Leon and Rufus were training together outside the knights training hall when they stop to notice an approaching servant.
"Her Majesty wishes to see you, Your highness." he said.
"Fine," the boy groaned then kicked the wooden post for the last time to vent his frustration. "It's probably gonna be about the selection." he mumbled before cleaning off his sweat.
Rufus followed behind him. "She made her decision very quickly. Who do you think it could be?"
Leon thought for a moment. "Don't know." he answered with a shrug before heading inside to bath first then meet his mother.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it were one of the two girls. They seem to know each other." Rufus said.
Leon scoffed as the maids prepared their bath. "It's probably a girl who's too young or too old. I heard that one of the candidates is a spinster." he jeered.
"There aren't many people who have abilities in Solin especially if we are including the women in the nobility." Rufus said.
"Ppfff," Leon spit out in amusement then laughed, "Rufus, stop defending my mother. You're not my dad."
Rufus laughed with him. Leon is like the devil and Rufus is like an angel but they share the same thoughts, same mind and always in sync and they both know it.
After they finish their bath, Leon heads first to his mother's room where she is waiting for him but much to his surprise, he could see his father there too. He is a frail, thin, wrinkly looking man who looks old enough to be his grandpa.
"Leon, you're finally here. Now, we can continue." his father says in a soft tone.
Leon sat at his seat. His 'father' the King, is nearly fifty but appears much older than he seems. The stress and anxiety from being on the throne has aged him very much.
"Leon, we have decided who to choose as your future wife." his mother said and handed him a hand-sized picture. The girl has brown hair and thankfully looks around his age.
"This is Melissa Orlando. She is the niece of the prime minister."
"She looks nothing like that fat bast-"
"Leon, language!" his mother interrupted before she grew exasperated.
"She is his ward after his younger brother passed away. She was adopted after her father's death. She obtained her ability quite late but she is also your age."
"What is her power?" he curiously asked.
"She has healing abilities."
"Did you confirm it?"
Her mother was silent. "Of course I did. She was my first choice. I am not wrong."
Leon nodded then stared at his simple-minded father who said, "She looks quite lovely. I had the chance to meet her before she left. I could just imagine how you two would look side-by-side."
Leon appears unimpressed when he heard that and in the most sarcastic look he could muster say, "Great."
*
Alina is at the gate where Amy, the staff and Viola were out to see her off.
Amy received news that the Slave trade organization in Solin has been eradicated and all of its assets are liquidated. After four years, it is finally over. When she told the news to Alina, she looked reluctant like she is finding all of this hard to believe and she can't blame her. She can finally go home.
Along with the necessary supplies for travel, Amy admittedly added her items with a modern touch. She included a pass which she would use to leave the borders and head to Getel at the pretense of a Solinean citizen. This way, it also ensures that she won't get captured and enslaved again.
After four years, Alina got along with everyone in the mansion and they all love her back. Amy and Viola learn a lot from her and have learn things she can never learn in this society. She was her teacher, student and friend. There is nothing to worry about as Alina now lacks nothing. In a sense, she will become greater than her original self.
"I'm heading off now." Alina voice then starts to crack. "Thank you so much everyone. I'll miss you all and I'll always treasure our time together."
Amy felt the tears forming in her eyes. Viola is on the verge of violently crying.
Alina stares at Amy with a smile. "I will await the time we meet again." she says in her language.
"When we do, I will be the first to say hello."
*
Leon and Rufus were at the garden where they wait for the girl.
"So, she's not those two girls we saw?" Rufus said.
"No," Leon said and pulled out the picture to give to him.
He observed it before looking at Leon.
"This is Melissa Orlando, the Prime Minister's ward."
"She has quite the gloomy look."
Leon scoffed. "She's gonna be my future wife. Of course, she's gonna be mad."
Rufus raised his brow at him in disapproval. "We're about to meet her today. At least try to get along with her."
"She's not even as strong or impressive as those two girls we saw yesterday." Leon said.
"She has healing powers." Rufus said.
"So?" Leon is unimpressed, "Lots of people trained in magic can use it."
"Without magic" Rufus refuted. "Healing takes lots of effort and she might be able to use her healing powers on a large scale once she grows older. Those two girls just happen to have strong sensory powers."
"Urghhh!" Leon shouts which shuts him up, "Alright, I get your point now shut up!" he lean his head back with a groan. "Mother also says that girl is gonna get ladies-in-waiting."
"What?!" Rufus is shocked. "That's only possible when she's married to you."
"I know but I think that is an excuse to have them close to me."
"Why?"
Leon shook his head. "Mother talked to the oracle."
"The Oracle?"
"I have a cousin who is just born. He is destined to be king."
Rufus has a serious look. "And you're not?"
"No, the oracle said that I will become king but who lives is the question."
Rufus looks uneasy. "Those people with abilities around our age are numerous. That is what I know. Other than Harry Rockwell, I know that there are two others; Theseus Corinth and Nathaniel Yistle."
"We can't forget about the girls either. There is Melissa Orlando, those two girls who saw us and another candidate."
"The queen plans on having them on our side." Rufus concluded. "Who knows what the future holds. To have them all in one side against the others sounds so imbalanced."
"Mother is being too paranoid. What is a one-month-old baby gonna do?"
"Careful with what you say, Leon." Rufus says in a warning tone. "It's not the baby you have to worry about. It's the people who is willing to back up that baby. If people don't like you, they'll try to replace you. That is what happened with the previous king."
Leon gave Rufus an unreadable expression.
Then they saw a servant escorting a young girl to them. It is the girl from the picture. The picture didn't seem to portray the girl's face accurately. She has a dreamy expression, and it doesn't seem to be intentional, but she appeared kinda cute.
The girl did a curtsy. "Greetings to the Rising Star. My name is Melissa Orlando."