Chapter 5: Meeting Lucia

"I want to meet Lucia," Edward asked his mother after learning about the basics of this world from the library.

"Sure dear, if you want we can summon her to the Imperial Palace any time"

"No, I want to meet her at her place and I want it to be a surprise visit. Oh yes, do the people from outside the imperial palace know about my condition?"

There was a moment of silence between the mother and son before Selena understood Edward's concern and addressed his request.

"Listen, Edward, I know you want to learn more about Lucia and you probably had a guess about her treatment and yes you are correct. But you know we can't do anything unless she marries you and even before that my influence as you know is limited. I am quite helpless in her situation. And yes people from outside the imperial palace know about your accident although the Emperor did put a hush order about your amnesia."

"That's fine mother, I just want to meet her. Since she is my fiancee I must at least be her friend"

Selena stared at Edward with her eyes wide open. This was the same child who was indifferent about anyone except his mother until now. But still, she must warn him not to torment the poor girl further so she advised him.

"Well, you are correct again but when you meet her don't increase her misery like others. I know you might hate or even abhor her looks or might be scared as this is the first time you will be seeing her but still at least pretend to be a friend. That child has already suffered a lot at this delicate age"

His mother's words brought a surprise to his face. He was not surprised about Lucia's sufferings which he had already guessed but about this being his first meeting with her. Edward and Lucia were betrothed to each other at the age of 7 when they awakened as the holy son and holy daughter.

"Ah, you don't have to worry about it, Mother. I won't do such things and I want to be her friend and apart from that I have no ulterior motives."

"Fine, then I will call for James, he is your assigned escort. "

"Oh yes, you still haven't got your memories back. James is the younger brother of the captain of the Royal Guard and also the youngest son of the Silverthorn Ducal household. "

"But won't it be a problem. I heard there is a feud between the Evercrest and Silverthorn families. Do you think Ronald Evercrest would take it easy when I bring James Silverthorn as an escort?"

"He won't and frankly I don't care. He is the third strongest person in the Empire. Only your father and Maxmillian Siverthorn are stronger than him. Additionally, his family has been the most loyal followers of the Dragona family since the empire was established.

He was also assigned as your sword trainer, but well the accident happened before you could learn from him. So this is the chance to meet him, and in the future, you will be learning from him."

"So what rank is he in?"

"His rank is not exactly clear to everyone. But his strength is known. He is a body cultivator if you want to know, and if I have to guess he might have entered the King rank middle stage."

"Same rank as his brother eh?"

"Yes, but his brother cultivates both body and Magic, so there is no comparison."

"Fine, I will find him and then visit Lucia"

"I guess someone is quite eager to meet their fiancee" Selena started to tease Edward now. And the best part is this brought a blush to his face.

'What the hell, am I some kid, well I am but why am I blushing? And I am just going to meet another 10-year-old. Jesus!! Am I some sinner?

No, this must be because of that word, yes fiancee. I guess this word is quite heavy, I wonder how heavy the word' wife will be?' Edward thought inwardly while he decided to rush out of the library, not to give his mother enough time to tease him more.

While he was roaming the corridors of the palace, a maid approached him and bowed in front of him.

'I should get used to this. It freaks me out sometimes.'

"Your Highness, your escorts are ready and are waiting for you." After saying that she remained in that posture waiting for my response.

'How am I supposed to talk to you, at least look at my face. Nobles and Royals are really some weird people to train their servants to talk like this. It's frustrating to talk to a person like that.'

"Sure, lead me to them."

With that, the maid led him towards the palace grounds where his escorts were waiting for them.

When he entered the grounds, he saw various knights, donned in silver armour with swords hanging by their waist. Out of them, one particular pair of Knights were standing out. One knight with long black hair was tied to a tree while the other, without any armour, was laughing at the other one.

'This scene is familiar.'

As they saw me approach, all of them knelt in front of me, to which I signalled them to stand up. Then I approached the laughing knight.

"I suppose, you are James Silverthorn."

"Ay, I am the famous and the most handsome, one and only James Silverthorn."

Hearing him, Edward inwardly groaned. 'So he is one of those.'

"And if your supposed session is over here, can we move towards our destination."

Hearing this, he immediately looked towards another direction and started whistling while bringing down the tied-up knight.

When all of the fuss was over, I departed from the palace in my carriage. James was sitting in front of me in my carriage, while the rest of the knights surrounded the carriage in a formation to protect it from any unforeseen danger.

"Say James, is there any chance your middle name or any other name Potter."

"What? Where is this all coming from? And no, I don't know what this potter stuff is." He replied in a surprised and curious tone.

He knows that he will be teaching the crown prince so he wants to know more about him. Well, he already knows about the previous timid and introverted Edward, but after amnesia, his personality changed. James wanted to know what changed. As he was devising methods to know about this change, the subject himself asked him a peculiar question.

This surprised him. He has never heard of a name called 'Potter' and what led Edward to call him by that name. He wanted to know.

"Nothing, just some random thoughts coming to mind."

James knew that random thoughts were not like linking someone to another name, but he knew better that he couldn't forcefully get it out of the crown prince if he didn't want to tell him.

Again an awkward silence prevailed throughout the journey to Evercrest Mansion. Both wanted to talk and get to know more about the other, but both of them couldn't utter the first word after that little chat.