Chapter 25 - Hiraeth

After that encounter, Donellan and I made our way out of the bookstore followed by the guards.

While passing by the shops, I saw a cute bakery on the corner of the street and asked Donellan if we could go in.

Donellan looked pretty reluctant, but when he saw the look on my face he sighed and I led him to the shop.

The minute we stepped in, the energy suddenly seemed off?

It looked like everyone in there tensed up and looked on edge. I looked up at Donellan feeling a little bewildered.

Once I saw his face, I could tell why everyone looked so nervous and on edge all of a sudden. Not only did Donellan exude a cold 'don't touch me or come near me' kind of aura, but the same could be said with the guards behind us.

They gave off similar energies as well.

I didn't understand why they were on such high alert but the stares we were getting on top of the mood wasn't sitting right with me, so I quickly ordered what I wanted from the lady who was trying very hard not to run away and took Donellan by the hand and left.

Now I understand why Donellan was so hesitant in coming in here.

Must me tough having to deal with that all the time. I felt kind of sorry for the guy and couldn't help but squeeze his hand.

Donellan looked down at me and didn't say anything, but I could tell he was feeling a little better.

Even if Donellan was someone who didn't care about anyone's opinion of him, he was still human. And I guess having me witness something like that didn't make him feel all that great.

We got back into the carriage and rode back to the estate.

Meanwhile, after Donellan and Simuel left, the air in the place felt a lot less heavy.

One customer couldn't help but exclaim: "that man is so scary! I didn't even have the chance to admire his face properly." She sighed.

The person who was next to her couldn't help but agree.

"His son was absolutely adorable as well. How unfortunate he had to grow up with such a frightening father."

One person who heard this, got up from where he was sitting to make another order.

He had just passed by the two gossiping ladies when he said: "I don't think you should be speaking so freely like that."

The two women looked up at the person addressing them.

One of them couldn't help but look confused. "Why can't I speak freely." She retorted back.

"It's not like we are speaking ill of a high ranking official or a noble, right?"

The boy hadn't said anything but everyone who was listening to their conversation could tell just by the look on his face that she was correct.

Immediately the two girl's faces paled and they started to feel panicked. They quickly got their stuff and left the shop in a hurry.

The other spectators gasped as well.

If they had paid close attention, they would've noticed the striking silver grey hair that was a characteristic of the Grey family.

On top of that, the signature black and white uniforms with the silver clasps on top of their black overcoat with the insignia hidden inconspicuously.

Anyone with sense could see these were the official guard uniforms associated with the Silver Tiger Legion guards of the Grey family.

Even if Donellan's appearance wasn't widely known since he often avoided the public and also avoided the capital like the plague, his reputation was nothing to scoff at.

His name was so widely known, that just the mention of it would send people trembling. The boy in question left the shop soon after that. With a box of pastries in his hands, he made his way to the palace. He ended up crossing paths with the little prince who noticed him on the side of the rode. The carriage stoped and the door opened revealing a beautiful little boy with sparkling azure coloured eyes. He looked excited upon seeing him.

"Johannes!" The boy shouted. This boy happened to be Amethyst who was on his way back home after going to the bookstore. He was in a rather foul mood after his encounter with Simuel but felt better upon seeing his older brother's friend. Amethyst would never admit this himself, but he actually liked Johannes quite a lot. He didn't have many friends and the kids his age stayed away from him because of his bad personality. But Johannes was one of the few people to accept him and care for him despite all of his flaws. The older boy got into the carriage and greeted him while patting his head. Johannes was also quite fond of Amethyst because he reminded him of his little brother back home. He had been away for several years and it looked like he wasn't going to be able to go back for awhile. So when he met Prince Amethyst, a feeling of longing plagued his heart greatly. He used the little Prince's affection for him as a means to soothe his broken heart but grew to genuinely like him over the years. The older boy handed the box of pastries to him and the little Prince took the box eagerly. While he was enjoying the treats, Johannes could tell that he wasn't too happy. Feeling a little concerned, he asked the little boy what was wrong.

"It's nothing." He said begrudgingly. Johannes frowned at that. There was clearly something bothering him so why deny it?

"C'mon Amethyst, you can tell me anything. I can help you if there's something bothering you." He said softly. Amethyst looked up, sighed and told him what's gotten him in such a bad mood.

"And then his father invited me to his house to play with him." He said. Amethyst for some reason choose to omit stating the person's name in question. He neither said Simuel's name or Donellan's so Johannes had no clue who this boy's identity was.

Johannes took a couple seconds to process everything the little boy had told him. Hmm it doesn't seem like its anything too serious, he thought to himself. I think it's a matter of their personalities clashing. But he was also rather curious of the other boy. Most people wouldn't be able to handle Prince Amethyst's foul personality. Even he had to admit that it was rather difficult for him to deal with the little boy in the begining. So oftentimes, people would just leave saying he was too much. Of course other people would become hostile after being assaulted by the Prince's words and be rude back or worse start a fight but would back off afterwards after finding out the Prince's identity. But this unknown boy did neither. He simply didn't care.

"Does he know who you are?" Johannes asked out of curiousity.

"Yes, I think he suspected who I was the first time we met because when I told him who I was, he didn't look surprised." He replied back frowning.

Johannes suddenly became a lot more interested in this unknown boy. Despite knowing who he was, he still didn't care. Where did this level of indifference come from? Immediately after that someone came to mind but he quickly dismissed that idea.

"Are you going to go to his house?" He asked again

Amethyst looked at him in shock. Why would I go play with the boy who has offended me so? I'd be an idiot to do that, I mean clearly the boy doesn't like me. On top of that, his father is scary. Scarier than father even!

Johannes saw the look on his face and couldn't help but laugh. He took the boy in his arms and told him "I think it would be a good idea to go. It'll be a chance for you to confirm wether or not the boy actually hates you. Which I don't think is the case. Plus it'll be a great way for you to interact with other kids your age too." He said with a smile.

Amethyst was a little embarrassed but he also thought that what Johannes said wasn't wrong. Plus deep down he knew he wanted to be friends with the boy.

Of course he would never admit that, but Johannes kind of knew what he was thinking.

The boy sighed out loud.

"I'll have to ask father then."