Mirellia’s Arrival
The news of her visit shook Barthory Manor to its core.
Princess Mirellia Anduin, crown princess and heir to the Anduin Empire, was touring the noble houses of the realm. Officially, it was for “diplomatic purposes,” but everyone knew the truth: the crown princess of the Anduin Empire, heir to the throne, was embarking on a tour on behest of the Emperor to visit noble families across the realm for the purpose of matchmaking. She was renowned for her beauty, intellect, and ruthlessness in matters of statecraft. But true to her personality, Mirellia was disinterested, to say the least, to entertain the thoughts of marriage. She, a person with various of achievements, saw political marriages as something insignificant. After all, even she wanted to experience a romantic relationship. The candidates so far just saw her as a means to elevate themselves to higher standings. And so, she has been rejecting all proposals thus far.
My father saw this as a golden opportunity to restore House Barthory’s lost glory, although tis’ was but a glimmer.. He threw himself into preparations, scrubbing every corner of the manor and gathering what little wealth we had to make an impression. My brothers were ordered to practice their swordsmanship, refine their magic, and prepare their finest clothes.
As for me?
“Stay out of sight, Ellio,” my father said curtly. “You’ll only embarrass us.”
I had no objections. I wasn’t offended. I preferred it that way.
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The Princess Arrives
When Mirellia’s carriage rolled into the estate, the household turned into a hive of nervous energy. She was strikingly beautiful, poised, and radiating authority with fiery red hair and piercing emerald eyes. Her presence commanded respect, and her every word seemed calculated.
Lucas greeted her with practiced charm. Davion recounted his military exploits. Adrien dazzled her with a display of elemental magic. I watched all their enthusiasm from the shadows, attracting so little attention towards myself.
But something strange happened. Mirellia didn’t seem impressed.
She listened politely, her smile never faltering, but her gaze wandered. She studied the manor, the servants, and the lands beyond with a critical eye. Once, her gaze flicked to where I stood in the shadows, and I felt a jolt of unease.
For a moment, our eyes met.
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It felt as though she could see right through me. She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she turned back to my brothers, her interest waning. For a moment, I thought I was safe. But Mirellia wasn’t one to ignore a puzzle, and it wasn’t long before she uncovered mine.
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An Unlikely Interest
At the banquet that evening, I kept to the far end of the table, content to let my brothers bask in the spotlight. My family did everything to present themselves as worthy of her attention. My father praised Lucas’s leadership skills. My mother boasted about Adrien’s magical prowess. Mirellia nodded and smiled, but her responses were perfunctory - polite but with an air of detachment.
Then, out of nowhere, she turned to me.
“Ellio Barthory,” she said, her voice cutting through the conversation like a blade. “Why do you not join your brothers in demonstrating your talents?”
The room fell silent.
My father shifted uncomfortably, muttering something about my “lack of aptitude.” Mirellia didn’t look at him. Her eyes remained fixed on me, sharp and unyielding.
“I prefer not to embarrass myself, Your Highness,” I said with a polite smile, deflecting the question.
Her lips curved, just slightly, as if she found my response amusing. “Perhaps. Or perhaps you simply prefer to keep your talents hidden.”
From that moment on, Mirellia’s interest in me became undeniable.
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The Revelation
Her curiosity only grew in the days that followed. She wandered the manor grounds, always asking subtle questions about me. Why wasn’t I involved in family affairs? Why did I avoid attention? Why did the servants speak so highly of me?
“You’re an enigma, Ellio,” she said during one such encounter. “Your brothers trip over themselves to impress me, yet you stay in the shadows. Why?”
“Perhaps I enjoy the quiet,” I replied, though I could tell she didn’t believe me.
The truth came out one night when she discovered me dealing with a group of bandits on the outskirts of our lands. That night, unable to sleep, I walked the manor grounds to clear my mind. The household had settled into a tense quiet, everyone eager to impress the princess come morning. I found solace in the forest, away from the pretense.
That’s when I heard it: the crack of branches, the murmurs of thieves who thought our domain was ripe for plunder. They hadn’t counted on me. With a flick of my wrist, I summoned chains of earth to bind them, a gust of wind to silence their cries. It was over in seconds. Using my magic, I subdued them effortlessly, ensuring no harm came to the villagers.
I turned to leave and froze. Mirellia stood at the edge of the clearing, her eyes wide. She’d seen everything.
“You’re far from incompetent,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with wonder.
I sighed. “Why are you here, Your Highness?”
“You’re full of surprises, Ellio Barthory,” I could ask you the same,” she said, stepping closer. “You’ve been hiding this from everyone. Why?”
I looked away. “You shouldn’t concern yourself with me.”
“Why?” she asked, stepping closer. “Because you’re afraid of being seen?”
“Because I don’t want the life it would bring me,” I replied.
Her expression softened. “You’re afraid of being chained by expectations.”
“I’m not afraid,” I replied, though the words felt hollow.
She tilted her head, studying me. “I think you are. But you can’t hide forever, Ellio. Sooner or later, the world will demand more of you.”
Her words stayed with me long after she returned to the manor.