Astra walked toward the corner of the banquet hall where the Grand Duke and Edrick stood.
Her steps were unhurried, graceful, drawing a few lingering glances from nearby nobles. When she reached them, she offered a polite, flawless curtsy.
"Greetings, Your Grace," she said, voice calm, composed, and quietly commanding.
The Grand Duke returned the gesture with a respectful nod. "Greetings, Your Highness."
He glanced between his son and the princess, something unreadable in his eyes. Then without much emotions on his face, he inclined his head.
"Then I'll leave the two of you to speak," he bowed slightly and moved away, disappearing into the crowd.
Astra turned her gaze toward Edrick. Her eyes, cool and composed, studied him with faint amusement.
"I haven't seen you in quite some time," she said softly. "How have you been?"
Edrick straightened, clearing his throat. "I'm well, Your Highness. Thank you for asking."
A small smile touched her lips, teasing yet calm.
"So," she said, tilting her head slightly, "have you found someone you like yet?"
Edrick blinked, caught completely off guard. "W… What?"
"Well," she continued, "you'll need a good enough reason to break off the engagement, won't you?"
Astra's smile deepened, light and unbothered. "That's why I asked, if you've already fallen for someone else."
"Otherwise…" Her smile remained, calm and teasing. "you'll still have to marry me, even if you don't want to. You know how noble duties work."
She said it lightly, as if it didn't matter at all. But Edrick just stared at her, eyes narrowing slightly.
There was no trace of the clingy, eager girl from before. The girl before him now was calm, self-assured, and unreadable.
"…You don't need to worry about that, Your Highness," he said, voice clipped.
Without another word, he turned sharply in his boots and strode away. Irritation flared across his features, though he didn't understand why he felt unsettled.
He didn't know why he was acting this way.
Why her voice echoed in his mind long after she had stopped speaking. Why her new demeanor unsettled him so much.
Astra watched his retreating back, tilting her head slightly.
What's wrong with this guy now? she wondered silently.
—
After that banquet, something subtle shifted.
Edrick began visiting the Black Rose Palace almost daily. Not to speak of the engagement, not even with a proper excuse.
Sometimes he would bring a rare book or pastries from a famous bakery.
He would sit silently nearby while Astra read, the silence stretching comfortably between them, then rise and leave.
When questioned, he merely shrugged, nonchalant.
"Can't I visit my fiancée?"
Astra would raise an eyebrow. "Didn't you want to break off the engagement?"
To which he would answer without missing a beat, "Well, it's not broken yet… is it?"
"You're still my fiancée."
She would pause, words caught on the edge of her lips. But in the end, she would say nothing.
She didn't know what to make of him.
And perhaps, neither did he.
She never spoke much to him. But strangely, he didn't mind. He would sit, observe her flipping through pages with delicate fingers, and quietly leave after a while.
He himself didn't understand why he kept coming.
—
Under Astra's relentless guidance, the six girls had transformed.
Their progress was visible in every move– the way they walked, how quickly they reacted, the silent communication between their eyes.
They were no longer hesitant.
They were sharper.
More vigilant.
More united.
The shadows of Astra… were taking form.
The sky was clear, painted in soft blues and golds, as Astra and the others gathered quietly in the palace's back garden.
The tension in the air was unmistakable—thick with anticipation, nerves, and something else.
Today was the day.
After extensive training, Cassia is finally ready for her first summoning.
She stood at the center of the circle she had drawn on the grass, a chalked rune of ancient symbols glimmering faintly with magical residue.
Her hands trembled slightly, fingers curling and uncurling over the small gemstone embedded in the center of the spell.
Everyone watched in silence. Astra, arms crossed and eyes steady; Lora with a sword leaning at her side; Lily clutching Ella's sleeve; Melinda bouncing nervously on her feet; and Claire watching as if holding her breath.
This was no ordinary spell.
[In this world, where magical beasts and spirits held great sway, summoners and spiritualist stood at the very pinnacle of honor.
They were figures of awe, welcomed and respected in all lands.
Even in the vast and powerful Cristiane Empire, there were only two known summoners.
One was the Imperial Summoner, bound by oath to the crown and tasked with protecting the empire.
The other—the former Grand Duke of Rosenberg, the Emperor consort's grandfather, was a legend.
A man of immense magical strength and authority, now living in retirement far from the eyes of the court.
His presence alone ensured the Rosenberg Duchy remained second only to the Empress herself in terms of influence.
So feared was his power that even Empress Florina, proud and untouchable, tread carefully where the Rosenbergs were concerned. ]
Cassia inhaled sharply.
She stepped forward, her boots pressing gently into the earth within the summoning circle.
The gem at the center glowed faintly, responding to her presence, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.
She knelt, placing both palms over the runes she had spent weeks learning and perfecting.
The wind stilled.
Even the birds in the trees seemed to pause, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
Astra's voice, quiet but firm, cut through the silence.
"Remember what I told you. No fear. Let your magic reach, not grasp."
Cassia nodded, exhaling slowly, as if trying to release the tension coiled in her chest.
Her eyes fluttered closed.
She began to channel her mana into the circle. But her mana wavered, unstable and too faint.
The runes flickered faintly, then dimmed, refusing to hold her power.
She tried again, heart pounding.
Still, it didn't respond.
Her heartbeat quickened, breath growing uneven. Sweat rolled down her temple as she gritted her teeth, trying to force her mana through.
"Come on… please…" she whispered, voice trembling.
Behind her, Astra's sharp eyes narrowed. She stepped forward quietly, placing a steady hand on Cassia's shoulder. A faint pulse of power rippled between them.
Cassia gasped softly, her body instantly steadied by the warmth of Astra's magic.
"Focus," Astra instructed. Her voice was calm, but the magic flowing from her palm was anything but calm.
She meant to lend just a little, a guiding current to balance Cassia's channeling.