Angel woke up with sweat running down on his face and breathing heavily.
"I'm dreaming that incident again..." he whispered.
He took a deep breath tried to calm himself. Now, he is seventeen years old, that incident had passed ten years ago but still haunts him until now.
He got up from his bed, walked to the bathroom and washes his face. After several splash of water, he dried his face with a towel and paused a moment while looked at his dark blue hair in the mirror.
'Since that incident, my hair color changed. No one can explain what happened with me. All investigations about the mysterious shadow figure were also fruitless,' he thought.
A knocking sounds came, interrupted his thoughts, accompanied by a faint sound from outside.
"Your Highness, the king is calling you to the main hall."
"I'll be there soon, " he answered briefly.
He came out of bathroom and took his clothes from his wardrobe beside his bed. He put on his white royal military uniform. A gold badge with the lion's head crest of Asteria was embedded on his collar, black long boots and white gloves. His beloved sword, 'Loyalty' was also tucked into his black belt.
He let his hair half messy with bangs that formed a comma on one side, showing his sharp brown eyes and cold face.
He left his room and walked down the luxurious ivory corridor to the Golden Light Castle main hall.
Yes, a castle not a palace. Andromeda Continent isn't an easy place to live. Although the land is fertile and rich in natural resources, monsters, bandits, carnivorous plants are roamed everywhere. Therefore every royal family lived in a sturdy castle in the capital to protected their family, while the king himself acted as their kingdom protector. Those who deserve to be the king are the strongest person in the family.
A few minutes later a tall ivory door with gold lion's head crest was seen. When just a few steps more from the door, he heard someone calling his name.
"Angel,good morning!"
He stopped and turned to the origin of the voice.
"Good morning, Ophelia. Did uncle also call you?"
A sweet-faced girl approached him followed by two of her knights.
Ophelia Lunet Reinheart is Angel's cousin who is one year younger than him, her eyes are brown, and her hair is long wavy, golden-yellow typical of Reinheart descendant. She wears royal white dress with some flower ornaments adorns her dress waistline.
"No, I'm waiting for my brother to have breakfast together. Do you want to join us?" she said with a sweet smile.
Before he could replied, the main hall's door opened and a proud-faced man came out.
"Ophelia, didn't I say that I don't like having breakfast with uninvited guest?"
Angel turned his gaze to him.
"Don't worry, Ilex, I'm not interested in having breakfast with you either," he said casually.
Ilex Ferris Reinheart is Angel's cousin who is one year older than him; he is Ophelia's older brother. He has brown eyes, golden yellow hair that is neatly combed back. He wears the same uniform as him, on his belt tucked by his beloved sword, 'Pride'.
Ophelia's expression turned soured, displeased with Ilex's words.
"Brother! How could you call Angel an uninvited guest?" she protested.
Ilex smirked.
"Of course he is, even his authenticity as Reinheart Family is still questionable." then he shifted his gaze towards Angel. "Am I right, illegitimate child?" he said in a condescending tone.
He returned Ilex's gaze with a sharp stare.
"Illegitimate child? How can be you sure there's no Reinheart's blood in my veins?"
Since his hair color changed, he has become the only Reinheart's descendant who has dark hair, that's why there are still many people doubt whether he really a descendant from the royal family. Aside from his dark hair, his cold attitude and his reputation as Asteria's best swordsman, made him known as Asteria's Demon Prince.
Ilex laughed sarcastically and approached him as he stared at him in disdain.
"Angelus Raizel, are you still dreaming? Should I remind you? You are nothing more than a war puppet! So, know your place!" then he brushed past him.
Angel sighed as he tried to hold his anger. He knew that all along, even though he's a prince, he had been treated as a war puppet. His uncle didn't hesitate to send him to the front lines. Sometimes he was given missions that didn't make sense without any help.
Ophelia approached him closer and looked at him worriedly.
"I hope you didn't take my brother's words seriously. I'm sure he didn't mean that."
Ilex's steps stopped and turned his gaze towards Ophelia.
"Ophelia, what are you doing? Come here!" he said impatiently.
He glanced towards Ilex who glared at him as if threatened him to stay away from his sister.
"Don't worry, I'm used to this. Ilex is waiting for you, don't make him wait any longer." he said as he turned around and entered the main hall.
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Glossary
'Loyalty' is a rapier with the hilt is made of ivory and gold list. The cross-guard is made of gold with lion's head ornament accordance with Asteria's crest at both ends. The blade is made of titanium and meteor steel, at the base of the sword there is an engraving 'Long Live Asteria' which shows only person who have the courage and loyalty to Kingdom of Asteria can use it. This sword is very sharp and can't be broken by anything except by King of Asteria's 'King's Sword'. This sword is the last present from his father.
'Pride' is a rapier with the hilt is made of silver and gold list. The cross-guard is made of gold studded with white diamonds lined on each side. On the middle of it, a lion's head ornament accordance to Asteria's crest. The blade is made of adamantite and meteor steel, at the base of the sword there is engraving 'Glory to Asteria' which shows only person who has pride in Kingdom of Asteria can use it. This sword is very sharp and can break anything except Angel's 'Loyalty' and King of Asteria's 'King's Sword'.