"Son… what do you understand about your Star blessing?"
Elizabeth sat down on the edge of the bed, her body slightly turned to face Sylus.
Sylus found the question weird and unexpected.
The reason being, from the moment he could walk and speak, his father had already hired tutors to teach him everything he needed to know to be a great prince.
From how to eat at a dining table to speaking multiple languages from multiple countries, the list could go on.
But not once was he taught anything about stars by the tutors or his father, other than the basic knowledge.
So obviously his mother had to be asking him this as some sort of test, right?
Sylus shook his head.
"Nothing, Mother, I haven't been taught that yet."
Relief played on the woman's face.
"That is good; there's a reason your father hasn't lectured you about your star, like he did to your siblings."
She now grabbed his hand.
"Listen to me, Sylus; no matter what happens, promise me you will tell no one about your star. Promise me right now."
Sylus was now even more confused.
"Hasn't Dad done that part already?"
"You're right, but he never told them what the star was capable of. I'm afraid even we don't know."
Elizabeth had worry etched on her face; she wasn't trying to hide it anymore.
"The power of the Catalyst star has always been unknown. People who had studied this rare star only had a vague idea; some say those who possess the star can control the gods, others say they are able to destroy the world.
All may be true, and all may be false, but what remains a fact is that people don't know; as such, they only praise it for the status and not what it can do."
'I think I understand where she is going with this…'
It was true. Once upon a time, he too had lived on that side of the world.
Anytime he saw a businessman, he would always wish he was them; all he knew was they were living well, and that was all.
Their pay, what they had to do, or even where they worked, he knew nothing of it.
Yet, the moment he saw the black suit on men, he immediately wanted to be them.
"If people learn of what you are capable of, it won't be long before they fear you. Maybe when you're older, you can handle that, but for now, I beg you to take it slow."
"Are you also saying you don't want me exploring my star blessing?"
"That's not it, my son; I would never do anything that hinders your growth to be an amazing man when you grow up."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him and then pulled him closer for a hug.
"I am not going to ask what you were doing before I entered the room, nor do I want you to tell me. Instead, I want you to be careful whenever you are practicing your ability. Don't do so carelessly; no one should find out about what you can do, not yet."
Sylus could hear the seriousness in his mother's voice.
In response to what she said, he nodded.
"… Okay, Mother, I'll do so."
"That's my son. I know you'll be exceptional, the best this kingdom has seen."
'I don't think I—'
Suddenly, she stood up from the bed and carried Sylus down too.
"Come, let's get you outside. Your selection is waiting for you."
'Right, I forgot. That is still happening.'
...
A while later, Sylus found himself standing in his family's garden, just a bit farther away from the mansion.
From the stone terrace with its carved urns, the garden stretched out in perfect lines and curves.
Neat paths crossed soft green lawns, leading to a round fountain in the center, where water gently splashed.
Flowers bloomed in careful patterns, bright and cheerful, while trimmed hedges framed the scene. Tall trees stood at the edges, quiet and still, as if watching over everything. It was a peaceful, beautiful place—calm, tidy, and full of quiet charm.
Lined up like soldiers going to war were people, each one dressed differently, to their best, in hopes of being picked by the third prince of the Astrodial family.
Some came from far and wide, others from wealthy families, and the rest were simply citizens who wished to try their luck through recommendations.
Once you became the personal maid/assistant of an Astrodial, you were pretty much set for life.
In this kingdom, the personal assistants, known as Myesteros,were always going to be more powerful than any other nobles under the king. They were the Astrodial's right-hand men.
Standing in front of the line, Sylus began to check them one by one, his eyes making sure to scan them well before moving on to the next.
The first choice he skipped was said to be the male cousin of a baron in the kingdom; he was the same age as him and had an adult standing behind him as a guide, just like every other option in the line.
Sylus was supposed to look at them and then ask some questions, but instead, all he did was look at them and then walk away.
'Too tall.'
'Definitely a loudmouth.'
'Might be a vampire.'
'Eww.'
Sylus skipped over ten choices, all in a matter of minutes.
Even Elizabeth was beginning to worry; the options were fewer than five now, and still, Sylus hadn't made his choice.
Little did she know he was doing it for a reason.
'If I skip all of them and say I don't like them, surely they'll give me an option to pick the older maid.'
This was his reasoning throughout his selection, and he intended to go through with it.
That was until he ran into the last option.
"Good morning, Your Majesty; I hope the day greets you well."