I look at Crown Prince Vonce, who stands tall in his deep blue royal robe, embroidered with golden eagles that seem ready to take flight. He is about to return to his post at the northern border after spending several days in the capital. Most of our siblings have already gathered to bid him farewell; now only three of us remain: me, Vonce, and our second brother, Rondolf.
Rondolf had not been present during our council meetings he had been away in the Kingdom of Soria for the past month, busy arranging his betrothal to Princess Miolla. The wedding is set to take place in just a few months, and even in my past life, I remember hearing news of it from the battlefield. It was a grand event that echoed across all kingdoms a union meant to strengthen the bond between Callibean and Soria, two nations that had stood together through generations of change.
"Heard you've been hatching quite the audacious plan against our enemy," Rondolf says, breaking the quiet. He is dressed more casually than Vonce, in simple traveling clothes, with his dark hair tied back with a leather cord. Unlike the Crown Prince's commanding and stern presence, Rondolf carries himself with an easy charm that makes people trust him instantly. "Father says your strategy for Custodian is bold. Risky… but certainly interesting."
Vonce adjusts the strap of the sword at his hip, his expression serious. "Bold is one way to put it. Foolhardy is another. Though where is the 'fun' in any of this, Rondolf? Still… I must admit, I rather like this sharper, more calculating version of you, Vernom. You are not the same as you were before. I like this new, scheming side of you. Whatever happened out there by the lake during your accident… it truly changed you."
I feel a flicker of nervousness deep inside, but I keep my expression perfectly calm. "Maybe I just finally found my footing. We all have our own ways of serving the kingdom. Yours is guarding our borders with strength. Rondolf's is building alliances through diplomacy and marriage. And mine… well, mine seems to be finding ways to make things grow where others see only barren ground."
Rondolf laughs a warm, genuine sound. "That is exactly what Mother used to say about you. She would always tell Father that while the rest of us were busy cutting paths through the world, you were busy preparing the soil so that beautiful things could grow there."
The mention of Vernom's mother makes my chest feel tight. I have only caught snippets of memories regarding her: soft hands tending to flowers, gentle words spoken when the court was at its harshest. She was too bright and kind for this rigid place. She passed away when Vernom was still young, but it is clear her influence still touches every corner of the palace.
"Your betrothal to Princess Miolla will it truly help strengthen our position against Custodian?" I ask, steering the conversation back to matters of importance. I remember that in my past life, this alliance would prove crucial when war finally broke out but I want to ensure we can build upon it even sooner. I know deep down that Soria will never betray Callibean.
"More than you realize," Rondolf replies, his expression turning grave. "Soria has long been wary of Custodian's hunger for expansion. Princess Miolla shares our vision she believes that alliances built on respect and mutual support are far stronger than any army. We are already discussing ways to align our trade routes, share intelligence, and prepare together for whatever lies ahead."
Vonce nods in agreement. "The northern border has been quiet these past few weeks, but I can feel the shift. Custodian is moving its pieces into place. They think we are all too busy with weddings and diplomacy to notice their movements… but they are wrong."
He turns to me and places a firm hand on my shoulder. "I still believe your plan is dangerous, brother. But I trust you. And if you need anything from the northern outposts supplies, information, safe passage you only need to send word. We will have your back."
Rondolf claps me on the other shoulder, a wide smile returning to his face. "And while I am in Soria, I will make sure they understand that Callibean has more than just swords to offer. We have people who care about more than just winning battles we have people who want to build a better world."
As Vonce prepares to depart, I look at my two older brothers one a warrior who guards our home, the other a diplomat who builds our future. Together, we represent three different ways of serving our kingdom. With their support, I know that the seeds we plan to plant in Custodian will grow from strong, deep roots.
"Your Highness… are you sure about this?"
Cael's voice is tight with nervousness as he stands beside me at the back gate of the palace. He is dressed in simple linen clothes, making him look like any other commoner in the city. His eyes dart toward the main road, where merchants and travelers pass by in a steady stream.
This kind of clothing is nothing new to me; I grew up wearing rags in the slums. Although, what I am wearing right now is certainly of better quality than anything I owned back when I lived in Custodian.
"Come on, Cael," I say, adjusting the worn cloak that covers my finer garments underneath. "I have nothing on my schedule today we might as well go out and practice being incognito. If I am going to successfully pass as a merchant's son in Custodian, I need to get used to moving through the world without people bowing and scraping every time I turn around."
Although I was an expert at blending in during my past life, I have to act as if I am still learning, so as not to confuse or alarm anyone who knew the original Vernom.
He still looks worried, his hands fidgeting with the strap of the small satchel he carries. "But what if someone recognizes you? What if something goes wrong?"
Despite being bright and capable, this boy is still just a child scared of the endless possibilities of what might happen.
"I will be fine," I assure him, clapping him gently on the shoulder. "Besides, you will be with me acting as my trusted companion. That is all anyone needs to know. We are just two ordinary folks looking to see what the capital has to offer."
We slip out through the back gate and into the busy streets beyond. The noise hits me first the calls of vendors selling their wares, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones, the sound of children laughing as they chase each other through the crowds. It has been years since I walked through a city like this without heavy armor or weapons weighing me down, without the constant tension of being ready for battle at a moment's notice. It is a serene kind of city, vastly different from the grim, guarded streets of Custodian.
"Look," Cael says, pointing eagerly to a stall stacked high with fresh bread. "That is Master Theo's stand he makes the best honey rolls in the entire capital."
I follow him over, watching as he greets the baker like an old friend. Master Theo smiles warmly, wiping flour from his hands onto his stained apron. "Cael! It has been far too long. And who is this friend of yours?"
"This is Kael," Cael says, and I cannot help but smile at how easily and naturally he uses my new identity. "He is helping me with some work for the palace."
"Pleasure to meet you funny that your name is so similar to his," Master Theo says, handing us each a warm, sweet-smelling roll. "On the house. Cael here helps me carry sacks of flour sometimes when he is not busy with his duties. Good boy, he is."
As we walk and eat, I let Cael lead the way through the winding streets. He shows me hidden alleyways where artisans work in small, open workshops, points out which vendors offer fair prices and good quality, and even introduces me to a few of his friends other young people who work in the palace or run errands throughout the city.
This place truly is a blessing. This kingdom really must be protected from Custodian's corruption. I want to preserve this tranquility, this peace, at all costs.
For the first time since waking up in Vernom's body, I feel truly grounded. Not as a prince pretending to be someone else, but simply as a person moving through the world, connecting with others one conversation at a time.
This is exactly what I will need to do in Custodian: listen, learn, and build relationships based on trust rather than status or power.
A thought crosses my mind if my past self truly exists somewhere in this timeline, maybe our souls really did switch places somehow. I need to find out what happened to him. Is he living as Vernom somewhere else? Or is he still out there in Custodian, fighting on the front lines just as I used to? Maybe when I eventually return to my homeland, I will finally remember my real name, and find out what became of the boy I used to be. Whether we meet as enemies or if he becomes our ally… no matter what happens, I will try my best to save him.
As we make our way back toward the palace while the sun begins to set, Cael looks up at me with a new light of admiration in his eyes.
"You are really good at this, Your Highness at blending in, I mean."
"I have had… some practice in the past," I say simply. "Though I have to admit, it is surprisingly nice to walk through the city and just… be."
I remember a faint memory belonging to Vernom of him sneaking out and blending into crowds, simply enjoying the sound of children's laughter and the loud, lively shouts of vendors… finding joy in the ordinary things.
We pause at a bridge overlooking the wide river, watching the water flow past as lanterns begin to flicker and light up along the banks.
"You know," Cael says quietly, his voice soft against the evening breeze, "even if you have to leave for Custodian someday… I think you will do great things there. You understand people you really understand them."
Do I really understand them? I wonder silently.
I look at him, then out toward the city that is slowly becoming my true home. In the distance, between the shadows of tall buildings, I swear I can make out the silhouette of a boy in worn, simple clothes. He stands in an alleyway, watching the crowds pass by his posture familiar, his head tilted just so.
That silhouette… it looks exactly like me.
"That is the plan," I say, my gaze fixed on the shadowy figure as it slowly fades into the gathering dusk. "To show them that people are more than just pawns to be used. That everyone deserves a chance to grow. The chance to live their life without fear. To make them understand that blood does not always have to be the price paid to attain greatness and peace."