After deciding to head out to find August, he opened the doors to the exit out to the balcony. Since the rest of the guests were all inside chatting and getting ready to leave, it wasn't that hard to find him.
He was just straight ahead, leaning against the railing of the balcony. His gaze was focused up above, to the starry night sky.
A sad, yet longing expression was on his face. It was almost as if something was almost in his grasp, but it kept getting further and further away from him.
Allen decided instead of just standing around and watching him, he would go and walk up over to him. As he walked up towards him, August made no obvious gesture that he knew Allen was there. It was almost as though he was in a trance, like Cecily did occasionally.
It wasn't until he went up to his right side and stood there with him that August turned his head towards Allen and acknowledged him with a slight nod. Allen gave a slight smile before turning his head to look up at the night sky with him.
Not one word needed to be said to the other about how beautiful the night sky is. Allen understood exactly why August never diverted his attention to Allen until the last minute - he wanted his gaze at the night sky while in his own thoughts for as long as possible. Allen decided to join him in this endeavor before asking him anything.
After some time had passed, August was the first to speak.
"So, care to explain why you decided to come out here? I thought you would have waited out with Rose"
"Yeah I could've," Allen responded. "But you had a weird look on your face, so I followed you out here"
"A look on my face?," he laughed. "Is this your way of having a casual conversation with a prince?"
"You were the one who told me to call you August, and that I didn't have to give you the formal prince treatment," Allen grinned.
"Okay, fair enough, you got me there. But what do you mean by 'weird look'?," he asked, curious.
"You had a somewhat saddened expression on your face before walking out here," Allen explained.
"Ah, am I that easy to read?," he nervously laughed. "I suppose you found me out"
"Is there something on your mind that is bothering you?," he asked.
"I suppose you could say that," August sighed.
"Care to explain? I'm willing to listen," Allen gave him a reassuring smile.
"Alright, I'll explain," he sighed again. "I don't have just one thing on my mind, there's in fact several things on my mind that are there all the time"
He shifted for a moment as he stood, putting himself in a more relaxed position before continuing.
"There's a lot of weight that remains on my shoulders, and they've been there ever since I was the first son born in the Lionheart family: the family that has been the royal family in power in London for centuries"
As August began to explain, Allen turned himself to face August, giving him his full attention.
"My entire childhood was replaced by the duties and tasks that come with being a prince. Every day was a new day to learn etiquette and get better at diplomacy. I always have to do my best, minimize my mistakes, and never show weakness. That's what it means to be the First Prince of England. One day, I will take my father's place and become the King of England…"
Allen stood there, taking what he had said all in. Despite Allen's own situation, he believed that August had more to worry about. August had a lot on his shoulders, and Allen knew that August couldn't do everything on his own.
"Sometimes, I just like to go outside and gaze at the stars to get my mind off of things," he said, looking back up at the night sky. "To relax and feel like a regular person, and not the future face of the country"
Allen looked down from the balcony, watching as a few of the guests were mingling outside. He even spotted Rose, with an irritated face. She was probably getting annoyed, waiting for them.
He thought of what to say to August. What could he say, in response to what he said? Sometimes, it's just better to listen, and just let them know you did. But in this situation, Allen realized he wanted to say one thing.
"August," he started to say, turning to him. "I may never fully understand your situation, or be able to listen to every word you may say. However, if there's anything you need help with that is within my power, then ask me, and I will be glad to help you"
"Thank you," he gratefully responded. "I'm glad that I can have friends I can be casual with, compared to all those nobles I have to pretend to like"
August leaned a little forward again, also looking down below. It seemed he also spotted Rose, with a grin on his face.
"But enough about me. Anything on your mind you wish to tell me?," he looked over at Allen.
"On my mind?," Allen asked out loud.
"Yes. Anything on your mind you wish to tell me. I already info-dumped on you, so it would only be fair if you did the same," he gave a reassuring smile.
He wasn't expecting August to suddenly ask him what he could be thinking about. Though, he was right in asking him, as there were things on Allen's mind.
The issue was he could not tell him everything on his mind. He could not tell him anything having to do with fire magic, unless he wanted to risk his life. He still didn't know August's thoughts on fire mages, nor did he know if he had to act upon a fire mage whether he wanted to or not.
As Allen looked at his right hand, which had the only glove he wore, he decided it would be best to tell him the truth, but only half of it.
"Hmm, where to start?," Allen said while looking back at the night sky. August awaited his words.
"I was born in a village several days west of here, a small village we call Lyfast. The parents I know are not my real parents, they are my adoptive parents. I do not know who my real parents are, and I hope to find out who they are one day. It's a bit of a current search of mine, even if it's small"
"Unfortunately, I was also born with a minimal amount of air mana. So low in fact, I always have a hard time using it and controlling it, even if it never seems that way. Honestly, I can barely consider myself a mage," he laughed. "However, I should still be somewhat grateful that I have mana at all. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am"
After a few moments of silence, August finally spoke up.
"And here I thought I had it rough," August laughed.
"What's so funny?," Allen asked, giving him a curious look.
"Oh, please don't think I am laughing at you or your given situation," August reassured him. "In fact, I somewhat sympathize with you. Despite being born with magic myself, I have a hard time controlling it myself. Not to mention, I also have a difficult time getting along with non-mages around me"
"You do?," Allen asked, surprised.
"Of course. You probably felt the sudden change of feeling in the room when I spoke about anything related to mages or magic during the banquet. There's… not a lot of non-mages who like or respect mages. There never really have been ever since the Fire Outbreaks, anyway…"
The Fire Outbreaks, Allen thought.
The Fire Outbreaks is what all started this current situation within London. The reason for the banning of fire magic, the unjust killing of fire mages, and the formation of the Triumvirate. Allen wished that it never happened, but he cannot change the past.
"Since you offered to help me in any way you can, I suppose I can do the same," August suddenly spoke, breaking the sudden silence. "Allen, if you are ever in need of help that is within my power not just as a Prince of England, but as your friend, then just ask me"
"Thank you, August," Allen smiled at him.
After another moment of silence, August suddenly had an odd and unreadable expression on his face. He turned around, facing towards the door back inside. Instead of leaving, however, he put his back up against the railing, with his arms resting on top of them.
"Something wrong, August?," Allen asked, concerned.
"Allen, I may already have to ask you for your help, if you don't mind," he said, his odd expression being replaced with a serious one.
"What is it?," he asked. What could August already need help with?
"My family, the Lionhearts, have of course been in power for many centuries. My father, King Edward V, is the current king in power. Then there is of course my mother, Queen Elizabeth, and my sister, Princess Elinor"
Why is he suddenly talking about his family?, Allen thought. Despite his confusion, he was still glad to be hearing this. He had yet to fully hear about the current king.
"While my sister shares features with my parents making it easy to tell that she is their daughter, I am a bit different. I do know for certain that my parents are my actual parents, I can't help but wonder why my hair and eye colors of mine do not match theirs…"
Are August's parents not his own?, Allent thought. No, he just said he knew for sure.
"My black hair color, and my purple eye color, make me really wonder why I have them," he sighed, curling his hair with his left hand. "Anyways, enough about my background. Back to the matter at hand"
Odd, but still interesting, he thought. Maybe he told me that for a reason?, he thought.
"Due to my position as a prince, there's a lot of things that come with it that don't make it easy. However, there's something that takes the cake…"
Something more difficult than being a Prince of England?, Allen thought. Does this have to do with what he was telling me earlier?
"My wish is for all the people of London - mages and non-mages alike, to be able to live and work together happily. There will be no discrimination towards non-mages, and no hatred towards mages"
"One day, there will be a choice that I will have to make. A choice decided not as the First Prince of England, but as August Lionheart…"
Allen became even more confused. What was with August's sudden change of tone?
"Once I make this choice, no matter what it may be, I ask that you help me follow through with it - no matter the consequences," he declared, giving Allen another serious look.
Allen stood there, completely shocked. That was probably the last thing he expected to hear. But August needed an answer, so Allen decided to give him one.
"I'm not sure if I can help you with it no matter the consequences, but I will be sure to help you in any way I can. Long as it's something within reason," he answered.
"Thank you," he responded, a big smile on his face.
As silence filled the air once more, August turned around again and the two of them looked down below, watching everyone starting to leave.
"Don't you need to let everyone know it's finally over?," Allen asked.
"Eh, don't feel like it," he gave a small shrug. "Besides, they'll all leave anyway. It happens with every banquet my parents host."
"What about Rose? I think she's going to start making holes in the floor with her foot the more we make her wait," Allen said, gesturing over to Rose practically losing her mind.
"Good point. I suppose we should finally head out," he said, standing upright again. He stretched a little as he wiped the dust off of his outfit.
"Time to head back to our regular life at the academy," Allen announced. He was glad to finally be able to leave this banquet. Luckily for him, something interesting would be happening not long after his return to the academy.