Thirteenth Prince's Odyssey-Chapter 32: The Northern Princess - II

The students pulsed with life after lectures ended as if the stone walls themselves exhaled with the students.

Exhaustion vanished the moment the last incantation was spoken, the final diagram drawn, and the lecture halls cleared. The cantina overflowed — laughter loud, plates clattering, and roasted meat thick in the air. Across the campus, the training grounds lit up with mana duels and sparring chants, while even the Great Library, was filled with shuffling feet, whispered arguments, and desperate page-turning.

But Liam?

Liam remained in his dorm room, seated on the floor, surrounded by silence and a faint circle of sweat.

Mana Breathing — in the Apprentice realm — had changed.

It was already difficult for him to temper his Initiate Mana Heart compared to other Ascendants, and now in the Apprentice realm, the resistance increased. He could feel it now — a pressure that didn't simply let mana flow, but challenged him to shape it. His breathing had to be deeper, his focus sharper, his posture exact.

Each inhale wasn't just drawing in energy — it was drawing expectation.

And each exhale was a slow fight against the body's urge to collapse, to stop, to rest.

The room around him was dim, his robes clung damply to his back, and the only sound was his breath — deep, deliberate, steady.

By the time the dinner bell echoed across his dorm room, Liam's limbs were heavy, but his mind was calm. Still, he rose slowly, pulling on a fresh shirt and running a damp hand through his hair.

He was supposed to meet his sisters this evening — Cassandra had suggested it earlier with her usual amused expression, and Evaline had seconded it with a playful jab to his ribs.

But... lunch had been enough.

He loved them — truly. But between Elaine's constant teasing, Evaline's mockery, and Cassandra's analyzing...

He needed his breaks to be actual breaks.

So, he made his way to the cantina alone, the corridors quieter now, lit by floating lanterns that drifted gently with the breeze.

Inside, the cantina was still lively, though the rush had dimmed. He scanned the room — a few familiar faces from earlier classes, a group of third-years arguing over the best rune stabilization sequence, and a cluster of mages trying to ferment plain water.

Liam took a seat near the window, alone. His eyes drifted over the vibrant crowd but did not truly see anyone. The chatter and clinking cutlery became background noise — muffled by a thought.

Nobody's pointed out that I'm an Apprentice.

Not Carter. Not even the Headmaster.

He stared at the untouched meal on his plate.

All this time... Heart Frailty kept the truth hidden. Shrouded the pulse. Dimmed the mana flame.

"Either they're feigning ignorance... or — " he paused, the thought half-formed and unsettling. "Or nobody in this Institute is in the Master realm?"

That couldn't be right.

The Arthur Royal Institute was Ironhelm's pride — a sanctuary of knowledge, the forge of its greatest mages. No Masters? No one whose mana heart was sharp enough to shatter Heart Frailty?

Or maybe... maybe those who can see — choose not to speak. And that was worse.

His thoughts were interrupted midway when he caught sight of his sisters walking toward him, skirts brushing the stone floor, the soft chatter of their arrival cutting into his solitude like a warm — but sharp — wind.

He hadn't even started eating. And now, there'd be no peace.

Evaline spoke first, arms crossed. "Didn't I tell you to meet us this evening? Where were you?"

Elaine followed up immediately, pointing to his tray. "And why are you eating without us?"

"Yeah," Cassandra chimed in with a faint smirk. "Why trouble yourself to come to the cantina when you can have the meal delivered to your room like a civilized prince?"

Liam raised a hand, his expression flat. "Can I speak?"

None of them replied.

"I was sleeping," he said plainly.

They didn't look convinced.

"And to answer your second question," he added with a dry tone, "how exactly would I call for you? You're not suggesting I walk into the girl's dormitory, are you?"

Cassandra gave an exaggerated shrug. "Wouldn't be the worst scandal we've had this month."

"Not funny," said Liam.

Evaline sat across from him, stealing a piece of bread. "Well, next time, leave a message. We waited."

Liam sighed, finally lifting his fork. "And whom do I assign this chore to — and what would I even write? 'Dear sisters, I'm not dead, just asleep. Please resume your daily campaign to arrange my marriage at dinner.'"

All three looked at each other, then back at him with suspiciously innocent smiles.

He narrowed his eyes. "You're already planning something, aren't you?"

"Eat your food, Liam," Cassandra said sweetly. "You'll need your strength."

Liam looked at them — at all three of them. He knew they wouldn't answer, not honestly, not now. So, he didn't bother questioning further. He focused his strength where it mattered: on finishing his meal. The faster he ate, the earlier he could escape.

"Why are you in a hurry?" Evaline asked, eyeing him.

Liam didn't answer. He simply continued chewing.

"Hey, isn't that Serena?" Elaine said with a spark of interest.

Liam paused just slightly — too slightly.

"Hey hey," Cassandra smirked. "Now you're responding."

He tried to sneak a glance, casually, but his sisters were already ahead of him. Serena Beckett had just entered the cantina, her pale uniform catching the lantern light as she looked around the room.

"Well Liam," Evaline said, leaning in theatrically. "Why is she here?"

"Yes, Liam," Elaine added. "Go ask her why she's here."

Liam ignored them, putting another spoonful into his mouth like it would defend him from embarrassment.

Cassandra gave a little clap. "Alright, I'll ask her."

"Wait — what? No — what's wrong with you three — ?" Liam started, panic beginning to bloom in his chest.

But it was too late.

"Junior Serena," Cassandra called, graceful as ever, voice carrying just far enough to get her attention. "Here. Come here!"

Serena blinked, then started walking toward them.

Liam whispered, "I'm leaving."

"You stay right there, Liam Orlean," Evaline warned with a sickeningly sweet smile. "Or you'll be in big trouble."

He froze mid-motion. There were fates worse than death. This... qualified.

Serena finally reached the table, posture polite, face unreadable.

"Good evening, ma'am," she said, nodding to each of them with a respectful grace that only made things worse for Liam.

"Good evening," Cassandra replied, clasping her hands on the table like a noblewoman judging a suitor. "So. Have you met Liam?"

Serena glanced at him, then shook her head. "No. Not formally."

Liam stared at his plate. Why is this happening to me?

"Okay then," Cassandra said breezily, scanning the room.

Almost everyone in the cantina had at least glanced their way by now — it was hard not to when the royal Orlean siblings sat together. But Cassandra used it to her advantage, her tone light but commanding.

She pointed to a nearby first-year girl who was finishing her soup. "Hey, you. Bring a chair here."

The girl blinked, then scrambled to obey, dragging a seat over without hesitation. No one said no to a princess — not one in a mood like Cassandra's.

"Sit here for dinner today," Cassandra said, gesturing to the open spot between Liam and Evaline.

Serena hesitated. Her poise cracked just slightly.

"This is Liam," Cassandra added with a smile that was anything but innocent. "Our youngest brother. A first-year, just — like — you."

Liam stared at the table.

Serena glanced at him, clearly caught in the same wave of dread.

He risked a sideways look.

Horrified. She looks just as horrified as I feel.

He cleared his throat softly, the only thing louder than the silence that had fallen between them. The clatter of forks and conversation around them seemed far away.

Evaline leaned forward, whispering like a conspirator, "You both look like you've seen a ghost."

Elaine grinned. "Or maybe a future spouse."

Liam nearly choked on his drink.

Cassandra stood with a grace that only made her authority more dangerous. "Elaine, Evaline — we have House Wars to prepare for. Liam, you talk to her."

Evaline smirked. "If he's rude to you, Serena, just tell us. We'll handle him."

"Very aggressively," Elaine added, already rising from her seat.

"Hey, what about your dinner?" Liam asked, half-annoyed, half-desperate. "You didn't even eat."

Cassandra smiled sweetly. "Now you plead? Weren't you just moments ago desperate to finish your meal and escape us?"

He opened his mouth to argue but found nothing useful to say.

"Don't worry, little brother, our dinner will arrive at our dorm room."

Then, just before stepping away, Cassandra added as she leaned in close to whisper — the kind of whisper that still managed to echo in his ears, "You — take care of yourself."

And with that, the three sisters glided off like they hadn't just set off a mana bomb in his evening.

Liam sat still, watching them leave, trying to process how this meal had turned into a negotiation.

Beside him, Serena sat, stiff as a statue, hands folded in her lap.

He ate quietly, the clink of his fork the only sound between them.

Serena hadn't touched her food. Not once.

Liam didn't want to look. But he did.

Her shoulders were stiff, eyes fixed on the table. And then he saw it — the way her lip trembled, the tightness in her throat. She was fighting tears. Not openly. But it was there.

A slow dread crept into him. Was I rude? Did I say something? He replayed the evening in his mind — but no, he hadn't even spoken to her yet.

He set his utensils down, unsure what to do with his hands, his voice, or the way everyone seemed to be sneaking glances their way.

Finally, he cleared his throat softly and leaned just a little closer.

"If you'd like," Liam said, voice low, careful, "we can talk..."

He hesitated, eyes scanning the cantina — too many stares.

"...somewhere private. If you would."

Serena didn't move at first. But then, slowly, she gave the faintest nod. Not a yes, not a no — just permission.

Liam and Serena walked side by side under the dim shimmer of the floating lanterns that lined the campus grounds. The air was quiet, save for the faint hum of mana pulsing through the campus wards. At first, a few curious students had trailed behind them — until Liam shot a single, unreadable glance over his shoulder. That was enough. They stopped, hesitated... and turned back.

The two continued toward the dormitories. Neither spoke, their footsteps soft against the cobblestone paths.

Liam finally broke the silence, his voice careful.

"If something's bothering you... please. Ask."

Serena said nothing.

"I haven't even spoken to you until now," he added, searching her face for a hint, an opening. "Did I do something wrong? If it's about dinner — I didn't even know you were coming. And if it's about my sisters — "

She flinched slightly at the word sisters.

He softened his tone. "They were... overbearing. I'm sorry about that. Cassandra means well, in her strange way, but they shouldn't have made you sit with us like that."

Still nothing. Just a quiet breath and a faint shimmer of tears catching the lantern light. Her hands were clenched, nails digging into her sleeves.

"I don't know what I did," he said at last, "but if it upset you, I'm sorry."

She didn't reply.

He sighed, stopping near the walkway that led up toward the girls' dorms. " Miss Serena — " he hesitated, the weight in his chest now growing sharp. "I need you to speak. Say something. Anything. Please."

But she just stood there, eyes averted, shoulders shaking.

Something cold settled in Liam's stomach. A frustration. Helplessness. He hadn't felt it in years.

"You will answer," he said suddenly, sharply — his voice edged in something unfamiliar.

Her head snapped toward him.

He blinked, stunned by himself.

"I — I didn't mean — "

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

But Serena had already taken a step back, her face pale and trembling, eyes wide. "There it is," she whispered.

"What...?"

"There it is," she said louder, tears finally breaking free. "You Royals. Always so used to people obeying you. Do you think I want this? You think I asked for any of it?"

Liam stood frozen, words caught in his throat.

"My family," Serena said, voice cracking, "lost everything. Our lands were overrun by catastrophe. My brothers are on the border. My mother — she's been sick. And my father — " her voice broke, "he thinks the only way we'll survive is if I marry a Royal."

Liam's heart sank.

"He said it like it was a gift. A blessing." She laughed, bitter and small. "As if I should be grateful to be sold."

"Miss Serena — "

"And now I sit at your table like a prize lamb, and you — " she gestured at him with trembling hands, "you order me to speak. Just like him. Just like all of them."

Her voice dropped, low and seething.

"You're just like father."

Liam didn't move. Didn't speak.

"I hate you," she whispered, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "I hate all of you."

She turned, walking quickly toward the dorm entrance, her figure fading under the warm light of the lanterns.

And Liam stood in silence, with nothing but the weight of her words.