Golden sparks still shimmered in the sky when Kael reappeared in the middle of the celebration.
The music slowed.
The laughter softened.
Seraphina and Elowen immediately noticed him.
Both walked toward him at the same time.
Elowen crossed her arms with a playful smile.
"You came back early. We were expecting a long royal lecture."
Seraphina studied his face carefully.
"How did it go?"
The party gradually fell silent.
Kael took one small step backward.
A very suspicious step.
Seraphina narrowed her eyes.
Elowen tilted her head.
Before Kael could escape—
Hat appeared in his human form behind him.
A faint red glow shimmered at Kael's back as Hat lightly pushed him forward.
"Master," Hat said calmly, "this is the time. They have the right to know. You must face them."
Kael whispered harshly, "If you're so insistent, why don't you tell them?"
Hat placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"Master, I am but your humble servant. How could I speak when you are present?"
Seraphina snapped, "Enough, you two. Kael, tell us. Why did you go to the capital?"
There was no escape.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Hat investigated Shadowven. He discovered that the Second Prince is the Hero."
A ripple moved through the gathered nobles.
"He and the First Prince are very close. There are suspicions the First Prince may have been behind the recent monster attacks before the Hero appeared."
Queen Amaris and Titania exchanged a look.
Kael continued, "The Second Prince and the First Princess are coming to Astralis soon. They claim it's for diplomacy."
Elowen blinked.
"Oh? Princess Elise is coming? She used to visit the capital years ago. She and Brother August seemed quite close."
Kael froze.
"She's visited before?"
Seraphina stepped closer.
"So, Kael… what do you think about this marriage proposal?"
Kael's soul nearly left his body.
"W-Which proposal?"
Seraphina's eyes sharpened.
"You're hiding something."
"No, I'm not."
"Master," Hat said quietly.
Seraphina's suspicion instantly doubled.
She moved closer.
"Kael."
Kael panicked and darted behind Queen Amaris and Queen Titania like a child hiding from a storm.
Elowen pointed dramatically.
"See? He's definitely hiding something!"
Elara crossed her arms.
"Kael."
He stiffened.
"Yes… Mother?"
"Stop sweating and tell us."
Kael swallowed.
"Before that… I need to speak privately with you three."
The three mothers exchanged curious glances.
In the next second—
Flash.
They vanished.
The Mothers' Council
Inside Kael's room, he locked the door and turned toward them.
Queen Amaris folded her arms.
"What happened in the capital?"
Titania leaned forward.
"You look like you just fought a dragon."
Elara added softly, "If you want our help, tell us everything. Don't hide anything."
Kael nodded.
"There was more in the letter."
The room grew quiet.
"They proposed marriage between Prince August and Princess Elise… but…"
"But?" Titania pressed.
Kael braced himself.
"They also requested one of our princesses—Seraphina or Elowen—to marry the Second Prince."
"…What?"
"…What?!"
"…WHAT?!"
All three spoke at the same time.
They cornered him so suddenly that Kael stumbled backward and fell onto the bed.
Titania leaned over him dangerously.
"What did Althemir say?"
Kael raised both hands defensively.
"Father said it's a political matter. Since my engagement isn't officially announced, he cannot refuse immediately."
Amaris's eyes sharpened.
"And if he agrees?"
Kael stood abruptly.
"That will not happen."
His mana flickered faintly around him—not violently this time, but fiercely.
"They are mine. No one is taking them away."
The three queens stared at him.
Elara's lips curved softly.
Titania smirked.
Amaris nodded slowly.
"Good."
Elara placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then tell them."
Kael paled.
"If I tell them, I might die."
Titania laughed.
"Not if we're there."
Amaris nodded.
"We'll handle them if necessary."
Kael took a deep breath.
"Stay beside me."
Flash.
They returned to the balcony.
The Confession
Seraphina and Elowen immediately grabbed Kael's arms.
"What happened?!" Elowen demanded.
Seraphina's voice softened.
"Tell us."
Queen Amaris stepped forward.
"Listen carefully and remain calm while he speaks."
The princesses exchanged glances.
"…Okay, Mother."
Kael inhaled.
Then—
He knelt before them.
Gasps filled the balcony.
Seraphina's face turned bright red.
"Kael! What are you doing?!"
Elowen's ears were red.
"Get up!"
Kael looked up at them.
"I love you both."
Silence.
Complete silence.
"I want to be with you forever."
Seraphina's hands trembled slightly.
Elowen's eyes softened.
"We love you too," they answered almost together.
Kael swallowed.
"There's something I didn't say earlier. Along with the proposal for Prince August… they asked for one of you to marry the Second Prince."
The world froze.
"…What?"
"But we're already with you," Elowen said instantly.
"Father won't agree," Seraphina added.
Kael shook his head gently.
"Our engagement isn't official. Diplomatically, they can't reject it outright."
The two princesses stared at him.
"So," Seraphina asked quietly, "what did you tell Father?"
"Nothing yet. He told me to convince you to act normal until the delegation arrives."
Silence lingered for a heartbeat.
Then—
Seraphina and Elowen suddenly burst into laughter.
Kael blinked.
"That's it?" Elowen said, stepping forward.
They both hugged him tightly.
"We trust you."
Seraphina rested her forehead against his chest.
"You looked so scared."
Kael's voice dropped to a whisper.
"I was."
Titania crossed her arms.
"You feared them for this?"
Kael nodded honestly.
Amaris smiled gently.
"You underestimate your place in their hearts."
Elara wiped her eyes dramatically.
"My son is finally confessing properly."
"Mother, please don't cry," Kael muttered.
Elowen looked up at him mischievously.
"So you thought we would leave you?"
"Never," Seraphina said firmly.
Kael felt the tight knot in his chest finally loosen.
"Thank you."
He straightened.
"I'll escort them two days before the debut party. They'll present themselves at the event."
Amaris nodded thoughtfully.
"Then we'll prepare properly."
Elara clapped her hands lightly.
"Tomorrow, we host a gathering here."
Seraphina smiled brightly.
"We're staying in Aurevale for a while."
Titania stretched lazily.
"Then tonight ends here. Let the fireworks fade."
The last sparks disappeared from the sky.
Kael stood between Seraphina and Elowen.
The fear in his heart had not vanished completely.
Shadowven was still coming.
Politics would still clash.
But for now—
Their hands were in his.
And none of them were letting go.
To be continued…