𝒯𝓇𝒾𝓃𝓀𝑒𝓉 || 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼'𝓼 𝓙𝓮𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓑𝓸𝔁 𝔁 𝓞𝓒

𝒮𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃

It was late afternoon as Duke Phantom, Prince Efrit and Princess Ariana strolled the secret gardens, waiting for Celeste to arrive. The news of her return with yet another jewel had reached them early that morning, yet no one had seen a peep of her since her arrival.

Duke Phantom's wolf ears perked up then as he scented something familiar on the breeze, his shadowy tail flicking eagerly. Efrit and Ariana watched his reaction with great interest.

"Your ears perk up every time my sister is nearby," Ariana observed, staring curiously at Nell's twitching dark tail. "Are they real, though?" Efrit asked wriggling his fingers, as if he wanted to grab them. Nell folded his arms, glancing at Ariana. "Yes, they're a part of my body." He leaned away from Efirt, giving him a hard look. "I have no intention of letting you touch them, just so you know."

"Sister! Nell! Efrit!"

A familiar voice called their names, making their heads turn simultaneously. Celeste sprinted toward them across the lush grass, skirts lifted. She leapt right into Ariana's arms.

"Sister! It's been so long...I've missed you three..." Ariana squeezed her sister tight, before pulling away to allow Duke Phantom to step forward. "Did you have a safe trip...?" He wrapped his arms around her tentatively at first, having not expected a hug at all, then returned the embrace with more enthusiasm, pleasantly surprised when Celeste so eagerly threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheeks. Then she was being swung up into Efrit's arms. He picked her up by the waist, twirling her in the air. "I, Efrit, could only think of you while you were away, your Highness!"

Their joyful reunion paused as their gazes slid to Raymond, whom they had failed to notice trailing after Celeste earlier.

"So they're the jewels you mentioned, your Highness..."

Nell and Efrit eyed him up and down assessingly, trying to gage Raymond's ability based on appearance. On the other hand, Ariana looked absolutely delighted. Another handsome man for her to admire, with skills to benefit. It wouldn't hurt to look. Ariana knew their hearts belonged to her sister; even if Celeste herself hadn't fully realized it yet.

Efrit reluctantly set Celeste down, keeping a possessive arm wrapped around her shoulders. Celeste, oblivious to the tension in the air, smiled. "Say hello, won't you? This is Ariana's fourth jewel, 'Lemon'."

The new jewel bowed. "Raymond amber at your service, your Highness."

He looked at Ariana, who blushed. "I must say, your Highness. You and Princess Celeste look exactly alike, as the rumors said."

"But they differ in personalities, don't they?" Efrit asked, voice lowering threateningly, as Nell glared at his side. "Princess Ariana and Celeste are two unique, separate individuals. I implore of you not to judge their character based on appearance alone," he warned.

Raymond paused, sweatdropping. He looked to Celeste for help, who cracked an amused grin. She patted Efrit and Nell's hands placatingly as Ariana spoke up, equally as tickled. "Raymond will find out for himself. Won't he, sister?"

Arabelle hummed. "Indeed, he will."