(Not Continued Again)
17. Gathering

The night sky looks very dark now. The star, which normally shines, dims as if it is losing its light. Under the shadow of a night that seemed to be mourning. There was a human figure standing in his all-black clothes. The wind blew away the cloak that was slung across his left shoulder. While the mane is pitch-black, looks glittering amid the roaring cries of the cloud.

His head looked up at the moon that was covered by the storm. No matter how sad the results of the raindrops that hit him, his expression remained flat. The white skin that is now paled, gives a color that is so contrasting. As if fused in the darkness, her two glittering eyes added a sinister impression.

His lips were now pale in color, scratching a hollow smile. Gazing far towards the moon, his glaring mind led him to wander far out of nowhere.

"I'll save you."

The wind blows, flying everything. As if acting as a messenger, the wind surrounding the body gave it a whisper. Calm, warm, and threatening at the same time. Just as the two lighted neutrals were staring at him, a stinging sensation was felt at the back of his neck.

"So, don't you leave where you stand."

The whisper as cold as the snow that is now falling, feels very piercing. Like penetrating right into his heart, the sharp stab was never able to stop him.

Freezing along with fading of the figure. His previous gaze was clear, slowly dimming. The background is pitch black, is the last thing that covers everything.

...°·°·°·°·°·°...

Today was the first day on which he set foot in the Secilia academy. As long as he was confined within his vast palace, never once could he notice the sincere expressions of the people as they passed by before him. The cheerful face accompanied by the hopeful gaze he met, to be honest made him quite amazed. He did not expect all of them to be able to be careless, whereas any danger could wait from any direction.

Really sloppy.

It was very different from the person he met last time. The eldest son of the family who was so envious of him, did not even faint a single hint of his piercing glare before him. As if able to read his heart, the gaze of the two vast grassland shades did not contain the slightest doubt.

If only, the figure's neck was not shackled. He was sure the figure would pounce on him without a second thought. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, that figure would eliminate him from where he stood that very second as well.

"Your Majesty, do you want to see him right now?"

His assistant who had just finished all the affairs regarding his entry into this academy, that, offered something tempting.

"Should I see him?"

Without such a notification in advance, he was sure that the girl would be surprised at his arrival.

"It all depends on the Prince's decision. I'll follow whatever you want."

Seeing the scared face of one of his prospective fiancee candidates, it seemed quite pleasant. So, he thought, he would give her a little surprise right now.

"Please show me the way."

Finding the twins among the many students in this academy was not too difficult. As long as he had known where they were, finding the whereabouts of the two striking mane owners was very easy for him.

It's like her brother.

The sparkle of courage and not the slightest doubt emanating from these two unique senses, cannot be lied to. As expected, the two brothers who had this determined look, were very similar to her brother.

"Good day, monsieur and young miss Lucretia."

Evander Kairos Lucretia and her twin sister Elthia Sherianne Lucretia. These two people who possess the greatest existence, as well as having this powerful influence, are the greatest threat that can obliterate its existence.

"Greetings to the star of the land of Pyralis, Prince Luca Alcander Istvan."

The loud answer, as well as the calm gaze that did not feel threatened the slightest bit, made him feel even more interested. These two young children who were a few months younger than him, could not be underestimated. The way they behave, set expressions, and utter words. Without proper training and understanding, all of this would be useless.

In one look, too. Luca can figure it out. These two brothers have a dangerous sign of existence. The horrifying side of the two brothers was well hidden, behind the innocent faces of the two.

"There's something I want to talk to you about."

"So, can you please let me join you?"

Well, whichever one it is. Luca doesn't care. The goal here is not to bring them down. Instead of enjoying his freedom, while having fun all watching.

...°·°·°·°·°·°...

"So, can you please let me join you?"

That friendly-pitched request, not the slightest bit flattered him. How perfect even the friendly smile that Luca scratched, Elthia who already knew some of his true nature, would not be fooled.

"Please forgive my presumption, Prince Istvan."

Psyche, the main character who held the meeting, subtly refused the request from Luca. The smile that Psyche made, was no less annoying than the thin grin Rio was mocking her.

"Because there are important matters that we must discuss together, we cannot allow you to join."

An outsider who doesn't know anything like you, won't be able to follow us. Approximately, such is the implied language that Elthia was able to catch from the sweet smile that deceived Prince Pysche. Without the two princes even uttering words, the aura of rivalry between the two was already very pronounced.

"All right."

It was simply impossible for Luca whose precious self was high to take this humiliation for granted. Judging from the glance of her eyes, Elthia was sure that the one prince must be planning something.

"Then, may I speak to Miss Lucretia when you're done?"

As Elthia had expected. This one prince, will not give up just like that. It seems, the warning that Sebastian gave him in the letter two days ago to him was, indeed, true.

"Because our family has given an oath of allegiance to the King's Majesty. I'm sure Prince Luca will use all sorts of ways to tighten his shackles."

Not only that, his eldest brother even reminded Elthia not to lower her guard. Elthia was sure, Sebastian had already calculated this. So, Elthia who was also unable to avoid something, which she had to meet. Elthia chooses to follow the request of Sebastian, her brother. As well as trusting information that could not be found anywhere, which was well stored in his head.

"If he wants a private meeting with you, accept it. However, do not let him bind you further in the grasp of an Istvan."

Elthia sighed slowly. A glance from Rio who questioned what his decision was, he gave a nod.

I didn't expect this day would finally come too.

"By pleasure, Your Majesty."

Stifled growls from both her familiar, as well as her twin, added to the gripping atmosphere. It seems, not only humans can feel the threat from Prince Luca. Astrella, as well as Astra, also feel uncomfortable about its existence.

"Please forgive me for being so presumptuous as to keep you waiting."

Elthia showed a perfectly guilty expression. Deliberately lowered his head, so that both his eyes were blocked by his long bangs. Elthia who inevitably had to obey the will of Prince Luca, gave a sharp look, even though it was just a glance.

"No problem, miss."

"Thank you very much for your generosity, Prince."

Elthia paid her respects. The two eyes were different colors of his, accidentally looking at Luca's two red neutrals, when the prince was about to leave them.

"Miss can meet us with this."

Elthia received the small invitation that Luca's assistant gave her. The invitation with the crown-shaped flame stamp, is indeed a symbol of the Istvan kingdom.

He came at an inopportune time.