Message to Diando

Octavia returned to the academy a week after Princess Matilda's birthday banquet. Isadora's warning still kept her thinking, so even after she arrived at the academy, she was not completely comfortable with her environment. Already, she had told her mother to warn her father to rest at home no matter the problem. That even if there was a war, he had no reason to leave the duchy. Her father's safety was paramount, and she couldn't shake the anxiety that gripped her heart.

Upon arriving at school, she decided to look for the second prince of Diando. If the prediction of war was true, then informing the second prince about Matthias's plans was for the best. She wandered through the campus, her mind racing with thoughts and worries. Her eyes scanned the familiar surroundings, but her heart was heavy with the burden of her mission.

"Excuse me, do you happen to know a female student named Octavia?" a student approached her as she was deep in thought. She had been so lost in her worries that she hadn't noticed him walking up to her.

"I am Octavia. How may I help you?" she responded, still biting her nails. It was very obvious she was anxious. Her eyes darted around, scanning the faces of the students passing by, but none of them seemed to notice her distress.

"I'm Caleb. You told Arabella that you needed to see me. So I should be the one asking how I may help you." Caleb was on the huge side. He had black hair and green eyes, his presence both commanding and reassuring.

"Oh yes! I need your help. But first, I would like to have a friendly conversation with you, so that my request later won't look too big," Octavia requested as she escorted him to a bench. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She knew she had to handle this delicately, but the urgency of the situation made it difficult to stay calm.

The atmosphere became very awkward, but Octavia wasn't going to give up. She had come too far to back down now.

"People say you are the carbon copy of your father, King Travaris. Is that true?" she asked, trying to ease into the conversation.

"Yes." His answer was quick and non-engaging. He seemed guarded, perhaps wary of her intentions.

"I see you are not the kind to talk about yourself a lot. I won't be surprised if almost the entire school is unaware that you are the second prince of Diando," Octavia concluded. She looked more relaxed than when she started the conversation. Maybe because she thought she had to feed him enough sugar so that he could help with her request. But now that she was sure she didn't need all that extra drama, her mind was at ease. She realized that honesty might be the best approach.

"So how are you aware of my identity? You are quite observant," Caleb complimented. He seemed genuinely curious now.

She just smiled and stared at the sky. "Your older brother graduated from this school, and you guys resemble each other a lot. Not only that, but it's customary for every noble to know society before their debut." After that, their conversation seemed quite engaging. There were no awkward pauses or side eyes. They resembled old friends that were catching up after a long time.

'He reminds me of Hyuga. I wonder how he is doing?' she thought. Hyuga was Octavia's boyfriend in her past life. He was someone so dear to her that even the relationship with her father could not measure. Thinking of him made her sad as she died on their holiday. Remembering the scene of how he dove into the water to save her made her feel horrible. Her chest began to tighten but at the moment she had to focus on the matter at hand.

Octavia was now sure it was comfortable to open her mouth for the request. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Ummm... Caleb, I need you to know a few things that will lead to my request," she started, her voice trembling slightly.

Caleb looked very calm and responded, "Okay."

"There was a Duke in Arcadia. His name is Matthias. He was banished for treason."

"I thought the punishment for treason was execution," Caleb asked, looking a bit concerned. His eyebrows furrowed as he processed this new information.

"It is, but apparently, he is your father's cousin. That is why he was simply banished." Caleb was shocked. He had no idea about this connection.

"So what is your request then?" he asked, his voice softening as he saw the distress in Octavia's eyes.

"Please, I need you to inform your father that Matthias might try to cause a rift between Diando and Arcadia, and it might lead to war. I don't want my father going to war. Please." Octavia begged. She began to cry her eyes out. Even she was shocked that she was crying this much. The tears flowed freely, each one a testament to her fear and desperation.

Caleb comforted her, assuring her that he would get it done soon. "I promise, Octavia. I'll speak to my father as soon as I can. Your concerns are valid, and I'll make sure he understands the gravity of the situation."

Octavia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had done everything she could. Now, she had to trust that Caleb would follow through. 'I'm crying. I never knew I treasured my new family this much. Maybe I should just move on. The people that loved me in my past life, I'm very grateful to them. I was happy, and I am still happy. I'm happy that I'm still receiving love. Thank you, Dad, but Min-ji won't be coming back. I'm now Octavia, and my father and mother love me. I'm grateful you were part of my life before, but now I have other people that shower me with enough love. I love you very much,' she thought as she drifted off to sleep on Caleb's shoulder. She felt safe for the first time in weeks, knowing that she had done all she could to protect her family.