The Crown Prince In Hiding

Dan’s eyes caught sight of something perched atop a rooftop, just beyond Zeedee’s shoulder.

A large black bird.

While she was busy yapping away at him, Dan focused on it… squinting until the details came into view.

It wasn’t just any crow—it was a purple Raven.

The same one he had seen before.

It was the Raven—Lamar’s magical familiar.

And that six-eyed creature… it had seen him.

But it made no move to fly toward them. It only watched from afar, as if beckoning him to come instead.

That could only mean one thing—it likely wasn’t supposed to be here. It must have snuck into Artheris, acting on orders from its master.

Zeedee finally stopped mid-yap when she noticed Dan zoning out. She turned—and saw the bird too.

It didn’t take long for Dan and Zeedee to reach the rooftop where the Raven waited.

“This is his beast,” Zeedee muttered. “Your Highness…”

“There’s snow residue stuck to its wing… it must’ve flown all the way from Snowhaven.”

Zeedee’s eyes widened.

“For it to enter undetected… that means only Lamar could’ve sent it.”

“There’s something… inside it.”

Being a magical construct, The Raven’s body was transparent in some places—enough that you could see its hollow interior. Zeedee noticed something wedged within.

A scroll.

The Raven tilted its head toward them… then turned away and reached into its own body.

Pulled the scroll out and handed it over.

A letter from Lamar.

To His Highness,

I hope this message reaches you safely. Once read, the text will vanish to prevent unintended eyes from seeing it.

There are two matters I must inform you of:

First—Snowhaven has officially accepted the proposal to ally against the Shadow threat. The motion has passed the vote of the Five Kingdoms Council. The Empress is sending a diplomatic envoy to begin negotiations with Diablo. I trust your side will honor the promise you made to me.

Dan’s face lit up.

He had no idea how Lamar convinced the ruling heads… but he did it.

“This is great news.”

“Do you think Miss Nora knows yet?”

“She might. If Lamar could send a Raven to us, then getting word to Nora would be even easier.”

(Magical text sound effect)

The letters faded from the scroll, dissolving under the encryption spell of The Raven.

(Magical text sound effect)

Then, a second block of text appeared—changing Dan’s expression instantly.

Second—I believe this is urgent. A few days ago, Casca came to Snowhaven, and we spoke about you. When she learned that your guardian wasn’t someone named Dominic but rather Freya… she left at dawn on the first train without saying a word.

I believe she’s on her way to you.

She seemed… very upset.

I’m not sure whether you should be worried, but I would be.

—Signed,

[Seal of The Raven]

Dan’s eyes shot open, wide as dinner plates.

He and Zeedee locked eyes.

CUT TO:

Eden Garden.

Lunchtime. The student bridge over the reflecting pond—Maximin Bridge.

Nora’s eyes widened at what she’d just heard.

“You mean Miss Casca is on her way here?”

Dan nodded, gripping the bridge’s edge as adrenaline rushed through him. His face clearly couldn’t hide how thrilled he was.

“If she left on the first train… she’ll arrive by tonight.”

“So she’ll be in Artheris… for a full day.”

Nora’s eyes flicked side to side.

“If she saw Mr.Raven… she must know you’re a student here.”

“And that I’m here.”

“And that you’re here with me…”

“She’s probably fuming like a bull in a forge by now, hahaha! What a joke.”

Zeedee shouted up from beneath the bridge where she lay flat, arms behind her head, legs crossed, lounging without a care.

“I thought you said you two were playing a game, Mr.Fury.”

“I’d say…”

Dan smirked.

“…something didn’t go according to plan—for Casca, that is.”

And the cause of that disruption?

Was curled up under the bridge.

The jellyfish demon who had become the wrench in Casca’s grand design—so much so that she had to crawl out of hiding.

“I can just see her right now,” Zeedee laughed. “Snorting like a pig, foaming at the mouth, tearing through the train aisles like a rabid dog—hahaha!”

“Miss Zeedee, I really don’t think you should say things like that so loudly… Some Luminusian students might come start trouble with you.”

“Let them come!”

“She might know who I am and where I am—but she doesn’t know where I sleep.”

“That’s not a problem. You’ve got me, Mr.Fury.”

“She wouldn’t be crazy enough to storm into your room at midnight asking where I am. She could, but she’s not that crazy.”

“That means this Friday… she’ll definitely show up at the Garden.”

“Pfft, obviously.”

Zeedee added:

“She’ll probably drop straight outta the sky into the combat ring!”

“Would she really do that?”

“She once launched his highness into the middle of the ocean. This would be nothing.”

“You’re the one who made her do that, weren’t you? Huh?”

Dan shot her a pointed look, but then chuckled and turned to Nora.

“Nora, I’m glad I met you.”

“Huh? You’re saying goodbye already, Mr.Fury?”

“Well, I got what I came for, didn’t I? Hehe…”

He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

“It’s only been half a semester… but I’ll remember you.”

“Wait, Mr.Fury—your mind’s already left the building.”

Princess Nora held her head in her hands.

“What about the scoring exam at the Garden? What are we going to do about that?”

“Oh, that?”

Dan shifted his tone.

“Don’t worry. My word is my word. A promise is a promise. I’ll show you my method—take notes.”

“You’re talking like it’s a farewell.”

“It is.”

Nora stared into her reflection in the pond…

One part of her was happy for Mr.Fury.

Another part… felt disappointed.

And yet another part wondered—

Is it really going to be this easy?

Cut to: elsewhere.

A hand brushed violet hair streaked with red away from the eyes and tucked it behind the ear.

Rafinya sat reading through Professor McClaff’s magical theory textbook with her usual study group.

The table buzzed with chatter and debate, but even as Rafinya’s eyes scanned line after line of runes, her mind wasn’t really there.

(Nora’s voice)

Dan getting home so late messes up our McClaff assignments. I don’t want to turn anything in late…

Bullshit.

Everyone knew Nora was top of the class in magic. She finished assignments the fastest and got the most praise. Dan was barely keeping up—just riding Nora’s coattails.

Why even bother covering for him? He wasn’t helping her at all.

The only explanation Rafinya could come up with…

Was infatuation.

But seriously? She had that low of a bar?

There were a dozen better royal suitors out there… and she picked him? A nobody?

It made zero sense.

Still…

(Well, people have their types. If that’s what she wants, fine.)

What really bugged Rafinya, though, was how someone so average could just luck his way into being guarded by a princess from the most powerful military empire.

It just wasn’t fair. Not to someone like her, who’d fought tooth and nail for every inch.

Tomorrow would decide everything.

The Knight Division had arranged it so that if Dan performed against Gronk the same way he did against her…

He’d be benched for at least four weeks. No way he’d survive Gronk’s punishment.

And if—by some fluke—he did survive or somehow won like that time with Professor Zoros…

Then Rafinya would step into the ring herself.

Week 2. Match Day.

To reality-check his sorry ass.

“Rafinya? Rafinya!”

“…?”

She looked up.

“Gods, were you even listening? Are you nervous about match day or what? You? Nervous?”

“No… it’s nothing.”

Rafinya raised the book again, eyes forward—

but thoughts elsewhere.