Princess Claudia Nathalie Breitkreuz was a beloved figure in the Kingdom of Avianoia even three years after her death.
The princess had grown to be a lovely child, full of childlike wonder, despite having been raised in a secluded tower on the edge of the kingdom, where she had been exiled to as an infant under the pretext of her lacking magic.
Despite these tragic beginnings, she had eventually awakened to the formidable talent in magic that ran in her family and had come to be known as a prodigious conjurer in her own right.
Claudia was the youngest child of the royal family and had frequently appeared before the people of the kingdom, charming them with her innocent nature. They had watched over her warmly, praying for her continued growth and happiness.
Had she lived, she would have turned sixteen this year.
She was still as beautiful as the day she died. Even though three years had passed since her death, her body remained untouched by decay.
Frozen in time at the tender age of thirteen, she lay in eternal slumber within a midnight-black coffin placed within the royal castle. Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, a clear contrast to the crimson of the mortuary makeup that had been applied to her lips. The vivid red, reminiscent of freshly spilled blood, stood stark against the white lilies that filled her coffin.
Although she looked as if she might wake at any moment, her heart did not sound with beating, which had long since ceased. Her chest did not rise with her breaths, which did not come. Her eyelids remained closed. A thousand nights had passed since she last opened them.
A solemn voice addressed those gathered.
“Ah, it seems we are all assembled.”
That day, the great chapel within the royal palace of Avianoia was host to a gathering of scholars.
They were leading magicians, handpicked from across the known world and each a master of their respective fields. Their expressions were grim as they took their usual seats.
Beyond the chapel door, the kingdom’s mage knights stood vigil.
A knight, having compiled the latest reports from the rest, addressed their commander.
“Captain, all scholars have arrived safely and taken their seats. The escort mission is complete.”
The young captain nodded.
Those who stood guard at the door consisted of the kingdom’s elite mage knights. However, they were stationed here not for battle but for the safe passage of the gathered scholars from far and wide.
The knight continued his report. “As per standard procedure, another unit shall assume the duty of safeguarding the chapel for the duration of the proceedings. Once the deliberations have concluded, the king’s debriefing will be overseen by the Royal Guard, under the command of Lord Karlheinz.”
“Good work,” the captain said. Despite being younger than his subordinates, he spoke with a quiet authority. “Though this is something we do monthly, guarding such high-profile individuals is no small burden. You must all be exhausted. Leave the rest to the next unit and take your well-earned rest.”
“Thank you, sir. But what of you, captain?” the knight asked.
“I shall remain to attend to the chapel’s security.”
His words were met with startled glances.
None among them had shouldered a greater burden during this operation than their captain. It was he who had labored most tirelessly to ensure the success of their mission.
One of the knights protested. “I-If that is the case, allow us to take your place! Captain, surely none deserve rest more than yourself!”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but it is unnecessary.”
“Wait! Please reconsider, Captain Noah!”
His subordinates called after him, but Noah’s sights were focused forward as he made his way into the chapel.
The medals on the front of his military attire glinted under the light, each a testament to his distinguished service. They were marks of valor, awarded by the king himself to those who had achieved exceptional merit. For the past two years, Noah had served as the captain of the First Chapter of Mage Knights of Avianoia.
His tall, well-honed frame and impeccable posture only added to his commanding presence. Upon catching sight of him, the knights stationed inside the chapel found themselves unconsciously standing straighter.
As they watched him take his station, one of his subordinates sighed. “What endurance he possesses. Not only is he busy as our captain, but he works harder than any of us, all for the sake of this kingdom.”
One of his comrades patted him on the shoulder. “Well, he is expected to become the next chief conjurer. All that work ethic—and he’s only nineteen! They say Lord Karlheinz himself mentored him from childhood.”
“Even so, shouldn’t he rest at least a little?”
The knights exchanged worried glances, genuinely concerned for their young leader. Just then, a silver-haired man appeared before them, speaking in an even tone.
“You need not worry yourselves over him.”
“Commander Karlheinz!”
At his sudden presence, all knights stood at attention. Karlheinz, whose appearance had scarcely changed in a decade, cast his gaze toward the chapel.
“I will speak to Noah myself. But for now, do as he instructed and rest.”
“U-Understood, my lord. Then, with your leave.”
With a single nod, Karlheinz dismissed them. His gaze then lifted toward the chapel’s second-floor window where his young protégé now stood, and he sighed.
✦ ✦ ✦
Noah stood in the shadows of the chapel’s upper gallery and listened to the voices of the assembled scholars below.
“As with last month, today’s discussion will focus on the possibility of resurrecting Princess Claudia.”
From his vantage point above the congregation, Noah surveyed the gathering. The scholars numbered well over a hundred—far too many to be accommodated in the palace’s meeting hall. Thus, this sacred hall, a place of prayer, had been repurposed for the occasion.
“Her Highness’s heart has ceased beating. She no longer breathes. Nonetheless, her body remains untouched by decay and is preserved as it was at the age of thirteen.”
The elderly head scholar, who presided over the assembly, repeated the same words he had spoken the month before. No progress had been made, for none present had come up with any solution.
“In truth, we cannot even say with certainty whether Her Highness is truly deceased.”
“If she is gone,” one scholar murmured, his voice weary, “then the conclusion is simple. No magic exists that can return the dead to life.”
Noah watched in silence.
For three long years, Noah’s princess had lain within her coffin, lost in slumber.
It was as if her heart and lungs were frozen in time. She no longer called his name, nor did she look at him with her opal-colored eyes or laugh in that soft, delighted way of hers.
And yet, she had promised she would wake.
And so, Noah had remained as he had always been—her unwavering servant.
And he would continue to do so, no matter what might come to pass.