“These hands are cursed,” I confessed, my voice filled with regret. “Every time I unleash my power, it serves as a haunting reminder of the bloodshed caused by these hands. Despite being the least powerful among my siblings, this ability restricts me from pursuing some things, and it leads me to engage in actions I should avoid. If given the choice, I would prefer to be human rather than an Izavene.” I admitted, and the weight of my confession brought me back to reality as I noticed Thyra’s composed face, with her eyes trying to see through me.

My stomach churned as I saw my reflection in her gray eyes – Azriel Ven Liev Ruivenfiere, the perpetrator of unspeakable horrific deeds.

She may not recognize me, but she should be aware by now that she nearly decimated my entire army. However, I find myself placing more blame on myself than on her. Lately, I have been plagued by inner voices of self-condemnation, realizing that I have viewed my own people as mere objects. This is the first war I have lost, and the sight of lifeless bodies fills me with overwhelming guilt.

“Oh, I …” I placed my hand on my face to hide the embarrassment as I mindlessly dropped information that she was not supposed to know. It feels good to be honest, knowing that she’s listening. But I'm unsure if it's right or wrong to share a soft side of mine with her. However, I can’t take my words back.

“I overshared, didn’t I?” I laughed at my stupidity, and I imagined her doing the same. But ironically, an empathetic smile spread across her face gives me the hint that my imaginations are wrong.

“It’s okay. I understand your situation. I was quite terrified when the table turned to ashes in just a second of you holding it, but you spoke your mind. You’re not happy with your powers. Most people would take advantage of it to their benefit, but that's not how you feel. I think you're a good person, Your Highness.” She commented, but she’s the last person I want to hear that from. If it’s only easy to tell her, I’m the one of those who led the invasion of your kingdom, she will regret saying those words and she might kill me on the spot.

“Don’t patronize me. I just told you that lots of blood were shed on these hands. That simply means I have a lot of enemies; I’m despised and feared by many. If I’ll hold you right now, your skin would be lacerated. That makes me a dangerous person.” I grit my teeth as I said the last words.

“You’re saying that after you offered to help me? I think you’re being kind because you want to repent for your sins by doing good to others. I said so because last time you told me that it's your sense of value to help others when needed.”

“Fine. You read me right. Are you happy now?” she chuckled and covered her mouth, holding herself back from laughing loudly. I watched her do it, and she stopped upon realizing that I didn’t see it as a laughable matter.

“I'm sorry, all I can say is, change is possible, as everyone commits mistakes. Not to mention you're making progress. There’s still an unchangeable fact that you killed people, and kindness won’t be enough to tell someone you’re sorry for taking the life of someone they love. I’m not making you feel guilty, but I’m spelling out the facts.” Her empathetic smile turned to a serious facial expression, her eyes piercing through my soul.

“But … I’m not a saint either,” she added. “I may not look like it, but I killed a lot of people too all in one day, even if I’m a lady. Unlike you, I don’t regret any of it,” My eyes widened at her confession, and I felt a lump in my throat as I run out of words.

A sly smirk was revealed on her lips as she crosses her arms exuding a newfound confidence as she settled into her seat. Her reaction caught me off guard, as it feels like she’s a lion watching over a prey. I underestimated her greatly; she is far more dangerous than I had imagined.

“That … makes us even then,” I cleared my throat as I decided to change the topic. “We’ve lost track, haven’t we? I was supposed to answer your questions about Izavenes.” I clarified. Her facial expression changed once again – from a smirk to an innocent face, as if nothing happened.

“We’ve lost track but I appreciate your sincerity. I observe people whenever I look at them more than what’s on the surface. Why would you call yourself the least powerful among your siblings? You’re the crown prince of the Ruivenfiere Empire. That simply means that you’re the one who conquered several kingdoms.”

"You don't understand – though this is only a piece of information in our family, the heir will be based on whose power is the strongest, not about who’s the crown prince. I have two siblings – Eviona, my older sister, and my half-brother, Hervouet. Since I'm the empress' son, I'm considered the crown prince. Hervouet isn’t the empress’ son despite having the stronger power, therefore, he won’t be qualified as the next emperor,” It felt easy to say that Hervouet isn’t qualified, but I know that he’s only waiting for the right moment to arrive. He’ll get rid of me one way or another.

“… That makes Eviona and I become rivals. If she’ll be the empress, she needs to find a husband from the Ruivenfiere family only. Each conquered region of the empire is led by Ruivenfiere dukes. Thus, she can choose to marry a Ruivenfiere who leads Alryne, Greizenne, Xearian, Ruizvon, Erethus, and Beruvia. Herzoyona Eskal doesn’t count because it’s the only region led by a human who became loyal to the empress. Anyway, the empress didn’t like that idea about Eviona being an empress, and she wanted me to rise as the emperor, which means …”

“… Eviona was banished?” Thyra continued.

"Yes," I confirmed, and she narrowed her eyes while looking away as if processing the information.

“If most regions of the empire are led by a Ruivenfiere, then what’s your relationship with the marquess of Alryne? It’s Warren Ruivenfiere, correct?”

“He is my cousin. How did you know him?”

She let out a sigh and bit her lip, and muttered under her breath, "Warren, you cunning serpent. Just as I suspected."

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

Time slipped away unnoticed, and four hours had passed. During our conversation, I shared some crucial information about the Izavenes, but her interest seemed to lie more in the history of the empire and its leaders, rather than the present. It was a puzzling aspect that I couldn't quite comprehend.

“Thank you so much, Your Highness. I still have a lot to learn though, and I hope I didn’t ruin your plans for today,” She only had the right timing, because I planned to spend the entire day in the library. However, my visit became interesting because of her. It’s been a while since I talked to someone alone in private … for that long.

As we exited the secret room of the library, I noticed the fading sunlight streaming in through the window. Just as we reached the bottom of the stairs that led to the library entrance, darkness enveloped us.

I observed tiny specks of light falling from the sky, resembling fragments of shattered glass as they landed on the street below. This phenomenon was nothing out of the ordinary for me, but Thyra seemed completely unaware of it.

“I initially thought it was raining, but it seems that these are not raindrops. Those falling specks are not raindrops, but rather tiny pieces that resemble glass. They do appear sharp.” She paused,

“Those glass-looking objects are called Rosrina. It falls from the sky when the last petal of the Eshrorn falls. It’s caused by the shield surrounding the city of Marossi. It’s been around 10 years since it was built, and the shield has been deteriorating at some point.” I answered.

“So, how can we go home?”

“We can’t. Stepping outside in these circumstances could be perilous, as those falling shards resemble sharp swords falling from above,” I exaggerated, and she rolled her eyes in disbelief. Typically, this won’t be a part of a royalty’s manners, but she seems to have developed the ways of a commoner.

"I don't buy it. If you knew that it was going to happen today, you wouldn't step out of the palace in the first place. Now I understand why the town is empty – because they knew this would happen. As for you …” she paused, thinking of possibilities. Of course, she’s not gullible to believe it. But it’s nice to see this side of her anyway. I moved sideways to face her, and she did the same unmindfully.

“My lady, do you trust me?” I asked, offering my hand covered with a glove. I can tell that she’s trying to weigh things in her head, but she wouldn’t figure it out easily. She didn't say anything, but as she said before, all of a royalty's words are supposed to be orders, not requests. But now, she only sees things as a request.

“If you trust me, you’re going to hold my hand,” I watched her shaking hand placing on mine and the moment she did, all the sharp Rosrinas falling from the sky stopped mid-air. A sudden silence fell upon us, causing Thyra's jaw to drop as she realized that the shattering noise from outside had ceased.

“As long as you’ll hold my hand, you’ll make it home. Let’s go.” I led her to the stairs of the library, and I extended my free hand to burn the floating Rosrinas for us to walk through.

“You … stopped the time?” her voice was full of doubts, but I only gave her a grin as an answer.

“I didn’t tell you this earlier. I’m also capable of stopping time. The only person who can move around is the one who’s holding my hand. If you won’t, you’ll stop moving automatically and resume everything once I return everything to normal. I’ll just walk you home.”

"You …" she chuckled under her breath, amused. "You're silly, Azriel." For the first time, she said my name as it is just like how I told her when we first met. Is it because she feels comfortable with me now?

We continued walking on the streets, and the blue fire from my free hand continuously wiped the suspended Rosrina fragments in front of us. As long as I wipe of the fragments with fire, its sharpness will be neutralized, and neither of us would be harmed by its edges.

“When we were in the library, we discussed things about Izavenes, the history, and your family. Have you noticed that I hardly said anything about myself?” Her unexpected words made me wonder if she’s willing to open up.

I nodded slightly in response, sensing the weight of her emotions. Her focused gaze on our path and the sorrowful expression in her eyes hinted at the difficult memories she was about to share. Even before she uttered a word, I had a sense of what it might be, as I had observed her from a distance in the aftermath of the war.

“When you and your brother met me at different times, both of you assumed that I’m a noble. I agreed to that, but it was partly a lie. I’m not just a noble, but I’m royalty – or at least I was. I was the only daughter of the king who just died, and I’m known as Thyra Van Zia Edevane in Eurhyia,” I didn’t know what to feel as she opened up her personal information, which I suppose is something that she’s been keeping for some time now.

“… after my father’s death, I ran away because I sensed that my life is in line with the dowager queen around. Her influence is great, and I can’t hide on anyone’s back anymore since everyone’s against me. My brother, Evrart, is now the king. His mother tried to kill me several times, but I survived all of her attempts.” She added.

“When we first met, you said that you’ll help me send letters. I prepared a letter here. In Eurhyia, there’s only one person I trust the most – Marquess Jarvis of House Vassezac. He's supposed to update me on what's happening there so at least I’ll have an idea of how things are going. Can you give this to him? You said you can send these using your servants.”

Now I understand why she had been so guarded all this time. Having experienced the harsh reality that even those closest to her could potentially exploit or harm her, she had learned to trust very few. Witnessing her transformation from a fierce lioness to a vulnerable sheep made me realize that everyone, no matter how strong they may appear, has their own weaknesses. These vulnerabilities can manifest in various forms, be it mental, physical, or emotional.

“I’ll send a Poudrettite Izavene. Your letter will arrive there in a day or two. I can guarantee you that,” She let out a sigh of relief after she heard my reassurance.

“I’m grateful. That aside, I remembered something. I noticed that even though Hermine and Dante are preparing food, I never saw them eat as if the food is only for me. Do you think that’s strange? Is it an Izavene thing not to eat with a foreigner?”

It is disheartening to witness how she is treated, but unfortunately, it is not surprising.

“In Marrossi, food is luxury and a display of high status. Foods are always imported because our land isn’t capable of producing crops and keeping livestock. Our sources of water work just fine, but for some reason, there are no fish. Trees here don’t bear fruits, they’re simply like other plants meant to give shade and make the air fresh. I still don't know the cause, but Marrossi's land seems to be cursed, so we have to gain everything, because we have nothing. Since an Izavene can survive without food, but they’re probably serving you food due to Hervouet’s orders. He’s the one who helped you to be there so that might be the reason why the two are keeping you. If it's true that Hervouet is supporting them to keep you and not out of kindness, he may want something from you.”

And if that’s so, I’ll do what it takes to win her trust and make her choose me over him.