"Ah... it’s a wonderful view... If only I could see this many times more,"
Perched atop of the Kingdom’s royal tree, The Princess Of Elandria, Aziel fluttered her arms out wide feeling the breeze brush against her robes as she gazed at the silverleaf city below.
The new year had just begun, yet Aziel desired to watch the sun rise once more, she had done this countless times over the course of her life and still she couldn’t help but admire the beauty of nature.
Within the pleasant breeze Her silver hair, the color of moonlight on snow, was thick and long, reaching past her waist where it swayed gently in the breeze. It was tied into two loose braids that flowed like silken rivers down her back, each strand shimmering with an ethereal light.
The braids weren’t perfectly smooth; strands of hair escaped here and there, curling into delicate ringlets that framed her face and danced playfully on the air.
Even though she was dressed as a commoner, bearing the blood of royalty, she yearned for a life beyond the cage of the palace, a life where she could explore the world and discover her true potential.
She had always been a curious child, fascinated by the stories of adventurers and mages who roamed the land, fighting monsters, uncovering ancient secrets, and shaping the destiny of the world.
But as a princess, her life was confined to the Royal Arbor.
Her days were filled with etiquette lessons, courtly dances, and diplomatic meetings. While she understood the importance of these duties, her heart longed for something more, something beyond the rigid expectations and social obligations that came with her royal title.
She wasn’t necessarily seeking adventure or excitement; in fact, the thought of those things often filled her with anxiety.
Rather, she craved the freedom to explore her own interests, to pursue her own passions, to make her own choices without the constant pressure of societal expectations.
She was a curious and introspective person, with a deep love for knowledge and a thirst for understanding the world around her.
But her shyness often held her back, preventing her from fully expressing herself and pursuing her dreams.
She longed for a life where she could be just herself.
"Princess Aziel?"
A gentle voice broke through her reverie, startling her from her thoughts.
She turned to see her most trusted servant, Nora, standing behind her.
"Ah... it seems you found me," Aziel’s expression turned soft almost as if she was ready to hand herself in.
"Indeed, Your Highness. It wouldn’t be a new year if I wasn’t searching for you somewhere outside the palace walls. But it’s been three days. When will you return? Your parents are worried sick."
Nora’s expression softened, but her voice remained firm.
Aziel sighed, her gaze returning to the sunrise.
"I know... But I’m not ready to go back. Not yet."
She looked at her loyal servant, her eyes filled with a pleading desperation.
"Just a few more days, Nora. Please... I really want to go somewhere before I really leave,"
"Your Highness you know you can’t stay away forever."
"I know, Nora, but I need time. Time to think, to breathe, to discover who I am outside of the title of ’princess.’"
"I won’t be reckless, I promise."
Nora, seeing the unwavering resolve in Aziel’s eyes, knew there was no arguing.
She had served the princess since she was 3, and she had never seen her so determined before.
"Very well, Your Highness," Nora said, bowing her head in acquiescence.
"But please be careful. My head is quite literally in your hands, you know."
Aziel couldn’t help but smile at Nora’s dry humor.
"I know, I wouldn’t dream of putting your precious head in danger. I’ll be back soon, safe and sound. I promise."
HEUP!
With a final reassuring glance, Aziel turned and gracefully leaped from the branch, her form disappearing into the dense foliage below.
"Haah... what will I say to the King this time..."
Nora watched her go, worried for Aziel more than herself.
**
[Julian’s POV] Discover hidden stories at freewebnovel
It was finally the start of a new year, and the beginning of the academy saga.
It won’t be too long until Aethel Academy starts the processing for admissions for the entrance exam and I’d hope that I can pass those admissions before then...
But right now, I’m stuck in the Elven Kingdom or shall I say the Kingdom Of Elandria.
10 years had passed by so quickly that I didn’t even notice...
It felt like just yesterday I was a scrawny five-year-old, clinging to my mother’s side as we journeyed to Summit Village.
Now, here I stood, with one of the most wanted positions within the Florence household, The chief of operations...
It was a title that sounded far more impressive than it actually was.
Sure, I had a fancy office, a team of (somewhat) competent mages under my command, and a salary that would make most merchants drool. But the reality of the job was far less glamorous than the title suggested.
Most of my days were spent drowning in paperwork, doing all the left over work Ophelia couldn’t finish for the night, and putting out fires caused by incompetent subordinates.
And when I wasn’t buried under a mountain of administrative tasks, I was running errands, playing bodyguard, or chasing down rogue mages who had somehow managed to offend the Florence family.
So much for earning achievements, I lost a few years off my life span just from working.
Though I knew it wasn’t exactly the life of adventure and excitement I had envisioned when I first arrived in this world, it wasn’t all that bad.
I had learned a lot over the past ten years, honed my magic skills, and even managed to make a few friends along the way.
And then there was Vykekard, my apparent guide to the world of Gathlantica.
He may have been just a head in a helmet, but he at least helped my a lot in my training with the way of the sword.
"...though, I’m not really allowed to use it,"
I muttered, tracing the intricate carvings on the scabbard that hung at my hip.
"Indeed!"
Vykekard’s voice boomed in my mind, startling a nearby raven from its perch.
"A blade meant for glorious combat, for vanquishing vile foes, should not be wasted on petty bureaucrats and thieving scoundrels!"
He had been adamant about that, forbidding me from using the sword in my day-to-day duties as Chief of Operations.
Which, considering his usual penchant for theatrics and over-the-top pronouncements, was surprisingly consistent.
"It’s not a tool for settling petty squabbles or intimidating merchants!" he would declare, his voice echoing with the (somewhat exaggerated) weight of a thousand battles.
"A true knight only draws his blade when faced with true evil, when the fate of kingdoms hangs in the balance! When dragons roar and demons tremble! When—"
-"Okay, okay, I get it,"
Vykekard, despite his occasional moments of wisdom, had a tendency to get carried away with his dramatic pronouncements.
It was like having a personal hype-man who also happened to be a disembodied, centuries-old knight.
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