"Make way, make way!" The resounding command of the royal guards echoed through the town, effectively dispersing the lingering peasants from the road. Curiosity sparked within the townsfolk as they swiftly gathered on either side of the dusty plaza, eager to catch a glimpse of the spectacle unfolding before their eyes.

Astraea and Mildred stood among the crowd, their gazes fixed on the approaching procession. The sight of the Apostles was rare, an extraordinary event that ordinary individuals never had the opportunity to witness.

As the sun gradually descended beyond the rolling hills, a steady stream of envoys emerged, slowly making their way towards the town's entrance. Mildred's excitement overflowed, and she couldn't contain herself any longer.

"Look, Astraea!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a note of exhilaration. "They're here! They're finally here!"

Astraea's response was a simple "wow," in awestruck. She surprised even herself. This marked her first encounter with the Royal Envoy, and it was an awe-inspiring sight indeed.

Leading the procession were knights adorned in gleaming armor, marching in solemn silence. Their imposing figures towered above the average townsfolk, their long spears and swords pointed skyward in a menacing display. Alongside them, flag bearers proudly waved the symbol of the Goddess, adding to the air of grandeur.

However, it was the figures seated atop majestic white horses that truly captivated the onlookers. Surrounded by their protective assembly of knights, each individual possessed an aura of mystery and intrigue. Mildred's awe reached its peak, her mouth agape in utter shock and admiration.

"Oh my GODDESS!" she gasped, her voice filled with disbelief. "Is that...?" Her words trailed off, her astonishment rendering her momentarily speechless.

"Haha," one of the girls standing beside them chuckled, a knowing smile on her lips. "Yes, that's him."

"No way," Mildred responded, her voice tinged with a mixture of elation and disbelief. "How do you know?"

"My father has trader friends up north near the Royal Academy," the girl explained. "He's seen him training from a distance several times."

"Wow," Mildred echoed, this time sharing Astraea's sentiment. Astraea's gaze followed Mildred's, and she raised an intrigued eyebrow.

Among the entourage, one figure stood out from the rest. He appeared leaner than the guards, yet his presence commanded attention in his billowing robes. His golden hair gently cascaded down to his shoulders, softly swaying in the breeze. Underneath thick lashes, his eyes, a captivating shade of rose, observed the ceremony with a subtle intensity.

Astraea now understood the cause of Mildred's reaction. The man's facial features rivaled those of the most stunning women in the kingdom. Despite being known as the beauty of their town, Astraea hesitated to compare herself to this mesmerizing individual. He exuded an irresistible allure that transcended gender and left others spellbound.

She couldn't deny the man's captivating beauty, but it left her relatively unfazed. In contrast, Mildred's gaze remained fixated on him, her unwavering attention unmistakable. The same vibrant gleam that had lit up her eyes when she spoke about the Apostles weeks earlier returned, intensified and all-encompassing. It was evident that Mildred's admiration for him went beyond a mere passing fascination.

The envoy continued its progress through the town, gradually slowing its pace until it finally halted at the central square where the Commandments of the Goddess stood.

"Attention!" declared one of the flag bearers, his voice resonating through the crowd. "The Royal Guard officially confirms their presence at the Summer Solstice Festival!"

The announcement was met with thunderous cheers, signaling the town's recognition and the promise of a brighter future.

"And now," the flag bearer continued, placing his flag next to the Commandments, "we announce the arrival of our Apostles!"

The crowd erupted in a fervor of excitement, their collective voices rising to a deafening crescendo. People clamored and strained to catch a glimpse of those who safeguarded the Kingdom of Eura under the divine light of the Goddess.

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As the head flag bearer proceeded with the introductions, each Apostle offered a brief bow, acknowledging the crowd before waving in response. The people cheered and some shed tears of joy, their proximity to the Apostles overwhelming them with a sense of wonder.

"Haakon Ayenhold!" the flag bearer called out, and the golden-haired man gracefully bowed. Echoes of lovebound screams, predominantly from women, reverberated throughout the town.

So that's his name, Astraea thought, the knowledge settling within her. Everyone in the kingdom was well aware of the three noble families serving His Majesty the King, with the Ayenhold family being closest to the crown.

"And lastly," the flag bearer announced, reading from his script, "we have Etienne Noalles."

Noalles? Astraea's thoughts churned in surprise. Two Apostles from noble families are here in this town?

To witness the presence of a single Apostle of such high standing was a rare occurrence, but to behold two within the same vicinity was nothing short of a miracle for ordinary townsfolk, especially hers. The absence of the Brissak family, known throughout the kingdom for their direct confrontations with the Abyss monsters, was the only notable player missing.

If the crowd swooned over Haakon Ayenhold, they held a quiet admiration for Etienne Noalles. His jet-black hair was neatly styled, framing his forehead, while his piercing blue eyes observed the scene with an intensity that seemed to penetrate one's soul. Towering slightly taller and exuding a resounding strength compared to Haakon's raw beauty, Etienne emanated an undeniable aura of authority. As he surveyed the crowd with an unwavering gaze, devoid of any smile, he silently acknowledged the awe bestowed upon him.

Caught in the overwhelming atmosphere of admiration, Astraea scoffed inwardly. Amidst the worship directed at the Apostles, she alone was reminded of their power and dominion over ordinary townsfolk like herself. Perched atop their dignified horses, the Apostles cast elongated shadows, subtly underscoring the divide between themselves and the rest of the town.

By some twist of fate or unfortunate timing, Etienne's gaze swept over the area precisely as Astraea scoffed. Their eyes briefly locked, an interplay of light azure meeting crimson red, and Astraea's breath hitched in her throat.

Did he see me? she wondered, her heart dropping. Yes, he definitely saw me, Astraea concluded, certain that Etienne had not averted his gaze.

"Astraea...?" Mildred's voice interrupted the brief interaction, her concern evident.

Best to play it off. There's no way he can cause a scene in this situation.

Astraea conjured a demure smile, one devoid of allurement but unmistakably innocent and harmless. It was a smile intended for Etienne and any onlookers, conveying her “genuine” good intentions.

Do your best, son of the Duke.

Meeting her smile, Etienne promptly turned away, his expression inscrutable. Astraea breathed a quiet sigh of relief, relieved to have evaded any potential complications.

. . .

"What caught your attention?" Haakon inquired, his sharp observation detecting Etienne's distraction amidst the festivities.

As they made their way back to the Royal Academy, bathed in the waning glow of the sunset, their conversation meandered into the lull of casual camaraderie. It had been a long couple of days in visiting all of Eura’s towns and districts. Knowing rest was in the near future, the envoy was in higher spirits than normal.

"It's nothing," Etienne replied, his voice betraying his attempt at shortness as he masked his stoic expression.

"Hm..." Haakon mused, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "If I know you well enough, that's far from the truth."

Etienne sighed, realizing his friend would persist until he divulged the truth.

"I saw a woman," Etienne confessed, his words weighted with a sense of intrigue. "She bore... similarities to you." He refrained from adding that it wasn’t just their physical features, but the allurement they both shared.

"Is that so?" Haakon's tone held a touch of amusement. "Well, you should have pointed her out to me earlier. It would have been a sight for me to behold."

"You're being sarcastic," Etienne noted dryly. "Be careful, or you'll break another woman's heart."

Haakon's laughter echoed through the hills, a joyous sound reminiscent of tinkling bells in the wind.

"You know me all too well," Haakon acknowledged with a grin.

The conversation tapered off, and both Apostles shifted their attention to other matters that demanded their focus. Yet, as they immersed themselves in their respective thoughts and duties, one among them found his mind lingering on the image of a girl just a fraction longer than the other.