A Prince

Sunlight streamed through the castle windows, casting dancing squares on Eydis's desk. Unlike the previous week, which had thrummed with anticipation for the Prince's visit, the air today held a quieter note. Yet, within her own world, a different storm brewed. Spread before her were books on mathematics, languages, and Alchymia's intricate history – the unholy trinity of the Imperial Arcane Academy entrance exam.

In her original world, university visits were reserved for her 'projects', not for formal studies. She stopped attending school at the age of sixteen, after a 'tragic' passing of mother, her sole living relative at the time. The sterile scent of disinfectants still clung to the memory of her mother's overdose, an unwelcome echo in the opulent chambers of this alternate universe. Now, at thirty, fate had thrust her into the role of student once more, a bizarre twist that defied imagination.

The exam loomed, a three-headed beast: mathematics – mere child's play compared to the celestial calculus of her former life; debate, a game she could master with Alchymia's history whispering at her fingertips; and languages, English and French, tools of diplomacy in this Empire and its rival neighbor, Terravale.

Simply put, magic, the very essence of this world, wasn't on the menu, yet the curriculum revolved around it. Aristocrats, likely schooled in sorcery since cradlehood, held an invisible advantage. And then there was Princess Athena, an incandescent enigma, a future rival shimmering on the horizon.

Navigating the enrollment process, Eydis selected Arcane Research as her major - a practical decision considering her lack of magical affinity, she leaned towards the theoretical side. This faculty sought to harness magical energy through science, although its current research was confined to mundane household tasks such as transportation and energy manipulation.

A raps on the door broke her concentration. Captain Lionel, fiery yet proper, spoke from outside her door. "Miss Eydis, Prince Adrian has arrived and requests your audience," he announced, his voice a gruff baritone laced with surprising gentleness.

"Very well, Captain Robin." She spoke, opening her wooden door, "Please lead the way."

Troublesome indeed, she thought.

The captain paid no mind to her usual antics and guided her to the front gate of a pristine white manor, a place Duke Theomund frequented for Silverkeep's daily affairs. This location, housing the dukedom's confidential information, was off-limits to all but authorised personnel. The deliberate choice to accommodate Imperial guests hinted at the Duke's transparency and unwavering loyalty to the Empire. Eydis pondered if the Duke's choice in his aide, who had magical advantage over him, was also a conscious decision. Was the Emperor that skeptical of his subjects?

Lionel's bitter smile twisted into a sharper mask. "More hostage than watcher, Miss Eydis," his voice echoing in the hushed hallway.

Curiosity flickered in Eydis's eyes. "A hostage?"

"A fancy term for 'collateral'," Lionel spat, bitterness lacing his words. "They call it a 'personnel exchange', but it's a leash, keeping all the Houses on good behaviour with each other."

Eydis's lips pressed into a thin line. She understood the veiled threat, the Emperor's chess game where loyalties were pawns held hostage by familial chains. "Do you miss home, Captain?" she asked, a curious tilt to her head.

Lionel's smile returned, but warmth reaching his eyes. "I didn't take you for the empathetic type, Miss Eydis."

A playful glint entered her eyes. "Do I appear incapable of compassion, Captain?"

"Something like that." He smirked, pressing on before she could object. "Sometimes, I wonder what's going through that head of yours. Your mind seems like a labyrinth of thoughts, constantly engaging in various subjects, yet none of them reveal anything personal about you. It's somewhat unconventional, don't you think?"

"And what's your definition of 'conventional'?"

"Before the incident, you were reserved and quiet. But now," He paused, fixing his gaze on her. "Having glimpsed into your thoughts, you've become a greater enigma."

"I didn't know what you were talking about, Captain. How could I, a weak and powerless woman, be anything but innocent." Her playful response carried a subtle undertone. "Looks like we've arrived, thank you for baring your soul to me, Captain. It was an enlightening stroll."

Captain Robin's hand lingered a beat too long on the doorknob. "I'll miss you when you're gone, Miss Eydis," he murmured, his voice rough with unfeigned sincerity.

Eydis met his gaze, she replied, "You say the sweetest things." The sudden mix of assertiveness and tenderness from the captain was a bit challenging to handle. 

Captain Robin stepped back, offering a curt nod, before he vanished through the doorway, leaving Eydis alone.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a warm baritone. "I have heard so many things about you, Miss Eydis."

"All good things, I hope, Your Royal Highness?" She exchanged customary greetings with Prince Adrian and Duke Theomund as they invited her to join them at the tea table.

Like every nobles she had encountered thus far, the Prince stood out brilliantly. His eyes mirrored his sister's, Princess Athena, a gleaming shade of gold like precious jewels. His shoulder-length brunette hair, adorned with streaks of blonde highlights, projected a carefree demeanour. His smiles reached his eyes, a stark contrast to the other occupant of the room.

He chuckled softly, having caught wind of her unspoken thoughts. "Miss Eydis, it seems the rumours hold truth. You're undeniably charming, managing to evoke a hint of a blush from even someone like me."

Eydis bit her lip, aware of the Duke's irritated stare. "Forgive my unrefined sensibilities, Your Highness. Your brilliance tends to...disrupt my usual composure." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "In the best way possible, of course."

The Prince's laughter erupted, a warm cascade that filled the room. His cheeks flushed a becoming shade of rose, a testament to Eydis' audacious remark. "Duke Theo," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling, "who knew you harbored such a jealous streak? Relax, I assure you, Eydis' flattery holds no candle to the mountain of proposals you've received, even from the Princess herself."

The Duke's jaw tightened ever so slightly, his coffee cooling untouched in his hand. "The Princess wasn't serious, Your Highness," he said, his voice smooth as oil but betraying a hint of grit.

Prince Adrian grinned, undeterred. "Oh? We'll see when she returns to the Capital. So, Duke Theo, what finally lures you from your icy kingdom? Come now, don't tell me a long overdue trip was all it took to entice the elusive Duke Whitlock."

"It was indeed a long overdue trip," said Duke Theomund as he sipped his coffee.

"How about we leave together? The more, the merrier!" The Prince, undeterred by the Duke's furrowed brows, clasped his hand in enthusiasm.

Theomund's lips curled into a thin line. "Intriguing, Your Highness, but a tad risky. Mythshollow Woods whispers with the malice of witches, and their hunger isn't selective."

"On the contrary, there is safety in numbers, Duke Theo." The princes argued, his golden eyes twinkling.

The Duke spoke, his voice final, "The Empire has a travelling protocol we must adhere to, Your Highness. No laws would permit two imperial royalties and a duke to travel together, for precautionary reasons." 

Eydis reflected the protocol she had studied during her exam preparation. Since the Imperial royalties and the dukes were the pillars of the Empire, the law mandated that they travel separately to mitigate the risks.

Prince Adrian's fist clenched around the empty wine goblet, his frustration simmering beneath his playful facade. He proposed a compromise, suggesting individual routes with periodic regrouping at designated stops. Yet, he failed to persuade the Duke, who had higher authority than him, as he held the power to command the knights. He had no choice but to concede.

Despite agreeing not to press any further, Prince Adrian couldn't dismiss the potential for 'accidental' encounters along the way.

That was what he thought. Now, The sky carriage sliced through the clouds, leaving no trace of Duke Theomund's entourage. Prince Adrian reluctantly accepted the likelihood of meeting them in the Capital instead. He glanced at the other occupant sitting across from him in their carriage, who she seemed to be deep in thoughts.

He playfully asked, breaking the silence, "What's on your mind, dear sister?"

Athena, cutting to the chase, questioned, "Why did father send you here, Adrian?"

"Can't a dear brother personally come and pick up his beloved sister, Athena?" Said Adrian.

Athena's gaze narrowed as she noticed the betraying twitch in Adrian's left eye. "Don't play coy, brother," she said, her voice laced with steel. "The Silverkeep attack wasn't a family reunion. Why you, of all people, sent on this suicide mission?"

Adrian sighed, rubbing his temples, the weariness evident in his slumped shoulders. "Father's worried, Athena. The witches chose Silverkeep for a reason. Breaking its barrier took immense power. Why not strike at the heart of the Empire itself?"

"Even Duke Theo, with all his blades and battle scars, barely survived that night. What could you possibly bring against such darkness?" Athena's voice held a mixture of concern and frustration.

A ghost of a smile flickered on his lips. "My trip was disappointingly uneventful, dear sister. It wasn't my skills the witches craved, but…" he paused, eyes gleaming with a hidden agenda, "something far more elusive."

Athena scoffed, yet a tremor of unease ran through her. "Father wouldn't send you as bait, Adrian. He sent the entire guard, the best mages in the Empire. You're not that dispensable."

"Oh, Athena," he chuckled, a touch sad and bitter, "it's always you the Emperor looks after. My role, it seems, is to play the shadow in your spotlight."

Her eyes flashed. "That's not true!"

Prince Adrian shook his head, unconvinced. "Are you also an empath, sister?"

"You think too lowly of yourself Adrian." Realising her earlier remarks might have hurt him, she sighted. "Someone once showed me that true strength comes from within, not just magic and divinity."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, a playful edge to his voice. "So, it wasn't the Duke's icy charms that stole your heart? Or perhaps the brooding silver knight, swooning at your every word?"

"Who says anything about romance?" She swatted his arm playfully, "And it was not the Duke. You will be lucky if you can pry anything out of his tight lips."

"Ouch! I'm glad I'm not the only one finding conversations with him extremely dull." Prince Adrian laughed, finding his sister's antic rather cute.

"Please brother, we all know you find all male species dull." The princess retorted.

"Then who could it be? Was it…" Adrian paused for dramatic effect, having figured out the answer, "…the maid who got away?"

"What do you mean by that?" He couldn't possibly have known her power didn't work on Eydis, could he?

"You know, she rejected your sponsorship and instead clung to the other tall, brooding silver-eyed hero. Very cliché, I might add."

Athena met his gaze, a hint of defiance in her voice. "Cliché or not, Eydis has something I admire. Confidence. She holds her own against the Duke, speaks without fear, and knows what she wants."

Seeing Adrian's confusion, Athena added, her voice slightly trembling, "I see everyone's future, Adrian, except my own." Well, not everyone. "And the uncertainties made me fearful of my future. Then I realised that's how everyone must have felt, how Eydis must have felt, and yet, she appeared to be..."

"Full of resolve?" he questioned, and Athena nodded. Adrian held his sister's hand, starting to understand why she ran off to Silverkeep. 

The Princess chuckled. "Maybe, just maybe. It's refreshing to see someone carve their own path, regardless of titles or magic."

Their musings were shattered by a deafening explosion that ripped through the twilight sky. Violet flames painted the horizon, a monstrous beacon beckoning from the direction of the Duke's party.

"Sir John, what's happening?" Princess Athena poked her head out of the carriage, her voice tight with confusion.

"I'm not sure, Lady-uh, Your Highness. It's coming from a couple of kilometres away." Sir John replied, frozen at the sight before him.

"Sir John!" Captain Robin barked, his voice tight with urgency. "We need to investigate, it's coming from Duke Theomund's direction!"

But Athena was already on her feet, her eyes blazing with defiance. "No, I'm coming with you. We can't abandon the Duke to those flames!"

Captain Robin's jaw clenched. "Your Highness, your safety is the priority. Your knights and mages will escort you to a safe haven."

Athena's lips curled into a stubborn smile. "I appreciate your concern, Captain, but I'm no delicate princess. I can handle myself."

Adrian stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Athena, be reasonable. This fire doesn't feel natural. Let the Captain and Sir John handle it."

Athena hesitated, torn between obedience and her burning desire to help. Her gaze flickered to the distant flames, where the whispers of unseen dangers danced in the rising smoke. "The witches of Mythshollow Woods," she breathed, a chill creeping down her spine.