To avoid the paparazzi, Drew followed Ryze and Prezy through one of the back entrances to the recording studio in Kinsard, Ozwarth’s Entertainment District, under the 2nd Princess, Hern Joquest.
Prezy tapped her wristband against a panel concealed by stacks of boxes filled to the brim with bubble wrap. A portion of the concrete wall pressed back, revealing an unassuming hallway.
“After you, boys.” Prezy gestured as she moved away from the entry, looking out for anyone who wasn’t permitted on the premises.
Once they were in, the door disguised as a concrete slab slid back into its original position. Drew could’ve sworn he saw a white limousine pull up right behind them from the corner of his eyes, but it was too late for him to return and keep the door open.
“T-minus forty. Traffic here was worse than usual.” Prezy sighed, checking the itinerary.
“Is everything prepared in the dressing rooms?” Ryze asked in a professional tone, starkly contrasting his casual and laidback demeanor on the ride to the studio.
Staff members were running back and forth to prepare for the airing. Some were not paying any attention to the celebrity, while others spared a quick moment to greet him, to which Ryze reciprocated with a smile and a wave.
“Yes!”
While it was apparent to any regular person that the two were discussing professional matters, Drew knew they were keeping a close eye on him. The moment that door slammed behind him, his training had begun.
It was unconventional, but he understood there was no better way for him to learn than to do it in real life.
He had learned from Gerald how to make his footsteps soundless and suppress his Otrio. However, what Cadmus had him do was definitely more difficult to accomplish.
Even Gerald had warned him about it.
A few days ago, Drew had visited Gerald at the Tavern.
“Everyone has a certain presence to them-“ the Head Butler began, placing a glass of sparkling water in front of Drew. “Hiding that presence depending on the environment is the toughest part. If your target is unaware of your existence, it’s much easier. That’s what I’ve taught you so far. If your target knows exactly who you are, that’s an entirely different story.”
“Then what do about that?”
“That’s the interesting part,” Gerald said. “You need to understand your role in the place you’re in. Until now, do you know what all your identities have in common?”
Drew ran his finger around the edge of his glass. The ripples in the water distort his reflection. As it settled, the Avian gave Gerald his answer.
“They’re all too conspicuous?”
“Excellent, Young Master.” Gerald chuckled. “It’s much easier to act in such a manner instead of discreetly. To act discreetly, you need to be able to blend into your environment. Of course, you’ll only understand it once you get real-life experience, which is something I’m leaving up to Cadmus to teach you.”
“Any advice you can provide me?”
“The less you think about integrating yourself, the more likely you are to succeed.”
Even though Gerald had advised him not to think too hard, he still needed a game plan. From the itinerary, I noticed there were only a few places where the Avian could conceal himself, given the time and range requirement. The first was in the lounge area of the studio, where everyone had their breaks and meals. The second was on set during the interview. The dressing area had too many rooms, which he wasn’t allowed to hide in, and the lots were too open, and it would be even easier to spot him.
However, Ryze and Prezy would most likely be alert during those two times, given that this was the most logical way to approach the assignment. The Avian could also gamble on this chance, but it is under the assumption that his reverse psychology play would work.
Engrossed in his thoughts, the Avian suddenly felt like a light bulb had switched in his head. Aside from the initial rules, he could do anything else he wanted. Drew fiddled with a strand of hair from the wig.
Neither Ryze nor Prezy knew of the other Ability he had.
Why not use it to his advantage?
>>>
Wan found herself kicking an aluminum can across the unpaved streets of Glass Road. Sylvia had invited her to come and watch Elias’s interview as the 40th Prince lived at her place.
It felt weird to see him as a completely different person on screen compared to the dorky self that she was accustomed to. The person she saw struggling in the Selections and now entering the world of socialites was nothing more than a well-crafted fake—a character being played for appeal, entertaining the masses.
It made her stomach churn.
Elias had clarified why he’d needed to assume his role, but that wasn’t what worried her. The people up there were more cruel and cunning than anywhere else in Ozwarth.
She pursed her lips, her unsavory memories bubbling to the surface.
All of her life, she has run away from things. Instead of standing up for herself against the dirtbags from high society, she consistently let them drown her further and further until it was too late to undo the events that transpired. There were so many chances, and yet she refused to take them.
I was foolish. Wan grits her teeth. To survive here, everyone had to play this sick game.
The Siren scoffed. The bubbly personality she displays every day is replaced by a listless aura. What a grim reality.
Even with the Nevasuares paying their dues, many things remained unresolved. Wan had always prayed for a miracle or divine intervention to bring her life back to some semblance of normality. Her prayers were nothing more than unanswered cries for help.
No knight in shining armor would come to her aid.
As much as she appreciated everyone’s care, they all had their burdens to carry. Yet, despite them, they can still march forward while she remains stuck in her blissful and bitter past. She needed something to put her mind at ease.
Hoping for a miracle was impossible.
The Siren needed to create her own, even if that meant returning to places she didn’t want to.
With a flick of her wrist, a hologram materialized a list of contacts.
The Siren tapped on the search bar. Her hands hesitated to type in the name she conjured in her head.
“Augh, darn it!” She shouted in the relatively empty streets of Glassroad, finding the name of the individual she needed to contact. She taps on the name, and a call icon is below the individual’s profile.
Wan shut her eyes momentarily, taking it in that once she made the call, she couldn’t retract anything she said. This wasn’t the time to deliberate, and the light blue-haired girl was well aware of that. If she wanted things to change, this was necessary.
She pressed the call icon, her wristband buzzing as she waited for someone to answer. To her surprise, they picked up quickly.
“Hello?” The voice on the other end responded.
Wan scratched behind her slightly pointy ear.
“It’s me.”
“Hey,” the voice cackled on the other in. “Long time no talk! What’s the occasion!”
Wan let out an exhale.
“I’m ready to go back.”
Suddenly, something breaking on the other side could be heard.
“Woah, that’s so sudden! You went no contact for three years!”
“There are some things I need to address. Could you make some arrangements?”
“Of course!” The voice chimed. “I’d be happy to do so for you! Many were dying for you to come back!”
“Glad to hear,” Wan laughed. Her stomach churned as those words escaped her lips. “Send me the list.”
“It’s my job! Let me know what catches your fancy!”
>>>
“Action!” The director's voice rang throughout the studio as the cameras began rolling.
Ryze, who had replaced his casual wear for a black and maroon suit delivered in pristine condition less than an hour ago, was sitting in his designated seat. It was a velvet sofa he had been using since the first episode was shot live in this studio. There was no doubt that he had an attachment to it.
Sitting across from him were the well-anticipated guests of honor for this episode of Trailblazers.
40th Prince Liam Ederas and 40th Princess Operahine Segord.
With a pass he acquired from Prezy earlier, Drew was now known as Ryze’s other assistant. Thanks to that, Drew could go anywhere in the studio without question. The time was ticking for the Avian, but now wasn’t the time to execute his plan.
He could feel both Harbinger's gaze on him even though it didn’t appear they were looking at him. The Avian flicked his eyes towards the new Royals.
Elias, taking on the identity of Liam Ederas with his gelled blonde-haired and shining silver eyes, wore that familiar suit that Drew had picked up from the dry cleaners some time ago. With the spotlight hitting his radiant, picturesque face, the doofus from Glass Road looked no different than an angel.
To his left was the other star of this show, Operahine Segord. Drew had only seen her behind the screen, but it was a completely different story now that she was before everyone in the flesh.
She was the spitting image of a fairytale Princess.
Long, snowy white hair that matched her pale skin tone flowed down to her elbows. Golden eyes that gave off the same luster as the precious metal itself. A gray-off-shoulder dress decorated in hundreds of what may or may not have been natural crystals complemented by her gold and silver jewelry and glass heels. Her calm expression and straight posture exuded an aura of nobility, making her the perfect example of what a Princess should be.
Drew folded his arms together as he watched from a dark corner of the recording studio. There was no doubt that there were rumors about how the two new Royals appeared to make the ideal couple. He would've assumed the same if the Avian didn’t know any better. However, after living with Elias for a year, he knew that the Human was forcing himself to put up with this for the sake of publicity. His straight face told Drew everything he needed to know. The slight twitches on the corners of his mouth made it clear that he was definitely uncomfortable and wanted to get things over with.
“Good morning, Kraus! I’m your host, Ryze Vermillion, and you’re watching the 100th episode of Trailblazers! Today, I’ve brought us two extraordinary guests! Our new 40th Royals, Prince Liam Ederas and Princess Operahine Segord.”
“Thanks for having us today.” Elias, as Liam, responded cordially while Opera nodded along, smiling.
“Not at all,” Ryze laughed. “Thank you two for gracing us with your presence! And without further ado, let’s get this show on the road!” A hologram materialized from the coffee table reveals the first question. “Oh, we’re already getting into things! Tell us why you both decided to participate in the Selections?”
“I think I can answer that one first.” Opera spoke, taking the initiative. “The War of Royals, as much of a political game as it is to create the next generation of leaders, has reached the point where we view it as nothing more than a comedy skit. Now, I don’t mean to chastise every Royal or former Royal out there, as many have contributed greatly to our planet over the years; however, that’s only here. Amongst the stars in the Cerber System was a mere atom, a planet that’s not even recognized by many outside of it. I desire to bring Kraus onto the greater stage.”
“Ambitious, aren’t we? As for you, Prince?”
“I suppose you could say my reasons are similar to the Princess,” Elias replied. “I desire to focus on underrepresented communities. Kraus has now overlooked individuals from many of the outer Districts. As Opera mentioned, our planet may have grown, but it's stagnated. We may have many with talent but nowhere up to par with first-rate planets, yet so much of it goes unnoticed. If we could support these individuals and give them a chance to break out of the vicious cycle, there is a chance that Kraus could be promoted from the rating it had for the last half a millennia."
"Thank you both for your answers!" Ryze keeps his professional smile. "Our next question is: what's something surprising about you that our viewers might now know?"
Once again, Opera responded first.
"Ah, I'm quite the fan of sour drinks and candies."
"Have you tried that one candy from Earth? T*xic Wa*te?"
"It's one of my favorites!" Opera laughed, placing her hand over her mouth. "What about you, Prince?"
Elias chuckled, playing along with the cheerful atmosphere on campus. "My apologies, but I do have more of a sweet tooth."
From behind the scenes, Drew smirked. This guy basically just rejected the 40th Princess.
"What a pity, but perhaps I could introduce some that aren't too common on Kraus."
The Avian raised his brows. Was this Princess pushing it?!
"I think there are still many from here that I've yet to try. I'd like to fully experience them before venturing out..."
As the interview progressed, though subtle, Elias made it clear that he was doing his best to keep his distance from Opera.
"Must be a headache."
Tysm for the chapter!