n

n

nThe next day the travel passed quickly, the courier was a nice person and would often talk to Zoemi about various topics.

nIt was already late in the morning, almost noon basically, when they arrived at the royal palace.

nThey were welcomed by a stiff-looking maid and after getting the letter from the courier she led Zoemi to the first prince's chambers.

nHoreo was awaiting him with a big smile but raised his brows when he saw Zoemi's face.

nAt the break of dawn, long before boarding the carriage on the way to the royal castle, Zoemi asked his father to bandage his face so the prince wouldn't be exposed to the unsightly sight of his nasty burns.

nZoemi was afraid that after seeing how he looked, Horeo would feel disgusted by him and he wouldn't want to visit Miriette anymore on account of the scarred black-haired boy being there.

n

"My prince!

"

n

"...again, seriously...?

"

nZoemi kneeled in front of the blond boy and the first prince seeing that rolled his eyes and let out a groan.

n

"And you're still on about this, when will you give it up, Zoemi? I swear you don't have to act like we're strangers!

"

nHoreo laughed and helped Zoemi stand up.

n

"...?

"

n

"My prince?

"

nOn the account of offering his hand to the black-haired boy, Horeo met with Zoemi's bandaged face and furrowed his brows in concern.

n

"What happened to your face? It looks like it's something painful. Did you got hurt during training...?

"

n

"...huh...? My prince, you don't kno... never mind!

"

nNow Zoemi raised his brow - it seemed that Horeo wasn't informed of what had occurred at the Espinces castle during Victureos visit – and if that was the case it must have been a decision of the king, therefore the black-haired boy made a decision that it would be better not talk about it, so he abruptly stopped cut off his own answer.

n

"It's nothing, honestly – it's just as you suspect, my prince - I tripped and fell in an unfortunate way during training. But most importantly, my prince, what's the thing that you wanted to discuss with me?

"

nHe decided it would be best to laugh it off and smoothly change the subject so that the prince would get distracted and not pursue the matter.

n

"...! Ah! Right, that thing...

"

nHoreo blushed and looked to the side.

n

"...you see...

"

nHe scratched his head and started fidgeting, trying to find a proper way to start the subject of interest.

n

"The thing is, I'm almost seven and I still haven't awakened... Every other noble child my age is already wielding magic, even my younger brother! But for some reason, I just can't! And since you are in the same situation I wanted to ask what do you think about it.

"

n

"Huh? Only that?

"

nThe black-haired boy blinked a few times and gasped once the answer sank in - it was only a tiny detail like that!

nIt was something mentioned in the game and Zoemi did have memories regarding that matter - the prince was a late bloomer, at least in terms of magic, and was worried even though there was no reason to do that.

n

"My prince, you can relax, I assure you.

"

nZoemi smiled and shook his head.

n

"There is no reason for you to worry.

"

nHe declared, nodding solemnly to the blind first prince.

n

"You have royal blood flowing through you! Just wait a bit longer, I promise you everything will be fine!

"

n

"...how can you be so sure...

"

nThe prince didn't look convinced and made a complicated expression.

n

"Well, alright, but still what about you? Aren't you concerned about yourself?

"

nHoreo changed his approach and asked looking just as worried as when he was talking about himself.

n

"My mana has been measured and it turns out I have less of it than a commoner.

"

n|Probably because I am a commoner and a reincarnated person from a world that had no magic.|

nHe wanted to add but stopped himself in time and only thought about it.

n

"Ah! I'm sorry I didn't know!

"

nThe first prince gasp, becoming agitated while worrying about offending Zoemi.

nIt felt weird for the black-haired boy to see someone else having a freak-out over a mistake – usually, it was his deal after all...

n

"My prince, please, don't you think that is for the better? Just have a look at my eyes and hair.

"

nHe lifted a strand of his black hair with his fingers to demonstrate their void-like shade of darkness.

n

"What attribute would I have except darkness?

"

nThe black-haired boy shrugged his shoulders and smiled awhile looking back at the gold-haired boy.

n

"But even if it was the darkness attribute a magic is still magic o matter what – if you had it you would be able to go to the Academy with Miriette and I...

"

n

"!!!

"

nThe prince sulked and Zoemi felt his heart getting warmer.

n

"Don't worry about it, my prince!

"

nZoemi laughed and grabbed both of Horeo's hands.

n

"It was decided that I'll become lady Miriette's attendant! That means I'll be accompanying her in school!

"

nHe declared all proud and excited, sharing his happiness with the first prince.

n

"Ah! Ah...

"

nHoreo's face brightened but then darkened almost instantly.

n

"It's not the same...

"

nPrince started sulking again and looked down.

n

"...!

"

n

"...?

"

nAnd then he flinched – making Zoemi tilt his head in confusion.

n

"Zoemi...

"

nHis voice suddenly became cold.

n

"What are those spots on your hands...?

"

n

"Spots...? AH...!

"

nZoemi realized that his burn-marks are perfectly visible and tried to let go of the prince, but Horeo didn't let him.

n

"Is this connected with all those bandages and the reason why your hair is now so short? I don't want to pry in something that isn't my business, but haven't you told me before that you liked your long hair because your father helps you wash and brush them?

"

nThe first prince was smart, even though Zoemi wanted to come up with some fake explanation on the spot, he was flawlessly connecting the dots.

nFinally, Horeo's eyes locked onto the bandage covering the right side of Zoemi's face and the blond boy clenched his hands a bit stronger.

n

"It's not something that happened during training, is it?

"

n

"...

"

nNow it was Zoemi's turn to look down. He closed his lisp so tight that they became a thin line and wouldn't even budge.

n

"Zoemi, we're friends, right? You can tell me, can you not?

"

n

"..I.. it... it's... nothing...

"

nZoemi could feel his eyes sting and he looked at the first prince while blinking repeatedly.

n

"I can clearly see that it was something. What happened to you...?

"

nThe blond prince asked, genuinely worried.

n

"Well, it was....

"

n