(Past)

MAKING his way through the crowd, Lance eyed every guest with a distasteful frown. They all looked generic. No one stands out. Even the fake way that they smile was so similar, it gave him chills.


Wearing a blue suit for his brother's party was not his idea. Sein suggested that the color symbolises prosperity. 'Who am I to say no?'

"The crown prince!" A servant greeted him with a shallow bow. Lance didn't mind and decided to be lenient just for today. "The great marshal wants you to meet his son. Should we get going now?"

'A son?' Lance raised his brow. He still can't believe that news. 'That jerk looks so young to actually have a son!'


"Let's go."

The king didn't want anything bold especially when it's the newborn's safety that was at stake. Still, he couldn't refuse the eagerness of the crowd. The common people wants to see the 'other' heir. So that they can finally rest assured that the crown won't fall on Lance's palm.


'They can all gag for it. I'm not interested. Not even a tiny bit.'

They passed rows of chairs and tables but only a few rose to acknowledge Lance's presence. The mocking stare from the elders made him feel like a total loser. Lance kept on reminding himself that this is beyond his capability. He can't stop them from thinking wrongfully of him.

"The great marshal's son has been disabled for quite a while now. While he's still adjusting, his dad hopes for him to have friends that he can count on while facing this difficulty."

'Disabled? Did he lost a limb or two?' It's such a mystery. How come he didn't manage to get a sniff of this? The great marshal is a big figure in the masses eyes. What happened that cause his son to be disabled?

"Here we go..."

Entering a private room for three person, Lance was surprised to see a gentle-looking man with his blue eyes unfocused in his direction. He wore a black suit. It was such a contrast in his eyes. Lance was silenced for a second. After the initial shock, he realized that the 'son' didn't lose his limb but his sight.

Lance felt a tug in his stomach. He sighed with regret. The guy's bearing suggested being prim and proper. It was a waste that he could no longer see.

"You're the great marshal's son? It's nice to finally meet you."

He didn't flinch but the furrowed brows signaled dislike. Lance gathered his gut together and praised him, "You look exactly like your father. I hope you're fine for a small talk. I'm Lance, by the way."

The servant closed the door without further questions. Lance rolled his eyes. 'Why am I nervous?'

He sat unapologetically in front of the guy. "Are you..." Lance fiddled the hem of his suit. "Ah... can't you speak? Oh, damn. I should've asked the servant."

The guy finally cleared his throat. "I can..." he drawled, "…speak."

Lance sighed with relief. Although it confuses him why he felt immense pity in the man's situation. "Well, what's your name?"

"I didn't… speak for days that's why my voice hardly comes out." His frown ebbed and the hostility was chased away by his gentle smile. "My name is Joaquin. Joaquin De Villa."

Lance was struck with a sense of kinship. He seemed genuine and trustworthy. Lance nodded. "You should speak more now that I'm here. Sein usually says I'm quite a talker. He's my manservant."

'I want to befriend you. Allow me.' Joaquin's lashes lowered but his lips quirked with an unusual hesitation. "Yeah... can you be my friend?"

Lance grinned. "That should be no problem."

'Looks like I found myself a new bestie.'

JOAQUIN couldn't stop the guy from talking. The moment he started, it was impossible to shut him up. He still felt on guard but after a few minutes he started to feel comfortable. It was hard to be cold to Lance. He's a kind guy.

"…well, my brother is another matter. I look nothing like him. I mean, we don't look alike! I expect him to have my hair at least but the little guy had nothing similar to me!"

Joaquin thought that Lance hated his brother. He's not ignorant in family feuds and the fight for the crown. It seems like Lance is not after any title. He's even upset that his brother doesn't look like him.

"It was such a waste that all the good genes was spent to me and all he had was that nasty nose of the king. Too big, if you ask me."

Joaquin tried to stifle his laugh. It was a long time since he was able to smile again. Lance's ridiculous mouth provoked him. "That's a cruel thing to say to a kid."

"He's still cute though even if he got father's nose. I'm not saying he's ugly, okay? He's cute. Just... his nose is a bit distracting."

"You're distracted because it reminds you of your father?"

Lance went silent. After a few second, he sighed noisily. "That's right. Why does he have to look like father, anyway? The king won't do him any good. He's not even handsome."

"Maybe he is an effective ruler?"

"Don't pretend as though you don't know the conflict we are currently facing here. A lot of people are scared because the bandits of the west might want force king to abdicate. The draught has been this bad but he still managed to throw a party for his newborn son. A lavish banquet at that! How was he an effective king?"

There's no perfect government. A lot still cheats their sovereign and choose to prosper all alone. Taxes were kept for themselves and the promised water dam was never built. The schools doesn't grow themselves from the ground and the poor only became poorer.

Even if they were above the mortal realm where the humans live, it's still disappointing to see that they are living in a much worse environment than those who live without magic.

A knock snapped Joaquin back to reality. He started to feel itchy because of his suit. Joaquin didn't really want to wear one but his father insisted.

"Sir? Sir? We came with the refreshments."

Lance became rigid. His movements stopped and he asked, "Who's that?"

"We are the servers from the kitchen!"

"Where's Sein? I need need help." Lance didn't get up. Joaquin was puzzled with his actions. He's being rude.

"Sein? She... she's with the head mistress right now."

Lance huffed. He scurried over to Joaquin's side and whispered, "We should get out by the window. Now."

"What? Why?" Joaquin didn't want to move inside the unfamiliar room. He might bump to everything.

"I'm familiar with every staff in the kitchen. And I've never come to hear that man's voice before." He blinked. "Second, Sein was a man. I told you, he's my manservant. If he's really from the palace, it's impossible for him to not know who's Sein. He's the only servant assigned to me."

Joaquin paled. "Then the guy outside..."

Lance smiled. Joaquin may thought that this has suddenly become an action scene. But for Lance who lived through several killing attempts, this is only a warning. "I don't know what does he wants but... I guess, it won't be any good."