I walk through the castle in the morning; servants are cleaning around, guards are changing shifts, and sunlight is coming through the enormous windows. This place feels so cold compared to the one day I spent at the cabin. This castle has everything, but her home has almost nothing but warmth. 

I walked to my office and closed the door behind me. There, Jake is leaning on the windowsill by my desk. “You’re late…” Jake said.

Oh right… I forgot that I have training with him; it definitely went off my mind. I always take the time to train with Jake every morning I can, which has become my routine. 

“I looked again…” Jake casually mentioned.

I immediately knew what he was talking about - the cabin.

“When did you look? It’s barely the morning, Jake.” I asked.

I sat on my office chair and flipped through the mail I received today. 

“I looked around last night. But, Your Highness, there isn’t a single cabin anywhere near the village.” 

Nowhere near the village? “What about inside the village itself? Maybe they reside in another home among the villagers?” I asked. 

“I asked if anyone knew Ms. Elara, one man said she normally sells her herbs to, but doesn’t know where she lives.” 

I sorted through the mail while listening to Jake until one piece of mail in particular made me freeze - it's from the house of Valmont. My mood immediately soured. 

“Your Highness, were you listening to me?” Jake noticed my silence.

I looked up at him and waved the mail at him. “I did, though my mood is now ruined upon seeing the name of the sender of this mail.” 

“Who is it?” Jake came closer to inspect the mail in my hand.

“Selene Valmont…” I opened the letter, and the first thing I was hit with was the scent of the paper. She must’ve sprayed her perfume on the letter before sending it out to me. The scent was so strong that it penetrated my nose. So extravagant. 

Your Highness, 

I wanted to express my excitement about the potential marriage arrangement for us. It has always been my dream to stand by you and be your life partner through thick and thin.

I was hoping to see you soon, Your Highness…

My father is looking forward to arranging a meeting for us soon. 

You will receive another letter regarding the date.

Best Regards,

Selene Valmont. 

The letter had flowers printed on the paper and was written in neat handwriting. It felt fake… This is no doubt a power play with my uncle and her father.

Jake gave me a questioning look. I gave him the letter to read, and he didn’t like the strong smell either.

“What will you do?” He finally asked while placing the letter back on my desk, his nose scrunched up from the fragrance. 

What will I do? 

I don’t know… Either I run to the king and beg him to cancel that arranged marriage, or I make her dislike me so she cancels it herself. This isn’t the first time I've given a potential wife a hard time. 

“Only two can play this stupid game now. So I will make it clear that I do not want her.” I sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

We stayed silent for a few minutes until Jake broke the silence by changing the topic.

“About the cabin, sir… Don’t you think it’s suspicious that I can’t find it the second time I searched for it?” Jake brought up the cabin case again.

“It is indeed suspicious… I think I will need to go there myself to find the answer.”

‘There is a mage rumored to be in the village.’ That phrase came into my mind immediately. Could they be… the rumored mages?