I look at Vonce, who stands tall in his deep blue royal robe—embroidered with golden eagles that seem ready to take flight. He's about to return to his post at the northern border after spending days in the royal capital, and most of our siblings have already gathered to bid him farewell. Now only three of us remain: me, Vonce, and our second brother Rondolf.
Rondolf wasn't present during our council meeting—he'd been in the Soria Kingdom for the past month, busy arranging his betrothal to Princess Miolla of Soria. The wedding is set to take place in just a few months, and even in my past life, I remember hearing about it from the battlefield. It was a grand event that echoed across all kingdoms—a union meant to strengthen ties between Callibean and Soria, two nations that had stood together through generations of change.
"Heard you've been making waves in the council," Rondolf says, breaking the quiet. He's dressed more casually than Vonce—in simple traveling clothes, his dark hair tied back with a leather cord. Unlike the crown prince's commanding presence, Rondolf carries himself with an easy charm that makes people trust him instantly. "Father says your plan for Custodian is bold. Risky, but bold."
Vonce adjusts the strap of his sword at his hip, his eyes serious. "Bold is one way to put it. Foolhardy is another. But I've watched you these past weeks, Vernom—you're not the same as you were before your accident. Whatever happened out there by the lake, it changed you."
I feel a flicker of nervousness, but keep my expression calm. "Maybe I just finally found my footing. We all have our own ways of serving the kingdom—yours is guarding our borders, Rondolf's is building alliances through marriage, and mine… well, mine seems to be finding ways to grow things where others see only barren ground."
Rondolf laughs—a warm, genuine sound. "That's exactly what Mother used to say about you. She'd always tell Father that while the rest of us were busy cutting paths through the world, you were busy preparing the soil so things could grow there."
The mention of Vernom's mother makes my chest feel tight. I've only caught snippets of memories about her—soft hands tending to flowers, gentle words when the court was harsh. She'd passed away when Vernom was young, but it's clear her influence still touches every corner of the palace.
"Your betrothal to Princess Miolla—will it truly help strengthen our position against Custodian?" I ask, steering the conversation back to matters of importance. I remember that in my past life, this alliance would prove crucial when war finally broke out—but I want to make sure we can build on it even sooner.
"More than you know," Rondolf replies, his expression growing serious. "Soria has long been wary of Custodian's expansion. Princess Miolla shares our vision—she believes that alliances built on respect and mutual support are stronger than any army. We're already discussing ways to align our trade routes, share information, and prepare for whatever comes our way."
Vonce nods in agreement. "The northern border has been quiet these past few weeks, but I can feel it—Custodian is moving its pieces into place. They think we're all too busy with weddings and diplomacy to notice, but they're wrong."
He turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I still think your plan is dangerous, brother. But I trust you. And if you need anything from the northern outposts—supplies, information, safe passage—you only need to send word. We'll have your back."
Rondolf claps me on the other shoulder, a wide smile returning to his face. "And when I'm in Soria, I'll make sure they know that Callibean has more than just swords to offer. We have people who care about more than just winning battles—we have people who want to build a better world."
As Vonce prepares to leave, I look at my two older brothers—one a warrior who guards our home, the other a diplomat who builds our future. Together, we represent three different ways of serving our kingdom. And with their support, I know that the seeds we plan to plant in Custodian will have strong roots to grow from.
"Your Highness, are you sure about this?"
Cael's voice is tight with nervousness as he stands beside me at the back gate of the palace, dressed in simple linen clothes that make him look like any other commoner. His eyes dart toward the main road, where merchants and travelers pass by in a steady stream.
"Come on, Cael," I say, adjusting the worn cloak that covers my own fine clothes. "I have nothing on my schedule today—might as well try going out and practice being incognito. If I'm going to pass as a merchant's son in Custodian, I need to get used to moving through the world without people bowing and scraping every time I turn around."
He still looks worried, his hands fidgeting with the strap of the small satchel he carries. "But what if someone recognizes you? What if something happens?"
"I'll be fine," I assure him, clapping him on the shoulder. "Besides, you'll be with me—my trusted assistant. That's all anyone needs to know. We're just two traders looking to see what the capital has to offer."
We slip out through the back gate and into the busy streets beyond. The noise hits me first—the calls of vendors selling their wares, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones, the sound of children laughing as they chase each other through the crowds. It's been years since I've walked through a city like this without armor or weapons weighing me down, without the constant tension of being ready for battle.
"Look," Cael says, pointing to a stall selling fresh bread. "That's Master Theo's stand—he makes the best honey rolls in the capital."
I follow him over, watching as he greets the baker like an old friend. Master Theo smiles warmly, wiping flour from his hands on his apron. "Cael! It's been too long. And who's your friend?"
"This is Kael," Cael says, and I can't help but smile at how easily he uses my new identity. "He's helping me with some work for the palace."
"Pleasure to meet you—funny to know your name is Kael too," Master Theo says, handing us each a warm honey roll. "On the house—Cael here helps me carry sacks of flour sometimes when he's not busy with his duties."
As we walk and eat, I let Cael lead the way through the streets. He shows me hidden alleys where artisans work in small workshops, points out which vendors give fair prices, and even introduces me to a few of his friends—other young people who work in the palace or run errands through the city.
For the first time since waking up in Vernom's body, I feel truly grounded. Not as a prince pretending to be someone else, but as a person moving through the world, connecting with others one conversation at a time. This is exactly what I'll need to do in Custodian—listen, learn, and build relationships based on trust rather than status. If my past self exists in this timeline, maybe our souls truly did switch places somehow. I need to find out what happened to him—whether he's living as Vernom somewhere, or if he's still out there in Custodian, fighting on the front lines. Maybe when I go back, I'll finally remember my real name, and find out what became of the boy I used to be.
As we make our way back toward the palace as the sun begins to set, Cael looks at me with a new light in his eyes. "You're good at this, Your Highness—at blending in, I mean."
"I've had practice," I say simply. "Though I have to admit, it's nice to walk through the city and just… be."
We pause at a bridge overlooking the river, watching the water flow past as lanterns begin to light up along the banks. "You know," Cael says quietly, "even if you have to leave for Custodian someday, I think you'll do great things there. You understand people—really understand them."
I look at him, then out at the city that's slowly becoming my home. In the distance, I swear I can make out the silhouette of a boy in worn clothes, standing in an alleyway and watching the crowds pass by—his posture familiar, his head tilted just so.
"That's the plan," I say, my gaze fixed on the shadow figure as it fades into the gathering dusk. "To show them that people are more than just pawns to be used. That everyone deserves a chance to grow."