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"My dear grandchildren," the emperor began, his eyes scanning the gathered princes and princesses. "It brings me great joy to see each of you gathered here, a testament to the unity and strength of our noble family."

His gaze lingered on Jacqueline, a glint of pride in his eyes, before shifting to Jaegar, who stood among them for the first time. "And to our newest member," he continued, "a welcome befitting the occasion. Jaegar, though this may be your first sojourn within these palace walls, the blood that courses through your veins intertwines with ours, forging an unbreakable bond.

You are family, and in our family, we find strength."

The emperor\'s words held a subtle acknowledgement of Jaegar\'s significance, weaving him seamlessly into the familial tapestry.

With a voice that carried the weight of both wisdom and experience, the emperor began conversing with his grandchildren. He asked about their endeavours, their studies, and the happenings within the kingdom. Each word from his mouth held a gravitas that demanded respect, and the younger generation listened attentively, absorbing the wisdom dispensed by the patriarch.

"May this gathering strengthen our ties and illuminate the path ahead for our family, united in purpose and prosperity," he concluded, his voice carrying the weight of tradition.

The grand feast unfolded, and the clinking of utensils against plates resonated in harmony with the subdued discussions that resumed around the table.

Amidst the shared laughter and exchanges, the emperor savoured his meal, occasionally sharing anecdotes and tales from the days of his youth. The atmosphere was infused with a sense of familial warmth and connection, transcending the grandeur of the hall.

Upon completing his meal, the emperor rose gracefully, his aged yet sturdy frame commanding attention. With a twinkle in his eye, he declared, "This has been a delightful gathering, my dear grandchildren. I would like to have another meal with you soon." The announcement was met with nods of agreement and smiles from the younger generation.

With a final glance around the table, the emperor made his exit, his departure leaving a lingering sense of reverence in the grand hall.

After the emperor\'s departure, Jacqueline, sensing Jaegar\'s unease in the grand hall, swiftly guided him out. She was concerned about the potential judgments and inquiries he might face from the other members of the royal family. Jaegar, grateful for her intervention, contemplated the prospect of returning to the academy once this royal affair concluded.

As they emerged into the garden, Jacqueline led Jaegar to a waiting carriage. It was evident that this was not a one-time event; there were more gatherings scheduled in the coming days. Jaegar, acknowledging the inevitable return, bid farewell to Jacqueline and settled into the carriage.

As the carriage began to move, it lifted off the ground, soaring into the air with a single majestic horse guiding its flight. Jaegar gazed out, pondering the events of the dinner. The inquisitive gazes of the royal family members lingered in his mind, but his focus shifted to Lorcan, who seemed to purposefully conceal him, and Vlaran, who displayed a notable interest in him.

The reasons for their curiosity remained elusive, and Jaegar resolved to uncover the truth during the next gathering.

Opening the carriage door, Jaegar stood at the threshold, feeling the gentle night breeze against his face. The moon hung on the horizon, and clouds drifted in the night sky. The coach, alarmed by Jaegar\'s stance, urged him to return inside, but Jaegar reassured him.

With the moon as his silent companion, Jaegar watched the scenery pass by as the carriage glided towards the town, nearing the academy. Having contacted Pierre, he learned that his friend was in a hotel in the town.

The anticipation of reuniting with familiar surroundings and uncovering the mysteries surrounding his interactions with the royal family fueled Jaegar\'s thoughts as the carriage made its nocturnal journey.

Having dispatched a letter via his raven to Pierre, Jaegar inquired about his friend\'s location. The carriage descended upon the town around midnight, landing gracefully in front of the inn where Pierre was staying. Jaegar disembarked, and the coachman, showing a respectful bow, departed.

Entering the inn, Jaegar spotted Pierre seated near the tables, seemingly in anticipation. Pierre, looking a bit drowsy, quipped, "Couldn\'t you come in the morning?" Jaegar retorted with a smirk, "You should have slept; why wait?" He approached Pierre, and without any formality, embraced his friend.

After reciprocating the hug, Pierre remarked with a mix of jest and sincerity, with a half-amused, half-exhausted expression, and commented, "Sometimes, I get this urge to punch that remarkably handsome face of yours. It\'s like you\'re growing more attractive every time I see you."

Jaegar, responding with a cheeky grin, playfully retreated a step. "Well," he retorted, "hit me as much as you like, then." His words were laced with playful banter.

Pierre and Jaegar entered the room, the worn-out floor creaking slightly beneath their footsteps. Settling down, Pierre, with genuine curiosity, inquired about Jaegar\'s summer escapades. Jaegar proceeded to recount the tumultuous events of the season, detailing the chaos and challenges he faced, notably the dramatic incident involving his aunt.

Listening attentively, Pierre\'s eyes widened with astonishment. "Maybe the power they use is a form of magic, who knows," he mused. "But you were able to save your aunt. That\'s good, and most importantly, you\'re safe. You know, my summer was quite eventful too."

Intrigued, Jaegar prompted Pierre to share his own experiences. Pierre sighed, revealing a more sombre side to his summer tale. "My parents had heated arguments, and they\'re separated now," he confessed, a tinge of anger colouring his tone.

Jaegar extended a comforting hand, understanding the complexities of family strife. Pierre continued, "My father is staying elsewhere, with his mistress. It\'s not a big deal; she seems happier with him gone, anyway."

As a gesture of solidarity, Jaegar reassured him. Pierre shifted the mood, suggesting, "Jennifer is coming tomorrow. We can have a little fun in town and then head off to the academy. What do you say?" Jaegar agreed, and with two beds in the room, they prepared for the night.

As they lay on their respective beds, Jaegar\'s mind couldn\'t escape the thoughts of Fiona. Considering the recent separation, he pondered if there might be a chance for something more. The need to confide in Pierre about his brief encounter with Fiona during the carnival lingered in his thoughts, a revelation waiting to be shared between friends.

In the morning, Jaegar and Pierre awoke to the hustle and bustle of the inn. As they descended to the common area, they noticed people staring at Jaegar with a mix of surprise and curiosity. Picking up on the unusual atmosphere, Pierre moved to the table where newspapers lay scattered.

There, he discovered a photo of Jaegar, clad in regal attire, accompanied by the headline: "The Youngest Imperial Prince Returns Home."

Playfully, Pierre presented the paper to Jaegar, greeting him with, "Hello, Mr. Prince." Jaegar, frowning, took the paper and appreciated the quality of the photograph. With a wry smile, he commented on the photographer\'s skill.

Pierre, discerning the situation, remarked, "Seems like it was released by those sneaky investigative journalists, always snooping around." Jaegar sighed, and said, "Just when I thought things were getting better and some news freak had to come and shatter it."

Pierre, offering reassurance, stood by him, saying, "My man, don\'t worry. It has its own benefits."

As they conversed, people around them couldn\'t help but stare. Eventually, Jaegar and Pierre decided to leave the inn. A few minutes later, they rendezvoused with Jennifer. Despite their attempt to explore the town together, Jaegar\'s newfound identity as the prince garnered widespread attention.

Feeling the weight of gazes upon them, they made their way out. Opting to head for the academy, they hired a coachman to transport them.

Seated in the carriage, Jennifer smiled at Jaegar, teasingly remarking, "Well, Jaegar, it seems you\'ve made some good friends with the news people." Jaegar sighed, acknowledging the unintended consequences of his presence becoming public knowledge. "What can I say?" he replied, contemplating the challenges that awaited him, "Do I even have a choice."

"But why did they call you there after all this time?" she asked.

"People age and change with time."

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Yeah, you never, always cryptic with your words."

Pierre and Jaegar both smiled glancing at each other.

Jennifer pinched lightly around Pierre\'s waist, making him squeal in pain. "what was that for?" asked Pierre, rubbing his sore spot.