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nWhen the match had come to an end, the result was just as everyone had expected.

nPrince Draco stood tall with his sword placed against his nephew's neck, displaying his victory today as well.

nFritzen raised his hands in defeat before taking a step back to move away from the sharp sword.

nHorace and Sigma, who had been watching from the shadows, did not have any reason to step out and make their presence known as their Master had controlled his powers perfectly from beginning to end.

nThe two Princes sheathed their swords before placing them on the table nearby.

nThey then took their seat on a bench placed in the training area on which they could rest.

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"I need to practice more…

" Fritzen sighed as his progress was great but not up to his standards.

nHe wished to stand on par with his Uncle and for that, he needed to work harder than what he was doing right now.

nDraco glanced in his direction after hearing this determined mutter and a smile took over his face.

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"You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.

" He encouraged this eager nephew of his.

nThey both still had a long way to go and only through hard work could they reach the goals that they had in mind.

nPrince Fritzen nodded immediately as he was keen on gaining what he had put his mind to.

nWhile the uncle-nephew pair were exchanging notes on the match that they had just completed, they heard sounds of rustling leaves coming from their left.

nTurning in its direction, the boys narrowed their eyes as the training grounds in the Sycamore Palace where they currently were, should not have anyone approaching it at this hour.

nThe Rose Palace was on the other side so it was impossible that Princess Felicia decided to pay them a visit.

nFritzen frowned as no one was allowed to enter his palace without gaining his permission but the sounds of someone approaching their position reminded him that this rule had been broken.

nDraco had been under the same impression but soon his furrowed brows eased when he recognized the sounds coming their way.

nThe direction in which both Fritzen and Draco were leering was the patch of trees that acted as a boundary between the Sycamore Palace and the other smaller palaces that were situated nearby.

nThese palaces had been built by the previous Kings for their children and hence had never been demolished even when no one resided there.

nHowever, right now, the rustling leaves proved that someone was there and was moving in their direction.

nHorace and Sigma were alerted by the sounds and they too were ready to get into a defensive position before their Master.

nFritzen stared into the thick trees as the sounds got closer.

n'Who is it?' He wondered while straightening his back.

nHowever, the moment the figure they had been waiting to see emerged from the shadow of the trees, Fritzen felt his vigilance fade away in the next instant.

nHis straightened back slumped almost immediately but his eyes did not avert from the figure now walking towards them.

nHe had been expecting a person to appear however, what he had found was not what he had expected.

nA beast with thick white fur that covered its entire body was making its way towards them with its blue eyes focused on the older boy seated beside him.

nFritzen alternated his gaze between his uncle and the four-legged creature who had now reached their position.

nThe two seemed to be gazing into each other's eyes but from what he had learned from his father, he knew that the two were communicating with each other.

nAfter all, this was his uncle's etcher, Astolfo who had accompanied him when he returned from his trip to his maternal fief, Roschester, many months ago.

nJust like his father's etcher, this one too remained mysterious and away from the sight of others most of the time.

nHe had met this beast only a few times but each time, he could not help but be entranced by looking at how majestic it appeared.

nIts body when it first arrived here was tiny enough to fit in one's arms which was exactly how Draco had carried it into the Palace.

nHowever, attempting to do so now would be a challenge as it had grown in the short duration that it had stayed here.

nThe beast was seated on the ground before Draco who was seated on a bench but could see eye-to-eye with him on the same level, indicating that its stature was great.

nThe rapid growth that it had undergone allowed the rest of the people at the Palace to finally recognize the species of this etcher that had imprinted on the young prince.

nIts long snout ended with a black nose pad which was the only other color on its pure snow-white body.

nBlue eyes which sparkled under direct sunlight gave off the illusion that they could peer into someone's soul were fixed on Prince Draco right now.

nFritzen was able to distinguish its growth process better due to the lack of interaction between them which gave him the opportunity to assess its changes on the rare occasions they met.

nTherefore, he was sure that the little ball of fluff who had arrived inside the palace grounds many months ago had now matured enough to resemble its true appearance.

n'A snow wolf.' He declared his conclusion after months of observation.

nAs his eyes were fixed on his uncle's etcher, the beast too had noticed his gaze and turned in his direction.

nFritzen's bright blue eyes came in contact with the etcher's pale blue orbs and in the next moment, he felt a shiver run down his spine at the chilling gaze that had been directed towards him.

nEvery time they met, this was the usual outcome as the etcher leered at this young boy before scoffing and looking away.

nAn awkward expression took root on Fritzen's face when the etcher displayed its obvious refusal to even look at him.

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"Your etcher dislikes me, Uncle.

" He muttered while turning his eyes towards Prince Draco who had also noticed this brief interaction between the two.

nNot knowing what to do, Draco could only shake his head as he refused that claim.

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"Astolfo is the same with everyone, Frit. It isn't just you that he dislikes.

" The Prince's next words, which were supposed to be words of consolation and comfort, pricked Fritzen's tender heart.

n'So I'm not even special enough to be disliked?' He sighed at his pitiful fate.

nHe had expected his Uncle to say that his words were untrue and that the etcher did not dislike him.

nHowever, what he heard was the opposite of comforting words.

nAstolfo disliked everyone so Fritzen should not think too much about it, was what Draco had implied by his words but it hurt the little prince's heart nonetheless.

nAt the same time, Horace and Sigma almost revealed their presence when a chortle escaped their lips at the sight of the poor prince who had an uncle with a ruthless tongue.

nHowever, Draco was not aware of what was in his nephew's heart as he turned back towards his etcher and continued the conversation that they were having before Fritzen had interrupted them.

n___

nA few seconds ago, when Astolfo had first arrived at their location, he had come over with a complaint.

n'Master, this heat is beginning to become unbearable.' The etcher whined as he took his seat before his Master.

nJust as Fritzen had observed, the tiny creature who had returned with Draco had grown into a large wolf with a huge body, tall and sturdy enough to intimidate anyone before it.

nHowever, it was obedient and silent before its master and pretended to be a meek lamb who could do no wrong.

nAstolfo had spent his entire life in the snowy climate of Roschester so the sudden relocation to the sunny land of Amarthea was a tough transition for him.

nWhile the temperature was perfect for the rest of the residents in the Capital, it was uncomfortable for the etcher who wished to be in cold places.

nTo remedy this issue, Astolfo often sought out the coldest spots on this palace grounds.

nThe Cold Palace at the farthest corner of the palace grounds which was constructed as a place of punishment for the Queens or Princesses of the past was now a resort for the etcher who loved its chilling temperatures.

nHe also loved to visit the other unoccupied palaces as they were not heated like the rest of the palaces where the Royal family members resided.

nThe empty palace on the other side of the Sycamore palace had been his latest discovery and this was also how he had reached this position.

nWhen he noticed his master's aura coming from the palace next door, he exited that cold and empty palace to pay him a visit.

nAlong the way, he had to cut through a tiny patch of trees that separated the two palaces, thus, had alerted the two Princes who leered in his direction at the sound of the rustling leaves.

nDraco had been comforting him about the troubles he was facing with the heat when Prince Fritzen had distracted them.

nNow that the pair of etcher and etched were back to the matter at hand, Astolfo had something else to say.

n'Master, I sense your brother's etcher nearby.' He narrowed his eyes while turning his head in a certain direction.

nDraco too turned in that direction and he knew just where Astolfo was looking.

n'The meeting must have begun.' He surmised as they were both looking in the direction of the Main Palace.

nWhile Draco was thinking of the King's meeting with the Dean of the Royal Medical Association, Astolfo recalled his first meeting with his Master's elder brother.

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