Ch. 12: The First Prince [2]

I got up and bowed lightly before following Alexander. I glanced back, and after making sure that I was distant enough from my mother, I asked him a question.

"So, there will be a war?" 

The boy in front of me stopped and sighed before turning to face me.

"The reason why Her Majesty dismissed us is because she doesn't want you to know about it. So, stop asking."

"It's the Yovanny Kingdom, isn't it?"

"I told you to stop."

He turned his back on me and continued walking ahead. I made a thinking pose as I followed him. If it accorded to the novel's plot, then the opponent was the Yovanny Kingdom.

But I didn't know when the war would start, all I knew was that it would end when Alexander turned 17 years old. If the first wife said the preparation was done, then it was only a matter of time.

"How old are you?"

"Eight."

'What? Don't tell me the war will last for 9 years?! You gotta be kidding! How can I enjoy my traveling if there's a war!'

I massaged my temples at the sudden headache I felt.

'Is there a way to stop the war?'

"--how it feels?"

"Feels what?" 

Damn. I was so busy with my thoughts, I almost missed his words.

"Being a Quint Elementals Bearer?"

He stopped in front of the giant water fountain and sat on it. He stared at the sky and looked far away. 

'According to the novel, he's a Triple Elementals Bearer. Is jealousy one of many reasons why he murdered me?'

But, whatever, I needed to make sure that I didn't offend him with my answer. I walked and sat beside him.

"It's nice because becoming an Elementalist is one of my dreams."

"I see."

"I heard you're quite talented with the sword, what ranks are you?"

I hope he didn't find it suspicious. I planned to gather as much information as I could.

"I'm 3rd Circle and 2nd Tier."

I nodded. If the rank for Elementalist called Tier, Warrior called Circle. Just like Tier on Elementalist, Circle also had 10 ranks and above them called transcend. I thought he was higher than that, but wait--

'What if he's faking it? Should I believe it?'

I massaged my temples again. I mean--how did he manage to kill me if his ranks were lower than mine? Damn. I never thought that gathering information would be this difficult.

"What about you? What ranks are you?"

"I'm 2nd Circle and 3rd Tier."

"Pftt."

His chuckle made me frown. He glanced at me and spoke with his playful smile intact.

"Stop lying. I know you're on your way to 3rd Circle and 4th Tier."

I didn't know what amazed me. His on-spot truth or his handsome face. Even his handsome face surpassed Count Andreas! If my birth in this world was a sin in his eyes then, his face was a sin to me. 

'We have the same breed, yet he's more handsome than me, it's unfair!'

Alright, I had to admit that I was jealous. But this jealousy wouldn't be enough for me to kill him. No worry was needed, I was a perfectly sane person.

"I knew you were suspicious of me, but you can trust me."

"Pardon?"

I really wanted to scoff at him, but refrained myself from doing so.

What did he say? Trust him? Yea, that was definitely the murder's cheesy line. They wanted you to trust them, so they could backstab us more easily.

Just asked every person in this world, if one knew the person who would kill them, would they trust that person? The answer was obvious. 

However, he didn't answer and just chuckled. With that our conversation ended.

A soft breeze passed us and rosy scents filled my nostrils once again. Unlike my imagination, somehow I felt comfortable around him.

Even in this silence, I didn't feel awkward at all. As if I had known him for such a long time. I wondered why I had such a feeling.

I saw my mother and the first wife, they still had a conversation. I was curious about what they were talking about.

I heaved a deep sigh. I had been living here for 6 years, yet, I remained clueless about what was truly going on in and outside the Castle.

Thanks to my mother, butlers, maids, and guards, my movement had always been limited. I wasn't allowed to go outside my Palace, except to go to the Empress' Palace.

Forget about running away, I couldn't even escape their eyes. They were everywhere!

"It reminds me of the past."

I frowned at his monologue.

"What past?"

He stared at me for a few seconds before turning and staring at the sky again.

"Nevermind."

Just what was up with this boy, did he meet with someone in this place? But whatever, that was not my concern.

"By the way, have you ever been to the Njord Region?"

I was almost distracted. I needed to gather more information.

"Njord Region? Yea, I have."

"How did you get the approval from your mother?"

"What approvals?"

He looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Approval for leaving the Castle."

However, he burst into laughter as if he were watching a comedy show.

"Neither my mother nor your mother will allow us to leave Aeon Castle. Haven't you been aware of our status?"

"Then, how did you manage to go out?"

He wiped his tears.

"What a stupid question. Of course, I sneaked out."

I couldn't help but frown.

"Is that even possible?"

"You may not know, but there are plenty of secret passages, even your Palace has them too."

Of course, a secret passageway! Why hadn't I thought of it before? In this gigantic Castle, there was no way it didn't have a secret passage. Never expected that I would find such useful information from him. Also, he was more talkative than I anticipated.

But, did the secret passage exist in my Palace? Wait--How did he know about the secret passage that existed in my Palace? If that was the truth, wouldn't that mean he had used it to sneak into my palace?! Holy crap! No wonder he knew I was lying about my ranks!

I really wanted to ask about the exact location of the secret passage, but as my eyes caught a maid approaching us, I shut my mouth. She arrived before us and bowed.

"Her Majesty requests both of Your Highness' presence."

"I understand."

With that, she left. 

God dammit. Even though I felt at ease around him, my head couldn't stop having negative thoughts! He rose from his seat and looked at me.

"It's kinda late but nice to meet you, Damian."

"My pleasure."

I stood and followed him.

"Why are you asking about the Njord Region? Are you going there?"

"Yes, I'm planning on going there along with Count Andreas."

Suddenly, he halted his step and turned to me.

"Count Andreas?"

"He's my Economic and Elementalist tutor."

However, his expression turned cold.

"No matter what happens, never set your feet out of the castle."

'Just, what is wrong with him? Why is everybody preventing me from going outside? Is there a zombie apocalypse or something?'