- Soft Lullaby

In hindsight of all things, I understood that I used to be a normal person. Before I died, when I was still identified as Tanaka Jiro, My skills weren't amazing and I held no passion for one thing in particular. Nothing called to me to chase after and it was like that since I was a child. Eventually, my parents grew annoyed and for that reason alone, my family tended to ridicule me and pressure me. Of course, I tried because the pressure my family put on me was just too much for me to handle mentally but eventually I had to accept that no matter what I wouldn't find that passion. I wouldn't find something that only I could do. So there was nothing different about me and there would be nothing different about me.

Until I died which brought us to this moment. The moment where I learned I might finally be different. A moment when I might finally be anything but normal...The moment something lit a fire in me to chase after. Though I was chasing after my curiosity about this world and information. I now wanted to chase after this idea of what could be. 

Chase after the idea of me having some type of power that only I had. And for me to chase after this I had to educate myself on how the magic worked.

The room settled in awkward silence as I thought about how the male had explained everything. From what I understood so far those who wielded the magic here were called Magicians. Magicians unlocked their magic through the means of entering a thing they called 'magic coma' which lasted from a week to a month normally. This 'magic coma' was something they all willingly entered, however, it was possible to be unwillingly placed in a magic coma. But there was one thing I didn't understand...something that didn't connect.

"...how can one unwillingly be sent into a magic coma?" I inquired as the male turned away from me. Quick with his hands, he added another of those blue and green cubes into the vile filled with purple liquid.

He hummed. "That is the question isn't it Prince Silas. But I'm just a mere Court Magician so I do not have an answer to that question. But that is also why I am here, to find out why."

I nodded in understanding and acceptance when I realized I didn't know his name yet. Suddenly feeling a bit guilty I asked. "What is your name…?"

Though he wasn't looking directly at me I saw the edge of his lips lift into a smile. He turned to look at me and I was correct, he was smiling. "My name is Carian Moon and this mere Court Magician is honored that you would ask." Placing a gloved hand over his heart, he bowed his head.  The liquid in the potion that was purple started to bubble making a loud popping noise when said bubbles started to pop. Carian jumped at the noise before sighing. Rubbing his forehead before grabbing the vile, he placed a small cork into it and securely clasped his hand around it. "Another failure…" he muttered. Carian l, with my eyes following his movements, walked past me to another set of counters that also had a sink. He bent down and opened the cabinet revealing a shelf full of what appeared to be the same thing. Instead of purple liquid, they were all a different color. 

Marian set it with the other potions then closed the cabinet and stood up. He turned to me "Prince Silas I'm sure you have more questions to ask and I'm sorry but I must ask politely to leave. The next steps I'm about to do are quite dangerous. And since you're only 10-years-old I'm sure His Highness and Queen Arabella will not take kindly to you being around here." His tone was stern but still soft as to not hurt my feelings from kicking me out.

With great reluctance, I agreed to leave the Laboratory. Once I exited the room Carien waved then closed the door. Standing there for another few minutes, I sighed and started to walk the way back to my room. My body was once again aching badly but I ignored it. Instead, I focused on my plan. I wasn't gonna return to my room I planned on heading straight past it to explore some more. Possibly find a way to learn more about magic. Halfway to my room, from my guess, an unknown voice called out to me. "Prince Silas!" 

Turning around swiftly, another male that seemed younger than Carien was rushing towards me. He had square blue glasses and short blonde hair. He was holding a clipboard and a pen in his hands while wearing fancy black shoes. With black pants and a blue thin coat paired with a white t-shirt underneath my first thought was someone who handled the information. Perhaps a librarian of sorts? Once in front of me, he took a minute to catch his breath before straightening his posture. 

He started at me with an unimpressed look almost like he was glaring. "Prince Silas I have been looking everywhere for you! His Highness and Queen Arabella sent me to check up on you. That was highly irresponsible." He scolded.

I blinked. 

This man before me reminded me very much of my father when I was Tanaka Jiro. Not by looks as he was much skinnier than him but the attitude was much the same. Only this man held a dangerous aura around him that made me feel a little weary. But his aura was subtle so I didn't pay much attention to it.

The man cleared his throat. "Well since I have found you let's best get you back to your room. You are very pale Prince Silas." He used his free hand to direct me to turn around. Scoffing at being ushered back to my room, I followed his instructions and turned around walking the rest of the way to my room. Exploring some more would most likely have to wait until the next day. Looking back up at the man, I observed him closely narrowing my eyes. He seemed to notice and stared right back.

"Is there something you need Prince Silas?" He asked emotionlessly. 

I shook my head and looked away. Out of the corner of my eye when he hastened his face and stepped up to my left side I saw the paper on his clipboard. 'Aether Cawthorn' it read which was probably his name. We were extremely close to my room only at that moment, unexpectedly, I felt extremely dizzy. I stopped in my tracks and brought up my left hand to cradle my head as it started to pound. My heart sped up and it seemed to get hot until it was extremely hard to breathe. 

What was happening? Was this because I pushed myself to walk around? Was it a side-effect of the magic coma? 

"Prince Silas are you okay?" Aether asked worriedly. 

Gritting my teeth, I suddenly felt my legs buckle under my weight. Staggering backward to try and catch my balance, I was too late. Before I could hit the ground arms that belonged to Aether caught me. I could hear him shouting but his voice was drowned out by a soft melody that unmistakably was from the music I had heard when I first woke up in this world. Unable to keep my eyes open I focused on the music and no sooner everything went dark.

___________

Queen Arabella sat quietly on the soft luxurious couch across from her husband, Aries Sorn. Bringing up the finest teacup of their tea sets, to her lips she swallowed the cold liquid. Her eyes closed feeling the cold liquid ooze her throat that had been bothering her since this morning.

"My love, are you sure we should set up his public event so early? He still needs to fully recover…" Aries frowned not liking the idea. Though they already gave the speech in front of the people he was still unsure. 

Queen Arabella smiled softly and opened her eyes to look at her husband. Placing the teacup down on the coffee table in between them, she placed a hand over her heart. "My beloved please do not worry so. I asked Doctor Crow personally and he assured me that in a week from now he will be fully rested."

Aries scoffed and leaned back against the back of the couch. He rolled his eyes at the mention of the Doctor but remained quiet. Arabella noticed this but didn't say anything to point it out. The silence that enveloped them both was comfortable and warm but was broken within minutes. Aether, the King's advisor had stormed into the room they were both in with an amazing amount of speed. Seeing his face, both Arabella and Aries did not need the details. They both stood up and demanded Aether to take them both to Prince Silas's room.

For what other reason could he possibly have to storm into their room without knocking.