However, just as the five girls were about to leave the school gate to travel on foot toward their next destination from the Sankt District, it did not take long for them to spot a fancy, pearly-white orbal car speeding along the road, only for it to drive up the entrance of the schoolhouse. From there, the car's engine cut off, and then, the familiar sound of a lute began to play in the air around them.
Princess Alfin's eyes immediately lit up, being the first one to recognize the tone. As it played, a golden, blonde-haired man stepped out of the orbal car, decked out in his vermillion-clad princely attire. Not the one that he would appear as when he uses his other moniker, Olivier Lenheim. No, this man was Prince Olivert! Erebonia's one and only Imperial Crown Prince!
"Oh hear me, my fair maidens. I have been sent from over yonder. Your long-awaited chariot awaits!", Prince Olivert said, calling out to the girls.
Prince Olivert had only recently graduated from Thors Military Academy, and before long, he would soon sit on its very own board of directors. Prince Olivert is also now legally able to consume alcohol. He turned twenty within the last couple of years, and he is now twenty-two. Despite appearing youthful and playful throughout most of Trails, Prince Olivert is actually older than he looks. It won't be long now until he has his fateful encounter with a certain Silver Streak, but that is a story for another day.
"Brother Olivert!", Princess Alfin happily said, quickly approaching him. She disregarded her friends, and actually sprinted at him. Prince Olivert became momentarily stunned, only to see Princess Alfin do a big tackle, and enter his embrace.
"Oof. That was quite the tackle there, Alfin my dear. It would seem my dearest younger sister is in quite a good mood right now.", Prince Olivert said, smiling at his younger sister, Princes Alfin. At least, for the time being, Prince Olviert is bearing the title of Imperial Crown Prince. Prince Cedric is still quite young to take over.
"Heehee, oh how could I not be? I've just made some new friends, you see.", Princess Alfin responded. As she was still in Prince Olivert's embrace, this allowed him to ruffle her hair. Doing this put Princess Alfin in even a better mood than she already was.
"New friends, you say? It wouldn't happen to be these two kittens over here now, hmm?", Prince Olivert asked, letting his eyes land on Renne and Sherryl.
"So it would seem. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance for the first time, Your Imperial Highness. You may call me Renne. The one beside me is Sherryl.", Renne said, being polite. It was Erebonia's Crown Prince in front of her after all. She knew etiquette well, despite not being a Noble.
"Renne...", Prince Olivert murmured. "So you are the one he is referring to..."
"Oh?", Renne mused. "Perhaps you know of me, Your Imperial Highness?"
"Haha.", Prince Olivert laughed. "You could say that. I've received some letters as of late, and you just so happened to be addressed in said letters. To think this is how we would meet.", Prince Olivert continued.
It looks like Prince Olivert knows who Renne is, but this was his first time meeting her in person!
"Is that right?", Renne mused, wondering what letters Prince Olivert were referring to. She could likely take a guess as to who. This is Renne, after all. Still, she remained silent on the matter while Sherryl nodded her head. It was then Prince Olivert took notice of Elise and Musse while Princess Alfin was still in hugging mode.
"It is nice to see you again, Your Imperial Highness.", Elise said with a small curtsy of her uniform.
"Likewise. We were all just on our way home now that classes are done for the day.", Musse said. Musse also remained polite, and greeted Prince Olivert with a curtsy of her school uniform.
"Well well. If it isn't the Schwarzer Barony's daughter, and is that Lady Mildine I see next to you?", Prince Olivert responded, smiling at the two. "Has the Student Council fared you well?"
"It sure has. Each day is a new challenge within the Student Council, but it's not something I can't handle. Quite the opposite. I've had more time on my hands lately for being such an outstanding student. I figured it wouldn't hurt to leave school today with Her Imperial Highness.", Elise explained, smiling at Prince Olivert.
"Enough time to spare to even bring these kittens along with you. I guess more the merrier won't hurt.", Prince Olivert said, welcoming everyone.
"True. Now that I think about it, you wouldn't come here without reason, Brother Olivert. And this is MY car that is meant to escort me around, until I become old enough to drive it myself.", Princess Alfin said. It was then a light bulb lit up inside her head, acting as if she had come to a realization. "Does that mean you are here on business?"
"Astute as ever, my dearest sister. I indeed have come here with purpose. I was not wrong to say your chariot awaits. Come along now. We don't have much time. And I doubt you'd want to miss out on the fun.", Prince Olivert said, smiling back at Princess Alfin. "Your friends, and the new ones you've just made, are more than welcome to join. There is plenty of room back at the palace. I don't even know what to do with all that space."
As Princess Alfin just stared at her brother, Musse happily clapped her hands together, quick to respond.
"Oh my. Something is happening after all. You're inviting us?", Musse responded, obviously happy.
"How opportune. I know I can get quite busy with the Student Council at times, I do not have much going on this evening. I do not mind tagging along.", Elise also nodded.
"Excellent choice.", Prince Olivert said. "How about you two then? Dinner's included. It isn't every day you get a full course meal with the finest cuisine throughout all of Erebonia~"
Disregarding Prince Olivert's teasing remark, Sherryl recalled what happened to her prior to this. Campanella the Fool informed Renne of Naoto's impending arrival, and therefore, informed Sherryl. She knew the undercurrent that was coming. In the end, she could only sigh.
"Perhaps it was meant to be this way after all...", Sherryl sighed. After she said that, confusion appeared in everyone's eyes.
"What do you mean by that, Sherryl?", Princess Alfin asked, appearing confused. Sherryl couldn't respond before Renne smiled and answered for her.
"Oh you can just ignore Sherryl, Your Imperial Highness. Back to the point at hand, we've more than enough free time on our hands right now. I don't think we would mind heading out with you all.", Renne responded, telling them she was free. Sherryl nodded her head, which meant she was free too.
"Oh please. Aren't we past formalities now? Just call me Alfin!", Princess Alfin laughed, ending her hug with Prince Olivert.
"Well...Alright.", Sherryl nodded, and didn't refuse.
"Excellent.", Princess Alfin said, happily clapping her hands. "So, out with it, Brother Olivert. Tell us why you came."
"Haha.", Prince Olivert laughed again. "I was about to get to that. It looks like everyone's on board. You see, my dearest sister has been summoned to Valflame Palace, so I figured it would be best to see if her friends wanted to come along as well."
"I've...been summoned by Father and Mother?", Princess Alfin asked, obviously interested.
"Indeed. A particular someone just so happens to be very eager to see you, my dearest sister. I do too, for that matter. Our long lost friend has decided to rise up from the ashes, and is now making his way here as we speak. But all jokes aside, His Royal Highness Naoto should be arriving momentarily in Valflame Palace.", Prince Olivert said, explaining what is happening.
It took a good moment for the words to register in Princess Alfin's head. She then became excited.
"Naoto's heading his way here!?", Princess Alfin exclaimed. She was ecstatic.
"As we speak. For the time being, why don't you girls step into the car? Lord Father has already prepared a banquet for our guests tonight. Afterward, there is going to be a little ball. Consider it a prelude for when you debut in high society in the coming years. It's still a ways away, but practice never hurts.", Prince Olivert said, smiling again.
"Naoto?", Elise questioned, only to shift her eyes toward Princess Alfin. "Is that who I think it is, Your Highness?"
"Uh-huh! Liberl's Crown Prince. Naoto von Auslese. He showed me around the capital a couple years ago. He can be weird at times, but he's a good friend!", Princess Alfin happily replied, clapping her hands together.
"A good friend...you say? This wouldn't happen to be the same boy you drew by hand back then, is he~?", Musse teased.
"That...", Princess Alfin didn't immediately reply. Her cheeks turned a faint red, becoming embarrassed. "That's beside the point! We should go already."
"Teehee. Oh I love where this is going~", Musse teased again. The car door was already open by this point, and Princess Alfin excused herself, making her the first person to head inside.
"You don't know how to hold back, do you, Musse?", Elise sighed, revealing a small frown on her face. "Still, this is quite unexpected. Aren't we a little too young to dance around, even if it isn't official? I know dances are popular amongst us Nobles, but we won't be learning proper etiquette for another year or two at the earliest..."
"Heehee, a little practice never hurts anyone now, does it?", Musse replied. "I'm looking forward to this more now."
"I don't think this matters to Sherryl and I much. We aren't Nobles like you two are.", Renne said, and shrugged her shoulders. "But this Naoto person, I am quite interested in meeting him. I'm sure he'll receive a wake-up call~"
"Renne...", Sherryl sighed. Likewise, Sherryl too was surprised to hear Naoto's name all the way out here in Erebonia. A smile appeared on her lips. This didn't go unnoticed. Renne saw Sherryl's smile. Sherryl then looked at Renne. "You wanted this to happen, didn't you?"
"Only Aidios has the answer to that. Let's get in now. We can't keep His Imperial Highness waiting forever.", Renne said, becoming the second girl to head inside.
"Haha. Please, call me Olivert. I am not one to brandish my Title, even though I hold the position of Crown Prince.", Prince Olivert laughed again. Renne nodded her head as her figure vanished. "I'll drive you all to Valflame Palace. In you go."
Musse and Elise looked at each other, and nodded. They headed inside. Sherryl was the last one, she simply observed Prince Olivert for a moment.
"Now you, Sherryl, was it? You're an interesting one. You've been beside Naoto before, yes? Your name is also included on the letters he's sent me throughout these last few years.", Prince Olivert asked.
"Master wrote about me?", Sherryl asked, becoming interested. "That's right. I cannot exactly say as to what happened to us, we were together for a period of time. Some things happened, and we went our separate ways. My home is in Grancel Castle. That should answer any doubts you have, Your Imperial Highness. Or is Olivert fine?"
"Master?", Prince Olivert said, frowning. Sherryl could see Prince Olivert's worry.
"I'm glad for you to worry about me, Your Imperial Highness. This is the path I have decided to walk on. Once the time is right, I will be in service of His Royal Highness back at Grancel Castle. Surely you must be aware of my past, yes? I don't think I need to explain too much, do I?", Sherryl asked, remaining polite.
"I was told by Alfin that she recently became acquainted with someone who was in service of Remiferia's Royal Family. I assume that person is you.", Prince Olivert responded, taking a guess.
"You would be correct, Your Imperial Highness. As such, I will remain in the mannerisms I currently use. I hope you don't mind.", Sherryl said. Her lips curved upward into a smile.
"Very well.", Prince Olivert nodded. "It isn't often to find someone as young as you to have already found the path you want to walk on. I will not sway you from that.", Prince Olivert continued. "After you, Miss Sherryl."
"Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.", Sherryl said. A hint of conviction could be seen in Sherryl's eyes as she entered the orbal car.
Prince Olivert found himself alone for a brief moment. He couldn't help but smile.
"I pray tell, how will tonight's events fare? Will it be tumultuous, or will it go smoothly? I cannot ever fathom what goes on in the Chancellor's head...", Prince Olivert uttered, keeping his voice low.
In the end, he simply sighed, and proceeded toward the driver's seat. Getting in, Prince Olivert left St. Astraia with the girls in tow. Their destination? Valflame Palace!