'I hope he talks to me this time.'
Sitting silently on the third level was Luminara Academy's grand stairway, a work of delicate carvings bathed in the gentle glow of magical lamps.
Azrael sat gloomily on the polished stairs, his slim figure covered in the aristocratic academy uniform of gold and azure. His vivid pink eyes gazed off into the distance, absorbed in contemplation.
The sound of Azrael's fingers tapping repeatedly echoed down the deserted hallway, a mismatched tune to his melancholy thoughts. Normally alive with activity, the third-year classrooms were empty at this hour. Azrael's eyes darted to the elegant wall clock; lunch was almost over, and he wished desperately that he would see his elder brother, Valerian.
'Any minute now.'
As Azrael's ears perked up at the sound of descending footsteps, a glimmer of anticipation flickered in his eyes. He assumed it was the third-year students finally making their way to the lower floors.
However, his expectation gave way to surprise as the figure that emerged from the stairwell was not a fellow student but the familiar face of Thaddeus Meadowcroft, the humble guidance counselor whom he recognized as the one who interviewed him before being matriculated in the academy.
Thaddeus, a man of compassion and understanding, observed Azrael with a mix of concern and respect, but for some reason, Azrael felt uncomfortable under his gaze. Bowing gracefully, Thaddeus acknowledged the imperial prince.
"Your Highness Azrael, a pleasant day to you," he greeted, the warmth evident in his voice.
Azrael acknowledged Thaddeus with a slight nod, his expression unchanging as he continued to wait for his older brother.
"Good day, Sir Thaddeus," Azrael responded in a measured tone, his gaze briefly meeting the counselor's before returning to the distant horizon.
There was a short silence between the two as Thaddeus did not move, and Azrael did not speak after he already greeted the guidance counselor, but from the corner of his eyes, he could see that Thaddeus was staring at him with an unreadable expression.
Again, he felt very uncomfortable under his gaze but he could not care less because he was busy waiting for Valerian.
Azrael was going to continue ignoring Thaddeus' presence no matter what until the older gentleman began speaking. "If I may, your highness..." He starts, making Azrael glance at him slightly. "Are you, perhaps, waiting for the crown prince?"
'Why is he asking me this?' The young prince hesitated but answered anyway.
"Yes."
His answer was short, as he did not really like conversing with others that aren't his brother, but Thaddeus did not seem to get the hint. "Forgive me if ever I'm overstepping my boundaries, but as this academy's guidance counselor, and of course...out of concern for your highness."
"...."
"I have heard rumors that you and the crown prince do not get along much. Judging by what you are doing now, it seems you are waiting for him."
"...."
"....We get along. My brother is just busy and has more important things to focus on as the crown prince," Azrael answered, his head hung low as he stared at the ground. "Please do not believe rumors so easily. I am sure a lot of people dislike us because we're imperial princes, so they try to find faults in our relationship."
Thaddeus let out a soft sigh as he took a few steps closer to Azrael, so he was now directly behind the young prince. Azrael did not care nor did he move, but he was cautious though as he did not trust the guidance counselor.
Well, he did not trust anyone, but still...
"Your highness, do you truly believe or think that?"
"What do you mean? Of course, I do."
"So, you are telling me that you do not feel a tiny bit disliked by your brother? You do not feel sad at all or even neglected?"
As much as Azrael wanted to deny Thaddeus' words, he felt a sharp stinging pain inside his chest where his heart was, and his temple began aching a bit.
'I don't feel disliked at all. I'm sure big brother loves me but...'
Why couldn't he say it out loud then?
"With all due respect, your highness," Thaddeus interjected as he sensed the uncertainty in Azrael's tone. "But it seems to me that you, yourself, are unsure." Azrael's forehead twitched after being called out by the guidance counselor, and as much as he wanted to deny it, he couldn't bring himself to do so.
Especially now since he was sitting pathetically on a staircase, waiting for his brother, who will surely just ignore him again, not even casting him a single glance, and only ever speak to other students or Caelum Eversly.
"I....I....." Azrael covered his face with his hands, frustrated at himself for thinking such thoughts, but he could not help it.
He could feel movement behind him, and he wasn't sure what Thaddeus was doing, but he really did not have the energy to find out. It was only until he felt a hand place itself on his back that made him look up. "What—"
"If you want, your highness...I can help you." A shiver went down Azrael's spine. Thaddeus was way too close to him now as he could feel the guidance counselor's breath against his ear. He was about to turn around and tell the man to give him personal space, but Thaddeus' grip on his shoulder tightened, restraining his movements.
"You—"
Azrael was about to verbally tell him off but was cut off again. "Do you or do you not want the crown prince to notice you? Because I know a way that you can, your highness."
This makes Azrael freeze, his eyes widening slightly. 'What does he mean?' He thinks to himself as he turned his head a bit to look at the guidance counselor, who was smiling down at him. Something about his smile felt eerie, but he was too engrossed in their conversation to notice.
"What are you saying...?" Azrael was finally able to speak properly, making Thaddeus' smile grow.
"It is as I said, I know a way you can get his highness, the crown prince, to take notice of you."
"How?"
Thaddeus taps his finger on Azrael's shoulder while using his other hand to push away strands of his curly, pink hair. "Before I tell you, your highness. You must answer my question."
"What question?" Azrael's heart was beating hard against his chest as he waited for Thaddeus' response.
"Are you..."
Thaddeus narrowed his eyes at Azrael.
"...Willing to do anything?"
Azrael hesitated to answer, his eyes widening with a mixture of fear and anticipation. The weight of Thaddeus' gaze intensified, and the young prince felt a bead of cold sweat forming on his forehead. His thoughts raced, and images of his brother, Valerian, flashed before his eyes.
Valerian, with his cold gaze that never seemed to linger on Azrael for long. The way he effortlessly interacted with others, especially Caelum Eversly, while Azrael remained a mere side character in his brother's life.
His heart clenched at the thought of being noticed, acknowledged, and loved by Valerian in the same way. Azrael's resolve solidified. He yearned for his brother's affection, and if there was a way, any way, he would take it.
"Yes—"
Before Azrael could comprehend the unfolding events, Thaddeus suddenly pushed him with a force that sent him tumbling backward. Time seemed to slow down as Azrael felt the air rushing past him. His surroundings blurred, and panic settled in as he realized he was falling.
'What...'
The world turned upside down, and the sound of his own gasp filled his ears. Azrael's vision began to fade, the edges turning dark. He tried to call out, to question Thaddeus' actions, but his voice betrayed him.
As Azrael lay sprawled on the cold floor, pain radiating through his body, he looked up to see Thaddeus standing over him. The once warm and compassionate gaze had transformed into a cold, calculating stare.
Before he could even force himself to ask the guidance counselor why he did what he did, Thaddeus beat him to it.
"Your brother is coming,"
Thaddeus mouthed, his words barely registering in Azrael's dazed mind. The edges of his vision darkened further, but through the haze, he could make out the familiar figure of Valerian approaching.
"Big...bro...ther...." Azrael managed to utter, his voice barely audible, before succumbing to the encroaching darkness, his consciousness slipping away as Valerian drew near.
Azrael's gasped as he pulled himself out from the vision, beads of sweat dripped from his forehead as Thaddeus gazed at him with surprise written all over his face. He wanted nothing more but to slap the guidance counselor's face, and yell at him to stay as far away from him as possible.
"Your highness, you look frightened...are you okay?" Azrael could hear the obvious fakeness in Thaddeus' tone, it was the same tone the real, naive Azrael did not notice because he was blinded yet again by his love for Valerian.
As Azrael tried his best to gather himself before responding to anyone who speaks to him, there was only one thought in his mind as he stared back at Thaddeus.
'This man...is pure evil.'