The carriages had finally reached a quiet clearing in the middle of the forest. The sunlight filtered through the dense trees, casting dappled patterns across the road. Inside the prince's carriage, everything was silent except for the gentle clip-clop of the horses' hooves.
The prince reached into a small leather bag resting beside him. He pulled out a shiny, rectangular card and held it out toward Aisha.
"Look, Aisha," he said, his voice calm but carrying a faint warmth. "I brought something for you."
Aisha turned, her eyes curious.
"This… is your ID card," the prince explained, handing it to her. "From now on, you'll need this. I made it for you because you're coming with me to the capital."
He examined the card for a moment, then continued, "If I'm not mistaken, your full name is Aisha Amamiya, right? Age eleven, and you belong to my domain."
He extended the card toward her, but Aisha hesitated. Her hands trembled slightly as she looked at it.
…This was her dream, yes. But it wasn't just for her. She had always wanted every single person in her village to have a card like this—proof that they were recognized by the empire.
Her village lay isolated between two empires: Karki and the neighboring Demon Empire. They had no choice, no freedom, no recognition. And yet here she was… holding the one thing she had longed for so desperately for others.
The prince's voice cut through her thoughts. "Aisha? What's wrong? Why aren't you taking it?"
She bit her lip, trying to fight back the mix of excitement and guilt swelling in her chest.
"I… I always wanted this for everyone," she whispered. "For my village. Not just for me…"
The prince's eyes softened, but he kept his tone gentle and firm. "You wanted it for them before. And now… you have it for yourself. So why hesitate? Take it."
Aisha looked at him, then at the card, then slowly reached out with both hands and accepted it. Her fingers closed around the edge, and a quiet shiver ran through her.
The prince gave a small nod, satisfied. "Good. From now on, you are officially part of my entourage. This card proves it. Remember it."
Aisha held it close to her chest, her heart pounding. It wasn't just a card. It was a symbol of hope, of freedom, and of a future she wanted to build not just for herself, but for everyone she cared about.
She smiled faintly at the prince. "Thank you, Your Highness. I… I won't forget this."
The prince's lips curved into the slightest smile. "I know you won't."
Rin was staring at Aisha's card, still in slight disbelief.
The prince noticed her and smiled gently. "Don't worry, Rin. I brought one for you too."
He reached into his small bag and pulled out another card, holding it out to her.
"This is yours," he said. "You don't have any family of your own, so I asked Safiya about it. We decided on this—your name is Rin Amamiya."
Rin froze, eyes widening. "Amamiya…?" she whispered.
The prince nodded. "Yes. Aisha's family name is Amamiya. Safiya told me to do this. From now on, you will be Aisha's big sister. And your age… nineteen, right?"
He handed her the card carefully. Rin's hands trembled as she took it. Tears welled in her eyes, and they soon spilled over.
"Why are you crying?" the prince asked softly, a faint smile on his lips.
Rin's voice shook as she spoke. "Thank you… Your Highness. I'm so happy. I never had a family… but now… I have Madam Safiya, Aisha, you, and everyone in the castle. I feel so lucky. Even though I didn't have a family, you… all of you… treated me like one."
She glanced at the prince, her tears glimmering in the sunlight filtering into the carriage. "And Madam Safiya… she even gave me a family name. I'll never forget this. Thank you."
The prince nodded quietly, looking at both Rin and Aisha with a calm but approving gaze.
In that moment, Rin felt truly part of something greater than herself—a family not bound by blood, but by trust, care, and a shared destiny.
Aisha held the card in her hands, her heart swelling with happiness. She looked at it carefully, tracing the letters, and a small smile formed on her lips.
…Mommy… Daddy… and everyone in the village…
One day, I'll get this card for all of you, she thought silently, determination shining in her eyes.
She looked up at the prince, her voice soft but earnest. "Your Highness… if you can make a card for me, then… why not for all the villagers?"
The prince's expression turned serious. "I… I can't," he replied.
Aisha's brows furrowed. "Why not, Your Highness?"
He took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm. "You and Rin received these cards because you are my personal maids. You work closely with me, and those who accompany me are allowed this privilege. But the villagers… until the Emperor officially recognizes your village as part of the empire, I cannot grant them cards."
Aisha's chest tightened. She nodded slowly, understanding the harsh reality, but her determination did not waver.
"I see…" she murmured. "…Then I'll make sure, one day, that everyone in our village will have their own cards. I'll find a way."
The prince glanced at her with a faint smile, a silent acknowledgment of her resolve.
Aisha held her card tightly to her chest, her heart full of hope. A small spark of rebellion against fate had been lit—and she would not let it fade.
A few minutes later, Aisha fell into deep thought.
Then she remembered something.
…Our names are written on the cards.
She lowered her gaze to the card in her hand. Her full name was clearly engraved on it.
Then another thought crossed her mind.
The prince also has a card.
His name must be written on it too.
But… how can I ask to see his card?
She frowned slightly and thought for a moment.
…Wait. I have an idea.
I can't ask for his personal ID card. That would be rude.
But what about his school card?
At the castle, no one ever used the prince's real name. Everyone simply called him Your Highness with respect.
But at the academy, there would be many princes and nobles. His real name would have to be written there.
Yes… his name must be on the school card.
Aisha took a deep breath and slowly looked up at him.
"Y-Your Highness…" she said nervously.
The prince glanced at her. "What is it, Aisha?"
She hesitated for a second, then gathered her courage.
"C-Can I see your school card?"
The prince raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why do you want to see that?"
"I just want to see what a school card looks like," Aisha replied honestly.
He shook his head lightly. "When we reach the academy, you'll see many of them."
Aisha clasped her hands together. "Your Highness, please… it will take days to reach there. I just want to see it now."
Before the prince could answer, Rin spoke gently but firmly.
"Aisha, if His Highness says he will show it after we arrive, then you must follow his order. Remember—you are a maid. We cannot deny his words."
Aisha flinched and quickly bowed her head.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness. Please… just this one time. I'll look at it and return it immediately."
The prince sighed softly, then smiled faintly.
"I knew it," he said. "Ever since you got your card, you've been curious."
He reached into his bag and took out another card.
"Alright," he said, handing it to her. "This is my school card. Take a look."
Aisha carefully accepted it, her hands trembling slightly.
She looked down.
And then—
Her eyes widened in shock.
The name written on the card was clear.
Haruto Kurosawa
…Haruto… Kurosawa?
Her heart skipped a beat.
But… the royal family name is Karki.
Then why…?
Why is his name different on the school card?
Aisha stared at the card, confusion and curiosity swirling in her mind.
Just who is the prince… really?