Killing Two/Three Birds With One Stone

"Your Highness, I was just about to raise the very point." Aurelius did his best to maintain a polite demeanor, despite feeling a twinge of contempt at the crown prince's interruption. With a graceful gesture, he performed the fae greeting, to which Ambrose mirrored him, greeting both Aurelius and Crystal simultaneously as Crystal too joined them.

"Please accept my sincerest apologies, I happened to be passing by and overheard your conversation. Despite being a fire fae, I have always been intrigued with nature so I could not help myself from speaking up about the Mysticum Vale. It is said to be a magnificent sight to behold." Ambrose bowed his head to offer a proper apology, and Crystal shook her hands in panic. The crown prince bowing to her was not a rumor she would want to include on her list.

"However, after last night, I suppose the two of us are close enough acquaintances to share small worries," Ambrose suggested, his glance at Crystal, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Would you not agree?" And Crystal's head clicked instantly. She had seen Madonia in her dreams, and Ambrose knew her in real life, so he might be someone she could use in the future.

"Certainly," Crystal chimed, smiling at him, and Aurelius watched the exchange with growing unease. He had been friends with Crystal for nearly a month, but it seemed that she was more at ease around this newcomer than she had ever been with him. He couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy as he clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the space between Crystal and Ambrose.

Ambrose, too, was surprised by his own behavior. He had expected Crystal to be more guarded, more wary of him after their initial encounter, but then he looked at himself, he too had behaved out of character.

"Can you tell me the way to the Mysticum Vale?" Crystal asked, and Ambrose nodded his head. Aurelius looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. He knew the only way to the Mysticum Vale was through the portal. Was he talking about the same thing he assumed?

"The process of reaching the Mysticum Vale is not a simple one, as the sole passage to enter it is through a portal," Ambrose explained.

"However," Aurelius interjected, his voice tinged with skepticism, "As students of Archaios Hellas Academy, we are not permitted to use the portal without the headmistress's permission." He attempted to undermine Ambrose's proposal.

"Indeed," Ambrose responded with a nod, considering Aurelius' statement. "However, there is a portal located within the Fae Palace that we could utilize without the academy's knowledge. If it pleases you, I could escort you there."

Aurelius bristled at the suggestion. "Your Highness," he said, his tone composed and measured, "It should be noted that one needs to acquire permission to access the same portal for visiting the Fae Kingdom in the first place."

Ambrose smiled slyly. "True," he responded with a subtle smile. "However, as the Crown Prince of the Fae Kingdom, I am granted unrestricted access to the portal. Therefore, I could escort you if you are willing to take the risk."

The headmistress gets the alarm whenever someone uses the portal but she only gets the knowledge of where it is being used for and not who is using the portal. So even if Crystal went along with Ambrose, no one would know she had used the portal.

Crystal clapped her hands in excitement, her eyes shining with anticipation. She would be able to do many things. She would be visiting the Fae Kingdom and then the Fae Palace, and eventually, the Mysticum Vale. It was like killing two birds with one stone, or maybe killing three birds with the same stone.

"Then I will be grateful to you, of course," Crystal said, giving Ambrose a big smile, and Aurelius controlled his urge to scoff.

"But, Crystal," Aurelius whispered into her ear, his voice hushed and conspiratorial, “How do you place trust in him so easily, Crystal? One can never truly know what lies within another's thoughts, and, moreover, there could be countless dangers lurking within the Mysticum Vale. Are you certain that this is a risk worth taking?"

His eyes betrayed his concern, and though Crystal appreciated it, she refused to let her fear get the best of her. Just as Aurora had mentioned that she had inherited her mother's zeal and her father's courage, and she would not let anyone or anything stop her from forging ahead and finding her destination.

But before Crystal could assure Aurelius, Ambrose spoke up again, "Rest assured, You have my word that no harm will come to her under my watch."

It was not that Crystal was not hesitant to give her trust to Ambrose, but she knew she had to keep him close so she could get the knowledge about Madonia whom he had mentioned the previous evening.

"Aurelius, you don't understand how desperate I am to seek answers to my questions," Crystal said, looking deep into his eyes. "I will accept anyone's help if it means I can get to my destination." Distress shone through her eyes, and Aurelius sighed, conceding that he could not dissuade her from accepting Ambrose's help.

"I comprehend your perspective, Crystal, however, Your Highness," Aurelius contested Ambrose, "may I inquire as to why you are so keen on offering your assistance to us?" Ambrose looked at him with a raised eyebrow, a polite smile playing at his lips.

"I cannot speak for you, Aurelius, as my sole intention is to be of assistance to Crystal," Ambrose stated, with an even and sincere tone. "She has aided me, and it is my obligation to reciprocate the favor." He turned to Crystal and smiled warmly at her.

He had faced similar situations multiple times before where he would find Madonia in front of him out of nowhere, and he would go into a frenzy, apologizing to her and missing her, and blaming himself for what had happened in the past. It was quite difficult for him to get out of that frenzy, but because of Crystal, he felt relaxed instantly. It almost made him feel like he did not need to torture himself for what had happened, like an instant peace.

Aurelius looked at Crystal blushing and looking away from Ambrose, making him further furious.

She was just flustered that he took such a small gesture to be the help.

…

"Where are you going?" Marina asked as she lit up the room with her magic, who had been awakened by Crystal's movement, and Crystal stopped in her tracks. She did not know she would be caught that easily.

She turned around to see a frustrated Marina looking at her with a questioning gaze, and Crystal chuckled, scratching her head.

"Hey! You're up?" Crystal asked, stating the obvious, trying to lighten the atmosphere between the two, even if it was impossible.