That night, when Azrion returned to the palace, he quietly guided the griffins toward their stable, careful not to make any noise. The moonlight barely lit the courtyard, and the air was calm.
Just as he finished securing them, a voice suddenly came from the shadows.
"Where have you been?"
Azrion gasped in shock and quickly turned around.
"Oh my goodness, Leah!" he said, clutching his chest. "What are you doing here? You scared my scales off."
Leah stepped out from the dark corner, her expression soft but worried.
"Sorry," she said. "It's just that you're coming back this late. Where have you been? I was worried."
Azrion scratched the back of his head.
"Well… sorry about that. I went out looking for Draco. Luckily I found him, and then I just decided to fly around for a bit."
"Oh… okay," Leah replied quietly.
Azrion gave a small smile before turning to leave.
"Alright then. And please don't tell my mother. She might get worried."
"Of course, Prince Azrion," Leah said respectfully.
"Thank you. Good night, Leah."
With a warm smile, Azrion vanished in a flash, teleporting back to his room using his fire powers.
The next day, Grace returned to the academy with Ronan. Arnold and Maria were both excited to see her again. Fortunately, Grace was improving quickly with her skills and seemed much stronger than before.
However, over the next few days, Arnold and Maria began to notice something strange. Grace often seemed lost in thought… and at times she appeared unusually happy for no reason.
One afternoon, while the three of them were walking home together, Maria finally decided to ask.
"Princess Crystal… what is seriously going on with you?"
Grace blinked in confusion.
"What are you talking about, Maria? I'm fine," she said with a nervous chuckle.
Arnold crossed his arms.
"Crystal, you've been acting stranger than usual lately. Is there something you're not telling us?"
Grace hesitated.
"Uh… there's nothing," she replied quickly.
Maria sighed impatiently.
"Princess Crystal of Aetherion, we're your friends. Just spit it out already."
Grace took a deep breath.
"Okay… okay. Remember that guy I told you about?"
"Yes," Arnold and Maria answered in unison.
Grace looked down before continuing.
"I met him again a few days ago… and apparently… he's the prince of Zerathion."
Maria's eyes widened in shock as she covered her mouth.
Arnold's reaction was far stronger.
"You did WHAT?!" he exclaimed sharply.
Grace leaned back slightly, clearly nervous.
"See? That's exactly why I didn't want to tell you guys."
"What if he's dangerous?" Arnold continued angrily. "Other than that, you broke the law, Crystal! Are you trying to get yourself into serious trouble?"
"Calm down, Arnold," Maria whispered.
"It's not like that," Grace tried to explain. "I just wanted to get away from the palace for a while, and… situations happened. Our paths crossed by accident. He didn't seem dangerous. As a matter of fact, I think there's more to Zerathion than what we've always believed."
Arnold shook his head.
"I don't care," he snapped. "What you're doing could lead your kingdom astray. Are you seriously going to defy your parents just because of what you think?"
Grace stared at him, hurt.
"Arnold… why are you talking to me like this? What has gotten into you?"
"You obviously don't know what you're doing, Crystal. I'm just looking out for you."
Grace's expression hardened.
"You wouldn't even listen to me. And in case you've forgotten, I am still your princess—and I certainly don't need your lectures."
With that, she stormed off angrily, leaving them behind.
"Crystal, please wait!" Maria called out.
She then turned to Arnold, clearly upset.
"Arnold, what was that about? We're her friends! You didn't even let her explain."
Arnold sighed, running his hand through his hair.
"I… I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
Maria raised an eyebrow.
"Are you really looking out for her… or did hearing about the prince make you jealous?"
Arnold looked startled.
"What? No… I have to go."
Without another word, he quickly walked away.
Maria remained standing there, worried about both of her friends before finally heading home herself.
Grace arrived at the palace in a terrible mood. She slammed her bedroom door shut and locked it.
"Ugh! Some friend he is," she muttered angrily. "He didn't even let me explain. And I thought they'd understand me."
She paced around the room.
"How dare he scold me like that… I don't even know who's worse—him or Azrion."
But the moment she mentioned Azrion's name, she paused and looked out the window.
"I wonder how he's doing right now…"
A small smile formed on her lips.
"If only there was some way to prove that our kingdoms could actually coexist."
She let out a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, in Zerathion that same afternoon, Queen Seraphine had sent for Leah.
Leah entered the throne room and bowed respectfully.
"You called for me, Your Majesty."
The queen smiled warmly.
"Leah, my dear… be honest with me. What have you and Azrion been up to lately?"
Leah blinked in confusion.
"I don't understand."
"Well," the queen continued gently, "I haven't seen Azrion this cheerful in a long time. He's usually so stubborn and serious. I used to miss the sweet boy he once was… but lately it feels like that part of him is returning."
Leah thought for a moment.
"I guess he's just… finding himself again. We haven't really been doing anything special."
"I see," the queen replied softly. "Well, what matters most is his happiness. Thank you, Leah. You may go. And please… take care of him."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I will."
Leah bowed and left the throne room.
But as she walked down the palace hallway, a feeling of unease settled in her chest.
Ever since Azrion returned from that mysterious griffin flight, something about him had changed.
Leah stopped walking, her expression growing serious.
"I have to find out," she whispered to herself. "What exactly is going on with Azrion?"