Shen Yuan grabbed the tray of food from the kitchen and headed to the stairway that led straight to the third floor. A single-person meal for the royal family member usually filled up an entire cart. Even Tiara's portion was twice more than Zain's.
According to the maids, Zain never ate his meal in the dining hall. He would either eat in his room or at the gazebo in the garden. And while other royalties would have a servant, if not more, attending them during their meal, Zain would dismiss them—much to the servants' preference as well. They only needed to take the empty dishes an hour later.
Though some simply didn't want to get involved with the politics behind it, like Matthew, most unapologetically viewed Zain as lesser than Vesper. The senior servants who had worked in the palace since the two brothers were little had a lot of stories where Zain bullied Vesper out of jealousy, another main reason why the king didn't favor him along with his 'incapability'.
His smaller meal portion was his punishment for one of his jealousy strikes, and the king hadn't lifted it since. It was also from this moment Zain stopped eating with his family.
Jealousy…
It was a difficult emotion to be immune to especially for children, but Shen Yuan didn't believe someone like Zain would express it in a physical way, if at all. It must be Vesper's intentional maneuver.
Hearing some footsteps, Shen Yuan came out of his thoughts and noticed the shadows approaching from the corner. He moved to walk closer to the wall, avoiding blocking the other's path. Soon, three people entered his sight, and his eyes were pulled to the man in the center.
His long golden hair glimmered under the afternoon sun, a resemblance of light itself. He had a magnetic pair of triangular eyes, deep and enchanting rubies embedded within. A natural smile hung on his lips, inviting yet elusive, making it hard to gauge his thoughts and emotions.
Vesper Clementine, Second Prince of Everlight.
Without needing to activate his sensor, Shen Yuan already knew the devil within him. He could recognize those eyes anywhere, in any guise.
Before he could look away, the man caught his gaze. He gave a calm smile and a polite nod as he passed them by. Vesper paused in his tracks and turned around, his eyes followed the receding back until it disappeared behind the corner.
That deceptive, ever-knowing smile…
Shen Yuan kept going down the hallway and stopped in front of a white double door. He gave it three light knocks and informed his arrival, "Your Highness, I am here to deliver your lunch."
"Enter."
Turning the handle, Shen Yuan pushed the door open and stepped inside. The door was connected to the front sitting room of Zain's private chamber, consisting of a lounge and a small dining area where up to two people could enjoy a meal together.
There, Zain sat on one of the chairs, closing the book in his hand. Shen Yuan arranged the dishes on the table and moved the empty tray to the countertop by the door before returning to Zain's side and pouring the glass of water for him.
"Please enjoy your meal, Your Highness."
"It seems you've been in high demand." Zain picked up his fork and knife and started eating his food at an unhurried pace. "Your name has been echoing in the hallways these past few days."
"I am grateful that I can be of use. I receive indispensable knowledge as well in return."
"Capable individuals naturally attract knowledge. You will only continue to grow."
"Thank you for your kind words." Shen Yuan lowered his head in gratitude. He fell silent for a moment before opening his mouth again, "Miss Harper told me Your Highness requested my service by name. Is there something I can be of help with?"
Zain peeled his eyes away from his food and looked up at Shen Yuan. "Do I need a reason to ask for your service?"
Shen Yuan blinked and bloomed a smile. "Of course not. Please call for me whenever Your Highness wishes."
The light falling to his visage reflected stars in his eyes, blinding Zain with their brightness yet leaving him unwilling to blink. With the darkness of the night in his hair and the gentleness of the moon in his words, perhaps he carried the sky in his heart.
"If I may be honest…" Shen Yuan fiddled with the fabric between the buttons of his vest, "…I thought I had offended Your Highness with my words that night. That is why I am surprised Your Highness requested my service."
"Indeed. It was the first time someone had ever reprimanded me like that."
"I sincerely apologize."
"I didn't say I'm offended by it," Zain continued, his finger scratching against the silverware. "Perhaps, someday, I will take that offer."
Shen Yuan loosened his expression and offered another smile of relief. "I will faithfully wait."
Not able to bear the increasing pounding in his chest, Zain returned his gaze to his plate and resumed his lunch. It had been a long time since he enjoyed the accompaniment of another. Just having this man standing by his side, even without saying anything, gave him a sense of comfort he had long forgotten.
After he finished his meal, he didn't immediately dismiss Shen Yuan and had him stay to pour him tea. Shen Yuan took the chance to bring up a certain topic, "Your Highness, may I ask about something?"
"You may."
"When I went to town the other day for an errand, there seemed to be many travelers from outside, including tourists from other countries. Is there a big event coming up?"
The air around Zain shifted and his demeanor cooled down a slight degree. He stared at the surface of his tea, reflecting his cold eyes back at him. "The Trial of Light is coming soon."
Shen Yuan had done enough research about it, but to bridge the point he wanted to reach, he deliberately asked, "Trial of Light?"
"It comes from the tale of how Everlight was founded. A kingdom fell in the Dark War and its three princes had to run away with their people to avoid slaughter. After 3 days and 3 nights of non-stop running, they were on the brink of collapse when one of the brothers was given a revelation by the northern star towards Freya Mountain where this palace now stands. That chosen brother became the first king of Everlight."
"Then, the trial…is it to select the next heir?"
Zain nodded in silence.
"Your Highness…" Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes. "You do not plan to forfeit, do you?"
"That is unquestionable. It's mandatory for all eligible candidates to participate."
"But whether or not Your Highness undergoes the trial properly is another matter." Shen Yuan exposed the unspoken words.
"…"
"Why? This is a chance for Your Highness to fight for yourself."
"What is there to fight? Even if I win by the northern star's will, it will only sow discord into Everlight. Spending my days in leisure like this is enough for me." Zain emptied his cup.
"Your Highness is lying to yourself. We both know that," Shen Yuan evenly refuted. "That day, in the woods and in the library, was Your Highness not training and studying?"
"…Those are only routines for my self-improvement. I can't just spend my days idly by."
Shen Yuan stared holes into Zain, but the other stubbornly refused to look him in the eyes like before. "Is Your Highness perhaps…afraid?"
Zain tightened his hold on his teacup and turned his face away towards the window. "The trial isn't life-threatening. It has nothing to do with fear."
"I am not talking about that."
"…"
"As a commoner and as a servant who has only been here for a couple of days, I understand I am in no place to offer opinions, let alone suggestions."
Shen Yuan touched Zain's white knuckles, prompting the other to finally look back at him. The soft touch thawed his nerves until Shen Yuan could take the cup. He refilled it with tea and returned it to Zain's side.
"But I truly do not wish for Your Highness to be met with regret. We would not know whether a tea tastes sweet or bitter without trying it, would we not?"
"Life isn't as simple as tea. There's much more beyond bitterness."
"If it comes to that point…" Shen Yuan opened the sugar jar, picked up a cube, and dropped it into the cup with a smile, "…then, I will add as much sugar as needed until all and any bitterness go away."
As the cube dissolved into his tea, Zain could almost feel the sugary sweetness melting in his ears. He took a sip to relieve his dry throat. The tea tasted sweeter than he would have preferred it, but right now, his tongue welcomed it like a wine.
"You truly have a way with words," he couldn't help but say.
"I gave my best." Shen Yuan let out a short chuckle before adding with all seriousness, "Please consider it, Your Highness."
Zain looked at his reflection once again, a different light glinted in his eyes. "I will."