4.10

The moon was at its apex when the noise of galloping horses and wheels on the road was present in the high-class neighborhood of the nobility. It wasn't the only one, but accompanied by others coming from the residents of the other neighboring mansions. They all came from the same place, the imperial palace, from the Victory Celebration party, an event that none of the nobles would miss, just for being able to create more connections and see the imperial family up close.

The Millers' gate was opened so that the carriages bearing the symbol of the bears could enter. Of them, the whole family was gathered. James was accompanied by his brother Ferion and laughing happily, happy to have made a new friend who understood magic and shared his passion for it. It was rare to find someone like this and the only one who saw this was his teacher Mr. Below, but he was too old and the difference in generations prevented their friendship in some areas.

The eldest obviously was watching his younger brother's good mood, also pleased to see him that way. He was in the hall talking with other nobles, but now and then he noticed his two brothers, worried that something might happen to them. At least he didn't have to worry. James was with his mother and, later, next to the buffet eating quietly - although he found it very strange that he was standing, it must have been uncomfortable. And Phillip being nice to his fiancée, introducing her and even dancing with her.

This surprised him, as as far as he was concerned, his brother was a terrible dancer.

"You're happy since we left the party." He commented, starting a conversation. He just wanted to bring up the subject with his brother, even though he's practically on the front of the house.

James was aware that he was being obvious, but he didn't care. He thought about whether he should tell his brother about meeting the third prince, but as they had promised each other that they would keep in touch through letters, their relationship would be evident and would be questioned in the future. So, it was decided to reveal. He would also tell Brandon anyway.

"Yes, I made a friend." He replied, not hiding the smile that crept onto his lips. The youth's eyes were shining in the light of the mana stones he had on the chariot.

"Friend?" Ferion frowned at the unexpected word. He didn't remember seeing anyone near his brother. Even though he might have been talking at the moment, his battle-trained instincts didn't stray from anyone approaching him. "I don't remember anyone close to you."

"Of course you didn't." James laughed. "He was under the table."

"What?" he questioned doubting what he had heard. He wasn't buying it. However, his brother was not one to lie. "James, I hope you remembered where you were and didn't play anyone's prank. And remember to be careful around strangers."

The purple one saw his serious brother lecturing him and knew he was just worried about himself. So his smile got bigger and his face practically lit up. "Brother, won't you ask who my friend is?"

'How surprised will you be?' He wondered, thinking of the expression the Miller heir will make.

Ferion frowned even more, but not enough to wrinkle his nose. "Who?"

"The third prince."

"Prince Bellus?"

"Yes." He nodded, looking at his brother's face almost unchanged, but he knew he must be surprised. It was a little disappointing, he had to admit. "He was hiding and I found him by chance. We became friends. He likes magic just like me."

'Ferion didn't show any reaction, but I'm sure Brandon will be very surprised by this!'

The carriage stopped and the white mansion was outside. The carriage doors were opened by the coachmen and their passengers got out one by one. Earl Miller descended first and held out his hand for his wife to come out carefully. Phillip followed his lead with Johannes and Ferion just saw James leap off the carriage floor and outside.

They were tired after such an event, even more so because they weren't used to it. The bodies even ached in different parts of the body, some from sitting too much and others from walking even more.

"James, I'm going to want to know more about this later."

He knew that James hadn't done anything offensive or that it should have had a bad impact. His brother is well-behaved and sensible for someone his age. However, it is always good to be careful when it comes to royalty and he should have some information about this in case he is asked or sought after in the future.

"All fine brother." James nodded and continued running into the mansion. "I'll go see if Brandon is awake."

"James, it's late. By this time he should be sleeping." The countess spoke as soon as she saw her youngest son running and heard her talk. Look at the time, it was obviously later than planned and her son still wanted to bother others.

"Mother…"

"If he's sleeping, don't disturb him. And I want you in bed soon." He warned her.

"Listen to your mother, James." Ivan spoke, hugging his wife's waist. He was tired and also wanted to go to sleep.

"Okay…" he clicked his tongue and kicked the ground.

"Master, ma'am, welcome back." Butler Irvin was on the porch, waiting for them. He bowed to the earl and countess, welcoming those behind them as well. "Young Masters and Miss Attwater."

"Irvin! Is Brandon awake?" He asked as soon as he saw the gray haired man. He was excited and hopeful that he was.

"Yes, young master. He just arrived and is in the kitchen."

"Arrive? Where did he go?"

"He left for the festival that took place earlier, in celebration of the Victory Celebration." He informed the butler. Everyone there knew that there was an event for commoners with fun and understood quickly.

"I wanted to go too." He crossed his arms. James was a little uncomfortable with having to go to the ball. Even though he had talked to Bellus, it didn't change the fact that most of the event up until that point had been boring. "Did he go with Nott?"

"Yes."

"Okay, thanks uncle." He obliged, with his walking path straight to the kitchen. He couldn't leave it for tomorrow.

"You're welcome, young master."

The other members of the Miller family, even though they entered the mansion, still overheard James' conversation with the butler. The countess was relieved that Brandon had enjoyed himself that day. The count simply found such behavior normal, it was common for young people to go out. Ferion didn't mind, just going straight to his room, he still had work to do tomorrow and he had to wake up early. Johannes didn't think much of it, but he looked straight at Phillip, taking in his slight expression. It was clear he wasn't happy.

And Phillip, only jealousy was on her mind. Brandon was out partying with another man. His chest tightened a little and a feeling of sadness washed over him.

'Who is Nott? The knight of that day?'

Phillip thought about who it was that came out of his brother's mouth. If it was him, anger was also mixed with his complex of felt feelings. He didn't forget that Brandon had protected the knight when he went to confront him, much less that he'd even given him a chance to have a proper conversation or have told him who he was. He was bitter and jealous that his beloved could protect those who mattered to him even from him.

Only Phillip didn't forget Brandon's indifferent and alienated look on him, but he took it as a measure to protect himself. Or just as a temporary thing that with some talking and coaxing could change it.

"Phillip, let's go." Johannes' voice called him back from his trance.

She watched him return to normal and adjust his expression. Of course she knew what and who he was thinking. They were business partners and the man told him about his argument with the redhead. And, frankly, he fully agreed with the other party. If she was Brandon, let alone talking to him, she would have slapped him across the face to get him to see her intentions. Johannes thought Brandon was very kind to Phillip, but that was also understandable as he was her first love.

As Phillip's partner part, she was in no position to opine or advise Brandon, but her "fiancé" attitude only proves he was scum. She thought it was amazing coming from someone with two wonderful parents. Could this mean that there is always a rotten fruit in a basket?

"Yes let's go." Phillip said, walking beside her to her room. He needed to rest and get his mind in order and cool off.

At this very moment, James arrived in the kitchen. The place was bright and very well organized and spacious. There was a long table where the employees eat on the opposite side of the sink and it was full of cabinets and decorations all over the place. As soon as James walked in, he saw Brandon's figure at the stove, doing something for himself. He also saw Nott, sitting in a chair, while talking to the laughing redhead. It looked like the subject was a good one, as they were both laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" he asked, making his presence known to both of them.

Brandon's eyes widened when he saw the boy suddenly appear in the kitchen. He was startled and didn't even notice him approaching the enclosure. Was he that distracted? He also noticed that James was still wearing the same clothes he left in and he seemed to have come straight into the kitchen as soon as he knew he was there. A sigh left his mouth. Look at the time and the boy should have gone straight to sleep.

"James, didn't you go shower as soon as you got here?"

"I'll shower when I go to sleep." He shrugged. Not caring about his friend's accusing eyes. "And why are you laughing? I want to know too."

"We were just talking about the bell falling from one of the games we visited tonight." Nott said, taking a sip of the coffee Brandon had made for himself. He was slightly sweet thanks to the sugar.

"The bell you dropped, Nott." Brandon laid it out with a smile. He was much more open around people she was familiar with. If he were in public, it would be difficult to give such a natural smile. Only with those he likes can he be like this, relaxed. The day was also good and I was in a good mood.

Of course Brandon noticed his condition, he knew he was glad he'd had a good night and grateful that Nott called him, it was one of the best nights he's had in a long time. Maybe tomorrow he'll be back to normal, with a serious face and few expressions. But until then, he wanted to enjoy this state and have fun with both of them. It was rare to be like this and so he didn't want to waste it.

"No need to say either." Nott said quietly, but is still heard by the other two. He scratched his cheek, which was slightly red in embarrassment. Brandon saw this and laughed again, it was also rare to see him this way.

"Is that true? How?" he asked curiously.

James saw how his brother Brandon was smiling. He felt glad to see him like this. He looked so relaxed, like that boy in his childhood memories, always with a smile on his face and a gentle voice. So different from the usual that has formed over the years.

Brandon still acted relaxed with him and the others, but not as much as he did at this moment. His relaxed person and smiling so openly, it was incredible and beautiful.

'Did he laugh like that all night?' he wondered, wishing he'd gone to the festival more than the party.

"Well, we stopped at a test match of strength to see who was the strongest. Nott went after me. He took the hammer and hit it so hard that the metal rose into the bell and forced it out a little, dismounting shortly thereafter." The redhead counted, as he watched the knight's expression grow redder. "It was funny on his face when he saw this. Even better when I saw the face of the owner of the game. Even he was surprised."

"Brandon." He called out to his friend in protest. Which was ignored by him.

"And there's more?"

"Clear." He nodded Brandon, starting to tell about his night at the festival with his friend. He finished the milk chocolate and handed it to James and poured it for himself.

The night was a lot of fun. The competition they both held in front of the shooting booth lasted until they got tired and visited almost all the game booths on one side, only stopping when they felt hungry for the entire event. In these matches, there were times when Brandon won, like target shooting, and others when Nott won, and they were always diversified, without repeating what they had already played.

However, games were not the only ones responsible for their entertainment. Just as the situation of the bell falling was fun and unexpected, other events happened, such as the sudden approach of a shy girl to the knight, who was red-faced and trying to talk to him, looking like it was a confession - Brandon even had a "connoisseur" look at Nott -, and in the end she asks him to ask his friend if he would go out with her.

Nott's face at that moment was priceless for Brandon. And even he was speechless about it. But he politely declined.

In addition, there was also a fall. Unlike the bell, it was not the object of a game, but the person himself. Brandon was walking and stepped on a piece of paper which made him slip and hit his butt on the floor. Nott saw it and laughed, but helped him to his feet. It was rude to do something like that, but it was funny the way Brandon looked at him.

"Hm, you guys had so much fun. I wanted to go too." James commented when he heard Brandon finish counting.

"I'm sure it was fun at the party too, wasn't it?" Brandon asked, not putting much faith in the answer being yes. James didn't like these situations and he knew that. So he was just trying to change the subject.

"It was…" he murmured. "I made a friend."

"Oh yeah? Who?" His curiosity was piqued. James didn't want to befriend the other kids at the afterparty, so how special is the person who befriended him?

"It's the third prince!" he exclaimed proudly. Her lips quirked up at the frozen reactions of Brandon and Nott. The two were shocked that royalty was mentioned.

For someone of your social class, interacting with nobles is not uncommon. Many of the aristocrats go to commoners' businesses and live walking the streets, just to have fun or chat with friends. So, seeing someone above count on the streets is not impossible. However, it is different when it comes to royalty. The royal members don't go out discriminately because of hidden dangers and are something of a celebrity to everyone in the empire.

They are the flowers on top of the mountain that are virtually impossible to reach.

Therefore, when they appear, there are usually a lot of people around them, making it difficult to approach and have a friendly approach with the other party. So for James to be able to talk and still make friends is surprising for them to know nothing.

"Are you sure?" Nott asked, somewhat skeptically.

"It is clear!" He nodded. "And he likes magic too, isn't that cool?"

"That is great." Brandon shook his head, taking a sip of his drink. He knew how much James needed someone like that. Although he discussed magical matters with you, it wasn't his area, much less studied about it. So what they could discuss was limited.

The fact that he befriended someone who understood him and shared his ideas with him was a good thing. And him being a royal is just a bonus.

"We're going to talk in letters from now on."

"I'll help you when I write."

"Thanks, Brandon." He spoke and yawned. Instantly, the other two also yawned. "I think I'm going to sleep."

"Me too." Both Nott and Brandon spoke together. The night had been tiring and the weariness was now taking effect. But Nott was the better one, training every day to get a decent, healthy physique.

James looked at the two of them. "Good night."

"Good night."

"Good night, James."

Both said and saw the boy leaving the kitchen with slow steps. He no longer had the drive he had when he entered. The time had come and sleep was starting to take effect. His movements were lethargic as he made his way to his room, still having to shower to wash the sweat off his clothes and get a good night's sleep.

"Good night, Nott. And thanks for taking me to the festival." He smiled at his friend, yawning again. He was going to sleep soon, he couldn't take it anymore.

"You're welcome. See you tomorrow."

Nott's gentle smile was present and he left the kitchen through the back, heading to the staff building. Only Brandon stayed there, fixing everything, and then going to his room to sleep. And all his sleep was good, as were his dreams.