As the sun's rays gently filtered through the sheer curtains, I gradually stirred from my slumber, the unfamiliarity of my surroundings momentarily disorienting me. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I took in the opulent guest room of the palace where I had unexpectedly spent the night in.

The room certainly was luxurious, with elegant furniture adorned with intricate carvings added to the room's regal ambiance. A soft breeze wafted through the open windows, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers from the palace gardens.

Stretching my limbs, I swung my legs over the edge of the ornate bed, feeling the plush carpeting beneath my feet.

As I made my way to the window and opened it fully, I was greeted by the sight of the palace gardens bathed in the soft light of dawn. The vibrant hues of the blossoms seemed to dance in the gentle breeze, casting a serene tranquility over the landscape.

As I was completely absorbed in the view, a sudden knock at the door interrupted me. Turning around, I watched as the door swung open and a maid entered, gracefully carrying a tray of food.

"Your Highness, I bring you your breakfast," she announced with a polite tone. "I can serve it to you on the bed if you wish."

"No, on the table should be fine," I replied.

She nodded in understanding and made her way to the small table beside the window where I stood. Placing the tray down with a gentle clink, she offered a respectful bow before exiting the room.

As the maid excused herself, I approached the table and inspected the breakfast she had brought. There were freshly baked pastries, a bowl of fruits, and a steaming cup of tea. The aroma of the food was enticing, and my stomach grumbled in anticipation.

Taking a seat, I picked up a flaky pastry and savored its warm, buttery taste. The fruit provided a refreshing contrast, bursting with sweetness as I bit into them. Sipping the tea, I felt a sense of comfort wash over me, easing away any lingering fatigue. I occasionally look out the window, enjoying the view.

Despite the grandeur of the palace surroundings, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within me. Being away from home and surrounded by unfamiliar faces was disconcerting, but I resolved to make the most of my time here. After all, it wasn't every day that I had the opportunity to experience life within the royal palace.

As I leaned back on the padded chair, I took some time to go over today's plans. Yesterday, father mentioned he wanted to take mother and I for a proper tour around the city this morning, so I probably should get dressed up and ready for that.

Just as I was about to finish my tea, however, I then heard another set of knocks on my door, this time it was a bit lighter.

"Come in," I said, raising my voice a little and the door opened, allowing someone unexpected to enter.

The girl smiled as she spotted me. "Oh, you're up already, I see." It was Princess Ariel. Her demeanor was slightly different compared to when I first met her. She was still soft-spoken and polite, keeping her mannerisms, but she seemed more expressive and open.

"Good morning, Princess Ariel." I greeted. "What brings you here?"

"Good morning to you too, Alexander." She responded, her smile warm. "And I told you to just call me Ariel."

"Oh, right. Sorry, Prin-." I stopped myself. "Ariel..."

She stifled a giggle with her hand, clearly amused by my slip-up. "Well, I'm here to tell you that I want to take you around the capital."

"But I had planned to go with my parents, so..."

"I already went and spoke to them before coming here," She explained. "They've just gone out earlier."

"Oh..." Seriously? They already left just like that?

"I'll give you a few minutes to get ready." She said as she turned around and walked to the door. "I'll be waiting for you outside the palace." With that, she exited the room and closed the door.

I quickly finished my breakfast and went to prepare for our unexpected outing.

***

I looked at myself in the mirror, making sure that my clothes were all tidy. I combed my hair again as I saw a stray strand sticking out. I also checked that my wand was properly strapped. Satisfied with my appearance, I turned around and walked out the door, making my way down to the palace's main entrance.

As I walked outside, I immediately spotted Ariel, waiting for me. Next to her, are her guardians, Derrick and Luke. It seems like they also are joining us, which makes sense. It's probably not wise to have the princess of the kingdom outside without supervision.

I'm actually surprised there aren't any more coming along to escort her, but we are in the capital, so I assume it's quite safe here.

Her smile widened as I approached. "You're here."

"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting," I replied.

"No problem at all. Shall we go?" she asked, her enthusiasm palpable.

I nodded in agreement, and we set off.

***

As we walked through the bustling streets of the capital, Ariel pointed out various landmarks and shared anecdotes about the city's history. "See that old fountain over there?" she said, gesturing towards an elaborate marble structure in the center of a busy plaza. "It was built four hundred years ago to commemorate the end of the Laplace War. They say if you throw a coin in and make a wish, it will come true."

I smiled, intrigued by her knowledge. "Have you ever made a wish?"

"Many times," she replied with a playful grin. "But I can't tell you what they are, or they won't come true." She winked.

We wandered through narrow streets lined with various artisans' workshops. Ariel stopped in front of a glassblower's studio, captivated by the delicate, colorful creations displayed in the window. Inside, the glassblower was carefully shaping molten glass into a beautiful vase.

"This is one of my favorite places," Ariel said, her eyes sparkling with interest. "The glassblower here makes the most intricate designs. I love watching the process."

We continued our walk, passing through vibrant marketplaces filled with colorful stalls and the aroma of exotic spices. Vendors called out their wares, and children ran between the stalls, laughing and playing. Ariel seemed to know everyone, stopping to chat with merchants and townsfolk alike.

"Hello, Mrs. Elara," Ariel stopped and greeted an elderly woman selling flowers. "Your roses look very beautiful today."

"Thank you, Princess Ariel," the woman replied with a warm smile. Her gaze then lands on me. "And who is this young man?"

"This is my cousin, Alex," Ariel introduced me. "He's visiting the capital for the first time. Alex, this is Mrs. Elara, she runs this little flower stall."

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Elara," I said, bowing slightly.

"The pleasure is mine, young prince," she said kindly. "I hope you enjoy your time here."

As we moved on, Ariel turned to me, keeping her smile. "See? The people here are so friendly. It's one of the things I love most about the capital."

"I can see why," I replied, genuinely impressed. "Everyone here seems to adore you." Throughout our walk, the people we passed by all cheerfully greeted the princess, clearly delighted with her presence.

Ariel shrugged modestly. "I've always tried to be kind and listen to their stories. You can learn a lot from people if you take the time to listen."

"You go out often?"

"Not really," She answered. "But when I do, I make sure to interact with as many of the people as possible."

As we walked, a small shop caught my eye. It looked older and more worn than the buildings around it, standing out with its rustic charm.

"What's that place?" I asked.

"Oh, that?" Ariel followed my gaze. "It's a shop that sells old trinkets, scrolls, and other ancient things," Ariel explained. "Why, are you interested?"

"Not really," I said, glancing at the shop again, "but I know someone who would be. She would spend hours in there..."

Ariel chuckled. "Then you should bring her here next time."

I smiled. "Sure..."

We then wandered further into the city, the streets opened up into a grand square that took my breath away.

At the center stood an impressive coliseum, its stone walls rising majestically against the sky. The architecture was unlike anything I had seen before, intricate carvings adorned its entrance, and banners fluttered in the wind. I could hear the rumbling cheers of the crowd from within the walls, and the sound of swords clashing ringing through the air.

We walked further and came upon what looks like a temple. Their marble columns gleamed in the sunlight, and intricate mosaics decorated their walls. The air around them felt serene, almost sacred.

As the day wore on, we found ourselves in a quieter part of the city, near a small park with a pond. We sat on a bench, watching the ducks swim lazily in the water.

"Do you like it here, Alex?" Ariel asked, turning to me with a curious expression.

"I do," I admitted. "It's different from what I'm used to, but in a good way. I think I could get used to this."

"I'm glad to hear that," she said, her smile genuine. "I hope you'll visit more often."

"I'd like that," I replied, feeling a sense of warmth and connection with her.

"We'll loop around the old streets for a bit before returning to the palace," Ariel said, her voice resolute.

"Princess Ariel, I highly advise against that," Derrick, overhearing our conversation, interjected, a note of concern in his voice. "There have been reports of disturbances in that area recently."

"Yeah," Luke agreed. "You know how those people in the slums are."

"Luke, they're still our people," Ariel responded, her tone firm and scolding. "Besides, Alex needs to see that the city isn't perfect. There are still areas and people that are neglected."

"It's dangerous to go there without an escort," Luke argued.

"Well, I have you, don't I?" she countered with a sly smile.

I glanced at Ariel, surprised by her determination. "Are you sure about this?" I asked. "If it's too dangerous, I don't think it's worth it."

"Absolutely," she replied, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering conviction. "It's important for you to see the whole city, not just the polished parts."

Derrick and Luke exchanged worried glances but eventually nodded in reluctant agreement. We continued our walk, heading toward the less well off part of the city.

The change was noticeable as we moved from bustling markets and tidy streets to narrower alleys lined with worn-down buildings. The air here felt heavier, the sounds of laughter and commerce replaced by a quieter, more subdued atmosphere.

As we walked, Ariel pointed out various landmarks, sharing stories about the city's history and the people who lived there. "This area has always been a bit rough," she explained. "But it's also where some of the toughest and resourceful people live."

We passed a small group of children playing in the street, their clothes tattered but their smiles bright. They looked up at us curiously, and Ariel waved at them, her expression softening. "Hello there," she called out, and the children waved back, their faces lighting up with excitement.

We continued on, and I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between this part of the city and the grandeur of the palace. "It's different here..." I said quietly, more to myself than to anyone else.

Ariel nodded. "It is. It's where the less fortunate people live," She explained as we kept walking. "Most in the palace ignored the state of this place. Even father said it's too much of a hassle to try and improve things here."

"But you can change that, Your Highness," Derrick interjected. "Think of the good you could do if you took the throne."

Ariel chuckled. "I told you before, Derrick. I have no interest in the throne."

"But..." Derrick was about to argue further, but he seemed to hold his tongue, and we continued walking.

A few minutes later, we ended up in a secluded area, a street that led to a dead end, which made Ariel confused.

"Oh? Did we take a wrong turn?" Ariel asked, looking puzzled.

"No, I'm sure that wall wasn't there when we last visited," Derrick answered, his brow furrowing.

"That wall was built just a few weeks ago," a voice suddenly spoke out from behind. We turned to see three shady-looking men approaching us, all wearing ragged clothing.

"They closed off this road, huh?" Ariel muttered mostly to herself.

"Thank you for telling us," Derrick stepped forward and gave a friendly smile. He had a hand under his robe as if clutching something. It was clear that he felt we were in danger; the atmosphere was growing tense.

As we were about to walk past them, they moved across to block our path.

One of the men, the apparent leader, smirked. "Say, isn't that the princess?" He laughed. "How unfortunate for you to have wandered into our territory..."

"Looks like we've struck gold, boss!" One of his lackeys said. "She's cornered on our turf without any armed escort."

"What do you want?" Ariel spoke out. "Money? You can take it all." She pulls out what looks like a money pouch without any hesitation.

The leader snickers. "Oh, no... I'm thinking of something more lucrative..." His gaze lands on the princess, making his demands clear.

"Not a chance!" Luke stood in front of Ariel protectively and he unsheathed his blade, taking a stiff stance.

"Luke," Ariel exclaimed in worry.

"Don't worry, we can take them on." Derrick pulls out a wand from under his robe.

The leader smirked and he then snapped his fingers, prompting three more men to emerge from the shadows behind us. Even I didn't know where they came from, and we are now completely surrounded on all sides. They all pulled out their weapons, one handed swords, daggers and maces, one of them even has a staff.

"How foolish, princess, coming to this part of town without your soldiers." The man remarked.

Luke and Derrick stood their ground, although somewhat trembling, and at that moment, I felt a surge of determination. I stepped forward, placing myself between Ariel and the thugs. "Back off," I warned as I pulled out my wand and held it in front of me. "Or you'll regret it."

The leader laughed. "Oh, and what's a kid like you gonna do?"

In response, I raised my wand, letting a small flame flicker to life just in front of the glowing gemstone. "This," I said firmly. The flame danced and grew, casting an ominous glow.

The thugs hesitated, clearly not expecting this. The leader's eyes shift into one of surprise. "You're a mage? Surprising for a kid."

I took a breath to calm my nerves. "Leave now," I said, my voice cold. "And you won't get hurt."

"Hey boss... I don't think it's worth the trouble..."

"It's just a damn kid." The leader spat out. "Now go get them!"

He orders his men to charge, and all of them start to run toward us.

I'll give them a warning shot first, was my thought as I shot out a short burst of flame in front of me, and they all panicked and ground to a halt to avoid getting burned. Admittedly, I might've used a bit too much power, but it got my point across. "That was a warning! And there won't be a second one."

The man then turned his head and started to call over one of his goons. "Get over here! Show this brat what you got!"

A scruffy looking middle aged man stepped forward, holding a staff. It seems like he is a mage. "I don't know, boss..." He utters hesitantly. "I don't think this is worth it."

"You're an Advanced tier water mage for crying out loud!" The leader spat back.

I accidentally let out a snicker. "Advanced tier water mage, huh..." The crimson gem on my wand glows faintly as I channel energy through it. "The one standing in front of you, is a Saint-tier fire mage."

"You're bluffing! A kid like you can't possibly-"

His sentence is interrupted by a circle of flames bursting forth around them from the ground and they all let out a frightened cry as the flames then dissipate in the air.

"Wanna find out if I'm bluffing?" I held out my wand again, pointing it at them threateningly, ready to cast if they decided to attack anyway.

The tension was palpable as the leader weighed his options. Finally, he spat on the ground. "This ain't worth it," he muttered, motioning for his men to retreat. They backed away, their earlier bravado replaced with wariness.

As they disappeared into the shadows, I let my flame extinguish and turned to Ariel and the others. She looked at me with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. "Thank you, Alex," she said softly.

"Y-you..." Derrick seemed shocked, his eyes widened at me. "You casted a spell without incantation..."

"Yes... Yes I did." I admitted. They have already seen it anyway, and there's no way to refute what they have witnessed. "We should get going."

Luke gave a nod, though he still seemed on edge and shakened. "Let's get out of here before more trouble finds us."

We continued our walk, the tension slowly easing. Ariel looked at me, her expression thoughtful. "You have some skill with magic, Alex. I'm impressed."

"Thanks," I replied, trying to play it cool despite my racing heart. "Just glad I could help."

With that, we made our way back to the palace.

***

The journey back was marked by silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts, still shakened and unsettled by what had happened, and what almost did.

When we arrived at the front entrance of the palace when Ariel, with a mischievous glint in her eye, stopped me as I was about to enter.

She pulls me aside, her voice hushed. "I have a surprise for you," she whispers.

My curiosity piqued, I nodded. "Okay, what is it?"

Without answering, she took my arm and started to lead me through the palace, her steps sure and confident. We ascend grand staircases and navigate winding corridors, the air thick with anticipation.

Finally, she pauses at a heavy, ornate door. With a dramatic flourish, she pushes it open, revealing a narrow, winding staircase.

"Follow me," she says, her voice filled with excitement.

We climb the staircase, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the stone. At the top, we emerge onto a small, circular platform.

I lightly gasped. Before us, stretching out as far as the eye can see, is a breathtaking panorama of the city. The sun dips below the horizon, casting the buildings in a golden hue.

"Isn't it incredible?" Ariel asks, her voice filled with wonder.

I nod, unable to find the words. The view is simply breathtaking.

As we take in the sight, I can't help but steal a glance at Ariel. She's standing at the edge of the platform, her face turned toward the horizon, lost in thought.

For a moment, I wonder if she's still sizing me up, questioning my motives. But after everything she's shown me, it feels like there's something more beneath the surface now, something different.

"I was wrong about you," Ariel says suddenly, her voice carrying over the wind.

I raise an eyebrow. "Hm?"

"When I first met you, I thought you were just like the others," she continues, not looking at me. "Another pretender who wanted to be friendly to me for the throne."

Her words hang in the air between us, and I let them sink in. I hadn't realized how deep her mistrust ran, but in a way, it makes sense. In this world of politics and power, everyone is a potential enemy. But I never wanted to be king.

She studies me for a moment, her gaze searching, as if trying to find something hidden deep inside me. "You really don't want it, do you?"

"No," I reply, meeting her eyes. "I don't." I say, stepping closer. "To be honest, I just want to understand this place. To know my family. To figure out where I fit in all of this."

Her expression softens, and she looks relieved, almost vulnerable. "Good." She exhales slowly, her tension easing.

She glances back toward the city, her voice quiet again. "I wanted to show you this place because..." She hesitates, clearly struggling to find the right words. "Because I needed to trust you. This spot, this view... it's where I feel like I can... just breathe." She fidgets with the hem of her dress, adding in a whisper, "Maybe I thought you could use that too. Especially after what happened."

I let her words settle in. In this strange, complicated world, where everyone has hidden agendas, Ariel's honesty feels like the only real thing. She's not just showing me a view, she's showing me a piece of herself, a part of her that's guarded and kept from the rest of the world.

"I appreciate that," I say, my voice quiet. "You can trust me, Ariel."

She looks at me, and for the first time since we met, I see the walls she's built start to lower. It's a small moment, but it feels like the beginning of something. Maybe not friendship, not yet, but something real.

"I hope so," she says softly, then turns to look out at the last light of the setting sun.

"Is it really that bad?" I asked.

"It is." She replied, still looking out. "I have no idea who to trust. Most of the time I feel like I'm alone in this..." I saw her lower her gaze.

"But I hope with you around, that could change," Ariel said, her voice softer, almost vulnerable. A small smile played at the corner of her lips, a rare glimpse of hope that broke through her usual guarded expression.

We then proceeded to enjoy each other's company for a while before it got dark and we had to make our way back down inside the palace.

We parted ways at an intersection, Ariel gave a small wave as she headed toward her room, and I made my way to mine.

***

The next morning, it is time for us to depart and make our way back home.

I didn't expect to leave feeling slightly upset, but I can't deny that there's a part of me that wishes I could stay. But I don't think I'm ready yet for this kind of life, to get involved in this internal conflict between nobles.

My parents were the first to enter our awaiting carriage outside the palace, while I was just about to step aboard, until I then saw Ariel along with Derrick.

"Alex. We came to say goodbye." She stands with Derrick at her side, who only nods in greeting.

"Ariel," I say, meeting her gaze. "I didn't think you'd come."

She shrugs, though there's a faint smile on her lips. "It didn't feel right to let you leave without a proper goodbye. After all, you're family."

The word 'family' hangs between us, still feeling strange. Only a few days ago, I didn't even know Ariel existed, and now here she is, cousin, family. There's an odd warmth in her eyes, something different from the suspicion she held when we first met.

"I'm glad you did," I reply sincerely.

Derrick steps forward, his voice low and steady. "Safe travels, Alex. It was an honor to meet you. If you ever visit again, I'd be interested to learn magic from you."

I nod "I'll keep that in mind."

Ariel steps closer, and for a moment, I see her hesitate, as if she's searching for the right words. "Listen, Alex," she says softly, her voice low enough that only I can hear. "I know things are... complicated with the family, but... if you ever need someone, a friend... well, you know where to find me."

I nod, understanding what she's offering. "Thank you, Ariel. I won't forget it."

She stepped toward me, and to my surprise, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm hug. It took me a moment to shake off my shock, but I soon returned the gesture, holding her close. "Safe travels, Alex," she whispered softly. "I hope we meet again."

After a brief moment, she takes a step back, allowing me to return to the carriage. I climb in beside my parents, who have been watching the exchange silently. The moment the door closes, the horses begin to move, the carriage rumbling over the cobblestones as we leave the palace behind.

As we pull away, I glance out of the window one last time, catching sight of Ariel standing with Derrick watching us go. A strange sense of connection lingers, a feeling that despite the distance, this wasn't really a goodbye. Not entirely...