CHAPTER NINE – THE FIRST YOUNG MASTER OF THE ALBERT HOUSEHOLD
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Albert Mansion, there is a young man who happened to watch the scene earlier and could tell what happen.
He couldn't help but smile upon remembering the face of the Fifth Prince.
"Young Master AXEL, the Duchess is requesting for your audience in the banquet"
The young man had been identified as Axel as he sigh but didn't look at his butler when he heard those words.
The butler knew what his Young Master is thinking about but didn't voice his opinion as he only waited for his master to respond.
"What can you say about His Highness, the Fifth Prince?"
The butler raised an eyebrow as he looked at his master's back who hasn't even looked back at him.
"Young Master, have you found something interesting to His Highness, the Fifth Prince?"
Axel chuckled as he turned around and looked at his butler, and the young man saw something within his butler's eyes that he is quite familiar with it.
He knows what his butler is thinking right now as he gave him a sly smirk.
"I know what you're thinking right now, DEVON. However, the Fifth Prince is still a child so let's just keep an eye on him and observe him secretly, hmm?"
Axel knew that they couldn't touch the Fifth Prince that easily as he is being backed up by the Crown Prince and its supporters.
Both master and servant didn't know why the Crown Prince is protecting the Fifth Prince as they didn't see any redeeming qualities that he had, other than being a royal prince.
"It looks like we have found something that can free us from boredom, Young Master but—"
The butler, Devon paused for a second and Axel raised an eyebrow at him when he noticed that his butler stopped in mid-sentence.
"Is there something wrong?"
Devon snapped from his daze upon hearing the Young Master's question.
He didn't hesitate as he continued where he left off.
"I know that it's not just me that noticed the sudden change of His Highness the Fifth Prince earlier at the banquet"
Axel smirks at the words that Devon stated, and he held his chin up as if thinking of something else.
"Yes, I noticed as well. Those ignorant nobles failed to notice the sudden change of His Highness the Fifth Prince"
He once again gazes at the banquet hall from where he stood as he continues.
"The movements that he showed earlier aren't simple ones. Those kinds of movements can only be gained through experience and training for years"
Axel stated as he remembers the movements that Laurence did back in the banquet earlier.
'That is something that you can't just perform suddenly. His reflexes are not just ordinary. What was the Fifth Prince hiding?'
Axel couldn't think of any idea about Laurence's sudden change of personality at that time.
In just one second, his timid and gloomy nature suddenly evolve into something that even Axel couldn't predict it.
He had met the prince before and knew about his introverted nature amongst the crowd.
That's why both Axel and Devon are shocked when they witness what happen at the banquet hall back then.
For others, it could only be seen that the Fifth Prince just got lucky to evade the sudden assassination attempt.
But Axel doesn't think that way.
"His Highness the Fifth Prince is known as a magical wastrel during the coming-of-age ceremony where all young noble children are being tested for their magic affinity…"
Devon stated as he paused for a second before he continued.
"During that time, His Highness the Fifth Prince is the only child that is presented to have no magic affinity with him, and his future is already doom from that day onwards"
He couldn't help but to recalled what happen that year during the ceremony.
All noble children are required to be tested at the age of five for their magic affinity compatibility.
At that time, the only royal child to be tested is none other than His Highness the Fifth Prince, Prince Laurence.
"There is more than meets the eye at that time. I never believe that His Highness the Fifth Prince is a magical wastrel, Devon. If he truly is a wastrel then, why is the Crown Prince eager on protecting him?"
When Axel said those words, Devon knew what the Young Master is implying in those words alone.
"Young Master, are you implying that… the Crown Prince had anything to do with this?"
Devon said in a careful manner, but he also had doubts about it as well.
"It doesn't matter if the Crown Prince did something or not. It would be better if we send someone from OUR circle"
As soon as Axel said those words, Devon looked at the Young Master with wide eyes open.
"Ahm… A-are you sure, Young Master? You want to send someone from OUR circle to observe His Highness the Fifth Prince?"
Devon just wanted to make sure that he didn't hear wrong from the Young Master because he didn't expect that Axel would summon someone from THAT circle just to keep an eye on the Fifth Prince.
"Yes, and the people within OUR circle are someone we could trust for this task. Do as I ordered and summon THEM"
Whenever Axel decides, Devon knew not to interfere anymore and as a faithful servant, he will comply with his master's orders.
Axel makes his way to the full-body-sized mirror to check his appearance if he looks presentable.
Since the Duchess is summoning him to the banquet, it would look bad if he didn't comply.
Afterward, his previous cold demeanor earlier changes into a gentle and amiable smile with a cool composition.
Devon, on the other hand, couldn't help but shake off his head because of the sudden change in his master's personality as if there is a switch that could press on it.
'Seriously, this kid. He's much more dangerous and cunning than I am! I am just glad that we share the same habit, and I can manage to handle him if ever.'
His thoughts were interrupted when Axel called him out.
"We should get going. Mother and Father are waiting for me"
After that, both of them leave the spot from where they are and entered the Banquet hall where the party is being held.
As soon as they entered the premises, the nobles inside the hall immediately noticed a blond-haired youth with mint-forest green eyes together with the blue-haired male that they believe that it's the youth's butler.
ALEJANDRO FRANCOIS ALBERT, known as Axel by his close friends and family.
He is the First Young Master and the heir of the Duke Albert household. Currently 14 years old and he's a youth with blond hair and mint-forest green eyes.
Since he was young, Alejandro or Axel excels in both magic and martial arts. His magic affinities are Fire and Ice Elements.
He also excels in swordsmanship, and he had been acknowledged by many nobles and even the Truman Royal family because of his achievements despite his young age.
His parents are so proud of him, and the purpose of this banquet is to present Axel to the noble circles.