Maya’s eyes were wide open. She froze for a split second, then quickly knelt, bowing her head in respect.

Ash motioned to kneel as well, but the Prince spoke before he could. “You need not kneel, Ash.” His voice filled the momentary awkward silence. “And you need not kneel either, Lady Hawken.” He glanced at her like she was an afterthought.

“Thank you, your highness.” Maya’s voice trembled ever so slightly. Her face was pale as a sheet of paper as she stood up and hid her clenched fists under her cloak. Her lips were a thin line, and her eyes exuded distrust and worry.

Ash remained silent. This wasn’t the first time he had met the prince here. Though he was surprised he came during class, he did expect to be contacted by the prince – his servants, more likely – in the near future.

“It’s good to see Ash have people who are worried about him,” Prince Cedric’s lips curled up ever so slightly. “You have a sharp mind, I can see that. Your name, it was Maya, right?”

Maya’s eyes shot wide open. She bowed her head. “I am honoured that you know my name, your highness.”

The prince chuckled softly. “Victor is a good man, you should be proud of your father. But, like all of us, he is a man – easily swayed by those he respects, even if they are in the wrong. We can be blind to the errors of those we idolise,” he tilted his head to the side, glancing at Ash. “Some of us need a little nudge to be disillusioned by them.”

Ash closed his eyes. He knew exactly what Prince Cedric meant by that.

Maya shifted her weight. “Are you talking about the Oracle, your highness?” She eventually asked.

“Indeed,” Prince Cedric nodded with a faint smile. “You have met her before, haven’t you? What do you think of her?”

Maya pursed her lips in consideration. “Powerful,” she hesitantly replied, “in more ways than one. Kind, at least from what I have seen. But what happened makes me question the latter, your highness.”

What was this weird line of questioning for? Ash scowled, turning his gaze from the young noble to the crown prince. What was he after?

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“You should. The Oracle is the living, breathing symbol of the empire’s faith. She speaks the truth and serves the light.” The Prince shot Ash a mischievous glance. “It’s easy to forget that light burns those who come too close. Believing in anything blindly is a fast way to decay and destruction.”

Even more uncomfortable than before, Maya took a step back.

“If I may interrupt,” Ash spoke up, startling the young girl, “Is there something we can do for you, your highness? If you have come to pay respects to the Tree of Spirits, we wouldn’t want to get in the way.”

The prince’s lips formed a smile. “No, the tree slumbers,” he looked up at the beautiful petals decorating the tree’s branches. Even when in the shadow of the High Tower, it was bright and beautiful. It defied the shadows, refusing the fact that life needed the light of the Spire of Kindling.

“Ash,” he spoke without even looking at him. “Tomorrow, with the first light of the Spire, we will set off. Make whatever preparations you need.” He then turned to Maya, who seemed even more confused than before. “You are invited as well, Lady Hawken, though I implore you not to share this with your father.”

“Invited?” She blurted out. “I- to what, your highness?” she asked with a sharp, panicked voice.

The prince smiled. “We’re going on an adventure.” He took a deep breath, “to uncover secrets of old. I will need Ash’s sight for this – and if you want to, you can join. Perhaps we will even find some way to cure mana blindness.”

Maya drew a sharp breath, while Ash narrowed his eyes. That was quite the carrot to dangle before her. The one thing she so desperately needed to grow stronger, and the prince had offered to seek for a cure so nonchalantly.

“I would be honoured to join you.” Maya bowed her head.

“The honour is ours!” The prince turned around. “Tomorrow, at first light. Don’t be late, Ash.” With that said, he left.

Over a dozen soldiers he hadn’t even seen until now appeared out of nowhere. They were hidden from sight in the gardens. As he watched in surprise, they quickly formed a loose circle around the prince, accompanying him back to the High Tower.

He turned his gaze back to Maya. She was shaken up by this encounter, her eyes still wide with a mix of fear and hope.

“Do you think it’s possible?” she asked after a stretch of silence. “Do you think he would find something – some sort of cure to fix me?” She raised her gaze to meet his. “Or is it just a lie he told to… to whatever he has planned?”

Ash pursed his lips. “I don’t think the prince lies often,” he leaned against the bark of the Tree of Spirits. “And I also don’t think he would have many uses for someone who has mana blindness.”

Maya flinched but nodded. “He wouldn’t bother with me if he didn’t think I could be fixed.”

“Probably,” Ash admitted. “Either way, you probably couldn’t refuse.”

“No. I can’t refuse an invitation from the crown prince.” She spoke with a grim tone. “I fear him, Ash. And you should too. There are rumours about him and his servants. Even the Emperor, may he be blessed, is wary of his own son.” She took a deep breath. “You should avoid him, when you can.”

Ash grimaced. “I chose life over death, Maya. I lost that chance when your father took me to the Oracle. He will protect me from her, as long as I serve his goals.”