The Red Crystal Kingdom
The Romeo Place

Horse foot clattering heard many times – times. It's been three hours Layla down the palace settlement. Indeed, said the King and Queen, Romeo's house is still in a settlement. But that's not true. Because around Igardias Palace, there are several palace settlements that are located outside the palace, which is still considered a palace settlement.

On the way, Layla almost fell down several times due to loss of balance. He was very sorry for himself who was very slow in learning how to ride well so his parents often assigned him to go here and there just to smooth his skills in riding.

After a long journey, Layla finally arrived at Romadi Village, one of the many branches of the Igardias Palace settlement. The village looks quite simple with – houses of ordinary middle-class residents. However, in fact, the – people who live there are – important people who want to simplify their lifestyle.

Layla stops her horse in front of one of the simple white-walled houses with a dome.

When the princess opened the front door, it opened by itself.

“Goodnight,” said Layla walked into the house. He had visited Romeo several times in this house and immediately sat on one of the benches available in the living room.

Moments later, a black-robed creature came flying over to Layla. The creature was still wearing a cloak hood, revealing the darkness of his face.

“What are you doing here, Princess Lyla?” the creature unfolded the hood of his cloak, revealing the head of a white skull.

“Orsei,” Layla greets the creature without commenting on its form. “I want to meet with Romeo.”

Orsei took out the right arm of his robe, which was in the form of a bone, and pointed it at the front door that happened to have not been closed. Slowly, the door closed on its own.

“Mr Romeo knows your arrival, Princess,” Orsei said. “Is there a problem in the palace?”

“Of course there is a problem in the palace, Orsei,” Layla said annoyedly. “I got bothered to wade through the journey to visit this house to approach it.”

“Very odd,” Orsei sighed. “Typically King Guvar and Queen Agatha sent long-distance messages from the palace. You can tell me the matter through me, I'll tell Mr. Romeo.

“This concerns the kingdom of Kastala which has just been taken over by palace officers,” Layla said. “For more details, I better tell it directly to Romeo.”

“Kingdom Kastala has just been taken over huh?” Orsei. He looked down at the princess. After erecting his body, he said, “I'd better call Mr. Romeo for a further explanation. I'll excuse you.”

Orsei immediately floated away leaving the living room.

“Should've told me about this from the beginning,” Layla murmured. “I also didn't like it when Romeo sent a human skeleton floating as a representative.”

Not long after, Romeo arrived. He had fine hair and was ready to prepare himself with his black robe.

“Do you have to use Orsei to send messages – your messages?” ask Layla in a annoyed tone. “Have you received any information from the palace?”

“I know that you are tired of having traveled far,” Romeo said in a calm tone. Then, he sat down on the bench across from Layla. “I have not received any information about it from palace.”

Layla is face-to-face with a frown and looks away.

A while later, Orsei came floating and brought a small cup of coffee. Then, he lowered his head and gave it to Layla.

Slowly, Layla opened her hands, received the cup, and drank it. Then, the princess handed the cup back to Orsei.

After the hovering skeleton received the cup, it immediately departed from the room, leaving Romeo and Layla there.

Moments later, Layla said, “Prince Uzan came to Kastala Palace with his friend – because the kingdom of Kastala was taken over by a Palace official named Faraq. You know about him, right?”

“Already expected,” said Romeo. “Tuan Faraq has indeed done what he planned.”

“Not wrong again,” says Romeo. “King Guvar wants to know more about Mr. Faraq and unpack his past.”

“So, that is the purpose of dad calling you,” Layla said. “To know Faraq's past?”

“That's right,” says Romeo. “So, we will go directly to the Palace through the plasma magic that I have so that you do not have to bother – hard to drive back to the palace.”

Romeo immediately stood up and tidied up his robe. Then, he stood beside the front door that was still closed. Then, he flicked a finger, causing the smoke to go hand in hand and manifested into Orsei, the floating human skeleton in its servant's black robes.

Orsei bekata, “I already know that Princess Layla brought the palace horse here. So, I will be able to send myself, Mr. Romeo, and princess Layla to open the portal and head straight to Kastala Palace.”

“Are you ready, Layla?” ask Romeo.

“Wait!” layla. He stood up and walked over to Romeo. “I want to talk to you about..our engagement plan.”

Romeo was silent for a moment. He observed Layla placing her hands on her chest, her facial features implied seriousness and worry.

“Do you still doubt Father and Mother are planning an engagement between us?” layla.

“If you ask me that, I'm not sure,” said Romeo. “I like you as a princess, Layla. However, I still have to consider the risks when I was appointed as a king.”

“Do you still doubt father's decision that, when a witch becomes king in Igardias, her magic should be eliminated, and she should start learning to use the sword?”

“I don't want to sound like a weak and timid person, but it's true,” said Romeo. “That rule has been in effect since the Indara attack on Igardias. After he was imprisoned, King Guvar decided that when a witch, if she became king, her powers should be removed. After that, the whole kingdom in Namaril followed that rule.”

“Do you have expressed your rejection of your matchmaking with me,” Layla as if he did not care what Romeo had just said.

“I made a request to King Guvar for that condition to be removed. However, he rejected it and remained adamant to set the rules.”

“If you really like me, then you will be willing to risk it, right?” layla said in a pleading tone.

“I made a request to consider this offer,” Romeo said as he placed his hand on Layla's shoulder. “I need time..”

“Romeo,” says Layla. “I hope you agree to this offer.”

Romeo smiled and nodded, giving Layla a glimmer of hope. “Before that, we will solve the main problem first.”

Layla closed her eyes for a moment while calming down. Then, he opened his eyes. “Alright, Orsey, I'm ready to ship back to Palace.”

“I did too,” said Romeo.

The skull of Orsei, who had been silent from earlier, said calmly, “As usual, when I clapped my hands three times, then we would all turn into dust. This is Mr. Romeo's plasma magic.

“I'll let my horse stay here, Orsey.” Layla.

“Alright, Princess,” Orsei stretches her hand.

After that, Orsei patted once, then spread her hands back out. Then, he patted for both of his broths, then spread his hands back.

When Orsei did the third pat, himself, Romeo, and Layla langusng exploded into black charcoal dust, signifying the existence of those who instantly returned home to the Palace.