The Masks Beneath the Moonlight

As Casial's comment lingered in the air, the students who had mocked Aqua grew visibly uneasy. They lowered their heads, the weight of shame and intimidation settling over them like an oppressive fog. While some may have harbored thoughts of retaliation, none dared act—Casial Arsia's status as an Imperial Prince was untouchable, rendering them powerless.

Casial broke the tense silence with a soft but confident tone. "I seem to have forgotten my manners," he said, his words carrying a faint trace of excitement. "I am Casial Arsia, of the Imperial Family of the Arsia Empire." His introduction was poised, but his enthusiasm hinted at genuine interest.

Aqua regarded the prince carefully before replying. "I am Aquacriddle Rein, youngest son of House Rein." His voice was steady, but curiosity flickered in his eyes. The question weighed heavily on his mind: How does the prince know my brother, Ray? He wasted no time in asking.

Casial's lips curled into a fond smile. "Ray Rein... yes, I met him five years ago, at my seventh birthday banquet."

The mention of Ray stirred memories in Aqua, but before he could speak, Casial's thoughts carried him back to that evening.

It had been a grand occasion, the banquet hall ablaze with light from golden chandeliers that reflected off polished floors and sparkling crystal goblets. Laughter and lively music filled the air, the hum of conversation punctuated by the rhythmic clinking of utensils and glasses. The young prince had been enjoying his festivities when he noticed someone seated alone outside on the balcony.

Intrigued by the solitary figure, Casial left the crowd behind and stepped into the cool night air. The balcony overlooked the sprawling gardens of the Imperial Palace, where moonlight danced upon the silvery leaves of ancient trees. There, he found a boy of about twelve or thirteen, his striking red eyes gleaming under the starlit sky. The boy's posture was composed, his gaze fixed upward as though searching for answers in the vast expanse of the heavens.

Curious, the prince approached cautiously. "What are you doing out here?" he asked. "There are so many people inside, yet you're sitting here alone."

The boy barely shifted his gaze, his voice calm and detached as he replied, "I'm observing."

Casial frowned slightly, puzzled by the ambiguous response. "Observing what, exactly?"

Finally, the boy turned his piercing eyes toward the prince, as if sizing him up. "What do you think of the people in the hall?" he countered, his tone inquisitive.

Taken aback, the young prince stumbled over his words. "Umm... I think they are..." He faltered, unable to articulate his thoughts. After a moment of silence, he added, "Wait—you're not even looking at the hall. How can you observe them?"

The boy's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "I have my methods," he replied cryptically.

The prince's curiosity deepened. "So, what do you think about the people inside?"

Ray's gaze shifted briefly to the starry horizon before he answered, his voice carrying a note of quiet certainty. "Let's just say... they are wearing masks."

Casial blinked, confused by the response. "What do you mean? No one is wearing a mask."

Ray chuckled softly, the sound almost wistful. "You'll see the masks in time, as you grow older," he said.

The prince frowned, still trying to grasp the boy's meaning. "But... you're not much older than me. How can you already see their masks?"

Ray didn't reply immediately, his enigmatic expression adding to the mystery surrounding him. For a moment, silence enveloped the balcony, broken only by the rustling of the garden's leaves in the night breeze. Then, a memory surfaced in Casial's mind—his mother, the Empress, had once spoken of a boy named Ray Rein. Her description matched the lone figure before him, deepening the fascination and intrigue.