Nami

I swayed gently on my swinging couch while watching the golden hues of the sunset bless the kingdom nestled beneath the mountains.

Although my days were not filled with excitement and adventures, having spent the past seventeen years confined within the castle’s grounds, I could say for sure that I was happy and would not want it any other way. 

As I soaked in the bliss, the sound of footsteps behind me caught my attention.

“What are you doing here, Sora?” I asked, my gaze still fixed upon the beautiful sight before me.

Sitting next to me on the swinging couch, my brother chuckled. “How did you know it was me?”

I finally glanced at him, and his majestic, intricate light blue wings, light blue eyes, and silky short hair in the same shade made me smile. “You are the only one who knows about my secret swing.”

He chuckled again and adjusted his white and golden robe before justifying, “Well, it is not my fault I am the king of the kingdom and need to be aware of everyone’s whereabouts at all times. Although, the latter can be an unpleasant perk sometimes.”

“If you are not pleased with your position, you can always pass the crown to Souma. I believe he will accept it without thinking twice, as he has been aiming for it since you were children.” 

He scoffed, “I would never.”

“Why not? He is our elder brother, after all.”

“If I remember correctly, you agreed with Mother and Father when they announced that I should be the new king and not Souma,” he retorted, one eyebrow raised.

“Well, yes, that is true, but—”

“Therefore, you believe I am the best suited to rule the Kingdom of Angels, do you not?”

I sighed, “Yes, I do. In all honesty, Souma’s behavior does not match that of a king.”

“Souma’s personality is different from ours, to say the least,” my brother commented, his eyes lost in the distance. 

“That is one way of putting it,” I agreed. “Anyway, have you come here because you are avoiding your royal duties, or do you need me for something?”

He graciously got off the swing and smiled, extending a hand in my direction. “Actually, Mother, Father, and I would like to speak with you about an urgent matter.”

“Urgent matter?” I accepted his gesture and placed my hand on his. “What is it?” We began walking away from my favorite spot on the castle’s grounds.

“Something has happened,” is all Sora dared to say.

“What?” I insisted, curiosity taking the best of me.

As he remained silent, clearly indicating that he did not want to talk about it without Father and Mother’s presence, I complied, allowing him to lead me back to the castle without complaints.

* * *

“Mother, Father,” Sora greeted them with a light nod as soon as we stepped into the council chamber. “I see that everyone is here,” he added, scanning the six royal knights standing in the back of the room along with Mother’s ladies-in-waiting, as well as the Grand Master and the Knight Commander of the Knightly Order. 

“Mother, Father.” I curtsied before sitting on the chair next to Mother’s.

Father cleared his throat. “Now that all are present, let the summit commence.”

Confused, I interrupted, “Apologies, but what about Souma?” 

Father’s expression became cold. “Souma is not coming.” He looked at the Grand Master, who also happened to be his most trusted and loyal friend for decades. “Teruo, what intelligence have you gathered regarding the recent murders?”

Recent murders?

Grand Master Teruo approached Father, his several badges proudly displayed on his white military uniform. “My Lord, it appears that a small group of demons is accountable for the recent murders.”

I gasped, “Demons?” 

Sora, who was seated at the head of the table, closed his eyes for a few seconds, visibly distraught. “So they are indeed demons,” he mumbled.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Regrettably, I have yet to acquire the specific details regarding the attacks or the underlying motive behind them.”

“How many Angel Commoners have fallen thus far?” My brother reopened his eyes, a glint of an unknown emotion in them.

“Thirty-seven Angel Commoners, Your Majesty.”

“Those malefactors,” he hissed, clenching his right hand in a fist. “They must be held accountable for the lives they have taken.”

“How have the demons managed to breach our kingdom’s defenses?” asked Father, a shadow of worry covering his face. 

The Knight Commander clarified, “We are doing our best to find all the answers, My Lord.” 

“Is the Royal Family in danger?” The question was out of my mouth before I could stop myself. 

Sora gave me a heartfelt smile, his next words comforting me greatly. “Fear not, Little Sister. I shall never allow harm to befall you, I promise.”

Mother stared at me, expressionless as usual. “Nami, as the princess of the Kingdom of Angels, your safety is of utmost priority during this trying moment. That is why we have come to the decision that…” She trailed off, her light blue eyes faltering with a hint of hesitation.

I glanced at Father and my brother, alarmed. “What is going on? Why am I a part of this summit if matters of governance do not concern me?”

The fact that it was the first time I had been summoned to participate in one of those types of discussions was enough to cause havoc in my stomach, as anxiety and worry slowly started to consume me. 

Father announced, “Nami, you shall be dispatched to Tokyo in the human realm to complete your studies and gain firsthand experience of life as a human.”

“What?” I rose to my feet immediately, dumbfounded. “Tokyo? Human? What? But why?” 

“Because you will be safer there.”

“But I possess little knowledge of human ways, let alone how to behave as one. I implore you not to send me there. Moreover, am I not safe here in the castle, where demons cannot infiltrate this sacred place?” I pleaded, desperate to instill some reason in my father and persuade him that my well-being was better secured within those walls.

In response, Father fixed a stern gaze upon me. “The decision has been made. Commencing tomorrow, a proper instructor shall impart upon you the knowledge essential to understanding humans, with a particular focus on Tokyo. Your departure is scheduled in two weeks.”

“But—”

“You are dismissed,” he declared, gesturing for me to leave the chamber. “You may go now.”

I sighed deeply and lowered my head while making my way to the door. I whispered, “Yes, Father.” 

I ran straight to my chamber, the sound of my painful sobs cutting through the silence in the castle like knives.

I do not want to go to Tokyo. I do not want to leave the castle. I do not want things to change. I do not.

* * *

“Knock, knock. Nami, may I come in?” 

I lifted my face from the white pillow and shifted to my side, my head throbbing and my eyes swollen from crying too much in the safety of my bed and blanket. 

Souma’s voice reached my ears like a murmur in the distance. 

“Nami, may I come in?” my brother repeated, knocking on the door.

The amount of effort required to sit upright was scary. “Yes, you may.” My voice came out hoarse, nasal, and low.

Souma stepped into my chamber, and as he did, the room lit up brightly. Only then did I realize that I was lost in literal darkness, as night had already descended upon the kingdom. 

“Sora told me the news,” he started, sitting on my bed. He ran a hand through his long light blue hair, his light blue eyes flickering like the fireflies flying outside the window. “How are you feeling?”

“I am mad,” I declared with gritted teeth, the brief conversation—if I could call it that—I had with Father and Sora in the afternoon rushing back to my mind, angering me even more. “I am really, really mad.”

Souma chuckled, amused. “You should take it as an opportunity to spread your wings and fly—figuratively—without being watched twenty-four-seven rather than being mad. I mean, I would love to be in your shoes and live in Tokyo as a human for a while.”

“But you are and have always been an adventurer, whereas I have never left the confines of the castle, nor have I interacted with other angels aside from those who live in or have permission to enter the property. I don’t have friends my age, and I have never interacted with humans. How can I possibly be excited to suddenly,” I air quoted, “spread my wings and fly?” I threw my hands up in the air, exasperated. 

“You are scared, aren’t you?” 

I stared at him intensely. “I am terrified.”

“I have gone to Tokyo many times, and it’s not a bad place at all, Sis. The humans are interesting characters, and I genuinely believe you will benefit a lot living among them,” he said, beaming. “You said so yourself that you don’t have friends your age, didn’t you? That is not healthy, as you should have at least one BFF.”

I frowned. “What is a BFF?”

“Best friends forever.”

“Huh?” 

He shook his head in disbelief. “You are a lost cause.” He laughed. “It means best friends forever; it’s someone you can count on and who can count on you no matter what. It’s someone who shares your happy and sad moments; it’s someone who lives in your heart rent-free.”

I broke into a broad smile as I remarked, “In that case, you and Sora are my BFFs.”

He puffed out his chest with pride and boasted, “And I am the best BFF you could have. However, you should be friends with people your age as well.”

“Why?”

“Because Sora is the king and is always busy, and I am usually in the Royal Capital to assist the Angel Commoners with whatever they need. Like today, for example. I wasn’t able to attend the meeting because I was at the Regeneration Center talking to the families of those who were attacked four days ago.”

I recalled Father’s annoyed expression when I inquired about Souma’s whereabouts during the meeting, and I could not help but wonder why he seemed that way when the latter was helping the angels in need. It was not like he was sleeping or avoiding us on purpose. He was doing something that the nobles would never do—interact directly with the commoners.

   It was a well-known fact that Souma was not suited to be the king. However, I had never stopped to think about it without being influenced by outside opinions. Just because he did not care about following the Royal Family’s protocols, it did not mean he was a bad angel and should not sit on the throne someday.

“You are awfully quiet, Nami. What is it?” asked Souma, intrigued. “You have that expression of ‘eureka’ going on,” he joked, pointing at my face.

“It is nothing,” I lied, determined not to upset him with the matter. “Hey, you should come to Tokyo with me. I would feel more at ease if you were there by my side,” I suggested, the prospect of having one of my big brothers with me exciting me for a fraction of a second.

 He shot me an apologetic smile. “I would love to, but I can’t because the commoners here need me now more than ever, with all the attacks going on and the uncertainty of their safety.”

I instantly deflated. “Okay, I understand.”

He pulled me into a tight hug before I could react. “You will be fine, Sis. Besides, whenever you feel scared or lonely, you know you can always open a portal and come visit me; the same goes the other way around.” His fingers stroked my hair gently. “You have grown into a beautiful and smart young woman,” he continued, “and I promise you will love experiencing human life.”

I let out a deep breath. The tension and uncertainty haunting me faded as soon as my dear brother’s words reached my heart.

Souma is right. I will be fine as a human in Tokyo. I will be okay.

* * *