Alys and Eric landed in the alleyway inside the Shadowcliff in an alley, Alys also put on her earstud which changed her appearance.

Now, both she and Eric looked alike, both hair chestnut brown hair and bright emerald eyes. And with their disguise they looked more of twins than the two having the age difference of more than five years.

Eric was a little awkward and let Alys take the lead as she gestured for them to walk out.

The streets outside were noisy and packed. The stalls sold Eric merchandise and the kids ran with their wooden swords and Eric masks.

Alys watched, amused while Eric felt slightly embarrassed.

"Someone’s very popular." Alys commented and Eric cleared his throat.

Just then a large man carrying a huge bundle bumped into Alys nearly pushing her to the side but Eric quickly grabbed her arm pulling her to his side.

"I-It’s crowded so, please stay close." He spoke trying to sound as casual as he possibly could.

"All right." Alys beamed.

They passed by several stalls and Alys moaned inhaling deeply noticing several snacks that were being sold.

"That smells so good!" She grinned looking at one stall but then quickly she looked at another one, "This one looks so delicious!"

"Ah, I want to try this one and this one and this too!" She looked around like an excited child on their first outing.

"I-I can buy whatever you like," Eric offered.

Alys looked at him before pondering and then said, "Let’s buy it all and eat it while we watch the play."

"What?" Eric almost gasped but Alys was already moving.

They stopped before the first stall and Alys bought four grilled kebabs and handed them all to Eric begore he could pull out his pouch to get the money.

"Hold this," Alys said before she pulled out the money and handed it to the stallkeeper.

"Wait, I-I said I’d pay." Eric said and Alys got one stick and held it to Eric’s mouth.

"Taste it." Eric blinked as she said that.

"What?"

"Come on, taste it, little brother and tell me is it tasty?" Eric watched in muted surprise and he obliged.

Eric opened his mouth and took a bite of the hot meat. His eyes widened and he moaned nodding.

"It’s tasty." He said and Alys chuckled.

"Good, then let’s move ahead." She said taking his hand.

Despite Eric saying that he would pay, he didn’t get to pay for anything. Rather, Alys bought most of the stuff and handed them all to Eric asking him to taste things first. Eric wasn’t used to roaming around like this and having someone pamper him. Sure, Miri was similar but having someone who shared the same blood as him being so open with him was unprecedented. That’s why even after spending the good two hours just walking down the same street, he took time to finally relax and enjoy his time.

Eric and Alys then walked over to the theatre, it was packed with people pouring in and out as it was time for the show.

Alys showed the tickets to the attendant and he bowed to them.

"Please come this way." He said gesturing them to follow.

"Ocean gave us VIP tickets, great." Alys chirped and walked ahead, still holding Eric’s hand.

Eric went on with the flow as her touch didn’t give him a wary of awkward feeling anymore.

The two were led to a balcony where they took their seats with the parcels of snacks they had gotten for the show. There was still time for the play to start and the people were just arriving and taking their seats in the other balconies and the seats below.

"So, Eric," Alys started making Eric to look at her.

"Yes?"

Alys chuckled, "I heard you and the Queen of Mordino are quite close."

Eric’s cheeks went pink for a moment before he answered honestly, "Yes..."

"That’s good, she seems quite a responsible person," Alys said and then picked up the glass of wine and took a sip. Eric also picked up a glass to relax himself.

"Although, I can see that she’s the dominant one among you two." Eric ended up splurting out the drink hearing this and Alys started laughing.

"I can guess that you two met through Ocean," she prompted and Eric nodded wiping his mouth.

"Yes,"

"I have met your mother," Alys then said and Eric glanced at her.

Alys faced forward, her eyes distant as she continued, "She was wary of me in the beginning too, it was during the time when I was first found by Ocean and well... your mother also had the same fear as you that I will be a threat to you. But with time we kind of warmed up and she started treating me more nicely and honestly."

Alys swirled the drink in her hand as she kept speaking, "I heard her condition is like me, proclaimed to be dead but alive and in hiding under Ocean’s protection."

Eric nodded, "Yes, well... It was a few years ago that there was an assassination attempt on my mother and Master saved her and then offered to make me the King."

"You ever asked him why he chose you specifically, Eric?" Alys asked keeping her eyes on the red fluid.

"I did," Eric answered, "multiple times... And he just answered me that the present royalty are not worthy of being the rulers and he wants to kind of a King who is loved by all and whose hardwork is seen not only by the progress of nobles but also at the grassroot level."

Alys smiled, "At first when I didn’t know who Ocean was I just thought that maybe he was one of my father’s supporters but then I realised that that’s not it. Ocean... No, Reina, has a completely different idea in her mind altogether..."

Eric turned a little in his seat looking at her, "What kind of an idea?"

Alys glanced at him and then smiled, "It’s something that’s beyond your or my imagination... If his motive was only to make you the King then it wasn’t that hard. But the way it has been, he saved Mordino, ended the war, helped Denril, he’s helping save Elvenland and even holding these Trials which though historic are absurd because everyone knows who will be the winner..."

Eric stared at Alys as he continued, "He’s included this whole kingdom from the nobles to the commoners to see and made them believe that they are choosing their King themselves but is that what it is?"

Alys smiled, "He’s already chosen you, and what he’s doing is making the people believe that you are the only one who could do it."

Eric gulped, he had thought about this on his own at times but hearing it out loud even made him rethink it again.

"Before putting you on the throne, Ocean is making sure that you will be worthy of that throne. He’s making you a King before he makes you a King." Alys said.

Eric’s eyes lowered and the lights dimmed along with the sound cue that notified the play’s beginning.

The two remained silent as they looked down at the stage. Eric couldn’t focus as he pondered over Alys’s words.

"If he had to make someone a King then why choose me?" Eric mumbled, "He could have made Davian or you the ruler."

Alys didn’t look at him as he spoke but she answered, "Because you have something that he can see."

"What?" Eric asked looking at her.

"Potential and something that only he might know... He might tell you about it with time, just like how he revealed his biggest secret to you."

Eric lowered his lashes and looked at the actors on the stage, wondering, "How could she... at that age had thought of all this?"

Alys chuckled, "I wonder too... How could a child of that age decided to change the world’s fate? Was it because she got the Dragon’s heart? Or was it because she was born to do so?"

Eric couldn’t say anything after that as he tried to focus on the play.

The play ended and the two got up gathering their parcels and then turned to see a man standing at their door. It wasn’t an attendant but a masked tall man.

"Greetings, Your Highnesses." The man bowed gracefully.

The two looked a little wary despite recognising the man before them.

"Lord Devil." Eric regarded him and the man straightened up with a smile.

"I was expecting Master but I am more than happy to have you two here together." His eyes flickered on both of them.

"How did you know it’s is?" Alys asked and Lord Devil chuckled.

"I have my talent," he said. "Besides, I’m happy to see you two here at my show."

Eric and Alys glanced at each other and Lord Devil added.

"May I invite both of you for lunch, Your Highnesses? I would like to have an honor of having to serve you two." He offered.

"I’m sorry but we are on a siblings date." Alys spoke first and Eric looked at her before he nodded.

"Yes,"

Lord Devil sighed, "All right, maybe some other time."

The two left the theatre and then walked towards the busy streets.

"He is on our side but I sometimes feel like he’s quite scary." Alys admitted.

Eric looked at her, "You should see him around Master then. He and the other two Lords act like little children around him. You won’t fear him anymore."

Alys looked at Eric who looked more relaxed and even had a small smile on his face. Alys smiled watching his relaxed expression.

The two then walked over to the restaurant and surprisingly enough, they had a table reserved. This time , Eric insisted on paying so, Alys let him be.

The two then roamed around the market all evening buying things and having fun. Till the end of the day, it seemed like the two had forgotten that they had just met in the morning and had no clue how their relationship would progress. They had even forgotten that they were the royal Prince and Princess of the kingdom and had been enjoying like normal siblings, laughing and frolicking.

Till the end of the day, both of them were dragging their feet to return.

"I never thought it’s so much fun to go out with a little brother." Alys admitted throwing her arm around Eric’s shoulders.

Eric laughed, "Well, I never thought I’d get to enjoy a day with a sister."

Alys paused for a moment but then laughed and the two walked towards the setting sun.

While these two were walking away, there were two figures watching the two, seated on the roof of a building.

"Seems like they had fun." Ocean commented.

"They refused my request for lunch though." Lord Devil pouted.

Ocean chuckled, "It’s fine, we can have a meal together some time after the Trials."

Lord Devil hummed and the two men watched the two siblings walk away.