Chislon stared at me as he waited for me to answer his question. All I know was that death was inevitable and yet, I did. After seeing my death I was able to dodge his attack. But, what was that sight? Why did I receive a sight a few seconds away from my death?
Was it deja vu? I never heard of deja vu playing your death scene as vivid as that. I was pretty sure it wasn't deja vu. Also, I didn't think seeing your own death was classified as something normal here and it was not something that I could talk about freely as I, myself, wasn't so sure about it either.
"It's just a split second but he made a mistake and I took advantage of it."
"That's right. When it comes to fighting a far superior opponent. Ranks are not everything, because our mind plays a great role too."
He sipped his tea and then smiled.
"As it has come to this, I will change my teaching methods."
"Your teaching methods?"
Chislon nodded.
"For now on, I will be your sparring partner."
"Why is that?"
"Because you need more experience rather than a lecture to defeat your opponent. This method has been approved by Her Majesty. Your Highness doesn't need to worry, I'll be gentle."
I couldn't help but sweat drop inwardly.
''I'll be gentle?' Are you sure? Your eyes said otherwise, though. Is this what my mother meant when she said that my path will be rough? But what the Count said is true. I need more experience.'
I lightly bowed my head.
"I will be in your care then."
Chislon smiled
"Also, regarding your request three months ago--"
"Wait."
I immediately cut him.
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean three months ago?"
Chislon stared at me with his confusion.
"Err... Your Highness had been unconscious for the whole three months."
"What?!"
It was a good thing I didn't abruptly rose from my seat because of how shocked I was. Crazy! That was literally crazy! Why did no one tell me about it? I couldn't help but massage my temples.
"Your Highness, are you alright? Should I call a Doctor?"
I stopped massaging my temple and shook my head.
"No, no, no. It's alright. I'm perfectly fine. Just... a little bit of shock."
I exhaled a long deep breath to calm myself down.
"So, is there something I missed during those times?"
Chislon made a thinking pose.
"Hmm, I don't think there's anything worth but... We're at war and it's been three months."
"Is it the Yovanny Kingdom?"
"That's right."
'I see. Then, it's really going according to the novel. To think the war will last for 9 years. That's insane. I don't want to live in war! Is there nothing really I can do to stop the war? But then again, I am just a 6-year-old kid. Coming to the battlefield is the same as requesting to be sent to the other side. Guess, I can't do anything about it and let fate flow naturally.'
I decided to brush it off.
"So, what is it that the Count wants to talk about?"
"Do you remember that Your Highness requested to visit the Arcanist Tower?"
"Yes."
I nodded. Surprisingly the Count really listened to me even though it was half a joke. I thought he wanted me to visit an amusement park located in Agora.
"I have discussed it with Her Majesty and she has sent the request to His Majesty. He replied that Your Highness could visit it."
Oh. Wow. Never thought that the heartless Emperor would approve my silly request.
"Then, when are we going to visit the Arcanist Tower?"
Chislon shook his head.
"We still need to wait for the entry permit to be signed by the Emperor."
"I see."
The Count rose from his seat.
"I took so much time from Your Highness. I will take my leave now."
He lightly bowed and I nodded my head. With that Chislon left my room. I leaned on the couch and focused my gaze on the book on the table. Just what kind of book was that? I took a bell at the table and rang it. Fedel entered the room and bowed lightly.
"Is there anything you need, Your Highness?"
"Could you request Alexander to visit me?"
Fedel looked surprised at my order. He stared at me for five seconds straight before opening his mouth.
"Please excuse my rudeness, but may I ask why Your Highness wants to meet the first Prince?"
After that Fedel left. I stared at the book on the table. I heaved a long sigh before taking the book and opening it. Its title came into view.
"The Chronicle of the Chrono Empire."
The title didn't look suspicious at all. Just like any normal book. I wonder what made this book banned from the Empire. My hand flipped the book and my eyes followed every single letter that was written in the book.
The more I read the book the deeper the frown on my forehead. My heart burned with hatred. I tried to calm my raging heart as I flipped to the next page but in the end, I rose from my seat and threw the book away. My chest moved up and down because of the anger that devoured me. That damned book! That damned book!
No wonder Chislon told me to throw away the book. Not only it had controversial content, but it also had some kind of 'promise', and even every single paragraph contained manipulating words. If I was not in my right mind, I would be swayed by the book. Now I understand why Damian lost his mind after reading that book.
If I could honestly say, you could even build a cult and use that book as a bible. It was just crazy! Even though I hadn't finished reading that book, I could get a grip as to why that damned book was banned from the Empire.
"Oh, my."
I turned to the voice and a black-haired boy with golden eyes could be seen.
"You invited me just to show how you threw the gift I gave to you?"
Instead of answering his mockery, I stared wildly at him. Without beating the bush around, I asked him a question.
"Where did you get that book?"
"Your Highness--"
"Fedel please leave us."
The old man looked stunned but in the end, he had no choice but to heed my order. He bowed and left the room.
"Where did you get that book? Do you even know that book was banned in the Empire?"
Alexander clicked his tongue in annoyance. He rolled his feet and sat on the couch.
"First, sit yourself down. There's no use in having a conversation if you're controlled by anger."
I sat down and breathed in and out slowly. After cooling my head a voice entered my ear. He started a light conversation.
"I saw a new face guarding your chamber's door."
I looked at him as I lightly massaged my temple.
"He was sent by the Emperor to prevent me from doing something foolish again."
"If I were him, I would do the same thing, though. You're a troublemaker."
I gave him a death glare. Did he just insult me? Right in the face? When I readily opened my mouth, he cut me.
"But, Sir Ulrich and Fedel. What a weird combination."
My eyebrows furrowed. I couldn't seem to follow where this conversation led.
"What are you talking about?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Nevermind. As for questions, I got that book from a merchant and I don't know if that book was banned."
"Just that?"
"What are you expecting me to say?"
Before I could say anything else, he asked me a question. He really didn't give me a chance to speak properly, huh?
"Let me ask you a question. What is your intention to call me here?"
I exhaled a deep long sigh.
"I wanted to say thank you."
I bowed my head.
"Thank you for saving my life."
I lifted my head and met his cold and indifferent golden eyes staring at me intensely.
"I did tell you, didn't I?"
I waited for his next words.
"That you could trust me."
Quietness enveloped us as I didn't know how to respond to his words. We stared at each other in silence. I mean--I know he saved my life but... Could I really trust him? The timeline flowed according to the novel. Even the war that was raging right now was also according to it.
The sight. I was wondering if that sight shows my death so I could prevent it and I could stay alive until I was killed by Alexander when I reach 12 just like the novel dictated. I was really confused by now.
'Is there no way to stop the flow of the novel's plot?'
There was also the dream. I didn't know if that dream was related or not but in fact, Alexander gave us the same book. Also, I didn't know if what he told me was the truth or a lie as it couldn't be proved. But, I vividly memorized how Alexander gave the book when Damian was not mentally stable which made him lose his mind. My question was–
'Is it intentional? Or merely coincide?'
With these points in my hand, it was hard for me to trust him.
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