C3

Skylar was circled by Arya, who understood that adapting to everything in just one day was impossible. Despite this, she had familiarized herself with the palace and received lectures on it. Arya shared information about her brothers, namely Prince Derek, Prince Louise, Prince Damien, and Prince Ramiel. In due course, Skylar would become acquainted with their personalities. Each prince had a head maid and an assistant, and it seemed likely that Skylar would be appointed as a maid rather than an assistant. Being a maid carried more responsibility, but she considered herself fortunate since she could have been a slave, a prisoner, or even dead. Life had given her a second chance, and she intended to make the most of it.

During Arya's explanation of the rules and regulations, a maid, dressed identically to them, approached. This maid wore a black gown and had brownish hair and mesmerizing blue eyes. For a moment, Skylar wondered if she was wearing contact lenses before remembering the presence of strange creatures.

The maid bowed to Princess Arya, who motioned for her to rise.

"Speak," Arya commanded.

"The king requests the presence of the princes and the princess. He wishes to discuss some matters with all of you," the maid conveyed.

"You may leave," Arya dismissed her, and the maid bowed before departing.

Arya then turned to Skylar, who had remained silent throughout. "Now is the right time to assign you your duty," Arya announced.

"My duty?" Skylar inquired.

At the hallway, they both arrived where four ladies, dressed in the same professional attire as her, stood in an orderly manner at the side of the courtroom.

Arya whispered to Skylar, "Join them," to which Skylar obliged. As she glanced towards the ladies, she could sense their jealous gaze upon her.

"What could she have done now?" she silently cursed.

Upon Princess Arya's arrival, the courtroom doors opened and she gracefully walked in, with the doors closing behind her. She noticed Derek, Louise, and Damien standing before the king and joined them, bowing in acknowledgment to the king.

"You may rise, my daughter," the king said, and Arya looked at her father with a smile. His vibrant health and age were a constant source of joy for her.

"How are you, father?" she inquired.

"I am perfectly fine, my child. How about you?" her father asked.

"I am good, father," she replied cheerfully. King Roland's gaze then shifted towards the door, and Arya could sense pain in his eyes.

Derek smirked as he observed his father's reaction before speaking up.

"Father, we are here for you. You don't need irrelevant people in your life. I am here for you," Derek proclaimed, while Damien rolled his eyes at his statement.

"Irrelevant," Damien retorted with a smirk. Derek chose to ignore him and directed his attention back to his father.

"I guess he isn't coming," the king said with a hint of sadness.

"Father, we are here. Please focus on us and proceed," Derek urged impatiently.

* * * * *

Outside the palace, footsteps resonated from a distance. The maids, upon hearing the footsteps and sensing the person's aura, all bowed in respect. Skylar followed suit and also bowed, feeling a sense of familiarity as the footsteps drew nearer. Unable to resist her curiosity, Skylar looked up to see who was approaching. Her eyes met a piercing silver gaze, and she couldn't help but marvel at the man's strikingly handsome and charismatic appearance. He was dressed in black, wearing loose pants and a black shirt that perfectly showcased his well-built physique, completed by his impeccable black hair. Suddenly, a flash of recognition flashed through her mind. He was the same man she had witnessed earlier, taking someone's life. It still astonished her how effortlessly he wielded the sword. His gaze then shifted from his hand to his face.

Whispered the lady who had come earlier to deliver a message to Princess Arya, "Look down," as her heart continued to pound inside her chest, was he finally back to kill her?

Ignoring the gaze of everyone around him, Damien smirked while he walked past her and the door opened upon his arrival. All heads turned in his direction, except for Damien's.

Ramiel approached his father and bowed, seemingly unaffected by the attention. King Roland, visibly relieved, smiled and began to speak.

"Glad to see all my children here," he said, looking at Ramiel with a smile.

Impressed with his daughter, the king asked, "Arya, have you already finalized the marriage proposal sent by Prince Sebastian of Alvast?"

With a smile, Arya replied, "Yes, Father. I am happy to be with him."

Regarding your marriage proposal, Arya, that sounds like a good plan. Out of my three children, two of my sons have already tied the knot, and now my only daughter is also preparing to get married. That leaves just Damien and Ramiel," the king remarked, emphasizing their names.

"Father, you don't need to worry about me. I've already found someone I'm interested in, and with time, you'll have the opportunity to meet this person," Damien reassured with a smile.

"I certainly hope so. And what about you, Ramiel?" the king inquired, fixing his gaze upon Ramiel. Ramiel let out a sigh before responding.

"I plan on surprising you, Father, as well as all those who consider me insignificant," Ramiel announced confidently. Derek glanced at him, while Damien rolled his eyes. Arya looked at Ramiel, and he winked back at her, causing a forced smile to appear on her lips.

"I can't wait," King Roland replied, beaming with a smile. "You may all go now."

An already annoyed Derek stormed off, while Louise bowed respectfully before leaving.

"Relax, bro," Damien said, referring to Derek. "See you later, Dad," he remarked, glancing at Ramiel, who was already staring back at him with a smirk before exiting.

"Congratulations, Arya," Ramiel expressed, gazing at her with a smile. Arya's smile grew wider.

"Thank you, brother," she responded, as Ramiel approached her and enveloped her in a hug.

"If he ever harms you in any way, just let me know, and I'll take care of him immediately," Ramiel declared, still smiling.

"Thank you, brother," Arya echoed, hugging him back.

King Roland felt a sense of joy seeing Ramiel like this. He couldn't remember the last time Ramiel seemed so happy and engaged. Ramiel always kept to himself and never made an effort to visit his father or share much with him. After releasing Arya from the hug, she bowed to Ramiel and their father before leaving with a content heart.

"I'll be taking my leave now, Father," Ramiel bowed respectfully.

"Hold on," the king interjected, causing Ramiel to look up at him.

If I were to ask you to stay back in the palace so that you could be with your father and family, would you be glad?"

"If that is your desire, I shall comply," replied Ramiel, causing his father's eyes to widen in surprise.

"You mean you will stay?" his father asked, his shock evident.

"Yes, Father. I just need to collect some belongings that Arya has prepared for me in a room," Ramiel explained.

"I am grateful to have a daughter like Arya, and I want you to know that I feel fortunate to have you as my son," his father expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Father," Ramiel responded with gratitude.

Roland couldn't contain his happiness upon seeing his long-awaited son returning to him.

"Yesterday, I heard about the exceptional job you did once again. I may selfishly wish to shield you from your responsibilities as a demon slayer, but ultimately, I place my trust in you," Roland confessed, sounding apologetic.

"That is all right, Father. I will continue to fulfill my duties as a demon slayer, as that is the only way to maintain peace in the kingdom, despite being a half-breed," Ramiel reassured him.

...............

As the other ladies left the courtroom with their respective princes, Arya informed Skylar beforehand that she would be the last one to step out as the prince's assistant, after everyone else had departed.

"Wait a minute, was that silver-eyed man a prince? No, it is impossible," she pondered. However, a sudden realization struck her as she remembered the maid's statement about the princes and princesses. "He must indeed be a prince, which explains why everyone bowed to him. He is not a guard," she concluded.

Just then, the door opened, and Skylar looked up to meet his gaze once again.