Omniphage of Apathy

"How did you know I was there?"

Vastarael turned his head slightly to glance at her, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. He lowered his glaive, the tip of it touching the ground lightly, and then gave her a small smile.

'It's not that difficult to tell when someone's nearby. I can feel the presence of others, especially in places like this. The air shifts, the ground trembles in subtle ways... and, I've been trained to notice."

He paused for a moment before asking.

"You're wondering about Adelasta, aren't you?"

Elyonari's eyebrows furrowed, surprised by how easily he had pegged her. She hadn't realized she'd been thinking about the duel and Adelasta's reaction so much but now that he mentioned it, she couldn't shake the image of the cold mask slipping, the brief flicker of vulnerability she had seen in the other girl's eyes.

"Yes,' she admitted, taking another step closer. "She didn't look too happy after the match."

Vastarael gave a small nod, his fingers absently tracing the edge of his glaive's handle as he continued.

"Adelasta... she's been my rival for years. Every duel, every fight... it was a challenge for both of us. But..." he paused, his eyes growing distant for a moment. "I think she didn't want it to end. Not like this. I can tell she's sad, despite how hard she tries to hide it."

There was a depth in his voice, a trace of something bittersweet. Elyonari could see it now. The weight of his words, the underlying sadness that he had never openly expressed before. It wasn't just about winning the duel for him; it was about the end of something important.

"I think... she needed those duels, just like I did," he continued, almost to himself. "There was something about the competition, the intensity of it. We both pushed each other to become better, to keep going. But now that I've finally won, it feels... different. It's like a chapter closed. And I know she doesn't want to admit it, but I think she'll miss it too."

Elyonari stood still, listening intently. She hadn't expected such a raw admission from him, especially not so soon after the fight. But there it was, unspoken feelings laid bare. She thought about what he'd said, about how a rivalry that had defined their interactions for so long had suddenly come to an end.

"Well..." Elyonari began softly, "sometimes, it's okay to miss things. It doesn't make you weak. It means you cared. But you can't let that stop you from moving forward, you know?"

She hesitated as the words left her lips, unsure if they were the right thing to say. After all, she wasn't exactly the expert on dealing with rivals. But there was something about the way Vastarael carried himself, so alone in his victory yet understanding the weight of it, that made her feel like he needed to hear it.

"Even though I have no right to say this but from what I saw... you're not just a symbol of victory for her, Prince Vastarael. You're... a reminder. A reminder that people change. And sometimes, endings are the beginning of something new. Maybe she just needs time to understand that."

There was a moment of silence after her words and Elyonari watched as he stood there, his expression unreadable for a beat longer than she felt comfortable with. But eventually, he shifted, his gaze softening slightly.

"You're right. Maybe it's time to move on. For both of us."

Then, to her surprise, he lifted his hand slowly to his face, his fingers brushing lightly against the edges of his mask. Elyonari's heart skipped a beat as he gently removed the mask from his face.

For a moment, everything felt like it froze in time. As it slipped away, Elyonari was left staring at the face beneath it.

His features were nothing short of mesmerizing. His white, curly hair framed a face that was sculpted with a perfect balance of sharp angles and soft curves. His cheekbones were high and defined and his jawline was strong and elegant. But it was his eyes that captivated her the most—his intense, golden eyes.

And then there was the smile.

The smile he gave her was genuine, warm, and for the first time, Elyonari understood why he wore the mask. The sheer magnitude of his beauty was almost overwhelming. It was as if the very air around him had changed, pulling her closer to him in a way that made her breath catch in her throat.

"Thank you," he said softly, his voice carrying a sincerity that sent a wave of warmth through Elyonari's chest. "You didn't have to say that, but... I think I needed to hear it. You've helped me more than you know. Even though we just met yesterday... you're pretty easy-going."

She could barely breathe for a moment. But then, she understood. She understood why everyone—including his own sisters—couldn't stop looking at him. It wasn't just the mask or the air of mystery that surrounded him. It was him. His presence, his kindness, the power and vulnerability he carried with him, it was all part of a package that made him impossible to ignore.

"I—I'm glad," she stammered, unsure if her voice had even sounded steady. She cleared her throat and forced a smile. "I'm really glad, Prince Vastarael. And... happy seventeenth birthday."

Vastarael's expression softened and there was a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes as he nodded.

"Thank you, Princess. I don't think I've ever had someone say that so genuinely before."

Elyonari's heart raced again, though she didn't know whether it was from the warmth in his voice or the deeper understanding that had formed between them. She could only smile back, even if it was slightly embarrassed.

°°°°°°°

Hours passed in a quiet lull after the interaction and Elyonari found herself wandering the royal gardens with her mother. It was one of those rare moments when everything felt still, when the soft sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves filled the air like a distant lullaby.

The gardens were alive with vibrant flowers—colors that Elyonari hardly put into words—everything from exotic petals that twirled in the breeze to blossoms that seemed to glow faintly under the sun's soft light.

She inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the flora that filled the air. It always brought her peace and for a moment, she let herself get lost in the serenity of the moment. Her mother, Arthrea, stood beside her, admiring the delicate flowers in silence.

"Do you know, Elyonari," her mother began, her voice warm and calm, 'I've always found something magical about the royal gardens of Richinaria. The way these flowers grow, how they bloom with such intensity... there's something deeply symbolic about it. Every petal, every leaf, it feels like it's part of a story we can't fully understand. They have the rarest flora in Spheraphase."

Elyonari, glancing at the flowers around them, nodded slowly.

"And they're taken care of so well. I heard that Monarchess Lysameria came today and she's the one who takes care of the garden herself. I'm impressed. She's more... gentle than I expected."

They continued walking in companionable silence but it didn't take long before the conversation shifted again, this time to a subject Elyonari had not expected to come up so soon.

"So, What about Prince Vastarael? I noticed you spent some time with him earlier today. How are you finding him?"

Elyonari's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't prepared for this. She'd been trying to sort through her thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had happened this morning, but now that her mother had asked about him, the emotions she'd been trying to keep under control rushed forward. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but she was sure her mother could see right through her.

Like how she knew she met him.

"I..." Elyonari hesitated, glancing over at her mother. "I saw him without the mask earlier."

She hadn't planned on saying that, but the words spilled out before she could stop them.

Her mother's gaze sharpened, though she didn't seem at all surprised. She studied Elyonari for a moment, before speaking softly.

"I see. And how did that make you feel?"

Elyonari stood still, her hands tightening at her sides as she thought. It was hard to put it into words.

"I... didn't know what to expect at first. But when it came off... It's like everything about him changed. I can't even explain it. It's as if he became more real somehow, more... present."

Her voice faltered, and she bit her lip, feeling a flush rise on her cheeks.

"But it's not just that. It's... his eyes. His smile. His presence. It's overwhelming. I've never met someone like him. There's something about him that draws you in, even when you don't want to be drawn in. It's not just the beauty either, Mother... it's deeper than that. He carries so much. I can feel it, even when he doesn't say a word. And... I think he feels it too. I hate to admit it but... he's the most handsome man I have ever seen. And I hate men."

Her mother was silent for a moment, watching her with that knowing look.

"He has lived through a lot of burdens, Elyonari. More than most people realize. He almost died at thirteen. His mother subjected him to harsh training at a young age. His father also taught him about mysticism."

Elyonari looked at her mother, unsure of how to feel. It was almost like a fog had lifted and she could see everything more clearly now, but it still left her with so many questions.

"Anywho, I'm glad you are in good terms. Since you'll be going to the academy soon and he'll be joining, it's best that you befriend him."

"For political matters?"

"No. Because you need friends."

Elyonari's expression faltered for a moment. She had friends in the natural world, the trees, the animals, the winds, but other elves, people who didn't share her bond with nature, were... different. And Vastarael... well, he was a different kind of challenge.

"But... I don't know if I can just 'befriend' him," Elyonari said quietly, almost to herself. "He's a prince. He's different. And... there's something about him I can't quite... figure out. It's confusing."

Her mother chuckled softly, the sound rich with understanding and love. She placed a hand on Elyonari's shoulder, grounding her with her touch.

"I know, my dear. He's different. But that doesn't mean you can't find a way to relate to him. You've always had a way with understanding things most people can't see. This will be no different."

Elyonari leaned into her mother's embrace, her eyes closing for a moment as she allowed herself to feel the love that her mother had always provided.

She took a deep breath, finally looking up at her mother with a smile.

"I'll try, Mother. I'll try to be his friend."

Arthrea smiled back, her eyes full of pride and affection.

"That's all I ask of you, Elyonari. And no matter what happens, remember I'm always here for you. Always."

Elyonari's heart warmed at her mother's words.

"I know, Mother," Elyonari said softly. "And I'm thankful for that."