You Really Do Have Beautiful Eyes

A month flew by in an instant and today was the day of departure. Apparently, the prince will accompany Albert and I before we leave tomorrow. I'm so excited to get out of this prison, learn about magic, meet new people, make friends, and perhaps fall in love. But I don't want to get too ahead of myself. Last week I bought ten new dresses, after all first impressions are everything.

"Lady Seraphina, Lady Seraphina." Anne wakes me up. "Time to get ready."

After I have washed up I put on the red dress I have decided to wear today with a pair of red heels to match. Anne suggests to tie my hair back. However, I refuse. This is going to be the first time everyone is going to see me and I want them to take a good look at my appearance, so I decide to let my hair fall free.

As I step out of the mansion prince Julian, Samuel, Albert and my father are waiting by the carriage. I can't walk any further until father breaks down the barrier.

My father walks toward me, his steps slow but certain, something small and unfamiliar gripped tightly in his hand. He reaches out and presses a soft kiss to my forehead, his warmth surrounding me like a shield. "You're free," he whisperes, his voice thick with emotion, as if the weight of those words carried the weight of a lifetime. Then, with a quiet, final gesture, he crushed the object in his hand, the sound sharp and irreversible. In that moment, I felt both the weight of his love and the weight of his sacrifice, as though he was letting go of something precious so I could soar.

Suddenly, all the servants gasp and I close my eyes and slowly place my foot over the barrier. "I'm free." I whisper, the words trembling as a tear slips down my cheek. I say it again, as though the very sound of it might anchor me to reality. "I'm free." I look down at my hands, imagining the weight of chains that are no longer there, feeling the freedom pulse through my fingertips.

"Seraphina?" Samuel's voice is soft, and then his arms are around me, grounding me as I continue to murmur the words like a prayer. "I'm free. I'm free."

"Yes, you are," Albert's voice adds, steady and sure, as he stands beside Samuel. And for the first time in what feels like forever, the words aren't just something I say—they're something I believe.

All the servants remain frozen, their mouths agape in stunned silence, as my father reveals the truth about my true appearance. Even Prince Julian stood there, wide-eyed and motionless, as though he too couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Seraphina." My father says. "It's time to go."

"Okay." I grin and step inside the carriage. Albert then Julian follow.

"Julian. Please take care of her." My father says.

"Of course."

I've never been in a carriage before, let alone one like this—a magical carriage. It moves so fast, almost like it's alive, powered by fire magic. I can hardly believe it. The whole ride, I can't stop staring out the window, wide-eyed and breathless. So this is what civilisation looks like. Shops, stalls, people everywhere, the air buzzing with life. Restaurants with tables spilling out onto the streets. It's all so... vibrant. So real. Every little detail feels new. I'm seeing everything for the first time.

Surprisingly, no one is saying anything, so I turn my head to Julian and Albert opposite me. Albert is reading a book and Julian is staring at me in fascination like I'm an exotic zoo animal.

"What?!" I snap.

"Nothing, I was just thinking that you really do have beautiful eyes."

"You really do have beautiful eyes." That was the same line he said to me when we first met. Does he really mean it?

Albert flinches, a faint flush creeping across his face as he closes his book and looks sharply at Julian. "Julian, can you maybe not flirt with my sister?" Albert's voice is strained, barely masking the irritation and protectiveness that bubbles beneath the surface.

Julian scoffs, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Trust me, your sister's not my type." His tone is dismissive, casual even, as if the idea of being interested in me is laughable.

I bristle, my spine straightening with a mixture of defiance and annoyance. "Good, because you're not mine either." The words feel sharp and final, a small victory in my own quiet rebellion.

Julian raises an eyebrow, the amusement in his expression growing. "You've never actually spoken to a man before. How would you even know what your type is?" His voice drips with condescension, the words like an unspoken dare.

My cheeks flush, my fists clench at my sides. The insult stings more than I'd like to admit, but I hold my ground. "I don't have to speak to a man to know what my type is," I retort, my voice steadier than I feel.

"And what is that?" Julian's tone is mocking now, like he's playing a game he's already won in his mind.

"Someone the complete opposite of you." My words are firm, but there's a flicker of uncertainty I feel in my chest. Truthfully I'm not entirely sure what i want, but it's certainly not him.

"Is that so?" Julian leans back, a playful smirk dancing on his lips, clearly amused by my bravado.

"Of course. Who would want an arrogant, self-righteous piece of—"

"Okay, that's enough!" Albert interrupts, his voice a mix of exasperation and helplessness as he runs a hand through his hair. The tension in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife.

I glare at Julian, my chest heaving with frustration. "He started it!" I shoot back, unwilling to back down.

Albert rubs his temples, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"Seriously, Seraphina, when are you going to grow up?" Julian's smirk only deepens, a cruel glint in his eyes as he watches me struggle.

"I'll grow up when you grow up," I bark, my jaw clenched in quiet defiance. "And you should address me as Lady Seraphina." There's a challenging edge to my words, a challenge I know Julian will either mock or ignore.

Julian's eyes gleam with amusement, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Is that an order?" he taunts, enjoying the rise he's getting out of me.

"Please stop." Albert's voice is softer now, tinged with exhaustion, as he places a hand over his forehead. The pressure building between me and Julian is wearing on him. But neither of us listens, our verbal sparring continuing to spiral.

"For your sake, I hope it's not," Julian replies, his voice low and filled with a strange, self-assuredness.

"It's just a kind request, your majesty," Seraphina spits, her tone thick with sarcasm as she adds the words with distaste, as though they're poison on her tongue.

"Request denied." Julian's smirk widens. "At the academy, we need to show people we're close. So, we'll skip the formalities and speak freely. I give you permission to call me Julian." His words are laced with dominance, but there's an undercurrent of something else—perhaps a hint of possessiveness or control.

A cold shiver runs through me, but I force myself to look him in the eye. "J-Julian," I stammer, the name feeling strange and unfamiliar on my lips, like I'm saying it just to appease him.

"Again," Julian demands, his voice soft yet insistent, as though he's teaching me some lesson I never asked for.

"Julian." The word is more certain this time, but it feels like a small part of me has just surrendered.

"Very good," Julian says, a cruel, patronising tone creeping into his voice, as if he's congratulating me for learning to do tricks. His looks at Albert, then back to me, watching me closely for any sign of weakness.

"Ugh, I wish Albert was protecting me instead of you," i mumble, my voice small. I look down at to the floor, not wanting to meet Julian's mocking stare.

"You just don't get it," Julian sighs, his voice losing some of its previous arrogance, replaced by something more serious, more concerned. "How good is your magic?"

I narrow my eyes, my confusion evident. "What's that got to do with—"

"Just answer the question," Julian interrupts, his tone more forceful now. There's an urgency in his eyes, a frustration that doesn't sit well with me.

"Seraphina hasn't used magic since she was five, so she probably doesn't know." Albert's voice is resigned, filled with a note of regret, as though he's saying the words with the weight of history.

Julian's expression hardens, becoming more serious, more like the prince he is. "You see, the boys at the academy—they've been using magic since they were five. And on top of that, they've learned swordsmanship. I presume you learned that too, didn't you?" His words are almost cutting, but there's no malice behind them—only the grim reality of what's at stake. "If they see a weak little girl who doesn't even know how to use her magic, they'll attack. And even with Albert's strength, he won't be able to protect you."

My stomach twists at the thought, the reality of the academy's danger creeping closer, but I refuse to show it.

"And do you want to know why?" Julian's voice drops, the edges sharp. "Because Albert is a noble, just like the rest of them. Nobles can't order other nobles around. Only the royal family and the churches can. But me?" He pauses, his words sinking in. "I'm the future king. People fear me. They want to be on my friendly side. I am the only one who can protect you."

I swallow hard, the truth of his words settling uncomfortably in my chest. I want to argue, to tell him he's wrong, that i don't need his protection. But instead, i nod slowly, my mind racing with all the things I don't understand. The silence between us stretches out, heavy and thick with unspoken words, and for the first time, I'm not sure I'm ready for the reality of what's coming.