Ieros was slightly confused, it had been several days since they’ve begun their journey and he couldn’t help but notice that the Princess’s attitude was... different. When she first spoke to him on their journey, he was wary of her, her shadow whispered her true thoughts to him, and they were about manipulating him. But now, she seemed more intent on just talking to Ieros, asking about his past. Since her shadow also confirmed that it was just genuine curiosity, Ieros answered as best he could, and for the more sensitive questions, he would give an excuse and say nothing more. However, he couldn’t deny that this was strange and so on the fourth day, he finally asked,

“Why are you doing this?”

The Princess spoke through the carriage window, “I just want to know you better.”

Ieros frowned.

“But why.”

She fell silent, finally saying, “Well, I’m curious. Here you are, an extremely talented mage and I’ve never heard of you ever. Why is that?”

Ieros directed his gaze forward and said, “Well, I just wanted a quiet place to pursue magic as I’ve already exhausted most of my resources back at the Academy. I had no reason to stay, so I left to learn magic on my own.”

“And did you?”

Ieros glanced at her.

“Well, I think so. Although I’d have to check the Library to make sure that I just didn’t rediscover something on my own.”

She asked, “Could you show me?”

Ieros hesitated, he had never really shown his dark magic to others, about his ability to speak to shadows and the like. Seeing his hesitation, the Princess thought that she might’ve pushed too far and quickly backpedaled.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to show me, I know that magic is something special to mages.”

After a few moments of silence, she asked, “Well, what’s it like?”

“Hmm?”

She explained, “Casting magic, what’s it like?”

Ieros thought on how to describe it, finally saying, “Well, it’s a bit hard to explain but, it’s... exhilarating. The feeling of mana burning in your veins, it’s like icy fire. And then, when you control it to do as you wish, to create as you wish, it’s just such a pleasant feeling. It gives you the greatest satisfaction, I would be satisfied if all I could do was practice magic.”

She observed, “Sounds nice.”

Ieros nodded.

“It is, well, I suppose it’s the best feeling for me. I haven’t experienced too much of anything else.”

Her curiosity peaked, the Princess asked, “Oh? What do you mean?”

Ieros fell silent, not sure if he should speak but finally, he decided to do so.

“Well, I never had too many friends with other children, in the beginning, there was Kyle and Aria but they soon disappeared. I was just too different, I was something else. I never did try to make friends with others again, and none of them tried to be friends with me. So I just spent most of my years alone.”

The Princess said, “Well that sounds terrible, how’d you even survive without friends.”

Ieros shrugged.

“Well, I didn’t say I was entirely without friends, I may not have human ones, but I still have friends.”

The Princess asked, “You mean the animals?”

Ieros shook his head.

“No, deep in the forest, animals have no place. Far within, the forest is silent, dark, and empty except for the trees. It’s there that my friends live, the guardians of the forest.”

“Elves?”

Ieros shook his head once again.

“No, not even elves dare go so far. My friends are the shadows and in my opinion, they are better friends than humans. Ever since I was a child, they have been there for me and continue to be to this day, whispering advice about my problems and helping me solve them.”

A bit confused, the Princess asked, “What do you mean? The shadows... they talk to you?”

Ieros nodded.

“They do, whispering to me stories that no man has ever heard. And the ancient shadows deep within, they hold far more secrets, secrets which have advanced my understanding of magic greatly.”

Wary, the Princess said, “So, you are a dark mage.”

Ieros snorted with irritation.

“Don’t compare me to those pathetic imitators. They don’t know the shadows, they only scratch the surface and think that they know everything.”

With great displeasure, he continued, “They taint the shadows with the powers Night gave them and for that, they deserve to die a most painful death.”

A bit stunned at the vehement reply, she apologized.

“I am sorry, I brought up an offensive topic.”

Realizing who he had been speaking to, Ieros bowed his head.

“My apologies your Highness, I was just... overcome.”

Seeing that, the Princess smiled slightly, this boy was an honest one.

“It’s alright, you were only defending your friends.”

After that, they fell silent, Ieros soon returning himself to practicing his magic and the Princess to her thoughts. Her opinion of Ieros had changed, over their talks she had come to realize that he was different from the others. He wasn’t the type to so easily be deceived, for when she had first approached him with the intent to make him her pawn, he had been cold and distant. But when she asked him out of genuine curiosity, he had chosen to answer her questions. It was as if he could read her mind, although she hadn’t asked him that.

And while she got the feeling he was an honest person, one who did not try to lie or connive for power, there was still something about him which was an enigma. Then there was today’s conversation, about his friends the shadows. The Princess was a bit skeptical but with Ieros admitting to the rumors that he practiced the Dark Arts, perhaps it could be true. She glanced at him again, seeing the sphere in his hands change constantly from material to material. He would make for a powerful ally but it didn’t seem like it would be so easy to win him over. She might just have to put a cork in her plans of making him her pawn, although she couldn’t just give up on it.

As for Ieros, he was just lost in deciphering the secrets of Creation, his ball beginning to change into a larger variety of materials, the speed at which they changed increasing too. Eventually, the shape of the ball began to change, although Ieros wasn’t conscious about it. That ball simply took the form of whatever his unconscious happened to be thinking about, it was like a manifestation of his deepest thoughts, thoughts he himself didn’t even know. For a few moments, it began a regal dragon, then it took the shape of flames made of crystal, continuing on to morph into a pool of rippling water, and many other things. The Princess caught sight of that and she soon found herself unable to tear her eyes away from it, watching how what Ieros was creating grew even more complex as time went by, eventually reaching the level of a small ship caught in a stormy ocean, somehow managing to overcome the great waves which rose and fell.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

However, all that soon fell away and all that was left was a small boy at the center of what appeared to be a clearing, with a large silhouette standing over him. It stretched out a hand and the boy took it, the silhouette leading the boy out of the glade. Then, Ieros abruptly stopped using his magic, the empty glade returning back into a sphere of stone.

He pocketed the stone and turned to look at the Princess, asking, “Is something the matter, your Highness?”

Surprised, she shook her head, abruptly looking forward and closing the curtain. Ieros was a bit confused but he returned his attention forward, soon losing himself in his thoughts again.

Two more weeks passed in this fashion and finally, they found themselves within half a day’s travel of Seris’s capital, their company now reinforced with Serisian soldiers. Sir Kight Alwine was a bit uneasy to be surrounded by twenty of them but they didn’t dare do anything, there was a Court Mage among the Princess’s entourage and a Court Mage was not someone to cross. With their perhaps questionable protection, the Princess made it safely to the Capital, entering the gates without any problems. Her arrival had been expected and with the addition of a Court Mage’s presence, the gate guards weren’t eager to disappoint.

They were brought through the city streets, the guards quickly shouting for the citizens to make way, mentioning that the Princess of Athera and a Court Mage desired passage. Whether it was the mention of Princess or Court Mage, the crowds parted like water and within the hour, the Princess was exiting the carriage in front of the Royal Palace.

A man dressed in rich attire bowed his head to greet her.

“Welcome to Irashire, the Jewel of Seris.”

The Princess took a brief look and nodded.

“The rumors of Irashire’s beauty were not unfounded.”

Ieros dismounted his horse of stone, tapping it with his mithril staff when he was done, leaving nothing but a golem’s heart to remain. He tapped that too and let it disappear into literal air, returning it from whence it came. The noble who had noticed this was rather stunned to see Ieros treat such a valuable item as such, saying,

“Tha-that was a golem’s heart was it not?”

Ieros nodded and the noble asked, “Why did you destroy it?”

Ieros said, “Because I can always make more.”

The noble’s mouth was wide open with shock, although he was able to quickly recover. His eyes then noticed the Court Mage badge glinting on Ieros’s breast and he quickly bowed his head.

“My apologies Sir Mage, I did not see your badge.”

Ieros, a bit surprised, reassured, “You don’t have to bow, it’s nothing to apologize over.”

The noble raised his head,

“No, I must apologize, otherwise my heart will not rest easy. Oh, please, follow me. I’m sure you are weary and hungry from your journey.”

The Princess was slightly affronted, to think that a mage was being treated better than she was. Alwine noticed her irritation and was about to confront the noble when she held her back, the Princess saying,

“Its alright Alwine, I’d rather not have my first day be one of conflict.”

Alwine bowed her head.

“As you wish, m’lady.”

She then began to follow the noble, her attendants, Alwine, and Ieros following behind. As for her ten soldiers, they were led elsewhere to be given food and lodging, the soldiers a bit unwilling to just leave their Princess but with a glare from Knight Alwine, they reluctantly left. After all, who could harm the Princess with Ieros and Alwine protecting her? Alwine then directed her gaze to Ieros’s hooded figure, not entirely approving of how the Princess was trying to get close to him. Her job was to protect the Princess and in her eyes, Ieros was just another one of those boys who only wanted to get close to the Princess for power. Such people were not worthy to be by the Princess’s side and although Ieros had not tried yet, she was sure that he’d make his move.

The walk to the Dining Hall didn’t take long, Ieros and the Princess found themselves seated at a table, Ieros only there at the insistence of the noble. The others were not offered seats, although the Princess was able to secure one for Alwine, she couldn’t do the same for her attendants, they’d have to wait to eat later. As for Ieros, he was slightly uncomfortable, the noble kept staring at him, practically begging Ieros to say something reassuring about his service. However, Ieros didn’t say anything, resulting in uncomfortable silence.

Finally, the noble dared ask, “Are you satisfied Lord Mage?”

Ieros frowned, it was lord now? However, because of his hood, the noble didn’t see his frown which was perhaps a fortunate thing.

“It’s alright.”

The noble asked, “Is there anything I can do to make your stay better Lord Mage?”

Uncomfortable with all the attention, Ieros said, “I am only here to protect her Highness, you need not worry so much over me.”

The noble shook his head.

“That I cannot do Lord Mage, I am bound by tradition and law to serve you to the utmost of my ability, please, if you want anything just ask.”

Ieros looked to the Princess who ignored him, irritated at her treatment.

Sighing, Ieros said, “Well, I don't really need anything at the moment.”

The noble nodded, although he was still visibly stressed. Suddenly, the doors opened but what entered was not food but a man followed by a mage, it was the Crown Prince. The Princess, seeing him, made a move to rise but he quickly assured,

“Oh no, there’s no need to stand my dear, I’m feeling a bit famished myself.”

The Princess remained in her seat, greeting him.

“How are you, my Prince.”

He chuckled.

“We are peers here Stellaria, we can refer to each other by name.”

The Princess held back a sigh and nodded again.

“Of course, Lysander.”

He smiled as he went to take the seat directly opposite her, his gaze landing on Ieros.

“And who might this fellow be?”

Nervous, the noble was about to interject when Stellaria said, “He is my father’s Court Mage, sent here to protect me.”

Lysander studied Ieros more closely.

“This is one of your nation’s Court Mages? Seems rather drab.”

This time, the noble spoke, “Your Highness, please treat him with respect, he is a mage.”

Lysander ignored the noble, studying Ieros.

“Still, he looks the part, he looks very mysterious.”

After a few moments of more awkward silence, Lysander observed, “Not much of a talker, is he.”

Stellaria nodded but before she could say anything, the Prince turned to the noble.

“I trust you have already told the kitchens to prepare a meal for our guests?”

The noble nodded.

“It was the first thing I ordered when we entered the Palace.”

Lysander nodded.

“Good.”

He returned his attention to Stellaria, saying, “Whatever doubts you may possess, I assure you that I shan’t mistreat you when we are married. I understand very well that you hold no love towards me and so I will not force you to love me. Once you bear me a son, I shall leave you free to do whatever you wish, perhaps even return home if Father permits.”

Stellaria only said, “How very generous of you my Prince.”

He clicked his tongue.

“I told you, let’s not be so formal. Although I don't expect love, I would at least like for you to be less distant.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.”

He smiled.

“I don’t want us to be enemies Stella—can I call you that?”

She replied, “Call me whatever you like.”

Lysander continued, “I don’t want us to be enemies Stella, I would like for our relationship to be peaceful and not forced, wouldn’t you agree?”

She nodded.

“I do.”

Seeing that she was still rather distant, Lysander gave up, raising his hands in defeat.

“Fine fine, we don’t have to start immediately. I apologize if I have been too forceful.”

A bit surprised, the Princess then felt like she had to apologize as well, saying, “Please forgive me my-Lysander, it’s hard to throw away old habits.”

Lysander smiled warmly.

“Entirely understandable, I sometimes find myself unable to speak without formalities, as troublesome as they are.”

Just as his words finished, side doors to the hall opened and servants filed in, bearing dishes with piles of steaming food piled on them. They quickly began to serve, moving quickly yet with grace. Soon, most of the food had been arrayed in front of all of them and without hesitation, the Prince began to help himself, the Princess following suit. Ieros and Alwine held back, Alwine only eating after the Princess urged her too. Ieros on his part just surveyed the food, taking samples of food here and there until his plate was full. He then studied each of the foods, trying to discern what words represented these foods in the Language of Creation.

It was partly out of habit and also because if these tasted good, he’d like to continue eating them whenever he was out alone in the forest again. Those years in the forest had been rather dull as all the food he had to sustain himself was bread and water, the most complex foods that he could produce at the time. However, with his current understanding, he’d now have access to a greater variety of foods and it wouldn’t hurt to “stock up.”

After staring at his food for quite some time, Ieros finally decided to eat, savoring the taste as he deciphered the combination of letters needed to replicate such foods. As such, he ate slowly and methodically, chewing for long periods of time before he swallowed and selected another morsel of food to consume. With his attention completely and utterly availed only to the food on his plate, he was ignorant of the conversation that the Prince and Princess had, not that he was missing much. It was only small talk, for the most part, more to keep the atmosphere from becoming awkward.

However, as they talked, the doors to the hall opened, everyone but Ieros turning their gazes to it.