Rushing out to get out of the forest, they finally met up with the knights, while the woman and the two following her stealthily left after making sure the others were safe, wearing clothing hiding their faces. They met up with another carriage full of knights with a different crest, they were the royal knights of the neighboring kingdom, Leoryn, a country where the endless desert covered half its territory.
"Diana, you're safe!" screams a tall man, "why did you have to run off like that!"
"Saw something, couldn't help staying still. I am sorry for making you worry elder brother."
He helped her get on the carriage while sighing, noticing her shaky hands, he put soundproof magic before asking seriously, "I know you can't sit by idly watching injustice, but, what happened?"
"You know me too well brother," she answered with a smile. Diana stared at her brother for a while before finally deciding to ease her heart, talking and reminiscing the events that happened she shacked with fear, and her brother was taken aback.
"Black hair... golden eyes, I can only think of one man with these special eyes, the third prince of this country, coincidently, the only man whom no kingdom has information on, other than rumors of him living with his commoner mother. I guess this explains the reason even though he is living such a carefree life."
"The Archion kingdom's third prince, Cayn."
"What a strange life he's living," both wondered off their thoughts, while Diana, was wondering if she would meet him again at the palace.
For the first time in decades, the crown princes and princesses of the neighboring countries shall visit each other. In a world where humans live constantly in fear of demons and beasts' invasions, and constant threats, the human kingdoms all tried to deepen their relationships. In these few decades of peace, they did not get the chance to, as each was busy working on their own cultures. The start of next week marks the season of balls starting, using this opportunity the leaders of the kingdoms called for all the heirs, as a way for them to be accustomed to each other.
Diana and her older brother Cassis marched for this purpose, towards the Capital city.
Diana could only sigh and stare outside the carriage, wondering if it was truly him, will he show himself in front of them.
Remembering those eyes again chills ran through her body, but for some reason, she smiled.
The carriage ride didn't take long for them to arrive at the palace, it was a magnificent castle.
They were received by the palace maids and the second prince, Rai, a charming young man with an outgoing personality, already getting laughs from the siblings in the guest area.
"I have long heard of the second prince being a strategic genius, seeing it up close, calling you a genius is an understatement to your abilities," said Cassis as these two war fanatics got into their hobbies.
"You flatter me, I have also heard of your highness' prowess and you could say the same." While both of them smiled at each other, both their auras were assessing each other.
A knock was heard at the door, and a well-built tall man with a gorgeous woman entered the room. The crown prince and the youngest princess paid their respects.
Ella, the princess, jumped to Diana's side as soon as they were done with the etiquette, "you are seriously beautiful, gorgeous skin, let me hear some of your secrets."
"Ella!" Exclaimed the crown prince.
"It's okay your highness, I am rather flattered she can be herself around me, saves me the trouble too," answered Diana while laughing with Ella, both losing all composure of a princess.
"Let her be brother," hearing Rai's words the crown prince Allen could only sigh with a smile. All three of the men started laughing and talking not giving a thought about etiquette, Ella's innocence and straightforwardness lightened up the mood letting these young people indulge in each other's hobbies finding many things in common and interested in the unknown. With nobody noticing Cassis' eyes, he could not stop looking at Ella other than herself.
The laughs went on until they heard a knight announcing the arrival of the third prince and his mother, you could see them from the guest room window.
Diana could not believe her eyes, it was him, but the air around him was different.
The man in front of her right now was holding his mother's arm watching her step. She couldn't stop staring at that face talking so gently, giving a warm smile to his mother, becoming conscious of him, and couldn't help but think he was a handsome young man.
Suddenly getting back to herself, totally surprised that she of all people would think that way.
Her cheeks turned red as she looked at him again, closely.