With Leticia's fever under control, Laurenn could breathe a sigh of relief. The anguish of losing her, as he had his mother, was unbearable. He visited her frequently, ensuring her recovery.
Taking advantage of her sister's improvement and Laurenn's absence, who had gone to advise her to rest, Rachel decided to put her plan to seduce Aleph into action.
She inquired with her lady-in-waiting about the knight's whereabouts, discovering he was in the library.
"He's the most fascinating man in this kingdom," Rachel thought with determination. "And he will be mine."
In the library, Aleph was intently studying the history books recommended by Leticia, also consulting other ancient documents. His concentration, however, didn't prevent him from noticing Rachel's approach. Without looking up from the book, he asked:
"How can I help you, Lady Rachel?"
Rachel, ignoring the lack of formality, rounded the table with a seductive smile.
"I heard you'll be leaving soon, Sir Aleph," she said, placing her hand on his arm with a suggestive touch. "Why don't we have some fun while there's still time? I imagine you're unoccupied now that the princess is ill."
Aleph looked coldly at the spot where she had touched him and closed the book. Rachel, undeterred, leaned closer, whispering in his ear:
"We could… find a more private place."
"That would be an interesting proposition…" Aleph began in an enigmatic tone.
Rachel smiled, interpreting his hesitation as interest. But Aleph finished the sentence with chilling coldness:
"…if I were interested."
Standing up, he gathered his books and headed for the exit, turning his back on Rachel without hesitation.
"How dare you?!" Rachel exploded, furious. "I will be the future queen of this kingdom! You should obey my orders!"
"I choose which orders I follow," Aleph replied without turning around. "And they certainly won't be yours. In fact, if you intend to continue with this attitude, I advise you to be more cautious."
Aleph's arrogance enraged her further. How dare he, a mere knight, reject her and treat her with such disdain?
"I will not be humiliated like this!" Rachel thought, clenching her fists. "Who does he think he is?! He'll pay for this!"
Consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge, Rachel swore to herself that she would make Aleph bitterly regret his audacity.
The next morning, with Leticia slowly recovering, Laurenn summoned Aleph to his office.
"Leticia will be leaving for the Autumn Kingdom soon," Laurenn began seriously. "I know I shouldn't ask this, but… could you protect her during the journey?"
Aleph remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on some distant point.
"The princess's determination and strength, even in the face of adversity, inspire me," he finally replied. "I cannot let her face these dangers alone. I will accept your request."
Despite his decision, a promise still bound him. Aleph owed a debt of gratitude to someone, a person who had saved his life in the past, and he had sworn to return the favor. He hadn't yet reencountered this person, but the promise remained alive in his heart.
"I haven't found her yet, but when I do, my loyalty will be entirely hers, regardless of anything," he thought.
Hesitantly, Aleph decided to broach a delicate subject.
"There's something I… I don't know if I should say…"
"You can tell me; I'll listen."
"Reconsider your engagement," Aleph said frankly. "This marriage was arranged by King Hayden. Are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
"How can I refuse when my sister has been subjected to the same situation?" Laurenn argued.
"These are different situations," Aleph insisted.
"I don't see the difference," Laurenn retorted stubbornly.
"I know I can't interfere, but you should assume the throne as soon as possible," Aleph continued, ignoring Laurenn's objection. "And avoid…"
Aleph stopped himself. He couldn't interfere in the internal affairs of another kingdom, nor could he reveal confidential information without concrete proof.
"I can't say anything more, Laurenn. It's up to you to discover the truth. Master Yoshi's guidelines are clear: a visiting prince cannot interfere in the politics of another kingdom."
"It's been a while since we've talked like this, since our training with Master Yoshi," Laurenn commented nostalgically.
"I learned a lot back then," Aleph agreed. "But so did you. Your reports in the library are impressive."
"Thank you," Laurenn replied, but sadness lingered in his voice. "But the person whose recognition I desire most… continues to despise me."
"Your lack of confidence is unfounded, Laurenn. Believe in yourself. Don't depend on the approval of others."
"But his approval is important to me…" Laurenn insisted, his voice thick with anguish.
…
After completing their rigorous training with Master Yoshi, crown princes embark on an exchange program in another kingdom, a practical experience to enhance their knowledge of different governance models. Generally, this exchange focuses on administrative activities, allowing the princes to observe and learn from the practices of other courts.
In exceptional cases, at the request of Master Yoshi himself, the exchange can extend to other areas, such as diplomacy, trade, or military arts. In these instances, Master Yoshi sends an official communication to the chosen kingdom, informing the king or crown prince of the commencement of specialized training. Depending on the Master's objectives, the identity of the prince in training may be kept secret, even from the authorities of the host kingdom.
This discretion ensures the prince experiences the reality of the kingdom without privileges or special treatment, allowing for complete immersion in the local culture and customs. In dangerous situations, the prince can present a symbol of royal authorization, proving his identity and guaranteeing his protection.
During the exchange, the visiting prince is subject to strict rules: not to interfere in the internal politics of the host kingdom, to respect its laws and traditions, and to keep his royal identity secret unless absolutely necessary. This transformative experience aims to prepare future rulers for the challenges of leadership, providing them with a broad and diverse understanding of the complexities of governance.