Little Pink Starfish

A carriage of astonishing grandeur and opulence was welcomed into the castle.

The royal carriages of Dias were luxurious in their own right, yet they paled in comparison to the one now before them.

The knights surrounding it were clad in custom-made armor, each piece meticulously crafted. Even the horses they rode were all pure white, adding to the spectacle.

“Look at them—those so-called holy knights acting all high and mighty.”
“The esteemed knights of the Fana’ara Temple, huh…?”
“…I never thought they’d come to Dias Castle.”
“I heard the High Priest is with them.”
“The High Priest of the Fana’ara Temple?”

The soldiers within the castle were unable to hide their shock, their expressions filled with awe.

The carriage door opened, and all eyes turned to the figure emerging from within.

A man with pale golden hair, lightly waved, let his strands flutter as he stepped out. He was adorned in exquisite robes, intricately woven with the temple’s unique patterns.

A teardrop-shaped crystal earring glistened on his right ear, catching and refracting the light with every subtle movement.

His eyelashes were so long that each blink seemed to whisper a sound. When his emerald-green eyes landed on the person who had come to greet him, they narrowed seductively.

“It has been a while, Prince Samuel.”
“You look well, High Priest Reachalf.”
“Receiving your letter set my heart aflutter after so long.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, so much so that I forgot to send word ahead in my haste… I must have caused quite a stir.”
“I informed His Majesty personally, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Ah, I see.”

Reachalf cast a bewitching smile at Samuel, his presence drawing in those around him. Some of the soldiers were so captivated by his sheer allure that they seemed on the verge of fainting.

“Do you think His Majesty is displeased by my abrupt visit?”
“If anyone is to be blamed, it would be me.”
“Oh dear, then I must apologize.”

Despite his words, there wasn’t the slightest hint of remorse in Reachalf’s expression. Samuel merely chuckled.

“You haven’t changed.”
“And you, Prince Samuel, seem to have changed a little.”

Just then, a commotion stirred near the entrance. Turning toward the sound, the two men saw Asher standing there, his face frozen in shock.

“…Brother Samuel, who is this…?”

Samuel raised an eyebrow slightly, studying Asher.

“Ah, Asher. Good timing. I was planning to introduce you—this is High Priest Reachalf of the Fana’ara Temple.”

Still caught off guard, Asher shifted his gaze to Reachalf, who in turn locked eyes with him.

“…So, this is Prince Asher, the Third Prince mentioned in the letter. Just as the people say… you are truly beautiful.”

Reachalf’s smile was breathtakingly enchanting, yet his eyes did not match the warmth of his lips. A strange unease prickled at Asher’s skin.

“It is an honor to meet you. I am Reachalf, High Priest of the Fana’ara Temple. Please remember me henceforth.”

With elegance and grace, Reachalf bowed. Asher quickly lowered his head in return.

As he did, he felt Reachalf’s unwavering gaze on him.

For a fleeting moment, the emerald depths of the High Priest’s eyes seemed to waver.

“…Indeed, you possess a soul worthy of a Divine Child.”
“Eh…?”

At Reachalf’s words, Samuel’s lips curled into a smile.

“But first, we must have an audience with His Majesty… Prince Samuel, would you guide me?”

Reachalf extended his hand toward Samuel, shifting his gaze away from Asher.

“Asher, you should come to the audience chamber as well.”
“Eh? Brother Samuel… w-why?”
“Because this concerns you.”

With that, Samuel took Reachalf’s hand and led him into the castle.

As they passed, Reachalf glanced back at Asher once more, smiling as he narrowed his eyes.

W-why…? Why is the High Priest here…?

Brother said this concerns me… does that mean…?

A sense of dread took root in Asher’s chest. His legs felt weak, and he wobbled slightly.

A firm hand caught him from behind—Theodore.

“…Your Highness.”
“Ah… sorry…”
“…It seems Prince Samuel has been acting in secret.”
“…Acting in secret? You mean—”
“He may be trying to push forward what he spoke of at the royal dining table.”
“That means… he really intends to send me to the temple…?”

No… that can’t be…

It was far too selfish.

“Even Father… he wouldn’t allow something so outrageous… he wouldn’t, right?”

His heart pounded heavily in his chest.

Anxiety clawed at him, tightening its grip.

Grasping Theodore’s hand on his shoulder, Asher looked up at him with uncertainty.

Theodore met his gaze and smiled reassuringly.

“I don’t believe His Majesty will allow it either.”
“…Yeah.”

Feeling slightly reassured, Asher took a slow breath and began walking toward the audience chamber alongside Theodore.

──────・・・・・・

Inside the grand chamber, a crimson carpet stretched across the floor, flanked by towering, intricately carved sculptures. The golden glow of the chandelier reflected off Reachalf’s crystal earring as he stood before the gathered royals.

The Black Knights of Dias lined up between the royal family and Reachalf, while the temple knights stood behind their leader.

Seated upon the throne, King Augustin regarded the High Priest with a slightly suspicious expression before speaking.

“What business brings you here so suddenly, Reachalf?”
“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I did not send word ahead, as I traveled in haste.”

Reachalf briefly flicked his gaze toward Samuel before smiling.

“I have come to invite Prince Asher, the Third Prince of Dias, to become the Divine Child of the Fana’ara Temple.”

The nobles surrounding them erupted in murmurs of shock, but their chatter was soon silenced by the sharp glare King Augustin directed at Samuel.

“Did you summon him here, Samuel?”
“…As I mentioned before, I believe Asher should enter the temple.”

At those words, Queen Angela, her body trembling with rage, made to rise from her seat. But before she could, Asher gently held her back.

“I told you—the matter of his marriage would not be decided immediately.”
“Indeed, and I am not saying he must enter the temple immediately either. I simply wished for Reachalf and Asher to meet.”

The people in the room turned their eyes back and forth between Asher and Reachalf.

“Your Majesty, may I?”

As the tension thickened, Reachalf stepped forward. King Augustin shifted his gaze to him before giving a slow nod.

“As you are aware, the Fana’ara Temple has been without a Divine Child for centuries. Do you know why that is?”

No one answered.

Turning slightly, Reachalf let his gaze settle on Asher.

“…Souls worthy of a Divine Child are exceedingly rare. Even when such souls exist, not all are fit to assume the role. For a long time, we of Fana’ara have yearned to welcome a new Divine Child… and then, I received a letter from Prince Samuel. He suggested that Prince Asher might be the one.”

Smiling radiantly, Reachalf extended a hand toward Asher.

“And indeed, Prince Asher possesses the soul of a Divine Child.”

A ripple of astonishment spread through the chamber. Asher’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Some of the nobles nodded, as if convinced by Reachalf’s words. Others exchanged wary, skeptical glances.

“…I will not send him to the temple. Reachalf, I ask that you leave.”

“Please wait, Your Majesty. Like Prince Samuel, I have no intention of forcing Prince Asher to come with me. I simply ask that he consider it. Additionally, there are matters I wish to confirm. May I be permitted to stay in the castle?”

King Augustin furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

Samuel had acted without permission, and now this man, with his empty yet honeyed smile, stood before him.

As much as he wished to refuse outright, it would be unwise to slight the Fana’ara Temple.

“You may stay… but if you try to force Asher to leave, you will be removed immediately.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Bowing, Reachalf then turned to Samuel and smiled.

Samuel returned the gesture before shifting his gaze to Asher.

But Asher, frozen in place, didn’t even notice.

The peaceful days he had prayed would last forever—he could feel them slipping away.

And so, it was decided: High Priest Reachalf would remain in Dias Castle.