The Trial of Light.
By the will of the first king of Everlight, it became the only acceptable method to decide an heir if the reigning king had more than one eligible heir. It would be held once all candidates passed the age of twenty. However far the gap between them didn't matter.
The trial differed in every period, designed by each reigning king as their ideas and wills were believed to be guided by the northern star itself. It would only be revealed on the day of the official announcement. Depending on the arrangement, the trial could last from only a couple of days to months.
Shen Yuan tried digging around but found less than satisfying results. He suspected only those directly under the king knew about this year's arrangement. At the very least, he confirmed it would be announced within this month. He wouldn't need to wait indefinitely.
He used the time to deepen his bond with Zain. Since that day, he had been in charge of his lunch. They would chat for an hour after his meal before Zain dismissed him. He knew Zain held himself back for his sake.
Even with this small amount of interaction, people had been warning him that Zain could be coveting him. Some even suggested him to mess up a little just so Zain would stop asking for him.
"Your work is just too good, Sean. Dare I say better than Prince Vesper's personal attendant. He's famous for being a klutz." Matthew sighed as they cleaned up the knighthood's office together.
Shen Yuan placed the last box of old paperwork into the cupboard and dusted off his hands. "You're exaggerating. I'm only good at physical labor. Not using my head."
"If you don't use your head, you wouldn't have finished your tasks so efficiently. I mean look at this." Matthew spread his arms in the freshly cleaned office. "You changed this rathole into a proper office in just a couple of hours. Captain won't be having headaches anymore here."
"That's because you're helping as well."
"I'm only doing what you told me to. I'm the muscle without brain here." Matthew went to Shen Yuan's side and slapped his back. "I also know you gave tips to the laundry maids to clean stains without ruining the fabric, suggested new recipes to the kitchen, and even helped Miss Harper find her missing ring. Who are you trying to fool?"
"In the case of Miss Harper, it was just luck. The rest are bits of knowledge my mother taught me."
"Being too humble will equally piss people off as being arrogant."
"I'm only stating the truth."
Matthew huffed and crossed his arms as he sat by the edge of the cupboard. "Prince Vesper's personal escort, Harold, is my junior. I can ask him to recommend your name to Prince Vesper."
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm already more than satisfied with my current position."
"You'll get more experience, more pay, and most importantly, you'll get Prince Vesper's backing. There's only advantages to it."
"I'm really fine, Matthew. Or is it that you're getting bored of seeing me?"
"That won't work on me." Matthew ruffled Shen Yuan's hair, venting a bit of his dissatisfaction. "But fine. Since you insist that much. But the offer still stands. Think about it, alright?"
Shen Yuan tidied back his hair with a helpless sigh. "I'll get going now."
He bid his farewell before Matthew could nag him more and headed out of the building.
Although there would be times when he would need to be within Vesper's radar, the timing wasn't ripe yet. Changing sides now would only make Zain think he wasn't any different than anyone else and that he was only playing with him, laughing behind his back. Rather than aiming his resentment towards Vesper, he would be the one getting shot instead.
The person who made the first move would also be important. His plan would depend on how the trial was designed. It could be the perfect stage for one prince to kill another.
"Look out!"
Shen Yuan turned towards the voice to see fireballs flying towards him. He raised his guard and braced his legs to dodge when a crystal shield flashed in front of him. The fireballs hit the iridescent wall and dispersed upon impact.
"Are you alright?" A light, silvery voice traveled into his ears.
Lowering his arms, Shen Yuan looked at the crystal shield fading into thin air and shifted to the owner of the voice. He bowed in his presence. "Very much so, Your Highness."
Vesper lingered at Shen Yuan's figure for a second before turning to the girl, adorning a pink frilly dress, and her maid hurrying towards their side. Once they reached them, he knelt down to level his height with the girl and flicked her forehead. "What did Brother tell you about playing around with magic?"
Shen Yuan noticed the golden laurel ornament on the side of the girl's snow-blonde hair and guessed she was Tiara. Outside her morning study, she didn't have any fixed schedule and was both everywhere and nowhere in the palace, moving around places and playing games to her whims.
"Not to use it when the teacher's not around…" Tiara rubbed her reddening forehead with an aggrieved pout. "B-But I have Maria with me."
"Maria can't use magic, can she? She can't do anything if any accidents happen." Vesper stood back up and rested his hand on Shen Yuan's back. "And it did happen. You almost injured someone. What do you say when you do something wrong?"
Tiara looked up at Shen Yuan with teary eyes and hung her head like a guilty puppy. "I'm sorry…"
Seeing Vesper's eyes on him, Shen Yuan replied with a polite smile. "It's alright, Your Highness. Please don't worry about it."
"Go to your room, Princess. You're grounded until dinner," Vesper said with a smile. "And no dessert for you tonight. Maria, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, Your Highness." Maria felt a little bad for Tiara, but she could only obey. She nodded in apology to Shen Yuan before escorting the pufferfish princess, holding back her tears with all her might, back into the palace.
Shen Yuan finally turned towards Vesper and lowered his head at him. "Thank you for saving me, Your Highness."
"It's only natural." Vesper retrieved his hand. "Although this time is mostly Tiara's responsibility, you shouldn't daydream while walking as well. Brother Zain wouldn't be pleased to see his attendant charred to coal."
"Forgive me. I was careless." Shen Yuan straightened his head and glanced at the exclusively uniformed knight behind Vesper.
The knights' uniform should be blue, but the man wore the red version of the same design, resembling Vesper's eyes. He remembered seeing him every time he passed by Vesper. He should be the junior Matthew mentioned earlier.
However he looked at it, the man looked at least 5 years older than Matthew, around his mid-thirties. Could it be that Matthew was much older than he thought?
He retrieved his gaze and added, "Though if I may correct one thing, I am not His Highness Prince Zain's personal attendant."
"Is that so?" Vesper lightly hummed and curled a smile. "Then, it wouldn't be a problem if I request you to attend me in my lunch?"
"I'm afraid I cannot fulfill that request today. I have promised Prince Zain my accompaniment."
"How dare you deny a prince's request," Harold rebuked. "His Highness even graced you with polite words. Who do you think you are?"
Shen Yuan raised his eyebrows.
Turns out he was that kind of a person. A little surprising considering how laidback Matthew was. Though if Matthew truly was the senior between them, it explained why he was stuck as a commander while this rabid fan became Vesper's personal knight.
"Even if you say that, I would be breaking my promise with another prince if I accept it. I'm wrong either way, no?" Shen Yuan spread his arm. "At the very least, I can try to be fair."
"What's with that atti—"
"Harold."
A cold voice fell between them, cutting the words in Harold's throat. Vesper's warning glance froze his spine. He could almost feel the sharp tip of a dagger pressing the veins on his neck. He could only obediently shut his mouth.
Vesper returned his focus to Shen Yuan, his expression amiable as if nothing had happened. "Your work ethic is admirable. I will request your company another time."
Shen Yuan could glimpse the displeasure Vesper tried to conceal and felt funny. He thought for a brief second and smiled, his eyes glinted a meaningful light. "I will be available after the broken clock strikes once. I must ask for Your Highness's understanding until then."
"…" Vesper narrowed his eyes.
It was that smile again.
"If I may excuse myself, I must fetch Prince Zain's meal soon or I will be late." Shen Yuan placed his palm to his chest and bowed. "Have a pleasant day, Your Highness."
Vesper watched him leave as he replayed the words in his mind.
When the broken clock struck once…