"When we find the antidote, can I kill my brother?" Elias asked, a dark, murderous aura already beginning to radiate from him. His expression was dangerously intense.
Caelum, moving with graceful purpose, walked over to Elias. He carefully adjusted the knot of Elias's tie and smoothed the rich fabric of his ceremonial cloak. "You know you can't," he replied, his voice soft and gentle, accompanied by an equally gentle smile.
"But he's using that amplifier and hasn't taken it off yet," Elias grumbled, his annoyance evident in the sharp tone of his voice.
"Those types of magical amplifiers are strictly forbidden at the Royal Ball," Caelum explained patiently. "Besides, His Majesty will be here. Aristotle can't risk letting it be seen in this company," he said, his gaze sweeping across the opulent ballroom.
Elias sighed, a sound of profound frustration, and nodded his reluctant acceptance. "I just wish he wouldn't use it one last time, right before the start of the Ball," he muttered, the wish laced with a bitter edge.
"Let him," Caelum said, a sly glint entering his eyes. "Then, we'll have a perfect alibi," he finished, a confident smirk playing on his lips.
Elias smiled knowingly, shaking his head at Caelum's cunning. The tension that had momentarily gripped him seemed to dissipate.
They continued their walk to the main Ballroom entrance and proceeded inside without encountering any issues.
Caelum's smile widened into a confident smirk as his eyes landed on Aurelius and Aristotle. Both of them were scowling fiercely as they glared intensely at Caelum and Elias, their dislike palpable even from a distance.
Caelum discretely pulled Elias to the side, away from the main flow of guests, and handed him a small, plain ring.
"The amplifier?" Elias asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as he examined the simple band.
Caelum's smirk grew broader. "I have three more," he revealed, opening his hand to display the trio of identical rings nestled in his palm. "Only one is the actual amplifier. The other two are the sealers," he whispered, before smoothly slipping the amplifier ring onto his own finger.
Elias returned the smirk, a wicked spark now in his eyes, clearly approving of the deception.
"I see you two are plotting something interesting," Matheas commented, his voice a low drawl as he materialized silently behind them. He had approached with such stealth that he seemed to have simply appeared from the shadows. Alexander followed at a slower, more dignified pace a few steps behind Matheas, a faint, knowing smile gracing his lips.
"I have two magical sealers," Caelum stated, holding up the two remaining rings for their inspection.
"You want us to deliver these to them, don't you, young Caelum?" Alexander asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he took the rings from the younger man.
Caelum merely nodded in confirmation.
Matheas smiled, taking the rings from Alexander and immediately heading towards Aurelius and Aristotle.
They engaged in a hushed conversation for a short while, and then Matheas handed the rings to them. Turning back, Matheas gestured for Elias and Caelum to show him their own rings. Elias and Caelum complied, their expressions one of deliberate confusion.
Aurelius and Aristotle, apparently convinced by Matheas, immediately grabbed the rings and slipped them onto their fingers.
"Wonderful!" Caelum whispered under his breath, a look of pure satisfaction washing over his face.
"What exactly did he tell them?" Elias asked Matheas, his gaze fixed on his brother and Aristotle, while Alexander looked at Elias with a confused expression.
"He told them these rings were gifts from House Solas, personally given by His Majesty," Caelum answered before Matheas could speak. "Prince Aurelius knows exactly what they are, since he was wearing a genuine one until just this evening," he elaborated.
"How did you know all of that?" Alexander asked, genuine surprise coloring his voice.
"I have been using intermediate air spells to keep a subtle ear on all conversations happening at the ball," Caelum explained, meeting Alexander's gaze directly, his own eyes alight with mischievous intelligence.
Alexander shook his head, a mixture of disapproval and grudging admiration in his eyes, before he began walking toward Aurelius and Aristotle.
"Let's enjoy the rest of the ball while we still can," Elias suggested, picking up a stemmed glass of wine from a passing server.
Caelum smiled politely but opted for a glass of grape juice instead. "I can't afford to be intoxicated," he explained, his eyes never leaving the crowd. "If anyone else attempts to attack you, I cannot keep you safe if I am drunk," he said, looking at the utterly confused expression now settled on Elias' face.
Elias shook his head dismissively. "Not many people here have the courage to try that," he insisted. "If there is anyone, it would only be my brother, Aristotle, and you," he finished with a charming smile, teasing Caelum gently. "Since you are on my side, you won't. And as for them, they can't because Matheas is watching their every move."
Caelum simply nodded, his eyes remaining fixed on the older ones, watching their reactions carefully.
"Is that Duke Valtheron?" Elias asked, pointing toward a tall, imposing man who was, without a doubt, Alaric Valtheron.
Caelum confirmed with a sigh. "I sincerely hope he doesn't notice me," he murmured, a shadow crossing his face.
"Well, your luck is unfortunately just as terrible as mine," Elias sighed dramatically as Alaric began to walk directly towards them.
"Do you mean to say that we used all our good luck to find each other, my prince?" Caelum asked with a delightfully cheeky smile, his eyes twinkling.
Elias smiled back, playing along with Caelum's verbal game, even though he had no idea what Caelum's underlying plan was. "I think we absolutely did," he said softly. "You have a plan brewing, don't you?" he whispered conspiratorially.
Caelum nodded with a soft, reassuring smile, as if Elias had just said something profoundly pleasant.
"Caelum," Alaric called out, his voice sharp and formal. He then shifted his attention. "Prince Elias," he added, giving a stiff, respectful nod of his head.
"Sir," Caelum greeted his father, his voice completely devoid of warmth or familiarity.
"Duke Valtheron," Elias greeted in return, frowning slightly at the cold formality with which Caelum had addressed his own father.
"Young Caelum," Alexander's voice suddenly cut through the air. Both Caelum and Elias turned instantly to look at the King. "Come with me," Alexander instructed.
Elias and Caelum followed Alexander, walking over to join Matheas.
"Why did you call him 'Sir'?" Elias asked, his confusion clear.
"I was explicitly ordered to," Caelum said with a heavy sigh, the weariness evident in his voice. "You once asked me what caused the burn mark on my arm. He is the reason," he revealed, his expression hardening.
"He burned his own child's arm?" Alexander asked, his voice low and dangerous, his face contorted in fury.
"That happened immediately before he banished my mother and me to Sky Manor," Caelum recalled, his voice tight with controlled emotion. "It was bright red and painful for two years. Only when I discovered my natural affinity for healing magic was I finally able to heal the scar."
"Come with me," Elias commanded, taking hold of Caelum's arm and pulling him along as they began walking back towards Alaric.
"Elias," Caelum whispered urgently, his brow furrowed. "What are you going to do?" he asked.
"Shouldn't I let him know that you are now officially my knight and mage?" Elias countered, looking at Caelum with a determined expression. Caelum simply smiled and nodded his assent, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
"Duke Valtheron," Elias called out, his voice strong and clear. Alaric immediately turned around to face them. "I am not sure if your other children have informed you, but Caelum is now officially my sworn knight and personal mage," he announced, looking proudly at Caelum, who was smiling gently back at him.
Alaric gasped, a sound of utter shock escaping him.
Amanda and Nathaniel, who had been standing close enough to overhear Elias's declaration, quickly rushed over to stand beside Alaric.
"He's lying," Amanda hissed, her eyes blazing with hostility.
"Are you accusing my son of lying, Lady Amanda?" Alexander asked, his voice laced with regal authority as he walked up to stand protectively just behind Caelum and Elias. He then turned his stern gaze upon Alaric. "I personally appointed your son as Elias's knight and mage. I had requested that the appointment remain confidential until Elias completed his studies," he stated firmly. "But I certainly never asked Caelum to keep such an important fact a secret from his own family," Alexander added, his tone pointed.
Caelum turned to face Alexander and offered a respectful, formal nod. "That is why I chose to inform my great grand uncle about the appointment, Your Majesty," he said smoothly.
"You two have been secretly sending letters to each other, haven't you? Ever since he asked you to be his successor?" Elias asked Caelum, a subtle understanding passing between them.
Caelum nodded once more. "We have. I have learned a great many things about him," he confirmed. "He also informed me that he would definitely be attending the Ball tonight," he added, glancing around the room.
"Is he here, young Caelum?" Alexander asked, his eyes searching the crowd.
Caelum smiled, a genuine, warm smile, and nodded. "Right there, Your Majesty," he said, pointing with a confident gesture toward a man standing near the farthest pillar in the spacious Ballroom. "He is very cleverly hiding in plain sight."
The man Caelum had pointed out sighed deeply, a sound of resignation, and began to walk toward them, removing his disguising turban as he approached. "How did you manage to find me?" Jonathan asked, a bewildered look on his face.
"Your magical signature," Caelum answered immediately. "I know that as a Royal Grand Mage, your power would be the highest in this entire room. I isolated only three signatures stronger than my own. Two of those would, of course, belong to His Majesty and Sir Matheas. The only other one could logically be yours," he explained with a bright, confident smile.
Jonathan sighed good-naturedly and then passed a single gold coin to Elias.
Caelum looked at Elias, a slightly betrayed expression crossing his face. "You actually wagered on my skill of identification?" he asked, sounding mildly affronted, though there was a hint of playfulness in his voice.
Alaric looked as though he might spontaneously kneel before Elias and loudly declare that he had absolutely no connection with Caelum whatsoever.
"Of course, I did," Elias said with an easy smile, not showing any remorse. "I had absolute and complete confidence that you would find him," he said, looking at Jonathan with a light air of arrogance and confidence.
Jonathan laughed softly, a warm, resonant sound. "You have definitely made your final choice, haven't you, Caelum?" he asked, his gaze fixed kindly upon the young mage.
Elias, Alaric, Matheas, Alexander, Amanda, and Nathaniel all looked intently at Caelum, awaiting his answer.
Caelum nodded decisively. "I have," he confirmed. "As soon as I graduate from the Academy, I will gladly accept the role as your successor."
"Well done, young man," Matheas praised, clapping Caelum firmly and affectionately on the back.
Alexander and Elias exchanged proud, warm smiles as they looked at their two capable protectors standing beside them.