1.24 Rebels

Nero released a frustrated sigh at the mention of the prince's name. His name was Caelum, and Prince Caelum Cruxious was the second child and second son of King Henry XI and Queen Sylvia.

Nero scoured his mind for more information regarding him. In terms of appearance, he was the only royal child inherited the Queen's blue hair. This means that his mother's blood was strong in him which is why out of all the four royal children, Second Prince Caelum was highly attributed to auror.

Auror was similar to the concept of mana that Nero once read in cultivation novels. It was linked to their spirituality. A force which fueled their magic. It was one of the reasons why they were able to cast spells. But in this world, it was very difficult to directly apply one's auror. This was because the human body was a weak vessel, therefore a weak source. Hence, magical runes were needed to amplify one's spiritual force. With the help of the energy flowing from nature itself, humans were able to perform magic.

Nero frowned. Although it wasn't the male lead, Nero still needed to be careful with this interaction for numerous reasons.

One, Prince Caelum was not only connected to the male lead but also to the female lead. Not only was he a candidate as a love interest, he was also the first friend of Estreille Merida.

The thing was, Estreille was born in a small neighboring kingdom. When her parents died, she moved to the empire to start a new chapter of her life. And well, most people of Cruxire were actually hostile towards those that seek to find a new home within the empire. There was a screwed belief that outsiders taint the empire's prestige since they don't have 'it' in their blood. 'It' being the divine blessings that were gifted to the people of Cruxire.

Lost in a new world and discriminated against, Estreille felt more alone especially since she just lost her parents. Then came Second Prince Caelum who ditched his royal lessons in favor of observing the townspeople. And you know how it is. He fell in love at first sight to the young woman with a pretty palette; long rosette waves and ocean eyes. Because Estreille was treated with kindness for the first time, they instantly became friends.

Right, kindness. If that is what you call to a man acting warm in hopes to woo you. Nero rolled his eyes.

Anyway, Nero has yet to know if such encounter had already happened since he was kept inside the estate. This was also a reason why he agreed to meet the King and accept his freedom. It would be best if he was aware of the story developments so he could prepare a less troubling alternative when his part would come up. He was still indifferent about his impending death though. The only reason why he was contradicting his self was because he did not expect to form a connection with the duchess. Truth be told, if the duchess had wished for the emperor's throne like the original Nero, he would wreak havoc for the wish to come true.

The second reason was that he has yet to awaken the power within him so he would not be able to put up with a fight with the second prince. After all, Second Prince Caelum was considered as the black sheep of the imperial family. His arrogance was as high as Mt. Minerva and it was a well-known fact that the Second Prince was one big bully.

Of course, Nero knew that there was a sob story behind such detestable attitude. Just like him who was so young to deal with filthy mouths about his existence, Prince Caelum had to face malicious remarks from cunning nobles; Hypocrites who would spew about honor but would not waste a second on applying immoral ways for their sole benefit. These so called nobles had spread the word that Prince Caelum was unfit to be recognized as a possible candidate to the throne because there was this fearful possibility that he will use his high power for greedy intentions. Their reason behind such a claim? It was because of his strong Monrell blood; Monrells who are controversial for their selfish desires.

When Queen Sylvia had heard of this whispers and how it affected Caelum's standing on the aristocrats to drop, she started to act like she only had three children. No one knew the reason why but this further strengthened such claims because this means that the second prince was gone for, right? His own mother could not even look at him in the eye! That is to say that he was her favorite child! He must have been hiding and got caught about his unfavorable personality!

Nero knew that this world was just a product of imagination but the people here took nonsense t the extremes. Queen Sylvia was also a Monrell. By their logic, she should also be judged and be speculated. Why did she suddenly lost her favor to her favorite child? Why was the second prince even her favorite? Did it not occur to them that she bore the same ambition of most Monrells? To be at the top. And to have their name and their 'blood' be worshipped. If so, then even a blind man could see that Caelum would be their key.

Make the second prince who has more Monrell blood take the throne from the Crown Prince, then make him marry another Monrell. Continue this with the future generations until purple had washed away gold. Nero was obviously sickened by this. This goal of theirs would lead to consanguinity and then incest. Their children would have defects, and if such practice would still continue, Nero could only imagine the genetic disorders.

Anyway, with such trauma from childhood, Prince Caelum fell into their wicked words and became what they claimed him to be. It started with not showing up to his royal classes to the full phase of detention, suspension, and expulsion in the academy. From childish pranks to bloody fights. From being a gentleman to a massive playboy. From the second prince to a good-for-nothing troublemaker.

"Are you knights this useless? Ineffective and deaf?" Prince Caelum spoke again when his previous statement was left unanswered.

One of the knights, presumably the leader, stepped in. "With all due respect, Second Prince, " Even Nero did not miss the mocking tone at the word 'respect', "This is His Majesty's matters." So don't go around sticking your nose in other's business.

Prince Caelum made a sardonic sound of understanding. "I know. But what I'm questioning right here is why are you not verifying the visitor? Take off their veil, who knows if this is someone else?"

The knights exchanged glances. They would, just to shoo away the arrogant prince, but this was THE Nero Lanchaster. Who knows what will happen if they saw his face? There were rumors that a Lanchaster servant had gone mad because they saw his red eyes.

Prince Caelum sighed as if he had genuine concerns for his father's safety. "This-"

Nero decided to speak. With the way it was going, it looks like interacting with the second prince at that moment was inevitable. "Are you blind, Your Highness?" he said, still facing the tunnel.

After a moment of suffocating silence.

"What?" A humorless laugh. "How dare you-"

Nero cut him off. "You misunderstood me, Your Highness. It was asked out of genuine curiosity." He lifted a finger to point to the carriage. "Do you not see the carriage's insignia?"

Aside from the imperial family, every duke had a sign which symbolized each of their blessings. A fleur-de-lis for the Monrells, whom have related their spirituality to purity. A laurel wreath for his family which represented the military triumph of Lanchasters, and a gold coin with a tree engraved in the middle for the Vermonts. Such signs are seen on flags, carriages, even on stamps and clothes.

Prince Caelum scoffed. "Don't give me that. I know that the duke and duchess visited yesterday. The heir had gone to Vermont today and the other is at the academy."

Since Nero was still facing the tunnel, he could only sense that the second prince had made his way towards his direction. Before Nero could even move, breath fanned his left cheek as the other was already at his back, the prince's head just above his left shoulder.

"So," Prince Caelum said as he faced the tunnel as well, just for the thrill. "Who are you?"

Nero moved away and continued his steps before the prince could even look at his face. Would you look at that, their flair for dramatics had some use.

Prince Caelum obviously was not expecting such response. He was dumbfounded and he lost the air of suspense as his jaw dropped in bewilderedness. "Hey-" he started once he snapped to reality.

Nero rolled his eyes and halted. "My prince, please use your brain for once," he said then walked away, disappearing into the tunnel.

-

Extra:

Prince Caelum felt as if a bucket of cold water splashed him. Was that-? He looked around and eyed the knights. The expressions on their faces were enough to confirm his thoughts. Oh heavens, he just engaged with the cursed child. Will he die now? His eyes shook at the idea.

But then, he remembered something. The cursed child called him-

As if a switch was turned off, his demeanor changed. He suddenly blushed.

'My prince,' Nero had said.

Caelum was blushing so hard; he flushed down to his neck that even the knights were starting to worry about him.

Oh heavens.