Dylan stood before the mirror, his hazel golden eyes reflecting not only his face but also the weight of the day's events. A familiar heaviness settled upon him as he prepared for yet another meeting, but today felt different. The subtle tension that clung to the air was thickened by the strange neglect he had endured from the Nabal family. From the moment he woke, the morning had been marked by an unsettling silence—no breakfast, no customary greetings. It was as though they had all turned their backs on him without so much as a whisper of explanation.
The maid had brought the strange news of a breakfast left untouched. Dylan's brows furrowed at the oddity, yet he quickly discerned the unspoken truth: something was amiss, and he was caught in the middle of it.
As his thoughts swirled in that direction, a knock at the door brought him from his musings.
"Who is it?"
"It is I, Solon, your Highness. You requested the book to be delivered."
With a slight sigh, Dylan replied, "Ah, yes, come in."
The servant entered, carrying a book that Dylan eyed with sudden interest. The cover was unadorned save for the faint outline of two silhouettes—one of a man, the other of a woman—both facing away from each other, a visual metaphor for the isolation and tension within its pages.
The title read, A Love Across Borders, and Dylan's fingers traced the author's signature, almost instinctively. Solon, noticing his focus, offered a lighthearted comment.
"It seems you enjoy reading romance novels, Your Highness."
Dylan's expression hardened ever so slightly as he answered, "No, I do not."
Solon, slightly taken aback, hesitated. "Then…"
Dylan's lips curved into a wry smile as he raised an eyebrow. "It is only because she wrote it."
"What is it about, then?" Solon inquired, genuinely curious.
"A love story between a prince and a princess of different kingdoms, who meet in their childhood and continue to exchange letters. The peace between their two kingdoms eventually falters, and the letters cease. Years later, fate brings them back together. That is where their tale truly begins," Dylan mused, his eyes narrowing as he read the summary aloud.
Solon's face flushed as he realized he may have spoiled the plot. "Oh my! It seems I've spoiled it for you. My apologies."
Dylan looked at the book again, his expression unreadable, before replying, "Is it based on a legitimate story?"
"Princess Lyra claims it is pure fiction, a tale of fantasy," Solon explained, stepping back.
Dylan's smirk deepened as he clutched the book close, his thoughts turning inward. "Is that so? How interesting."
"Also, Your Highness, I have another message. The meeting for today has been postponed to the afternoon," Solon continued, his voice hesitant.
"Postponed? Why?" Dylan asked, though he could already feel the answer lingering in the air.
"I am not certain, but it seems Her Highness is busy. I did not speak directly to her, but her maid informed me of the change."
Dylan's eyes glinted with curiosity as he processed the information. "I see. Thank you for the update."
As Solon left the room, Xavier appeared in the doorway, his expression serious. "Your Highness, I have investigated the fire the Princess spoke of."
Dylan's attention snapped back to the matter at hand. "Ah, yes, the fire that led to their relocation. What have you found?"
"No one can agree on the cause," Xavier replied. "Some say it was an accident, a lantern knocked over onto a curtain. Others whisper that it was intentional. And then there are those who believe it was an attempt on someone's life. Strangest of all, it seems only Lady Medea's rooms were affected. The Princesses' chambers and the King's room were untouched. A day later, Lady Medea had the rooms refurnished to her liking, and that's when the Princesses moved out."
Dylan absorbed this, his mind already working through the possibilities. "So, they didn't move because of the fire?"
"That's what it appears," Xavier confirmed.
Dylan's lips thinned as the pieces began to fall into place. "They were running away, not fleeing from a mere accident. I had suspected as much."
Xavier paused, watching his superior with quiet concern. "What are your orders now, Your Highness?"
"Continue your investigation," Dylan instructed, his tone sharp. "But this time, focus more closely on Count Javis and the poison."
Xavier blinked in confusion. "Poison? What do you mean?"
Dylan turned his gaze toward the window, deep in thought, before replying with cold resolve, "Do not question me. Just follow my orders. There is more to this than we yet understand."
Xavier hesitated but nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness. But…" He trailed off, his expression uncertain. "Are you sure you wish to pursue this? It seems your involvement with Princess Lyra's matters has already stirred tension."
Dylan smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Will she be annoyed, do you think?"
"It seems likely," Xavier replied, somewhat cautiously.
Dylan hummed thoughtfully, his gaze turning back to Xavier. "Then what would you suggest I do?"
Xavier was silent for a moment before answering, "If you are so concerned, why not approach Her Highness directly? Ask her what you wish to know."
Dylan's brow furrowed slightly as he mulled it over. "I know she would tell me everything I seek—yet something holds her back. She isn't ready to open up to me, and I don't want to press her too hard."
Xavier's eyes softened with understanding. "Then, wait. Let her come to you in her own time. But if she already knows you've been investigating, there may be no harm in speaking plainly."
Dylan let out a quiet sigh, his voice tinged with a touch of frustration. "Perhaps. But I can see she's not in a hurry to reveal everything. And with her delaying the meeting, I wonder if she has other matters to attend to."
Xavier offered a small smile. "I saw Delilah giving refreshments to the Knights earlier this morning. It seems Her Highness is still asleep and would wake late."
Dylan's expression softened, though a sense of urgency still gnawed at him. "No, I mean now. What is she doing now?"
Xavier shrugged slightly. "If you are that curious, just go to her. You want to see her, don't you?"
Dylan nodded, his resolve firming once more. "Indeed, I do."
"By the way, what is everyone else up to? I haven't seen anyone since morning."
"Everyone is at the clinic visiting Sir Hubris."
"Perhaps I should pay him a visit as well? He doesn't recall the events of that night in detail, does he?"
"I believe not."
"Brilliant. Let's go have some fun."
With a sly grin, Dylan urged Xavier to follow as they began their walk toward the clinic.
As they strolled, Xavier opened his mouth several times to speak but paused each time before the words left his lips. Noticing this, Dylan teased, "Go ahead, reveal whatever it is you've been holding in."
"I may be overstepping, but... aren't you going to visit the Princess first?"
Dylan halted suddenly, scratching his neck as he responded, "I'll do that later."
"Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened."
"Then why are you avoiding seeing her? You've been following her like a shadow for days, so it's a surprise you're not rushing to see her today."
"Hey! That's crossing the line. I'm not a stalker."
"Forgive me. I was just speaking my mind."
Dylan rolled his eyes and continued, "I have my own life to deal with. I can't keep bothering her. Just because I didn't go to see her once doesn't mean I don't want to. Stop overthinking it."
"Oh, Your Highness! I didn't realize you cared so much that you didn't want to bother her. You must like her a lot."
"Huh?"
Dylan narrowed his eyes, as if about to say something, then fell silent, his thoughts elsewhere. Xavier, watching his friend intently, tilted his head, waiting for him to speak. Despite working as Dylan's aide, Xavier held the rank of viscount, and their dynamic was that of old friends. Before Dylan lost his wealth, it was Xavier who would visit him, and despite the age gap of 13 years, Xavier had always seen him as a younger brother, precious and dear.
Even when Dylan claimed Xavier was overthinking, Xavier knew him too well to let it slide.
He waited for Dylan to continue.
After a long pause, Dylan finally looked away, resuming his walk, muttering under his breath, "There you go again. Grasping things wrong."
"Excuse me? Is it wrong to say you care for the Princess?"
"Well... that's... What's with you today? Are you my mother? Stop with the criticism."
Dylan, flustered, started walking faster, stomping his feet. Xavier followed, chuckling quietly.
To his surprise, Dylan veered off toward the clinic instead of the Princess's palace. Curious, Xavier asked, "What's going on? Why the sudden change?"
"I don't feel like seeing that trash. Seeing him alive will only enrage me further," Dylan retorted, clearly irritated.
They walked instead through the garden near the Princess's palace.
"Are you planning to see her?" Xavier asked, hesitating.
"...What would I do if I did?"
"Be yourself?"
"I don't even know what that means anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, every time I see her, I want more."
"More?"
Dylan fiddled with his hair and leaned against a nearby tree, his eyes distant. After a brief pause, he added, "I want to be with her more. To touch her, hear her voice, make her smile... everything."
"Oh."
Xavier was the one who felt embarrassed by Dylan's confession. With a shrug, he offered, "Then just do it."
Dylan shot him an incredulous look, exhaling sharply. "It's not that simple. Forget it. Why am I even asking you? You've been single all your life."
"Hey! I've dated before. I'm more mature than you—I've got loads of experience."
Dylan scoffed. "Yeah, the experience of being dumped by every girl you've dated."
"That was a mutual breakup!" Xavier snapped, trying to defend himself. "Mutual... with consent from both sides."
Dylan knew better, and Xavier immediately felt embarrassed. "If you think I'm not the right person to talk to, then why are you asking for advice?"
"You looked like you wanted to offer it."
"I don't want to hear about your love troubles. I just wanted you to do what you really want."
"It's not like I wanted to share this with you. I just didn't have anyone else to talk to. Anyway, forget what I said."
"Tell me—what's the problem? She doesn't like you back?"
"It's not that. I know she likes me."
Xavier raised an eyebrow. "You're pretty confident about that. What makes you so sure? She hasn't said anything yet."
"I trust my instincts," Dylan replied confidently. "The real issue is that I don't want to confess just yet. My feelings might seem shallow."
"Shallow? Are they shallow, though?"
"No... It's just... I can't tell if this is true love or just a fleeting infatuation. And I don't want it to go away... even though I'm afraid it might."
"Huh?" Xavier looked at him incredulously. "You talk about wanting to do more with her, and yet you can't tell if it's love?"
Dylan nodded, and Xavier could hardly believe what he was hearing. "What happened to you, Your Highness? You've always been so straightforward, level-headed. Why are you overthinking all of this? Are you afraid of rejection?"
"...That might be part of it. It's true, I've always approached things directly. But I don't want to just tell her I like her if I'm not sure. I only want to love once, and I want that love to last forever. Until I'm certain, I won't say anything."
"So you're avoiding her because you're worried you might confess too soon?"
Dylan nodded, his shoulders heavy with the weight of his thoughts. Xavier watched him closely, realizing something Dylan hadn't yet acknowledged—he was already deeply in love with Princess Lyra.
"Is that it?" Xavier shrugged. "I've heard of confessing too late, but never too early. If you like her, just tell her. Then, your feelings can grow, and you can be more serious. I don't see why you're hesitating."
Dylan gave him an exasperated look, shoving his shoulder playfully as he turned toward his room. "I can see now why all those women left you."
"What? I'm just being practical!" Xavier protested, running after him. "Your Highness, wait! My advice wasn't bad!"
But Dylan ignored him, walking faster as Xavier hurried after him. "Don't be so stubborn!"