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Scene 6: A Subtle Warmth Within the Palace
Amidst a sea of blossoms, a gentle breeze swept in from the gardens, carrying with it a faint floral fragrance that drifted softly through the old castle's corridors. Though the structure showed signs of age—patches of repair and fading stone—its interior was clean, well-kept, and quietly elegant, a clear sign that the place had been lovingly maintained.
The décor was simple, unadorned with luxury, yet its calm, harmonious tones created a welcoming warmth. It reflected the nature of the man walking at the head of our group beside Keela—Kalan Silencium. From what Akira and the others had observed so far, he indeed lived up to his reputation: a gentle prince with a kind demeanor.
As we walked along the corridor, the castle's staff greeted Kalan casually, some even striking up cheerful conversations. Their smiles weren't forced—they spoke of a deep comfort in serving him. Kalan had already asked the kitchen to prepare a welcoming meal for Keela, though he emphasized there was no need to rush or create anything extravagant—just a little more than what was already being prepared would do.
Akira, seeing this, mused silently to himself.
"He requested, not commanded… and everyone around him seems genuinely willing. He really does feel like Liu Bei from the Dynasty Warriors games. Except… this is more like a story of two kingdoms. Kalan, and that other prince."
Eventually, Kalan led us to the reception hall and welcomed us with a friendly smile.
"Let me give you a proper greeting, friends of Keela. My name is Kalan Silencium—or, if you'd prefer, you can call me 'big brother' like Keela does. I wouldn't mind at all."
He glanced around the room with an apologetic look.
"Sorry for receiving you in such an old palace. If I had the choice, I'd give you a grander welcome. After all, it's not every day that a hero party comes to visit."
Akira was about to humbly deny the title, but Luvian's words echoed in his mind: No matter how much you deny it, Arcadia already sees you as the Third Generation of Heroes… whether it's true or not.
So instead, he replied modestly.
"Well… I wouldn't go as far as to call myself a hero. I'm just an ordinary guy, really. Everything we've been through—we only made it thanks to the help of everyone around us."
Kalan tilted his head and smiled, seemingly impressed.
"A humble soul. I like that. It's people like you who can truly see the suffering in others' hearts."
Keela let out a soft laugh.
"Like how you always end up helping others when you read too deeply into their hearts, right, big brother?"
Kalan gave a faint chuckle.
"Not quite like that. Still… as someone from Skyperion's royal family, it's only right that I care for our people sincerely—with all my heart."
Yue chimed in sweetly,
"Prince Kalan, you're just as kind as I heard you were! I bet the villagers all adore you."
Zaria spoke as she waved her feathered fan, her narrow eyes barely visible—making it hard to tell if they were open at all.
"That kindness… it's the foundation of Prince Kalan. But in another light, it's also why some of the nobles aren't exactly thrilled with him."
Garrett scowled.
"Tch. Those money-grubbing fools. Always chasing profits. Disgusting—"
He was suddenly cut off mid-sentence, as if his voice had been swallowed by the air.
Kalan's expression turned serious for the first time.
"Lower your voice, Feng. Look—Miss Yue's covering her ears again."
True enough, Yue had her hands pressed over her ears. Garrett immediately threw up both hands in apology, but no sound came from his mouth—as if he had gone mute.
Magnus looked at Kalan with a small sigh.
"That's enough, Prince Kalan. I think Feng's regained his senses. You can lift the Silence Spell now."
Kalan remained stone-faced. Garrett, visibly regretful, nodded in understanding. Kalan sighed and dispelled the spell.
Garrett gasped for air.
"Prince… using the Silence Spell out of nowhere like that—I was shocked! You know that it doesn't just mute sound—it cuts off air as well!"
He panted heavily, as if trying to refill his lungs. Kalan's version of the Silence Spell wasn't just any mute—it compressed the very air around the target, stilling the world itself. It was a high-level spell passed down within the Silencium bloodline, unlike the simpler sound-nullifying runes used by Gryphonnix.
Kalan raised a brow and let out a light sigh.
"My apologies. I only meant to protect Miss Yue's ears from your shouting. I'll buy you two drinks as compensation, alright?"
Garrett's eyes lit up and he quickly held up three fingers.
"Can I get… three?"
Kalan narrowed his eyes.
"You're indulging too much, you know. It may be fine wine—and expensive—but you shouldn't overdo it."
Kaelum leaned in and whispered discreetly.
"Actually, Prince Kalan… Garrett isn't drinking it himself. He owes Miss Zaria three cups—for Miss Yue's snack fund."
Kalan's expression turned stern.
"Hmph. So that's it. Using my kindness to bargain for personal gain, are you? That's no different from those nobles under Evan. I'll punish you. One cup only—the rest comes out of your own pocket."
Garrett looked devastated by the judgment but accepted his fate. One cup was still better than paying for all three himself.
Draco leaned toward Kaelum, who seemed to be the most level-headed of the group.
"Um… Lord Kaelum, is that wine really that expensive? To the point where one cup is up for negotiation?"
Kaelum thought for a moment.
"Well… let's put it this way. One cup of that wine could buy a modest vehicle for an ordinary citizen."
Zaria added softly,
"It's the Moonlight of Elysium—a top-tier vintage. Expensive enough that even the aroma alone could buy a soldier a full suit of armor."
Draco recoiled.
"Wait… you all drink stuff that expensive!?"
Magnus laughed heartily, stroking his signature mustache.
"It's not that we're wine addicts, Lord Draco. We simply use it as a means of negotiation. Everything in life has a cost. It's our way of teaching others to value even the smallest things."
Akira nodded, then turned to Yue.
"Then… maybe I should start charging you for snacks?"
Yue's face went pale and her tail drooped, eyes shimmering with tears.
"You'd take my snacks away…?"
Akira chuckled, gently patting her head.
"Heh… as if I'd ever cut off our little sunshine's energy supply. You're our joy, Yue."
Yue beamed.
"Does that mean… I get extra snacks!? Yay!!"
She bounced with glee. Mirelle smiled softly beside her.
"Akira… looks like you just dug your own grave. Hehe."
Akira feigned a desperate look.
"Help me, Mirelle. I've made a mistake…"
Mirelle giggled warmly.
"If you ask me nicely, I'll bake some snacks for her myself."
Upon hearing that, Yue lit up like a lantern.
"Wow!! Snacks made by Miss Mirelle are the best ever! Certified by Yue the Gourmet!"
She gave a confident thumbs-up.
Osiris teased lightly.
"When did that title become a thing? I don't remember approving it."
Yue grinned mischievously.
"Just made it up. Right now! Heehee~"
Once again, it was Yue who brought laughter back to the group. But the moment didn't last, as a soft knock came at the door.
"Prince Kalan, the food is ready."
Yue's ears perked up.
"Snacks!!"
Elina quickly corrected her.
"Yue, eat your proper meal first. Then dessert."
Yue turned with a closed-eye smile, then happily skipped off after the kitchen staff.
Kalan spoke gently.
"Let's eat, everyone. We can talk more while we dine."
And so, we followed after Yue—who was already dancing down the hall, humming about snacks.
Her cheerfulness seemed to wash away the unease we had felt earlier… even for Osiris, who had intended to stay alert and record everything. Perhaps that was why we didn't notice the little things we had missed—things that might one day prove crucial.
Like a precious gem hidden beneath a pile of stones we never thought to turn over…
Because sometimes, the smile of one person can cloak secrets more perfectly than any veil—
Especially in the very moment we let our guard down, distracted by laughter… when danger draws the closest.
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