Cairo

Sylvia's POV:

I walk down the hallway in the palace, heading towards the gazebo in the Pearl Gardens. King Karl had made it for Queen Cordelia when she was pregnant. It is home to the most magnificent flowers I've ever seen.

It's mostly restricted to the Royal family with the exception of me. Ace told me to meet him there at noon for some tea before he disappeared off to finish his work. I spent most of my time in his library before finally realising the time and making my way there.

"You there, stop." My head turned as I walked backwards and peeked into the open door.

"Hello? Did anyone call me?" I ask, looking around.

"Come in," the voice says. This was the palace so no one bad would be here. Hesitantly, I walked in, pushing the mahogany door open. It was another one of the many offices in the palace, yet this one reeked of alcohol. On a chair was a man not much older than me.

He had dark hair and shimmering gold eyes, similar to the King's. "What's your name?"

"Pardon me?" I say, stepping back a bit. "Isn't it etiquette to reveal your name first before asking about mine?"

"Ah you're no fun. There's no point in the trading of names when I can already imagine who you are. I'll just name you Grey. It matches well with your hair."

"Excuse me?! Grey is a boy's name and my hair is not grey! It's silver!" I fume.

"It's an insult to call that dun hair silver. Grey suits your much more."

"I hoped your manners were better than your looks, it seems I was wrong."

"What did you say? What's wrong with my appearance? Aren't I the object of every young lady's desire?"

"You flatter yourself too much, sir," I grit.

"Ahaha! You... are really impudent." His tone changed immediately as he put down his glass.

"I'll remind you to stay there, I'm leaving now," I say as I turn towards the door only for it to be shut in my face. I circle towards him in shock. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I've never seen such a brazen woman before in my life. Tell me, where do you get off acting all high and mighty? Need I remind you of your place as a woman?" He raises his hand towards me, gripping my chin.

I saw red and kicked him in his leg. "Why don't you tell me where you learnt your manners from?!" I shout as I run towards the door, using my strength to pull it open.

"You wench! Argh!" He groans, holding his leg in pain. "Just you wait until I tell my father about this!"

"Tell my dead grandmother too! I hope I broke your leg you brute! Sizing up to a delicate young lady! You bring shame to your family!" I shouted before running away.

That man was savage. I've never even heard of a nobleman raising his hand to a woman. Such an act was deemed atrocious and any man who was accused of hitting a woman was labelled as a brute and banned from noble society.

Still, he still tried squaring up to me. The bubbling anger rose in me as I made my way to the gazebo where I saw Ace and proceeded to rant for ten straight minutes before also making a promise to snitch on him to my father.

"Wait, so someone actually tried to hit you in the palace?!" Mason cried in shock.

"Yes! He called me a wench and locked me in a room with him. I'm telling my father, my mother, my brother and my aunt. He's done for!" I yell, slicing my neck with my hand as I banged on the table again in anger.

"And what did this man look like, Sylvia?" Ace asked, less angry than I thought he'd be.

"Well, he had dark brown hair and golden eyes. And a beauty spot under his right eye." Ace exchanged glances with Mason as I continued describing the man.

"Is there anything wrong?" I ask.

"Who you encountered before was Cairo Amin Malachy. Heir to the Malachy Archduchy. He is also my paternal cousin," Ace reveals.

"Excuse me? You mean he's the leader of the aristocratic faction?! I've never actually seen him before."

"Technically, his father is the leader. My uncle is a depraved man who believes he should have been King instead of my father. However, my father doesn't want his strained relationship with his brother to affect the one he has with my cousin, so Cairo is still allowed to walk in and out of the palace."

"Well ban him. He's clearly no good. I can't imagine someone like him sitting on a chair properly let alone a throne."

The aristocratic faction. A group of pseudo-nobles who bought their titles rather than earn them. They were a reckless bunch who did not have the qualities of nobles instilled in them; drinking and attending casinos regularly without morals.

The person they backed was Archduke Jason Malarchy who was the embodiment of out with the old, in with the new. Having the King replaced with him would send a message that nobles could be replaced with commoners.

A terrifying idea indeed, when the mana difference of a noble verses a commoner spoke a thousand words. Sure, there were some weak nobles just as there are strong commoners, allowing the area of illegitimate children. But to say that strong nobles could easily be replaced when they keep the beasts in check is a huge mistake.

Nobles are needed in this country. Their power helps to keep the majority safe from magic beasts and climate crises. Those pseudo-nobles are only deluding themselves to think that simply money will keep away an earthquake.

"I cannot go against the word of the King, but it would be wise for your to avoid him. Cairo tends to be a bit...spiteful. And being the Archduke's heir gives him quite an edge."

"It'll be alright, Sylvia, he cannot touch you as the Crown Princess," Mason assured me.

I grunt in frustration as I slump back in my seat. "What's he even doing here anyway, can't he get the memo that Crown Prince is already taken?"

"He's here for the Royal Pledge. After that, I'm sure he'll be gone," Ace replied.

"Oh, right. I had almost forgotten about that. It's before our Adunatio isn't it?"

"That's right."

"Speaking of which... Have you still not gotten a fiancée yet, Mason?" I ask. He sparked bright red at that question.

"I-I mean, my mother hasn't said anything yet." he stammers.

"But haven't you set your eyes on someone? Matter of fact, I don't see you beside anyone else but Ace. Ace, you're ruining his love life!"

"It seems that I am guilty," Ace smiles, hands in the air.

"No, it's not that! I just haven't really been interested in anyone lately."

"Well the Adunatio is coming, if you do get a fiancée now, you'd have to wait nine years before your Adunatio and then maybe another two to get married," I say.

"I'm fine with that, I don't see the rush with getting married, I just want to find the right person before I think about engagements. I mean, are you planning to marry His Highness two years after your Adunatio?"

Ace looks with shiny eyes.

"No, but the idea that I can marry him whenever after is just assuring. Like the option is always available," I say. "And quit looking at me like that before I flick you."

"Even your punishments are rewarding."

"You creep, how about touching some grass," I say before flicking his forehead. He didn't flinch, yet the tiny redness on his forehead made me happy.

"I won't be surprised if you two get married straight after your Adunatio," Mason sighs.

"No, I'm too young. The thought of me getting married when I'm not even 16 repulses me. I'd say a solid 23 would be nice."

"Anything you say," Ace agrees.

"I guess the only one wanting to marry that quick would be Lucas and Rillaine."

"No, her father would never go for it. There'd be an international war. Rilliane would definitely choose her father," I say, thinking back to all the times she ran to her father's arms.

"Ah yes, he shall always be second to her father," Ace chuckles, resting on the table. "I instead think that they will get married as soon as she's 18. After she's past the legal age, I'd say most of Lucas' patience will be used up by then."

"You talk as if he's going to kidnap her," I scoff, flicking my hair. Mason and Ace exchanged glances. "You're being serious, aren't you?"

It's been three months since I've last updated. Lemme tell you, my mental health has taken more dips than a roller coaster. It's the lack of WIFI, I tell you. Can't expect me to be sane without WiFi. I'm also getting serious with this plot and will now introduce the main story, no more side stories. Actually, maybe a few but we will be focusing on the main story now. Anyways, enjoy!