.Eyes Of Void.

-8-

As we rode the horses I noticed Mystery kept her horse a bit behind, letting mine lead, not many knew all the customs even if they are Solor nobles so it surprised me slightly that she did.

What surprised me more was the horse she was sitting on.

"It is a pleasant surprise to see Arial, I thought she had long been in the dirt, father being the only one she appreciated." I said, watching the horse, knowing Firel wouldn't walk in the wall if I looked away for a second.

"She was a tough one to duke it out with, as stubborn as if she was a mule but I suppose she liked me because I gave her apples while no one else did, I don't ride much as she always wants food in exchange and surely not around times when the queen could need me so it isn't a surprise you've never seen her again." Her words making sense, I wish mother had told me she lived, it was father's war horse after all, after he died mother had a still birth and we had just suffered such a loss, it would have been good to know at least his steed was around.

"Well I am happy she is in good spirits and still serving someone." I truly am, Arial was not meant to sit around and just be decoration or worst, be dead, it warms my heart that she's alive.

"She is a great horse, I can just thank your mother for letting me care for her and then look after her."

"It is an important gift but I also noticed the stones." From the corner of my eyes I saw her grab the necklace and lift it before letting it fall back down against her chest.

"What can I say Highness? Your mother likes to keep the dragon in the forefront and what would a dragon be without some treasure?" She's right.

"Silver dragon, a fitting title." I told her.

"So I find too."

We rode in silence after that, it was nice, not awkward like all the suitors were, always chatting or a heavy silence when they didn't know what to say.

We rode by the outer wall of the castle, it was a huge wall that separated us from the town outside and kept them out of the castle, the only entrance in it being the main gate to ensure our safety but my siblings and I would sneak out at times.

I glanced back at her, I barely know her outside of my spying moments and she is already captivating my attention, there is something about her... Something...

I sighed to myself, remembering the question she dropped after I didn't answer, I don't know why but I feel bad for not answering it now.

"You asked me earlier what saddened me." I said out of the blue, rubbing my thumb over the reins to hide my nervousness, awaiting some comment about how I shouldn't show weakness.

"I just worry for your well-being Highness." But it never came.

"I understand... What do you think of me wearing the crown one day?"

"Well Highness you've earned it in my eyes, prince Eleric was wise enough to recognize defeat, the people of the land will greet you with open arms and loud acclamations when you take over."

"You put too much faith into my abilities mage." I waved it off but appreciated the positive reaction, that was rare.

"I do not, I can judge someone's worth easily if I spend a bit of time with them, you are just like her Majesty, calm and collected, calculating."

"Some think the opposite, that I am too like my old father." I said, bringing up one of the negative points I've heard a lot.

"If you not being a fragile woman is what troubles the opposition than they still haven't learnt that they live in a queendom, they should trust in your bonds with the dragon and your wits as a queen not the shape and form of one's body."

"If only there were more that thought like you mage." Honestly, it would be much easier if more did.

"Ask any other mage Highness and all will repeat the same, ask any of your people and if they have eyes they'll see what I do, most of those against must be blind to not see the eyes."

"Ah yes the purple of my eyes strikes fear in the weak as my mother puts it."

"Wise woman."

"She is but it also puts me at risk, if it wasn't for the show you made of the accident I might have been dead."

"Highness you'd be dead, not might but be." She said calmly, dear gods I owe her a lot.

"Right I'll trust your words mage."

"I wouldn't lie Highness."

"Right... And thank you, I never thanked you for saving my life."

"I was just doing my job Highness."

"Still... You were the only one to catch it in time to avoid pain and tragedy so thank you mage."

"Of course Highness."

I looked up at the sky with a smile before covering my mouth.

"Ah!" I said in surprise "It is getting late the supper must be getting ready to start." The sun was setting after all. Was it really that long? "Let's hurry back before the servants think of some delirious reasons for our absence." Not that I would care, there are already rumors of me around but I would want to keep her out of them and not hurt her reputation.

"Do not worry I will not kidnap you, your Highness, any time soon." She said with a wave of her hand.

"Tell that to the servants." I added with an eye-roll she didn't see, not really princess-like but oh well so be it.

"They wouldn't listen." She confirmed what I already know.

"Well that's why we need to go."

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

I had a maid quickly help me back into my previous clothes, I can't tie it up behind alone, lucky Mystery, her uniform is considered her formal clothes too so she wouldn't need to change back and forth like I did depending on what I wanted to do.

I smiled a little, it was reassuring to know all the six mages were supporting the idea that I would take throne, no matter who was against it could do nothing against six of them.

I smiled bigger, the most reassuring was Mystery being on my side.