The next day.
"Princess Clairette!"
Azarael rushed into Vivia's chamber first thing in the morning, gasping in horror upon witnessing her state.
"Why do you look so haggard, Princess? What happened?"
What happened is that I didn't sleep a wink, Vivia thought somberly.
The realization of leaving the Demon Realm tomorrow had tormented her heart. Her mind swung back and forth like a pendulum between the restless thoughts of her heart growing closer to Zerath and that the time of her stay was up - the result being a sleepless night.
Azarael pursed her lips. "Princess, I heard about the Emberlain convoy coming tomorrow. W-Will you be really returning to your realm…?"
Vivia lacked the strength to smile. "Yes, Azarael."
"Can it not be after some more days?" She urged tearfully.
A dull pain squeezed her heart.
"I don't think the journey will be delayed anymore. I've already overstayed my welcome here."
Her eyes widened. "No, Princess! How can you say that? Though we had some misunderstandings in the beginning, everybody has grown fond of your presence."
Vivia's eyes welled feeling time was slipping away through her fingers like sand. It crushed her to think that Zerath would just be a face of the past soon. She would no longer get another chance to meet the fine demon with golden eyes she happened to cross paths with.
The more I think, the more it hurts…
She placed her hand over her chest, a tight knot-like feeling twisting her heart.
"Princess, are you feeling sick…?"
"No, no, I'm fine."
She slapped her cheeks, taking Azarael by shock.
I've no time to spare for any sad feelings! I should enjoy my last day here to the fullest!
"Princess?"
Vivia jumped out of the bed, rejuvenated with a new purpose. "Please help me get ready, Azarael. I've to attend Casca's festival. Since today is my last day here, I've tons of things to do!"
Her vigor brought a cheer to Azarael's smile too. "Yes, Princess!"
As Vivia stepped out of her chamber, a sudden force grabbed her legs and she looked down, surprised.
"Eurus!"
Eurus had wrapped his small arms around her legs, clinging onto them with all his might. She knelt and hugged him to her chest. He took her hand and studied her burn wounds. Though Doloros's treatment was working, her injuries were far from complete recovery.
She smiled. "It doesn't hurt at all, Eurus. Sir Kael and Sir Tarin are so incredible. They applied this magic medicine on my wounds and pah! It stopped hurting haha!"
Eurus looked skeptical.
"I'm telling the truth," she nodded in all sincerity. "These wounds will also disappear in no time just like the pain."
He continued to frown, unconvinced. Vivia coughed and quickly changed the subject.
"Eurus, do you know that there's a festival today at Casca?" She beamed.
His gaze held questions, clueless about this new development.
"Hehe, you heard it right. The festival is held to celebrate the Crown Prince's valor. He has been rewarded with the jurisdiction of the capital city!"
His eyes sparkled.
"So naturally, we should go to the festival, right? A festival is a really fun event! There is delicious food, music, dancing and games~ Would you like to come with me?"
Eurus nodded enthusiastically. Though he didn't know what a festival looked like, her excitement was infectious. After the whole ordeal with Astaroth, he didn't want to leave her side even for a moment.
Azarael bowed apologetically. "Vespera will lead the way for you Princess. Unfortunately, I've some prior commitments, so I wouldn't be able to join you today, but Vespera will serve you."
"Ah, is that so? No worries! You take care of your work. Eurus and I'll be fine."
"Thank you, Princess!"
Moments later, Vespera appeared and bowed, albeit with a salty expression. "I'm here to serve you, Princess."
She led them to the palace's gates where Zerath's familiar silhouette was already visible to Vivia. Though all the past days spent with him had diffused some of their awkwardness, Vivia couldn't help but feel restless.
Something felt different about how Zerath stood under the morning sunlight - just like last night when the golden glow of hundreds of lanterns had swayed above him. The closer she approached him, the more dreamy his smile felt, as if he was an otherworldly existence. Her heart drummed and pounded, and she didn't know why but the particular evening flashed back in her mind when they had nearly breached the distance too close to…
Calm. Be calm, Vivia. He looks like he always does.
Unknowingly swallowing a gulp, she couldn't understand why her breaths strangely felt short and shallow.
Down, Eurus observed her trembling hands in puzzlement.
Vivia cold?
He immediately released her hand and stepped away from her. She stirred and looked down, confused.
"What's the matter, Eurus?"
Eurus pursed his lips, his shoulders drooping sadly.
"I think he believes you're feeling cold because of him," a deep voice murmured in her ear.
Her heart rammed in her chest, pounding loud and fast. She turned towards him, slow and cautious. She attempted her most natural smile while struggling to focus amidst the heat spreading across her ear which he had breathed his voice into.
"Crown Prince…"
Zerath held the same pleasant smile as always. "He saw you tremble, so I believe he's wondering if you're feeling cold because of him."
She quickly looked down at Eurus and clarified. "Oh, no. I'm not feeling cold, Eurus."
Eurus blinked at her as if asking if it was indeed the truth to which she nodded. A fleeting glint of relief flashed in his eyes, and he trotted back to her side.
"Rise for the Crown Prince Zerath," the coachman bowed.
Zerath asked, "Is the carriage ready?"
He anxiously replied. "Forgive me, my lord. The carriage's rear wheel is broken. I'm trying to fix it, but I'm afraid it'll take some time…"
"Alas. It's fine. You continue to work on the repairs."
"...B-But how will you go to Casca, my lord?" He asked apologetically.
Zerath looked back at Vivia with a smile. "How does a horse ride sound to you, Princess?"
—
Vivia stared at the majestic stallion before her that stood proudly with might. It was the same stallion on which she had ridden with Zerath before when she first arrived in the Demon Realm. It evoked the memories of that first journey with him through the Realm of Harmony - though she held one burning question.
She peeked at Zerath. "This is your stallion, right Crown Prince?"
He smiled. "You remember."
"Naturally. He's a beauty."
As if recognizing her appreciation, the stallion excitedly neighed his gratitude.
Zerath chuckled. "That was his way of saying thank you."
Vivia coughed. "What I mean to ask is why am I here?"
"For our ride to Casca."
"...Will we be riding together?"
"Because the carriage is broken."
But when you said about riding, I thought it would be with another knight!
Vivia forced out a merry laugh, though traces of apprehension brought sweat to her forehead.
"Well you see Crown Prince…"
"Yes, Princess?"
"Don't you think that…I should probably ride with another knight?" Vivia made it a point to express the strain and concern in her voice.
His head tipped to the side. "Why so?"
"I mean Casca is the capital city and everyone will welcome the Crown Prince for the festival, but won't it look a little…" she cleared her throat, "troublesome if a human princess accompanies you?"
Zerath stepped closer, ever so slightly leaning towards her. "How would it be troublesome?"
That small step that closed a tiny distance between them was enough to make her stutter.
Is he purposely acting ignorant? Vivia wanted to smack on his head.
She kept her smile intact. "I meant to say that they could misunderstand us…"
"Misunderstand what?"
Her smile cracked.
Zerath inched another fraction closer, making her breath hitch.
"Why will the people of Casca misunderstand us, Princess?" He questioned with a tranquil smile, which only irked her to no end.
Until now, Vivia had been unsure what Zerath thought about that small moment that had transpired between them in the corridor that evening, but she got an inkling that he was well aware what she exactly meant.
Vivia let out a sunny smile. "You're right, Crown Prince. Silly of me to overthink. As the princess of the Human Realm, it's only natural that the Demon Realm's Crown Prince escorts me to such a privileged festival, isn't it? Politically, it makes complete sense."
Zerath blinked twice.
"I think we should head out now. The main star of the festival shouldn't be late. Eurus," she lowered her gaze at him with a smile, "Crown Prince Zerath will be escorting us to Casca. Isn't it wonderful?"
Eurus was too engaged with his staring contest with Zerath's stallion. His eyes were watching the majestic beast with a mix of curiosity and caution. Upon hearing Vivia's call, he immediately broke off the eye contact first. He met her gaze and nodded.
"Perfect. Let's go~"
Zerath was keenly focused on Vivia's sarcasm and displeasure radiating through her cherry smile.
Well, this doesn't look so good…