“Your Highness! I told you to stop!”

  Daphne turned her head away in exaggerated annoyance, though the curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.

  Edric chuckled and gently patted her head. “You were smiling the entire time.”

  “That’s not the point,” she muttered, cheeks flushed.

  He leaned closer and pressed a fleeting kiss to her temple before finally releasing her.

  “If we don’t leave now, Caleb Northwind will start lecturing me about discipline again.”

  At the mention of the knight instructor, Daphne straightened immediately.

  “You should go,” she said quickly. “Training is important.”

  “It is.”

  They walked toward the courtyard together, their hands brushing occasionally before Daphne shyly pulled away whenever a servant passed.

  Word had spread quickly throughout the capital.

  The young heir of the Valemont Family had forced Sir Ronan Blackmere—captain of the imperial guard—to reveal far more strength than expected during their clash.

  Admiring gazes followed Edric as he crossed the training grounds.

  But admiration was never alone.

  Suspicion lingered in corners. Servants aligned with rival factions observed him carefully.

  Lucan Valemont and Rowan Valemont would not be pleased.

  Power invited both loyalty and hostility.

  Training passed without interruption. Steel rang against steel beneath Caleb Northwind’s watchful eye. By the end, sweat dampened Edric’s collar, but his breathing remained steady.

  “Your control has sharpened,” Caleb remarked quietly. “But your eyes… they’re different.”

  Edric merely smiled.

  In the afternoon, Sylvia Valemont stopped by briefly, animated as ever, and Marielle Valemont later summoned him for a discreet conversation regarding shifting alliances within the court.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  By evening, Edric prepared to visit Valeria Kainridge.

  Daphne offered to accompany him, but he declined gently.

  “This errand requires subtlety,” he said. “Rest.”

  She hesitated but agreed.

  Edric chose to walk rather than ride, using the opportunity to observe the capital’s rhythm—merchant routes, patrol patterns, public sentiment.

  He was midway through the outer district when someone stepped into his path.

  “Your Highness.”

  An elderly man bowed respectfully.

  His posture was immaculate. His attire refined but modest. Silver hair framed a deeply lined yet composed face.

  Edric’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

  Danger.

  It was subtle—hidden with mastery—but unmistakable.

  This was no ordinary butler.

  “Can I help you?” Edric asked calmly.

  “My young lady wishes to speak with you,” the old man replied, gesturing toward a carriage parked nearby. “If Your Highness would grant her the honor.”

  Edric studied him carefully.

  Proper etiquette would require the noble lady to present herself directly—especially when addressing a prince.

  Unless—

  “She is unable to move freely,” the butler added smoothly. “Her health is… delicate.”

  Interesting.

  Edric activated Akashic Sight discreetly.

  The moment his perception pierced the carriage interior, his expression shifted.

  Fascination.

  He nodded. “Lead the way.”

  The butler escorted him forward and knocked lightly before opening the carriage door.

  Inside sat two young women.

  One had hair as pale as snowfall beneath moonlight—Adeline Crow.

  Her features were delicate, almost otherworldly, and her eyes—clear and crystalline—seemed to observe not only his form, but something deeper.

  Beside her sat a knightly figure—Miriam Crow—blonde hair tied neatly behind her head, emerald eyes sharp with vigilance. Her hand rested lightly on the pommel of her sword.

  Edric inclined his head respectfully.

  “Ladies.”

  Adeline smiled faintly, studying him as if examining a rare artifact.

  “So this is the famed heir of the Valemont Family,” she murmured. “You’re… brighter than I expected.”

  Miriam’s gaze sharpened slightly at the comment.

  Edric’s lips curved subtly. “And you must be Adeline Crow.”

  Adeline tilted her head.

  “You already knew?”

  “I make it a habit to recognize talent,” he replied.

  Her eyes gleamed.

  Unlike most nobles, she did not radiate raw strength.

  Instead—

  She radiated potential.

  A rare innate ability slumbered within her, tangled and suppressed, but extraordinary in nature.

  Miriam shifted slightly. “Our house has no hostile intentions.”

  “That remains to be seen,” Edric answered calmly.

  Adeline giggled softly.

  “Straightforward. I like that.”

  She leaned forward slightly.

  “I invited you because the winds are changing, Prince Edric. And when storms gather… it is wise for certain individuals to speak before lightning strikes.”

  Ah.

  Politics.

  “Are you offering cooperation?” he asked.

  “I am offering conversation,” she corrected.

  The butler outside remained silent, but Edric could feel his presence like a coiled blade.

  This meeting was deliberate.

  Calculated.

  Adeline’s gaze never wavered.

  “You are not what the court whispers say,” she said quietly. “You’re far more dangerous.”

  “And you,” Edric replied smoothly, “are far more observant than most.”

  A faint smile passed between them.

  Outside, the capital continued its restless murmur.

  Inside the carriage, three futures quietly aligned.

  The butler watched.

  The knight guarded.

  And the white-haired girl smiled as though she had just found something precious.