CHAPTER 80: A TOUR AROUND THE CASTLE

Florabelle’s east wing always smelled faintly of rosewater and ink. Morning light spilled through its stained-glass archways, casting soft hues of gold and lavender onto polished stone floors.

Evelisse’s slippers clicked softly with every step, her hands clasped neatly in front of her as she led Caelith down the corridor.

"The eastern gallery holds portraits of past rulers," she said, glancing sideways at him. "Some of them were terribly vain. Please don’t laugh if you see the triple chin one."

"I wouldn’t dare," Caelith replied, voice low with a hint of amusement.

He made a face mimicking some of the portraits, forcing at most a double chin to force a laugh from her.

A pause passed. The only sounds were the rustle of his cape, the quiet thump of Fluffy’s invisible tail against the marble, and the soft footsteps of the guards and Lady Marwen, still muttering into her sleeve.

"So," Caelith finally said, eyes flicking to a painting overhead, "do you always have to walk like you’re balancing royal secrets on your head?"

"It’s part of my training," Evelisse answered, keeping her tone even. "Poise is essential. My etiquette instructor once tied books to my shoulders with ribbons so I wouldn’t slouch."

"Brutal."

"Effective," she countered, then blinked. "Also itchy."

She gestured at scratching a part of her back that reminded her of that itch.

That made him smile. Not his usual smirk—but something softer. Real.

She pretended not to notice.

They turned a corner, arriving at a tall set of crystal-paneled doors. Evelisse pushed one open with effort, revealing the Solarium Library. Sunlight flooded the room through domed skylights, lighting up books that were stacked from floor to ceiling.

"This is where I like to hide," Evelisse said quietly. "From people. From noise. Sometimes from math."

"Valid reasons."

He stepped in slowly, running a finger along a shelf as they walked.

The guard and eunuch followed at a distance. Lady Marwen trailed even further behind, sketching butterflies with a charcoal stick.

"So," Caelith said, kicking a pebble, "you don’t remember meeting me?"

Evelisse looked up. "When would that have been?"

"I was four. You were one. You tried to eat my sleeve."

She blinked. "That... sounds accurate."

"I never forgot. I was so offended. I thought you were trying to devour my identity."

"You were four."

"And you were a dangerous one-year-old."

She giggled, covering her mouth. "So what made you come back, really?"

He tilted his head. "Curiosity. Culture. Also—"

He paused, then said plainly, "Because you’re not her. Not entirely."

Evelisse’s heart skipped.

"Excuse me?"

"I mean, you’re you. Now. But you weren’t always." He glanced at her. "You experience things that weren’t yours, right?"

She stopped walking. "...How do you know that?"

"Because I see it."

"See what?"

"The difference. In your mana. In your eyes." He whispered with a smirk.

She stared at him.

"You’re... not surprised," she whispered.

He gave a half-smile. "Should I be?"

"What else do you know?"

"Not enough. That’s why I’m here."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Behind a leafy veil near the garden entrance, seven brothers and one Queen had very much not gone back inside.

"Do you think they’re getting along?" Marcus whispered.

Jared crossed his arms. "I was getting along perfectly until I was deemed too old."

Lucien, silent and observing as always, gave a single nod. "They seem to match."

"He hasn’t tripped on a root or insulted our plants yet," Felix noted.

"Big win," said Leo.

"Should we follow them?" asked Lance.

Seraphina shot them all a look. "We will do no such thing."

The boys looked guilty.

Seraphina’s gaze didn’t waver. "We are merely checking that the hedge trimmings are symmetrical."

The boys nodded, extremely seriously.

"Yes, Mother."

"Absolutely."

"Hedge symmetry is crucial."

Lucien murmured, "The koi pond has the best angle."

Seraphina gave him a quiet nod. "Let’s go."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

By the koi pond, Caelith and Evelisse leaned over the wooden railing.

The fish below swirled and flicked their tails, their scales shimmering gold and ivory.

"One of them has a name," Evelisse said.

"Oh? Which one?"

She pointed to a chubby orange one with a black spot on its head.

"That’s Butterbean."

Caelith tilted his head. "Why?"

"I don’t know," Evelisse admitted. "Jared named him."

Caelith nodded like this explained everything.

They watched in silence a little longer.

The wind rustled the trees.

The laughter of siblings echoed faintly in the distance—maybe from the balconies.

Then, Caelith asked, "Do you think it’s hard?"

"What is?"

"Being royal."

Evelisse’s mouth opened, then closed.

She thought of gowns that itched, tutors who never smiled, days spent learning etiquette while her brothers ran through the grass.

"Yes," she said. "But it’s not always bad."

He turned toward her.

Her eyes were focused on the pond. "You get to help people. And... if you’re lucky, you get a family that doesn’t feel like rules."

Caelith was quiet.

Then he said, "That sounds nice."

There was a pause.

Then—

"I have a sister," he said.

Evelisse turned to him, surprised.

"She’s a baby. Barely says anything yet."

"Oh!"

"She pulled my hair once and drooled on my sleeve."

Evelisse grinned. "That means she likes you."

"I hope so."

"I’m the youngest too," she said. "Sometimes I feel like I’m just... tagging along."

"Do they make you feel that way?"

"No," she admitted. "But sometimes I think they forget I’m trying."

Caelith’s gaze softened. "I don’t think you’re just tagging along."

Her breath caught.

She didn’t know what to say to that.

So instead, she dipped her fingers into the koi pond and flicked a little water at him.

He gasped, mock offended.

"You dare assault a royal guest?!"

"Prince Caelith, I was only attempting to cool the air."

"A duel, then!"

"You’d lose!"

"Never!"

Their laughter echoed across the garden, loud enough for the family spying from the hedge to hear.

Jared, with a hand dramatically placed on his chest, whispered, "My baby sister... has a friend."

Lucien murmured, "Finally."

And Seraphina smiled behind her fan. "Let her have this."