The Sapphire Prince

Azure's POV

A few days after the meeting, the council has been turned left and right debating over the best methods to continue. Mother proposed me as the best solution as father pushed his propaganda agressively on the table. Since then, the taste of the castle sphere became even more bitter.

Father objects that a lineage dedicated to sole peace inquiring the Cynthias forgiveness is out of line and to his honesty, it offended his pride. Mother explained that through this, it would cause minimal controversy and casualties as the only one being dragged in this conflict are the citizens.

Mother would be pleased to take the easiest yet most efficient way out of the mess rather than using all possible resources only to be wasted because of the past agreement. She felt disappointed at father's court, she felt the vain of the monarchy, in her awe, everyone could be commanded, she did was she is obligated to do and father is doing this in nature of his own self not from the crown. A little bit selfish though in a good way...I think.

"I wonder how his majesty Vellore is doing. Ever since the Cynthias departing. I never saw him outside of his office." Lance pulled the paper I was sleeping on, slightly waking me up. He flicked his fingers on my head and it slightly burned.

He joined me as he laid his hand laid down on his elbow. Our hands dazed over my desk as the day had its mid-morning dew.

"You don't have to wake me with your magic." I said.

"Seems like you needed it." He joked as he played with my fringe, pushing it to the side for my eyes to meet his. He smiled so bright, his eyes shifted to a golden hue as it flashed with the sun, round, very succulent eyes you could lose yourself to...

"My mother used to do this to me as well. Remember? Sometimes she would even do this to you and I would often get envious." I chuckled lowering my head.

"You do enjoy this don't you?" He asked taunting me.

"Perhaps. It's not everyday I get to lay down with a friend leisurely at daylight. We would often have stacks of papers, sometimes I would be even lazy to finish them. It feels nice to be like this once in a while." I replied before his hand once again held my chin. The felt hand a few days ago seemed more soft. He rubbed the edge of my lips after trying to get me to relax even more.

"You went with a new perfume?" I asked.

"You frequently use the same daisy-based perfumes. Today, it seems you fancied an ever so common rose fragrance. I thought you'd have an even more unique taste than so." I added.

"Roses and carnations had always been your favorite flower isn't it? I wanted to present myself seemingly better to your liking?" He withdrew his hand before sitting up.

To my liking? Lance considered only so little of my opinions of him, that is for his physical self. He might go the distance for his loyalty but it never came to him that I cared about his superficial qualities...Though perhaps he also wanted to match the standard of my parents' opinions but in the past years, he had never practiced to do so...Why now?

"I-"

*Knock* *Knock*

Not even a first word before the knock came in. Quickly Lance turned to the side, releasing my hand.

"That was unfortunate." He beamed.

I smiled at him. Putting my curiousity aside, I shrugged everything that had happened and wondered who might the guest be as I've not accepted any appointments with anyone in the palace. Maybe from either my mother or father's court asking for my opinion or presence somewhere, that would most likely be the case.

"Your majesty, mo-I mean...Lady Mejava asks for an audience with you near the barracks." Said a familiar woman's voice.

As expected but at the barracks?

"Please come in and explain the details of this short meeting." I asked, signalling Lance to open the door.

Lance opened the door to reveal the same Cryptid from before. Though this time she's wearing the actual military uniform. She was in a fencing suit, white shirt along with skinny trousers and furnished leather boots with the same color. She may perhaps came from practice, and judging from her hair, she may have sprinted passed some overgrown brambles...

She paused looking at me then at Lance. Reading the room, It seems everyone welcomed each other. She already clarified that she meant no harm but considering how the council treated her entrance even after an explanation, I would only feel sorry for her even on behalf of the castle...

"Let me just get straight to the point. Lady Mejava asks for your presence at the barracks for a simple discussion in the sense of politics and the current argument between which solution is which." She explained brushing off her sweat.

As expected and what next, she can't come here because of the chaos?

"Lady Mejava can't come here?" I asked.

"Oh she can. She just doesn't want to. She said that the castle seems like a sad place to be. Considering how every hall has its ears and eyes and I don't think anyone could let anyone do something without the sense of surveillance." She explained.

Staring at her eyes, I could feel a bit of fear and comfort as it looked very eerie. The iris was notable with sharp edges but her sclera was black. It resembled closely to a possessed man. She was like a bat, a very mushroomy bat.

"Anyway, she wants me to escort you. And of course you could bring that boy over there." Her thumb pointed at Lance who was awkwardly sniffing his arm.

"If we could get going, we'll save the hours for discussion." She then turned to face the door.

I followed her through the halls. Lance walked beside me, a bit too close than usual as he always walked behind me, the height difference isn't that different but I do hate feeling small as a young man...

"Nothing in particular." I grimaced.

"Lady Mejava also has questions regarding your magic, your majesty. Apart from the fact that it has been rarely evaluated by the military, She believes it might be better if she looked into your abilities personally." The Cryptid then accelerated her walk

"My magic is quite very... peaceful."

I looked at my hand and some pictures started to flash before me. My magic reserves only for "special occasions" where the conditions are specifically correct. Depending on my focus with myself and nature, it could either break or just straight up disappear considering my spells are fragile. Even the softest change in focus would result the spell to cast unwanted scenarios.

The imperial family, ever since they're born or had drawn their first magic circle, should be evaluated by a specialist in the military or the medical field.

My mother's evaluation is every month after her menstruation while my Father gets evaluated twice a month. Me and my brothers do get the same treatment but I was rather inconsistent with the evaluations and often times my parents would get angry at me.

It's very important for an imperial to have his description be up to date. They'll base this such for military regards such as health, medicine and potential vaccines derived from alchemy or science.

*Near The Coraline Building*

"It's been quite a while since we've been at the barracks. Vellore usually hangs there with the knights using their horses for his training." Lance beamed springing forward as we walked.

"We're nearly there." The girl says.

Talking another step forward, I could hear a faint voice calling for my name. A very squicky young voice.

"Brother?"