Some days passed during the entire trip, from the north to the south of the dragon kingdom, the passage by ship through the warmest seas, passing a little near the mermaid kingdom until they finally arrived at the most famous seaport in the great western lands. And finally, they would continue their journey across the river to the capital of the great Waterfall Kingdom.
Ikalles was worried about all these transactions they would do once they met, his duties as a guardian were solemn. Leah accompanied him in this doubt, what would happen if they got into disagreements?
While political concerns surrounded the monarchs, the princes just learned and watched the whole situation, sometimes without caring or sometimes caring too much.
Long, still without powers, read a book in his room. Bored, he thought he could leave soon, as the day to visit Silverleak was near, so he could try to see Huanxue again.
Suddenly, he remembered the white-haired boy, his new friend, if he couldn't see her, he would spend his time playing with the other.
After days of boredom, he ran out of his room. Down to the stables, where he usually found Bavellis to take him to Silverleak.
Arriving there, he looked around in confusion. Where is he? Did he miss the day? No, it was definitely today...
Thoughtful, he didn't notice the footsteps approaching him.
– What are you doing here Long?
Long was startled by the sudden presence, turning to look at the person, he spoke carefully – Today is the day of my trip to Silverleak…
Jiaohui looked at him with a severe expression – Today you won't go, there's no way to defend yourself without your gifts, it's too dangerous.
Long looked at her, his sad look made her a little uncomfortable, but her order was the best for her son, you never know what could happen.
Long hesitated, for the first time he did not move under an order from the queen.
Jiaohui continued to stare at him. This was the first time he disobeyed her, sighing, she asked – What's so interesting there? If it's about the girl, I can invite her to the palace...
Long, embarrassed that his mother had mentioned the beautiful girl, quickly denied it, looking for another excuse to go – No! I mean, that's not it...
– So what is it?
Long pursed his lips – I... have a friend.
Jiaohui looked at him, stunned – A friend? Did some other girl see you when you went...
– No, I have a friend... it's a boy...
Jiaohui still looked at him doubtfully. What do you mean a boy, when he met another boy? Silverleak was a girls' school. Maybe it was on the way?
As he thought about finding out about this with Bavellis, Jiaohui watched as Long slipped away. She pretended not to notice, watching him leave through her peripheral vision. He ran back into the palace.
And thinking for a moment, she smiled, her little Long has made a friend, and she needs to meet that friend.
In Silverleak. Izrun had retired to his room, sitting at his desk he began to read the books he had taken from the library earlier. Alba was busy, so she gave him book suggestions so he could study on his own until his tutor returned.
Izrun muttered from time to time what he read, trying to memorize the spells and writing a few things down in a small notebook beside him.
A popping noise suddenly appeared, startled by the sudden noise he looked around the room, there was nothing that could have made that noise.
The small sound came again, Izrun looked at the window with narrowed eyes and watched as something hit the glass, making the sound he had heard before.
Izrun went to the window and opened it, looking around he noticed a boy hiding in the bushes, the boy looked at him and then to the sides, as soon as he didn't see anyone he ran and jumped to enter the room. Izrun only had time to step back a little so as not to collide with Long.
– Why are you here? – Izrun asked quickly as he closed the window and curtains.
Long looked around curiously, this room was definitely different from his, where is the fireplace and the marble bed? Is that wood? Long looked at the furniture in astonishment.
Izrun ignored Long's lack of response and pulled him away from the things the boy wanted to touch.
– Hey, I'm just watching! I won't break it, I swear – Long spoke when Izrun took him away from his materials.
Izrun pursed his lips – What did you come here for?
Long smiled, shrugging – I came to find the girl with black eyes.
Izrun furrowed his brows thoughtfully, 'black-eyed' girl? There were several black-eyed girls here.
– What girl with black eyes? It's night, you won't be able to find her like this – Izrun spoke as he returned to his desk, Long walked towards him with a sad expression, then looked around the room, not seeing a second chair he felt wronged.
Izrun had returned to his studies, trying to ignore the boy who was walking everywhere in his room, Long didn't touch anything else, he seemed to be looking for something, and with a frustrated expression, he seemed to have given up.
Sitting on Izrun's bed, he started talking – Izrun, your magic seems more fluid, can you use magic now? Your room is very simple, why is your bed made of wood? It's hard. It's bad sleeping on it, do you want to leave? Why don't we walk outside a little?
Izrun turned to him, this boy really didn't know how to keep quiet. Long smiled – Come on! I'll teach you some spells, it'll be fun!
– Stop – Izrun said. He was always very polite and kept silent several times, but maybe because he found this boy of close age to him, he felt more comfortable speaking. Long was quiet again. Izrun continued – Answer me, how did you get in here?
Long looked at him thoughtfully, Izrun patiently waited for his answer, and then, the black-eyed boy suddenly shrugged – I don´t know. I just walked in.
Izrun looked at him in astonishment, this boy didn't know anything. Did he just go there and act the way he wanted to, without thinking about the consequences?
But even so, it would be impossible for him to get in if he didn't have a permit.
Izrun took a deep breath – Tell me the truth, who are you?
Long laughed lightly at the question – I've already introduced myself, my name is Long.
– No, I know your name. How do you get past the barrier? – Izrun said while looking at him, he saw the boy smile again. Long then rose and gave an exaggerated bow.
– My maternal name is Li Jiaolong, while my paternal name is Long Soleil, I'm from the west and live in the capital – He spoke seriously, it would be funny for a child like him to introduce himself in such a formal manner, but the moment he heard the boy's last name, Izrun just remained serious.
Then, rising from his chair, he asked – Soleil? The royal family?
Long nodded with a smile, Izrun was astonished, muttering – So he's the prince? Wait, the prince comes here to try to spy on a girl?
Long heard his murmurs, interrupting him quickly – No! I really just come to try to see her, I think she's very beautiful and quite kind, so I wanted to get closer to her.
Izrun looked at him – Do you like her?
Long looked away – Yes – His shy answer came out as a murmur, thinking, he didn't have to be ashamed of that, what was wrong with him liking a girl? Turning to Izrun he decided to change the subject – Are you studying?
Izrun looked at his books on the desk and answered lightly – I was.
Long laughed, Izrun looked at him and felt strange, he acted differently with the boy, and his actions were quite accidental, he just spoke to him normally, which he couldn't do with the others he interacted with.
Narrowing his eyes he looked at Long, he read in some books and heard from some servants that the king was trusted, whether in dealing with everyday matters or with matters of politics and war. Maybe Long already had those skills and that's why he felt comfortable with the boy.
Long had already left where he was and was now fiddling with the books that were on top of the desk – Do you study with your tutor during the day and study alone at night? - He asked. This boy was the guardian's son, he would be his adviser in the future right? Was that the reason he studied so hard? Poor kid. Long agreed with his line of reasoning and turned to Izrun, speaking as if trying to comfort the boy – You don't need to study so hard, we'll work together in the future, I won't punish you if you don't know something.
Izrun was confused by his words, wouldn't his sister be the next guardian? How will they work together in the future?
Izrun thought about saying something, but Long had already approached him, holding his arm, Long took him to the window – Come on, let's play a little.
Izrun tried to hold back from being thrown out of the room, but without success. Izrun was lying on the grass as he looked at Long's smile in the window.
Long jumped out and helped him to his feet, pulling him into the forest right after, Izrun didn't know how the boy was so strong, he should only be a year older than him, and it wasn't much difference.
Izrun saw him walking confidently and remembered the first time they met, asking out of curiosity – Have you mapped this forest? You walk so confidently, aren't you afraid of getting lost?
Long laughed strangely when he heard it, answering embarrassed – More or less.
Izrun pursed his lips – More or less?
Long replied – It's more of an intuition, it comes up sometimes and then I follow the path it sends me.
Izrun was stunned, remembering the cliff he hurried to his side and asked – That time, you knew about that cliff, right?
Long looked at him and then quickly looked away.
Izrun took a deep breath and going against all his calm and withdrawn nature, he gave Long a small punch on the arm – We almost died!
Long held his arm with an amused expression, Izrun looked weak but had a very heavy hand – I know, but we're alive, nothing happened.
Izrun followed in a daze, they stopped along the way as Long looked around and then followed a path at random, he probably spent more time inside this forest than anywhere else nearby.
Allowing himself to be led through the forest by Long, Izrun began to notice something different about the boy.
It was different from the last time, something was missing...
Realizing what bothered him, he stopped, making Long stop and look at him – What happened?
Izrun asked – Your powers...