7 Chapter 7: Royal Tutor

It has been a year, since Mom died and Elicia woke up. 

Since, then I've gotten a bit used to this environment where Mom is gone. Still, I sometimes find myself at her room, just remembering my memories with her. 

They told Elicia about Mom's death a bit late. 

It was out of everyone's consideration for my little sister, Elicia who just woke up after a year and half.

When she learnt of it, Elicia threw a tantrum and even went looking for Mom. But now, as long as she have someone around her, she is fine.

A big yawn left my mouth.

"Are you sleepy, big bro?" asked Elicia and I smiled, "No, I'm fine" as I gently patted my little sister's head. 

Alicia spoke up, "He is only a bit tired, Elicia" my little sister tilted her head to the side and asked, "How is that different with being sleepy?" 

Hearing this question, Alicia looked at me, as if she was asking for my help and I shook my head.

"I don't know…" she uttered and Elicia looked at her, with a baffled expression, as I sighed and smiled.

My older siblings went back to the Main palace about a few months ago, but the Emperor remained here. 

And a few days after their departure, Alicia went here at the Emerald Palace. Maybe Theia told her to or it was out of her own consideration, I don't know.

But, we managed to get along and became friends. Elicia was also fond of her, so I am quite at ease when she's here.

I smiled, as I looked at the two of them. 

Elicia called me, "Big bro" as she pulled my sleeve. "What is it?" I asked, as I changed my smile into a normal one. 

"You're looking creepy" she stated, before turning her focus back to Alicia.

Eh..?

Just where did she learn such word? Had I done something wrong to be insulted by my own cute little sister?

Alicia giggled. 

I wanted to point it out, but I remained silent and sighed.

"By the way, what are you two doing?" I asked, and the two of them looked at each other, before smiling.

Elicia raised something from her side and smiled, "Flower crowns!" as she showed me a flower crown that she made. 

"It's beautiful!" I smiled, as I looked at it. "Then, I'll give this one to you, big bro!" Elicia put the crown she made, on my head. 

I patted her head as "Thanks!" which made her smile.

A crown, huh..?

  I turned my head around and looked at the palace behind us, as Alicia and Elicia talked to each other.

My position is of the third prince, so being the Emperor might be… no, it is certainly impossible for me.

Since I was busy in my previous life, this time I am thinking of living a leisure life. So, being a knight or a scholar is a no for me, and It's not like I can laze around as a duke. 

Then, what should I do?

"Really, what should I do for my future?" I mumbled to myself, which made both Alicia and Elicia utter, "Future..?" 

I gasped and shook my hands, "It's nothing!" and tried to shove the topic off. "Just what do you mean??" Alicia pressed on, as she grew close to me.

"Like I said, it's nothing, okay?" I forced out a smile, and tried to push her away. "But big bro, your face isn't saying so, you know" Elicia pointed out and unconsciously, my nose wrinkled.

As I kept on trying to shove them off the topic, the flowers around us suddenly caught my attention, and I smiled. 

"Right, how' bout I make one for you, Elicia? A flower crown..!" I suggested, as an escape from their questions, and she nodded, "Okay!" 

Alicia pulled my sleeve.

"What about me?" she pouted. "Maybe one, as well" I chuckled and Alicia cheered, "Yay!" as clapped hands with Elicia.

…

"Hannah! Have you seen Ed?" Seria asked Elicia's personal maid, whom she passed by. "His highness is at the flower field with Princess Elicia and Alicia-sama" Hannah answered. 

Seria stated, "Thank you!" as she turned her back against Hannah, only to look back at the girl, again and ask, "By the way, where is Alvin?" 

"At the kitchen, seems like he is helping Mister Yer" Hannah answered. "Are you sure he isn't just free tasting?" Seria teased and she chuckled, "Maybe..?" 

Seria smiled.

  "If that is the case, tell him that I will be scolding him when you see him" She went on and Hannah nodded, "Okay"

…

"Done! Here, Elicia" I grinned, and I showed her the flower crown I made. "I'll make Alicia's now" 

When I was about to make another one, Elicia grabbed my right sleeve. "Big bro…" she mumbled, with a slight whimper. "What is it?" I asked, with a smile.

"You suck at making flower crown" Elicia blankly stared at the flower crown I made for her, which looked a bit sad. "You don't need to point it out!" I complained, as Alicia giggled.

Seria appeared out of nowhere. "Ed, it is not good to fight with girls, you know?" she patted my head, as she sat down beside me.

"We're not fighting! Plus, where the hell did you came from?" I retorted. "Of course, from the inside…" Seria stated, as she pointed the castle.

Seria remained here at the Emerald Palace, like she told me, even though Father allowed her to step out from her position, after all, the reason she is here is because of Mom.

But, Seria told him that she wanted to see Mom's children, us grow up into fine adults for Mom.

My lips formed a soft smile.

Seria looked at me, before mumbling, "Nevermind about that" and stood up. "Your father, the Emperor is calling for you, Ed" 

Father..?

"Then, can I leave you with Elicia and Alicia" I asked her, as I stood up. "Of course!" Seria nodded with a smile, and took my seat.

While I was taking a few dirt off my shorts, Seria called me, "Ed?" and I turned back to look at her to ask, "What is it?"

She hesitated before saying, "It's nothing"

"If you say so… Then, see you later, Elicia! Alicia!" I spoke, as I waved to them. "Bye-bye, Big bro..!" Elicia said, as she and Alicia waved back. 

I nodded, "Yeah!" as I waved again.

"Is it fine to not tell him about it?" Alicia spoke up, as I disappeared from their sight. "It must be fine. We're talking about Ed, after all" Seria smirked.

Alicia mumbled, "He'll surely be angry once it is pointed out by the Emperor" and Seria giggled, "I kinda wanna see his blushing face"

Seeing this side of Seria, Alisha couldn't help but sigh.

"You sure are a tease at times, aren't you? Miss Seria" she mumbled, as the said person continued to giggle.

…

I walked the hallway that was leading to Father's office, when the 7 glamorous statues caught my attention.

"These statues sure feel nostalgic, as usual. I wonder why it is" I mumbled, as I pressed my chin.

I stood in front of Father's office and was about to knock, when I suddenly heard some murmurings from the inside.

"Are you sure he'll agree?" asked a familiar voice. "That is for you to know, right?" Father answered.

Who is he talking to? The person he's talking with seems to be a bit casual with Father. Is it a friend?

"Father, I'm here!" I knocked and with his usual large voice, Father answered, "Come in!" and I jolted.

Really, his voice is large enough to scare me.

I entered Father's office and saw a familiar red-haired man with blue eyes, like the sky, beside my father. 

My hand raised up and I pointed at him with my index finger, "Fiore?!" and I exclaimed his name.

Father raised an eyebrow and turned to Fiore.

"Do you know each other already?" Father asked and Fiore nodded, "Yes, your majesty. I happen to have an opportunity to meet with the young prince, a year ago" 

Father looked back at me. "Then, I guess we can quickly move on the main topic" he stated, with a smile.

Main topic..?

I looked back at Fiore and noticed the smirk he was hiding with his fist, which made me tilt my head to the side.

"Listen, Ed. I am planning to make this man, Fiore-kun your royal tutor" Father stated and Fiore loosen up his fist, which made his smirk a tad obvious. 

Huh..?

I gulped and asked, "Uhm, can you please repeat it, once again?" 

"I'm saying that I am planning to make him your royal tutor" Father repeated, and Fiore's smirk grew more large.

Huh?

"Well, more than plan. I've already decided to make him so" he added. "You're fine with that, Fiore-kun?"

Fiore placed his right hand over his chest and bowed, "Of course, your majesty" and Father smiled at him.

Uhm, how about my opinion? Does it even matter?

"Hmm, is something the matter, Ed?" Father asked, as he turned to me. "Nothing, sir" I whimpered, as I looked down.

Father smiled. 

"Then, everything's set. I will leave the rest to you, Fiore-kun" he happily stated and Fiore agreed, "Yes sir!" with another smile.

…

The two of us left the Emperor's office and went to the gazebo, in the main garden. 

"Now, now. What should we do your highness?" Fiore asked and I asked back, "Since you're my royal tutor, shouldn't we study?" 

Fiore leaned over the table. 

"That is not needed. Since, you're a genius, they say" he smiled and I crossed my arms. "I see that you're the type of a person whose smile is filled with malice, Fiore" 

He tilted his head as he smiled at me, with a face saying, "What do you mean?"

"Well, me being a genius is something everyone murmur around. It is nothing but a rumor, which means it isn't true at all" 

I loosened my crossed arms and leaned my back on the chair.

Hearing my words, Fiore beamed a knowing smirk and took something that was kinda like a paper, from his jacket pocket.

Fiore started reading the things written on the paper.

"At one, he could already walk around and use magic. When he turned two, he was already talking perfectly" 

Wait, isn't this..?

  "And at three, he had finished all of the books, including the books that are impossible to read for a normal three years old, that were at the library, at that time" 

I mumbled, "Is that..?"

"Your background. I had been asking every people around the palace, while I was waiting for the Emperor's permission to make me your tutor, you see" 

Fiore beamed another smirk, which made me feel my jaw fall down the ground.

"With all of these, can you still say that you aren't a genius?" Fiore flashed the paper, in front of me and  I backed off, "I am nothing but a…" 

But an adult inside...

"Nothing but a mere kid filled with curiosity. I am not a genius like you or those guys, you asked things, think" I looked back at Fiore.

Fiore beamed another smirk, and this time, I felt shivers go down my spine.

"Then, would you care to explain me how you managed to use both fire and dark magic, at that time?" he asked, as he leaned his back on the chair.

Ah!

Right, I nearly forgot. This guy, he saw me using two different magic, which is something that is not possible.

Fiore spoke up, as he saw me looking down the ground, with my nose wrinkled.

"Let's say that this background won't prove that you are a genius, but I am sure that the matter with your magic would, without a fail"

I gulped, as I raised my head up.

What should I do? What kind of excuse would suffice, so that I can get out of this situation, right now? 

I… do I even have any chance of escaping this situation?

And, as if it was Godsend (Although, I don't believe in his existence) a very nice thought came to my mind.

I pushed the table and stood myself up, which kinda made Fiore flinch.

"The fire ball I casted was a craft magic and the Dark magic is my Element" I stated, with sweat dripping off my back.

With this, surely I'll be able to escape.

Ah, good thing that the fireball I made was small. If it wasn't, I am already out, without any chance of argument.

Just when I was thinking so, Fiore quickly prove me wrong with a, "That is impossible, your highness" 

"Eh?"

Fiore crossed his arms and looked at me, straight.

  "There's no way a kid like you can use a craft magic without chanting, even if the magic you casted was big or small" he pointed at me. "After all, chants are similar to a prayer"

And without these prayers, Spirits won't answer our call and won't help us cast the magic we sought to cast. 

"You might have manage to fool me if you had used runes, but you didn't. That's why you are out!" he added.

Damn…

Fiore beamed another smirk, along with the question, "Care to tell me everything?" I sighed, and sat down. 

"Even I don't know, but, I can use almost every Origin and their all of their parts. Water, wind, earth, fire, darkness, light… I can use them all"

I explained to him.

Fiore pressed his chin and looking down, whilst mumbling, "Use every Origin..?" and I nodded at him.

"Not just that. I can also create anything out of my mind, whether it is a thing or magic itself" I added, as I raised my shoulder up.

Fiore remained silent, looking down the ground with his hands grabbing on his chin.

"Hey, Fiore..?" I called him, as I reached my hand out to shake him back to reality, if he was out of it. 

And just when I was about to do so, I saw his face clear and noticed that Fiore was grinning and shivering, at the same time. 

Creepy… was the first thing that came to my mind.

As soon as I gasped, I quickly shook my head and asked him, "Are you angry or scared?" whilst leaning my back on the chair.

Fiore then stood aggressively. 

"Neither the two, Edward!" he looked at me, with a shaking grin, whilst I looked at him with a baffled expression. 

Fiore moved his face close to mine and pressed his chest. "I am intrigued with that mysterious Element of yours" he beamed a grin.

"Are you now? Well, more than that, get away from me! You're too close!" I shoved his face away.

He followed my order and sat down the chair.

"Ed, give me time" Fiore spoke up, as he crossed his fingers together and covered his mouth, with it. "Time for what?" I tilted my head to the side. 

Fiore looked up to me and grinned, "Time for me to settle this goosebumps of mine"

"Huh?" 

He gasped and quickly cleared his throat, "I mean time for me to learn more about that Element of yours" 

"You don't like it, right? Having your own power as a mysterious thing for you, instead of it being a convenient one" 

His words are precisely right, but is it okay for me to trust this guy? 

I spared a glimpse at him and saw him tilting his head, with question marks floating above his head, as he smiled. 

A sigh left my mouth.

I can't see any way to stop this guy other than agreeing to him. And, I am also curious about my own Element. 

So, I guess…

"Okay, I'll leave it to you, Fiore" I told him and he smiled, "Leave it to me, your majesty" he bumped his fist on his chest, as if he was making an oath.

I nodded, "Yeah, yeah" 

Hmm? Wait..!

The words, "Your majesty..?" left my mouth, as I turned to Fiore with a baffled and confused expression. 

"Well, You were wearing a flower crown, so I thought you were playing pretend" he tilted his head to the side.

Huh?

I looked up at my head and noticed that the flower crown Elicia made was on it. 

Seeing the flower crown, a sudden flush covered my face and I quickly took it off, and placed it on top the table, which was between me and Fiore.

Why did I forget about it?

I kinda get that Seria would find it interesting to keep quiet about it, but why did Alicia remained silent about it too?

Surely, Father thought I was weird, when he saw me wearing this!

…

"A-achoo!!" the Emperor sneezed, somewhere. "Did you caught a cold, your majesty?" his butler asked him.

The Emperor rubbed his nose and mumbled, "Have I?"

…

I looked back at Fiore who was grinning up to his ears.

"Don't you worry, that kind of thing is normal for kids" he patted my head, with a smile and the red flush kept on covering my face as I shouted, "It wasn't like that!"