The Problem with Professor Nicolas (1)

Matteus sighed as he went through the profiles of each private tutor. It had been two weeks since Azra's birthday, and he had yet to come to a decision about who would be teaching him.

Not to mention the cat he promised. It was only a matter of time before Azra started asking for one again.

Matteus brushed his hair away from his face.

Chosing a teacher was not an easy task, but now that Azra was beginning to show signs of magic cognition, the job was going to be much harder.

"It was unlike anything I've ever heard of your Majesty. He brought the flowers back to life. I've never seen anything like it before, it wasn't healing magic. It was like he was controlling the mana in the air. Like the scriptures. It was like the-"

"The All Father."

The God surrounding the common religion of the Alfonsi nation said to be the sole creator and manipulator of mana.

Still it was impossible, no human could control raw mana. As a power source it was too volatile, only by circulating it in the body could it be broken down and reused in the more controlled state that was magic.

If only he had been there to see, then he would have known for certain.

If Azra could control mana... he could control nature itself.

In any case, it was important that what happened in the gardens remained a secret. Alfonsi had its long-standing group of antagonists who would love to get their hands on such valuable information. Not to mention the people of Amaryllis...

No, I mustn't think like that. One thing at a time.

He turned his gaze back to the stack of profiles that he still needed to go through. Matteus did not want to hand this job over to anyone else. All decisions concerning his son required his undivided attention.

After what felt like hours later, Matteus finally managed to narrow down the list to two potential teachers.

Lady Carmen Ross and Professor Nicholas Reed.

Both born from reputable noble families with close ties to the crown. It was unlikely these two would do anything detrimental to Azra.

Lady Ross was well versed in the ways of etiquette and history which Matteus found most important. On the other hand, Professor Nicolas had experience in teaching, as well as background knowledge on all the core subjects taught at the magic institute Matteus planned to enroll Azra in when he was older.

Or perhaps having them both teach him would be ideal... but would Azra be able to handle it?

When he saw Anna carrying the bleeding child to the mages, flashbacks of when he was born crowded his mind. Azra had been growing so well Matteus had let his guard down assuming his underdeveloped heart was not as much of a problem as it was made to be.

Now he felt like he could never be too careful. The last thing he wanted to do was put more pressure on Azra by assigning him two tutors instead of one...

Well, there was only one way to solve that.

Azra's head shot up at the sound of familiar footsteps in his room.

"Dad!"

"Azra, don't run."

Matteus chided as he quickened his steps in order to reach the teetering child quickly.

His son was swooped into his arms. Being able to hold him and feel him alive was something so precious to Matteus. He lost something important once before, he would never to allow that to happen again.

Anna quickly left the room without prompt, she could tell the King wanted to be alone with his son for the time being.

"Azra, do you remember what I told you about getting you a tutor?"

Matteus stiffened when Azra pulled back from laying against his shoulder to give him sad puppy eyes. His heart stuttered in his chest and he immediately opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but the Prince beat him to it.

"I remember, I also remember you telling me I could have a pet cat. Where is it?"

"Finding one is taking longer than I thought it would. Could you give me some more time?"

A simple domesticated cat would not do. Finding Azra a compatible pet that would also provide an extra layer of protection was like killing two birds with one stone. While tame animals with magical abilities were rare, it was not impossible to obtain one.

Lavender eyes locked onto his before Azra gave a happy nod.

"Yes. Dad has never broken a promise before, so I'll wait."

"What a forgiving son I have."

Azra giggled as a large hand came to brush his white bangs away from his forehead to place a kiss there.

Matteus walked towards one of the windows, the sky was clear from this high up, so they could still see the clusters of houses and streets far down below.

"Do you know what dad's job is?"

"Anna told me you have a really serious job and that you have to take care of a lot of people."

"Not just any people Azra, our people. One day, this job will become yours and to prepare you for this job there are going to be many things you need to do. This is why I am assigning you a tutor, do you think you can have two teachers instead of one?"

Azra furrowed his eyebrows in thought.

"Do you think I can do it?"

"Azra can do whatever he wishes. If you chose to take on more classes, please remember that there is no reason to rush. Take your time and learn at your pace."

"Then I'll do it!" His little hands balled into fists and purple eyes alight with determination.

Matteus smiled.

Adaline, he really is just like you.

- - -

Carmen was shaking, now that meant she was either nervous or excited. In this case it was both. The fancy letter with the official Royal seal on it sent her entire family into a frenzy.

Everything needed to be perfect, she was in her lucky blue dress with full puffy sleeves and a white lace corset. Her bright blonde hair had been curled and styled within an inch of its life. She even added on a pair of lacy white gloves to conceal the signs of anxiety in the form of sweaty cold palms.

She was a bit early to the meeting with the King. Unable to sleep, she had no choice but to start the day early if only not to go completely insane.

The King... I'm actually meeting the King! Personally!

The door opened and Carmen almost tripped over her heels from how fast she got up. Her shoulders relaxed when she realized it was not King Alfonsi but the other Professor the letter had mentioned.

She wiped her hands against the skirt of her dress, momentarily forgetting that she was wearing gloves.

Carmen stood, fully intending to introduce herself to the man. They could eventually end up as co-workers.

Her eyes went up... and up... and up.

He had to be well over six feet tall, probably closer to seven. His wiry thin frame made the suite that was probably tailored look loose fitting. A full head of salt and pepper hair was parted to the side and neatly combed. All in all he looked rather normal, aside from his eyes.

They made Carmen wince in pain. The watery brown orbs were sunken, with prominent dark bags of skin beneath them. The man looked like he hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep in the last year.

He clung to the leather-bound case stationed in front of his chest as if it were armor.

Perhaps he's one of those academic geniuses, many of them have various mental ailments...

Carmen shook her head to free herself from any type of judgment. Unlike the assumption, not all nobles knew each other; sure they knew of others and heard rumors but had never spoken to many of them. Nobles mainly interacted to conduct some sort of business. Genuine friendships among the elite of Alfonsi were rear.

Nicolas glanced at the short, chubby woman as her blonde curls bounced all over.

He paid no attention as she made a move to start conversation. She did not matter, noting mattered other than pleasing the King.

He needed this job. A slight intrigue from the information he purchased turned to full-blown desire after some serious thought.

Nicolas forced his feet to still and keep from nervously tapping against the floor.

He needed this job.

He needed to see the prince... because maybe, just maybe.

The door opened and the King entered after two guards announced his presence. Both teachers stood but Carmen couldn't help the way her eyes bugged out of her skull.

On Nicolas' face was a bright smile, it was enough to give her whiplash from his previously cold demeanor.

What the fuck is up with him?