A few days had passed since the Elemental Introduction ceremony, and Zeph had settled into a new routine. The ceremony had been a pivotal moment for him, as it allowed him to gauge his elemental affinity.
It became clear that water was the element to which he was most attuned. Blue mana particles responded most readily to his will, forming orbs of water that hovered in the air at his command.
But there were other mana particles that puzzled him. The green and brown particles were not as easy to manipulate, and their elemental nature was unclear to him. He knew that mastering one element at a time was crucial, so he focused his energy on perfecting his control over the water element.
Every day, in the moments when he was alone or Elara was preoccupied, Zeph would practice tirelessly. His mana control improved as he shaped water orbs with increasing ease.
At first, the orbs were small and unstable, splashing his clothes and frustrating his efforts to remain composed. Elara would often find herself having to change his clothes, but Zeph's determination never wavered. He continued to practice, shaping water orbs until his mana was exhausted.
Over time, his efforts paid off. He learned to direct the water orbs with precision, sending them floating across the room and even through the window. This newfound skill gave him a sense of accomplishment, and more importantly, it helped him avoid the embarrassment of being cleaned up by Elara every time something went wrong.
Outside of his magical practice, Zeph's life as a young prince was filled with simple pleasures. Since his first birthday, he had been fed simple, bland food—a step up from the milk he was used to, but far from appetizing.
The taste of baby soups and liquid meals was dull, but Zeph endured it as part of his daily routine. He was also taken on walks around the palace, with Commander Albert always following closely behind Elara as she carried him.
One particular day, Selena and Elara were feeding him a bowl of baby soup when the door to their room opened. In walked the Empress Elysia Eternis, her striking white hair and red eyes instantly capturing Zeph's attention.
Selena and Elara both stood to greet her, bowing respectfully. Elysia returned the gesture with a small nod, her face warm and inviting as she smiled at Selena.
Without hesitation, the Empress approached Zeph, her expression softening further as she bent down to pick him up. Elara quickly wiped away the remnants of soup from Zeph's mouth and clothing before stepping aside to let Elysia hold him.
Zeph, in turn, reached for Elysia's silky white hair, playing with the strands in his tiny hands as she gently rocked him in her arms. The two women began chatting casually, discussing their children and the recent events in the palace.
Zeph, with a full stomach and the soothing rhythm of their conversation in the background, soon felt his eyelids grow heavy. The warmth of Elysia's embrace and the peaceful atmosphere lulled him into a deep, comfortable sleep.
Elysia, noticing that Zeph had fallen asleep, carefully set him down in his cradle. She watched him for a moment, her smile lingering on her lips as she tucked him in.
But then, the tone of the room shifted. Elysia's expression grew serious, her voice lowering as she addressed Selena with an air of urgency.
"I came here for a reason, Selena," she began, her red eyes glinting with concern. "There has been an incident in the Viscounty of Perceiver. A lot of people have died, including Anastasia's grandfather, Aldir Perceiver, and his entire family."
Selena's breath caught in her throat as she processed the news. Elysia continued, her voice filled with sympathy as she explained that she had just come from Anastasia's chambers.
"She was devastated," Elysia said, her tone heavy with sorrow. "She hasn't stopped crying since I broke the news to her. You know how close she was to her grandfather… Ever since her mother passed, Aldir was the only one who showed her the love and care she deserved. With him gone, I fear she feels completely alone."
Selena nodded, her heart aching for the young girl. She knew all too well how much Anastasia had suffered. Court politics had consumed the lives of Solon and his wives, leaving little time for anyone to truly care for the young princess.
Though Selena and Elysia had both made efforts to spend time with Anastasia, their own responsibilities often pulled them away, leaving the girl to fend for herself.
"She must be feeling abandoned," Selena murmured. "Especially now… I can only imagine how heartbroken she is."
"That's why I'm sending Eregon with her to the Viscounty," Elysia explained. "She'll need the support of her family during this time. And I wanted to ask if you and Zeph would accompany them as well. Zeph's presence might serve as a distraction for her, something to ease her sorrow."
Selena hesitated, her brow furrowing with worry. "I don't know if it's safe for Zeph to travel that far… He's been targeted before, and I can't risk putting him in danger."
Elysia understood Selena's concerns and offered a reassuring smile. "I spoke with the Emperor, and he told me that Father-in-law—Vorian—will be traveling with you to investigate the incident. With him there, you have nothing to fear."
The mention of Vorian, the legendary guardian of the Astaroth Empire, immediately eased Selena's anxieties. Vorian's reputation was unparalleled—no one could challenge his strength in the empire. Knowing that he would be there to protect Zeph and the others on their journey gave Selena the assurance she needed.
"If Vorian is coming with us, then I'll go," Selena said, her voice steady with newfound confidence. "I'll do whatever I can to support Anastasia, and Zeph and I will be there for her."
Elysia's expression softened, her relief evident. "Thank you, Selena. Anastasia will need all the support she can get. And please, keep an eye on Eregon as well. This will be his first time dealing with something like this… I worry about how he'll handle it."
Selena nodded in agreement. "I will. We'll all look out for each other."
With that, Elysia rose from her seat, smoothing out her elegant dress as she prepared to leave. "I appreciate your help, Selena. I should return to Anastasia and make preparations for the journey."
Selena stood as well, offering a warm smile to the Empress. "We'll be ready."
As Elysia departed, the weight of the upcoming journey hung in the air. Selena glanced over at Zeph, who was acting sound asleep in his cradle, observing the events.