"How do I look?"
Vance glanced at the princess walking beside him and sighed inwardly. This was the fifth time she had asked him this question since they’d begun their approach to the gathering. But as her personal knight and only friend, he could only give her a thumbs up, indicating it was amazing.
Princess Aurelia smoothed down her reddish silk gown one more time before nodding, seemingly satisfied with his reassurance.
They continued walking in comfortable silence through the castle corridors, the distant sounds of the celebration growing louder with each step. The quiet gave Vance more time to ponder the recent events.
They had arrived just yesterday, and without any incidents. They hadn’t encountered any more assassins either, which was both a relief and a source of lingering unease.
The memory of that harrowing night at the Luthaire barony still haunted his thoughts.
Speaking of the assassins, Amaniel’s father, Lord Nusayel, had only brought back those who were truly heinous criminals and then had a private audience with the king.
He would love to know what they had discussed, but he lacked both the means and the status to find out. He could only speculate by himself.
’Perhaps,’ he reasoned, ’His Majesty had sent a strong resonator to protect the princess, and those assassins had been caught and ’marked’ by that person, or a group of people...’
That would make sense, explaining how they were so efficiently dealt with. And have their deeds written on their foreheads.
’But then...’ a more unsettling thought followed, ’did the king know she would be attacked? Was that why he had sent her specifically to the Luthaire barony and not to other noble houses? Had it... had it all been part of some larger plan?’
It somehow made some kind of sense as well. Perhaps His Majesty even knows which child of his sent those assassins...
Vance shook his head slightly. He had too little information about the true situation. All he could do was stay vigilant and keep the princess safe, regardless of whatever political machinations were unfolding around them.
The grand doors to the courtyard loomed ahead, and beyond them lay the glittering web of noble intrigue that would determine the kingdom’s future.
’...Along with ours.’
As they arrived at the entrance to the courtyard, Vance turned to face Princess Aurelia. His hands moved in a series of quick, practiced gestures, signing his concern and reminding her to be careful in the political minefield ahead.
The princess nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Alright, I’ll be careful," she whispered back, understanding his silent communication perfectly after years of companionship.
Vance nodded in return and gestured to the guards stationed at the grand doors. They straightened and moved to open the way.
"Announcing Her Royal Highness, Princess Aurelia of Orlan!" the herald’s voice boomed across the courtyard.
The princess stepped forward into the golden light of the celebration, her reddish silk gown catching the afternoon sun. A wave of superficial bows and curtseys rippled through the nearest nobles, accompanied by polite murmurs of welcome and respect. But within moments, the gathering resumed its previous rhythm, conversations picking up where they had left off.
Vance followed a respectful distance behind, his sharp ears picking up the whispered conversations that followed in their wake.
"The ghost princess... finally shows herself..."
"...wonder why the king bothered... no influence, that one..."
"Poor thing. Barely speaks a word when she does appear."
"I heard she hasn’t been the same since her mother’s death."
Each comment hit like a physical blow. Vance clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he fought the urge to turn and confront the gossips. But there was nothing he could do; his duty was to protect her, not to silence every cruel tongue in the kingdom. He could only hold it in and hope she wouldn’t be affected by their words.
’Hm?’
As his eyes swept the crowd, cataloging potential threats and familiar faces, they landed on a group he recognized.
Lord Nusayel stood near one of the silk pavilions, flanked by two children: a masked girl around fourteen and a boy who bore a strong resemblance to the baron, around eleven years old.
They were none other than Amaniel’s younger siblings: Rania and Rayn.
"Big Brother Vance~"
Young Rayn noticed them first, his face lighting up as he waved cheerfully at Vance with the uninhibited enthusiasm of youth.
But Rania seemed different, more withdrawn than he remembered. Her usually bright demeanor had been replaced by something subdued, almost gloomy.
Vance raised his hand and waved back at Rayn, but a dark thought crept into his mind as he observed Rania’s somber expression.
’Could it be... did she already hear about her brother’s death?’
The thought was a cold stone in his gut. The news of Amaniel’s fall wasn’t public knowledge yet; so it was either that she heard it by accident or Lord Nusayel told her himself directly...
His duty to the princess was paramount, but in that moment, a pang of sympathy for the Luthaire children, and for the friend he had lost, lanced through him.
’..?’
Vance’s sharp ears caught the faintest whisper beside him, so quiet it was almost a breath.
"Rania..." the princess murmured, her voice tinged with a deep, knowing sadness. She had seen it too, the shadow that had fallen over the usually vibrant girl.
Without hesitation, Princess Aurelia altered her course, gliding gracefully through the crowd toward the Luthaire family. Lord Nusayel noticed her approach and offered a subtle, respectful nod of welcome, his expression as stern and unreadable as ever.
"Your Highness," he greeted, his voice a low rumble.
"Hello, Big Brother!" Young Rayn, ever energetic, completely bypassed formalities and grinned up at Vance, bumping his small fist against his gloved hands in their customary greeting. Vance’s stern expression softened for a fraction of a second at the boy’s unwavering cheer.
Rania, however, did not meet the princess’s eyes. She offered a quick, shallow bow, then immediately shifted to hide herself behind the formidable bulk of her father, her small hand clutching the fabric of his formal coat.
Lord Nusayel placed a steadying hand on his daughter’s shoulder. "My apologies, Your Highness," he said, his tone even but apologetic. "She is feeling a bit unwell today."
"A-Ah, I understand." Princess nodded with an understanding smile.
’...Amaniel.’
Vance gazed into the sky as he patted Rayn’s head.
’...Your absence is already a void they feel deeply.’