Meanwhile, outside the palace,
Edrick walked briskly toward the palace gates, but as he reached the entrance, he stopped. His carriage waited for him just outside the palace grounds. He looked back, his gaze lingering on the towering walls for a moment. A sigh escaped him as he muttered to himself, barely audible over the clatter of the horses' hooves.
Edrick: "She was so different today..."
His mind replayed the strange interaction they'd just had. If it had been any other day, Evelyn would have clung to him like a leech, throwing tantrums and refusing to accept the cancellation of their engagement. The palace would have been in chaos, with everyone scrambling to calm her down. But today...
His thoughts were interrupted by the memory of Evelyn's words, her sharp yet honest declaration.
Edrick: "...Today she was really different..."
He shook his head as if trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in his mind. It didn't make sense. He had known her for so long, and yet, today, something about her was off. In all the years they'd spent together, she had never said something so raw, so unguarded.
Shaking his head, Edrick climbed into the carriage, settling on the plush seat as the vehicle began to move. He leaned back, letting the motion of the carriage calm his restless thoughts. But Evelyn's unexpected question suddenly resurfaced, and he froze for a moment.
[Evelyn: "Do you have someone you like?"]
Edrick's heart skipped a beat, the question catching him off guard. His mind drifted to the memory of a small girl, no older than three, crying softly in the corner of some bushes. Her tear-streaked face and those wide, innocent eyes haunted him, though there was an odd sweetness to the image.
Before he could even process the thought, Edrick's eyes flew open, and he sat up straight in the carriage. His ears flushed crimson, and his face burned with an unexpected heat. He quickly covered his face with his hands, as if trying to hide the blush that had spread across his cheeks.
Edrick (Thoughts): "Cute... Seriously, have I gone crazy? What am I even thinking about?"
He groaned and slapped his face lightly, trying to snap himself out of the strange daydream.
Edrick: "It's not gentlemanly to think of someone like that... Stop it, Edrick... Stop."
He sighed, rubbing his face and trying to regain his composure. His heart still raced, but he did his best to steady it, taking a few deep breaths. He glanced out the window, the passing scenery doing little to ease his troubled mind.
Edrick (Thoughts): "Maybe I'll find out what's wrong with her on my next visit."
With a final, thoughtful glance back toward the palace, he settled back into his seat. It wasn't over. One thing was certain—this wasn't the same Evelyn he thought he knew, she changed.
Evelyn resumed reading "The History of Aristynne" from where she had left off, her expression serious and her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
["Aristynne, a kingdom brimming with magical creatures, enchanted weapons, diverse species, and powerful hybrids, thrived in harmony. Situated to the far south of Cristiane and near the Karstein Empire, it stood unchallenged—no one dared to invade its borders. Over time, it grew vast and powerful, earning the title of the "One Of The Most Powerful Magical Kingdom", a realm not only teeming with diverse races but also home to rare species, magical artifacts, and extraordinary talent."
"Its most renowned institution is the prestigious Aristynne Academy. Known for its unparalleled education, the Academy welcomed anyone with talent, regardless of their background. Every year, the Academy produced rare geniuses, and every graduate left after some grueling years."
"Though the entrance exam wasn't exceedingly difficult, the Academy conducted competitions every six months, ruthlessly eliminating those unable to prove their talents."
"One of Aristynne's most legendary places is The Averoth Forest, teeming with dangerous beasts. Many ventured inside, seeking to tame a beast as their familiar, thereby increasing their strength. However, no one dared approach the forest's center, as it was overrun by ferocious creatures."
"Curiously, the Academy itself was hidden deep within Averoth Forest. its location unknown to outsiders, and only those with permission are allowed access via special teleportation."
"However, Aristynne was not always the powerful, harmonious kingdom it is today. Long ago, it was far from the powerful force it is today. The Averoth Forest was forbidden, considered too dangerous. The Academy had not yet been founded, and Aristynne was just a small, insignificant kingdom, rife with chaos and bloodshed."
"Aristynne was a lawless land. Murder and theft in broad daylight were daily occurrences, and even illegal activities flourished openly. It was but a lawless and chaotic land, rife with murder, theft, slavery and open illegal activities. Peace was but a myth. It was known as the "Land of Chains"—a place where cruelty and oppression reigned."
"Its rulers would pit their own children against one another, The royal family upheld a barbaric tradition—each ruler ascended the throne only after surviving a brutal power struggle against their siblings."
"The 12th ruler of Aristynne was infamous for killing all 21 of his siblings, brutally displaying their severed heads at the entrance gates—an ominous show of dominance. He is recorded in history as the cruellest ruler to ever exist in the history of Aristynne."
"But despite its lawlessness, few dared attack Aristynne. Criminals roamed freely, unafraid of death, making it too unpredictable for conquest since nobody wanted suffer any damage over a small Land."
"The turning point came 236 years ago, when the 24th princess, Reinelle de Aristynne, ascended the throne at the mere age of 15 after slaughtering 28 siblings in a ruthless battle for the throne."
"The emperor had many concubines who bore him 26 children. His queen gave birth to four—though the firstborn survived only three years before being poisoned. Reinelle was the second. When she was eight, her mother died giving birth to twins, who were the youngest among the emperor's children."
"In total, the king had 29 children competing for the throne. By the end of the bloodshed, only one child survived."
"Reinelle de Aristynne."