Chapter 25

Prince, our prince (1)

'What is with this development?'

Kleio's narrative doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. So, he was determined to accept his fate, but now that an unexpected hook came in, he couldn't help but feel a sense of resistance.

When he thought about the existing manuscript, there weren't many calm days awaiting in the future, but now things seemed uselessly tense too soon.

'Birthday parties are always an ominous flag...'

"If you don't go, the knights will come and drag you into it? What a bloody birthday party."

"Look, I thought it would be like this. If you act like your usual, you'll be troubled by the royal family, so I've volunteered. Isn't it a tearful friendship?"

"What friendship? If you look at it closely, you'll see it only has an adverse effect."

Dione, who was listening to the two at a distance, was amazed.

"Young master!"

"Look, Lady Dione has turned white. You can do that at school, but try to refrain from doing it outside."

"I apologize as this bum's guardian. Thank you for your generous understanding."

"You don't have to be so formal, Lady Dione. What are you saying? I drank too much tea anyway. Which way is the bathroom?"

Arthur hadn't even touched the teacup; it was just a sign that the two would give them time to talk. While Arthur led Isiel away, Dione opened her eyes wide and began to push Kleio.

"You won't go after receiving a royal invitation with your name on it? You want to make that sort of declaration?"

"No, why is it that way? Is not attending the ball a political expression?"

"That's why you don't know anything! The birthday celebration of His Majesty is where Prince Melchior shows off his popularity. You've been called, so don't be hardheaded and go."

"Should I go then? Won't I be entrusted with a public office or forced to swear allegiance to the royal family?"

"This is for the beautiful prince that Albion loves. It is to thank Prince Arthur for coming to you in person."

At school, the students didn't seem to be aware he was royalty, but when would they wake up? How noisy would they be if they received an official letter from the Crown Prince?

"Uh..."

"When the youngest prince returns, say you will accept it immediately."

Arthur returned to the parlor at that moment. With a solemn face, Kleio opened the invitation and signed it with the intent to attend. Dione quickly put a record on the gramophone, then reached a hand out to Kleio. He stared at the small hand in front of him.

"Hey, Dione."

"Now, I cannot back down. What would my reputation as your teacher be if the young master couldn't even waltz? It will be more fun to learn today when you have friends."

'No, I don't think so.'

Dione was determined. A cheerful dance song rang out through the living room, and that cat that had walked in laughed at Kleio.

"Meeooooow (Can you disobey the lady? Haha.)."

Isiel was already distracted by Behemoth and was petting the cat. Behemoth rubbed his nose into her cutely as Kleio's eyes trembled. In the meantime, he noticed Arthur was talking to Dione.

'Can I help you?'

"Come on, hold my hand, and stand up, young master!"

Kleio clenched his jaw and nodded as Arthur laughed silently.

"Lady Dione."

"Yes, prince?"

"Teaching is good, but could you please allow me to spend the day with a friend whom I haven't seen in a while?"

.

.

.

As soon as they left the Asel mansion, Arthur asked if he brought his wallet. When he said yes, Arthur snatched Kleio and got onto the back of a train. The train's rear car had only railings, so the wind was strong, and the sound was loud, so he had to shout to be heard.

"What are you doing? Where are we going?!"

"To the east! There's no good bar on the west side!"

The two boys and Isiel got off at the tram stop on the east side and ordered sausages and fries at the pub on the station corner. The ale served with the fatty snacks was excellent. The boys emptied their pints in no time, but Isiel refused to drink anything but water. They continued drinking at other bars, crossing through dirty back alleys to drink fresh gin and sherry. It seemed that Arthur's mind had a comprehensive map of the Lundane pubs for his tour because he had left the dormitory frequently. All of them were commonplace bars, but they were all cozy and had tasty alcohol.

'This sherry is really good too. It had nice acidity and a heavy nutty scent to it.'

Kleio felt sorry as he finished off the sherry. But, just in time, Arthur returned with two new drinks.

"So why do you hate the idea of learning to dance so much? What's wrong with that pretty tutor who wants to teach you?"

"I just don't want to do it."

"You're stubborn, though you don't look it."

"You're just saying pointless things."

Disregarding the prince, Kleio grabbed the glass of wine from his hand and tasted it. It was a port wine with a rich plum flavor. Arthur emptied his cup with a laugh.

"Aren't the drinks good here?"

"They are."

"The sherry and port wine are sent directly from Pedre. That's where the owner's cousin lives."

"How much have you already been through?"

"Is it a side benefit of stupidity? As you said before, this is the life."

"Keh-"

The liquor stuck in Kleio's throat. This guy remembered some pointless stuff.

'He doesn't even blink.'

"It's not a big secret that my situation is always threatened, but no one talks about it openly. But you're funny. Saying you want to be expelled, but keep doing things that everyone has their eyes on."

"I just want to live easily without worrying about the future."

"You say that, but you also broke the leg of a 4th level swordsman and fought off three 5th level swordsmen."

"How do you know about that fight?!"

"Well, I wonder."

Arthur's voice lowered as he placed his empty cup down.

"I don't know why you're trying to hide your power, but you've already slipped up. Zebedee and the students saw your magic, as well as the knights. Melchior knows of your existence. The proof is this invitation."

As if to remind him of the invitation, Arthur patted the front of his jacket.

"Is there any reason for a prince to pay attention to just one student?"

"The school barriers can prevent intruders, but not rumors."

"Why do you care so much when a wizard doesn't have great power compared to a swordsman?"

"Zebedee is a pacifist; he refuses to use magic to harm people. But people don't know about you."

The noisy bar at midnight was a suitable place for a secret conversation. Isiel stayed with them but remained silent, watching the entrance with an alert expression.

"The news had spread fast about you. For the first time since its creation, Albion may have two level 8 wizards."

"That hope is in vain."

"In vain? The fact that you're already a level 3 wizard has been documented in the directory of the Defense Force."

"So that's how it is known to His Majesty, the Third Prince."

"It's not just me who knows, but Melchior's secret intelligence knows all of that. I just stole some of the information they left lying around. You're stuck in the capital mansion, right? You're not close to your father, and you don't have much power."

Suddenly, Arthur reached out at a speed that he couldn't track and grabbed Kleio's arm. He almost spilled his drink as he leaned over the table.

"Hey, hey, why are you doing this? Say it, boy!"

As they made more noise, Isiel moved a little to cover the two from others' eyes skillfully. Arthur raised his ether, causing a spark between his hand and Kleio's arm. Kleio saw a streak on the back of his hand. It was a dark blue-and-green rectangle: Editor's Authority.

'Was it possible for someone else to put ether into it?!'

"This is a unique skill."

Arthur stared at the symbol.

"I've been thinking a lot since what happened in the hallway that day. What kind of ability you have."

Kleio grew angry and brushed Arthur's hand away. Arthur no longer held on and pulled his hand back. As the ether vanished, so did the mark, but Arthur's eyes remained on the back of Kleio's hand.

"I decided on two possibilities. It's an analysis or prediction-based skill."

Kleio flinched at the fairly accurate speculation. Arthur didn't miss it.

"...On what basis?"

"When you found out that I was Arthur Reignan, you quickly tried to distance yourself from me. When that didn't work, you tried to change something."

"That's excessive speculation."

"Just a bit of guesswork. How would you explain what happened at the Trinity auction house if it weren't for that power?"

'I did it quietly, but what is with this guy?'

Kleio recalled the contents of the last manuscript. Arthur, whose political position was weaker than his brothers, spent more time searching for talent and pulled all those he found onto his side. But there was no wizard in his party.

'In the new manuscript, the author... Did he want to put a wizard in Arthur's party? Was that his intention?'