THE THIRD MAGE 10 Secre

"Your Highness, come in."

The Prince noted the panic and fear on Denaire's face.

"Denaire, what's wrong?"

As soon as she closed the door, she looked at the Prince and stretched her hand. The Prince, confused since earlier, looked at Denaire inquiringly. "What do you want me to do?"

And then he noticed the disfigured tiny human jumping on Denaire's hand. "What is that?" he asked in bewilderment.

"This was my early creations in stone carving. I accidentally brought it here the other day. And last night, after your visit, I think I unknowingly named it after you. I swear, I didn't know. I just talked to it, pretending it was you, because you were so sad that night. I have to get it all out. I'm sorry."

The Prince was moved by her words that he couldn't control the urge to hug the girl. "Hey, hey it's okay. I'm not angry. I'm glad you care for me." He continuously patted the girl's shoulder to calm her down.

When Denaire finally calmed down, they both sat at the bed.

"So," Prince Amon said, taking the jumping , tiny stone Prince Amon from Denaire's grasp. "This is a mini me?"

"I.. I could have made a better one you know?"

"I know. But I love this. This is beautiful."

"What? But-"

"This is your first, so naturally it is beautiful. Look how you made my legs perfect, although my face doesn't even resemble me," the Prince jokingly said.

"I didn't mean to name it after you, Your Highness."

"Hey, you can call me Amon, in private of course."

"But - "

"No buts. That's an order."

Denaire scoffed somewhat unknowingly, "Arrogant p.r.i.c.k."

Amon laughed. "That's better. I don't want you to be formal with me when it's just us two."

"Okay. n.o.body would punish me right?"

"No one. I swear."

"Okay. That's good to hear."

Amon continued playing with his smaller replica and Denaire happily watched their interaction. But her mind presented her of more pressing matters.

"Uh, so Prince- uh Amon," she quickly changed the way she addressed him after that deathly glare he gave. "What did the royal smith say?"

Amon sighed. "It's not really the name that gives an object the power. It still lies on the bearer's actions if he could live up to the fear the name of the object gives off."

"So, the name brings fear. And if the bearer couldn't come to par with it, that fear would be lost until a great one could wield it on the same power."

"How did you get that in one go?"

"Uh.. I don't - "

"Never mind." Amon replied, fascinated and jealous of Denaire's intelligence. "My father confirmed it too. Aiden doesn't give him power, it's just the confidence of holding that sword gives him more will to win. It is just an ordinary sword."

Denaire breathed out in exasperation. "So, what do you think does all of this mean?"

"Well, I think that incompatibility thing they're saying about no-mage is a hoax."

"Could be. But why hide the truth? What is really wrong with the third child?"

"Your Mama didn't say anything about it?"

"No," Denaire sadly replied. "He just strongly declared that I was her daughter. But she said, great things would soon happen now that I finally asked."

"What does she mean of great things?"

"I really don't know. Anyway, my Mama always says that whenever something big happens, like during your Magoria. So that's that."

"We're at a dead end now Denaire."

"Yeah. Maybe I should not give names yet to my pieces until we're sure of what's really happening."

"Yes. We'll both keep it as our secrets. But you still have to continue crafting, you still have to make me a sword. But no naming yet."

Denaire sighed again. 'I think I'm getting old faster. Young people should never sigh as much as I do right now,' she thought and she sighed again. "I wish I could raid a library, maybe I could find something that explains this."

"Well, the palace has one giant library. I could raid there myself. I'll bring you books to read about third child and no-mage."

"Oh that's good. But-"

Amon interrupted her. "It's better if you'd be with me there to look. I know you will not miss a little detail."

They both sighed at the same time.

"I seriously think we're older for our age." Denaire mused out loud.

"I strongly second that."

And they both laughed.

"Well, I'll find a way for you to get in the palace undetected. I know of secret pa.s.sageways that only the royal family know. I'll take you there someday. But for the meantime, you have to make do of the books I'll be bringing."

"Whatever you say, boss."

"So, I think I should probably go. It's getting late."

"Yeah. It would be bad if someone catches you out of the palace so late at night."

"So," Amon stood up, a shadow of his regal upbringing emanating from him. "See you tomorrow Denaire?"

Denaire, mesmerized by Amon's prominence, couldn't answer immediately. She felt her mouth was ensnared by the Prince's royalty.

"Denaire?" Amon asked again, his lips curling slightly upward seeing the dazed expression of the girl.

Denaire bashfully lowered her head and replied, "I'm sorry. What is it again?"

Amon chuckled playfully. "I said, see you tomorrow. And by the way, I'll be taking my little replica here. Goodnight Denaire."

Amon let himself out of the room, with a final playful glance to Denaire, before finally closing the door.

Denaire slapped her cheeks. "Seriously girl, what were you doing. You can't give the Prince googly eyes, he's the Prince for G.o.ds' sake. Aaaarggghh~!"

Denaire really felt horrified of how he looked at the Prince. "Oh, but he wants me to call him Amon. What does that mean? Oh G.o.ds. I'm reading too much romance books that I'm a.s.suming he likes me!"

And feeling so ashamed of herself, Denaire finally surrendered to sleep to escape from the growing feeling she has to the Prince.

On the other side of town, in a palace that houses the royals, a certain red-haired Prince was smiling like a fool to the moon. He couldn't really sleep, for all he saw was that fascinated look Denaire gave to him. He was afraid that in his sleep, he would forget that beautiful face.