He was standing on the path in the garden, wiping his tears away.

[ He is prince Valen of Vireluna. Try interrogating him] The system notified.

Vireluna. I've heard that before.

The task seemed easy. I just had to talk to him.

" What's your name? " I asked, even though I was already aware of his name.He stared at me in silence, contemplating whether he should reply or not.

" Valen," he responded after several moments of silence.

" Why are you crying? Are you okay? " I was honestly concerned.

Instead of replying, he walked to a nearby bench and I followed patiently. He sat down, burying his head in his lap. I was running out of patience, but still sat beside him. We remained in that position for a short while, before I got another notification.

[I would be switching your point of views constantly for you to have better understanding. You will be able to feel what characters are thinking this way]

I felt like my soul was placed into his body. Like I became him for that moment. I could still see myself, making the whole experience creepy.

***

Valen's POV

This young pretty girl by my side actually cares. Unlike others in my kingdom, she cares to ask my if I am okay. They neglected me and threw me out of their kingdom for opposing them. 

They had been planning to attack this innocent kingdom for years, and I begged to let peace reign. They teamed up with the other two surrounding kingdoms, planting malice into the hearts of the other kings against them. We have lost our powers and need to rely on the other kingdoms. I wasn't in support of their plans, so I was banished by my own father. I ran here for safety, and never knew I'd meet someone like her.

" Don't worry it's okay, " she gently patted my head, consoling me.

***

Out of Valen's POV

Now that I understood, I felt it wasn't necessary to continue the conversation. I wanted to get up, but was glued to the bench by an invisible force.

[You aren't done talking to him] The system was annoyed.

" But, I already have an idea of what is going on. " I voiced outloud, mistakenly.

" Who are you talking to? " Valen finally raised his head from his lap to face me. I must have looked mad talking to the air- exactly what I had been trying to avoid.

" N- nobody," although, he was skeptical about my response, he didn't remark.

" I'm so sorry, I haven't even asked for your name," he apologized.

" Don't worry, it's actually my fault. I am Aria Seraphine of Sylverna. "

He felt guilty. Our kingdom was about to be destroyed by his own, and we were comfortably talking to each other.

" I am sorry," he apologized.

" For what? " I asked, despite already knowing his reason for apologizing.

" Let me explain everything. " He narrated it all without leaving a single part unsaid.

" I would be dead if they found out, but would also be crushed by guilt if I kept this from you. Go quickly, and inform your people about this," he pleaded.

" But... What if they found out you betrayed them? "

" Just go! They are planning to attack very soon," he said, and I ran back to the hall. It was then it came to my memory that the ceremony was still going on. Remembering that made me even quicken my steps more.

[Mission 1 completed

You have been awarded 2 tokens and have gained 20% luck. ]

I was excited about completing my first mission, but focused on getting back to the hall.

By the time I reached the hall, everywhere was in disarray. The princess was missing. A lot of guards had been sent to search for me, and my sister was crying already.

" Here you are! We thought you were lost! Where have you been? " Queen Althea grabbed me from the circle of many people, hugging me tightly. 

It was announced that the princess had been found. I wasn't given the chance to inform them of the impending danger.

" Where did you go? " Mira asked, dragging me back to our high table.

" I went back to the palace to get something I forgot," I lied.

" What was that? " She further inquired.

" I originally wanted to bring a book here just in case I got bored.  So I went to the library to get one" I lied again.

" Where is the book you eventually picked? " I wondered if she never got tired of asking questions.

" I couldn't find any one interesting. " She thankfully stopped asking questions.

Children were asked to be arranged in a straight line. Each child was to climb a very high stairs until they got to where the ruby was placed. They would then, place their hands on the gemstone and wait for the magic to happen. The kingdom's sorcerer, Eldric, was to confirm which magic ability they possessed, using his sorcery.

Mira and I were told to stand at the back of the line so we could go last. Our turn was special, since we were royals. I was enjoying this dream life and didn't even want to return anymore.

The lights went off and only the reddish glow from the ruby was visible. The gems on my tiara and my sister's, glowed also.

The first child, who was a commoner, climbed up the stairs to collect her powers. She placed her hands on it, and her body glowed the same as the gemstone. Her magic was confirmed to be the ability to hear distant sounds, which was considered weak.

It was no surprise for her to be given such weak magic, as she was just a 'peasant'. Majority of the commoners received 'weak' magic, because they weren't born with a body that could capacitate high amount of magic like the royalties'.

Only few people cheered for her- her family and close friends. She went down the stairs, other children going up to receive theirs. The ceremony went on, many eight-year-olds receiving magic. Then it got to Mira's turn.

Mira quickly climbed the stairs, evidently nervous. She looked back at me, and I nodded to her to touch the ruby. Mira placed her hands on it and glowed a bright light- brighter than that of any other child, who had climbed the stairs.

Eldric confirmed her magic to be a very great one. She could control any of the four elements; fire, water, air and earth. People cheered and roared, followed by some murmuring.

" As expected from the king's daughter, " I heard faintly from the crowd.

" I hope her powers don't get to her head, " I heard also.

The King and Queen were proud of their daughter. King Valeric glanced at me with an expression that said,

" You better surprise me also"

I averted my gaze, pretending not to understand the unspoken message in his eyes.

<Awesome magic, wow> I told Mira.

< Yours would be even better> She encouraged.

It was my turn to climb the stairs. I walked forward, moving one terrified foot after another. I finally got to the top of the stairs, mimicking the others by placing my hand on the gemstone. It glowed as bright as Mira's, making the people even more excited to see what I would get. All attention was on Eldric, who's mood was now solemn.

" Her magic power is usurpation, " He finally said after moments of silence. " She can usurp any magic from someone else. It is very powerful but will have to be used wisely. " He explained.

The people clapped and cheered but it wasn't as much as the celebration for Mira. They were a bit uncertain of what he said.

Valeric was pleased, but there was a shade of disappointment in his expression.

We celebrated with food and drinks, but sadly, our moments of enjoyment were interrupted.

" I hear a very loud noise from afar. " The girl with the hearing magic notified us, but she was ignored by the majority. I had a feeling I had forgotten something, but couldn't place it.

" We're under attack! " Someone shouted from outside. The hall was in chaos.

Then we saw the Virelunian army, charging at us with their horses and chariots. They demolished the building and destroyed the party.

I escaped for my life holding on to my sister's hand. This was what Valen had warned about but I totally forgot.

Everything that had transpired in the garden seemed to have vanished from my mind, replaced by a nagging feeling that I'd forgotten something crucial. Is this the system's manipulation?

A/N

Sorry for the late update, I was kind of busy 😅. I'm really enjoying writing this story and I hope you do to. I have a lot of plans for it right now. Please vote and comment. Thanks for reading.