#3: Story

~Thalia's POV~

When we arrived at the capital, it felt like stepping into an entirely new world. I hadn't visited this place since I was three, and so much had changed.

The streets were livelier, the buildings grander, and the people more polished. Yet, despite its beauty, a shadow of the past lingered in the back of my mind, making the place feel both familiar and distant.

The streets were so crowded that the carriage could barely move. After a while, William decided it was better to leave the carriage behind and walk.

He guided me through the bustling streets, weaving past market stalls and performers, until we reached a famous restaurant.

As we stepped inside, I immediately noticed the difference. The elegant decor and finely dressed patrons, this place is something that a commoner couldn't afford.

I glanced around, feeling slightly out of place. The dishes on the tables looked exquisite, but I couldn't help but wonder how much they cost.

William, however, seemed completely at ease, leading me confidently to a table near the window.

He dragged the chair a little for me to sit as I muttered a 'Thank you' to him.

William indeed came from a noble family and as the only son of Haroon, he gets to inherit all his family's wealth.

Since I started working in my village, it was William's family who had helped me set up my small clinic. They knew about my interest in medicine, and they had been kind enough to offer their support.

The reason for their generosity was tied to my adoptive parent—someone I had come to call father—who had once been a general serving the Kingdom. He hadn't married, not because he didn't want to, but because of the scarred face that had marked him.

Before he passed away, he and William's family had been close friends. When my adoptive father died, they took me in for a time being until I turned 15.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice William had already ordered something. His voice calling my name barely reached me until he gently held my hand on the table that I snapped back to the present.

"O-oh... Umm... sorry," I stammered, feeling a little embarrassed. "I'll just get some stewed lamb with bread"

When the waiter left, I sighed softly and turned my gaze back to the window, the passing scene outside mirroring the quiet thoughts in my head.

"You seem really busy inside your head," William remarked with a light chuckle, his voice breaking through my reverie. I offered him a small smile in response.

"Sorry," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was just thinking about how it's been so long since my dad died."

He let out a sigh, his expression softening. "I guess we really can't help but remember those we've lost when we enter a familiar place," he said, his voice quiet with understanding.

As he let go of my hand, I noticed his gaze drift around the room.

A few ladies in the restaurant were clearly looking in our direction—well, mostly at him—and I couldn't help but notice the glances. William, however, didn't seem to mind. He smiled at them politely, not really minding the ladies.

It was clear he was used to this kind of attention considering that he was a handsome young man

"By the way," I began, breaking the silence, "I heard your father was finding you a suitable partner for your soon-to-be wedding. I was surprised at first, but considering you're at the right age to get married, I shouldn't be."

I glanced at him, watching his reaction carefully, wondering how he'd respond to the topic.

"Right, and I was hoping he'll find that certain someone I liked" He responded making me arch my eyebrows

"Didn't know someone had already caught your eyes" I chuckled lightly as he looked at me with a small smile.

"I was hoping she had received the letter right now" He added which made me more confused

I said, leaning closer to him, trying to coax him into whispering the lucky girl's name.

But instead, he flicked my forehead lightly, making me lean back into my seat, rubbing the spot with a playful pout.

"Later," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You'll meet her soon enough, once she receives that letter."

I frowned slightly but couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "I guess I'll just have to wait, huh?"

We continued our conversation for at least how many hours until its 5pm.

"It's getting darker already," William said, standing up and offering me his hand. "We should head out. The capital will get livelier at night."

I nodded, agreeing with him. As we left the restaurant, the streets were already buzzing with energy, even though the sky hadn't fully darkened yet.

People were setting up stalls, musicians were gathering, and the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The city seemed to come alive as evening approached, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement myself.

It didn't take long before the sky turned fully dark, and I was awestruck by everything around me.

The streets were lined with stalls offering all sorts of street foods, colorful trinkets, and vibrant clothing. The celebration was much livelier than I'd expected, and the energy was contagious.

The air was filled with laughter, music, and the scent of freshly cooked food. I couldn't help but smile as I took it all in.... everything felt so new and exciting.

We moved from stall to stall, sampling different foods and picking up little things here and there. I was surprised at how much I was enjoying myself. The buzzing energy around me seemed to push away all my worries, and for once, I was just a part of the lively crowd, experiencing the joy of the moment.

Not until I bumped into someone on my way making me stumble back a little

"Thalia, are you okay?" William quickly went to my side

"I'm fine," I assured William with a smile, brushing myself off. Then I turned to the person I had bumped into, lowering my head politely. "I apologize for bumping into you, sir. It was carele—"

My words trailed off as I looked up and froze.

It was him. The man I had saved last night in the forest.

He stood there, his face calm and expressionless, but his eyes seemed to study me briefly before he gave a small nod and walked away. Behind him, a group of soldiers followed.

I stared after him, my heart racing, unsure if he had recognized me. But he didn't stop or turn back, disappearing into the lively streets as though nothing had happened.

He didn't recognize me... Thank God he didn't

I would have lost my head if he did.

"You know him?" William asked, interrupting my thoughts

"His face do look familiar though, but maybe I just mistook him from someone else" I lied, of course I lied... William doesn't know about my secrets, no one does.

"He should be familiar to you, Thalia," William said casually, glancing at the man as he disappeared into the crowd. "He's the second Prince of Valandor."

My eyes widened in shock. "Wait... what? Really?" I blurted out, completely caught off guard.

"Of course," he replied, chuckling at my disbelief. "If I remember correctly, we both saw him when my father brought us to the castle during the King's birthday celebration. You were probably too young to recall it clearly, though."

I stared at William, then back toward where the prince had gone, my mind racing. The man I saved last night... is royalty?

So... I did met him? Wait... why am I remembering this now? Why didn't I recognize him last night when I was healing him?

Doesn't matter! Snap out of it, Thalia. Just be grateful that prince didn't cut your head after you bumped into him

"Look, there's a book store in there" I pointed out, trying to change the subject.

Before William could respond, I grabbed his hand and pulled him along with me toward the shop.

As we stepped inside, I noticed the place was quiet, with only a few people browsing the shelves. It wasn't surprising—books were expensive, and not many had the time or means to appreciate them.

"I'll look around for a bit," I said, facing William with a small smile before heading toward the shelves.

Running my fingers along the spines of the books, I scanned the titles, searching for something that would catch my interest. The faint scent of old paper and leather filled the air, wrapping the room in a comforting stillness.

Just as I was about to grab that certain book that caught my eye, someone else was also about to grab it making us both pull the book

Just as my fingers brushed the spine of a book that had caught my eye, another hand reached for it at the same time. Before I realized what was happening, we both had a hold of the book, pulling it slightly back and forth.

Startled, I turned my head to see who it was, my grip still firm on the book. "Oh, I'm sorry... I got it first" I smiled

"No, I got it first," The man smirked as he tried to pull the book to him which make me grip the book even tighter, not letting go

There was silence between us, both not letting go.

He sighed softly, releasing his grip on the book, which left me momentarily confused.

"Keep it," he said simply, his tone indifferent as he turned away and walked to the other side of the shelf to browse for another book.

"Umm... Thank you?" I said and moved the other way

"You done yet?" William appeared making me smile and showed him the book

"I got one" I grinned

"I didn't know you brought a date tonight, it's very unlikely of you, William" I stopped when I heard that man's voice again making me turn to face him

"Prince Kaiden," William said, a polite smile on his face as he inclined his head slightly in a respectful bow before straightening up. "I didn't know you were here."

Another Prince? I didn't say anything but just blink, why does this night seems to get even crazier? How many Prince does the King really have? Maybe next time I'm going to meet another Prince on our way

Kaiden looked at me for a second and the book he's holding started to fly in the air. As he approached us, the book also followed until he stopped just a few step in front of us.

If I wasn't mistaken, this kind of power was telekinesis—the ability to move objects with the mind. It was a rare gift, even among those born with magic.

"And I also didn't know you're into brave and feisty girls, judging by this lady's behavior earlier," Kaiden commented with a laugh, his tone teasing. William let out an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of his neck.

"It was a mistake," I said quickly, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "I didn't recognize you, Prince Kaiden... forgive my discourtesy." I bowed my head respectfully,

Kaiden raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. "There's nothing to forgive. It was quite entertaining." His gaze flicked toward me briefly, making me feel oddly self-conscious.

"But... in any case," Kaiden continued, his tone more serious now, "I wanted to ask if you two were out last night and perhaps saw Matteo in the forest?"

His eyes shifted to me, lingering for a moment longer than I was comfortable with, as if he was directing the question specifically toward me.

I felt my chest tighten when he said those words

"We weren't out last night, Prince Kaiden. I've been busy preparing for today's outing with Thalia."

Kaiden hummed thoughtfully, his eyes still on me before finally shifting back to William. "I see," he said simply, though something in his tone made me feel like he wasn't entirely convinced.

"And you, Miss?" Kaiden's eyes shifted back to me sharply

I swallowed lightly, keeping my tone calm. "No, I was also at my house the whole night" I said, hoping my answer sounded natural.

"Are you sure?" he pressed, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made my heart skip a beat.

I met his gaze, forcing myself to appear unbothered. "Yes, I'm sure," I replied firmly, though the intensity of his stare made me feel as though he was searching for cracks in my words.

"If its okay, may I ask what happen?" William spoke up

"Father issued a new order just an hour ago," Kaiden began "He's assigned someone to spread the word to find the woman who helped my brother last night when he was ambushed by bandits on his way back to the capital. Matteo said the mana in her body is powerful when she used her magic, that she was able to heal the wounds in his body faster than any healer we had in the Kingdom. Too bad Matteo can't remember her face... if he could, it wouldn't be so difficult to locate her."

"And how can you be so sure it's a woman and not a man?" I interrupted, folding my arms in an attempt to appear merely curious.

Kaiden glanced at me, "As I said, my brother can't recall her face," he explained, "but he remembers her figure. So there's no mistaking it, we're searching for a woman."

His words made my heart race, though I kept my face neutral.

So Matteo did notice, he was half conscious when I healed him... but at least my face is still safe... for now at least

I could feel Kaiden's eyes studying me again, as if testing my reaction, and I forced myself to remain composed.

"And... why are you trying to find her again?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the unease bubbling inside me.

"Simple," Kaiden replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Because Matteo wanted to find her. And it seems Father and the others are also quite interested in meeting this... mysterious flower."

His choice of words made my chest tighten. I forced a polite smile, though my thoughts were racing. So they're all looking for me now? This is getting far more complicated than I expected.

"From what I know," Kaiden said, breaking the silence, and with a flick of his fingers, the book in my hands floated away and into his grasp. It hovered before him as he opened it to a specific page, his eyes scanning the text.

He turned the book to face us, revealing an illustration of a magnificent bird with flames surrounding its body.

"The Phoenix existed in this world hundreds of years ago, hiding in human form," he began, his tone steady but laced with intrigue. "Blessed by the Gods above, it was said to be a powerful being capable of immense magic and unparalleled healing abilities. They could rise from their ashes, untouched by death itself. However, it was rumored to be killed by its own beloved, destroying its aethercore before killing it completely. It was a fascinating but a tragic story"

An aethercore? If a mage could be able to destroy its aethercore, the heart or soul of a being that connects them to divine or magical realms, does that mean that the mage is also a powerful being?

He glanced at me "however their presence could only be felt by those sensitive to mana. And when they used their power, even for a moment, their essence left a faint, unique trace that lingered."

My breath hitched, but I forced myself to stay calm, my hands tightening slightly at my sides. Does he know?

"That's an interesting story," I said evenly, hoping my voice didn't betray me. "But I thought the Phoenix was just a myth."

I met his gaze, feeling an uneasy shiver run down my spine as he continued, "Do you know why we celebrate the Day of Dawn? Our ancestors are said to have seen it in person in ancient times—a phoenix had once helped our kingdom ascend to victory."

His words hung in the air, and I found myself frozen, unsure how to respond. A phoenix, helping the kingdom? I didn't know whether to feel awed or terrified by the implication.

"The Day of Dawn," he continued, "marks the day our ancestors were granted victory in a great battle, and it's said that a phoenix guided them. It rose from the ashes of war, bringing with it the power to heal the wounded and ensure victory for the kingdom." He paused, his gaze lingering on me, as though waiting for something

Kaiden's smile remained, but there was a knowing glint in his eyes. "It's said the phoenix vanished after that, but its legacy lives on through the Day of Dawn."

"And why are you telling this story?"

"For you to know the essence of our celebration"

"But enough about that. This celebration is no place for heavy topics, wouldn't you agree?" he added lightly, his tone suddenly casual.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Prince Kai," William said, his tone polite but firm, sensing the growing tension in the air. "But Thalia and I need to go. We've already been to so many places, and I don't want to exhaust her further. Please excuse us."

I gave a small bow, offering a polite smile despite the discomfort still swirling inside me. Kaiden's gaze followed us for a moment, his expression unreadable, but he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Of course," Kaiden replied, his voice smooth and detached. "It was a pleasure. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening."

With that, we bowed once more and quickly walked out of the bookstore, the cool night air greeting us as we left. I exhaled, feeling a mixture of relief and unease

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