Inside the palace, Lady Selene's attendants were already waiting, and their relieved exclamations filled the grand hall as they fussed over the young lady, ensuring she was unhurt. But despite their reassurances and offers to escort her back to her chambers, Lady Selene refused to leave Elias's side.
"Elias," she said quietly, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked up at him. "I'm so sorry. If I hadn't insisted we go outside, this wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't have gotten hurt because of me."
Elias smiled softly, shaking his head. "Please don't blame yourself, Lady Selene. None of this was your fault. My job is to protect you and His Highness, no matter the circumstances. I'm just glad you're both safe."
Lady Selene frowned, her young face creasing with determination. "No. It's not fair that you have to take all the risks. Next time, I'll protect you. I'll become strong enough to be your knight, Elias. Just wait and see!"
Elias's heart sank at her words. He knelt to meet her at eye level, his gaze warm but serious. "My lady, you don't have to do that. Your safety is my priority, and getting stronger is my responsibility, not yours. Please don't worry about protecting me."
Lady Selene said nothing, her lips pursed in a stubborn line. But the spark of determination in her eyes was unmistakable. Even though she nodded in agreement, Elias could tell that she wasn't going to let this go. He sighed inwardly, knowing her resolve was as immovable as the mountains.
To his surprise, Prince Aedric still hadn't spoken. Instead, he stood close by, his hand gripping Elias's sleeve as if afraid to let go. His usually sharp tongue remained silent, and his gaze was fixed on the floor.
After a moment, Lady Selene's attendants finally managed to persuade her to return to her quarters to prepare for her journey home. She relented reluctantly, glancing back at Elias as she was led away.
"Rest well, Elias," she said softly. "Next time we meet, I'll be stronger."
Elias forced a reassuring smile, bowing slightly as she disappeared down the corridor with her attendants. He straightened slowly, his body still aching from the earlier struggle.
Prince Aedric tugged on his sleeve, drawing his attention. "Come with me," Aedric muttered, his tone uncharacteristically subdued.
Elias blinked but followed without question. Aedric led him to a quiet sitting room, dismissing the servants stationed there with a wave of his hand. Once they were alone, the prince turned to face him, his expression tense.
"You don't need Lady Selene to protect you," Aedric said abruptly, his voice a mix of irritation and something else Elias couldn't quite place. "You don't need anyone else. You have me."
Elias's eyes widened slightly. "Your Highness—"
"I'm serious," Aedric interrupted, crossing his arms. "You keep talking about getting stronger, but you don't have to. If anyone tries to hurt you, I'll... I'll handle it. You're mine, Elias. I won't let anyone take you away."
______
Life settled into a semblance of normalcy for Elias in the days following the market incident. As normal as life could be, that is, for someone who had transmigrated into an unfamiliar world, could hear ghosts, and had to manage the whims of a temperamental prince.
Elias's newfound ability to see and speak with spirits remained his carefully guarded secret.
Though the occasional encounter unnerved him—like passing a spectral figure in the hallway or hearing faint whispers from the shadows—he had learned to mask his reactions.
He didn't dare share the truth with anyone, especially not after Lady Selene's curious questions or the unkindness of the palace staff.
For the most part, things were peaceful. Prince Aedric had settled back into his usual routine of studying under Master Horace, terrorizing anyone who dared to displease him, and insisting on Elias's near-constant presence.
Elias found solace in these calmer days, though he couldn't shake the lingering tension in the air.
That tension crystallized one sunny afternoon when Prince Aedric suddenly summoned Elias to his chambers.
"I have decided you're going to accompany me to my lessons," Aedric announced, lounging on an ornate sofa with the casual air of someone making an unchallengeable decree.
Elias blinked, unsure if he'd heard correctly. "Pardon, Your Highness?"
"You heard me," Aedric replied, his tone impatient. "You'll come with me to my lessons. It'll make them less boring."
Elias's stomach dropped. He had little desire to sit in on the prince's classes. While he was accustomed to following Aedric around the palace, sitting through a tutor's lectures seemed not only tedious but dangerous.
He wasn't sure how Master Horace—or anyone else—would react to a servant sitting in on lessons meant for royalty.
"Your Highness," Elias began carefully, "I don't think that's a good idea. I'm sure Master Horace wouldn't—"
Aedric cut him off with a sharp glare. "I don't care what Master Horace thinks. I'm the prince, and I want you there."
"But, Your Highness—"
"You're refusing me?" Aedric's voice rose, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Elias swallowed hard, recognizing the storm brewing in the prince's expression. Refusing Aedric outright was akin to courting disaster. Still, he tried one last time to reason with him. "I'm only thinking of your studies, Your Highness. Wouldn't it be distracting to have me there?"
Aedric snorted, waving off the concern. "Don't be stupid. You'll just sit there quietly. It won't be distracting at all."
Elias opened his mouth to protest again, but Aedric's glare silenced him. The prince's stubbornness was legendary, and Elias knew when a battle was unwinnable.
"As you wish, Your Highness," he said reluctantly, bowing his head.
Aedric's expression brightened immediately, as if Elias's agreement had erased his earlier irritation. "Good. We'll go now."
Before Elias could even process the command, Aedric was already striding toward the door, leaving him no choice but to follow.
The walk to the study hall was short but filled with apprehension. As they entered the room, Master Horace looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from surprise to disapproval when he noticed Elias trailing behind the prince.
"Your Highness," the tutor said slowly, his tone measured, "why is your servant here?"
"Because I said so," Aedric replied dismissively, taking his seat at the head of the table. "He's going to sit in on the lesson."
Master Horace's gaze flicked to Elias, his frown deepening. "Your Highness, with all due respect, lessons are a private matter. Allowing a servant to—"
"I don't recall asking for your opinion," Aedric interrupted, his voice sharp. "He's staying. Get on with it."
Elias shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the tutor's glare but said nothing. He took a seat in the corner of the room, hoping to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
Master Horace muttered something under his breath before reluctantly turning back to the lesson.
The next hour was a test of endurance. Aedric's attention span was as short as ever, and he spent more time doodling on his parchment and stealing glances at Elias than actually listening to the tutor. Master Horace, to his credit, soldiered on, though his patience was clearly wearing thin.
Elias did his best to remain invisible, but the tutor's disapproving glances made him feel like an intruder. Adding to his discomfort, he occasionally caught glimpses of faint figures lurking near the edges of the room. Ghosts, he realized, though they seemed uninterested in him for the time being.
When the lesson finally ended, Elias let out a quiet sigh of relief. He stood quickly, eager to escape the room before Master Horace could voice his displeasure.
Unfortunately, Aedric had other plans.
"See? That wasn't so bad," the prince said smugly, walking over to Elias. "You should come to all my lessons from now on."
Elias froze, panic flashing across his face. "Your Highness, I—"
"Don't argue," Aedric said, cutting him off. "You're coming. That's final."
Elias opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by the sound of the tutor clearing his throat.
"Your Highness," Master Horace said, his voice strained, "if I may—"
"You may not," Aedric snapped, his temper flaring. "I'm the prince. I can do what I want."
The tutor flinched, his composure slipping for a moment before he bowed stiffly. "As you say, Your Highness."
Aedric smirked, clearly satisfied with the exchange. He turned back to Elias. "Come on. Let's go."
Elias followed obediently, though his mind raced with questions. Why was Aedric so insistent on having him around? And how was he supposed to navigate the increasingly precarious situation he found himself in?
As they left the study hall, Elias glanced over his shoulder, catching a fleeting glimpse of one of the ghosts lingering near the tutor. It was faint, almost translucent, but its expression was unmistakably angry.
Elias shivered, quickening his pace to catch up with Aedric. For now, he could only focus on surviving the prince's whims and hoping that his strange abilities wouldn't land him in even more trouble.