Kapitel 28: The Twin Princesses
"Pitiful, huh," I muttered under my breath as I looked at the crowd inside.
"That's the feeling I got from her when I met her last," Edwin said with a shrug of his shoulders.
I turned to him with a teasing smile. "Since you're so high status, should I greet you formally?"
He pursed his lips, holding back a chuckle before shaking his head. "Please don't. I don't want status to come in the way of me finally making friends in the Capital."
"You consider me a friend?" I asked, surprise evident in my voice.
"Ah," Edwin hesitated, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. "Sorry, is it still too early?"
"I don't mind," I responded truthfully. "I just didn't think someone of your status would—"
Edwin frowned, shaking his head with a sigh. "As I said, I couldn't care less about status."
I studied him for a moment, noticing the sincerity in his eyes. Despite his prestigious background, he seemed genuine, yearning for connections beyond the superficial world of noble titles and expectations. It was refreshing, and I found myself warming to the idea of a friendship with him.
In the end, I simply nodded my head and smiled.
"If you don't mind me asking," Edwin said, pointing to the wooden pendant I was wearing, "Why are you wearing that wooden pendant?"
"Oh, it's a gift from my childhood friend," I replied, my smile deepening. "I didn't feel like taking it off, even for such a formal event."
"So, you're that sentimental!" Edwin teased, his eyes twinkling. "You seemed too analytical, at least according to my first impression."
"No child speaks like that," I retorted, causing him to laugh.
Our conversation was interrupted by a melodious voice drifting through the night air. "God, this event is so tiring!"
I turned to see a young girl stepping onto the balcony, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall of moonlight. Her eyes, a striking shade of green, sparkled with mischief.
"Sister, we shouldn't be here!" another voice, equally enchanting but tinged with a hint of panic, followed. The second girl, identical to the first except for the eye colour, joined her on the balcony, glancing around nervously.
"Come on, we are princesses for a reason!" the first girl declared with a confident smile.
I recognized them instantly—Crown Princess Rachel and Second Princess Aurora, the twins of the Imperial Family.
"Good evening, Your Highnesses," Edwin greeted them with a polite bow, his demeanor respectful yet relaxed.
Rachel waved her hand dismissively. "Please, we're not in court. No need for such formalities."
Aurora, however, looked a bit more anxious. "But Father would be upset if he knew we were out here."
"Relax, Aurora," Rachel said, her tone soothing. "We're just getting some fresh air."
I watched the interaction with a mix of curiosity and amusement. It was fascinating to see the dynamic between the sisters—Rachel's confidence balancing Aurora's caution.
Edwin turned to me with a smirk. "Lancelot, meet the Crown Princess Rachel and her sister, Second Princess Aurora."
"An honor to meet you both," I said, bowing slightly.
Rachel's eyes, a striking shade of green that shimmered with intelligence, scanned me with a curious gleam. "Lancelot Orbel, was it?" she said, a warm smile playing on her lips. "The younger brother of the newest Imperial Knight?"
"Yes, Your Highness," I responded, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You know," Rachel continued, her gaze never wavering, "the 4th battalion of Imperial Knights is directly under my control. I specifically requested Lucas Orbel to join the battalion and become my personal escort."
My eyes widened in shock, my lips almost parting as I was about to ask her why. However, I restrained myself, maintaining a composed facade.
Rachel noticed my reaction and her eyes twinkled with amusement. "It's because he is young," she explained, her tone light and conversational. "It's easier to make conversation with him than with the other Imperial Knights, you know."
I simply nodded, still processing the weight of her words. The Crown Princess herself had chosen my brother for his unique position. It was a testament to Lucas's prowess and potential, but also a reminder of the intricate politics at play within the Empire.
Aurora, who had been standing quietly beside her sister, offered a shy smile. "It's nice to meet you, Lancelot."
"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, bowing again. "It's an honor to be in your presence."
Rachel's eyes, bright with curiosity and intellect, locked onto mine. "If I remember correctly, did you not assist in the subjugation of a rogue Imperial Knight who enhanced his mana core with an elixir?" she asked. "A sword and a spear made out of adamite were sent for your twelfth birthday as a reward for your achievement."
"Yes, Your Highness," I replied, maintaining my composure. "I am grateful for the generosity of the Imperial Family."
Rachel's expression softened, a hint of regret flickering in her eyes. "It was our mistake in the first place," she said thoughtfully. "Rogue Imperial Knights can be very dangerous due to how the logistics currently are for them."
As she spoke, I couldn't help but marvel at her insight. 'I know she is very smart for her age,' I thought, 'But isn't she a bit too smart?'
Her words hung in the air, their depth and complexity not lost on me. Even Edwin and Aurora seemed slightly puzzled, their expressions betraying a lack of full understanding.
Rachel continued, her voice steady and composed. "The deployment and independence of Imperial Knights, while necessary for quick and effective responses, also pose significant risks. When one goes rogue, the consequences can be dire, as you've experienced firsthand."
I nodded, appreciating her acknowledgment. "Indeed, Your Highness. The rogue knight was formidable, but we were fortunate to contain the situation."
Aurora, sensing the weight of the conversation, interjected with a gentle smile. "Your bravery in that situation is commendable, Lancelot. It's clear you have a strong sense of duty."
"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, "I only did what was necessary to protect our people."
Rachel's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "This was fun," she said, her voice light and melodic. "I feel like I can understand Lucas more now after meeting you, Lancelot."
I tilted my head slightly, confusion etching itself into my features. How could she understand Lucas better when his name was never brought up during our conversation?
As if reading my thoughts, Rachel's eyes sparkled with amusement, and a soft, angelic giggle escaped her lips. "Let us head back inside, Aurora. It is not right for princesses to be absent for so long."
Aurora sighed, shaking her head lightly as her sister took her hand. "That's what I told you, sister!" she exclaimed, exasperation mingling with affection. She gave us a small wave as they turned to leave, Rachel leading the way with graceful steps.
As they disappeared back into the ballroom, Edwin turned to me with a knowing look. His hand rested on my shoulder, and his blue eyes met my red ones. "Do you understand now?" he asked, his voice a low whisper.
I shook my head slightly, still trying to piece together the meaning behind Rachel's words.
Edwin leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. "In front of the sun, even the moon has no choice but to be engulfed in its shadow."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein