The news of the king's victory in the war has reached the palace and the whole kingdom, where lots of the citizens are cheering happily on the win while Lune is just relieved now that she can fully focus back her attention on her studies and practicing her magic, since she was too busy handling matters of the palace.
Definitely not because of not having the time to meet Chilve. And since it's already been mentioned, she has never seen him again since that night. The war lasted for around 6 years, making the twins 16 this year, and it's also the time where a coming of age ceremony will be held for the both of them. When their father returns to the palace, it seems Sol has something to say, and that's why the both of them are now in the court meeting the king.
"Your majesty, congratulations on your safe return from the war. Can I request for something as a reward for taking care of the kingdom during your absence?"
Lune flinches a little from the cold tone that Sol is using, but that's to be expected, since they never bond well with their father since their mother's death. Not to mention that they had to take over the kingdom's affairs from the age of 10. The king nods and Sol starts talking, making Lune nervous with what he will be asking for, "after the coming of age ceremony, I would like to be an adventurer until the time comes for me to inherit the throne."
The servants that are in the court gasp from the request, whispering to each other about how the prince wants to be an adventurer which is unsightly for his birthright, and Lune's eyes brighten from the prospect of travelling instead of being cooped up in this prison like walls, "if I may add, your majesty? I think that's a wonderful idea and I would like to do that as well."
Another chorus of gasping from the servants on how even the princess wants to be out in the fields, getting her hands dirty when she should be glad that she can live a comfortable life in this palace. Sol seems to be frowning from what his twin said, and he nudges her a little and asks quietly, "why are you following me? Are you sure you can handle yourself in the wild?"
"If you can be a traveller, why can't I?"
"Do you even know how to survive in the wilds? Can you sleep on the hard ground besides your own fluffy bed? Do-" the king clears his throat and the both of them are silent, awaiting his words nervously. When he finally opens his mouth, he asks instead, "what kind of adventurers are you talking about?"
"Adventurers that require the qualifications to slay monsters and forage for treasures. I have perfected my sword fighting skills and my magic," and when Lune wants to ask when did Sol has the chance to practice all that during their time of administration, he adds, "and Lune also awakened to her magic 6 years ago, and I believe she is also capable of protecting herself and to avoid dangers that are too large for her."
'Sol is obviously my twin for adding that for me!' She smiles a little directed to Sol, but he doesn't catch it and shivers a little from waiting for his approval. After a few minutes of awkward silence, the king sighs, which makes them realize he is tired from his expedition, "one condition. Come back to the palace when I summoned you two."
Excited that he agreed, Sol raises his head and smiles, "I'm honored for this opportunity, your majesty," and Lune quickly follows suit. The king then asks to be alone and the twins leave the main court, where Sol has bouncy footsteps, "are you that eager to be out of here?"
"Didn't you want to see the world? That's why you asked for it too."
"I just want to experience the outside world before getting married off to some prince I never seen before marriage, alright?" To be honest, she wants to take this chance to run away from this particular predicament, since she hates arranged political marriage the most, "besides, you should worry about yourself."
"I can take care of myself, my good sister."
"Says the picky eater," she grins thinking about how he often picks out the charred parts of the fish, since that's probably what they will be eating in the wilds soon, "who can't even eat any impurities in his food."
"Says the girl that can't sleep without being in a proper room."
"Hey!" She feels unfair since she is used to personal convenience that modern technology brought, and it's hard to be sleeping in harsh conditions that this era is used to, "as long as I invented the best sleeping bag, then I will be fine camping outside after this."
They reach their rooms in the meantime and Sol unlocks his room door, and takes one last look at Lune and asks, "by the way, are you the one overseeing the ceremony preparations?"
"Yeah, why though?" She grins when she thinks of how Sol might request for something to be prepared, "beg me if you want something."
"Nah, just make sure you don't mess up, see you later," he shuts his door leaving her in the corridor, where she pouts a little from not being able to get him to beg her for something, and she sighs, "idiot brother. Just when I thought I had him in my palms."
Entering her own room, she starts undressing herself to a more comfortable outfit, and when she is looking at the vanity to remove her hair accessories, she smiles at the flower that she got six years ago. Despite all the odds, it never wilts and stays on her hair like a hairpin. The maids that help out with her outfit and hair will often gush about how beautiful the flower is on her blonde hair, where she has been growing it long till her waistline. Removing it carefully, she puts it back to the accessory chest she used solely for that flower and closes it, keeping it in her dresser.
Right, she needs to order some flower arrangements for the ceremony.