The next night.
It's already dinner time. I must head to the dining hall.
As I walk through the hallways, the smell of food envelops me. Fresh fruits, roasted meats, freshly baked bread. The sweet and pleasant aroma of the fruits mixes with the intense smell of meat cooked to perfection.
The scent invades my mind like an intruder, without asking permission.
But the truth is... I don't mind.
Who would mind that? I can't wait to eat.
I enter the dining hall. My feet make no sound on the red carpet.
"Good evening, everyone," I say.
"Hello, son," mother replies with a smile. "How are you?"
"Hello, Aito," says Lilia, sitting in her usual spot, with that warm smile that always manages to brighten my day.
"Where were you, Aito?" my sister asks, in a slightly accusatory tone. "Why are you arriving now?"
"I was doing something," I reply evasively. "That's why I'm late."
"Take a seat, son," mother says, pointing to my place.
I sit between Lilia and my sister. As always. As it's been since I can remember.
But today something is different. There's a tension in the air that I can't explain.
"Well then," mother says, changing the subject with a naturalness that puts me on alert, "let's talk about what you told me last time."
"What?" Calithia thinks, bringing a spoonful of rice to her mouth. "What did Aito say?"
"You mean about leaving the palace and traveling the world?" I ask, remaining calm.
"That's right," mother replies, taking a sip of wine.
"WHAT?!" my sister exclaims, almost choking on her food.
"What do you mean leaving the palace?" she asks, her eyes wide open.
"Daughter, don't shout at the table," mother says softly but firmly.
"But why did he say that?" Calithia insists, and I see how her shoulders slump, how her gaze loses its sparkle, how her face — that strong and unshakeable big sister face — pales. "But... but..."
She doesn't finish the sentence. She just repeats "but" over and over, as if the words get stuck in her throat.
"After discussing it with your father," mother continues, and her gaze becomes serious, losing all trace of her previous smile, "we finally made a decision."
My heart should be beating strongly. I should be nervous, anxious, worried.
But I'm not.
After my mental preparation, after imagining this moment hundreds of times, I'm too calm. Too at peace.
"But on second thought," mother says, "I'll let your father be the one to tell you."
All eyes turn to father.
He's sitting at the head of the table, imposing as always. His expression is unreadable.
"Why do you want to travel the world, son?" he asks, without even looking at me.
Is this a test? I think. And will the following questions be harder?
"To get to know the world," I answer honestly. "And new cultures. To see with my own eyes the things mother reads to me about in books."
"That's a good reason," father says, still not looking at me. "But why does it have to be now? Why not wait until you're older?"
I take a deep breath. I hadn't rehearsed this part, but the words come out on their own.
"Because I think that when I'm older I'll have many responsibilities. Duties as a prince. Things to fulfill. And if I wait too long, maybe I won't be able to fulfill my dreams anymore."
I hope he believes me. Although I hadn't even thought about those prince duties until now.
---
"What a liar," the king thinks, but there's no anger in his thoughts. "How dare you lie to your father."
"Do you think I didn't hear everything you said yesterday on the balcony?"
"I heard it all. Everything."
"That even if it's very late, you'll fulfill your dream."
"And that pleases me. It makes me love you even more, because you're not like I was at your age."
"You're not thinking about the luxuries or the comforts of the palace."
"You don't care about sleeping on rocks or not eating the well-cooked meals from our best chefs."
"You didn't care about any of that."
"I'm very proud of you, son."
---
"I heard you yesterday on the balcony," father says, and this time he looks me directly in the eyes.
My heart skips a beat.
He heard me. Good thing I didn't say everything out loud... although, come to think of it, I said quite a bit.
But instead of being alarmed, I smile.
"Really, father?" I ask, skillfully changing the subject. "So you saw when I jumped off the balcony too?"
"How cunning," the king thinks, with an internal smile. "He only asked that. That kid is truly incredible."
"That's right," father replies out loud. "I saw it. And it was impressive."
"Why did you do that, son!?" mother exclaims, worried.
"Yes, why did you do that, Aito?" Lilia asks, leaning slightly toward me.
But my sister says nothing. She remains silent, her gaze lowered. The news must have affected her more than I thought.
"Lord Zekin," father says, addressing my master.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Zekin replies.
"I heard that your granddaughter Lilia also wants to travel and see the world," father says, and I freeze.
Why is he asking that?
"That's right," Zekin replies, and for the first time I see something like excitement on his face. "Even I have wanted to do so for a long time. But responsibilities..."
"That's true," father interrupts him. "You told me so some time ago. What do you think about taking this opportunity and fulfilling your desire to travel the world?"
"WHAT?!" I exclaim, unable to help myself.
That means... that father agrees. That he's letting me go.
But why hadn't the master told me any of this? Although Lilia had already mentioned that her dream was also to travel, but...
"If that's the case, I thank you, Your Majesty," Zekin replies, with a bow.
"Congratulations, Aito," Lilia says beside me, and her voice sounds... different. "You did it."
She turns to me, and her face is slightly flushed.
"Now we'll travel together," she says, and she definitely sounds nervous.
"I want to go too," my sister says, breaking her silence.
"No," father replies firmly. "You can't, daughter."
"Why not, father?" Calithia asks, and I see how her eyes become glassy. "He's my little brother!"
Tears begin to fall down her face. Silent. Painful.
And I feel my chest breaking.
It's the first time I've seen my sister cry. My strong sister, my brave sister, my sister who always protects me.
And it's my fault.
"Why don't you say anything, Eliel?" Calithia asks, turning to our older brother. "Did you know too?"
Eliel closes his eyes and nods slowly.
"Yes, little sister," he says softly. "I'm so sorry."
The silence that follows is heavy, uncomfortable.
And then, I act.
Calithia is sitting to my left. I extend my arm, grab her by the head, and pull her toward me. I press her against my chest, and with my other arm I hug her completely, enveloping her in an embrace that I hope is as warm as the ones she's given me so many times.
I feel her tears soak my shirt.
"Don't cry, sister," I whisper, gently stroking her hair. "Don't cry, please."
And then, without thinking, I kiss her on the hair.
She remains still for a moment. Then, slowly, her arms wrap around me and she returns the hug.
We spend some time like that. I don't know how long. Time seems to have stopped.
Finally, she pulls away and wipes her tears with the back of her hand. Her eyes are red, swollen, but there's a determination in them that I recognize.
"You have to return safely," she says, her voice firm despite the tremor. "Did you hear me? If you don't return in one piece, I'll never forgive you."
I smile. That's the sister I know.
"Don't worry, sister," I reply. "I'll return in one piece. I promise you."
She nods, and for the first time all night, a small smile appears on her face.
Dinner continues. It's not the best we've had, considering everything that's happened, but we eat. We share. We're together.
I didn't expect father to agree. I didn't expect it to be now. But I'm happy. More than happy.
I'll travel with Master Zekin and with Lilia. I'll get to know the world. I'll see those things that only existed in books.
And my sister... my sister will wait for me here, with a promise that I intend to keep.
---
Well.
What can I say.
The legend of Aito Greymont has just...
Began.