"I see... well that certainly seems like the usual reaction she gives to strangers. Even some of her relatives have gotten the same treatment before."

Marcus had returned to the villa to witness Charles demoralised as he sat in the main living room. Charles had relayed the events of what had happened to Marcus, who took a moment to laugh at how comical the entire situation was. He had left out the part about the Pegasus, however, since Charles knew they weren't beasts that liked to be disturbed by humans and if Marcus found out one was interacting with the princess, who knows what he might do.

"So...what do you think I should do Marcus?"

Charles uttered as he took a small sip of his tea prepared by the servants in the villa.

"Hm... well if I'm being honest, the best case scenario for you is to simply keep on trying. The princess isn't someone who opens up to strangers. It'll likely take a while before you can even hold a proper conversation with her."

"Well isn't that lovely?"

"If it helps a little, you could try finding out what some of her hobbies are and attempt to connect with her through that?"

"And what exactly are these hobbies of hers?"

"Truth be told, I'm not too sure either."

(Seems the old man isn't gonna be any help huh?)

"For now I guess I'll take my time and figure something out while I attend your training."

"Seems like that's the best option."

Getting up from his seat, Charles attempted to motivate himself to keep trying as he slapped his cheek to reinvigorate his energy levels.

"Alright let's do this!"

Over the next few weeks, Charles began his training to become an official escort and servant to the 3rd princess. He learnt all sorts of things under Marcus, beginning with the basics of Pavonian culture including the behaviour and mannerisms of the nobility as well as what was expected of their servants. During all of this, he also learnt proper etiquette in serving a member of the royal family, which would not be useful for the first year of his job since they would be adventuring, however, he would need once the princess entered the academy and he would be in the public eye more often.

"Why in the world do nobility love all these fancy small details and behaviours!?"

Charles laid down on his bed as he lamented how boring and tedious the classes he took every day were. he would wake up as the sun rose and would only be done once the sun set. It was a much better routine than working odd jobs though, which was something he was thankful for.

Charles once again appeared in that blue ocean-like area with Pandora waiting for him with more tea in hand. Pandora was always quite busy with his head buried in books. Despite how much he complained, he seemed to be having a pretty good time reading.

"I told you it was for your own good."

(I can't deny this is pretty interesting. Seems quite a bit has changed since your time huh Charles?)

"Yeah, judging from all the info I've been receiving from you via our connection. So much has changed...it's almost unrecognisable..."

Charles's voice trailed off at the end, a hint of melancholy could be felt behind his otherwise normal tone. Noticing this, Pandora immediately attempted to shift the direction of the conversation.

(Anyway, besides the lessons you've been taking... isn't there something more important you should be tackling?)

"What are you talking about?"

(The 3rd princess of course... it's been almost 3 weeks and you've failed miserably at every attempt to talk to her.)

During the 3 weeks that Charles was attending lessons in the villa, he had tried on various occasions to talk to the 3rd princess and try to make some conversation with her. Each attempt, however, ended with her simply running off or outright avoiding him. The only saving grace of the situation was hearing from the maid staff that this wasn't a rare occurrence with other guests or tutors in the past.

Despite that, Charles was still able to feel a faint presence watching him every now and then, whenever he took his lessons. It gave him a glimmer of hope that the 3rd princess wasn't a complete shut-in. If she was at least intrigued by his presence, that was a start.

"I guess I'll head to the lakeside tomorrow again, maybe I'll find some other reason she loves going there."

Gulping down his entire cup of tea, Charles noticed something was different about the tea he just drank than the others Pandora had offered him whenever he came over.

"Did you prepare your favourite tea today?"

(Of course, I figured it was going to be a long day of finishing these books today. So I prepared the finest black tea I could create. I have to say the quality is just as good as I remember it being.)

"I see...but if it's your favourite why can't you just prepare it all the time?"

(Well that would just ruin the point of it being my favourite. If you consume too much of something regardless of how much you like it...you'll get sick of it eventually.)

"I guess that makes sense. Well, I'm heading to bed, I wanna wake up early and enjoy the one rest day I'm given in a week."

Just as his figure faded away from the dimension, Pandora readied himself for a whole night of studying.

Waking up early the next day, Charles decided to head to the lakeside while the princess was likely still in bed. The same calm and tranquil atmosphere combined with the warm early morning sun made for a very relaxing stroll. Just as he arrived at the same area he had first met the princess at, he noticed something immediately once he arrived.

The pegasus he had seen the other day was sitting next to the lake, it seemed to just be relaxing and basking in the warm sunlight. Since he knew the princess was still asleep, Charles took the opportunity to sit next to the pegasus and vent his frustrations.

"Um... Crystal was it? Man, that princess really is tough huh? To think she'd be this introverted was something I wasn't expecting."

As he continued on about all the different times he'd attempted to speak to the princess and failed, Crystal suddenly stood up from her resting position, spreading her majestic wings out and causing Charles to stare in awe for a moment. Just as she did that, she immediately sat back down and signalled for Charles to get on her back using her head.

"Eh...? Where in the world are you going to take me?"

Despite asking, Charles received no answer, however, after Pandora had also confirmed she likely wouldn't pose any sort of threat. Charles decided to just get on since it might lead him to some sort of clue to help him interact with the princess.

"Woah?!"

Just as quickly as he got on, Crystal took off with lightning speed. Charles had some history with the Pegasus clan before, yet it had been years since he rode on one. He had all but forgotten how they prided themselves on being the fastest beasts on the continent, even the famous griffin couldn't compete in terms of raw speed.

"Damn...that's a view you don't get too often."

Charles saw the deep blue sea as far as the eye could see, eventually, they were far away enough from the island that it seemed like such a small sight.

"Man...I wonder what Falco would say if he knew I was riding one of his kin."

Just as Charles was busy enjoying all the benefits that came with riding a pegasus. Crystal took a full dive downwards causing Charles to jerk backwards.

"Woah Woah! Slow down! I can't use magic to keep myself from falling anymore!"

They swiftly landed on what seemed like another small island.

"This is... there's an insanely strong magic barrier around this island."

(Yeah...this is certainly a big one. It's definitely an old one as well.)

Before Charles could speculate any further, two other pegasus's emerged seemingly from thin air. They were both male judging from the black wings that all male pegasus's had except for a few exceptions to the rule.

"Um...so what is going on?"

Immediately Crystal began speaking to them in the pegasus tongue, which was a language so old that it was around before Charles was even born. Yet, Charles was fortunate to have someone by his side who understood the language.

"What in the world are they saying?"

(They say you have his scent.)

"Must be because I didn't take a shower this morning."

(Now they're debating whether to let you in.)

"So they have some sort of secret base huh? That's interesting."

Right as they finished their conversation, the two pegasus guards disappeared and a giant gate appeared before them. The gate was adorned with incredible imagery of all sorts of beasts.

"The realm warp... what's this thing doing here...?"

Charles recognised the gate, it was one he had taken far too often in the past. Seeing it here brought back so many memories he couldn't even count all of them. Before he could say anything else, Crystal began to walk towards it and entered right after giving him the signal to follow which Charles obliged.

Entering the gate, Charles stepped into a grand chamber, one filled with white marble and had all sorts of lesser beasts standing around what seemed to be a throne. On the throne sat the most majestic and beautiful of the pegasus race resting. His wings were larger and more magnificent than any other pegasus around, just like Crystal, this pegasus was pure white, unlike so many others.

"So... my daughter returns after a month and brings back someone she claims has my scent. I wonder what sort of fool would dare make such a claim..."

Just before the pegasus could continue on, his jaws seemed to drop to the floor as he immediately got up from his throne and ran up to Charles. As his face came into full view, Charles's jaws also dropped to the floor.

"Charles!!? What in the world?! You're alive?!"

"Well...if it isn't Falco. Never thought I'd been seeing you here."

The only pegasus that Charles was acquainted with, the same pegasus he had fought with during countless battles, was standing before him now.

After the initial shock of what had happened, Falco dismissed all his subordinates and even his own family to speak privately with Charles.

"So...how exactly did you survive... all the reports said you had perished."

He was still a little too stunned to speak properly, instead, he was murmuring through his words.

"Well... I was supposed to be dead, but you know...some stuff happened and I got trapped in ice for 300 years instead."

Falco was silent for a moment, before instantly slapping Charles in the face.

"That was uncalled for man... ouch! Do you know how hard one of your hooves is especially to a human face? I can't use magic to reinforce my body anymore."

"Oh? My bad...it's just when I heard of your death, it was certainly saddening."

"I see... don't tell me you cried?"

"Of course not... I was simply shakened knowing I'd lost a good comrade."

"Well now, I'm alive so I guess all is good."

"Still...when I'd heard my daughter had returned with a human bearing my scent, I never thought it'd be you...so you still have the feather I gave you all those years ago."

"I mean... for me it was only 2 years ago."

"Well, that's certainly true."

"So Crystal is your daughter huh? I didn't recognise her because of how small she used to be."

"The pegasus race takes a long time to fully mature physically. She might be pretty rebellious at times but she'll make a good successor."

Charles could feel the sense of pride in Falco as he spoke of his daughter, he was happy for his friend he hadn't seen for so long. He thought he'd been left all alone in this world... yet he was only thinking of the human companions he had, forgetting about the numerous other races he had fought with and against who lived well past normal human age.

"Before I get carried away...I'd like to ask you something?"

Charles's tone of voice had changed to a much more serious one which prompted Falco to respond in the same tone.

"What is it?"

"Exactly what happened over the 300 years I was asleep? The world has changed so drastically... from what I've been able to gather in the short time I've been awake, something happened."

Falco stopped for a moment, pondering the question in his head before responding.

"I'm sorry Charles...I can't give you the answer you want."

"Why not?!"

Charles raised his voice as he couldn't understand why he was being denied such crucial information, especially since the answer to everything lies right in front of him.

"Unfortunately, I've agreed to a contract that prevents me from telling anyone about it, that includes you. Although I never could've imagined you would still be alive to try and find out such information. I'm sorry."

(Give it up Charles. If Falco says he can't give you an answer. It's pointless to continue.)

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry for asking."

"No don't worry about it. I should be sorry for being unable to do anything for you despite everything you've done for me."

Their conversation shifted to a more light-hearted tone as Charles explained everything that happened to him and the effects of his battle against Martin as well as his current situation.

"Haha! I never could've imagined you would willingly become a servant."

"I've got no choice. I need to repay a debt so I can go live quietly and peacefully somewhere."

The two chatted away like two old friends who hadn't seen each other in ages. Yet Charles had to go before they could finish, thus the two agreed to meet at a later date. Before leaving, however, Falco left Charles with some parting words.

"You're in quite a unique situation aren't you. The last human of a forgotten era. Regardless of what you decide to do moving forward Charles, just know that you will play a part in the affairs of the continent whether or not you want to. Whatever option you choose, stay true to your desires as you've always done."

"Yeah... I get it..."

Leaving the secret chamber through the gate, Charles once again got on Crystal as the two headed back to the island.

"By the way Crystal... I got a favour to ask you."

"Hm? Ask away, my father seems to be quite fond of you, it's only natural I do my best to assist you."

"And you're dad said you were rebellious, you seem more filial than most kids. Anyway... you're pretty close with the princess aren't you?"

"Well... I only met Lisa around a year ago and she only opened up to me about a few problems, besides I've kept from her the fact that I can speak the human language. She only knows my name because I pieced together some letter puzzle she brought one time."

"I see... so how do you think I can get her to actually talk to me without running away."

"I don't exactly like giving away personal details without permission so I'll just say this. Just keep being yourself around her and eventually things might get better."

"That is the most cliche advice I've ever heard."

"Yet one so difficult to follow."

"Well, I'll try to follow whatever you said I guess."

Just as the two touched down the ground at the same lake they were previously at. Charles got off and thanked Crystal for allowing him to meet an old friend he hadn't seen in so long. Just as he finished, he noticed a familiar mana presence watching them nearby.

"It seems the princess is here."

"Yeah seems like it."

The two whispered to each other and for the first time ever, Charles decided to do something he knew he might regret later on.

"I can see you, princess. Why don't you come out?"

Immediately, there was a thud sound as the girl fell out of the bush she was hiding in. She was most likely panicking over being discovered.

"Um... Um... No fair! It took me over 6 months before Crystal let me sit on her. Now she even let you fly with her...Just who are you...?"

She seemed really dejected and down, which was a sight that Charles had never seen before. He tried to think on the spot of something to do to cheer her up, instantly he knew what to do.

"It can't be helped I guess."

He approached the princess slowly as she seemed to grow more and more nervous. Placing his hand on his heart and taking a short bow as was the custom for greeting nobles, Charles extended his arm out.

"Eh?"

"Would you like to join me for a ride?"

She seemed stunned at such a proposal as initially seemed very hesitant, yet the thought of being able to ride on top of Crystal was something she had always wanted to do since the first she saw her flying in the air.

"Alright then..."

Accepting his hand, Charles helped her onto Crystal before giving a thumbs up to the pegasus as she took off.

"Woah!! Please slow down! I'm really not good with heights."

"I can't hear you!"

Just as they were rapidly ascending, they came to a halt as the full view of the island that they were on came into view. The princess could only stare in awe at the sight before her, all the fear and anxiety she had while ascending melted away as she couldn't help but get excited over the amazing view before her.

"Well, I hope this is something at least."

Seeing such a warm and innocent smile from the princess, Charles felt a little at ease and nostalgic. How long had it been since he had seen such a pure smile?