From the window of an expensive flying vehicle, Skyler looked out as he sat in the back seat with his so-called cousins. They were traveling towards the Royal Castle.
Alistair and the other man sat in the front, the other driving the vehicle while Alistair browsing through a tablet in his hand.
They briefly stopped at a restaurant for a light lunch. After all, while Alistair and his aide could go without eating for months, the three youngsters with them couldn't.
Skyler took full advantage of the situation, ordering all the most expensive items. His uncle was paying, so why should he care? His uncle was wealthy, and he was just a poor little guy with nothing to his name.
Riruru could only watch in silence as the table in the private room they entered was filled with a variety of dishes. However, she still preferred Skyler's cooking. As a result, she didn't eat much, very unlike Skyler, who was determined not to waste any food.
Alisa's disdain toward Skyler increased further as she watched him stuff himself. She and George failed to notice the details their uncle, Alistair Thorne, was observing. Skyler's posture was impeccable, his back straight, even as he ate a lot. There was an air of nobility about him, an innate grace in his every movement. It was as if he once held a place of great power, a place that had instilled in him a regal bearing.
'Hmm, that's odd. Riya was the clumsiest among us. Did she make her son go through etiquette lessons or something? In this era?'
He furrowed his brows. But quickly forgot about it when he saw the bill. 10,000 star coins. Just for one simple lunch?
Even for him, it was a bit shocking.
Alistair sighed and gestured for his aide to settle the bill. He was a prince. This much was nothing to him. However, he couldn't believe Riya's son was such a spendthrift.
Once finished, they entered the familiar flying vehicle again. Skyler settled into the back seat, a contented breath escaping his lips. He rubbed his cheek against Riruru and let out a yawn, earning a disgusted look from Alisa. He didn't seem to really care, though, treating her as if she were invisible.
It was actually Riruru who hissed at the princess, startling her out of her seat. The pair of crimson eyes glared at Alisa, as if asking, 'What are you looking at?'
Skyler burst into a chuckle.
A warm feeling bloomed in his chest at Riruru's sudden protective gesture. Even though he knew she wasn't jealous, she didn't know the meaning of jealousy yet.
Oh, if only he knew. She was. Very much. Jealous. Because Alisa was sitting next to him. And Riruru felt irritated due to that.
The rest of the journey was very quiet, with Alisa Thorne trying her best to scoot away from Skyler, or more specifically, from the dangerous snake with him. Soon, the car finally arrived before the Royal Castle.
Skyler gazed out of the open window. The towering structure in front of him was huge and beautiful, made of powerful materials.
Four tall, pointy towers, reaching for the sky, marked the corners of the immense edifice, while the thick walls, adorned with flowing curtains, whispered tales of elegant power.
Embedded within the fabric, insignia of two white wings, stretched wide, proclaimed the Thorne royal family's lineage and legacy.
The next second, Alistair Thorne's Evol spread out, announcing his arrival.
The many guards in armor guarding the castle gate, emanating powerful auras, who were attracted to the flying car, immediately retreated upon sensing his Evol. It was as if they were all too familiar with the man.
Alistair glanced at Skyler in the rearview mirror one last time and disappeared. His aide remained silent and then just simply maneuvered the vehicle into the castle.
They landed in the center of a massive garden within the castle grounds.
Skyler stepped out of the car, taking in the scenery. He had noticed that his uncle had disappeared, but he didn't care. His goal of reaching the Royal Castle was complete.
His eyes sparkled as he looked around.
Multiple powerful crystals, connected to other realms, floated inside and above the Royal Castle, catching the bright sunlight and sparkling like diamonds on a crown.
The Royal Castle itself was quite exquisite, almost to his taste. If only he had one too.
Skyler rubbed his hands, which itched for some reason, and took a long, deep breath. Why? Because he knew very well that once he entered the castle, he would see many sparkling things. He had to control himself.
In a way, he knew he was a prince as well, but he couldn't just take whatever he liked in the castle—not yet, at least. He first needed to make the Queen see him favorably. Only then could he do whatever he wanted.
"This is going to be very difficult..."
He took another breath as a few servants, clad in fine livery clothes, approached them to guide them to the hall where the Queen's other grandchildren were already waiting. Apparently, they were the last to arrive.
Seeing him so nervous, Alisha scoffed. If only she knew that he was mentally telling himself not to put everything sparkling he saw in the castle into his storage ring.
Skyler trailed behind them as they left the garden and soon passed through another gate leading into the main structure. He did his best to not let his eyes wander. Yet, the castle had to be so damn sparkly!
He bit his tongue and quickened his pace. But he froze as they entered a corridor, his gaze drawn to a massive gem embedded in the wall. It emanated warm Evol, likely to regulate the temperature of the place.
Sensing him pause, the others stopped as well. The only adult with the group, Alistair's aide, turned to him. He still wasn't sure how to address him. So he offered a tentative.
"Young man...?"
Skyler pointed at the gem in the wall, his eyes dazed and filled with expectation.
"Can I take this?"