It was Aleph. Not the knight in simple attire and with a reserved countenance she had come to know, but a prince in all his glory, cloaked in the unmistakable elegance and ancestral symbols of the royal house of Autumn. Her initial shock melted into a silent admiration. Her gaze traced his path from the moment he crossed the threshold until he settled, with an effortless grace, across from her. From the head of the table, Ryuuji observed the almost palpable intensity of the gaze that passed between them, a spark of amusement dancing in his own eyes, but he prudently said nothing.
The servants presented an elaborate dinner, a celebration of Leticia's arrival. The kingdom's traditional celebratory dish was sumptuous: a nutrient-rich broth, followed by a main platter of twenty-five selected ingredients, blending delicacies from the sea, seasonal vegetables, and other regional specialties. The butler described each dish and its accompaniments as they were served, a true immersion into the gastronomic culture of Autumn.
After the main course, while they awaited dessert, Ryuuji initiated the conversation:
"Princess Leticia, was the dinner to your liking?"
"Prince Ryuuji, everything was absolutely delicious. I must also thank your staff for their meticulous care in preparing such an elaborate reception."
"I am pleased. And your accommodations, were they satisfactory? Should you have any request, do not hesitate to inform me."
"The view from the room is magnificent. The Autumn Kingdom truly possesses a lush landscape, a beauty that captivates the soul."
"Indeed, our landscapes are inspiring, much like those of your own kingdom. Speaking of which... how is Prince Laurenn? I haven't seen him since our days in royal training."
"He has been dedicating himself arduously to the affairs of the kingdom, preparing for his future responsibilities."
Aleph had remained silent throughout the entire meal. Leticia felt the weight of the revelation of his identity as the second prince, which explained so many of her previous suspicions. However, the main clue that had led her to believe he was Ryuuji was the handwriting from the gift. With this doubt lingering, she turned to Ryuuji:
"Your Highness, I would like to thank you for the beautiful dress you sent me."
Ryuuji adopted a pensive expression, as if searching his memory. He cast a quick, almost imperceptible glance toward Aleph before replying:
"I am immensely glad it was to your liking, Princess."
Leticia felt an urgent need to speak with Aleph; a whirlwind of questions still buzzed in her mind. He, however, excused himself from the table as soon as the meal concluded. Ryuuji, sensing the tangible tension between the two, chose not to intervene, adopting the posture of an interested observer.
Later, in her chambers, sleep eluded Leticia. Her thoughts circled endlessly around Aleph. She paced back and forth, whispering her turmoil to the empty room:
"Why didn't he tell me the truth? But then again, I never asked... Why did he agree to be my knight? He did promise it would only be for the journey, could that be why?" She sighed. "What torments me most is that I allowed such... impossible feelings to blossom, all because I chose to believe what I so desperately wanted to be true."
Unable to bear the uncertainty, she decided to confront him. Guided by Clifford's information, she knew where to find Aleph's chambers. She hesitated in the hallway, wary of being seen, but the need for answers propelled her to knock on his door.
Aleph, fresh from a bath and preparing for bed, was surprised by the late knock. The staff rarely circulated near his chambers at night. When he opened the door, the astonishment was mutual.
Leticia's eyes swept over him. His silver hair, still damp, fell untidily across his forehead. His pajama shirt was partially open, inadvertently revealing a sliver of his chest and abdomen. The sight, more intimate than she had expected, sent a sudden wave of embarrassment through her. As much as she tried to convince herself she had grown accustomed to Aleph's beauty, he always seemed to find a new way to surprise her, becoming more attractive with each passing day.
Noticing a shadow moving in the hallway, Aleph acted on instinct. He pulled Leticia inside, shutting the door and gently pinning her against its smooth surface. Their faces were inches apart, his eyes locked on hers.
"Why have you come here, at this hour?" his voice was low, almost a whisper, laden with an emotion Leticia couldn't decipher.
Leticia's heart hammered against her ribs. The warmth of his body, his breath so near, and that penetrating gaze left her utterly breathless, a deep blush coloring her cheeks. The proximity was so intense she could smell the faint, clean scent from his bath. Unable to hold his gaze, she pushed against him lightly, looking away.
"Why... why didn't you tell me you were a prince of this kingdom?" she finally managed to ask, her voice trembling slightly.
Aleph, composing himself after the heated moment that still hung in the air between them, discreetly fastened another button on his shirt. Only then, with a more restrained gesture, did he indicate an armchair near the fireplace. He sat in the one opposite her, his expression now serious, clearly prepared to explain.
"It is part of the training protocol. I was completing the second stage assigned by Master Yoshi, who, in my specific case, requested that my true identity remain concealed."
"Then... why, at that moment, did you agree to be my knight?"
Aleph, seeing the sadness in Leticia's eyes, decided the truth, now unhindered, had to be told.
"Initially, I was fulfilling a request from Laurenn. But I soon realized a greater motivation had taken root: the desire to thank the person who, long ago, saved my life. That is why, even aware of the implications of my position, I swore to protect you."
Leticia frowned, lost in confusion. No matter how deeply she searched her memory, no recollection of such an event surfaced.
"But... Aleph, how? When could this have happened? I... I remember nothing. How could I have forgotten something so important?"
"Many details of that day have faded from my own mind. Perhaps from the shock... or some external interference. It's possible our memories were fragmented, or even erased."
Leticia listened with growing intensity. Aleph continued:
"I vaguely recall the event occurred during our childhood, on a diplomatic visit to the Winter Kingdom. It's possible the alliance between our kingdoms was established at that same time. I would need to consult my father for more details."
Aleph's words sparked a new thought in Leticia, one laden with a weight that filled her heart. He hadn't protected her merely at Laurenn's request, or out of a knight's duty. It had been something far deeper. She had saved him. It was almost unbelievable. Her feelings for him, already so intense and confused, now gained a new layer of complexity. But she didn't want it to become a weight on him.
Leticia moved to sit beside Aleph, her gaze seeking his, a mixture of tenderness and concern.
"I don't know how this happened, Aleph... but I don't want this memory, or this debt, to become a burden for you. I want you to know that I don't see your repayment as an obligation."
Aleph understood the generosity in her words, her attempt to relieve him of any duty he might feel. He gently took her hand in his.
"Leticia, protecting you is a genuine desire of my heart. It is not a burden, but a privilege. And despite all the obligations of my position, what I want most is to be someone you can count on, unconditionally."
Leticia was rendered speechless, her eyes welling at the intensity of his words. It was a moment of silence where only their gazes communicated. He sensed she understood the depth of that moment. He raised his hand, the desire to brush his fingers against her cheek warring with his prudence, but he hesitated, painfully reminded of the boundaries that held them apart. Instead, he squeezed her hand tenderly. It was a mutual acknowledgment of the complexity of their feelings and the loyalty that, in spite of everything, bound them together.
Before Leticia could formulate all the questions still rising in her mind and heart, Aleph stood, his expression now tinged with a more practical concern.
"You should return to your chambers, before someone notices your absence."
✧ Chapter Notes ✧
Education in the Kingdoms is divided into stages. In the first stage, a child receives a basic education, learns fundamental knowledge from their family, and learns how their people are organized. At 14, the youth is guided to learn a profession that aligns with their skills. Thus, everyone contributes to the balance of the Kingdom. However, princes have a different education. In the second stage, they learn more about the functionalities of the Kingdom, and in this stage, the reigning king is generally the teacher. At 16, the prince begins training with Master Yoshi for a deeper learning, where they will go through a series of trials and tests to enhance their skills. After 2 years, the prince concludes the training with the Master. And then, they spend a certain amount of time in another kingdom to learn about other customs and other ways of governing. Prince Ryuuji and Prince Laurenn chose the Spring Kingdom for their exchange, as they wished to learn from its current king, King Aldrich.