Yuki found himself standing by the massive windows of his royal suite, staring out at the skyline. The gleaming towers of the metropolis stretched toward the sky, their sleek surfaces reflecting the soft golden light of dawn. Beyond them, the distant mountains loomed like silent guardians of the ancient city.
He had always admired the view—part of the perks of living in the royal palace, he supposed. It was vast and quiet, yet in that stillness, Yuki felt the weight of an entire world pressing down on him.
He let out a slow breath.
One more week.
A week until everything changed.
For most young men his age, the idea of starting university was nothing out of the ordinary. It was the natural next step, the culmination of years of schooling, a chance to carve out a future of one's own. But for Yuki, it wasn't just the start of his higher education—it was the beginning of an entirely new life. One that he wasn't sure he was ready for.
Yuki had been homeschooled in the royal palace his entire life, a life so secluded from the outside world that the concept of blending in with regular students felt almost alien to him. His father, King Renjiro, had kept him sheltered—protected from the hustle of the world outside, and perhaps from the complications that might arise if his son were to mix with people who weren't royalty.
But now, everything was about to change.
"Yuki, are you awake?" The voice came from the door.
He turned to see his mother, Queen Aiko, standing there, her graceful figure framed by the soft morning light. She always moved with an elegance that made her seem almost ethereal, like a being from another world, though her gaze was warm and grounded, full of the quiet strength of a mother who had seen the world's complexities.
"I'm awake," Yuki replied, forcing a smile.
"Good," she said, stepping inside. "I made tea. I thought you might want some before the day begins."
Yuki nodded, but his thoughts were still distant. His fingers drummed lightly on the windowsill. "Mother, do you think I'll fit in?"
Queen Aiko's smile softened as she placed the tea tray on a nearby table. She crossed the room and sat down beside him, her presence calming despite the storm of thoughts swirling inside him. "You will," she said simply. "You have the heart of a leader. You've been trained for this your entire life, Yuki. The skills you need are already inside you."
Yuki looked at his mother, her words bringing some measure of comfort. "I've never been around people my own age. I've only had tutors, servants, and family. What if they don't like me? What if I make a fool of myself?"
"People will admire your sincerity," Queen Aiko replied, her voice gentle but firm. "You don't need to pretend to be something you're not. That's not what matters. What matters is your heart. And your kindness. You've always had both, even when you were little."
Yuki glanced down at the ornate rug beneath them, a gift from the court of a neighboring country. His heart felt heavy, but her words were a comfort, like a soft blanket wrapped around him. Still, he couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at him.
"But what if it's not enough?" he murmured.
She took his hand gently in hers. "It will be, Yuki. Just remember that you are never alone. You are part of something greater—our family, our kingdom, and now, this school. And you will have support. Sometimes, the path ahead feels uncertain, but that doesn't mean you are without guidance."
Yuki looked up at her, his blue eyes bright but filled with the weight of unspoken concerns. Queen Aiko smiled again, her expression both understanding and reassuring.
"You'll be fine, my son," she said softly. "We'll make sure of it."
As Yuki sat with his mother, sipping the tea she had prepared, he couldn't help but feel the nagging feeling of unease in the pit of his stomach. The palace, with all its quiet opulence, was comforting in its familiarity. He knew every corner, every hallway, every small detail of his home. But the world outside? The university? That was a mystery to him, a daunting unknown.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
"Enter," Yuki called out.
The door opened to reveal one of the palace servants, a young man with short, dark hair and a polite bow.
"Your Highness," the servant said, his voice carrying a note of urgency, "a visitor has arrived. He says it's important that he speaks with you before you leave for school."
Yuki's brow furrowed. "Who is it?"
"It's Asano, sir. He says he's a fellow student at the academy you will be attending."
Yuki's heart skipped a beat. Asano.
So it begins.
He had heard the name in passing—mostly from his father, who had spoken of the young man with a mix of interest and approval. Asano was the son of a prominent family, well-regarded in both political and social circles. He was intelligent, charismatic, and a year older than Yuki, having already spent time at the academy before.
But Yuki hadn't expected him to visit so soon. Was he already planning to make him feel welcome—or was there something else at play?
Before he could dwell too much on it, his mother stood up and smoothed her dress.
"You should go meet him, Yuki," Queen Aiko said. "Perhaps he can help you adjust."
Yuki nodded, his unease only growing. He wasn't sure how much help anyone could be in a place like that. But it was good manners to meet with a fellow student, especially one who had been sent by his family to help him transition.
"Alright. I'll go," he said, his voice steadier than he felt.
The moment Yuki entered the sitting room, he was greeted by a tall, confident-looking boy with a sharp jawline and eyes that seemed to look right through him. Asano stood with a casual yet commanding posture, his dark hair falling just above his brow, and a faint, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He was dressed in a simple, dark blue shirt and slacks, but his presence was magnetic.
Asano turned toward him and bowed deeply, his gaze never leaving Yuki's.
"Your Highness," he greeted, his voice smooth but respectful. "It's an honor to finally meet you."
Yuki hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "The pleasure is mine, Asano-san."
Asano straightened up, his smile widening. "I know this must all be a bit overwhelming. You've spent your whole life here, in the palace. But I promise, the academy is a place where you'll grow in ways you never expected. We'll be classmates and, in time, friends."
Yuki nodded, though the words felt strange on his tongue. Friends. It was an idea that felt so foreign to him, a concept he had only ever read about in books or seen in passing, but never really experienced.
"I appreciate your offer to help," Yuki said, his voice quieter than he intended. "I don't really know what to expect. I've never been to a school like that before."
"I'll be around," Asano said, his tone reassuring. "I know what it's like to be the 'new kid'—especially at a school like this. But don't worry. I'll help you find your place."
Yuki studied him for a moment, wondering just how much Asano truly understood about his situation. Being the heir to the throne wasn't like being the new kid at a regular school. There were expectations—pressure that came from all directions, from the royal court, from his family, from the people.
But something in Asano's calm demeanor made him feel a little lighter, as though there might be a chance after all.
"Thank you, Asano-san," Yuki said softly.
"I'll see you at the academy," Asano replied, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "And I'll make sure you're not left behind."
As Yuki watched Asano leave the room, a strange feeling settled in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was relief or anxiety, but he knew one thing for certain: his life was about to change in ways he couldn't possibly predict.
And, just maybe, Asano would be the one to help him navigate this new world—if he could learn to trust him.
But trust was a delicate thing, wasn't it?