March 1st, 1810

Night had come and gone in an instant, giving way to the bright afternoon at Pennsylvania Royal Academy. Xavier sat among his friends, their laughter filling the air like music, carrying a warmth he couldn't quite put into words.

"Hey," Aria said, tilting her head at him. "You've been absent a lot lately, Xavier."

"Yeah!" Elowen chimed in, her voice bursting with energy as usual. "We barely see you in school anymore!"

Xavier chuckled, but before he could respond, Emily spoke up with sudden realization. "Wait... are you engaged, Xavier?!"

"WHAT?!" Xavier nearly choked, his eyes wide with shock.

"It would explain a lot," Emily mused. "You've been distracted, and your mind is always somewhere else. Maybe you've secretly found yourself a fiancée?"

Misaki folded her arms, nodding. "She's got a point. You've been acting different lately—super focused on something. If you had a secret romance going on, it'd totally make sense."

Xavier's face turned beet red. "That's NOT what's happening!"

Out of nowhere, Jupiter draped an arm around Xavier's shoulder, grinning. "Relax, bro. It's fine if you want to keep your love life private. We won't judge."

"You guys have it all wrong!" Xavier insisted, still blushing. "I've just been busy with personal affairs and family matters!"

"Personal affairs?" Misaki raised a brow.

"Yeah," Xavier confirmed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Misaki gave him a small smile. "You know, if something's bothering you, we're all here for you."

"Yeah!" Elowen added, pumping a fist in the air. "We're best friends, after all!"

Xavier lowered his gaze, his heart tugged by their words. They meant well. They truly cared. But could they even begin to understand what he was dealing with?

Sophie suddenly gasped, covering her mouth. "Wait a minute... could it be that your secret lover is… Princess Jasmine?!"

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Xavier's head practically exploded from frustration.

"I mean, it's possible," Aria said, tapping her chin. "We all know Xavier has a crush on Miss Jasmine. It wouldn't be too far-fetched."

"Yeah!" Emily agreed. "Besides, it's normal for royals to arrange marriages between noble families."

"But..." Elowen whimpered, tears welling in her eyes as she dabbed them with a handkerchief. "Our dear Xavier is too young for engagement! He's only nine!"

Misaki, suddenly joining in, also wiped imaginary tears. "You're right! Our poor Xavier's innocence has been stolen by that woman!"

"You guys..." Xavier muttered, utterly exasperated.

Jason and Jupiter, fully embracing the joke, decided to take it a step further.

Jupiter dramatically fell to the ground like a helpless princess, placing a hand over his forehead. "Oh, my heavens! I, Princess of the Kingdom of Korea, have fallen and twisted my ankle! What shall I do?!"

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Jason, playing the role of a dashing hero, knelt beside him. "Fear not, my beloved Princess Jasmine! I, your devoted fiancé, Xavier, have come to rescue you!"

Jupiter, still in character, batted his lashes. "Oh, dear Xavier! What would I ever do without you?"

Locking eyes, Jason and Jupiter dramatically leaned toward each other as if about to share a kiss.

"STOP IT!" Xavier yelled, his face now as red as a sunset. "I TOLD YOU I'M NOT ENGAGED! WHY DO YOU KEEP TEASING ME?!"

The entire group erupted into laughter, doubling over as tears of amusement streamed down their faces.

Xavier turned to Jack, who had been silently cracking up the entire time. Gritting his teeth, Xavier asked, "And what are you laughing at, Jack?"

Jack, struggling to breathe between laughs, rolled on the floor. "O-Oh man, Xavier, you get flustered so easily! It's too funny!"

Xavier crossed his arms. "You guys aren't funny."

Their laughter continued for a while, but soon, the school bell rang. It was time for class.

As Xavier walked through the halls with Jupiter toward their literature class, his gaze flicked to the clock above them.

3:05 p.m.

His mind stirred with thoughts. Just nine more hours until midnight... and by then, I'll have to decide on Adam's proposition.

Jupiter, still rambling about something, eventually noticed Xavier's distracted expression. "Hey, you okay? You seem out of it."

Xavier forced a smile. "I'm fine. Nothing to worry about."

Jupiter grinned. "Alright! Let's hurry, or we're gonna be late!"

Xavier nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Nine hours left.

And so, time flew by—those long hours Xavier spent in school with his friends and teachers drifted away like a leaf carried by the wind.

By the time he returned home, evening had already set in, creeping ever closer to the midnight hour he had been anticipating. Sitting in his room, his gaze fixated on the clock above, he waited in silence. The moment the hand struck twelve, the deep chime echoed through the still air, marking the arrival of the ebon night—midnight.

A faint knocking sound at the window broke the silence. Xavier turned towards it, already knowing what to expect. As he approached and unlatched the window, the black crow—Adam's messenger—perched on the ledge, its beady eyes peering into his soul.

His gaze dropped to the small envelope fastened to the crow's leg. With careful hands, he detached it, unraveling its contents.

-----

Dear Xavier,

If you have finally decided on my proposal, I will be waiting for you at the grand fountain—the one you so often visited with your beloved siblings and Grandfather.

However, if you have chosen to abandon the pursuit of your past and your lost parents, then our paths diverge here. This is your final opportunity—one that will never come again.

I will be waiting for your arrival. :)

Don't disappoint.

Sincerely,

Adam, your guide.

-----

As Xavier finished reading, his hands trembled ever so slightly, a sigh of pain and regret escaping his lips. The weight of his choice pressed upon him like an iron shackle.

He removed the Visor of Time, placing it on top of an envelope in which there was a letter addressed to Aleksander, Violet, and the others. With his preparations complete, he took up the bag he had packed in advance.

Throwing on a long black cloak, hood drawn low over his face, he reached for the white-fanged mask Anastasia had gifted him. Steeling himself, he stepped toward the window, scanning the surroundings for the palace knights who patrolled the grounds tirelessly.

The moment he confirmed the coast was clear, he leaped from his window, landing as softly as possible to avoid detection. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his speed amplified by vectors, streaking like a shadow through the night.

The black crow led him onward, guiding him through the vast, moonlit forest. Branches whipped past him, the cool air sharp against his skin. But just as he began to feel the weight of solitude, a chilling presence cast itself over him.

A massive shadow passed overhead.

Xavier barely had time to react before the creature plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the earth before him with a thunderous impact. The ground beneath him quaked, dust swirling as the figure loomed over him.

A voice, deep and wrathful, cut through the silence. "And where do you think you're going, child?"

Xavier's breath hitched. His eyes locked onto the imposing form of Alcmena, his dragon eyes glinting with something far worse than anger—disappointment.

Perched atop Alcmena's broad back was Miss Anastasia, her cloaked form blending into the night. Though her expression was veiled in shadow, her voice betrayed the weight of her emotions.

"Young Master," she murmured, a sadness laced in her tone. "Where are you heading at this hour?"

Xavier stood frozen in place, unable to utter a word. He had prepared for this journey—steeled himself for what was to come—but he had not anticipated this.

And now, caught in the piercing gazes of his mentor and guardian, he found himself at a crossroads, where silence and truth waged war within him.