The moon and stars didn’t move a single bit from the moment Azriel and I left the library. He waved his hand away from time to time to burn the shattered glass-like thing in front of us that they called Rosrina. The only thing that was moving was the two of us, his blue fire, and our entwined hands that kept everything warm – no, hot. Despite my efforts to conceal it, my heart was pounding incessantly throughout our entire walk together. It feels strange to have someone hold my had for such an extended period of time.

 It’s a sensation that seems out of place, yet the way he holds it provides a comforting sense of security, as if he is assuring me that he will protect me from any harm that can be caused by the Rosrina shards.

Get things together. Stop overthinking things. He’s just being generous. If it wasn’t for him, I’ll probably sleep somewhere in the library now.

"Are you listening to me?" he asked, and he knows the answer from my reaction alone. I'm sure it's written all over my face. "Sounds like a no," he added, his face looking like a sad puppy. Ah no, that reaction won’t get me. I can’t believe a prince is acting like this. He’s like Hervouet – they’re both childish in different ways.

“I’m sorry, I was lost in thought. I didn’t hear anything, to be honest. How long were you talking? And what did you say?” those questions coming from my mouth make me want to hang my head in embarrassment, which reminds me of how he reacted earlier when he was in the same situation.

"I'm wondering if I could be friends with you, my lady," he asked once again. How many times would he ask this? It seems like he won't stop until I give a positive response.

“You won’t stop asking that unless I’ll say yes, right?” he nodded, with that silly smile again. Seriously, he’s even more childish than my younger brother Marius!

 “It’s fine with me then.” I sighed.

“But I’m not forcing you, okay?” I stopped walking and faced him, and I'm torn between whether to laugh or show my annoyance.

“Kidding aside, I just want you to loosen up a little. You’ve been too serious earlier, and I can’t help but imagine what you’ve been through after leaving home. You lost … almost everything. That’s why somehow, I want to be helpful by cheering you up at least. You may not say it, but when you were sharing it, I can somehow feel the pain, perhaps because I’m holding your hand,” how perceptive of him. I didn’t want to sound pitiful, and yet there’s finally someone who can empathize with me. Who would’ve thought that opening up a bit would make my heart feel at ease?

 “… I’m sure Hermine and Dante aren’t your friends – because if they are, they would tell you that Rosrina will fall today. If they cared, they would inform you about that. You said you only trust one person back in Eurhyia – Marquess Jarvis. Now that he’s not here, at least I can do his role at some point, that’s why I’m trying to befriend you. It’s not because I like you or anything like that, but because I know how it feels to be alone. To be in a position where you don’t know who the snakes are and who are the trustworthy. That’s why I’m careful when I’m talking to people in high society. Red diamond Izavenes are all high-ranking nobles, and all are powerful because of the red diamond. Messing with any of them can cause civil war. Despite having everything as a crown prince, I somehow feel that I have nothing.”

If what he says is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, we both share the experience of being in positions of royalty. However, in Eurhyia, conflicts are limited to battles among humans. It's intriguing to consider that if the united forces of the red diamond Izavenes were to turn against him, they could effortlessly bring this empire to its knees in a single day, utilizing their formidable powers.

Indeed, it is a melancholic existence, being at the pinnacle of power yet feeling a profound emptiness within. He strives to do good for the common people, perhaps in the hopes of finding genuine companionship, even in small gestures. True and meaningful relationships are invaluable and cannot be substituted by material possessions.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

I lost track of the duration of our walk, but it felt swift, not because he stopped time, but because our conversations were meaningful and are far from trivial. Unlike when conversing with nobles, where I must be cautious with my words.

Upon reaching my room in Hermine’s house, he released my hand, causing time to resume its normal flow. However, both of us lost our balance and tumbled onto the wooden floor.

“Hey, are you okay?” we asked in chorus, like earlier in the library.

"Yes, it's just that my leg hurts a bit. It wasn't that long since this was pierced with an arrow. I walked too much so this happened. But it'll be alright in a while. How about you? Does something hurt?" I answered, and he wiped the beads of sweat that formed on his forehead upon sitting on the floor.

“I got exhausted after using my powers for that long, but I’ll be fine in a few minutes. That means we can still talk.”

A mischievous smile adorned his face, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes and shake my head in response. However, it’s impossible not to be affected by his contagious smile. I couldn't deny that I was genuinely enjoying his company.

“You really are a child … acting like that.” I commented, and I’m sure he won’t take it personally.

“I can’t believe you’re being that honest. I'm just maximizing our time because we won't run to each other daily. You see me as a child, but I see you as a lioness. You’re intelligent, courageous, and you’re willing to face adversaries even if you’re scared. I have a theory that you went here for nothing, but because you want to protect someone. That’s what I observed from you, at least. But still, it’s nice to see a child be friends with a lioness, don’t you think?”

His words may sound like a joke, but his observations are true. He didn’t know me for long, but he’s quick to discern my motives. Protecting isn’t the right term though, because my main goal is to find my prey and that indeed makes me a lioness.

“You’re speechless again. You have a hobby of spacing out when you're tired. Anyway, since you see how my energy can get drained when I use my power for too long, keep in mind that you shouldn't overuse yours, because overusing it can cost you your life. If you'll die due to your recklessness in using your power, you'll turn into ashes, and nobody will remember your existence because your ring was broken. I meant that literally. Things are different with red diamond Izavenes but let’s save that some other time. I have to go now. When the marquess replies, I’ll send someone to give the letter here.”

My eyes widened slightly as he mentioned his intention to depart. Does he regain energy that fast? Exhaustion was still evident in his eyes.

“How will you get home if you’re this exhausted? Maybe you can have some rest here or have someone to pick you up?” I asked, my voice tinged with a hint of concern.

“You’re underestimating me too much,” he forced himself to give me a small smile of reassurance to say that everything will be fine and he knows what he was doing. "Well then, I must take my leave. I'll see you soon." Without letting me say another word, he vanished into thin air.

He can … teleport? Then if he can, why didn’t he use it to drop me here?

That childish prince … he’s too fond of playing around. He shouldn't have exerted himself to the point of exhaustion just to have a conversation with me.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

The following morning, I spotted Hermine in the kitchen, busily setting the table for breakfast. But I’m certain that neither of them would take a bite. She prepared bread, butter, an egg, and tea, but her expression seemed gloomy, as if she was unhappy about performing these tasks for me.

"Thank you for the breakfast, but please don't trouble yourself to prepare things for me. You have been incredibly kind, and I genuinely appreciate your hospitality. I also don't want you to spend money on me. I only discovered yesterday that Izavenes can survive without food. I believe I experience hunger because I still possess human-related traits inherited from my father, such as the need for sustenance. I apologize for being a burden," I explained, feeling the weight of my remorse. It was exhausting to express how sorry I was, but I truly meant it. I felt guilty for not knowing this all along. I had been foolish, but I’m not as ignorant as I was.

“Don’t worry about the expenses. His Highness is the one who’s funding everything to support you.” She said, and I certainly didn’t see that coming. She means … Hervouet, right? There’s no way Azriel would do it – we just knew each other for two days.

“I-I see. But use the funds for yourself. I do have some money to support myself so … sooner or later I’ll leave your place, assuming I’ll find a place to live in.” I’m unsure if my words sounded like boasting, but she sure wasn't happy to hear it either. Am I an eyesore? I can't figure out the problem by just looking at her, because she's holding herself back.

“Did I do … by any chance, something that made you upset?” she didn’t say anything, but she took out a black envelope with a red wax seal from her apron.

“His Highness told me to give this to you. It's an event he's probably hosting. He also gave you a dress and some jewelry you can wear for that. I'll show you," She guided me to her room and unveiled a stunning red, mermaid-style dress with delicate white accents. The gown boasted intricate golden embellishments on the upper portion, adding a touch of elegance. On the bottom of the dress, there were faintly printed symbols in a shadow-like form, but they depicted an unfamiliar figure.

Hermine opened the jewelry box with a necklace made of two layers of gold, adorned with red apatite on some parts of the necklace and the earrings. It matches the long earrings with a similar design.

People who are giving me expensive gifts give me the feeling that they're buying me. I appreciate the thought, but I don't want to have the feeling like I owe someone. I can buy something better than this and match this with better jewelry. That's why I brought all my pieces of jewelry, after all.

He knows that I'm a noble who became a fugitive by choice. But I'm not just a noble – I'm royalty. Though I no longer have the title, I feel insulted instead of grateful.

“Do you not like it?” she asked, noticing my silence.

“I can’t accept this. I appreciate the thought but it’s too much,” I commented, speaking my mind. Hermine nodded, satisfied with my answer.

“Yes, it is indeed an expensive gift.”

"I can't wear that dress because I don't want to feel indebted to him. Today, I'll go to the town to find another one," I declared, determined to return the dress. Hermine froze upon hearing my words, her eyes filled with disbelief. "I want to give it back because I don't deserve it. I refuse to be made to feel inferior, even as a fugitive. I should be able to wear something nice."

How ungrateful. I can imagine her saying that, but I can’t deny that it’s how I feel. I want to see how Hervouet will react when he sees me not wearing his gifts.