The days in the palace passed in a carefully orchestrated routine. Aoust moved through the grand halls with quiet efficiency, observing every detail. The castle was a labyrinth of secrets—each turn, a whispered conversation, every shadow hiding a truth yet to be uncovered. For Aoust, it was like a puzzle, and he was determined to piece it together, one fragment at a time.
Arumi remained an enigma. She was everywhere and nowhere, a presence that loomed over every corner of the palace. Aoust often caught glimpses of her in passing, surrounded by nobles or lost in thought by a window, her expression distant and unreadable. She was reserved, her every word carefully measured, but there was an underlying sharpness to her gaze that suggested she missed nothing.
Aoust's duties kept him busy, but he used every opportunity to observe the princess and the court's inner workings. It became clear that the nobles had a complicated relationship with Arumi—respect tinged with fear, loyalty laced with suspicion. They bowed and flattered, yet their eyes constantly darted to one another, each wary of the other's intentions.
In the servants' quarters, the atmosphere was no different. Gossip was currency, and information passed from ear to ear with a speed that left Aoust both impressed and wary. One afternoon, as Aoust was tidying up the dining hall, he overheard two maids whispering near the fireplace.
"Did you hear? Lady Vesper was furious after her meeting with the princess," one maid said, her voice low and urgent.
"Of course she was," the other replied. "She tried to push her agenda again, and the princess shot her down like always. Lady Vesper should know better by now—Arumi doesn't bend to anyone's will."
Aoust paused his work, listening carefully. Lady Vesper was one of the more outspoken nobles, always vying for more influence. She was ambitious and cunning, often at odds with Arumi's unyielding rule. The friction between them was just one of many brewing conflicts within the palace walls.
As the maids continued their conversation, Aoust's thoughts drifted back to Arumi. He wondered what it was like for her, surrounded by a sea of sycophants and schemers. She was always on guard, always a step ahead, as if anticipating the next move of her opponents. But Aoust knew that no one could keep up that level of vigilance forever—not without cracks beginning to show.
Later that evening, Aoust found himself alone in the grand library, a vast room filled with towering shelves of ancient tomes and forgotten knowledge. It was one of the few places in the castle that felt untouched by the court's politics, a sanctuary of silence and solitude. He often retreated here to think, to piece together what he had learned each day.
A faint rustling broke the stillness, and Aoust turned to see Arumi at the far end of the library, seated by a large window with a book in her lap. She seemed lost in thought, her posture relaxed in a way Aoust had never seen before. There was no audience here, no nobles to impress or enemies to outmaneuver—just Arumi, alone with her thoughts.
Aoust hesitated, unsure whether to approach. This was a rare glimpse of the princess without her usual defenses, and he didn't want to intrude. But as if sensing his presence, Arumi looked up, her gaze sharp yet devoid of the usual guardedness.
"Aoust," she said, her voice breaking the silence. "What brings you to the library at this hour?"
"I could ask you the same, Your Highness," Aoust replied, offering a slight bow. "But I find solace here. It's… quieter than the rest of the palace."
Arumi nodded, her eyes returning to the book in her lap. "Yes, it is. A place where one can think without the noise of others' opinions."
Aoust moved closer, careful not to overstep his bounds. "May I ask what you're reading?"
Arumi glanced at the cover briefly before closing the book. "It's a history of the kingdom. The rise and fall of past rulers, the mistakes they made, and the lessons they never learned."
There was a bitter edge to her words, and Aoust sensed that her interest in the book was more than academic. "Do you find it helpful?"
"Helpful?" Arumi scoffed lightly, a rare hint of vulnerability crossing her features. "I find it sobering. It's a reminder that even those with the best intentions can lead their kingdoms to ruin."
Aoust absorbed her words, sensing a deeper truth hidden beneath them. He saw the faint lines of fatigue around her eyes, the way she held herself as if burdened by the weight of unseen responsibilities. "I believe intentions matter, Your Highness," he said gently. "And understanding past mistakes is the first step to avoiding them."
Arumi studied him, her expression thoughtful. "Perhaps. But understanding is not always enough. Sometimes, the world demands more from us than we are prepared to give."
Aoust nodded, knowing she spoke from experience. It was a subtle but significant moment—a small crack in the armor she wore so fiercely. He knew better than to press further, but he made a mental note of this rare insight into the princess's mind.
The moment passed, and Arumi rose, the walls around her quickly reassembling. "Thank you, Aoust," she said, her tone formal once more. "But I have much to do. Good night."
"Good night, Your Highness," Aoust replied, watching as she left the library. He lingered for a moment, the weight of their brief conversation settling over him. Arumi's burdens were becoming clearer, and with them, the complexity of his mission.
As Aoust returned to his quarters, his mind buzzed with questions. What drove Arumi to be the way she was? What fears haunted her when she was alone? He knew that understanding her was key—not just to his mission, but perhaps to changing the course of the kingdom itself.
The more Aoust learned, the more he felt drawn into the tangled web of Arumi's world. Each day brought new insights, but also new dangers. And as he lay awake that night, he couldn't shake the feeling that his path and Arumi's were becoming increasingly intertwined. Whether that was a blessing or a curse, Aoust could not yet say.