Bab 31: Troublesome

The early morning light filtered through the grand windows of the Zephyros palace, casting soft, golden hues across the room where Prince Eirik of Valeidio stood.

His maids bustled around him, carefully selecting garments and preparing him for what would be his first official appearance at the Zephyros training grounds. Eirik, however, was lost in thought, his mind far from the tasks at hand.

Today would be different. He had already decided that.

As Lila, his head maid, approached with the training uniform that had been provided by Prince Kaelix, Eirik's expression hardened.

The garment was traditional Zephyros military attire, dark, functional, and distinctly designed for the rigorous activities of the training grounds.

But it was also a symbol of the life he was expected to lead here, a life of discipline, duty, and rigid expectations. It was a life he had been thrust into, not one he had chosen for himself.

"No," Eirik said firmly, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the room.

Lila looked up, surprised. "Your Highness?"

Eirik shook his head, his white hair catching the light. "I won't wear that," he said, gesturing to the uniform. "Bring me something else."

The maids exchanged confused glances. "But, Your Highness, Prince Kaelix himself....." Lila began, but Eirik silenced her with a look.

"Do as I say, Lila," Eirik replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The maids quickly scurried to find something else for the prince to wear, their hands trembling slightly as they laid out various garments before him.

After a moment of deliberation, Eirik selected a lavish outfit, a deep purple velvet tunic embroidered with intricate silver patterns, paired with fitted trousers and knee-high leather boots.

The ensemble was completed with a silver belt, adorned with the emblem of Valeidio, and a delicate chain around his neck, from which hung a small, polished stone.

This was not the attire of a soldier preparing for training. It was the attire of a prince ready to be seen, to be admired.

Lila hesitated before picking up Eirik's signature veil, a finely woven piece of silk that had become as much a part of his identity as his name. She moved to drape it over his head, but Eirik stopped her, placing a gentle hand on hers.

"Not today, Lila," he said softly. "The people of Zephyros need to get used to my face. The more I veil it, the more attention I'll attract."

The maids froze, their eyes wide with surprise. Even Sadiki, Eirik's personal guard and longtime companion, was taken aback.

Eirik had always been self-conscious about the attention his looks garnered, often preferring to keep his face partially hidden to avoid the stares and whispers that followed him wherever he went. But now, he was willingly stepping into the light, exposing himself to the world.

"If that's what you wish, Your Highness," Lila finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. She set the veil aside and instead helped Eirik braid a few strands of his long, white hair, securing them with a silver crown that rested lightly atop his head.

As the final touches were made, Eirik stood before the full-length mirror, taking in his reflection. He looked every bit the prince he was, elegant, regal, and undeniably captivating.

His alabaster skin contrasted sharply with the dark purple of his tunic, and the silver embroidery caught the light, making him appear almost otherworldly. He gazed at himself for a long moment, then shrugged as if dismissing the image altogether.

"Let's go," he said, turning to Sadiki, who was still recovering from the shock of seeing his prince without the veil. Sadiki nodded, his expression neutral, but there was a glimmer of concern in his eyes. He knew how much it troubled Eirik to draw attention, but he also understood that this was a calculated move, a statement of confidence and defiance.

As they stepped out of the room, the door swung open to reveal Captain Drystan, Prince Kaelix's personal guard, waiting to escort them to the training grounds. Drystan's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Eirik, but he quickly masked his surprise with a smirk.

"Your Highness," Drystan greeted, bowing slightly. His eyes flicked from the elaborate clothing to Eirik's unveiled face, noting every detail. "I see you've chosen a... unique attire for today's activities."

Eirik met his gaze with an indifferent expression. "I wasn't aware that fashion was restricted at the training grounds, Captain."

Drystan chuckled softly. "Not at all, Your Highness. I'm sure it will make for an interesting session." Internally, Drystan was amused. This foreign prince was proving to be more intriguing than he had anticipated. It seemed that Zephyros would be far more entertaining in the coming days.

As the three of them made their way through the palace corridors, the reaction of the palace staff was immediate and palpable.

Maids and guards alike bowed deeply as they passed, their eyes widening as they caught sight of Eirik.

Some of them were not on duty during last night welcoming ball, the only heard rumors of the prince beauty - tales of a visage so striking that it could not possibly belong to a mere mortal, seeing it firsthand was something entirely different.

Some of the staff stole glances, their eyes lingering on Eirik's face, unable to hide their shock. A few were so stunned that they dropped what they were holding, their hands trembling as they scrambled to pick up the fallen items. Others simply stared, their mouths slightly agape as they tried to reconcile the image before them with the stories they had heard.

Indeed, the fourth prince of Valeidio was a sight to behold. His features were delicate yet strong, with high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and full lips that were naturally pink. His eyes, a deep shade of violet, seemed to hold a thousand secrets, drawing anyone who looked into them into a trance. His long white hair, now partially braided and crowned, flowed down his back like a river of moonlight.

As they walked, Captain Drystan glanced at Eirik, curious to see how the prince was reacting to the attention. But to his surprise, Eirik's face remained indifferent, almost bored. There was no sign of discomfort, no hint of the self-consciousness that Drystan had expected.

But beneath that calm exterior, Eirik's mind was racing. He could feel the weight of every stare, the pressure of every gaze. It was suffocating, overwhelming, and yet, he forced himself to maintain his composure. This was the path he had chosen, and he would walk it with his head held high, no matter how much it troubled him internally.

"Troublesome," Eirik thought to himself, his inner voice filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. "What have I gotten myself into?"

The trio finally arrived at the training grounds, where Prince Kaelix was already waiting, dressed in his own training uniform, a stark contrast to Eirik's elaborate attire.