The forest felt quieter than usual that afternoon.
Luxe stood on a high branch, his gaze fixed toward the clearing below.
"…This should be the exact location according to my memory, and the timing should also match," he muttered softly. "If nothing has changed, she should appear here today."
The wind moved gently through the trees.
Beside him, hidden in the shadows—
Lumi observed silently.
"…You have been waiting here for quite some time without explaining your intentions clearly," she said quietly. "May I ask why this particular place holds such importance for you today?"
Luxe didn't look away.
"…Someone important will come here today, and I need to confirm something myself personally," he replied calmly. "This meeting may influence several important events that will occur in the near future."
Lumi narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…You continue to speak as if you already know what will happen before it occurs," she said. "Your actions and decisions become more difficult to understand with each passing day."
"…You could say that I am preparing for possibilities that others cannot see yet," Luxe replied. "And I intend to use every advantage available to me without hesitation or delay."
A few moments later—
The sound of footsteps echoed faintly through the forest.
Luxe's gaze sharpened instantly.
"…She's here."
Through the trees—
A group appeared.
At the center—
A young girl walked calmly, her presence noble yet naturally composed.
Christy.
Luxe's expression remained calm.
But his eyes—
Deepened.
So you really existed at this exact point in time…
"…This confirms it," he whispered quietly.
"The timeline is still following its original path, at least for now."
Lumi shifted her gaze toward the group.
"…Those individuals appear to be nobles, and their guards are highly trained and alert," she said quietly. "Approaching them directly may create unnecessary complications for your current situation."
"…I know," Luxe replied calmly. "That's why I'm only observing them for now without interfering directly."
Below—
Christy suddenly slowed her steps.
"…Wait," she said softly.
Her parents stopped behind her.
"…What is it, Christy?" her father asked, his tone calm but attentive.
She looked toward the trees.
"…Someone is watching us carefully from above, and their presence feels unusual," she said. "It does not feel hostile, but it is definitely not ordinary either."
Above—
Lumi's eyes widened slightly.
"…She detected your presence from this distance despite your concealment techniques," she whispered quietly. "Her perception ability is far beyond what I expected from someone her age."
Luxe remained calm.
"…As expected," he said quietly. "She was always different from everyone else around her."
"Show yourself," Christy said firmly. "Continuing to hide will only make this situation more suspicious."
The guards stepped forward immediately, hands gripping their weapons tightly.
Lumi shifted slightly.
"…Should I eliminate the threat before they escalate further and become dangerous?" she asked quietly. "It would be safer to resolve this situation quickly without unnecessary risk."
"…No," Luxe replied calmly. "There is no need for unnecessary conflict at this moment."
He stepped forward—
And dropped down from the tree.
Landing smoothly in front of them.
The guards reacted instantly.
"Stop right there and identify yourself immediately before we take action," one of them shouted. "Any suspicious movement will be treated as a direct threat to our safety."
Luxe stood calmly.
"…There is no need for hostility in this situation," he said. "I am not here to harm anyone present in this area."
Christy looked at him carefully.
"…You were observing us for quite some time without revealing yourself earlier," she said calmly. "That alone makes your intentions questionable from our perspective."
Luxe met her gaze.
"…That is true, and I understand why you would think that," he replied calmly. "However, I had my reasons for doing so, and none of them involve harming you."
Her father stepped forward slightly.
His eyes sharpened the moment he observed Luxe closely.
"…That presence… that composure… that unmistakable aura of authority…" he muttered quietly. "There is absolutely no doubt, this child standing before us is the Crown Prince."
Without hesitation—
He bowed deeply.
"We greet the Crown Prince of Valcrest with the highest respect and loyalty," he said firmly. "Please forgive our earlier ignorance in failing to recognize Your Highness immediately."
The soldiers froze—
Then instantly dropped to one knee.
"We greet the Crown Prince!" they said in unison, their voices echoing through the clearing.
Christy's eyes widened slightly.
Then—
She stepped forward and bowed gracefully.
"We greet Your Highness, and I sincerely apologize for addressing you improperly earlier," she said calmly. "I did not realize that I was speaking directly to the Crown Prince himself."
Luxe stood still.
"…There is no need for such formality in a place like this," he said calmly. "You may all rise, as I am not here in an official capacity today."
Christy's father slowly straightened.
"Even so, Your Highness, proper respect must always be shown regardless of the situation," he replied respectfully. "Your presence alone represents the authority and dignity of the Valcrest Kingdom."
Luxe's gaze shifted toward Christy.
"…You noticed my presence before anyone else here, even without knowing my identity," he said. "That level of perception is quite rare and worthy of recognition."
Christy met his gaze directly.
"…I only felt that your presence was unusual and far beyond ordinary individuals," she replied calmly. "However, I never expected that the Crown Prince himself would appear here alone."
Luxe gave a faint nod.
"…That reaction is completely reasonable under normal circumstances," he said. "Most people would never imagine the Crown Prince moving freely without guards or formal escort."
Her father stepped slightly forward again.
"Your Highness, if I may ask respectfully, what brings you to such a dangerous area without protection?" he said. "This forest contains monsters, and it is not suitable for someone of your status."
Luxe's expression remained calm.
"…Training," he replied simply. "If I cannot handle danger at this level, then I will never be prepared for what lies ahead."
Silence filled the clearing.
"…Your words carry a depth and weight far beyond your current age," her father said. "It almost sounds as if you have already witnessed a future filled with conflict and danger."
Luxe looked at him briefly.
"…Perhaps I simply understand how fragile peace truly is when power is involved," he said quietly. "And I intend to prepare myself before everything begins to collapse."
Christy stepped forward slightly.
"…Your Highness, earlier you mentioned that you were confirming whether I was safe," she said. "What exactly did you mean by that statement?"
Luxe looked at her carefully.
"…If I explain it now, it will only sound like meaningless speculation without proof," he replied calmly. "However, when the time comes, you will understand why this meeting was necessary."
Christy narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…You speak with certainty about events that have not yet occurred," she said thoughtfully. "That makes your words difficult to believe, yet strangely, they do not feel false."
Luxe gave a faint smile.
"…Then trust that instinct," he said. "It will guide you more accurately than logic in situations like this."
Lumi stepped forward quietly behind him.
"…Your Highness, remaining here any longer may attract unnecessary attention from monsters or observers," she said softly. "We should consider returning before the situation becomes more complicated."
Christy's father noticed her presence.
"…Your Highness, this young lady's presence is extremely difficult to detect even at close range," he said. "May I ask if she is part of your personal guard or a special escort?"
Luxe glanced at Lumi.
"…She is someone who ensures that I do not make unnecessary mistakes," he replied calmly. "Her role cannot be defined simply by titles or positions within the palace."
Lumi lowered her head slightly.
"…I am merely fulfilling my duty to support and protect him in every possible situation," she said. "Nothing more than what is required, and nothing less than what is necessary."
Christy observed them both.
"…Your relationship does not seem like that of a noble and a servant," she said quietly. "There is a level of trust between you that feels far deeper than that."
Luxe's expression softened slightly.
"…That is because she is not just a servant," he replied quietly. "She is someone I cannot afford to lose again under any circumstances."
Lumi froze briefly.
"…Your Highness…" she whispered softly.
Christy noticed that reaction.
"…I understand," she said quietly. "Then she must hold a very important place in your life."
"…She does," Luxe replied without hesitation.
A brief silence passed.
Then—
Luxe turned slightly.
"…We will meet again," he said. "Next time, it will not be as strangers meeting in a forest under uncertain circumstances."
Christy looked at him steadily.
"…Then I will remember this meeting and wait for that moment to arrive," she said calmly. "Because I feel that today's encounter will not be meaningless in the future."
Luxe nodded faintly.
"…It won't be."
"Flash Step."
His figure disappeared instantly.
The forest fell silent once again.
Christy remained standing, her gaze fixed on the place where he had vanished.
"…That level of movement was far beyond anything I have seen from someone our age," she said quietly. "It did not feel like speed alone, but something far more refined."
Her father exhaled slowly.
"…The Crown Prince is far more dangerous than the rumors suggest," he said seriously. "That was not the ability of a child, but of someone who has trained extensively."
Christy lowered her gaze slightly.
"…Preparing… for something that has not yet happened," she murmured softly. "Then what exactly is he trying to prevent before it even begins?"