The next day the prince arrived again at the Rosewalk villa. He had August with him now. August was waiting outside like an obedient dog while the prince apologized to Emilia. Emilia though realized that the prince had problems understanding basic things that normal people take for granted and forgave him.
The prince decided to help with the farm work so he could be close to Emilia. Emilia felt a little uncomfortable being so close to the prince. She rarely talked to him while the prince just studied Emilia like a curious scientist.
Every day the prince came during the day to help with the farm work or whatever Emilia was doing from helping some commoners in the nearby area or to working in the fields. He still had not felt anything. He was about to lose hope in feeling something again.
One day when they were walking in the countryside with August walking as a bodyguard a little bit further away a man lunged in trying to stab the prince. Emilia rushed over and took the attack to her side. August then dashed to the scene and smashed the assailant's head in with his hammer.
"EMILIA!" yelled the prince.
Emilia was rushed back to the villa and a doctor was called. The prince insisted that a skilled doctor with divine healing power would be called from the capital. He said he would pay for all expenses. The doctor arrived and assured them that the wound wasn't life-threatening.
August wanted to investigate the incident, but the prince only cared about the wounded Emilia. He had also completely forgotten he had feelings. This time the feeling though was guilt and it felt unpleasant to him.
The next morning Emilia woke up and saw the prince beside her bed. She smiled thinking the prince was actually a caring person.
Emilia started to be more at ease with the prince from then on. She started to joke around the prince and the prince also eased up. He completely forgot about his emotionless state when he was with Emilia. He didn't understand it but lost all his curiosity to learn it and then decided to just enjoy his time with Emilia with August somewhere close by who was happy seeing the prince happy.
Emilia thought about jokes and other similar things to Markus. Even if he didn't understand them he still smiled along.
Emilia was the only person that gave him feelings and every other thing made him go back to his emotionless state. Many days passed and Emilia and the prince spent more and more time together. Soon those feelings evolved to something more over time.
~ ~
Days had passed fast by and the Prince was already eighteen. He had learned to fake his emotions perfectly even if there were none there. He had learned to say jokes and understand sarcasm and other things. On the outside, he seemed like a normal person from then on.
He was walking through the royal capital and heard people talking about him in a bad way, but he let it slide until he heard something else.
"I heard the prince likes the cheap noble type who plays in the mud," one noble said in the royal palace whispering to another.
"Well two useless people really go well together." answered back another noble.
The prince was about to go and punch them for insulting Emilia, but instead August came throwing the man's face on the floor. The other noble was too scared and ran away. Markus was surprised at how loyal August was. He did not allow the prince to dirty his hands by personally attacking the noble. August then got a scolding from the other nobles.
The prince decided to trust August more and let him be by his side from then on always.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months between the prince and Emilia. They were hiding their relationship from the other nobles for the sake of Emilia. On one of these occasions, they were at a village helping the poor there in building a shelter after a storm had destroyed many homes.
The prince didn't care about these people, but he still was helping there knowing it was important for Emilia. Emilia looked at all the poor people with guilty eyes.
"It was the noble's responsibility to take care of the houses in these regions. Instead, they decided to use that money on themselves apparently," said a sad Emilia.
"The nobles of this kingdom have for long acted that way. It is pretty normal," said Markus back to Emilia.
"Just because it is normal doesn't make it right."
Markus was looking at all the poor people. He still couldn't feel anything for them.
"I wish I could see a country of smiles one day," said Emilia looking at all the sad faces.
~ ~
The prince was called to the royal palace's throne room. Inside there was just the king the father of Markus and no one else. The king looked old and stagnated.
"I have heard you have been spending more time with the commoners of this country?" asked the king who was sitting on the throne.
"Yes, that is true. Are there any problems?"
"Problems? Of course, there is. We are royals. We can not be seen with our subjects like that. They will get the wrong idea." said the king.
"Wrong idea? The idea that we actually care about them?" asked the prince pretending he cared.
"We do care, but they must know their place. We the royalty and nobility are the most important part of this nation. They are there to provide for us so that we can lead them. That is how it is and always will be. An equal deal between our two classes," explained the king.
The prince hated what he had just heard. He felt like his own father was going between him and Emilia.
"I understand. I will then take my leave…. father,"
"And my son. I heard you have been playing with that young minor noble girl. It is fine to explore things while young, but don't think too much about it. End it before it gets too far. She is also beneath you. Also for her. Something might happen to her," said the king to the prince in an obvious way trying to threaten him.
"Yes…. father."
The prince left the throne room with August waiting outside.
"August. What is your opinion on this country?" asked the prince from August.
"What do you mean my prince?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I have seen your face when we go see the commoners. You seem disgusted with this country. I may be dead inside, but I can clearly identify other people's emotions and feelings. Now I will ask again. What is your opinion of this country?" asked the prince again.
"This country is rotten. It is rotten to the core. It needs to be cleaned thoroughly," August said without hesitation.
"As I thought. Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Find me every noble and other useful people who share this feeling of yours. I am going to take an endeavor that they might be interested in."