"You becoming stronger… hah… is that even possible?" she teased.

He just ate the last bit of skewer and stared at the river.

"What do you mean? Tch! I will become strong. Just you wait… also Senior, protect me until then," he started confidently. But at the end his voice became sheepish.

Selena looked at the weird boy with amusement.

"No shame. Just now you said that you will protect me. Now you are telling me to protect you."

Amon shrugged. "What's so shameful about getting protected by a strong woman? Does it always have to be a prince to save the heroine? Can't a princess also be the one to save the handsome man?" Amon complained. This was gender inequality.

The princess smiled. She was smiling more and more with this boy around.

"You are not wrong. If a prince saves the beautiful lady who's in danger… then a princess can also save the handsome man. There is no shame… but… when did you become a handsome? Expecting me to save you?" At her mischievous comment—

Amon's brow twitched in irritation.

This was an insult. He was a reincarnated person in this world. Of course he is a handsome man. If not only that he is hero. He should be.

Thats how reincarnation works. Not that starlight guy. Who became stronger from good for nothing young master.

He finished his skewers.

They both remained standing there. Then Amon got curious about something and asked Selena, breaking the peaceful silence.

"Senior… in that big Imperial Palace… only you and Your Majesty live… and servants and knights. What about your other family members?" Amon didn't have much idea about the current Imperial family.

He did have some lectures in class during his childhood. But damn, he never gave attention at all. Even now he does the same.

All he knew about family was that the ruler is Queen Celestia. Her consort, or Selena's father, was executed because of treason to another kingdom. No further knowledge he had… or he didn't remember.

Selena kept looking at the city and then spoke.

"You really are a countryside bumpkin. Well, I won't blame you. Guess it's still not widely known. You see, my late grandfather. My mother's father—had a brother. His name, Alistair," Selena told him softly.

"When my grandfather took over the seat as King, his younger brother became the sword of this kingdom. He gave up the surname Aurellian and became the Duke. He took Luminous as his new surname."

Amon widened his eyes. Now he remembered that name. Alistair Luminous. The current strongest human in this world. Grandfather of his close friend Seraphina.

'Wait, doesn't that mean she's cousin to Seraphina? Though they don't look close.' Amon thought.

"So Sera… I mean doesn't that make Seraphina your cousin?" he asked.

Selena nodded. "Yes it does. We know each other from childhood. But not too close," she said.

"Other family members… my aunt—my mother's sister is married to Duke Elderere. My grandparents are dead… and so is father." There was no expression on her face while she talked about her father.

Amon didn't say anything. They remained silent again.

"Should we go? I am still hungry. It will be evening soon."

Selena agreed with him as both of them wandered through the market. Not stopping at restaurants but at stalls. Eating a lot of different types of food.

---

Evening draped itself over Elarith like a velvet curtain, the sky stained in deep golds and fading purples. Street lanterns flickered to life one by one, fire-crystal light shimmering off stone roads like scattered stars.

Amon and Selena walked side-by-side toward the city's teleportation gateway, still licking the last traces of honey glaze off their fingers.

The air around them felt… lighter. Almost peaceful.

Selena waved her hand as they arrived; the imperial seal flashed, and the gateway guards immediately straightened.

"Your Highness. Sir."

Amon puffed his chest a little. Sir sounded at least better than peasant. It was amazing most people called him Sir since he came to the Capital. Bernard, servants and now this guy.

The runic circle beneath them flared, swallowing them in a swirl of mana. A blink later, the familiar walls of Elarith's teleportation hub greeted them.

The chill of evening bit softly. Merchants and travelers buzzed around the plaza, but the moment Selena stepped out, the crowd instinctively parted.

The presence of the Imperial Princess was unmistakable. It was not that they recognized her. But the guards at the gateway unnecessarily announced it.

Amon shoved his hands in his pockets, casually walking as if he belonged next to her. Someone stared too long and he met the gaze defiantly.

'Yeah, that's right. I'm walking with the princess. Be jealous.'

Selena glanced at him, not needing to read his thoughts to know he was feeling smug.

"You look like a child who just got praise for behaving well."

Amon clicked his tongue. "…You're ruining my cool moment."

"If that was cool, the standards in the countryside must be very low."

"Hah?! Senior, you really like bullying me, don't you?"

She didn't answer, only smiled as they continued toward the academy gates.

---

By the time they passed through Arcadia Academy's grand entrance, night had fully arrived. Enchanted lanterns floated gently along the pathways, bathing the grounds in a serene glow.

Trees rustled under the breeze, mana-fireflies drifting lazily between branches like wandering stars.

Footsteps slowed as they reached the crossroads leading to their separate dormitories.

Amon stretched lazily. "Today wasn't bad."

Selena looked at him from the corner of her eye. "You sound like a man who has never enjoyed life before."

"Well… most nobles don't invite commoners to stroll and eat with them. Especially not princesses." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "So yeah, was fun."

Selena blinked once. Slow, thoughtful.

"You're strange… hah… no, you are too much of a weirdo," she murmured.

"Thank you. I take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't one."

"Still taking it."

A faint breath escaped her, almost a laugh.

Their gazes met. For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Amon offered a casual wave. "See you tomorrow, Senior. Don't miss me too much."

Selena's lips curved, a hint of warmth hiding in the curve.

"I won't."

"Ouch. That hurt."

"Good. Perhaps it will motivate you to get strong faster."

"Tch. Just you wait. I'll surpass everyone—then you'll be begging me for protection."

Selena stepped past him, voice soft yet teasing.

"I'll be looking forward to that… hero."

Amon froze.

Then grinned stupidly.

"…Damn right." Amon the hero.

They parted ways, footsteps fading down opposite paths. Lantern light flickered on the academy walls, and Amon felt his chest oddly warm.

People say the world is cruel. Don't know which idiot says that.

For Amon,

'This world is so beautiful~' he thought.

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