Sam's room was on the top floor of the castle. The high ceilings were draped with rich fabrics, and the light flooding into the room illuminated every corner. A large bed stood prominently in the middle of the room, draped in a tasseled red cover.
Sam's closest friend, David, was standing in the middle of the room. He wore an expression of deep concern as he spoke. The room was silent, save for the faint sound of the wind outside.
Turning to Sam, David's face was etched with worry. "Have you heard what happened to the prince?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Sam rose from his seat and approached David. "No," he said with concern, "I've been out of the castle affairs for a while now, as you know. What happened to him?"
David told Sam about the prince's special sensitivity to dark magic. "He fainted from a minor dark magic attack," he added.
Hearing this, Sam furrowed his brow. "I'm not surprised," he said thoughtfully. "My brother Edward may seem strong, but compared to the average fairy, he's weak. He's passed those genes down to his son."
David's worried eyes filled the atmosphere of Sam's room. The walls, draped in heavy fabrics, added a sense of richness and splendor to the room. The high ceilings gave a feeling of spaciousness and airiness.
Turning to Sam, David said, "It was always said to be a rumor, and despite those rumors, when Edward ascended to the throne, we were at war with Flamea, and we won that war. How did that happen?" he asked, his voice filled with astonishment.
Sam replied thoughtfully, "I know my brother well. He avoids duels. He especially shies away from one-on-one confrontations."
David pondered Sam's words. "So, his son is also magically weak, like him. But if that's the case, why did the Sword of Justice choose him?" he asked, confused.
Sam paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I don't know," he said thoughtfully. "But when I asked his mentor, he said he saw a lot of potential in him. But I think that's a lie too. It's impossible for someone like Edward's son to be so strong."
The room was filled with the tension of their conversation. Sam's room, a symbol of friendship and trust, still stood strong, but the atmosphere inside was filled with uncertainties about the future.
David turned to Sam with a thoughtful expression. "Why would Albert lie about that?" he asked, puzzled.
Sam, without averting his eyes, looked straight at David and replied, "Albert was friends with Layla. That's why he's quite close to Edward too."
David pondered this explanation. "So that's why Albert became the palace magic master and the tutor for the prince and princess instead of the official tutor. Nepotism," he said, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Yes, exactly," Sam replied. "I already don't like the way Edward runs the country. I think our eldest brother managed things better."
A look of surprise crossed David's face. "Then why did he step down from the throne?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Sam's response made the atmosphere in the room even heavier. "He didn't step down; Edward killed him," he said, the sorrow in his eyes casting a pall over the room. Sam's chamber was not just rich in decoration but also filled with deep secrets and tragedies.
The room fell silent once again with Albert's entrance. As Sam realized Albert had entered, he had to cut short his words. Albert, entering the room, sensed he might have heard Sam's last sentence but acted as if he hadn't heard anything. Are they talking about King Flipp? he wondered.
Albert turned to Sam with a serious expression. "Your Majesty, the king requests your presence. There are a few important matters he needs to discuss," he said, a hint of worry in his voice.
Sam immediately stood up and moved towards Albert. "Alright, I'm coming now. We'll talk later, David," he said, joining Albert and exiting the room. Although worried, Sam tried not to show it. His relationship with his brother had been strained since King Flipp's reign, and being summoned like this meant the matter was truly significant.
When they stepped into Edward's room, they greeted him with deep respect. Edward's expressions and gestures indicated for Albert to leave the room, leaving the two alone.
Sam waited for Edward to turn to him with a serious expression, but Edward got straight to the point. "Who is this Alicia?" he asked without delay.
Sam frowned in surprise. "I don't understand what you're talking about," he said honestly, playing his part well.
Edward listened to Sam's response with a frown of suspicion. "Don't lie, Sam," he said in a stern tone. "You spread rumors that my son is meeting with a maid. I know everything."
Sam was taken aback by Edward's accusation. His expression reflected his inner turmoil. This sudden accusation put Sam on the defensive.
Edward's room was filled with opulent furniture. The high ceilings emphasized the room's grandeur, while the paintings on the walls reflected the splendor of the past. However, amid this grand decor, the tension between Sam and Edward was palpable. As Sam tried to suppress his anxiety and surprise, Edward was determined to uncover the truth.
Edward's room was brimming with tension. Though Sam was somewhat shaken by Edward's harsh demeanor, he stood his ground resolutely.
"Albert told you, didn't he?" Edward asked, suspicion clear in his eyes.
"Who told you doesn't concern you. Just answer my question," Edward responded, his voice firm.
"I don't know. Her clothes looked very poor, and she seemed quite close to your son," Sam replied evasively, avoiding direct eye contact.
Edward was not satisfied with this answer. "If you don't know, then how did you learn her name?" he asked, anger evident in his voice.
"Your son called her that," Sam answered, a bit hesitantly.
Edward furrowed his brows in surprise at Sam's response. "Wow, you even listened to their conversations," he said, his anger becoming more pronounced.
Sam, seeing Edward's reaction, felt a bit uneasy. The room's atmosphere was filled with tension, and this sudden accusation only heightened Sam's inner turmoil.
Edward's room was filled with a tense atmosphere. Although Sam was somewhat shaken by Edward's stern warnings, he remained resolute.
"Listening to their conversations was entertaining," Sam said with a sly smile.
"Sam, this is your final warning. Stop trying to find faults in my son, or you'll have to face the consequences," Edward said, his tone firm.
Hearing Edward's warning, Sam felt a bit more emboldened. "Why are you ashamed that your son is doing something you used to do? He takes after you," he retorted, his tone mocking.
Edward was momentarily taken aback by Sam's words, but his face soon showed signs of anger. "Enough, end this conversation. And let me remind you, if it were someone else, you would have been executed already. But I'm not as ruthless as our father," he said, his voice carrying a threat.
"Unfortunately, I wish you were. This mercy of yours will cause you a lot of trouble in the future," Sam said calmly.
Edward remained silent at Sam's words. Finally, he said, "Alright, you can leave now. But remember, if you ignore my warning, your end will be grim. Don't forget that," giving Sam a stern look.
Sam nodded with a sly smile. "I won't forget," he said and left the room. As he exited, the tense atmosphere still lingered in the room. Edward's words and threats echoed in Sam's mind, leaving him with a cloud of uncertainty about the future.
⚔️⚔️⚔️
As Alicia skillfully cooked in the kitchen, she occasionally went to her room to check on her necklace. To her, it was not just an accessory but a very special item with significant meaning. Its high value made her worry about it being stolen, so she kept a constant watch over it.
However, today, Alicia was filled with a different kind of energy. She handled her tasks quickly and worked more efficiently than ever. Even the other servants were surprised by her sudden burst of energy. This energetic state increased the likelihood that Stephen's words were true.
But beneath this energetic exterior lay a sense of sadness. As she checked on her necklace, Alicia felt a pang of melancholy. This necklace kept the memory of her mother alive, and she had a special bond with it. The thought of not being able to carry it with her anymore deeply saddened her. Her eyes welled up for a moment, but she quickly pulled herself together and continued with her work. The delicious meals she cooked in the kitchen once again proved how talented a servant she was.
As Alicia's inner anxiety and curiosity filled the room, she decided to confront the mystery of the necklace with determination.
After finishing her kitchen duties, she rushed to her room. Standing in the middle of the room, she meticulously rummaged through her drawers and found the spellbook her mother had given her. When she opened the book's cover, she began flipping through the pages.
After a while, she reached the middle of the book and her eyes landed on a spell: Light of Positivity. This spell was described as one that could eradicate dark energy. Alicia thought that this spell might eliminate the dark energy inside the necklace. However, the spell needed to be performed by someone with the Creation magic element to be fully effective. But Alicia only had the Water magic element.
Her hands trembled with excitement, but she determinedly continued practicing the spell over and over. After several attempts, she finally mastered it. Her eyes sparkled with the belief that she could now uncover the mystery inside the necklace.
When she applied the spell to the necklace, it suddenly opened. For the first time, what seemed like an empty necklace now revealed a hidden paper inside. Alicia eagerly unfolded the paper and began to read. It was like a map, showing a distant location: a house in the middle of the forest. A wave of excitement surged through Alicia. Perhaps this house would unlock the hidden pages of her past.
Without hesitation, she decided to visit this house. But before acting on her sudden decision, she felt the need to write a letter to Stephen. In the letter, she explained that she would be away for a while to learn more about her past and that she would return in a few days. After finishing the letter, she quickly went to the garden and left the letter near the pond where she and Stephen often met.
Then Alicia began her preparations in earnest. She packed some food and finished her preparations to leave secretly. This journey would be a turning point for her. With a glimmer of hope in her eyes, she was determined to uncover the secrets of her past and embark on new adventures.