«This meat stew is absolutely delicious,» Jasmine Ankarah says with infectious enthusiasm.
She is a stunning young woman with radiant, hazel-toned skin and long brown hair streaked with pink.
«Right? There's no better inn in all of Lumindor,» Viktoria agrees, devouring her meal. «Don't you think so too, Jade?»
Lost in my own thoughts, I absentmindedly poke at the thick steak on my plate with my fork, barely noticing her casual remark. I can't get Rebecca out of my head, or Morgana—each for different reasons.
«Hey, Jade? Are you okay?» Jasmine insists.
Their voices drift in and out like background noise until Viktoria places a hand on my shoulder and shakes me hard, pulling me back to reality.
«Sorry, girls. I'm just tired…» I mumble.
But from the look on my gloomy face—which I've never been good at hiding—it's obvious there's more to it.
«Jade… you've won your ninth consecutive tournament,» Jasmine says softly. «You should be over the moon, but something's clearly bothering you. Even though it's obvious, you keep everything to yourself, shutting us out. You know perfectly well you can confide in us. We'd never judge you. We'd do anything to stay by your side and help you through this. That's what friends are for, isn't it?»
Yes, I know that well. I consider myself the luckiest guy alive. Not because I'm a prince, or because my body carries the crystallized energy of Azkarith—one of the four Divine Dragons who created N'Raeth and still rule it. My true fortune is them: Viktoria, Jasmine, Selene, and Arielle. They are the best friends anyone could wish for—the only four people in the world I'd give my life for. Yet, even they can't drive away the weight on my mind—it's not something they can fix.
I take a bite of that exquisite meat and wash it down with a sip of red wine.
«Jasmine, I have a question for you, and I want you to be completely honest.»
At my words, she perks up instantly.
«Of course, as if it happened yesterday!» she replies without hesitation. «Back then we weren't even friends, and I only knew you as a classmate. I knew you were strong, but I had no idea how strong. From the very first moment, I realized I didn't stand a chance of beating you.»
I lock my eyes on hers, watching for the slightest reaction to the next question I'm about to ask.
«Since you remember my strength so well back then… if the me from four years ago who defeated you were to fight Rebecca, who do you think would win?»
Jasmine hesitates. She starts to answer but suddenly stops, swallowing her words and lowering her gaze.
«Just as I thought…» I murmur under my breath.
«That brat hasn't proven anything!» Viktoria snaps, breaking the silence. «Sure, I'll admit she managed to pick up the Crystal Chant so early, but real skill doesn't lie in knowing how to use it—it's in being able to control it! What she showed wasn't strength, it was stupidity! She nearly got herself killed!»
«And yet she's still alive,» I reply firmly.
At my words, Viktoria falls silent for a moment before abruptly changing the subject.
«You know, Jade, I saw your father in the crowd…»
«He must have been proud of his son's victory, right?» Jasmine says.
I shake my head.
«What kind of father would be proud of a son who barely managed to defeat a little girl?»
«Jade, please, stop with this nonsense!» Viktoria snaps, her tone sharp. «That stubborn father of yours, King Oswald Kyndrake—even after almost twenty years, he still blames you for the loss of his beloved queen, and that's why he struggles to accept you as his son and heir. With all due respect, it's insane to hold a newborn responsible for his mother's death in childbirth! Everyone knew your mother was frail. It wasn't a secret in the kingdom! You are perfect as you are, Jade… and you proved it again today!»
Then she takes my hand with a gentle but firm grip and guides it beneath her uniform skirt, pressing it between her warm thighs.
«Stop dwelling on that man's resentment. Today is meant for celebrating. You know, I can't wait for tonight to give you my special gift…» she whispers into my ear, her voice oozing with sensuality—so tempting I'd take her right here at the tavern table, if only my role as prince didn't demand a bit of restraint.
A surprise? What surprise? For a moment I'm so lost in my thoughts I forget what she's referring to, and my confused expression makes her snap.
«Jade… don't tell me that after all the effort I put into convincing Selene, you've already forgotten?!»
Oh, right. Selene… yes, now I remember. How stupid of me. How could I forget?
«You know… I'm preparing a surprise too, to celebrate your victory,» Jasmine admits shyly.
She pulls a small blue notebook from her bag—the one I gave her more than three years ago. She's always filled it with her thoughts, poems, and stories—writing has always been her greatest passion. For her, that notebook is far more than just an object. It's her greatest treasure, holding both joys and sorrows.
«I've just started writing a poem to remember this joyful day forever,» she explains.
«Why did you only start now?! Did you have doubts that Jade would win?!» Viktoria shoots back, glaring at her.
«H-How can you even think something like that?!» Jasmine blurts out, stammering. She lifts the notebook and hides her face behind it, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, leaving only her eyes uncovered. «It was obvious Jade would win. The inspiration just came to me as I watched him fight, that's all…»