“A Silent Agreement”

The Forgotten Past: The Prince's Destiny - Chapter 8

Rin departed silently, without a single word.

Ugh, what was that all about? Ren thought to himself. She could've at least said something! Yes or no, anything! She's such an arrogant girl, I don't think she'll ever agree. If she won't teach me to dance, then I don't need to learn Earth magic from her. I'll figure it out myself, somehow.

As he headed back to his room, he noticed the two Kings speaking.

"Have you found anything about those who stopped us on our way here?" King Daiken inquired. "Any information about them?"

"We haven't found anything," King Hikatsu replied, his brow furrowed. "We've tried very hard to locate them, even sent out our soldiers, but we still don't know who they were. But rest assured, we'll find out who attacked you."

Ren overheard their conversation. Wait, what? Are they talking about that day, when someone stopped us on the way here? Yes, they were quite mysterious, and they seemed to want something from me. Who knows who they were. Never mind, what can I do? The Kings will handle them.

He then entered the library.

"Oh wow! This library is huge!" Ren exclaimed, his eyes wide. "It's even bigger than ours! And there are so many books! Now I can finally learn a lot of magic at my leisure!"

Ren picked up a book on Earth magic, taking it back to his room. He spent the entire night and day trying to practice the magic, only to discover that no matter what he did, he couldn't learn magic from books alone. He could only cast spells if he saw someone else performing them. Without that visual, books were useless for him.

Ugh, I don't understand what the problem is, Ren thought, frustrated. I can read perfectly, I can even say the spells correctly, so why can't I cast magic? Maybe I won't be able to learn Earth magic? I doubt that arrogant girl will teach me anything. I should try to learn other magic myself. But what? Maybe I should try talking to her again, just in case she agrees.

Two or three days passed like this. Ren tried to talk to Rin, but every attempt failed. Each time, she ignored him and walked away, as if he didn't exist.

One day, as Ren was trying to practice magic in his room, he realized that no matter what he did, he couldn't learn magic. He stepped out of his room and wandered around the palace.

As he walked through the palace, he found himself outside the same room again. He heard familiar voices—the same scolding and reprimanding.

The Queen's voice cut through the air. "How many times have I told you, Rin, that this dance is so simple! Anyone can learn it easily, so why can't you?" As she spoke, she angrily struck Rin with a rod.

Wait, what? This is getting out of hand, isn't it? Ren thought, his brows furrowed. I used to think the Queen was just strict, maybe trying to guide Rin, but this feels different. Why is she hitting her with a rod? After all, she's a princess and an absolute genius! What difference does it make if she can't dance? Maybe she's just not good at it, but she's so amazing at magic!

Then, the Queen's voice rang out again, "Learn this dance as soon as possible, or it won't end well for you! You're just like your useless mother!"

Rin stood silently, not uttering a single word, her eyes cast downwards. She remained completely still and quiet.

Ren overheard this and thought, Wait, what? 'Like your mother'? What does that mean? Is the Queen not her mother?

Just then, the Queen began to exit the room.

Ren quickly ducked and hid in a corner.

After the Queen left, Ren peered into the room to see what was happening. He saw...

The dance teacher saying, "Princess, that's enough for today. We'll teach you dance tomorrow." And with that, she left.

Rin began to practice the dance steps by herself, but she couldn't get a single one right. Every time she tried to dance, she stumbled and fell, or just couldn't perform the steps properly.

Ugh, what kind of girl is this? Ren thought. She can't even do a simple dance step! She's a genius, good at magic and swordsmanship, but maybe she just isn't cut out for dancing. She can't even do a small dance step properly. She'll keep getting scolded all day. I probably shouldn't help her, she's so arrogant anyway. But whatever happens, happens.

With that, he walked into the room.

Rin glared at him.

"Oh, oh! Don't worry!" Ren said, putting his hands up. "I'm not here to cause trouble or annoy you. I was just taking a stroll and happened to end up here."

Without another word, Ren began to dance flawlessly, demonstrating exactly how it should be done. He performed various intricate steps with grace and precision. After he stopped, he said, "Think about it again, Princess. Perhaps I can teach you to dance even better, because it's not as difficult as you think. In return, all you have to do is teach me Earth magic."

Rin simply stared at him.

Ugh, this girl is so weird! Ren thought. Just say something! She just keeps staring! I can't tell if she's saying yes or no.

Rin then quietly left the room.

Oh man! She left quietly again, Ren thought, a sigh escaping him. Maybe I should just give up now. I guess I'll have to work on my other abilities. Maybe I should master swordsmanship. If I get the chance later, I'll learn other magic.

Slowly, a day or two passed.

Rin came to Ren's room and called out to him.

Ren came out of his room and saw who it was—Rin standing outside his door. He was completely astonished.

"Wait, what? Am I dreaming? Is she really standing in front of me? Does she need something from me? Or is she here to vent her anger at me?"

He cautiously asked, "Is there something you need, Princess?"

"Alright, I accept," Rin said, her voice firm. "Just for now. I will teach you Earth magic, and in return, you will teach me dance steps, how to dance."

Ren blinked, thinking, Wait, what? Did she just say she'll teach me Earth magic?

Ren was overjoyed internally upon hearing this. Finally, she agreed! And she'll teach me Earth magic!

"So, Princess, when would you like to start teaching me dance?" Ren asked, barely containing his excitement.

"Starting today," Rin replied. "And right now."

Ren exclaimed, surprised, "Wait, what? Today? Right now? But I haven't prepared at all!"

Rin gave him a sharp look. "What's wrong? Do you have a problem? Can't you teach?"

Ren stammered, flustered, "Oh, no, no, Princess! We'll teach you dance steps right now. Alright, tell me where you'd like to go? Where should we learn?"

He thought to himself, Brother, I'd better teach her dance quickly. After that, I need to learn Earth magic. What if she changes her mind?

Both of them were inside the room.

"Tell me, Princess, where would you like to start learning dance from?" Ren asked. "I mean, how much have you learned so far? Tell me so I know where to begin teaching you from—from the very basics, or are you a little advanced already?"

Rin said nothing, simply demonstrated a dance step.

Ren immediately understood that he'd have to teach her everything from the very beginning.

"Look, Princess," Ren began, "just do as I do. You have to do exactly what I do."

Ren demonstrated some simple dance steps and told her, "You do the same."

Rin watched him and tried to imitate him, but she couldn't get a single step right.

"Oh, Princess, not like that! Do it exactly as I'm doing!" Ren urged.

Rin watched carefully and tried to copy Ren's movements, and she began to do them somewhat decently.

"Yes, exactly like that, Princess!" Ren encouraged. "Just as I'm making it a little more difficult, you have to do it too. You have to move your hands and feet like this to dance."

But Rin couldn't do it. She kept falling every time she tried.

She tried many times but couldn't progress beyond that dance step.

Oh man! She's stuck here! Ren thought. I don't think she's cut out for dancing at all. She truly has no knack for it.

This continued for a long time.

Ren, getting a little irritated, said, "Princess, forget everything I've said so far! We'll learn in a different way now! We were learning separately, but now just stay with me and I'll teach you. Give me your hand, I'll hold your hand and teach you."

Rin heard this and looked at him angrily.

One step brought them closer—but what lies beyond this fragile alliance?

As hands meet, will magic follow... or something darker awaken?

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