Chapter 2: The Princess of Valeris
1115 Words
The arrival of the Kingdom of Valeris became the talk of the capital overnight.
Every marketplace buzzed with excitement.
Children ran through the streets pretending to be knights of Valeris.
Merchants eagerly displayed silver fabrics and handcrafted phoenix ornaments, hoping to impress the foreign visitors.
Inside the palace, however, celebration was mixed with caution.
King Joseph welcomed King Aldren of Valeris into the Grand Sapphire Hall.
“It has been many years, old friend,” Joseph said warmly.
King Aldren smiled.
“Too many.”
The two rulers embraced before taking their seats.
Nearby, nobles from both kingdoms exchanged polite greetings, while servants prepared an elaborate feast.
Yet Master Kael noticed something unusual.
Princess Seraphina was nowhere to be seen.
⸻
A Princess Without Ceremony
While the royal banquet was being prepared…
Princess Seraphina had quietly slipped away from the palace.
Dressed in a simple traveling cloak, she wandered through the streets of Azul without guards or attendants.
She loved seeing kingdoms as they truly were—not from a palace window, but through the eyes of ordinary people.
She watched children playing with wooden swords.
She laughed as musicians entertained crowds.
She even stopped to help an elderly fruit seller whose cart had overturned.
“Thank you, young lady,” the old woman said gratefully.
Seraphina simply smiled.
“It’s nothing.”
“You remind me of someone.”
The old woman chuckled.
“My granddaughter has the same kind heart.”
Before Seraphina could reply…
A loud shout echoed across the street.
“Stop him!”
A frightened merchant pointed toward a young thief racing through the crowd with a stolen pouch.
Without hesitation, Seraphina took off after him.
⸻
An Unexpected Chase
The thief darted through narrow alleyways, weaving between startled pedestrians.
He was quick.
Very quick.
But Seraphina was quicker.
She leaped over crates, vaulted market stalls, and closed the distance with remarkable speed.
Just as she reached for him—
Someone else grabbed the thief’s arm first.
The young man smiled mischievously.
“Got you.”
It was Taren.
The thief sighed dramatically.
“I almost made it.”
“You almost always do,” Taren replied.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
“You know him?”
Taren nodded.
“He’s a harmless nuisance.”
The young thief scratched the back of his head.
“I was going to return the money…”
Taren stared at him.
“You say that every time.”
The crowd began gathering around them.
Seraphina noticed the thief couldn’t have been older than thirteen.
She looked at the frightened boy.
“Why did you steal?”
The boy lowered his head.
“My little sister hasn’t eaten since yesterday.”
Silence fell.
Taren looked at Seraphina.
She already knew what he was thinking.
Without saying a word, she paid the merchant from her own coin purse.
The merchant blinked.
“But…”
“My money…”
“You’ve been repaid,” Seraphina said kindly.
She then turned to the boy.
“Stealing isn’t the answer.”
The boy nodded, tears filling his eyes.
“I know.”
Taren handed him a loaf of bread from a nearby stall.
“Next time…”
“Ask.”
The boy bowed repeatedly before disappearing into the crowd.
Seraphina smiled.
“You have a good heart.”
Taren shrugged.
“I’ve been where he is.”
The two shared a brief look of understanding.
⸻
First Impressions
As they walked back toward the palace, Taren finally asked,
“So…”
“Who are you?”
Seraphina smiled playfully.
“Just a traveler.”
Taren laughed.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
She sighed.
“Am I that obvious?”
“The way you carry yourself?”
“Definitely.”
“And your sword…”
“Not many travelers own one that fine.”
She smiled.
“Fair enough.”
“I’m Seraphina.”
Taren stopped walking.
“The Princess of Valeris?”
“The very one.”
He bowed awkwardly.
“I probably should’ve done that earlier.”
She laughed.
“I would’ve preferred you didn’t.”
⸻
The Royal Banquet
That evening, the Grand Sapphire Hall glittered with candlelight.
Representatives from Azul and Valeris filled the room with lively conversation.
King Joseph stood.
“It is my honor to welcome our first guests to the Alliance Summit.”
The hall applauded.
Master Kael then gestured toward the Royal Vanguard.
“As Protectors of Azul, allow me to introduce the kingdom’s finest young warriors.”
One by one, the Vanguard stepped forward.
Liora.
Nyx.
Brakus.
Taren.
Bashan.
Finally…
Azul.
Seraphina observed each of them carefully.
Liora stood with quiet confidence.
Nyx remained calm and unreadable.
Brakus looked uncomfortable with the attention.
Taren gave her a small grin, as if sharing a secret.
Then came Bashan.
His posture radiated confidence.
Strength seemed to follow him naturally.
Finally…
Azul stepped forward.
His calm smile carried a warmth that immediately put people at ease.
Seraphina understood why the people admired him.
But she also noticed something else.
Whenever Bashan spoke…
Azul listened.
Whenever Azul smiled…
Bashan subtly watched the room.
They balanced one another.
Neither seemed complete without the other.
Interesting…
Very interesting.
⸻
A Conversation Under the Stars
Later that night, Seraphina stood alone on one of the palace balconies.
The moon reflected beautifully across the Endless Stream.
“You seem lost in thought.”
She turned.
Azul stood nearby.
“I was admiring your kingdom.”
Azul smiled.
“It looks different at night.”
“So does Valeris.”
For a while, neither spoke.
Finally, Seraphina broke the silence.
“I watched you train today.”
Azul looked surprised.
“Oh?”
“You’re skilled.”
He chuckled.
“My friends would probably disagree.”
“And Bashan?”
Seraphina asked.
Azul smiled without hesitation.
“He’s the strongest person I’ve ever fought.”
“You say that very easily.”
“Because it’s true.”
Seraphina studied him for a moment.
There wasn’t a trace of jealousy in his voice.
Only respect.
That alone told her more about Prince Azul than any royal introduction could.
Hidden in the shadows of a nearby corridor…
Lord Varos quietly observed the conversation.
A faint smile crept across his face.
“The pieces are beginning to move.”
Far away, in the hidden fortress of the Crimson Order, a raven landed before the Black Throne.
The hooded ruler untied the message from its leg and read only a single sentence.
“The guests have begun to arrive.”
The ruler closed his hand around the parchment.
“Good.”
“Let the summit begin.”
End of Season 2 – Chapter 2
- Writer
