Chapter 8

Black The Origin

Chapter 8: Resolve

Alkhun was never the same again.

On a sunny day in the Berhalksawn Palace. Sakura petals are flying all over the place. Filing the air with sakura scent. Servants were busy arranging things at the Palace. It was noisier than usual, and Alkhun can't even concentrate on the book he's reading. Different from his daily routine on frequent days. Today, he doesn't want to get out of bed, more like he doesn't need to.

He put the book down and growl, this is one of his hated days. He can see at his balcony window, carriages entering the palace. He peeks through the curtain, and the gate has opened.

58TH day of the year, It was Artemis's 16th birthday, and the gate of the Berhalksawn family was opened for everyone.

He can see the endless stream of people entering the palace. Wearing formal attire, kids, adults, and some faces Alkhun recognizes entering the palace.

He sighs.

He heard several knocks from the door. He rushed to the door to open it.

"Yes?" He asked the servant who was assigned to him.

He looks at him from head to toe and sighs. Alkhun was still wearing his

Pleaded light sleepwear.

"Majesty, it’s time to prepare for the feast." He bowed.

"Is that even necessary?" Alkhun was avoiding the gaze of his servant.

"Yes, your highness." Alkhun didn't listen.

"You said that every time, but no one really cares whether I attend or not."

"Let me help you wear your clothes--" He was about to reach his clothes when ALkhun backed away from him.

"It’s okay, Jay. I can do it, my own." Alkhun avoided his gaze and he knew Jay was looking at him suspiciously.

On such occasions, Alkhun usually let him clothe him up. Probably because of the hassle of wearing formal clothes at such events.

But today it was different; he can’t let anyone touch him.

"I'm already turning 12." He added.

"If you say so, your highness." He bowed. "Now that you've mentioned it, your growing faster, your highness." He could see how Jay's white mustache moved.

"I've told you a hundred times, you can just call me Alkhun--" Hesitated and thought that it's better to keep distance from everyone attached to him.

Jay has always been there for him. Whether he likes it or not, he's there. Guiding him, waiting for him. Even though he knew it was just a servant-master relationship, he thinks of him as more like a parent.

He remembers the days that he was always there for him ever since he remembers. Jay's face was so familiar to him, and it feels like home. The ones that were when he was a baby.

Far as he remembers his existence. The ones who take care of him and feed him. The one who taught him how to walk and read. The only one who's always been there and The one who guided him to now. Until he became independent.

"Jay..." The 5-year-old Alkhun smiles, pointing at the birds. "Look, isn't that an owl. I read them on books." The young ALkhun mentioned.

"Yes, that is right, master." He laughs.

"Birds go wherever they want, right?" Alkhun can see the owl fly away from the trees. "How about you, Jay? Why aren't you going anywhere?" The innocent Alkhun asked.

"It's because this is the life I've chosen." Jay was looking far away. At the birds flying out in the sky.

"It is caged in this dangerous world after all." He added.

That day Jay's eyes facade was teary, and he knew...

there is something more into it.

"But I'm sure someday you'll fly high and away, acquiring freedom, like a bird." He smiled at him.

Alkhun thought every time he remembers that moment...

Jay looks teary or like he wanted to say that to himself.

He never forgets the words he had said that day. As he grew older, Jay grew apart with him. Age creates distance between the two of them. He's old enough to be independent, after all.

And as he grew older, everything just feels like smaller and smaller.

Thoughts like...

'The palace wasn't the only Jaiden Palace, After all.'

'So I was a descendant family of the 7 elite families that of the Magic Realm. That's why everyone's competing at the thrown, so that's why my siblings hate me.'

'So I was a son of the Balck witch of the west? That's why... though doesn't change the fact that I was hated anyway.'

Realizing that the world is larger than he thought it would be. He became indulged through the world of books and grimoires. Learning magic and acquiring endless knowledge, he was given everything he needed to nourish.

In this Palace, it's like paradise for an inquisitive person like Alkhun, a learner. One's who is intellectually curious, eager for pieces of knowledge and wisdom, but there is something it doesn't give...

The emotional satisfaction of being secured and feeling of strong, intimate connection towards someone. What do they call it?

Love?

"You could be a bird," Alkhun spoke out his mind. Immediately regretting that decision.

"What did you say, master?" Jay asked in a worried expression. Alkhun shakes his head.

"It is nothing...You can go now." Jay bowed his head, and Akhun closed the door.

His mind keeps wondering. He turns around, looks at the balcony, and sees birds flying.

Two thoughts were running through his mind that morning.

Things keep changing for him, and he knows he can't do anything about it. It is just how it is about it. He wears black gloves. He never wears one. But he knows he has to, starting from now on.

It'll be the boundary of his relationship with others.

He knew. He will have to keep his distance starting from now on, but he did make a resolve.

Despite that distance, he wants to provide the best for those who are precious to him.

'Maybe...' He thought and, looks himself in the mirror.

Wearing a slim suit, a long sleeve white polo, with a black vest and green necktie on it. A black formal outfit is used on this sort of occasion. Alkhun doesn't like it. It was comfortable, so it was not bad.

Though he knew the day was just starting.