Fedel turned to the door after hearing it being opened. Damian came out of the Emperor's Drawing Room and immediately bent his back when the Prince approached him.
"Can we visit the Imperial Garden before going back to my Palace?"
"Of course."
Fedel froze the moment he straightened his back, the boy's eyes were slightly bloodshot and swollen.
"Your Highness, are you okay?"
The boy walked past the standing Fedel.
"Yeah."
He whirled and followed suit. They entered the Blink Sphere Room and headed to the Imperial Garden. As they teleported, Damian and Fedel got out and rolled their feet to the wisteria trees.
Surprisingly, there was almost nothing changed in the Imperial Garden, magnificent as always and somehow brought back my memories.
Damian gazed at the trees with his dull blue eyes. Honestly speaking, I pitied that boy. I mean--I didn't know which Damian was it but, his mother died and his relatives would be executed.
A Prince who once had powerful backing now became a powerless Prince. It happened too fast, as fast as turning the palm of a hand.
Still, I was amazed at how he was able to keep himself sane at this point. But, he suddenly staggered and Fedel hastily helped him to balance his footing.
"It's quite chilly here. How about we head back to the Palace?"
Following Fedel's advice, they decided to return. However, upon arriving at his Palace, a boy with black-haired was seen standing facing his chamber's door. Hearing footsteps that were coming closer, he spun around and Alexander came into view.
"Ah, Ian!"
He marched toward Damian. I couldn't help but frown after seeing their interaction. To think that he called Damian by his pet name, I thought the two Princes in that world were pretty close. Fedel and Damian soon bowed.
"Jeez. What's up with formality? I told you to drop it."
He beckoned with his hands.
"Forget it. I'm just glad that you have regained consciousness. Also, my sincerest condolences for your loss and I'm sorry, I couldn't attend the funeral because– you know my mother, right?"
However, Damian just stood there, glaring at his half-brother with his indifferent and blunt blue eyes. Receiving a cold stare, Alexander was taken aback.
"Ian?"
"It was your mother, wasn't it?"
His eyebrows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"The mastermind behind the accident that took my mother's life."
Alexander heaved a long breath.
"I know our factions are enemies, especially since you all despite my mother. But Ian, accusing someone without proof is considered a crime."
Unable to refute Alexander's words, Damian stormed straight into his chamber and completely ignored him.
"Haa…"
Alexander sighed once again and massaged his nose bridge. Now he instantly regretted what he had just said, it seemed his words hurt his little brother's feelings.
"Prince Damian is not feeling well at the moment and a little sensitive thing might hurt his heart. I hope you can pardon his rudeness."
"I see."
He took out a book and a bag of cookies from his magical sphere, then gave them to Fedel.
"Please give these to Ian and convey my apologies to him. I hope he can cheer up sooner."
"As you wish."
As it was impossible to talk to Damian right now, he decided to return to his Palace.
"I'll just go back to my Palace."
With that, Alexander withdrew and Fedel bent his back when he passed him. After making sure that the Prince was out of sight, he straightened his posture and stepped towards Damian's chamber. He lightly knocked on the door.
"Your Highness, this is Fedel."
"Come in."
When he entered, he found Damian lying on his bed whilst gazing at the ceiling.
"Your Highness, Prince Alexander presented these gifts to you."
The white-haired boy turned to him as he placed them on the table.
"The first Prince said that he was sorry and hoped the gift could cheer you up."
However, Damian just remained silent and resumed what he did before. Ignored by the Prince, Fedel decided to leave.
"I will take my leave now."
.
.
.
The sunny sky had changed into a deep silent night. Chandeliers shone brightly inside Damian's chamber.
"Haa…"
He sighed tiredly. After a few hours of doing nothing, the boy finally got down on his feet and strode toward the table. He took the book and sat on the couch. He flipped open the cover and began to read it.
I had a hunch that the book was the same book that Alexander gave me since it had the same cover. But, I didn't know what book it was because let alone read it, I hadn't even touched that book ever since I dumped it on the bookshelf.
But something strange was going on. Every time Damian turned to the next page, his expression became more and more serious.
He closed the book then looked for papers and a pen, then he wrote something on the paper before proceeding to read it again.
This action repeatedly continued as if he was doing research. My forehead furrowed watching his action, just what kind of book was that?
Days passed and Damian was still immersed in doing his investigation. He grew thinner each day because he kept skipping most of his meals and didn't even get proper sleep.
"Your Highness, you are invited to the Empress Cor--"
"I won't attend it."
The Prince immediately cut in without even bothering to look at Fedel. He was busy writing on the paper, the same as always.
"I understand."
The moment Fedel readily left, he put down his pen and lifted his head to him.
"I'd like to visit my Grandpa."
Fedel turned around to face the Prince.
"As you wish."
'So, he finally lost his mind, huh?'
I wouldn't wonder though, his mother died in front of him, and his entire family would be executed. They were not something a six-year-old kid could handle.
"Haa…"
Gideon heaved a deep sigh. He looked at the boy but before the Duke could say anything Damian withdrew his hand from his grasp.
"No."
The boy shook his head and took a step back. His tears started anew.
"Please don't say anything. Please believe in me..."
"Ian--"
"NO!!"
Damian stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. His breath was rough as he leaned against the door.
"Your Highness, are you finished visiting the Duke?"
The boy darted at the guard beside him.
"Yes."
He straightened his back and rolled his feet to approach Fedel.
"Let's go back to my chamber."
He bowed and followed Damian from behind.
"Ian! When a living being is dead, they will be gone forever! You will never get them back!"
Fedel turned to the voice and saw Gideon shouting behind the cell. He returned his attention to Damian, however, he deafen his hearing and was unaffected regardless of how loud the Duke shouted.
"Ian! You know what death means!"
"Your Highness, the Duke is calling for you."
"Ignore him."
I could vividly see Fedel's concerned face starting from the prison through the Palace. As Damian opened his chamber's door and finally he voiced his worries.
"Your Highness, you're not planning on doing something dangerous, are you?"
The white-haired boy stopped midway.
"Everything will be okay... as it should be."
With that, Damian entered his room and the door shut. He marched to his closet and wore a black robe. He brushed his bedroom and stuffed everything valuable into his magical sphere.
Not only that, but he also put his research papers that were scattered above the table, the book given by Alexander, weapons, and many more.
'Was it me or was he planning to run away?'
Damian walked toward the wall that I used to sneak out and opened it. I wanted to know where he was going but for some reason, my eyes felt heavy and my sight became blurry. I let my eyelid droop, then everything went blackout.
.
.
.
My eyes slightly opened right after the light bathed my visions. I blinked a few times before fully opening them. As my blurry sight became clear, something new served in front of me.
It was not the light from the giant screen or complete darkness that usually enveloped me, but something that I was familiar with. A ceiling. A familiar ceiling.
"Ah..."
I turned my head to the side and let my eyes skim the room. Somehow it felt so nostalgic, the room hadn't changed. Even the furniture stayed the same just like the last time I left them. Dropping my head to the pillow, I closed my eyes and exhaled a relieved breath.
"I'm back."
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