Asher’s POV
“…Haa…” I heaved a long, shallow sigh. The gentle grip I had at the crown of my head was slowly released, as I opened my eyes and peered at the ray of sunlight through my opened office window. The slightly chilly morning air blowed in, ruffling the ends of the semi-transparent curtain, and unconsciously, I gazed emptily at the swaying fabric for a long time.
“…Come in.”
After I said that, a huge figure entered the office. Its body was covered with dark blue and white royal knight outfit, and over it was a red and golden brooch indicating his rank. However, unlike his intimidating appearance, a soft smile formed on his curvy lips.
“Anxious much, Your Highness? I’m starting to worry about your health if you continue on with your sleepless spree.” He said to me in a light tone.
“…Henry.” I stated his name. As I raised from the mahogany sofa, a soft grun
Lancelot’s POV“Good morning, My Lord!” Silica hollered, as if her original voice wasn’t loud enough. “Come on, My Lord. If you didn’t wake up right now, us servants won’t have enough time to dress you up prettily before the opening of the festival!” She then added a scolding on the side.“…Ugh.” I could hear my own grunt resonating through the muffle of my pillow. It’s a mix between irritation, and despise. Silica’s voice wasn’t this irritating originally, but I was probably easily ticked this morning because of how late I slept last night.Why is it morning already?Are mornings created to actually torture people?“…Why do I have to prepare early in the morning? Wasn’t the festival is supposed to happen late in the evening?” Like what Aran said to me right after I returned to Isaiya, the people of Isaiya wanted to celebrate for my return
Lancelot’s POV“W-What… What do you mean by that?”I tried my best to keep my cool. The feeling of being discovered by Aran was different compared to when I got discovered by Izana and Cecilia. Probably due to the reason being Izana closely related to supernormal activities so he seemed used to hearing about transgression, while Cecilia is related to him, and I don’t think is someone big mouthed.However, if it’s Aran, then a myriad of possibilities would happen. It’s because, I don’t have much knowledge about how Aran will act, or his personality, or a lot about his daily life. He wasn’t depicted frequently in the novel, apart from being called Asher’s secretary and a virtuoso.If he found out about me, what will he do?“You know,” Aran began, while he picked his glass of drink. The air seemed so sinister and dark, especially his growing shadow by sitting with his back facing
Lancelot’s POVThe sun had already set, inviting the coming of the dark blue sky. Still, beneath its embrace, was a bright and bustling ambience of Isaiya, decorated and laced with lanterns, flags and colourful ornaments. The people of the town looked very happy and cheerful. Streams of laughter could be heard from any distance, be it far or near.At a distance away from those bright and dazzling lights, I was staring at the half-completed entrance wall to the town, built to separate between the settlement and the orchard. Aran prompted me that it was necessary to build walls to protect the people from any monster attacks, and to distinguish this town from another town. Because of that, two separate walls were built, one between the wilds and the orchard field, and one which I was looking at.However, due to the lack of funds, for several days since I’m back, the building of the wall has been halted. I kind of understand why Aran did that, as Isaiya
Asher’s POV[BREAKING NEWS! THE RENOWNED MARQUIS IS AIMING FOR THE THRONE! HIS WRONGDOING CAUGHT REDHANDED?!]My eyelids twitched when I read the newspaper’s headline. While I’m grateful that the news had gotten out, what’s with the title? They make it seemed like it’s an artist’s controversy or something.I heaved a long sigh, and placed down the newspaper. Not long after that, a door to my office was knocked, and when I granted permission to enter, Henry came into the office, holding the exact same newspaper I had.“Have you read the news, Your Highness?”I brushed my bangs backwards. “I have. Though the reporters could use a change in title.”Henry softly chuckled. “Still, it’s a good thing that the news had gotten out. Now we can prepare for the offense of things.”“Indeed.” I glanced back at the newspaper. Truth to be told, it wasn’t m
Asher’s POVI felt my forehead throbbing. As I caressed my temple, I was recalling about all the days of barely sleeping had finally caught up on me. While I silently groaned, I felt the smooth paper in my hand slowly slipping away from between my fingers. Unconsciously, I pinched the paper.From that point on, all I did was sigh. From looking down to the paper, to lifting it up closer to my face, these small sighs couldn’t seem to stop leaving my mouth.I reread the first sentence of the paper again.[Dear Crown Prince Asher Sol Tristan…]I felt a throb in my head.Skipping the entirety of the paper consisting of a beautiful handwriting, I glanced down to the signature.[Aisha Rahasi Ulma.]I sucked a huge sigh.Barely a few days ago, I was addressed a letter from Princess Aisha Rahasi Ulma, a royal princess of the great sand kingdom of the South, among one of the regions of the pole where my mother i
Lancelot’s POVThat night, I decided to take a night stroll, because even though I’m sulky, which I didn’t even try to deny it anymore, I was still nervous by Asher’s presence inside this mansion.Especially after what he done to me during dinner. TT _ TT“Please be careful, My Lord.” Rokhan reminded while I took off my sandals to step on the grasses at the field near the mansion.“I know.” I smiled at him and adjusted my brown-black checkered parka on my body. Then I resumed to begin my first step towards the cold and damp grass.There was a lingering smell of flowers in the air. As I stared at the bright half-moon, I unconsciously counted the numbers of stars that shone brightly around it. Then my eyes slid down to the brightly lit town beneath me.“The number of stars… Must have been much more than the people of this town…” I muttered slowly, before turning to Rokha
Lancelot’s POVIsaiya is a small town located almost at the edge of the continent, which means, there weren’t a lot of people around and it gets particularly spookily quiet at night up until a point where you ponder whether there are people around you or not when you left the mansion. On that note, that quietness went up a few notches after what Asher said.I almost couldn’t believe my ears after he said that.“…What…” My lips trembled. The hammering in my chest couldn’t get any louder. And at that moment, I feel faint from the rushing of blood in my veins.Asher loves me?Like, really now?Asher didn’t give me an answer. Instead, he stared at me dead in the eye, as if looking for something in me.“…As I thought, I still love you even after that confession.”“Wh- Hold on a second!” I instinctively covered his mouth with both hands, my cheeks
(Lancelot’s POV)“As I was saying,” Rokhan suddenly spoke, while he gently wiped my feet with a clean piece of towel, dipped in warm water. Now that I think about it, why did I let him wipe my feet when I can do it myself?“It was actually quite obvious that the Crown Prince harboured affection towards you, Sire. His eyes said so.” He added, while putting down the damp towel to hang at the side of the basin, and wiped my cleaned feet with a dry and clean towel. Then he slipped my foot into its respectable pair. After that, he placed down my foot to the ground and picked up my other foot, before placing it on his knees. He started cleaning again.“…I can do it myself, Rokhan.” I finally spoke. It was embarrassing having to let someone else clean you up when you’re a full-fledged adult. I don’t know the rules of the medieval ages, but in my world, if you know how to clean yourself, then you passed the ba