It Is Still Fate - 620

The date of the small gathering was set for the next day. Skymender did not have to prepare in advance or anything. After all, he was only meeting a Crown Prince and his friends, not an Emperor or a King.

As for who his friends were, Skymender did not know. He went out with Li Youcai and returned to the research institute. He returned around 3 pm. He began to relax and rest in preparation for the next day.

Before going to sleep, he was given a strict cleaning by the servants of the house.

He fell asleep early and woke up early.

The gathering was set for noon. After taking care of various things, Skymender made his way towards the Imperial Palace. 

Where else would a Crown Prince hold a gathering?

He set out a bit early, scheduled to be there at 11:30.

However, Li Youcai suggested a detour.

Skymender questioned him. Li Youcai explained.

"That girl you found on the road, Hope, has been training and been through a background check. She came from a wealthy commoner family, but went missing. She has lost a portion of her memory, but everything checks out as it should."

"What does that have to do with me?" Skymender asked.

"She has been training to become a servant, and her results have been excellent. I believe that we should bring her with us."

Skymender wasn't sure. "You want me to bring an untested servant to a gathering with the Crown Prince?"

Li Youcai spoke seriously. "I can attest to the fact that she is just as good as me, with even more potential."

Skymender, hearing Li Youcai's recommendation, reluctantly agreed. They took a slight detour to the commoner district, no more of a detour than 10 minutes in total.

Skymender waited in the carriage for a moment before Hope entered. She looked similar to before, just cleaner and wearing better clothes.

She bowed to Skymender as soon as she entered the carriage.

"Let's go. We don't have that much time."

Hope nodded and entered. The carriage immediately set off once again.

They returned to the route and arrived at the Imperial Palace at 11:45.

They did not need to go through many checks as they were not coming to meet the Emperor. 

After everything took place, Skymender arrived at the gathering location at exactly 12.

He did not need to knock on the door, it was opened by a servant.

Looking inside, Skymender saw a lavish room decorated with luxurious furnishings and filled with large windows.

It seemed more like a lounge than a noble gathering place.

Skymender also saw five nobles, as well as some servants. One was naturally the Crown Prince of the Ergen Kingdom himself.

However, the remaining people were equally surprising, if not more so. Three others were also Crown Prince's. In other words, all of the Crown Prince's, save for the Imperial Crown Prince, were in this room.

The only person Skymender did not recognize was an elegant woman, but from the flower embroidered on her clothes, she was clearly from the Flower Kingdom.

She looked at Skymender, and he felt a similar feeling to when he looked at his sister.

The Crown Prince of the Ergen Kingdom looked at Skymender and spoke with a smile.

"Come join us, Skymender. Potential Sword Master Daisy was telling us about one of her travels."

The Crown Prince of the Ergen Kingdom's words confirmed Skymender's suspicions. This was a potential Sword Master, just like his sister.

She hardly reacted to his entrance, merely glancing over. She then turned away and continued to speak in a calm voice with no expression on her face.

Skymender came over and sat down.

The whole thing seemed suspiciously casual.

Everyone was sitting on beanbags, lounging around.

Skymender sat on a beanbag as well, but kept the proper posture.

He listened as the potential Sword Master, Daisy, continued to speak.

She spoke of a journey to an ancient mountain, before she was ever a potential Sword Master. There, she met an old man at the end of his life. 

He sat on a rock in the middle of a lake with nothing but a sword across his lap.

Daisy had come through a clearing, instantly able to tell that he was nearing his last breath.

As she became visible, the man looked at her. Although at the edge of death, his eyes were brighter than the sun.

He spoke a few simple words. "Though we only met at the end of my life, it still counts as fate. You are my first and last disciple."

He then stood up, raised his sword, and the story stopped there.

Daisy explained that she would never reveal what happened afterwards, even if she was tortured for a thousand years, or even if all the world's Kings and Emperors tried to force her.

Skymender, like everyone who had ever heard this story, was extremely curious. However, she clearly had no intention to share, as she had said.

After she finished speaking, another Crown Prince began to speak. They all shared stories, until it reached Skymender.

Skymender spoke of his time saving the daughter of the Duchess, a story more interesting than most of the others told.

After he spoke, more conversation went on. Skymender wasn't sure what the goal of this gathering was, but he didn't really care to think too much. The sun soon began to fall. They ate and spoke some more before the Crown Princes all stood up.

"It has been great seeing you all, but it is time to go."

"Likewise."

Everyone dispersed quickly, so fast Skymender was surprised.

Before he realized it, he was leaving the room. Only Daisy remained behind. Suddenly, she spoke.

"Your name. Is it truly Skymender?" She asked.

Skymender turned around and looked at her with confusion. "Of course."

She looked at him deeply before sighing. "Would you like to hear the rest of my story?"

Skymender was surprised, and he did not dare refuse. He walked back over and sat down across from her.