"Because the manners class is very important, therefore I hope you will see me again next week to study, Prince." Teacher Jun finally closed a book in front of him, which indirectly ended the royal study session for the day.
There were several imperium employees, who were studying with Prince Dwei. They bowed obediently, dignified like royalty in general.
While Prince Dwei looked indifferent and was standing behind his study desk, which was located in the front position. "Do we need to learn class like this? Shouldn't we learn more important classes? For example the martial arts, or a way to save the empire from drought, or maybe a way to convince people that the horoscope is just superstition?"
The nobles were buzzing and speaking in whispers. They muttered in protest at Prince Dwei. He did often cause trouble in the palace.
Teacher Jun looked very calm. His age was not much different from Prince Dwei, maybe only about five years apart. He was the youngest teacher owned by the palace. But his intelligence was very high and was even recognized by many great masters scattered in various parts of the empire. He was the best graduate of a high school that only nobles could enter. Even though he came from an ordinary people's family.
"I'm sure you know better than I do, Prince, that you have more than one teacher besides me. I'm just teaching you about the etiquette class. While the things you have explained before have been taught by other teachers. Do I need to mention the names of your teachers?"
Prince Dwei gave a curt look. "I just feel that the empire is wasting too much money to pay all of you. Why can't one of you master all that knowledge and then teach it to me? So that the budget for your wages can be cut to cover the needs of the people who are starving?"
"If a teacher has five skills, then I believe the salary will increase five times." Teacher Jun lowered his head as he heard more buzzing from the nobles there. Without looking at them, he said, "Gentlemen who work in the imperial sector, you may all leave the study hall. I think this time the material is finished."
Although they still wanted to hear the conversation that took place between Teacher Jun and Prince Dwei, they still had to leave because they had been ordered to. While grabbing their respective books, they left whispering to each other. Now and then they looked back and slowed their pace, waiting to hear the conversation between Prince Dwei and Teacher Jun. But sadly, they got nothing.
"I don't like studying with you," Prince Dwei said boldly after all the nobles had completely left. "Your class is too boring, and I can already guess everything."
"If you have mastered all the class of etiquette, you can tell His Highness so that I don't have to teach you anymore."
"You must know how Father will respond. He would just kick my ass for being too angry." Prince Dwei snorted, then looked towards the garden. His lips that had been stiff and pouted instantly curved thin and dazzling. It turned out that he saw the shadow of Ying Hua, saw the beauty of her who was now dancing in the middle of the meadow. She smiled at him.
Teacher Jung realized that. "Longing is a poison that can't be treated unless you've met someone you love. Even the most delicious food will taste bland, even the coolest breeze will not be able to put us to sleep, and the tastiest wine will no longer appeal. Longing is too complicated and painful, but it can be very satisfying, depending on how you cultivate it. Those are the signs of someone who is in love, that person will feel longing."
Prince Dwei turned to Teacher Jun very quickly. Now his gaze was looking at him with interest. "Fall in love? Longing?"
Teacher Jun nodded slowly. His slender body was almost like a piece of wood, a very sturdy piece of wood. "That's right, Prince."
"Do you know what it is to fall in love and longing? You're not married yet, but you talk as if you know what love and longing are."
"Even though I'm not married, I'm still a man, Prince. So, I can tell both feelings."
Prince Dwei cleared his throat, feigning disinterest. "What do you know about love and longing? Surely you just made it up right? Or quoting famous philosophers as usual."
"You ask me not because you're curious or because you want to knock me out. But you are looking for an answer that you are looking for right now."
Prince Dwei suddenly tensed up, gulping nervously. He cleared his throat, and then looked away because he didn't want to look like he was lying.
"Who is her?" asked Teacher Jun. "Or him?"
"I'm normal, still I like a girl."
"Oh, so she is a girl. She must be pretty." Teacher Jun nodded very wisely. Even his face radiated an aura of intelligence. "I guess that's the reason you've been lazy to study lately, And, it seems like that's the reason you always get angry when someone talks about your matchmaking. Do you miss her?"
"I am not sure." Prince Dwei cleared his throat again. "I'm still not sure about my feelings." He turned to Teacher Jun sharply. "I told you because I believed you wouldn't say anything to Father."
"Why don't you just confess your feeling? Does she come from among the common people?"
"Complicated. You won't understand." But finally, Prince Dwei explained how he felt. "I have trouble sleeping, have no appetite, don't want to do anything. All I want is to meet her and chat with her. I want to spend time with her."
"I think that is love, the pure love. I'm happy to hear it. Finally, you find a new adventure. I was worried about your progress, Prince. Whereas in other fields, your development is very fast."
Prince Dwei was silent and then checked the surroundings. He knew they were being left alone. And the servants around them would be blind and deaf when they were beside Prince Dwei. Usually, he is not very careful. But for now, he wanted to hide everything tightly.
"Teacher Jun, you must be very upset because I often oppose and skip your class, right?" asked Prince Dwei without turning his head. "How about we make a deal?"
"What deal do you want?"
"If you can answer my questions honestly based on your intelligent point of view, then I will never skip your studies again."
Teacher Jun nodded. "What do you want to ask?"
Prince Dwei was silent, his fingers moving restlessly. His eyes were rolling in all directions as if he was searching for something. "What if… what if I marry a demon?"
***