A gentle knock sounded against the door.
With a pause, it creaked open and stood a man in his mid-thirties, tall, with graying locks and gentle, observant eyes.
James gave a slight bow.
"You must be Master Oliver."
The man acknowledged him. "Yes, I am. And you must be Prince James of Dravencia."
James entered, dropping his hood with a courteous smile. "Thank you for receiving me."
Oliver ushered him into a warmly lit chamber where Sebastian stood by the fire, arms folded, his eyes already upon the visitor. He didn't say anything at first, but his look spoke volumes — reserved, inquiring, and a bit chilly.
Oliver cleared his throat quietly. "Sebastian, this is Prince James. He's arrived on behalf of the Empire."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "So why is he here?"
James met his gaze, cool but unyielding. "Because a war is on the horizon — and I mean to prevent it from beginning."
Sebastian looked at him for a long time.
Then, in quietness, he turned from him and sat down.
—
The great hall of Lunaris was hushed but thick with tension.
Golden illumination streamed in through windows of stained glass, bathing colored reflections on the marble floor. In the farthest part of the hall, the King of Lunaris occupied his throne, tall and hewn from dark stone, draped in the crests of his house.
Between his feet, two figures kneeled.
Crown Prince Noah, the eldest of the brothers, was blue-eyed, fashionably dressed, and cold steel. And standing beside him, the youngest prince, Kaereth, was eserved, watchful, and draped in deep blue robes with his silver crest fixed to the shoulder.
The king leaned forward, bracing one elbow on the armrest, his fingers digging into his cheek contemplatively. His voice boomed through the chamber.
"You two are sure you can manage this situation?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," they said together, heads bowed low.
He gazed at them for a moment. Then, slowly, he dropped his hand and let his voice weigh in, firm and final.
"Then go. If you feel you can do it, do it."
The princes rose to their feet, bowing deeply, then turned and exited the throne room as a group. Their boots clicked in unison across the stone floor as they moved into the long hallway.
But that silence between them split almost at once.
"You'd do well to keep out of my path," Noah remarked calmly, not even glancing at him.
Kaereth looked sideways at him, his expression a mask. "Understood."
And with no further comment, Noah went off down the side corridor.
Kaereth watched him for a moment… then headed off in the opposite direction.
—
Crown Prince Noah stepped into one of the imperial private rooms — a lavish lounge filled with rosewood and smoke aromas.
A few noble maidens were already seated inside, wearing silken fabrics, their giggles soft as bells. They looked back upon him entering, curtsying slightly, fluttering like moths about fire.
Noah was silent at first. He slowly unfastened his gloves and crossed the room, his long coat swishing against the velvet carpet. With easy elegance, he settled onto the soft sofa, his arm draped across the side as if he claimed the air itself.
One of the girls came with a plate of fresh grapes.
She knelt by his side, holding it out to him with a coquettish smile. "Your Highness."
Noah picked up one grape and shoved it into his mouth without recognition.
Another girl inched forward, her shoulder grazing his as she filled a crystal glass with wine.
He did not glance at them. He did not have to. His very presence dominated the room.
As the girls tittered and chattered, Crown Prince Noah just sat there — reclining in decadence — his mind already far beyond them.
Dravencia has that damned dark magic lad.
He would not let Lunaris be pulled into a game he did not rule.
—
The room was silent, only warmed by the soft crackling of the fire and the aroma of chamomile wafting through the air.
James sat on the soft, cushioned sofa, his cloak draped over the side. Across from him sat Master Oliver in a worn armchair, posture relaxed but thoughtful. Between them stood a small table, where Sebastian gently placed a wooden tray with three cups of steaming tea.
Without a word, Sebastian sat down beside Oliver, his gaze lowered.
James observed him in silence for a moment before raising his cup. "So… the knights of Lunaris. They're in Crown Prince Noah's command, aren't they?"
Oliver nodded. "Yes. Prince Noah commands the army and border guards."
James took a sip of his tea. "And me… I've got my mother's light magic. I never learned to wield my father's power." He offered a wry, self-conscious smile. "The palace considers that a weakness.
Oliver didn't respond with shock. He just nodded and said, "Erath magic. Slow, steady, quiet. Becoming of my age."
James stood up and faced Sebastian, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "And you?"
Sebastian didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at Oliver, who responded on his behalf.
"Sebastian has… dark magic."
James halted, the cup suspended midair.
"Dark magic?" he said slowly. "That exists? In this world?"
Oliver's voice was steady. "Yes. Uncommon. Illegal in most kingdoms. But not extinct."
James gazed at Sebastian once more — this time, with curiosity rather than fear. There was no revulsion, no condemnation. Only an odd light in his face, as if he had stumbled upon a secret the rest of the world couldn't behold.
He leaned forward a bit, eyes shining. "Can you show me? Just a little?"
Before Sebastian could respond, Oliver gently placed his hand on James's wrist.
"You shouldn't ask something like that so casually," he said softly. "It's not a game. Especially for someone who's had to hide it his whole life."
James immediately leaned back, ashamed. "You're right. I'm sorry."
A moment of silence followed.
And James set down his cup, his expression serious. "Still… I think Sebastian might be significant. Not merely to you, Master Oliver. Not merely to me. But to both the Empire of Dravencia and the Kingdom of Lunaris."
His tone was precise, firm.
"I don't know how yet. But I think… We'll need him.
Sebastian did not react. But for the first time, his fingers shuddered ever so slightly, resting on the rim of his cup, as though he was hearing.