(In a clear, quiet morning, the Fire Palace was bustling with unusual activity. Servants were preparing, and soldiers stood in a row at the grand gate, for it was time to bid farewell.)
(Agnes stood beside her father, Emperor Regas, wearing a dress the color of the sky, a strand of her hair dancing with the morning breeze. She looked at the great palace.)
Emperor Ranius approached her with confident steps, a warm smile on his face, and said in a voice filled with respect:
«I am sorry to see you leave so soon, Princess of the Wind, but I understand your father's wish.»
Regas smiled gently and bowed slightly as a sign of appreciation.
«Thank you, Ranius, for your generous hospitality and for protecting my daughter, but after what happened… I think it is time for her to return to her homeland. She must learn more about her power, in her own land, among the people of her element.»
Ranius nodded in agreement and said in a serious tone:
«I understand completely, and what happened was but a harbinger of something greater to come… Please ensure she is well-trained, for she is no ordinary princess.»
Agnes looked at him with a slight smile, then said quietly:
«Thank you for everything, Your Majesty… I have learned much here.»
Ranius smiled lightly and said:
«You are still at the beginning of your path, Agnes… But I believe you will become great one day.»
At that moment, Diana and Tarkan were standing not far away, each carrying their small bag.
Diana said with childish enthusiasm:
«It seems the time for departure has come. How quiet the palace will seem after we leave!»
Tarkan laughed and said sarcastically:
«Indeed, it will be more peaceful without you, Diana.»
She shot him a sharp look and said, crossing her arms:
«Stop mocking, you dry one! I will certainly miss Selena more than you!»
Selena approached with her usual calm, carrying her black robe embroidered with ice crystals, and said in her characteristically cold voice:
«Farewell to you all… Perhaps we shall meet in another palace, or another battle.»
Agnes replied with a faint smile:
«I hope we meet again soon, Selena.»
Then she turned towards Diana and said jokingly:
«And try not to cause trouble on the way.»
Diana laughed loudly and said:
«Me? Trouble seeks me out, my dear!»
Everyone laughed lightly, even Ranius and Regas couldn't hide their small smiles at the scene of innocent friendship that had brought them together despite their different empires.
Then Regas said in a firm but quiet voice:
«Agnes, the time for departure has come.»
Agnes looked at the palace one last time, at the training grounds, and the sky where the first moments of her fear had burned. She felt a mixture of longing and pride coursing through her chest.
She whispered to herself in a low voice that only her father heard:
«I will return stronger… a promise on the wind.»
As soon as she boarded the carriage, dust rose behind them as they departed the land of fire, heading towards the Wind Empire, while the sun rose slowly, as if bidding them farewell with a clear smile.
As for Ranius, he remained standing on the palace steps, watching them with a deeply thoughtful eye, saying to himself:
«Sergius was only the beginning…»
---------♡---------
Agnes woke with the first rays of morning, golden light creeping between the curtains of her spacious room, reflecting off the walls adorned with carvings of wind and clouds. She opened her eyes slowly, then sat up in her ornate bed, breathing deeply, as if smelling the air of her homeland again.
She smiled lightly and said in a voice filled with warmth:
«Yes… I have returned home.»
No sooner had she said that than someone knocked lightly on the door.
She replied gently:
«Please, come in.»
The maid, Linia, entered with quick steps and a bright smile, bowing slightly with respect.
«Your Highness, how do you feel today?»
Agnes answered with a clear smile as she arranged her long hair cascading over her shoulders:
«Well… and very happy to be back here. How did things go in my absence?»
Linia laughed lightly and said jokingly:
«Well, Your Highness, but we missed you greatly. The palace was too quiet, so boring that Prince Agenor was chewing his plate instead of his food!»
Agnes laughed loudly, covering her mouth shyly with her hand:
«Huh?! That's truly mad!»
Linia nodded, also laughing:
«Yes, my Princess, she told him, 'That is a plate, my Prince!'»
They were both overcome with laughter for a moment before the door suddenly opened. Linia stopped speaking immediately, turning with a quick bow, while Agnes's eyes widened with mild surprise.
Prince Rizev was standing at the door, with his usual majesty, his hair gleaming under the light, his sharp gaze piercing the stillness. He entered with quiet, steady steps, his dry voice filling the room:
«You may leave, Linia.»
The maid bowed respectfully and left immediately, leaving Agnes alone before her older brother.
She stood quietly, trying to arrange her white dress with obvious shyness, and said in a low, hesitant voice:
«Brother… how are you?»
Rizev answered with a coolness almost devoid of emotion, his eyes not leaving her:
«Well. And how did your training in the empires go? I didn't have a chance to ask you yesterday, as you were asleep.»
Agnes's face flushed slightly, and she felt heat rushing to her cheeks, so she lowered her gaze and said to herself in confusion:
"Ah… yes, I fell asleep on the way, and Father carried me to the room… How embarrassing!"
Then she raised her head with a shy smile, trying to hide her tension:
«The training was somewhat difficult, but it… was beneficial. I learned much about my power, and about myself as well.»
Rizev gave her a long, quiet look before saying:
«I hope so, Agnes. Our father is worried about you, and so… am I.»
She was surprised by the latter part of his tone, as she rarely heard him speak with such softness.
Her smile widened, and she said with warm gentleness:
«Thank you, brother. That means a great deal to me.»
He sighed lightly, then turned towards the door and said in a low voice as he left:
«Rest today. We have matters to discuss later.»
Agnes remained standing, looking at the door after he left, a small smile not leaving her face, while she whispered to herself quietly:
«Perhaps… he hasn't changed as I thought.»
Agnes's eyes sparkled, and she said, «But at least he now says what is in his heart.»
<----------♡----------->
In the spacious meeting hall with its tall marble columns, Emperor Regas sat on his large chair. Before him was a rectangular table upon which were placed cups of exquisite tea exuding the fragrance of aromatic herbs.
Sitting across from him was Emperor Aqualis, Emperor of Water, in his blue robes embroidered with silver.
Regas lifted the cup calmly and took a small sip, then said in a friendly tone:
«What matter brings you here, Aqualis? I don't think you traveled all this distance just for tea.»
Aqualis smiled lightly and answered in a soft voice resembling flowing water:
«I came only to inquire about Princess Agnes. I heard what happened in the Fire Empire, and I was worried about her.»
A faint smile appeared on Regas's face, and he said gently:
«That is kind of you, Aqualis. Agnes is well now, and has regained her strength.»
Aqualis leaned forward slightly and smiled with a tone containing some amusement:
«Frankly… I feel sad that she did not come to my empire. I was very excited to see her, and to see how she would interact with the element of water. I heard she possesses a very gentle spirit.»
Regas laughed lightly and said:
«Hah, perhaps next time, Aqualis. My plan was for her to complete her training in all empires, but… circumstances prevented it.»
Aqualis nodded understandingly and sipped his cup quietly before saying:
«No matter, the important thing is her health. I remembered when she was a small child, and now she has become a mature princess. It seems time passes quickly.»
Regas looked at the steam rising from his cup, then said in a quiet voice filled with nostalgia:
«Yes… she has grown up, perhaps faster than I wished. I no longer see that child who used to run through the palace corridors chasing the wind.»
Aqualis smiled as he gently placed his cup on the table and said:
«The wind does not like to stay, Regas, but it always returns to its home, just as she has.»
Silence fell for a moment, broken only by the sound of the breeze slipping through the windows. Then Regas said with a calm smile:
«Your words are beautiful as always, Aqualis.»
The other smiled lightly and replied:
«And from the wind, we learn calm after the storm.»
Aqualis quietly moved his cup aside, raising his gaze towards Regas, saying in a serious tone:
«Do you believe, Regas, that the appearance of a demon like Sergius, unknown to any of the Emperors, is normal?»
Regas slowly placed his cup on the table, his features turning serious, and said in a low but sharp voice:
«No, not normal at all... Even if we assume so, the distance between the Fire Empire and the land of Savge is too great, taking over three hours by flight. And a demon as powerful as Sergius, possessing a demonic aura that can be sensed even from thousands of kilometers away... Yet none of the Emperors felt it? That is suspicious.»
Aqualis nodded slowly, his eyes holding shadows of worry as he said:
«That is precisely what I mean... We Emperors possess great sensory powers, and our ability to sense demonic energy is innate... but we only felt him after he had already attacked. Do you think... someone was behind his appearance?»
Silence prevailed for moments, the wind moving the room's curtains with an eerie lightness, before Regas answered in a heavy tone:
«Someone... is behind this.»
The two exchanged sharp glances, a mixture of suspicion and worry within them, before Aqualis said in a low voice:
«If that is true, then that person is not ordinary... they know exactly how to conceal their traces from us.»
Regas slowly raised his eyes toward the window, his eyes gleaming with a flash of caution as he whispered:
«We must act before they do.»
Aqualis looked at him and said with a faint smile:
«I know you fear no one, but this time... I feel we are facing something beyond our imagining.»
Regas replied with a majestic coolness:
«Perhaps... But if this is true, I will make him regret what he did to my daughter.»
A long moment of silence filled the room, hearing only the sound of the wind hitting the windowpanes, as if carrying a warning of a coming storm.
<-----------♡---------->
Night had begun to fall over the Earth Empire, and quiet filled the royal palace corridors. At its highest point, candles in Emperor Arkan's office glowed with a warm dimness, while His Majesty sat behind his wide desk, buried under a pile of papers and files. His features were weary, his eyes hiding deep fatigue behind a steady gaze.
He lifted a paper in his hand, muttered in a low voice while pressing his temples with his fingers:
«Ah... How long will this amount of work continue?»
He pressed his lips together and said to himself, "Endure… Endure... Curse it!"
At that moment, the door opened quietly, and Ur entered carrying a small tray with a cup of hot tea. He approached with gentle steps and said with tender, quiet concern:
«Your Majesty, please... rest a little. Your face has been pale since yesterday, and you haven't tasted food since morning.»
Arkan did not lift his gaze from the papers, but said in a tired yet firm voice:
«I have no time, Ur... Work does not wait, and there are many matters that must be completed tonight.»
Ur sighed softly, then placed the cup on the table and said resignedly:
«As you wish, Your Majesty, but do not exhaust yourself excessively...»
Arkan was silent for a moment, then pulled a paper from among the others bearing an official seal, and pushed it toward Ur, saying seriously:
«Take this message and send it to all Emperors immediately. Inform them that there is an urgent meeting... concerning the heirs.»
Ur carefully took the paper in his hands, looked at the Emperor with worried eyes, and said with a slight bow:
«Yes, Your Majesty... It will be done immediately.»
Before leaving, he looked back at his master one last time and said in a voice full of respect:
«Please, after I finish that... try to rest a little. You have been working nonstop for days.»
Arkan did not answer him, merely waving a hand as he returned his gaze to the papers before him. Ur left with quick steps, while the Emperor remained alone in the room, staring at the royal seal on the letters, and whispered to himself in a hoarse voice:
«The heirs of the Emperors... the matter must be settled soon.»
Then he closed his eyes for a second before returning to his work in silence laden with worry.
<---------♡--------->
The morning sun reflected on the gleaming towers of the Wind Empire when a guard lightly knocked on Emperor Regas's office door, then bowed, saying:
«Your Majesty, an urgent message has arrived from the Earth Empire, from His Majesty Emperor Arkan.»
Regas lifted his head from the papers, stretched out his hand deliberately and took the message, broke its seal with his little finger adorned with the royal Wind ring, and began reading in a low, measured voice. With each line, his features grew more serious.
He muttered after finishing:
«A meeting concerning the heirs... What is Arkan planning this time?»
He placed the letter aside, leaned back in his chair, pondered for a moment, then said quietly to himself:
«In any case, we will know soon.»
He then returned to his work calmly, but inside him, the feeling of suspicion was growing bit by bit.
<--------♡--------->
Meanwhile, Agnes was walking through one of the wide, ornate corridors inside the palace, carrying some old books she had borrowed from her father's library in her hands. The corridor was flooded with sunlight streaming from the high windows, making strands of her hair sparkle under it.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her, quiet but carrying a tone of hidden arrogance:
«What a pleasure to have Her Highness the Princess return safely to the palace.»
Agnes froze in place for a moment, as if the blood in her veins had frozen. She recognized the voice immediately… Domiras, head of the Senate. That man who always made her feel as if she were in his grasp.
She took a deep breath, turned towards him lightly, and forced a tense smile on her face, trying to appear composed:
«Thank you for the welcome, Domiras.»
And she did not bow to him, as everyone usually does.
The old man advanced slowly towards her, his broad smile not leaving his face, but it held no warmth; it was a smooth, venomous smile.
He laughed softly and said with obvious malice:
«It seems your journey to the other empires has made you more insolent, Your Highness.»
Agnes raised an eyebrow slightly and replied with a quiet tone not lacking defiance:
«If you mean confidence, that's fine… journeys teach a lot.»
Domiras laughed more and circled her with slow steps like a wolf watching its prey.
«Oh, confidence... how beautiful it is for one to gain it. But remember, Princess of the Wind... not everyone who possesses confidence can fly.»
Agnes felt a sting in her chest from his veiled words, but she held her ground and said in a firm tone:
«And I will prove to you, Domiras, that I do not need wings to do that.»
The man froze for a second before smiling again and said lightly, bowing slightly:
«Then I shall wait to see you soar… Your Highness.»
Then he turned and left with quiet steps, leaving behind a heavy air of tension.
As for Agnes, she remained standing in her place, placing her hand on her chest trying to calm her pounding heart, then whispered to herself worriedly:
"That man... nothing in his smile is reassuring."
Agnes continued walking down the corridor lit by the invading sunlight, Domiras's words still ringing in her head. She raised her hand to her chest trying to calm her heartbeat, but suddenly felt a hand gripping her shoulder firmly.
She turned quickly and said in alarm:
«Who's there?!»
Her features froze when she saw it was Rizev.
She exhaled lightly and said nervously:
«Brother... you startled me!»
He stood before her with a serious face devoid of any warmth, looked at her with his sharp eyes and said with cold curtness:
«Agnes, I do not want you to approach Domiras again, do you understand?»
She raised her eyebrows in surprise and answered with light hesitation:
«Why, brother? I am no longer as weak as I was, and—»
He interrupted her with a stern, sharp voice:
«It doesn't matter, even if you become able to control your power… Agnes, you are still weak, and need someone to protect you.»
She stood rooted to the spot, looking at him with eyes widened in disappointment and pain, while he turned his back and left with quiet steps without looking back.
She followed him with sad gazes, her voice choked as she whispered to herself:
"Weak…? Is that how he sees me?"
She lowered her head slowly, clenched the books while feeling bitterness in her chest, then whispered with trembling softness:
«I will prove to you one day, Rizev… that I am not so.»
And she turned and went to her room.
Agnes sat by the window in her room, enveloped in a heavy silence broken only by the sound of turning book pages in her hands. Her eyes followed the lines, but her mind was lost elsewhere…
In the echo of Rizev's voice still ringing in her ear: "You are still weak."
She closed the book slowly, rested her chin on her palm, and muttered in a low voice full of sorrow:
«Weak... perhaps he is right, but... why do I feel he doesn't trust me?»
A light knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
She said without raising her head:
«Please come in.»
The maid entered with a gentle smile and bowed slightly:
«It is time for lunch, Your Highness.»
Agnes smiled lightly and said:
«Thank you, I will be there shortly.»
The maid bowed again and left with quiet steps, while Agnes placed the book aside on the table, sighed a short sigh as she rose from the seat.
She muttered with a small smile:
«Well, let's think about it later… Father will be angry if I'm late.»
She left her room and walked down the long corridor, her shoes making a soft sound on the shiny floor until she reached the dining hall.
The hall was spacious, a crystal chandelier hanging from its ceiling, and the long table in the middle was adorned with delicious dishes and glasses of juice.
Agnes entered quietly and bowed respectfully before her father, Emperor Regas, who looked up at her with a slight smile and said:
«Welcome, my little one, come sit.»
She smiled shyly and sat to his left, near Agenor who was fiddling with his spoon indifferently, while Rizev sat across from her, his face calm and sharp.
The Emperor said in a warm tone as he cut a piece of meat:
«It seems you are beginning to regain your activity after your long journey, isn't that so?»
Agnes answered with a small smile:
«Yes, Father, I feel much better now.»
Agenor began telling jokes, which made Agnes and Regas laugh—the atmosphere was pleasant.
As for Rizev, he contented himself with observing the situation in silence, holding his cup quietly without commenting, his eyes occasionally stealing glances at Agnes before returning his gaze to the table.
That moment was simple, but it carried within it a familial warmth that Agnes had long missed… yet, deep within her, Rizev's words still stung her heart like an ember that had not yet extinguished.
The atmosphere in the hall had calmed somewhat after the passing laughter, everyone occupied with their food. Emperor Regas raised his gaze towards his eldest son, Rizev, and said in a balanced voice:
«Rizev, tomorrow I will travel to the Earth Empire. There is an important meeting called by Emperor Arkan.»
Rizev lifted his eyes from his plate and said with a quiet voice carrying some curiosity:
«A meeting? And what is its subject, Father?»
Regas took his delicate cup and stirred it slightly with his hand before answering:
«It concerns the heirs of the seven thrones.»
Rizev's hand stopped mid-way to his mouth, and he stared at his father with clear astonishment:
«The heirs? What calls for a meeting concerning us?»
Regas answered as he took a quiet sip from his cup, then placed it gently on the table:
«That is what we will know tomorrow. It seems something serious is happening in secret… Emperor Arkan does not call for such a meeting idly.»
Agnes looked at her father with mild apprehension and said:
«Do you think, Father, that this has something to do with what happened in the Fire Empire?»
He answered with a simple nod:
«Perhaps. Everything is possible.»
Then he looked at Rizev with a calm but firm gaze and said:
«Rizev, during my absence, I want you to oversee the palace affairs and monitor the Council closely. I do not trust Domiras much lately.»
Rizev bowed respectfully and said in a serious voice:
«Rest assured, Father. Nothing will happen while I am here.»
Regas smiled a faint smile of pride:
«I know that, which is why I entrust you with this task.»
A brief moment of silence prevailed, hearing only the faint sound of utensils, then Agnes broke it with a gentle smile:
«May your journey be successful, Father… I will take care of Agenor until your return.»
The Emperor laughed lightly and said:
«That's good. Just make sure he doesn't eat the table this time.»
A faint laugh rose from everyone, while Rizev's gaze remained serious, thinking about the matter of the heirs, and the echo of his father's words, "something serious in secret," buzzing in his head, like a first warning before the coming storm.