Caged In

My father used to tell me stories of the outside dimensions. He was a dimensional rifter—one of the rare individuals entrusted with the keys to traverse worlds, connecting this realm to the hundreds of others that collided into a single universe. His journeys sounded like fantasies to others, but to me, they were lessons in wonder and caution.

Before his death, he left me his journal, a leather-bound record of his travels and discoveries. It was filled with sketches of alien species, diagrams of mystical artifacts, and notes on strange phenomena—knowledge gathered from countless dimensions. Dimensional rifters were tasked with cataloging otherworldly entities and items, modifying and adapting them for use in our world. His work was dangerous, but it was also vital to the kingdom.

I often find myself flipping through that journal, seeking answers—or perhaps a connection to the man I lost too soon. Today was no different. As I gazed out from the window of my castle chamber, the sun bathed the kingdom in a golden glow, highlighting both its grandeur and its decay.

This kingdom, once proud and resilient, had grown brazen and fragile under poor leadership. My uncle, the only family I had left, was exiled as a traitor years ago. Though I desperately wished to visit him, I was forbidden by decree, his name erased from the royal records as though he had never existed.

I wondered how life had treated him since his exile. The last rumor I'd heard spoke of how he was barred from seeing his own daughter—deemed unworthy of royal acknowledgment, despite his bloodline. Stripped of his title and authority, he lived as a commoner. Perhaps this year, things might change. Or perhaps I was too naive to believe in such miracles.

"Marie," a soft voice called, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Lara, my loyal maid, standing in the doorway with her hands clasped. "The king has summoned you to the throne room."

I turned to her, dread curling in my stomach. "Did he say why?"

"No, my lady," she replied, her face pale. "But the court is already gathered."

"Very well," I said, smoothing my black-and-white dress. Its silk flowed like water against my skin, but it felt like armor against the weight of my title.

The corridors leading to the throne room were oppressively quiet, the faint echoes of my footsteps the only sound. Guards stood rigidly by the massive doors, their expressions unreadable. With a nod, they pushed the heavy doors open, revealing the grand hall beyond.

I entered and bowed deeply before the king, my grandfather's chosen successor. The man who now sat on the throne was not a blood relative but a duke elevated to royalty through a twisted web of politics.

"My king," I said, keeping my tone steady despite the unease bubbling within me, "why have you summoned me?"

The king crossed his legs, his gaze cold and calculating as he looked down at me. "As you are aware, the Giarida Kingdom has declared war upon us."

"I am aware," I replied, bracing myself.

The courtiers and nobles whispered among themselves, their voices a low murmur of fear and speculation. The king raised a hand for silence before continuing.

"The Giarida Kingdom has sent a proposal to end the war before it begins. They are willing to negotiate peace—on one condition." He paused, savoring the moment before delivering the blow. "Your marriage to their king."

The words echoed in the throne room like a death knell. Gasps and murmurs erupted from the gathered crowd, their shock mirroring my own.

"But, Your Majesty," Lara cried out, her voice trembling, "Princess Marie is only nineteen! The King of Giarida is a man in his sixties—"

"Silence!" the king roared, slamming his hand down on the armrest of his throne. "Do you think I make this decision lightly? Would you rather see this kingdom reduced to ashes?"

The room fell into an uneasy silence, and all eyes turned to me. I could feel their pity, their disdain, their indifference. The king leaned forward, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

"You do not object to this arrangement, do you, Princess?"

My throat tightened, fear coiling around my heart. Refusing was not an option. To do so would mean exile—or worse. "No, my king," I said softly, the words bitter on my tongue.

"Good," he said, satisfied. "Prepare for your departure immediately."

I bowed and left the throne room, my mind reeling. The corridors blurred as I walked, my body moving on instinct while my thoughts spiraled.

Later that evening, I stood in my chambers, watching as my belongings were loaded into carriages. Outside, the castle courtyard was alive with activity—servants and guards preparing for my departure. Lara stood beside me, her hands clenched tightly.

"I can't believe they're doing this to you," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing a weak smile. "It's not your fault, Lara. You've done everything you could for me."

As the first light of dawn broke, the carriages were ready. The castle gates opened, and I stepped inside the lead carriage. Through the window, I saw the people of the kingdom gathered to watch my departure. Some wept openly, mourning the sacrifice of their princess. Others cheered, relieved that war might be averted at my expense.

The journey began, the carriage wheels rattling against the cobblestone streets. I stared out at the passing scenery, my thoughts heavy.

"Do you think my grandfather truly agreed to this?" I asked the butler seated across from me.

He hesitated before answering. "Yes, Your Highness. In fact, it was his suggestion."

His words struck like a dagger, confirming what I had suspected all along. My grandfather, the man who once doted on me, had orchestrated this betrayal.

As the carriage traveled farther, we crossed into unfamiliar territory. The forests grew denser, the air cooler. Eventually, we reached the borders of Aetherfall—the kingdom where my exiled uncle now resided.

I couldn't decide which emotion was stronger: fear of the unknown, or hope that I might find refuge in the one person who had been cast out just as I was now.

"Uncle," I whispered, clutching my father's journal tightly. "If you're still out there, please… help me."

"Now, where was I?" I muttered to myself, blinking groggily as I realized I had dozed off in the academy library. The books I had stacked around me were now leaning precariously like a miniature fortress of knowledge. "Ah, mana utilization," I sighed, stretching my stiff limbs. I gathered the books and returned them to their respective shelves before making my way toward the library's grand exit.

The hallway outside was eerily silent, save for the faint echo of my footsteps. Yet, that nagging sensation in the back of my mind—of being watched—persisted. It had been there for some time now, an unsettling presence that seemed to grow stronger the more I ignored it.

By the time I reached a particularly secluded corridor, my patience had worn thin. Stopping abruptly, I turned and spoke into the stillness, "May I help you?"

The air seemed to shift, and a faint gasp broke the silence. A figure emerged from the shadows—a girl with small, sharp horns peeking out from her forehead and a thorned tail swaying behind her. Her presence was as striking as her appearance, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and mischief.

"I see," I said calmly. "This seems easier than skulking around in the dark."

She stepped forward, her posture relaxed yet confident. Her voice was smooth, with a lilting quality that could easily charm the unwary. "Easier, indeed. I was just curious about you, Ezekiel."

I raised an eyebrow. "We're in the same class. If you wanted to talk, you could have done so without hiding."

She smirked, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Where's the fun in that?"

I recognized her now—Selene, the quiet but undeniably brilliant student from Class E. Her intelligence was unmatched, and her ability to analyze mana flows was well-known. But her sudden interest in me was... unsettling.

"The spell you used in your duel—where did you learn it?" she asked, crossing her arms as her blouse hung slightly loose, adding to her casual demeanor.

Ah, so that's what this is about. She must mean the Blood Aegis I used against Luna. "It's something my mentor taught me before I joined the academy," I said cautiously, taking a step back to create some distance.

Selene tilted her head, her curiosity deepening. "Your mentor... was he a vampire?"

I hesitated. "No, but—well, it's complicated," I replied, carefully avoiding the topic of Mr. Ishtar's failed romantic entanglement with a royal vampire. That story wasn't mine to tell.

In a blink, Selene was beside me, her fingers trailing lightly over my arm. Her touch was deliberate, almost predatory. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?" she purred, her tone dripping with amusement.

I stepped away, flicking her hand off me. "This is harassment, you know."

Her laughter was light, teasing. "Oh? What a reaction."

"Surprising?" I retorted, resuming my walk toward the dorms.

Selene followed, her thorned tail swishing lazily behind her. "You're not a fan of physical touch, are you?" she asked, her voice carrying a playful edge.

In my mind, I was already imagining various ways to escape this conversation without escalating it. "Let's just say I value my personal space," I said curtly, resisting the urge to lash out at her persistence.

"You're a mysterious man, Ezekiel," she mused, still trailing behind me. "But don't worry—I like mysteries."

"Can you not follow me to my dorm?" I asked, my tone firm as I turned to face her.

Selene stopped, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Be careful, then, darling," she said before finally slowing her pace and retreating into the shadows.

I sighed in relief, shaking my head as I continued toward my dormitory. Selene's sudden interest in me was unsettling, to say the least. I made a mental note to avoid any more encounters with her in the near future.

Back in my dormitory, I tossed my bag onto the chair and glanced out the window to clear my mind. The academy grounds stretched out below, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. My gaze wandered to the road leading into the academy, where an unfamiliar carriage rolled into view.

It wasn't just any carriage—it glittered in white and gold, its polished surface catching the light like a jewel. The intricate etchings on its surface were foreign, hinting at origins outside this kingdom. The sight immediately caught my attention, pulling me away from my thoughts of Selene.

A butler stepped forward to open the carriage door, his posture rigid with formality. From within emerged a young woman in a long, flowing dress of black and white. Her blonde hair shimmered in the evening light, waving gently in the breeze. There was an air of nobility about her, from her poised movements to the cluster of guards that followed her out of the second carriage.

"Who is she?" I muttered under my breath, narrowing my eyes to study her more closely. Her presence felt like it carried weight—a significance that made the guards around her seem like little more than window dressing.

Was the academy expecting a visit from a foreign dignitary? Or had this been an unannounced arrival? I wasn't privy to the academy's political dealings, but this felt... important.

The butler spoke briefly with the guards before guiding the woman toward the academy's main building. She moved with quiet grace, her expression unreadable, yet I could sense a tension in her demeanor.

Something was happening—something beyond the mundane routines of academy life. And while I didn't know what role this mysterious arrival would play, I had a sinking feeling it would somehow involve me.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I stepped away from the window, my thoughts swirling. The encounter with Selene, the attention from Professor Alaric, the artifact in my possession—and now this mysterious noblewoman.

The pieces were starting to fall into place, but the picture they formed was still unclear. For now, I could only wait and prepare, knowing that the quiet life I hoped for at the academy was slipping further out of reach.