasted for merely a few seconds before she looked down at her own hands. “A part of me is still afraid. I can’t explain it to you yet, and I’m sorry. But I’ll be sure to send letters to all of you often.”

‘But you can,’ she thought solemnly. ‘Even if you think I won’t understand, I will surely listen to you.’ Yet to this day, her sister hadn’t uttered another word about the prince except to talk about how excited she was to see him again. She didn’t dare push her, as this was a tricky predicament to wander through already. “Good luck in the academy. Don’t worry about any of us back home. Just focus on yourself and your health.”

“That’s easier said than done.” Her sister’s shoulders relaxed. “Are you sure you don’t want to attend the academy with me? There’s still time to take the examinations.”

Ellowyn blinked at the sudden question. “I have no connection to the capital to begin with. I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Not like her, who was engaged to a prince who just happened to be her first and only love.

It looked like Florencia expected that answer as she nodded. “Well then, take good care of Mother, okay? And if you change your mind, tell me anytime.” She spun on her heel, retrieving her hat from a nearby servant and placing it on her head. Her dress swayed gently in the warm summer wind.

Not wanting their conversation to end like this, Ellowyn took a step forward even though they weren’t that far apart yet. She placed a hand on her rapidly beating heart. “Goodbye, Florencia. I love you.”

Her sister looked over her shoulder. This time, her smile was unfamiliarly bitter. “I love you too, Elle.”

A month more passed by in a blur. Even so, not a single day went by without Ellowyn thinking about her as she waited for a letter to arrive.