"High Priestess! High Priestess!" A middle-aged man in white called for the High Priestess of the church who was heading back to the castle where she stayed also as the crown princess of the Solaris Empire.

"What is it, Archbishop Garrett?" The Priestess helped the archbishop who was out of breath.

"T-the demons-" He ran quite a distance just to catch the Priestess so he deserved a break the Priestess thought to herself.

"What about them?" Questioned the Priestess's escort. The high Priestess was always escorted by the four-season knights.

The four-season knights were assigned exclusively to the crown princess of the Solaris Empire.

The winter knight is the best assassin in the empire. While the summer knight was the best marksman in the empire. The autumn knight was the best mage and the spring knight was the best swordsman.

Though the spring knight was the only real knight, the others were only given the title by the emperor as the princess's guards.

"S-Samael h-he gave his crown to Azazel!" The knights looked at each other in surprise.

They looked at princess Charlotte wondering how she would react.

She looked cool and calmly asked, "Are you sure?"

The archbishop looked at her frantic "I'm sure of it!" She calmed the archbishop.

"Okay, there's no need to panic, archbishop. I will make sure nothing happens to the empire," She assured him.

"Thank you, High Priestess!" Charlotte nodded as she turned to get in the carriage.

Her spring knight Raymond helped her up the carriage. "Thank you, Raymond," She thanked.

Raymond had red hair as bright as a rose and gold eyes blazing with energy like the sun. His title of spring knight suited him very well.

"No problem, milady!" He cheerfully got on his horse and they all rode back to the palace.

There was a knock on the right side of the carriage. The princess slid the window open.

"Princess?" Raymond asked uncertainly.

"What will you do about Azazel?" Asked Raymond. The princess immediately answered.

"Nothing," Raymond was quiet from shock.

"But, Princess, the last time Azazel took the throne complete chaos and misery was the only thing the humans got from his reign!"

"My dear spring knight, do you have siblings?"

Raymond looked at her like she was crazy but trusted her nonetheless.

"Yes, Princess, I have two younger siblings," He answered.

"I've met them both. They're very adorable," Her summer knight Noiree giggled.

Noiree was a beautiful woman with shiny blonde hair and green eyes as serene as the forest.

"Hm, I see, then imagine it like this: your little sister or brother tried to do something hard that you had to do daily, but failed miserably. After that he or she wouldn't try it again, fearing that they would cause another disaster," She explained.

"... But, Princess, you can't compare us to them," He said gently.

The princess glared at him.

"It's very rude to underestimate the demons, and vain to overestimate us, humans. Without God's protection and the angels who keep the demons in check, we would have died out centuries ago. Or more likely, we would have thrown ourselves into oblivion... We, humans, are very fragile, no matter who you are," She lectured.

"The Princess is truly wise. She would make an excellent ruler," Said her summer knight.

"Noiree, I can't be both the Empress and the High Priestess. Everyone is aware of my decision to forfeit my right to the throne," Charlotte had chosen to be the Priestess because she simply didn't want to be empress.

Everyone doubted her intention to become Priestess because of all the rumors that she, out of all the royal family members, was the one most fit for the throne. And she was. But it would be very ambitious and taboo to be both Empress and High Priestess.

"Everyone knows that you are most fit for the throne, everyone in the royal family is willing to back down if you were to rule. Why don't you become empress?" Asked her winter knight.

"Because I don't want to be empress, so why not give the crown to someone who wants it? But of course, the one who will be chosen must not only want the throne he or she must also be fit for the throne. And as crown princess, I have the right to choose the next regent,"

"Do you already have someone in mind, Princess?" Asked her summer knight.

The autumn knight felt uncomfortable by the question.

"Of course I do," She said playing with a small gift box.

"Ooh, who is it?" Asked her spring knight excitedly.

"Neil. I find him most fit for the throne," Remarked the princess.

"The youngest prince?! Are you out of your mind?!" The winter knight shouted.

Only the winter knight talked like this to the princess.

"It seems everyone thinks that," She said placing the box gently on her lap.

"You're insane!" The autumn knight threw a dagger at the winter knight but the winter knight caught the dagger like it was nothing.

"... The princess has her reasons," Defended the autumn knight.

"That's right. Only Arlo has actually met Neil," The princess said calmly.

"We have and he's very... Cheerful" Said the summer knight uncertain.

"And... He loves... Playing?" Said the spring knight.

"Just say it out straight, that boy knows nothing about anything. He's young and as useless as a speck of dust," Said the winter knight.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The autumn knight stayed quiet. The autumn knight knows that Neil is capable of ruling. But that doesn't mean he accepted him as the next to rule.

"... I'll let you guys in on a special secret. Come with me to the youngest prince's palace and meet Neil," After that the princess closed her window indicating that she would talk no more.

"Ugh, why do we have to go meet a child?" Said the winter knight disgusted.

"You were a child once," Commented the summer knight.

"I think this will be fun!" Said the spring knight excitedly.

"Young Master Neil... He is... How do I put this... Tactful" The autumn knight said contemplating.

The autumn knight Arlo had light brown hair that flowed softly in the wind and red ruby eyes.

And the winter knight Lumikki had pure white hair and ice-blue eyes as cold as winter.

"Tactful? You've got to be joking!" Laughed the winter knight.

"If Charlotte chose him then I have no complaints," Said the summer knights.

"But if Lumikki is right... Oh well, I'll be with the princess if ever there's a war, but I am expecting at least a little~" The spring knight looked blissfully lost in his imagination.

"Tch," The winter knight threw the dagger the autumn knight threw at him.

"Hey!" The spring knight was still lost in his imagination while Arlo had to stop the dagger for him.

"You should always be alert, Raymond, I thought you were a knight," Said the summer knight gently taking the dagger.

"Oh? But I'm not afraid of death?" He tilted his head curiously to the side.

Arlo sighed at Raymond's behavior, while Lumikki was extremely agitated.

"Gyah!" Lumikki threw a needle at Raymond's horse.

Lumikki laughed evilly looking down at Raymond.

While Raymond turned red and looked up in admiration.

Lumikki turned away, irritated again.

When they arrived at the palace Noiree was the one who helped the princess down the carriage.

"Thank you, Noiree," The princess headed straight to the youngest prince's palace.

They all followed her, and when they reached the entrance she was immediately greeted by the youngest prince.

"Charlotte!!!" The youngest prince rushed to his elder sister.

Neil was a 13-year-old boy who had fiery orange hair and amethyst eyes like his sister.

She caught Neil in her arms, "I missed you, Neil," She carried the boy to her companions.

"Hi!" Greeted Neil cheerfully.

"Hello there!" Greeted Raymond.

"Hello, young prince" Greeted Noiree.

"Hi, Neil" Arlo went to pat the prince's head and the prince accepted the pat gratefully.

"..." The winter knight ignored the prince completely.

This was not taken well by the young prince.

"Charlotte, let's go have tea," Said the young prince playing with Charlotte's hair.

He only played with Charlotte's hair when he was agitated.

"Neil, my knights are going to join this time. You don't mind do you?" Neil looked hesitant and confused.

"That's ok with me but... Do we have to bring him?" Neil glared at Lumikko.

"Yes," Replied Charlotte.

"...Yeah, fine," Said Neil as Charlotte put Neil down.

Neil crossed his arms and looked at them from head to toe.

He sneered and turned to go to his garden where he and Charlotte always had tea.

"That little--" Before Lumikki could finish his sentence he was slapped by Charlotte.

"I gave you permission to talk to only me like that," She also turned to follow Neil.

"How lucky!" Said Raymond as he ran to the princess.

"You should be more gentle when it comes to family, Lumi, you know how sensitive the princess is with the 7th prince," Noiree patted his back before running to catch up with the others.

"... Serves you right," Arlo also ran to them.

Lumikki sighed and followed the others in dismay.

When they arrived at the garden they all looked amazed. Except for Lumikki.

"Even though I've already been here this place never ceases to amaze me," Said Arlo.

"Thanks! Me and Charlotte worked hard to raise all these flowers from seedlings!" Said Neil proudly.

"Woah, you guys raised these flowers your selves?!" Asked Raymond amazed.

"Of course they did, all the seven palace gardens are tended by the seven royals in that certain palace," Explained Lumikki.

"Your smart," Said Neil, his voice changed.

"Wish I could say the same," Said Lumikki.

Charlotte sat down and picked up her teacup just watching.

"Now, that's not nice," Said Neil.

"And?" Challenged Lumikki.

"Wanna play?" Asked Neil.

"Sure, kid" Lumikki smirked.

"Uh, princess?" Raymond looked at the princess. But she didn't anything to stop them.

"Let them be," Said Arlo as he sat next to Charlotte.

Raymond shrugged his shoulders and also sat next to Charlotte.

"So, how do you want to play? Young prince?" Neil was different this time. He didn't look annoyed he had the perfect poker face.

"An assassin, huh? Wide variety of weapons. I choose daggers," Said Neil a smile on his face.

"Sure, kid," Lumikki threw sixteen daggers at Neil.

With one swift movement, Neil caught all the daggers.

"Are you ready?" Asked Neil.

Lumikki disappeared and appeared behind Neil.

With one hand Neil blocked Lumikki's attack easily.

"From the back? That's so old school" Said Neil.

Neil threw a dagger downwards to Lumikki's foot. Lumikki lifted his foot quickly avoiding the attack.

The dagger penetrated the stone floor. "Not bad," Commented Lumikki.

"Thanks, I learned from my sister herself," He looked to Charlotte and waved.

Lumikki took the chance and threw eight daggers at Neil.

Lumikki pinned Neil to the wall by his clothing.

"Huh!? But, that's not fair," Whined Neil.

Charlotte stood up, "A loss is a loss, Neil, I've always told you to be focused at all times," She took the daggers and freed Neil.

"... Oh well, it won't be so easy next time, Lumi," Said Neil.

"Yeah, yeah, but you still got a ways to go before you can really beat me," Lumikki usually only let Charlotte call him Lumi.

The others clapped. "Wow what a show! I didn't know the princess could use daggers!" Exclaimed Raymond.

"Of course! And I don't think just anyone would be able to pull out Lumikki's daggers!" Praised Noiree.

"You did well, Neil," Arlo wasn't surprised since he has been with the princess for the longest time.

"I think it's time for you guys to go," Said Charlotte warmly.

Everyone respected Charlotte and when she told them to leave they'd leave immediately.

"See you next time, princess!" Shouted Raymond.

"Bye, princess," Bowed Noiree.

Lumikki nodded his head in acknowledgment then also left.

"I'll see you next time, Charlotte," Only Arlo called her by her name.

Neil and Charlotte Waved to them, then returned to their table for tea.

"You did well, Neil," Said Charlotte while stirring her tea.

"You were right, Lotte, by losing the fight, I won his respect," Neil said joyfully.

"That's right, there's more than one way to earn others respect, sometimes by showing strength and sometimes showing weakness in this case you needed a bit of both," Smiled Charlotte.

"How did you earn sir Lumikki's respect, Lotte?" Charlotte thought for a minute.

"I crushed his pride completely," Answered Charlotte.

"Then why did I have to lose?" He asked her curiously.

"Because your the youngest prince," Charlotte said bluntly.

Neil sighed, "I thought that would be the case. But what would have happened if I beat him?"

"He would have held a grudge against you and would have never accepted you as the next regent. You're a smart boy, your very strong and quick to learn," Praised Charlotte.

"Thank you, Lotte" Neil laid his head on Charlotte's shoulder.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Charlotte took the small box she was holding earlier and gave it to Neil.

"Here you are, Neil, I got this from a traveling peddler," Neil opened the box and found a book inside.

His eyes sparkled as he read the title, "The Heroe's leveling journey? Sounds exciting!"

"It does, doesn't it?" Charlotte laughed in amusement.

"Do you want to read a few chapters with me?" Asked Neil.

"Sure!" After reading a few pages Neil suddenly remembered something while reading.

"Ah! I actually had something for you too, Lotte," He took out a gold necklace with a beautiful amethyst, it was shaped like half of a ying and yang symbol.

"I got this from a traveling merchant downtown," He said as he put the necklace on Charlotte.

"It's beautiful, but... I feel like there's another half of this. Are you wearing it?" She asked excitedly.

Neil looked down, "I thought that too but... The merchant said that he never had the other half,"

Charlotte patted Neils back, "It's okay, Neil, why don't we buy matching necklaces next time?" Asked Charlotte.

"Yes! Pinky swear?" Charlotte took her pinky out.

"Pinky swear," After that, they finished two more chapters of the book then Charlotte left to the main palace, to have dinner, then bathed, and finally went to sleep.

Suddenly Charlotte woke up with the wind whipping her hair around, and discovered she was actually falling from the sky!

"Huh!?" Charlotte looked around frantically and spotted someone else falling.

She recognized that person with pitch-black hair, bat wings, and a royal crest.

"Azazel! Azazel!" She shouted but the wind muffled her shouts.

"I, the high priestess of Solaris use the holy light against you, the demon: Azazel!" You could see Azaael's skin burn.

Azazel woke up suddenly and screamed in pain.

"What--" He spotted Charlotte and spread his wings.

He flew to Charlotte and caught her before she could land on the trees.

"You," Azazel stared at Charlotte for a long time.

"I am Charlotte Myrian Solaris," Azazel landed on the ground and put down Charlotte gently.

"Excuse me for my rudeness, my name is Azazel, thank you for waking me up,"

And that's how it all started...

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