CHAPTER 78: SILVER EYES AND SECRETS

Evelisse smiled brightly. "Oh, no! Just wondering how the story ends. You know how I get when I’m halfway through a good book."

"You certainly do," Seraphina laughed softly, drawing her into a brief, warm hug.

A quiet chime rang through the dining hall as a magical whisper shimmered in the air beside them.

Evelisse blinked as a notification unfurled just behind her mother’s shoulder:

Ding!

[♡ Affection Points Increased: +10]

[Total points accumulated: 3,645 ♡]

Evelisse beamed inwardly, the warmth in her chest a pleasant, quiet ache. It felt... good. Better than she expected. Not just because the numbers went up—but because she didn’t have to pretend with her mother, not completely.

Seraphina sipped her tea and gave her daughter a teasing look over the rim of the goblet. "Oh, by the way... I hope you’ll be dressed nicely tomorrow."

Evelisse blinked. "Why?"

The Queen’s eyes sparkled. "Your little friend, Prince Caelith, is coming to visit."

Evelisse nearly choked on air.

’Play the fool! Play the fool!!’

She chanted in her thoughts, hoping her surprised expression would throw her mother off.

"What? Caelith? Here?"

"Mhm," Seraphina nodded, her voice infuriatingly smooth. "And it seems he’s coming just to see you."

Evelisse opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again.

"Wh—he’s not— I mean, we barely talked during the festival! He just stood there looking like a divine portrait painted by the stars and—I mean—that is to say—"

Seraphina raised an elegant brow, amused. "He *did* bring gifts from his parents. But according to his letter, he personally requested to spend time with you."

Fluffy snorted from behind the candelabra.

Seraphina continued, a sly smile playing at her lips. "He said you had... an unusually intuitive presence. That you were clever and unafraid of him. I believe the exact words were, *’She doesn’t look at me like I’m fragile or cursed. She looks at me like I’m someone to be challenged.’*"

Evelisse flushed so deeply it practically reached her collarbones. "Okay, now you’re just making things up, mommy."

"Would I lie to you, my flower?"

"Yes. Regularly."

Seraphina laughed. "Touché."

"He’s just... another royal," Evelisse tried, flustered. "A very... sparkly royal FRIEND."

"Mmm-hmm," her mother hummed knowingly. "Handsome. Mysterious. Polite. Dangerous with a sword only FRIEND. And rumored to have divine eyes. You could do far worse."

"Mommy!"

"What? I’m only saying, if something were to blossom, I’d not object."

"There’s nothing to blossom between friends!"

"Not yet," Seraphina said, smug.

Evelisse threw her hands up. "I’m going to bed. Before you start planning wedding colors."

"Lilac and navy would look lovely with your complexion," Seraphina called after her.

Evelisse groaned, pushing the door open.

Fluffy zipped after her. "...So, are we inviting him to Snugglewuff’s next naming ceremony or what?"

"I will hex you."

"Rude."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Back in her room, Evelisse flopped onto her bed, her thoughts a storm of silver eyes, mysterious letters, forbidden creatures, and teasing mothers.

Snugglewuff snored at her feet, dreaming of muffins and magic.

She rolled over, staring up at the canopy.

What did it all mean? Why was Caelith interested in her? Why had Snugglewuff bonded so quickly? What did her mother *really* know about Draylen?

One thing was clear—

Whatever this magical path was, it had already started.

And she wasn’t walking it alone anymore.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

The sun rose fast over Florabelle, scattering pink light across the palace balconies like someone had spilled blush over the sky.

Evelisse stood in the grand courtyard, a little breathless. Her dress was soft cream lace with pale blue ribbons, her shoes freshly polished. Her curls had been done up in twin buns with tiny star pins tucked inside. She looked every inch the polite princess her etiquette books demanded.

But inside?

She was chewing air.

"Is it too much?" she asked Marcus quietly.

Marcus blinked at her. "You’re wearing a ribbon with flower pins shaped like bunnies. I think you’re safe."

"But not too safe, right? Like I’m not trying too hard?"

He smiled faintly. "No. Just hard enough."

Before she could ask what that meant, a breeze swept through the courtyard—cool, scented faintly of pine and metal.

They had arrived.

The tall front gates creaked open with zero fanfare. Just as expected.

Prince Caelith of Elaris didn’t like parades. Or drums. Or heralds calling his name like he was a winter storm rolling in.

He entered calmly, flanked by his silver-armored guard, a dignified eunuch, and a very odd woman who seemed to be talking to her own sleeves.

Caelith looked... exactly as Evelisse remembered.

No. Worse.

Better?

His royal garb shimmered navy and silver, embroidered with patterns that only revealed themselves when the light hit them just right. His hair was in a loose, shoulder-skimming wave, like a painter had tried to capture the concept of calm wind. And those eyes—silver. Piercing, serene, and unreadable. Like someone had turned the moon into a gaze.

"You can stop drooling now, princess." Fluffy deadpanned with a snap of the paw.

Evelisse narrowed her eyes and turned on the defense. ’I did not! He’s not even that handsome anyways!’

"Ha! You think he’s handsome!" Fluffy edged on with a smirk.

’Why you little—’

The moment he stepped through the gate, all her brothers fell quiet.

"Prince Caelith of Elaris," announced the eunuch, bowing low. "Crown Heir of the High South, bringer of peace accords, student of the Blade Temple, grandson of the Emissary King—"

Caelith cleared his throat lightly.

"Just Caelith, please."

His voice held the barest trace of amusement.

The eunuch stiffened. "Of course, Your Highness."

Lady Marwen, the tutor trailing behind, was juggling scrolls and quills like a nervous octopus. She tripped, muttered, then bowed deeply—to the flower bed.

"It’s my esteemed honor to be in the presence of Your Highnesses, my name is Marwen."

All seven brothers all peeked at the side, the flower bed which had been oddly been called royalty, then their awkward gaze fell back on an equally stunned Caelith.

"Uhhh..." Jared began, but was silenced by Lucien’s hand over his mouth.

The twins bit back a laugh at the scenario, but Marcus and Felix knew too well that they would be using this scenario in hours, days or years to come as a funny reference they had been graced with.

Callum simply sighed and looked to his mother who was also trying to maintain her composure as best as she could.

Evelisse on the other hand, raised a brow in question, wondering if possibly this tutor lacked sleep or was possibly the blind one.

"Bwahaha!!!" Fluffy burst out laughing, unable to control its emotion as it pointed at the tutor.

"She does this," Caelith whispered to Evelisse as he drew near. "Talks to scrolls. Avoids direct sunlight. Only speaks in full sentences between tea and her fourth nap."

"That sounds oddly specific," Evelisse replied.

He gave a tiny shrug. "I document things."

Before she could reply, the greeting began.

Lucien approached first, tall and imposing. "You’ve grown."

"So have you, prince Lucien," Caelith returned smoothly, meeting his gaze without flinching.

Jared gave a lazy salute. "Still weirdly poetic, still annoyingly calm. I respect it."

"Thank you. I respect your—creative flair."

"Did he just call me a walking disaster with a compliment?" Jared muttered.

Callum stepped forward and handed Caelith a folded parchment. "A sketch. From memory."

Caelith opened it, eyebrows rising slightly. It was him. Standing on a cliff, sword lowered, wind stirring his cloak.

"This is incredible," he murmured. "You’ve captured the breeze."

Callum looked down, mumbling, "You inspired it."

Marcus offered a single moon blossom, cradled gently between gloved fingers. "Welcome to Florabelle. Again."

"Thank you, Prince Marcus," Caelith replied, taking it carefully.

Then came chaos.

Leo and Lance sprinted up.

"Twin salute!" they shouted.

They raised wooden practice swords and clanged them together, spinning in a dramatic arc that nearly clipped a servant.

"We’ve practiced our twin attacks! Wanna see?" Lance asked.

"Not near the peacocks," Evelisse said quickly.

Felix, ever soft-spoken, stayed back until Caelith turned to him.

"Prince Felix."

Felix held out a charm made of silver thread and smoothed clay. It shimmered faintly with protective runes.

"It’s for luck," he said. "Or protection. I... couldn’t decide."

Caelith took it like it was something sacred. "Then I’ll keep it for both."

And then...

Queen Seraphina descended.

With all the grace of a starfall, she glided across the courtyard, radiant and calm.

"Caelith," she greeted, eyes warm.

"Your Majesty," Caelith bowed low, unaware of what was to come.