The Paths of Fate: House Rein and the Arsia Royals

At present, Casial approached Aqua, his eyes bright with a mix of excitement and sincerity. "I'd like to become your friend," he said, his tone as casual as if they were longtime acquaintances. Aqua, his gaze steady and thoughtful, examined the Imperial Prince closely. Sensing no ulterior motives and recognizing Casial's genuine enthusiasm, Aqua nodded. "All right," he replied calmly. He saw no harm in befriending the prince—for now.

From a distance, Claire Arsia observed them with a furrowed brow. Casial's twin sister bore a striking resemblance to him, sharing his golden hair and piercing blue eyes, though her demeanor was far less playful. To her, Casial was an irrepressible troublemaker, notorious for leaving chaos in his wake. Concerned by what mischief he might be stirring, she strode over purposefully, her steps swift and authoritative. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Are you causing trouble again?"

Casial's lips curled into an exaggerated smile, his air of innocence almost theatrical. "Who do you think I am? I was just making friends with Aqua."

He turned to Aqua, his demeanor lighthearted as he gestured toward Claire. "This is my older sister," he began, grinning mischievously, "though she's only five minutes older than me. She's also the princess of the Arsia Empire."

Claire shot him a withering glare, clearly unimpressed. Without hesitation, she delivered a swift kick to her brother's leg. "Stop saying unnecessary things," she scolded, her tone curt.

The playful squabble between the twins caught Aqua's attention. He couldn't help but smile faintly, reassessing his assumptions about the Imperial siblings. They seemed far from the cold, detached nobles he had imagined. Instead, they appeared like ordinary siblings—bickering yet undeniably close.

When Aqua introduced himself to Claire, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. As someone accustomed to high society, Claire knew most children who approached them were either sent by ambitious parents or seeking to curry favor with the Imperial Family. Before she could voice her doubts, Casial interjected, his tone eager and slightly defensive. "I was the one who approached Aqua first."

Claire's surprise was evident. Her brother rarely took the initiative to make friends, preferring to maintain a carefree distance from others. However, she had heard whispers of Ray Rein's remarkable reputation. Perhaps Casial's unusual interest stemmed from his admiration for Aqua's older brother—a figure both respected and feared.

Still wary, Claire discreetly attempted to sense Aqua's mana reserves. As a prodigious mage with a formidable 4th-circle mana heart, she was confident in her ability to evaluate those around her. Yet, to her astonishment, her efforts yielded nothing. Two possibilities crossed her mind: either Aqua was deliberately suppressing his mana, or his reserves were so vast they eclipsed her own.

Before she could dwell further, a ripple of silence spread across the gathered crowd. Heads turned and whispers ceased as a regal presence approached—the Empress of the Arsia Empire herself, Venustusia Arsia. Her aura was commanding, a blend of grace and power that inspired both awe and deference. Dressed in elegant robes adorned with intricate mana patterns, her every step carried an air of authority. As she reached the group, all present instinctively straightened, their expressions a mix of reverence and admiration.