Reincarnated as an Elf Prince-Chapter 51: Solrendel (1)

The days passed quickly, and only three remained before Lindarion would officially begin his time at the academy. At the moment, though, he was enjoying a rare moment of peace in his room.

’Finally… some time to relax…’

Then, of course, came the knocking.

’…Who would’ve thought’

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It was such a predictable moment that Lindarion’s peaceful smile began to twitch.

"Come in."

His voice echoed through the room as an otherworldly beauty stepped inside.

"…Mother?"

Lindarion blinked as Melion walked in, her radiant smile practically blinding.

’She’s up to something. I don’t trust that smile…’

She gracefully sat down on the edge of his bed.

"How about I take you on a tour of Solrendel? Before you leave for the academy, you should at least see our city properly once."

Her warm voice and unwavering smile bored a hole straight through Lindarion’s defenses.

’I mean, I have never actually explored my own city.’

After a moment of consideration, Lindarion let out a long sigh.

"Alright, we can go—"

"Wonderful! Let’s go right now!"

Melion cut him off with a clap, already rising from the bed.

’…Now?’

Lindarion’s eye twitched, but seeing how excited his mother was, he sighed again and stood up.

"Fine, let’s go."

Melion beamed and strode out of the room.

The moment she was gone, a group of maids swept in like a well-trained ambush unit.

’She knew I’d say yes.’

—

It wasn’t long before Lindarion was dressed and stepping out of the palace. A lavish carriage awaited them, the ever-present gazes of royal guards burning into his back. He ignored most of them, focusing on the four men standing near the carriage—one familiar face and three strangers.

’So, he’s still here.’

Lindarion shook his head with an amused smile.

"Glad to see you again, young prince!"

Therion’s booming voice nearly shook the palace walls.

’Was that for real necessary?’

Lindarion sighed and gestured for them to rise from their bows.

"I appreciate your presence. I trust everything will go smoothly."

Therion nodded and—predictably—shouted again at a volume that could wake the dead.

"Everything is under control, Your Highness!"

Lindarion, already regretting all of his life choices, stepped into the carriage.

"Let’s hope so."

The guards boarded behind him, and Melion’s already brilliant smile somehow grew even brighter.

"You look wonderful, my son."

Lindarion glanced down at his outfit—an elegant white ensemble embroidered with delicate gold threading. His sword hung at his waist as if it were a part of him.

"Thank you."

He looked back at Melion, noting how her own outfit mirrored his—white and gold, almost bridal in appearance.

She flashed another dazzling smile before knocking on the side of the carriage.

"We’re ready."

—

They traveled through the city streets swiftly, passing elegant buildings adorned in white, green, and gold.

"The Golden Sun Square," Melion murmured with a small smile as the carriage came to a stop.

"The Golden Sun Squ—"

Lindarion’s words died in his throat as he stepped out.

The square was massive, lined with towering marble pillars and obelisks engraved with ancient runes. At its center, a grand floating fountain shimmered with golden light, the water droplets reflecting sunlight as if they were liquid gold.

Elves filled the place—nearly all of them blond, most of their gazes landing on Lindarion and Melion. Unlike in human cities, there were no whispers. No murmurs behind hands. Only silent, respectful gazes and faint smiles with most people bowing down to them.

’I should probably get used to this at this point.’

Lindarion shook his head and followed his mother, who was already leading him into a busy street lined with stalls.

"The Sun Market," she explained, noting his curious look.

’What kind of name is that?’

Lindarion nodded and kept pace beside her.

"It’s famous for its jewelry, potions… but mostly, its food."

As they walked, the air was filled with the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and exotic spices. Lindarion swallowed instinctively.

’Smells good as fuck, man I got hungry..’

They passed cloaked figures selling mysterious trinkets and rune-carved artifacts. Melion suddenly nudged him, pointing toward an elderly woman seated behind a stall piled with gemstones.

’A fortune teller?’

Lindarion had a vague guess as to what the woman’s trade was, but his mother took it upon herself to announce it to the world.

"Look Lindarion a fortune teller! She looks awfully familiar though.."

She turned to Lindarion with a bright smile before promptly grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the stall.

’…Why must I suffer? And why does she have to look familiar..’

As they approached, Lindarion noted the woman’s golden hair, streaked with silver. Her eyes remained shut, hands resting calmly on the table.

’She’s creepy.’

Without opening her eyes, the woman lifted her head.

"Prince Lindarion Sunblade. Lady Melion Sunblade. I have been expecting you."

Her voice was low, solemn… yet she smiled faintly.

"Matilda…It has been a while"

Melion nodded in greeting, still smiling as she recognized the lady.

’So mom actually does know her..’

Lindarion’s thoughts churned. His mother had definitely planned this.

"Come, young prince. Give me your hand. I shall glimpse the fate that lies ahead. For free of course."

Her tone was smooth, unwavering.

’Alright, what’s the worst that could happen?’

Maybe a dragon appears? Or a giant meteorite could strike down at any moment with Lindarion’s great luck.

Anyways, he extended his hand. Matilda placed a gemstone in his palm and gently closed his fingers around it.

’Alright, let’s see what she’s got.’

Melion watched, utterly fascinated.

’…’

And then nothing happened.

Matilda remained still, eyes closed, fingers lightly touching Lindarion’s hand. The gemstone did not glow. The air did not shift. Silence.

Melion’s serene smile did not waver.

Matilda’s, however, began to twitch.

’What’s going on?’

Lindarion thought as the fortune teller withdrew her hands, cleared her throat, and hesitated before speaking.

"I cannot see the prince’s future…"

"…"

Both Melion and Lindarion remained silent.

’I’m sorry… what? That was not on the list of things I expected to happen..’

Matilda, looking more nervous by the second, quickly added, "T-This does not mean the prince has a bad fate! It simply means—"

Her voice trembled slightly as Melion’s smile darkened, taking on an almost demonic quality.

Lindarion felt his soul leave his body.

Clearing his throat, he forced a reassuring smile and turned back to Matilda.

"Thank you, Matilda."

His voice was even, polite. Melion finally glanced at him, her ominous aura fading.

Matilda’s shoulders relaxed.

"I… I am sorry I could not offer more, Your Highness."

"It’s alright. These things happen, don’t they?"

Melion chimed in smoothly, her tone warm—but her smile sharp.

Matilda nodded rapidly, her movements just a little too frantic.

’Judging by her reaction… this has never happened before.’

Lindarion gave his mother an innocent smile and took her hand.

"Shall we continue, Mother?"

His voice was gentle, the picture of a good son.

Melion finally let go of whatever brewing frustration she had and chuckled.

"Yes, let’s continue darling."

—

As they walked away, Matilda kept her eyes shut, her fingers still trembling slightly.

’This… has never happened before…’

When she held Lindarion’s hand, it was as if she had been cast into an endless void.

And in that void, she had heard only one thing.

A soft, hissing whisper.

Something inhuman.

And it had looked straight at her.

’I don’t know what I just came upon…but it was not of this world…’

—

Lindarion and Melion continued their leisurely tour through the bustling market, stopping at various stalls without a care in the world.

Well—Melion didn’t have a care in the world. Or at least that’s what she made it seem like. Lindarion, on the other hand, was still stuck on what had happened earlier.

Matilda’s words echoed in his mind.

’The young prince… I couldn’t make out his future at all...’

No matter how he twisted it, that sounded bad.

’What the hell did she see? She seemed genuinely scared as soon as she looked into my future. Like she was possessed by something.’

He shook his head, trying to push the thought away.

Meanwhile, his mother was in her own world, casually buying any jewelry he so much as glanced at for more than five seconds.

By the time Lindarion snapped back to reality, they had stopped in front of a food stall.

Melion was already approaching, holding two pastries in her hands.

"Moonberry pastry."

She pressed one into Lindarion’s palm before he could react.

A soft, warm crust. A fragrant aroma. A familiar tartness that lingered in the air.

Lindarion stared at the pastry.

’This smells like… raspberries? No..it smells even fancier..’

Something about it felt suspiciously unroyal.

"Is this really appropriate for someone of royal blood?" he asked, eyeing the treat with mild skepticism.

Melion, already chewing, swallowing the piece she smiled innocently.

"You tell me."

Lindarion hesitated. But seeing his mother munching on it like it was a delicacy straight from the palace kitchen, he figured… why not?

He took a bite.

—BOOM.

An explosion of flavor.

His taste buds were assaulted, overwhelmed, drenched in sweetness and tanginess as if someone had uncorked a high-pressure fruit hose straight into his mouth.

Lindarion froze.

’…This is incredible.’

His eyes fluttered shut as he let the pastry’s complex layers of flavor wash over him.

Melion, watching her son’s reaction, let out a quiet chuckle.

’He needs to try things more often.’

She continued eating, savoring each bite as if she were seated at a royal banquet instead of standing in the middle of a crowded market.