Chapter 5: Chapter 5
We walked back in silence, side by side, the space between us barely an inch. After confessing her grief to me, the princess seemed brighter, more at ease, as if unburdening her thoughts had given her some fragile sense of peace.
I couldn't help but wonder if this is what it feels like to have a sister.
As we exited the garden, the magistrate's form came into view, standing just outside the door leading into the mansion. The moonlight caught the sharp angles of his face, his posture stiff yet composed, like a sentinel waiting for orders.
He bowed deeply as the princess approached.
"Your Highness, if you don't mind, I would love to speak to Sir Caelan at the behest of His Majesty. I have received word from your father, and he will be arriving via Waystone gate by tomorrow."
The princess paused, her expression unreadable as she regarded him. Then, as if she'd donned an invisible mask, her earlier composure returned with startling ease. The weakness she had shown me in the garden vanished like an illusion.
"I will be waiting inside," she said simply, her tone calm but laced with an edge of authority. Then, with a slight smirk, she added, "Don't steal him away for too long."
The princess disappeared through the door, and suddenly, I was left alone under the hawk-like gaze of the magistrate.
"She's very attached to you, isn't she," he said, his voice even, almost conversational, yet I couldn't shake the weight of his words.
Not knowing how to respond, I chose silence. Saying the wrong thing felt like an easy mistake to make, so I simply followed as the magistrate turned and led me back into the garden, his long strides confident and deliberate.
The night was calm, the full moon shining brightly in the sky, with barely a cloud to obscure its light. A warm breeze rustled the leaves above us, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers. The evening air held the kind of stillness that belonged to summer, though the atmosphere felt anything but peaceful with the magistrate in front of me.
He stopped near the water fountain, an impressive structure of pale marble carved into intricate shapes. At its base, mythical creatures seemed to leap from the stone itself—dragons snarling mid-roar, a phoenix rising from carved flames, and elegant deer with antlers reaching skyward. The fountain's centerpiece was a tall pillar, atop which stood a sculpture of a maiden pouring water from an urn, the liquid cascading down in glittering streams. The sound of flowing water filled the silence, soft yet steady, like an endless whisper.
The magistrate stared at the fountain for a moment before turning to face me. From beneath his coat, he pulled out a small amulet.
It was striking—crafted from smooth obsidian, surrounded by ornate silver filigree etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, as if alive. The black stone seemed to absorb the moonlight, drinking it in instead of reflecting it.
"This," he said, holding the amulet up for me to see, "is called the Veilbreaker. It allows the user to detect lies when activated."
I frowned, staring at the artifact in confusion.
"Although I do not believe you had anything to do with what has happened," he continued, his tone measured, "the king thought it prudent to ensure... clarity. Consider this a necessary precaution."
He paused, his gray eyes narrowing slightly as if to gauge my reaction.
"So, I want to ask just one question," he said, his voice lowering slightly.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment. Despite my innocence, the intensity of his gaze and the quiet tension in the air made me feel like I was on trial for a crime I didn't commit.
"What are your intentions with the princess?"
The question caught me off guard. I could sense movement all around me—hidden figures in the shadows, their presence impossible to miss. Knights. They had surrounded us, weapons ready, their positions subtle but obvious to someone like me. My resonance skill made hiding pointless; I could feel every breath they took, every twitch of their fingers on their hilts.
I blinked, trying to process his question. My intentions? What did that even mean?
"Umm... by intentions, umm... to return her?" I stammered, my voice uncertain.
The magistrate raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"Let me clarify," he said, his tone taking on a sharper edge. "Does your resonance skill... affect others? Mentally, emotionally, or otherwise?"
I stared at him, startled by the sudden shift in the line of questioning.
"I know it's rude to ask," he continued, almost apologetically, "but given recent events and the princess's... attachment to you, we must ensure no unintentional manipulations are at play."
"Uh... no," I said quickly. "My resonance skill just lets me detect things—movements, people, threats, stuff like that. It's all physical. Nothing mental or emotional, I swear."
The Veilbreaker pulsed faintly in his hand, but he didn't seem surprised by my answer. With a small nod, he tucked the amulet back into his coat.
"I see. That will be all."
The hidden knights began to withdraw, their presence fading back into the garden's shadows. The magistrate turned away, his attention seemingly returning to the fountain.
"Wait," I called out, unable to stop myself. "Aren't you going to ask about what happened? About the attack in the forest, or... or the queen?"
He glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable.
"That will be for the king to ask," he said simply.
I frowned. "But shouldn't you—"
"Sometimes," he interrupted, his tone quiet but firm, "it is better not to know so much about certain things. It keeps you alive a little longer that way."
He hesitated, then added, "You are a good man, Caelan. But I've seen good men die young far too many times. Be careful where your kindness takes you."
With that, he gestured a brief farewell and disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with the faint hum of the fountain and the weight of his words lingering in the air.
**
I stood there near the fountain for a while, staring at the rippling water, letting the magistrate's words hang heavy in my mind. I felt like I'd stumbled into something far more dangerous than just the murder of royalty.
I mean, I knew this was more than just a "simple" tragedy, but I didn't realize how messy and troublesome it would become. When I first found the princess in the forest, I thought I was doing the right thing—helping someone in need. I figured I'd drop her off at the city, get a reward for my trouble, and be on my merry way.
I'd dreamed of using the money to buy proper gear, maybe finally pursue my dream of becoming an explorer. I could already picture myself in some far-off ruin, uncovering ancient relics and carving my name into history.
But now? Now, I wasn't so sure.
The magistrate's cryptic words kept playing over and over in my head. Sometimes, it's better not to know so much about certain things. I didn't need him to spell it out—I'd already gotten myself tangled in something far beyond what I understood.
Whoever orchestrated that attack on the royal carriage had plans, and I'd ruined them by saving the princess. Whoever they were, they were powerful, ruthless, and probably not the type to leave loose ends.
I glanced back toward the mansion, its towering shape silhouetted against the night sky. Warm light glowed softly from its windows, but it didn't feel welcoming—it loomed like some sort of warning. I sighed and shook my head, hoping that whatever happened tomorrow would free me of all this.
As I turned to leave, I noticed her.
The princess stood just outside the door, watching me. She wasn't leaning against the frame or shifting nervously—just standing there, completely still, as if she'd been waiting for me this whole time.
Her golden hair caught the light from the lanterns above, shimmering faintly like a halo around her face. Her posture was rigid, her hands clasped neatly in front of her, but her eyes... they were locked on me, intense and unwavering. There was something about the way she watched me that felt strange, like she was trying to read my thoughts without saying a word.
"How long have you been out here?" I asked, stepping toward her.
"A while," she replied softly, not breaking eye contact.
"Yeah... I just had a lot on my mind," I muttered, scratching the back of my neck. "But hey, your father will be here tomorrow. You'll be back at the palace, safe and sound, and... well, I'll probably never see you again. You know, since..."
I trailed off awkwardly, unsure how to finish the thought.
Her expression changed instantly. Her eyes darkened, and her whole demeanor shifted, sending a chill down my spine.
"I'm sure my father will see that you're better suited to stay by my side," she said firmly, her tone calm but laced with an edge that made it clear she wasn't guessing.
"Uh... yeah, but..." I hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "There are stronger people, Princess. People who've been trained for this sort of thing. I'm just a farmer's son. I don't belong in your world."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she stepped closer to me, her small frame suddenly feeling much larger than it should.
"It's Elara," she said sharply, her voice like a blade cutting through the silence.
"Uhh... what?" I stammered, confused by the sudden shift in tone.
"Say it, Caelan," she demanded, her gaze boring into mine.
Her words carried a weight I couldn't ignore, and for a moment, I felt something faint brushing against my mind. My resonance skill flared instinctively, alerting me to the truth: she was using her Resonance Skill on me.
It wasn't overpowering, just... persuasive. A subtle, quiet nudge that left no room for resistance.
I hesitated, glancing around as if someone might overhear. Saying the princess's name so casually felt like a surefire way to get myself executed. But what choice did I have?
"Elara," I finally relented, the name slipping out like a reluctant confession.
Her face lit up instantly. She smiled—bright and radiant, as if nothing had happened. For a moment, I almost forgot the intensity of her earlier gaze.
"See? That wasn't so hard," she said lightly, turning back toward the door. Before stepping inside, she glanced back at me one last time.
"You won't have to miss me, Caelan," she said softly, her tone laced with something I couldn't quite place. "I'll make sure of it."
I stood there for a moment, stunned into silence.
Miss her? Yeah, I doubted that. I didn't think I'd miss the constant tension, the veiled threats, or the feeling of walking on a razor's edge.
I sighed again, the weight of the day pressing down on my shoulders as I followed her inside. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but something told me this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
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