"Divine ability, huh?"
It's been an hour since the meeting, and I've been back in my room, mind reeling from the overdrive of information I had to process. However, out of everything: politics, alliances, my own damn engagement. One thing stuck with me the most... Divine ability.
Why? It's simple, really. I understood why I was suddenly named heir to Vangardia's throne, although I'm quite sure I was heir long before I ever heard about it. I understood why the alliance with the demons was necessary. I understood, despite disagreeing, the urgency of my marriage to Princess Ariana. Even though I believe there are better ways to form an alliance than tying two teenagers with vows and legal papers, it's whatever.
But two things. Two things, I couldn't understand stood out to me. One being, why I dreamt of Ariana dying in my arms before I ever met her. And two, being the 'Divine ability' I supposedly have.
The dream… I shoved that aside. Filed it away under 'creepy coincidences' and 'nightmares that mean nothing.' Dreams aren't real. They don't mean anything. That's what I told myself, anyway.
I placed my hand under my chin, continuing to read my own body.
"...A Divine ability."
"A gift from the Princeps themselves?" I murmured while cocking my hip to the side, studying myself in the mirror.
"I always knew I was special."
I began to undo my bandaging. And if my insides decided to greet the outside, well. That would be pretty unfortunate. But it is what it is.
The wrappings unraveled slowly, sliding down my torso and drifting to the stainless white marble floor in soft coils. They brushed over my bare feet, the cold tiles sending a quiet shiver up my legs. And when the last strip of linen fell away, what hid beneath the bandages left even me speechless.
Not even a scar?!
I reached back into my memories, trying to identify what spell the assassin used, but no matter how hard I tried. I never heard an incantation. Could it possibly be incantationless magic?
Incantationless magic was a skill only the most powerful individuals, like Father, Auntie, or even the great Merlin, could wield. Casting even the simplest of spells without an incantation was a massive feat. It required much more focus, energy, skill, and most of all... a strong connection to the surrounding mana than a regular incanted spell ever could. Not to mention, incantationless spells pack a stronger punch than their incanted counterparts.
My assassin was no joke; however, the next time I meet them, they will be. Since they won't be catching me off guard again. Hehe.
But if I can't tell what spell he used, how am I supposed to make sense of this? Honestly, I don't even think knowing the spell would help anyway. Surviving a perfect circle through the abdomen is impressive in the first place, hence why I was able to do so.
Divine ability or not, I think I could've survived.
But to not even leave a scar? I continued to twist my body, turning around, and looking over my back, analyzing myself through both the full and bedside mirrors, and even running my hands through my body. But nope. Perfectly smooth skin.
And what bugged me even more was. All my previous scars were gone too, the thin line I got on my chest when my Dad and I were attacked when I was four, the jagged one on my shoulder from sparring with Iliam, getting stabbed with splintered wood when I was eight, and the one on my left knee that I got from recklessly sliding down a small cliff when I was younger. All of them and then some, my body was unscathed like I somehow lived with not so much as a scratch from my birth until now.
Is this the power of my Divine ability? What is it? Immortality? A healing factor? Why would it only kick in now of all times? Which Princep gifted me this power? Chaos? Could I be the eleventh Servant of Chaos? No, impossible.
I admit that I'm not exactly the nicest person in the world, but to be a Servant of Chaos is to be a destroyer of worlds. That's not me.
For every question I found, five more appeared.
I had so many questions and not a single answer. This was way beyond my level of understanding, and I needed answers.
So I got dressed in some proper attire this time: simple black pants, a crisp white shirt, a red tailcoat, and a plain black ascot tie. I ran a hand through my hair until it looked more naturally tousled and less like I'd just gotten out of bed. Then I exited my room.
I was determined to find answers, so I made my way through the multiple floors of the palace, all the way down the winding stairs, while greeting, maybe flirting with multiple maids on the way down to our own private library.
Hours slipped by, and orange hues were painted all across the floors. Books stacked up around me like walls. The sun dipped lower. My eyes burned from reading. My back ached. My patience thinned.
But after countless journals, historical texts, and mythological compendiums.
I found nothing.
Not a single mention. Not a single clue. Not even a dusty footnote.
Absolutely nothing that could help me.
So I closed the last book, leaving it exactly where it was with hopes that the librarian would clean up after me.
You know, I never noticed how empty the library is. Sure, I barely come here anyway, but apparently it's not just me.
I was suffocating and needed fresh air. I was done with the library since the only thing it helped with was adding to my tiredness.
So I headed for the library exit and strolled through the palace's dimming halls. Lanterns were already lit in their golden sconces. I walked without thinking, guided by instinct more than direction. Down the stairs, past the hallways, past the portraits of ancestors who all seemed to stare in silent judgment, then out the main entrance, greeting the two guards who were stationed on either side of the doors.
"Wait, you're the same two guards from earlier, no?"
I realized out of the corner of my eye and turned to face them with a wry smile.
"Yes, Sir!"
Still as stiff as ever.
"Very well," I deadpanned. "Good evening."
"Good evening, Your Highness!"
Your Highness?? So Auntie was being completely serious when she said it's been made public. I honestly don't know how to feel about it.