After a while, once the two Princes had finished their meal, the doors opened and several guards stood at the doorway.

"Your Highnesses," one of them announced, bowing. "It is time for your departure."

Eric and Carlos rose from their seats and stepped outside, where Ocean was already waiting with a contingent of guards. One of his hands rested casually in his trouser pocket, his expression calm and unreadable.

"Are you two ready, Your Highnesses?" Ocean asked.

Eric and Carlos exchanged a brief glance before nodding.

Ocean turned and gestured for them to follow. He led the way, the two Princes walking behind him, with the guards falling into formation at their backs.

The group of nine in total comprising of three representatives of each Council, accompanied by the personal guards assigned to each Prince—made their way out of the amphitheatre. From there, they were to depart toward their respective destinations: the Earldom of Castermere and the Barony of Valmest.

All preparations had already been completed under Ocean’s orders. Supplies, documents, and escorts were arranged precisely according to whichever territory had been drawn. Nothing excessive. Nothing indulgent.

Only the absolute necessities.

The two carriages assigned to each Prince were already in their place, luggage packed and the other carriages and horses were also ready for the supervisors.

"Please take hold care of our Princes, Sir Jared Hopkins, and Sir Drac Rayburn." Ocean spoke looking at the two guards.

"I shall not let His Highness be in any danger." Sir Hopkins answered and Ocean looked at Drac.

"I shall fulfill the best of what is expected of me." Drac bowed making Sir Hopkins frown a little.

"Good," Ocean spoke and the two men headed off towards their horses.

Ocean then glanced at the Princes, though there was a barricade drawn to keep the people away from them but the people were still throwing flowers and gifts at Eric.

"He’s a local superstar." Ocean chuckled before he walked over to them.

"Your Highnesses," Ocean called before he gestured towards their carriages.

Carlos turned and nodded while Eric was already having his arms full of flowers and gifts from the young ladies from all types of families, commoners and nobles who were gathered behind the barricade nearly toppling over the poor guards.

"Um, what do I do with these?" Eric asked and Ocean shook his head.

"People!" Ocean raised his voice addressing the girls, "I understand that you all love, His Highness but you cannot give him gifts!"

The ladies all groaned almost in unison.

"But, Marquis! Why not?"

"Yes, we wanted to give him flowers!"

"Your Highness, we love you!"

Ocean chuckled and shook his head.

"Well, would you all then like for him to be disqualified then?" Ocean asked and there was dead silence.

The girls watched with pale faces while Ocean smiled sweetly with his eyes gleaming playfully behind his black mask.

"If you give him gifts that’s unfair, and that could lead him to disqualification." Ocean clarified.

"Marquis, that’s not fair!"

"We love His Highness that’s why we bought him gifts!"

Ocean raised his hands, nodding, "I understand that, but rules are rules."

Ocean the gestured for the guards to take the gifts and flowers from Eric making him give Ocean a grateful smile as he could feel an especially pointed gaze on himself from high above.

Miri was watching them with a smirk, amused that Eric was so sought after.

"Then, Marquis Ocean would you accept our gifts?!"

"Yes, Marquis, I especially brought these flowers for you!"

"Marquis Ryujin!"

Ocean almost laughed hearing the ladies changing their target in a heartbeat and shook his head before facing them with a smile on his face and placing a hand on his chest.

"For me, none of these flowers or gifts are as precious, My Ladies." His words flowed like melodious flute notes along with his smile, "what’s really making my heart full is your presence here and your happiness."

The ladies stared at him along with the guards who had the full exposure of Ocean’s charm and all of their faces flushed bright red.

Lord Oberon laughed while Zach almost fled over to Ocean had it not been for Lord Oberon’s grip on his arm.

"Even with a mask there’s no way to hide his charm." Lord Oberon commented.

"The ladies and I will have a heart attack if he does remove that mask." Zach admitted and Lord Oberon hummed with a smile.

The ladies started squealing even more while Ocean gestured for Eric to get on his carriage and the moved towards Carlos who stood near his carriage.

Ocean stood facing him and Carlos stared at the blue haired man wordlessly for a moment.

"Is there something you wish to tell me, Your Highness?" Ocean asked, his voice low but clear despite all the noisy around them.

Carlos stared into the deep ringed blue eyes that were too unnatural for any human and then felt the hues of blue start to glow slightly as if casting a spell over him and he opened his mouth.

"I... I..."

"Don’t get charmed!" The shout of the man from within him suddenly made him blink and Carlos stared at Ocean with wide eyes.

Ocean still waited for his answer.

"There’s nothing, Marquis." Carlos answered and Ocean’s eyes slowly turned colder.

"All right then," Ocean said and then glanced at the blue pendant over Carlos’s chest.

"I hope you remember what I told you about this pendant." Ocean spoke as he reached out and patted the dust from Carlos shoulders before his fingers brushed over the pendant.

Ocean poured his mana into the stone making Carlos feel the surge of energy swirling around him.

"Y-Yes."

"Remember, Your Highness." Ocean added, "if you remove this pendant, you will lose yourself."

Carlos felt his throat go dry as Ocean’s eyes were now too menacing despite his face bearing a smile.

"I-I understand." He spoke and Ocean nodded pulling his hand back.

"You have my best wishes, Your Highness. Have a safe journey." Ocean said before he opened the door of the carriage and Carlos stepped inside.

Carlos watched as Ocean closed the door and then turn his gaze, it was only after Ocean’s gaze was off of him that he felt like he could breath again.

"Are you a fool? How many times have I told you not to try and tell him about me?! You are already giving him hints that’s why he asked you! Now you only listen to me and do as I say, do you understand, boy?!"

Carlos winced as the loud voice scolded him from within his head making his vision swim but just then he felt as if the presence of the man had disappeared. Carlos frowned a little before he looked down at the pendant which was radiating a soft, faint glow. It disappeared within a few seconds before he could even realise that it was glowing.

Carlos held the pendant in his palm watching his reflection in the smooth stone. He had gotten a fair idea that whatever this stone was, it would keep that man at a bay. So, if he removed this stone then maybe that man would take control of his body or perhaps, he could take control of that man’s attributes.

Back on the crowded, noisy street, Ocean had just confirmed his suspicion. He lifted his gaze and looked up at the balcony from where the nobles and the royal family were looking down. His eyes met with Katherine’s and she stared back unflinching.

Ocean found her resistance almost admirable had it not been for the wrong path and against him of all people. Ocean’s eyes glowed a little making Katherine gulp but still not show any signs of weakness.

She watched as Ocean’s lips moved and for some reason his voice clearly rang in her ears.

"I’ll end your game."

Kai, who was also watching the departure of the Princes from the balcony he smiled slightly until a chilly breeze brushed past him and he felt the hair on his neck standing straight as he sensed a strange presence. He quickly turned around looking all over.

"What’s wrong, Young Master?" Sylvia asked and Asher also looked at Kai.

Kai was shocked as he realised that Sylvia didn’t notice that presence just now. He opened his mouth almost to ask if she didn’t sense that but then stopped as he realised that both Sylvia and Asher were now on edge ready to leap into action.

He glanced once more all over unable to see anything suspicious, he then looked at Asher and Sylvia before shaking his head.

"It’s nothing." He said.

The two stared at him for a moment until he smiled and the two relaxed their bodies but their hands lingered on the hilts of their blades.

Kai, though lied to them about it being nothing but he couldn’t brush away the feeling of that presence. It was brief but it was strong and it wasn’t like the abysmal presence that he felt from the possessed or the demon he had encountered. It was different, almost the opposite.

It was terrifyingly strong but somehow it felt familiar.

Kai glanced once at Ocean who stood on the street, but unlike the others who were looking at the carriages, his head was tilted back and his eyes scanning the area as if even he felt the faint presence. His eyes met Kai’s who didn’t say anything but it seemed like the knowing thought exchanged between them silently.

Whatever it was, it had only managed to make Ocean and Kai know of its presence. And the two now wondered, what omen this new thing had brought.