The Journey Ahead

The soft hum of the carriage wheels faded into the distance as Sir Kaelen stood at the foot of the grand magic tower. The morning sun had just begun its ascent, casting a warm, golden light over the tower's towering spire. Elara's journey to discover her power was only just beginning, and already, Kaelen could feel the weight of his own departure. 

Wanting to stay behind as support, Kaelen had instead been tasked with returning to the kingdom at once, but the thought of leaving Elara alone in the tower unsettled him more than he cared to admit. Though the tower was a place of power and safety, Kaelen knew the challenges Elara faced were far from simple. It wasn't just about learning to control her newfound mana—it was about standing on her own, away from the comforts and shields of court life. He had seen the vulnerability in her eyes, the flicker of doubt that occasionally crossed her face, and it made him hesitate. 

Kaelen's hands tightened around the reins as he thought of the message Elara had entrusted him with: to extend her stay at the tower for a month, giving her more time to train without the distractions of the kingdom. It was a reasonable request—perhaps even a necessary one—but it was also a sign of her resolve, her determination to become stronger. Still, he couldn't ignore the uneasy feeling in his chest. 

He had grown protective of her, something he hadn't expected when he first became her guard. At first, it had been nothing more than his duty to shield her from the dangers of the kingdom. But over time, he had come to understand her in ways no one else had, and now, the idea of leaving her behind felt like more than just fulfilling an order. It felt like a betrayal.

Her request for Lady Marianne to be sent to the tower with the necessary items weighed on him as well. Marianne had been a constant companion to Elara, a presence of comfort and normalcy amidst the chaos of the royal world. Would her personal maid be enough to keep his worries at ease or would he need to send a few of his soldiers to assist Elara.

'The princess would most likely see it as a burden.'

"I'll be back before long," Kaelen muttered to himself, as if the words could somehow reassure him. But deep down, he knew it wasn't just about the length of his absence. It was the unknowns that troubled him—the challenges Elara would face on her own, the strength she would need to forge within herself. 

For a moment, he stood still, his eyes focused on the tower's distant peak, as if it might offer him some comfort or answer. But there was only silence.

With a sigh, Kaelen turned away from the tower, his mind already shifting toward the journey ahead. The kingdom awaited his return, and his mission was clear. But in his heart, a quiet worry lingered, the question of whether Elara would truly be ready to face what lay beyond the tower's gates.

---------------------------------------------------

With Kaelen now gone, Aelor had been entrusted with the task of checking on Elara, ensuring her well-being at all times. Though he had never been one to question orders, the intensity with which Kaelen had spoken to him lingered in his mind. The knight had been unwavering, almost desperate in his insistence that Elara be watched over with the utmost care. 

'That boy was certainly passionate when instructing me on how to care for the princess,' he mused, amusement flickering across his face. 

It reminded him of his days as a student mage, sitting through long lectures as his professor meticulously detailed the intricacies of a spell—each step presented with precision, almost as if written in bullet points. Kaelen had been much the same, his voice edged with a sense of urgency Aelor rarely witnessed in the otherwise composed knight. 

Still, there was no denying that Elara possessed a quiet strength. She carried the weight of her power with remarkable composure, shouldering the responsibilities of her status without complaint. Many in her position would have crumbled under the pressure, but she had not. Even so, something about her unsettled him. 

Compared to the princess he had once met at a royal gathering in the past, she felt... different. There was an unshakable shift in her demeanor, subtle but undeniable. 

'It's as if she's an entirely different person.' 

Aelor's expression darkened, his mind sifting through possibilities. A change in personality could be the result of many things—trauma, sudden enlightenment, or the weight of responsibility finally pressing down. Yet, the mage in him whispered a different possibility, one that sent a chill down his spine. 

'Soul swapping.' 

The words rang in his mind, heavy with forbidden knowledge. It was an ancient spell, scarcely spoken of, let alone performed. Only a handful of mages had ever dared to attempt it, and the consequences of failure were catastrophic. The idea seemed impossible—outrageous even. But the more he observed, the harder it became to dismiss the notion entirely. 

'But… that is only if my suspicions are correct.' 

He could not act on mere speculation. If he voiced such a theory without proof, it could lead to dire consequences for both him and the princess. 

For now, he would do as he was tasked. He would watch over Elara, ensuring her safety and well-being. 

But more importantly, he would uncover the truth. 

And if his suspicions proved correct… then the real question remained—who was the girl wearing the princess's face?

---------------------------------------------------

Elara had finished her training for the day and was finally free to eat, needing a proper meal to recover her energy. 

Upon entering the dining hall, she immediately noticed how crowded it was, filled with mages already engrossed in their meals. 

That was until she walked in. 

Her identity remained hidden, none of the other mages knowing who she truly was to ensure her safety. What they did know was that she possessed a rare power—one that placed her above them all. 

Some regarded her with envy, while others watched cautiously, worried that her presence would diminish their own chances of rising in rank. 

Elara ignored their stares, though inwardly, she was sweating buckets. 

'Kaelen would usually glare at anyone who so much as looked my way. Why did he have to leave?' she sulked. 

Forcing herself to feign confidence, she made her way to the serving area and picked up a plate. The food was far from the extravagant meals served at the palace—just baked bread and a bowl of vegetable soup with a pleasant aroma—but it was enough. 

She took her meal and moved to an empty table, content to eat alone. But just as she settled in, a cheerful voice interrupted her peace. 

"Hi! Do you mind if I sit here?" 

Elara looked up to find a girl with lavender hair and bright baby-blue eyes gazing at her with an easygoing smile. 

"Yes… that's fine," Elara answered awkwardly. 

Her social skills had been terrible in her former life, and being a princess hadn't magically improved them. 

Just look at how she had spoken to Kaelen when they first met. 

'Ugh, I don't even want to think about that again,' she thought, mentally shaking off the embarrassing memory. 

"Don't mind the others. They're always like this whenever a new mage joins the tower. I'm Piper!" the girl introduced herself, her voice full of enthusiasm. 

"I'm Elara," she replied, keeping her last name to herself. 

"Elara is a pretty name! Kind of like you." 

Elara nearly choked on her soup. Piper laughed. 

It took a moment for Elara to recover, and when she did, she shot the other girl a weak glare. 

"That wasn't funny," she grumbled. 

Piper's laughter only grew, and despite herself, Elara couldn't help but join in. The atmosphere between them lightened, the tension fading as a comfortable ease settled in.