Templar

Rafael then began to narrate what happened. He started from the point where he met with Tom at the gate.

Throughout the story, Aurora listened intently, while King Epsilon often laughed and praised Rafael.

"Haha, I cannot wait to rub this in their face, a Templar beaten by a high school student."

"A Templar?" Rafael asked.

He was baffled by King Epsilon's personality; it was far different than how he had been portrayed by the media. But he knew better than to comment on this. Instead, Rafael wanted to optimize the opportunity to gain as much information as he could.

"Yes, these people with power, we usually call them Templar and witch. Templar for a man, witch for a woman. There are more things about this, but you better not know."

"I am sorry, sir, but I am targeted. Why is it better for me not to know?"

"Because even knowing could make your life worse. It will affect how you see the world and plan your future. Just see my daughter. 

Why do you think she prefers to find normal people? 

This world is more complicated than you think, Rafael, and the more you know, the more you realize how limited your choices were."

"What could I do to face this danger without having information?"

"Don't worry about it, I will send a guard to protect you. Whoever is targeting you should be clear about your relationship with Aurora. This means they are not afraid of me." 

Epsilon's lips curled into a cold smile as he continued, "I am interested in who has the audacity to do this."

"Is it possible the perpetrator is one of my schoolmates?"

"Haha, who? That kid you are fighting with? Hiring a Templar is not that simple, Rafael."

Rafael frowned, quickly realizing he was also under observation by King Epsilon.

Seeing his expression, Aurora's face turned guilty, "I am sorry about this, Rafael."

"No, it's fine. If anything, this works for my benefit; I have free protection," Rafael said with a chuckle.

"Good kid, haha. Hear that, Aurora? You need to embrace your status. 

It's not like you have a choice in this matter. The faster you accept it, the happier you will be. 

See Rafael? He always sees the good in the situation and thinks how it can benefit him."

"Dad! Rafael is not like that."

"You know what I mean, Aurora. And kid, don't worry about it. I will make sure no other Templar or witch makes a problem for you, but for other things, you are on your own."

"No problem, sir, that is already good enough for me."

King Epsilon then stood up, "Alright, you kids have fun, I have some other things to take care of. 

I do suggest you leave or change places in two hours since the area will be opened back to the public."

After saying that, he left.

Seeing Aurora's apologetic look, Rafael tried to calm her down, "It's really alright, don't worry about it. But I can understand now why your father did this, he loves you a lot."

Aurora was confused by his remark; she didn't understand how Rafael somehow linked his father's appearance to how much he loved her.

"He came here to see me, even going as far as to close down the whole mall to make an announcement that he knows what is happening. And why do you think he did this? I am a stranger to him; it's because I am your friend."

A realization came to Aurora's mind as she felt what Rafael said made sense. Warmth spread in her heart as she felt how much her father cared.

"Still, I should have told you beforehand, but my dad told me not to. He said he wanted to see your expression."

Rafael's lips twitched, but he decided to change the topic. "How about you, Aurora? Since you know these people with power exist, do you also have one?"

"If I had one, do you think I would become an actress? 

My dad wouldn't allow it. Having power would just make me more of a target."

"Why? You should be able to protect yourself better then."

"That depends on the strength level, Rafael."

Rafael put some thought into it, then quickly realized what she meant. As the princess of a country, her having power equaled the country gaining another strength. The stronger she was, the more dangerous she would become toward other countries.

"Thank God I was not born in a family like yours. This whole politic is just absurd," Rafael commented.

"See… finally someone that gets it. Everyone always says how blessed and good it is to be born as royalty. You don't need to worry about money, and almost everything is available for you. They don't know it's all not for free."

"Well, everyone always loves to see how good other people have it. They don't see their hardships and what it takes to reach their position," Rafael said with a sigh. 

When his parents went missing, most of his friends showed concern at first, but as time passed, they instead often said how lucky Rafael was.

Having no parents to expect things from him, no rules, no one to scold him.

Rafael could only smile bitterly every time. If he could choose, he would prefer they never leave.

"Yes… yes… These people just want to complain, they don't care about the context at all. As a princess, every single action and word I say reflects back on my family. 

Do you know how many etiquette classes I had to finish as a child? 

Ten! A fucking ten classes for different countries. It's crazy."

"Ten etiquette classes? What is that for?" Rafael asked, confused. He could understand one, but ten seemed too much.

"Each teacher told me about different country etiquette. You would be surprised how different they were. 

Some are really obnoxious, requiring us to eat in some manner, while others are more nonchalant than ours but have weird gestures."

Aurora then raised her thumb up, "Like this, what does this mean?"