Ocean’s eyes opened and he sat up from his bed, he ran his hand through his hair and groaned softly as the remnants of the voice echoed in the back of his head.

Someone was praying to him desperately and their voice had reached him.

Ocean turned his head and looked at the clock, it was nearly thirty past one and he sighed.

"Who is it?" He wondered aloud before he stood up from his bed.

"Please help..." The voice rang again and Ocean closed his eyes.

It was a familiar voice and this time he knew who was praying. He sighed, before he stepped out in the balcony and then leapt off into the night sky.

He hadn’t opened his Dragon wings after the time that they were first triggered, it was a painful experience and he couldn’t let his blood spill so he didn’t try it again.

Ocean flew over the sleeping towns before he saw his destination and activated the invisibility spell.

His wings flapped once before he dove straight towards the trees surrounding the mansion. He landed softly like a feather on a branch watching the beautiful maiden standing in her balcony with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders and hands clasped at her chest and eyes squeezed shut, earnestly praying.

Ocean flicked his wrist and a water Dragon appeared and took a seat on the edge of the balcony’s railing.

"What might be on your mind this time that you are praying so earnestly?" Ocean asked.

The girl flinched hearing his voice and opened her pearl-like eyes that adjusted straightaway on the little Water Dragon.

"L-Lord Dragon! You’ve come!" She smiled widely.

"You called for me so, I had to come, Celestia. Now, tell me what is it that’s worrying you? Is it about your fiance again?" Ocean asked.

Her smile vanished, replaced with a worried expression as she stepped closer to the water Dragon.

"Yes, it is about my fiance." She answered, "I... I have one request to make of you, Lord Dragon... Please, I have no other way. Only you can do it."

Ocean observed her teary, pleading gaze and sighed. He knew what she wanted, but he still asked.

"And what is this request?" He asked.

Celestia paused for a moment, hesitating and Ocean noticed two night guards that were patrolling the mansion noticing Celestia with a water Dragon. Ocean saw them frown and one for them scratched his head before he looked around the trees and then suddenly realisation broke over the other’s face. Before the first man could holler, the second man patted his shoulder whispering something in his ear and the two relaxed.

The two didn’t say anything but they did look around before they walked away.

"I want you to stop the Prince Trials that are going to happen here in Sestia." Celestia spoke up and Ocean turned his head looking at her.

He remained silent for a moment before he asked, "Why?"

Celestia appeared nervous as she said, "I... My fiance is close to the First Prince and... it’s unlikely that the concubine’s son who has not many supporters would win. If he loses then his supporters will be in grave danger too... I can’t lose my fiance..."

She pursed her lips and wiped her tears as she added, "I tried talking to him but he assured me that nothing will happen to him and First Prince will be the one to win but I still can’t..."

Ocean sighed, "So you want me to stop the Prince Trials so that the winning or losing part never happens?"

Celestia nodded, "Yes."

"And what after that?"

Celestia glanced at the Dragon quizzically, "What?"

"It’s not like stopping the Trials will end it all, if not the Trials then this will become the matter of the noble factions and then it will become even more of a danger for the people around the Princes. What about then?"

Celestia flinched, "The-Then please make one of the Princes the King!"

Ocean almost chuckled at her naivety, "I thought you were smarter than this, Celestia. You may have a good idea about the politics of your kingdom but it seems like you didn’t research about Sestia."

Celestia shook her head, "I know plenty to understand that these Trials won’t end in a pleasant way! If... If Rune stays by Prince Eric’s side then he will-"

"You have met Eric, haven’t you?" Ocean asked cutting her off and she paused.

She had been acquainted with Prince Eric when he was in Denril. He was a polite person who seemed quite close to Rune and both seemed really good friends.

"Yes, I have." She answered.

"But you haven’t met the Queen of Sestia or her kids."

Celestia seemed to ponder over it and Ocean chuckled, "Ignorance is bliss, Celestia. But I understand your worries, you love your fiance and don’t want him to get hurt."

She nodded with a hopeful smile and Ocean smiled, "But stopping the Trials for one person will cost the future of thousands of people of this kingdom. Do you think that’s right?"

Celestia blinked, her smile dwindling.

"Prince Eric had been working hard since he was a child to become a worthy King despite not having all the facilities like the second Prince. Rune had seen Eric all along and had spent time with him that’s why they share mutual respect and have a bond like brothers. Do you really think stopping the Trials is a good idea considering how much they have worked for this day?"

Celestia lowered her head, her fingers clenching at her shawl and Ocean sighed.

"I cannot stop these Trials, Celestia. They are one of the plans for the greater good." Ocean said and she sniffled.

"But I can promise you one thing... Whatever happens, Rune will be safe."

Celestia looked up, tears glistening in her eyes, "Really?"

Ocean smiled, tempted to say how could he let his/her brother get hurt but instead said.

"I promise."

Celestia wiped her tears and beamed brightly looking at the water Dragon.

"Thank you, Lord Dragon. Thank you so much!"

Ocean chuckled, "Now go and have some rest, and don’t worry about anything."

Celestia nodded as she watched the water Dragon flap its watery wings and then take off in the sky.

She then turned and skipped inside her room before jumping on her bed. Ocean chuckled as he watched and then used telekinesis to close the window before he took off.

He knew sooner or later when Celestia became a part of the family, she would get to know that these little interactions that she had with a water Dragon was actually a facade. He wondered how she would react then, because it wasn’t one level of shock here but two.

Speaking of shock, Ocean was still a little irksome about the fact that Colette had suddenly gained interest in Davian. He knew Davian might not be swayed by her as he was already in love with Reina but that wouldn’t just stop Colette from her advances. She was like her mother in that sense, cunning and crafty. She would do anything to get what she wanted.

Ocean felt a headache coming till the time he reached his room and instantly, his hackles raised as he noticed someone being in the room. His instincts calmed as he realised who it was and he simply entered fluidly after closing the windows.

"Did Miri force you to become her chauffeur again, Davian?" Ocean asked as he walked inside.

Davian stood up from the armchair where he was sitting. It had only been three days since Ocean saw him but for some reason, it felt like it had been a longer time.

Ocean’s eyes lingered on the young man for a long moment, noticing how he appeared nervous as he shifted his weight from foot to foot, he scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.

"That’s not, well... yes, that’s what it is..." Davian said.

Ocean smiled, "I guess, you’ll be staying the night again then."

Davian blinked, eyes widening and he said, "Tha-That’s not- well, I guess..."

Ocean noticed how he was fumbling with his words unable to give a proper answer and he chuckled.

"What’s wrong? Is there something that’s on your mind?" Ocean asked as he walked towards him.

With each step, he could hear the sound of something beating. The sound grew faster and louder with each step until Ocean stood right in front of Davian, just two or three inches shorter than him.

Davian’s amethyst eyes lowered, fixing on his and Ocean noticed his throat bobbing as he swallowed. Did Colette do something to him that made him come seeking Ocean so late?

"I-" Ocean was about to ask him about Colette when Davian spoke up or rather blurted out.

"I have something to tell you, Master!"

Ocean was stunned for a moment as Davian’s voice must most probably had reached the ears of everyone on the floor.

"And what is it?" Ocean asked calmly.

Davian looked down at him, opened his mouth but nothing came out. Ocean waited patiently as Davian tried to form words but all he could hear was Davian’s heart hammering away at an insane pace.

He felt concerned and placed his hand over Davian’s chest, "What’s wrong with you? Your heart has been beating so fast for a while now. Are you all right?"

Davian’s body seemed to have gone rigid in that moment and he leaned his head ahead placing it over Ocean’s shoulder, appearing mortified. Ocean had found the idea absurd but watching Davian like this he couldn’t help but wonder, what if Davian had fallen for this impossible seeming possibility? What if he was charmed by Colette?

And what Davian said next made Ocean’s heart come to a stop for a split second.

"Master, can a person... fall in love with two people at the same time?"