As I walk through the palace, I am surrounded by the grandeur of giant crystal pillars that stretch up towards the high ceilings. Each pillar is meticulously crafted, reflecting the light in a dazzling display of colors that dance across the marble floors. The crystals themselves seem to pulse with a subtle energy, casting a gentle glow that bathes the corridors in a soft, ethereal light.
Walking through the grand corridors of the palace, I am accompanied by Stacy, my ever-faithful companion. It's a familiar path to the royal library.
As we make our way, I mentally go through the list of books I need to "borrow" for Nikolai. He's been making remarkable progress in his mage studies, and I want to support his learning as much as I can. Perhaps there's a tome on advanced spellcasting or elemental magic that will pique his interest.
Haroun, on the other hand, would benefit from sword manuals. His dedication to knight training is commendable, and I want to ensure he has the resources to excel in his chosen path. I make a mental note to find the best manuals available, ones that will challenge and push him to improve.
Valendor, my mysterious elf with a connection to nature, is a bit trickier. The royal library is vast, but it may not have much on nature magic specific to elves. I'll have to get creative and search for any texts that might align with his abilities. Perhaps ancient scrolls or hidden tomes tucked away in forgotten corners of the library.
As I approach the grand Library doors, my heart sinks at the sight of Prince Luan and Princess Stella standing there. Luan stands tall and regal, his royal attire exuding an air of confidence and power. His silver-white hair catches the light, shimmering like moonlight against the dark backdrop of the palace. I can't deny that he is a strikingly handsome man, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seem to see right through me.
Beside him is Princess Stella, adorned in a lavish pink gown that practically sparkles with jewels. Her hair is intricately styled, piled high atop her head with curls cascading down her shoulders. The weight of her elaborate jewelry must be considerable, and I can't help but shudder at the thought of how uncomfortable it must be.
I briefly consider turning back, hoping to avoid what I know will be a tedious encounter with the royal twins. But before I can make a move, Stella's gaze locks onto mine, and I find myself unable to look away. With a resigned sigh, I steel myself and continue walking towards them, mentally preparing for the inevitable conversation.
As I draw closer, Luan's haughty expression softens slightly, replaced by a more neutral demeanor. Stella, on the other hand, maintains a polite smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. I greet them with a respectful nod.
As I approach the royal twins, I nod in acknowledgment, refraining from offering them the usual formalities reserved for royalty. After all, we are all of the same age, with my birth in March and the twins, Stella and Luan, born in August. The protocol of showing respect is only necessary for the eldest son, Linus, who is 22, and the second prince, Artem, who is 19.
"Stella. Brother Luan," I greet them, my tone polite but lacking any warmth. I don't need to pretend to like them, especially not Stella, who barely offers a civil response.
"Lucina," Stella replies tersely, her expression chilly. It's clear that she holds no fondness for me, and the feeling is mutual.
"Lucina," Luan chimes in, leaning forward to press a kiss to the back of my right arm. I suppress a shudder at the overly dramatic gesture. Seriously, for a transmigrator, he seems a bit too enthusiastic about playing the role of a prince.
I try my best to maintain a neutral expression, not wanting to give Stella any more reason to dislike me. But her stink eye at Luan's greeting is hard to miss, and I inwardly sigh, feeling the tension in the air.
"Well, it was nice to see you both," I say, making a subtle move to step away. "But I must be going. I have some... business to attend to."
As I make my escape towards the grand Library doors, Luan's voice stops me in my tracks. "No need to be in such a hurry, Lucina," he says, his tone surprisingly polite.
"Please do join us for tea," Luan suggested with a smile.
Stella, clearly unimpressed by Luan's invitation, muttered her agreement, echoing my sentiments exactly. Why was he inviting me? I had no desire to get involved with their drama either.
"Brother Luan, I would love to, but I'd rather not intrude," I attempted to politely decline, hoping he'd take the hint.
"Rose will be joining us too. You wouldn't deny a brother the pleasure of spending time with his sisters, would you?" Prince Luan's smile was as blinding. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.
With a reluctant sigh, I finally relented, "I suppose I can spare some time."
"Great!" Luan exclaimed, clapping his hands together in satisfaction. He turned and I reluctantly followed, silently cursing my luck for being caught in this situation.
In an elegant room adorned with intricate tapestries and ornate furniture, we're all seated on a round table. The delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea fills the air, and I take a sip, trying to savor the moment despite the tension in the room.
Stella sits across from me, her gaze sharp and calculating. I can feel her eyes on me, analyzing my every move. Luan, on the other hand, seems determined to engage me in conversation.
*
Mason Harrison had been living the dream ever since he found himself transmigrated into his favorite novel, "Rise of the Third Prince of Salona," as the main character, Prince Luan. On Earth, he had been stuck in a mundane life, working minimum wage with no luck in relationships. But now, as Prince Luan, he had everything he could have ever wished for—a handsome appearance, innate talent, and the status of royalty. And let's not forget about the women in this world; Mason couldn't wait to start his own harem.
As he sat at the tea table surrounded by his beautiful sisters—the princesses—Mason couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Stella, his twin and a tsundere, was his personal favorite. Then there was Rose, with her ample bosom, a close second. But it was Lucina who truly captivated him. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he couldn't resist stealing glances at her.
Despite catching a hint of annoyance in Lucina's gaze, Mason brushed it off. Why would she dislike him? He continued with the generic conversation, reveling in the luxurious life surrounded by beautiful women. This was truly a dream come true for Mason Harrison, now living as Prince Luan in Salona.
*
As the tea time came to an end, I made a swift exit, eager to get to the library as I had originally planned. Throughout the tea, I couldn't help but notice how Prince Luan kept glancing at me, and it made me uncomfortable. Did he forget that we were siblings? The worst part was how his eyes wandered to Rose's chest area. It made my blood boil, and I silently wished I could gouge his eyes out.
There was also the ambiguous tension between Luan and Stella, my twin sister. I knew that royal families often engaged in such behaviors, but I didn't want to dwell on it. It was best to ignore those thoughts and focus on my escape plan.
With determination in my stride, I headed towards the library, my mind set on leaving the palace as soon as possible. I couldn't stay here any longer, not with the unsettling dynamics among the royal siblings. It was time to put my plan into overdrive and make my escape.