Branch 1, Leaf 4: A Prince shouldn't have a Collector's Item

Year 2901, Kingdom of Maulaphete, before the Arrival

Everyone, literally everyone, including the knights were clearly confused about what happened. A royal announcing the presence of a prince, someone who is a candidate for supremacy, within the premise. Who on Maulaphete wouldn't be curious about meeting the prince? Even Julie and Arc were getting restless. A prince, who for once never stepped outside his castle was actually inside the Herbarium receiving medications or even giving medical advice. The crowd was exhilarated; turning their heads left and right — looking for the resemblance of the king; his prowess and atmosphere.

The royal start advancing towards Arc. He suddenly bowed down; his upper body almost parallel to the ground. Arc was speechless and all he could do was turn his head towards Julie and blink his eyes twice — signaling for help.

"Nice to meet you Prince Sebastian Maulaphete, it is an honor to meet you here today." The royal rises his head and took Arc's hands devotedly with affection and loyalty; then continued his declamation, "The mighty king of Maulaphete, Lord Warmonger Alexander Maulaphete, to escort you towards the kingdom as soon as possible, thus without further delay, we must go. Anything you've done up until now is forgiven and does not violate any laws due to your privilege as a royal and as a prince... unless you decide to not comply to the King's Decree" as he knelt down, simultaneously caressing Arc's hands and looking up to him; seemingly showering Arc with flattery yet threatening him with the King's Decree.

Arc was trying to escape the royal's grasp without disrespecting the royal and signaling Julie to step up for him. Julie approached the royal; as if not having a choice but to clarify and detest the information that was announced by the royal and to diminish the confusion of the crowd, she then questions the royal

"It seems like you got the wrong person, Sir. He... he can't be the renowned prince. I mean, look at how he looks, some tattered leather armor without any chainmail, and it seems like he's only a hauler of His Majesty. He was carrying the Triad Book of Knowledge in a sack on his waist like it was only a piece of paper. The Triad Book of Knowledge. Who would do that? Even the king would not handle these books like that.", she argued while holding up the ragged sack.

The crowd agreed to what Julie had said, starting to question the announcement of the royal. Is he in his right mind? Or is it the truth? Many speculations clouded the crowd's thoughts so the gossips started to get louder and more intense. A moment of silence begun as the royal cleared his throat to show authority.

"Haven't you seen the state of the books?" the royal asked Julie.

"Yes, sir. It was clean and..." she replied disorientedly; proceeding to unwrap the books from the sack, "WAIT WHAT? It was clean? Not even a single scratch or damage, unlike his tattered armor." she asked herself confused and the look on her face said it all; coherent skepticism.

"That sack you are holding is a magic item, it is embued with space crystals — A high-grade Bullakaw, a space stone that traveled the night skies and also known as the Stone of the Celestials, that holds magical properties that could compress items. That sack is the so-called Collector's Item. Their tool. Basically their weapons as the couriers. They need to deliver items in top shape and best quality." the royal explained with enthusiastically confidence and vigor as he approaches Julie and looks up, "Now, I wonder who was treating the book inappropriately?" the royal snickered.

Julie was clearly infuriated due to this embarrassing conversation as she was ignorant of the whole situation. She cast her glances towards Arc as she tilts her head towards him, seemingly carrying short stabbers through her gaze as a sign of her anger.

"But look at him, he does not look like a prince nor act like a prince. He looks poor like someone came from Mouxe." She exclaimed as she points at Arc.

Insults hurt Arc as if an arrow pierced his heart yet he was smiling because it was true. He then let out a soft laugh as he scratches the back of his head. He simpered then later smiled.

"It is clearly a disguise. The prince wouldn't walk around wearing glamorous things because he knew that he would attract a lot of attention like a Black Stone that is thrown in sand. That's how intelligent our prince is, after all, he is the future of our kingdom" the royal replied mocking Julie.

"But how do you know he is the prince, no one has seen the prince," she argued.

The royal took out a portrait of Arc and the stamp of the king as proof that it was legitimate. He grinned clearly to belittle our precious Julie.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! How dare you lie to me. " she was silent yet Arc heard it loud and clear through her eyes that were burning with rage and could burn Arc's conscience for asking her help. Arc couldn't do anything but bow his head and ask for forgiveness at a different time. The royal then proceeded towards Arc and tenaciously grab his hands again -- so passionately, almost holding the hands of the one who will save his life from poverty.

"We must not waste time here, my lord. The King is becoming impatient of your return." the royal begged him in his knees resembling a child begging for food. His eyes. His damn smile. That's where the trouble began. The troubled Arc wasn't sure how to react until the royal winked and smiled terrifyingly. Arc was alarmed about how the royal react yet he knew what actions he should take.

"Before I come with you, may I ask you a question?" Arc retracted his hand from the royal's grasp slowly and gently, at the same time the royal nodded "Where is Molly? I meant Monnique Ollie Von Schmirtz" he asked

"Hmm it seems like you know our Sword Maiden..." the royal declared and as he looked at Julie, "... and that girl's older step-sister" he added.

Everyone was shocked and a lot of jaws dropped. Arc became restless and couldn't his hands from shaking. He was so happy that everyone could see his smile from ear-to-ear.

"If you want to know more about the current state of our Kingdom, come with me and our King shall answer your questions, after all, you are the PRINCE" the royal declared as he proceeds to his carriage.

"Wait for me!" Arc shouted as he lashed out his blanket and got off from his bed as if he wasn't injured. Julie was stupefied as she sees Arc being energetic; that he was able to run as fast as lightning to the carriage and sit dignified in it as if he was actually a royal.

Julie later realized something. If the sack was a Collector's Item then a prince shouldn't have it unless... She didn't bother to think deeper about it because of her hatred.

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