As she walked in, the room fell into an eerie silence, every person in the room froze, her black hair, stark against her pale skin spoke volumes of her decision.
"Is that your final choice, Daniela? A voice boomed from the other side of the six-meter table that sprawled out before her.
"Yes, I have made this choice of my own accord, this is not the result of my rash thinking. I shall also remain neutral in the battle for succession amongst my brothers." Daniela spoke, her head bowed in the presence of the sovereign.
"Very well I shall respect your decision. From this moment onwards the second princess of the Aurumae kingdom has announced her withdrawal from the succession, the princess herself has admitted to it. The witnesses are, myself; the emperor, the first prince and the third prince." The emperor spoke his voice commanding without the need to raise it, his right hand gestures towards the two princes seated on the left side of the table.
"Father, thank you for understanding and respecting my decision. I would also like to apologise for any of my previous comments, I hope Your Majesty can take it as nonsense spouted by a child." This should get him, Daniela thought to herself, her tone calculated.
"Your Majesty? What is this, drama class? Take a seat, I do not want to delay—ahem—breakfast anymore." The emperor's voice cracked while speaking.
'Hehe, that was embarrassing, but cute. His voice cracked, he is overjoyed at his daughter's apology. Alright things are going as planned, now let's move to step two.'
Daniela then walked towards her chair, and one of the attendants swiftly pulled it out for her. The tables before her were set, yet modest by royal standards. Disappointment flashed Daniela's face as she stared down the meal in front of her.
Contrary to her expectations, the meal was quite simple, thin slices of buttered toast, a small bowl of porridge accompanied by a platter of smoked fish with a variety of fruits. Besides it, a small but elegant cup of tea rested, its bright red hue and sharp floral scent that rivalled the ruby red.
'Cornelian cherry tea? No wonder the deep red, smells good too. Maybe it's a quality over quantity type of meal. Let's not judge before trying shall we.'
"You have been staring at the food for some time, sister. Planning to marry it?" the source of the voice was the third prince.
'Woah, I didn't notice yet but he's like a younger version of the father, the sharp jawline, blue eyes and that flowing golden hair. He is the perfect copy of the emperor, minus the beard and that chevron. Now how do I reply to this taunt?'
"No brother, I was thinking of adoption, wanna be the father? That was a good one though."
"Wait, you liked it? Normally you would give the cold stare".
Daniela spoke up,"I know but that's all in the past, besides I have a favour to ask."
Daniela's sudden request made the third prince anxious. He was more surprised by the fact his cold and distant sister replied to his comment, not with the harsh words he had expected. However he did not back down.
"What is it sister? What do you need the great Gabriel for?" The prince replied his chest puffed up, looking proud.
"We're going to go visit a certain someone." Daniela replied her face smirking ominously.
'That's step two.'
The first prince watched the situation unfold with amusement, while the emperor watched his hands clasped together, processing the unexpected turn of events.
"So where are we going, sister? Somewhere fun or is it one of those lame trips for political matters?"
"It's actually a bit of both. We're going to see someone very important, you'll be meeting her a lot in the future." Daniela replied with a smirk.
"May I inquire as to who you will be meeting, Daniela?" The first prince, Thaddeus asked with a sly smile.
"Oh! Mrs. Han Shia, needed some help cracking something, and I know just the person for it."
The third prince chimed in,"We're going to meet the principal of Nexarion! Do I get to meet her? Can she show me her special multicasting?"
"Woah, calm down cowboy." Daniela replied.
"Cow... boy? What's that?" The third prince rubbed his chin puzzled.
"Hehe... It's nothing." damn I slipped up, well let's be a bit more careful, and thank God my accent isn't that bad either.
"Ahem", the first prince cleared his throat.
Daniela turned her head to take a better look at him. 'The first prince, Thaddeus looks more like the empress, except for the blue eyes like the emperor's. Why are my family members so hot? Calm down Daniela, you have to keep the story from falling into the forbidden category.'
"You seem to be in deep thought, and why are you dropping out of the succession? I thought you really wanted this or did you run out of steam?"
'This is a troubling question. I can't just tell Daniela's soul left the world, can I?'
"I was a fool, I realised, I did not really want it. I was just... "
"Alright, that's enough, no self loathing here."
'Yes, It worked.'
"If you'll excuse me, elder brother, I have somewhere to be. Gabriel why don't you finish up as well, we can leave. Oh! And father can I use the teleportation gate to Nexarion?"
Thaddeus was surprised by the quick shift in tones, 'Did she just trick me? Interesting.'
The emperor paused for a second contemplating, before agreeing to her request, "You may use the gate, also take Sir Thomas with you."
The next words that came out of his mouth surprised everyone, "The black looks good", the emperor's voice stern.
'Huh, what was that? Did he really comment on the hair, I guess it reminds him of the empress. Still I got his favor.'
"Thank you father."
----
"Huh... Ah, yes." Jack muttered absent mindedly.
"What was that Mr. Jack?" Finn asked curious.
"Uhh... Oh it's nothing, I was just talking to myself." responds Jack, trying to cover up.
"You have a flower on your head or something Mr. Jack," Finn teased, light-heartedly.
"Haha, I've never heard that kind of a phrase. So anyways did you complete all the delivery?" Jack asked, walking back to the cabin.
"Oh, Yes, since all deliveries were pretty much within a kilometer."
'Jack, that boy just called you mentally unstable earlier, he asked "do you have a flower on your head", which was a popular phrase from where I come from, although we also said "do you have a screw loose",' the voice rambled in Jack's mind.
"Wait, Finn did you just call me crazy?" Jack turned back asking, confusion visible in his face.
"Anyone would call you crazy if they saw you talking to yourself, besides how come you've never heard that phrase, it was a pretty popular trend in Aurumae, a few years ago", Finn replied sighing.
"Sorry kid, well why don't you come in, it's not exactly large, but it's home." Jack gestured, inviting Finn into his simple abode.
"It's larger than my house, besides it looks better too." A bitter smile creeping up Finn's face.
Upon entering Finn saw the cabin was tightly packed, with a small kitchen, a fireplace and table along with some furniture, all arranged neatly.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, right kid? Jack asked, his voice woven with genuine kindness.
'GROWL'
Finn stood there, his face turning red from embarrassment.
"I'll take that as a yes, and what's a growing lad like you doing without getting proper nutrients?"
"Well, I've been on a budget and saving up for education."
"Oh, what are you majoring in? Did you get into any academy?"
"Yes, I got into Nexarion. I've been interested in the topic of the Sunyata Gates and eonweave, isn't it interesting how the once martial world of Murim is now a world where gates appear and is now overwhelmed by the arcane?" Finn answered his voice full of life, his eyes seemingly gleaming.
"Nexarion? Aren't you a genius, kid. Getting into Nexarion is no easy feat and that too from a common origin, it seems you're in a difficult situation, financially."
"Yes, Mister, but it's alright I just need to get in". But Finn's thoughts betrayed his words, 'Well money is no problem for me. I just need to get in and complete the tasks given by the merchant guilds.'
Jack paused for a second, "Why don't you try to get a sponsor kid? There are many out there, just find the right one. Who would not want to invest in a Nexarion student, noble or commoner?"
Jack then picks up a piece of bread and a bowl and sets it on a wooden plate and places it atop the dining table. He taps twice, gesturing Finn to eat.
Finn walks towards the table, and sits down. He looks down and sees it's a piece of bread and pumpkin soup. 'Who is this guy? He is going so far for some random boy and where have I seen that face before, I can't seem to put my finger on it.'
"Sponsors are good, but they can get greedy or a bit excessive, and now with the Ascension Tournament almost here, I think it's safe if I fly solo."
"You are quite the kid, huh, it seems you know all your stuff. But that doesn't mean you should skip meals or ignore your health, you are still growing", Jack comments smiling.
'That face... Where, where, did I see it? I remember that face from somewhere in my past life, I can't remember it. The regression overloaded my brain, too much information came in and now it's scattered all over, I can't recollect that specific information.'
"Thank you for the meal." Finn then picks up the bread and tears out a piece before dipping it in the pumpkin soup and putting it in his mouth.
"Wow, Mister this is really good, you used to be a chef? " Finn asked, curiosity plastered over his face. "And, this soup is delicious," Finn added.
"Nope, not quite, but, cooking was part of my old job, why don't you try guessing?", Jack replied. "I was the group's best chef, I could cook anything, also, I just harvested that pumpkin, it's pumpkin season," a smirk finding its way to his face replacing the soft smile.
"Let's make a bet. If I guess right, Mister will answer four of my questions." Finn asked, curious to know more about the mysterious man.
"Fine by me and if I win you will... I don't have anything, well not that it matters so get on with it."
"Hm... Were you a knight?" Finn asked, curious.
"Yes I used to be a knig-, wait how did you figure it out so easily? Is it written over my face? Have I been making a fool of myself?" Jack replied, his fingers fidgeting as he panicked.
"Well for starters" Finn began, "You have a physique of a fighter, excluding that belly. The dignified way you carry yourself although slightly out of form, to how you hold the axe screams knight. Also you have a touch of the southern accent. Stationed there, I suppose?"
Jack watched as Finn dissected him like an open book, while making an unreadable expression, his fingers fidgeting more.
"Are all of you who get into Nexarion like this? You didn't have to hit me that hard, especially that belly part." Jack muttered half-joking, half-impressed.
Finn chuckled, "Now as per the bet, for starters tell me your name."
----