A week has passed. It took me a week to have all the information from the royal books in the library. The scattered clues which I had connected together didn't approve as proof. Also, how far can a 5-year-old kid can go?
'So, what do I do? Just watch Ray's only genuine family leaving him forever? As Ray, can I accept that?'
As I remembered her cheerful laughter and the journeys she wished to accomplish, my heart filled with grief. A free spirit like her to be sent far away from her own home in the name of 'royal duties'. Those royals who never considered her as a royal after our mother died. Indeed, as I was small, I was ignorant to all the politics that have been going on in the Castle to make us two siblings life difficult. Now, little by little I am seeing the difference between the 'crowned prince' and the normal prince such as I am. I can't even imagine, how much suffering my older sister must have gone through. With no one to tell about her pain...
The twinkle in her eyes reminded of my own younger sister who cracked up at my silliest of jokes. Her tears, which I couldn't bear to see, as her older brother.
I clutched my hands.
'Can I really do nothing?'
As my feet wobbled to take another step, a fiery red hit my head. I looked up, sore,
"Have you gone blind, prince? You were gonna fall. Oh, should I bring the royal chariot for you to get by in the hallways too?" He mocked at my weakness.
"Luca, "
I haven't seen him in days.
"Where were you?"
"That's the question, I should ask. Where were you, Ray? Hiding from me, in the royal library where only royals can enter?"
Ah, shit. I didn't know that. No wonder, the library was empty the whole time I was there.
By his waist, I saw a wooden sword swinging.
"Were you in the practice?"
"Big Brother don't ever go easy on things like that. It's too hard to escape his clutches." Luca remarked.
"He must be a good teacher, " I said half-heartedly.
"I.. heard her highness is now engaged," Luca said carefully. "Did you know about this?"
'Yes, as a secluded prince, I am the last one to know any 'family' decisions'
"Yes, " I said holding my resentment.
"Go sleep, " He hit my head again. "I will drop by later."
"Ow, can you stop that?" But he was already on another way. I guess he noticed my tired eyes. Too much of an observer for a kid.
I entered my room, which was too plain for a royal. A white long curtain, which was always drawn, making it darker. An always self-made bed and a small desk in the corner. It's actually fancy for any commoner out there, maybe that's why I never noticed before or rather didn't care much. But as a royal, it's a shame. With hundreds of servants working in the castle, not one is available to serve the second prince. The 'never used' bell to call for attendants that was covered in a layer of dust.
My loneliness caused me to get played by my stepmother and stepbrother. 'Riches didn't bother to me' as long as I had someone to care about. Is this how I have been living, huh.
A knock startled me.
"Come in, "
Entered a young servant who liked like he was from the Queen's castle. He looked rather surprised to see me. "So you've returned, your highness."
'Ah, so he is the one who comes in to check to see if I am alive or not'
'Should I thank him for his kind gesture?'
I thought bitterly.
"Do you know when does my sister leaves?" I asked coldly. Unlike Ray's cheery voice.
He was taken aback but handled himself very well, "In two days time."
'Fuck!'
"I need to talk to my father, now," I demanded.
Prince Ray has never demanded anything like this. So he seemed troubled.
"O-Oh wait, your highness, " He nervously said, "Y-You need an appointment to meet with the King. But if you ask the Queen, maybe you can meet the King."
...What? I need an appointment to talk to 'my own father'? What kind of logic is this? Why am I not allowed to even see him?
Queen Myra...her name echoed in my brain as I burn in anger. She is the one,
"Um, your highness-" He shook in fear as he pointed to my eyes. "Please calm down."
I turned to look at the mirror to see my golden eyes burning in the darkroom. I rubbed my eyes to check if it's a trick, but no, it still glowed dangerously. The servant who saw was intimidated as he couldn't stop shaking.
"D-Devil-"
"You, " I spoke in a deeper voice. It was 'my' original voice. Ryu's voice.
"P-Please don't kill me."
"You will not speak a word of this to anyone else," I ordered, "Or..."
"Not a word! Not a word!" He said as he scurried away.
I turned back at the mirror again. I felt a surge of power within my chest, so strong, making it hard for me to breathe. I winced, trying to stay awake and call for 'help' which I know would never come.
'What is happening to me?'
Panic rose within me. My eyes feel as if it's stinging, as if it's on fire.
'How do I stop this?'
No longer before I realized, I passed out from the pain.
I moved in and out of my consciousness and just like this, a day passed, I lied on the ground helplessly in my room in a desolate part of the castle. No one ever came to check on me, not even any maids or servant. My eyes stopped glowing after a few hours but I came down with a fever. When I was not weak enough to stand up, I somehow threw myself on the bed. When I used to fall sick in my past life, dad and sister would worry even when I would assure them that I am alright.
In this world, now that I lie alone on my bed, I have never felt so empty before. Is this what Ray from the novel went through? Is this why he was scared of being left alone? I couldn't decipher my own feelings from Ray's anymore.
'Why am I acting so pitiful?'
'Do I have to suffer like just for a meagre plot?'
'Why can't I just get up on my own?'
With questions unanswered, I fell to sleep again.
*
Next day, surprisingly, few attendants came in with my breakfast and prepared me for the day. Obviously, they were sent by the Queen. She must be wondering why I haven't been tailing around her like a dog these days.
"Your highness, there is a dinner scheduled with the King today." The servant who had visited me the last time told. He was masking his fear from me very well. He totally believes that I am a demon.
'Well good for me.'
'So did the King agree to see me?'
'But I didn't ask for an appointment.'
As I looked at him questionably he continued,
"Since the princess leaves tomorrow... your highness's moth-"
I glared at him,
"The Queen suggested his majesty to hold a family dinner."
At the mention of the princess, my heart sank again. She is leaving tomorrow, huh? I couldn't do anything to stop her.
I couldn't... change the future.
"I decline, "
"It's an order, not an invitation. Please refrain from potentially offending the royalty." The head maid, spoke harshly.
Ah, one of the ladies- in- waiting of that woman.
"Am I not royalty for you to speak like that?" I asked back in a sharp voice. Not expecting a comeback from the meek second prince her expression twitched.
"I didn't mean to offend your-"
"Enough, " I cut her off. "Leave, everyone."
They scrambled away whispering to themselves, probably questioning my sudden change in behaviour. According to etiquette in this world, a person's rank is everything. For servants and maids to speak to a royal member in a way they have been speaking to me till now, even if I am a child, it's an insult to the royal family and is punishable. Well, of course, they won't get any punishments for I am only a prince in name. That doesn't mean they have the right to devalue me.
Sighing I moved over to my desk and opened the 'magic book' to distract my thoughts and suppress my anger. The incident that happened with me before. Now, I think it's a lot stranger than it seems. Eyes glowing and a fever... it must have something to do with magic.
In this world, magic is classified into three levels, the first and primary level- fire, water, wind and earth.
The secondary level- ice and nature,
The tertiary and ultimate level- darkness, light and space.
Even levels are divided into degrees. Meaning, how powerful is your power.
For example, a weak fire user can only heat a body to a certain temperature but a strong fire user has the potential to burn down a kingdom. Other magic powers are just a combination of these. Like, healing comes from light and water magic. A power to make someone sleep forcefully comes from dark magic.
Magic manipulate itself in one's body from ages twelve to sixteen, just as one enters puberty. If not controlled, can result in mental distress. Signs include depression, anger and change in personality.
Just mental distress? Usually, it's like losing your life or something.
'Are they sure it's not just clinical depression?'
Ah, what do I expect from a fantasy world?
I didn't realise the time had passed and it's now evening.
Oh my, the most awaited 'family dinner'.
It's gonna be fun. I smiled devilishly.