Prince of The Ruined Kingdom

That morning, I woke up slowly, letting the warm sunlight creep through the window of the modest inn room. My vision was blurry for a moment, and I blinked a few times to adjust to the light. For a brief second, my mind was still half-asleep, allowing a strange but familiar feeling to bubble up inside me.

"Abigail's not here..." I thought, a small discomfort rising in my chest. Instinctively, I reached out to the side of the bed, but it was empty. My heart skipped a beat—somehow, that emptiness felt oddly unsettling. Only after a few seconds did I realize, and I let out a long breath.

"Of course, she's not here. This is my room, not Abigail's." I chuckled softly at myself, feeling a bit foolish for imagining something so absurd. Abigail was likely still in her own room, either fast asleep or, knowing her, maybe out on one of her midnight walks. She could be unpredictable like that.

Still, I couldn't shake off the strange feeling in my chest. A small sense of disappointment fluttered through my mind, as if something was missing. Maybe I'd gotten used to her presence near me, especially after everything we had been through together. But now, I had to focus.

"I need to stop thinking like this," I told myself firmly, trying to push those thoughts away. "I'm still on a mission. This isn't the time to get lost in personal feelings."

As I was still in the middle of convincing myself, a voice suddenly spoke up from beside me, startling me so much that I almost jumped out of bed.

"You seem disappointed Abigail's not in your bed," the voice teased. "So, all that talk in the prison was just a lie, huh?"

I whipped around quickly to find Mira standing there, grinning widely. Her signature dark hair hung around her shoulders, and that familiar sadistic smile only confirmed that she was enjoying this moment far too much. How had she even snuck in here without me noticing?

"Mira…" I sighed deeply, trying to regain my composure. "What do you mean, everything I said in prison was a lie?"

Mira chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, don't pretend, Arche. You said you didn't have any feelings like that for Abigail, but look at you now. You're clearly disappointed she's not here with you!"

I snorted quietly, feeling a bit cornered. How did Mira always seem to know what I was feeling? She was annoyingly perceptive, though she often blew things out of proportion. I knew she was just messing with me, but her words still struck a nerve—something I'd been keeping buried.

"It's not like that," I finally replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was just surprised, that's all. And, wait, why are you here instead of being with Abigail?"

Mira froze for a second, clearly not expecting me to turn the question on her. Her eyes widened a bit before she quickly recovered her usual nonchalant stance. "I… just wanted to say thank you," she said in a quieter, more awkward tone, something I rarely saw from her.

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "Thank you? For what?"

Mira glanced away, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks—something incredibly rare to see. "For helping me fix things with Abigail," she muttered, almost whispering.

I was taken aback, not expecting Mira to express gratitude so openly. I had always thought of her as someone who acted on impulse, never too concerned with how others felt, let alone admitting she needed help.

"I just… I didn't want her to keep hating me," she continued, her voice softer than usual. "I know I'm strange and do things you think are crazy, but… I never wanted her to push me away. So yeah… thanks."

I looked at her, my expression softening. This was a side of Mira I'd rarely seen—vulnerable, honest, and sincere. Usually, she hid her feelings behind a mask of cruelty and wild laughter.

"There's no need to thank me, Mira," I said gently. "I know how important you both are to each other. I just gave a little nudge."

Mira stared at me for a moment, as if searching for something in my eyes, then gave a small smile—one that was more genuine this time.

"Hmph, I'm not good at this kind of stuff," she muttered, looking away. "But thanks, Arche. Even though you're boring."

I couldn't help but laugh softly at her remark. "Thanks for the compliment, Mira."

She gave a slight nod, and before I could say anything else, she was gone—vanishing just as mysteriously as she had appeared. I was left alone in the room, feeling a little bewildered by the conversation that had just unfolded.

I sat still for a moment, reflecting on what had just happened. Mira, who I had always thought cared only about herself, actually harbored deep feelings for Abigail. And somehow, knowing that gave me a sense of peace.

I let out a quiet sigh, then sat down on the edge of the bed, staring out the window. The day had only just begun, and there were still many things to think about. But for now, I felt a little lighter. Maybe, after everything, the bond between the three of us—Mira, Abigail, and me—would only grow stronger.

The sound of the door opening suddenly pulled me from my thoughts. Standing at the doorway was Abigail, her smile wide, and beside her hovered a drone controlled by Lilith. Abigail's eyes sparkled with energy, and she spoke before I could say a word.

"Arche, get up! We need to get ready. It's time to leave Nexus Port City," she said, stepping into the room. "We're heading to Greyfield, the remote island where that village is. Finally, we're going to reach the Einzvil estate."

Her words echoed in my mind. *The final destination… the Einzvil estate.* After such a long journey, after all the chaos and danger, we were finally nearing the end. The heavy burden I'd been carrying for so long began to feel a little lighter.

I let out a long breath, unable to stop a small smile from spreading across my face. "Finally… it's almost over."

Abigail's smile grew wider at my reaction, and the drone beside her dipped lower as if nodding in agreement.

"Come on, Arche, we don't have time to waste," Abigail continued, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "The ship's already waiting at the port. It's one of the Einzvil family's private vessels."

I nodded, grabbing my jacket. "Alright, I'm ready. Let's go." Though my heart was a mix of relief, worry, and maybe a bit of excitement, I kept my expression calm. This journey had gone on long enough, and there were still challenges ahead. But at least now, we knew exactly where we were headed.

After getting ready, I followed Abigail out of the inn toward the harbor. The morning air was crisp, carrying the salty tang of the sea. The sky was a clear blue, offering a rare sense of optimism I hadn't felt in a long time.

When we arrived at the port, Mira and Jack were already waiting. Jack leaned against a wall with his arms crossed, while Mira sat on the edge of the dock, staring off into the distance as if lost in thought. As we approached, Jack was the first to speak.

"So, this is it, huh?" His voice was calm, though there was a faint hint of sadness in his tone.

I nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, Jack. We're headed to Greyfield Island. The last stop before we reach the Einzvil estate."

Jack gave a soft smile and glanced over at Abigail. "It's been a long journey, hasn't it? You've made it this far."

Abigail nodded slowly, her gaze shifting to Mira, who still sat in silence. "Mira… do you want to come with us?"

Her question hung in the air, drawing all eyes to Mira. For a moment, she remained still, not answering. I could feel the tension building. Mira had been a part of this journey, part of everything we'd been through. It wasn't strange for Abigail to want her to come along. But her silence made the situation feel heavier.

Finally, without saying a word, Abigail reached out and gently took Mira's hand, giving it a soft tug as if urging her to join us. "Come on, Mira. We've come this far together. I want you with us."

I could see the change in Mira's expression. There was surprise, maybe even hesitation. She looked down at Abigail's hand holding hers, then glanced at Jack, as if seeking some kind of approval or sign from him.

Jack, who had been quietly observing, gave her a slow nod. "You should go, Mira. Your journey isn't over yet."

With that simple gesture, Mira's face softened. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. I saw a flicker of relief in her eyes as she turned to Abigail and gave a small nod.

"Alright," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll go."

In that instant, Abigail beamed with joy, pulling Mira closer in a welcoming gesture, as if embracing her back into our group. I couldn't help but smile too, watching the warmth of the moment unfold. Despite the danger and tension of this journey, there was a deep bond between us that remained unbroken.

We all boarded the Einzvil family's private ship, which was waiting at the dock. It was a small yet sturdy vessel, sleek and modern in design—a symbol of the Einzvil family's power and prestige. But to us, it was our passage to the final leg of this journey.

Jack stayed behind, watching from the dock as the ship slowly began to pull away from the port. I could see the sadness in his eyes, though he tried to mask it with a faint smile.

"Take care of yourself, Jack," I said, hoping he knew we would miss him.

Jack gave a casual wave. "Don't worry about me. I've still got plenty of work to do here. You just focus on your mission."

Mira, usually so aloof and distant, lingered a bit longer in her gaze toward Jack. There was something unspoken in her eyes, something deeper than she let on. But she didn't say anything—just looked at him with a kind of quiet understanding before turning to join Abigail inside the ship.

Abigail, just before heading in herself, paused for a moment and glanced back at Jack. "Thank you, Jack. For everything."

Jack nodded, still with that calm, steady smile. "You too. Be careful out there."

With those final words of farewell, we left Nexus Port City behind, heading toward the remote island that marked the end of our journey. The sea breeze picked up as the ship sailed into open waters, and I couldn't shake the strange feeling that welled up inside me. This journey wasn't over yet, but we were getting closer to uncovering the answers to all the mysteries we had faced.

And though we left Jack behind, I knew our bond would stay strong, no matter how far we traveled.

***

In a quiet corner of Avalonis, nestled in an old café with a warm, wood-paneled interior and antique decorations, the atmosphere felt serene. Unlike the modern cafés scattered across the city, this one carried an air of nostalgia, offering a peaceful solitude. Katya, a woman with shoulder-length hair and sharp eyes, sat in one of the café's cozy nooks. Across from her was a young woman with long black hair, poised with an air of authority. This young woman was her mistress, someone Katya held in the highest regard.

Katya held a glass of iced drink in her hands, occasionally glancing at the young woman seated before her. There was a trace of nervousness on Katya's face, though she tried her best to remain composed in front of her mistress. The young woman, with graceful and deliberate movements, sipped her tea slowly, as though everything around her bent to her will.

Finally, Katya gathered her courage and broke the silence.

"Your Highness... Zeratile... he's dead," Katya said softly but clearly. "Prince Arche is now on his way to the remote island where the Einzvil estate lies."

The young woman, whom Katya addressed as "Your Highness," paused for a moment, elegantly placing her tea cup down and gazing at Katya. Her expression remained calm, showing no sign of surprise.

"I suspected as much," she replied with poise. "Zeratile was always too ambitious for his own good. And Arche... may the goddess Oriana watch over him on his journey."

Katya nodded slowly, feeling relieved that her mistress did not express any dissatisfaction. Yet, when the young woman mentioned the goddess Oriana, there was a softness in her voice that caught Katya off guard.

"Arche has always been a good child," the young woman continued, her voice low, almost as if she were speaking to herself. "He was the most devout when praying to Goddess Oriana back at Evernoir Castle. Even as a child, he carried a strong sense of responsibility. I hope this journey leads him to his destined path."

Katya couldn't hide her admiration as she listened to her mistress speak. There was something captivating about the way the young woman carried herself—graceful, calculating, and speaking with wisdom far beyond her years. Every movement seemed carefully considered, and every word that left her lips sounded like a command from a queen. Despite having served her for so long, Katya still found herself in awe of her mistress.

Noticing Katya's admiration, the young woman smiled, a soft, graceful laugh escaping her lips and filling the air. "Katya, relax. We're in this café, far from prying eyes. There's no need to be so tense."

Her gaze melted away the stiffness in Katya's heart, leaving her feeling slightly embarrassed for being so serious. Katya blushed, feeling the warmth rise to her cheeks.

"Forgive me, Your Highness," Katya said nervously. "I just... I admire you, as always."

The young woman laughed again, this time a little louder, yet still maintaining her elegance. She looked at Katya with a gaze that was both gentle and commanding, a look that made Katya's heart race. No matter how many times Katya heard her mistress laugh, it always made her feel honored and incredibly small in her presence.

Trying to mask her embarrassment, Katya quickly shifted the topic. "Your Highness, about Eddy… I delivered your message to him, and… the matter with Darius has been settled. It's done."

At the mention of Eddy's name, the smile on the young woman's face faded slightly, replaced by a more serious, calculating expression. She lifted her tea cup again, sipping slowly, as though savoring every drop while considering her next moves carefully.

"Good," she finally said, her voice steady but firm. "A pawn that has served its purpose is no longer needed. Eddy should understand that. And Darius... he's done what he could. There will be no traces left behind."

Katya nodded, relieved that her mission had been completed successfully. She knew the actions they took were ruthless, but she also knew that every step her mistress made was for a greater purpose. A grand plan that Katya herself didn't fully understand, but one that was enough to make her utterly loyal to this woman's authority.

"Is there anything else you need me to do, Your Highness?" Katya asked respectfully.

The young woman looked at Katya for a moment, her sharp eyes seeming to read every thought in Katya's mind. "For now, we wait for news from Arche. After his fight with Zeratile, the journey to Einzvil must be exhausting, but he's not one to give up easily. When the time comes, we'll make our next move."

Katya nodded again. There was a calmness in her mistress's voice that always made her feel secure, even though the world outside was filled with danger.

"Your Highness, you always know what's best," Katya said, her admiration clear.

The young woman smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming just a little. "Of course. I've been preparing for this for years. Every step, every decision. All of it leads to my ultimate goal. There is no room for mistakes, and I won't let anyone stand in my way. Not Eddy, not Darius, nor anyone else."

Katya could only bow her head, her respect deepening further. She knew how intelligent and strategic her mistress was, but hearing it directly made her even more aware of the vast scope of the plan unfolding before her.

As the sun began to set on the western horizon, the café's interior was illuminated by candlelight, casting a warm glow on the tables. The atmosphere grew even quieter, and Katya felt that this moment was perfect—time to speak quietly, away from the disruptions of the outside world.

"Your Highness," Katya said softly, "I will always be loyal to you, no matter what."

The young woman looked at Katya, and this time, there was a tenderness in her eyes. "I know, Katya. And your loyalty will be rewarded in due time."

The two sat in silence, enjoying the tranquility of the café as the world outside continued to spin with its web of intrigue and dangers that lay ahead.

***