My eyes widen as I look back at hers, "Wh—What? You mean it?"

The Prince steps forward in an abrupt manner with concern in his eyes, "But, sister, that is below the required age to become one of our Royal Knights. Our father created those rules and we must follow them,"

Their father... is that the King my father served those many years ago? Must be...

The Princess spins around to meet the gaze of her concerned brother, her hair twirling outward slightly before gently falling back down against her back. They look so similar, it takes me by surprise. The Prince also has golden hair, but it is not styled like a normal Prince would style his hair. It is pushed up into a curve on the top of his head like a type of mohawk but not quite.

The Princess looks a bit bewildered like she does not know how to respond to her brother's remark, "Is there something wrong, brother? What is wrong with one young one who is just a couple of years younger than the minimum?"

The Prince's gaze softens a bit like something clicked within, "O—Oh, it's nothing... I do not have any say with your Pegasus Knights, I suppose... Um, may I speak to you for a moment, sister?"

"Y—Yes, of course," She slightly looks behind her towards me and her Knights, "Please excuse me, I shall return momentarily,"

She climbs the stairs elegantly and meets with her brother just out of ear-shot on the other side of the room.

"I am unsure what has gotten into the Prince, Katarina. But I am sure you are officially one of us now. Congratulations,"

Ophelia smiles at me as she steps forwards next to me and places her hand on my shoulder. I smile back at her and nod, but my gaze falls back on the Prince and Princess talking to one another in hushed tones. I wonder what they are talking about.

I clench my father's lance tightly in my fists, almost forgetting I was holding it as I watch them anxiously. They chat quietly for quite some time as the Prince speaks with a bit of concern in his eyes as the Princess studies him intently, curious of his words. Some things the Prince says surprises the Princess but not so extreme that her responses are over the top or anything. The only response I saw from her that seemed strange to me in any way is she sometimes looks over at me while the Prince speaks.

My anxiety bubbles closer near the rim right as they break away and both turn to walk back over to us. I impatiently wait for the Princess to walk back over to me as her brother stops in front of the thrones once again. His gaze and expression has changed drastically like some feeling has been released and he softly gazes down on me. I then notice his lance that resembles the Princess' lance exactly resting by his throne as well. The Princess approaches me and her smile returns, but only slightly.

Waiting for them to finally walk back over here felt like agony.

"Sorry about that. My brother had to tell me something important just now. So, Katarina, we both now welcome you to the Royal Knights. My three Knights will bring you to your quarters where all recruits stay, and they will show you around the training grounds and the Castle,"

Somehow, I get the feeling that both the Princess and the Prince know more than they are saying. I wonder what it is that is why they are acting so strangely.

I bow before the Princess and raise back up, "Thank you, my Princess,"

I pause for a moment, moving my gaze up to the Prince then back to hers, "Um, what may I call both of you?"

The Prince smiles and steps closer, "I am Prince Vega. Pleased to have you as our newest addition to the Royal Knights, Katarina,"

The Princess turns back to face me with her gentle smile appearing back on her face, "And I am Princess Nova. You may come and ask either one of us anything you like once you get all settled in, young one,"

She turns to Ophelia, "She may have one of the empty rooms on the second floor, Captain. Please show her to her room,"

I nod, and Ophelia releases her hold on my shoulder, "Come, Katarina. This way to the training grounds and to our sleeping quarters,"

The feeling of finally being accepted into the Royal Knight's is a feeling I thought I was never going to feel. Every worry for now has faded and I can finally focus on becoming stronger to find Cain and Abel.

~~~

I follow the three Knights back through the throne room and back out to the courtyard. It is quite active out here as many Pegasus Knights and horseback Knights ride through in any direction. The three Knights leads me towards one side of the courtyard, divided by a large and tall wall. The side I am now walking towards, I only see Pegasus Knights on this side and the other side I do not see any Pegasus at all, only armored horses. All Pegasus Knights I see are female and all horseback Knights are all male.

Maybe those horseback Knights are the Prince's Knights. Those must be called Cavaliers, as Papa was a cavalier before he retired.

"So, this is the training grounds, Katarina. One side is for us, and the other is for the Prince's Knights. Now follow me this way,"

Ophelia motions to the right side of the wall and we enter through the tall archway. We stroll through the training grounds and everyone around is training in many ways with their practice lances. Constant sounds of wooden weapons clunk around me. We approach another doorway which leads into the backside of the Castle.

Ophelia leads us through the door and we are back inside. She takes a turn to the left and leads us up a staircase to the upper floor. This corridor is full of doors and down the hall looks to be another large room, a dining hall possibly.

Ophelia stops beside a door and waits for me to open it. I approach the door and twist the handle. The door swings open slowly, and a simple little bedroom opens before me. There is a bed, a nightstand, a lamp and a small desk in the corner.

"This room will serve as your room for now on, Katarina. I am found on the first floor beneath you if you need me for anything and you know where to find the Prince or Princess,"

"Thank you, Ophelia. I appreciate all that you have done for me,"

She smiles, "It was nothing at all, young one. I was only doing what is right," She tils her head to the side and places her hands on her hips, "Besides, it's my job... the Princess's wishes,"

She gives a slight giggle and waves bye to me, so I wave back, "See you around, Katarina!" Monika gives me an enthusiastic wave.

Daph looks like she wants to say something, so I turn to her and wait, giving her my complete attention, "Y—You must be exhausted. Please feel free to rest before reporting to Captain Ophelia for training instructions,"

I nod, "Thank you, Daph,"

"O—Oh, my full name is Daphne, by the way... See you soon," She gives me a shy wave and all three Knights disappear from my doorway.

I close the door and look around the room. My room.

This is now my room here in the Castle. Thebe Castle. I am finally here. I am finally safe here and I may freely look for Cain and Abel.

I stroll over to the bedside and gently run my fingers over the covers before sitting down onto the bed. After a moment, I just fall backwards onto the bed and sleepiness rushes through me.

I had not realized just how exhausted I was.

I am on my way Cain. Abel. Please be safe. I will find you. I promise.

Seconds later, the world around me fades away into darkness as sleep tugs the ends of my subconscious, pulling me into my dreams where someone who has been on my mind waits for me.