The second prince reprimanded his older brother, Asuka, disliking seeing his brother close to the Black Clan—especially its leader, notorious for his crimes.
"I'm dealing with my own matters," Azuma replied calmly, not wanting to worry his younger siblings.
"Why don't you just return to the kingdom?" asked Asuka, who harbored the strongest hatred for the Black Clan.
"The spirit companion that's awe—" Merlin began to speak, but before he could finish, Azuma and Zaky simultaneously covered his mouth. They didn't want others to know about Merlin's unique ability to see other people's spirit companions.
Revealing such a secret would not only endanger Merlin but also expose him to exploitation due to his naivety about spirit companions.
Asuka grew suspicious of the trio, clearly displeased with their secrecy.
"I'll return after escorting them," Azuma said to his siblings, who had come to find him.
"Don't be too kind to the Black Clan," warned Azura, the fourth prince, who also disliked the Black Clan.
The princes of the Eastern Kingdom all shared a disdain for the Black Clan from the Western Kingdom, their sworn enemies. Everyone knew this, but Merlin had started to chip away at the status quo.
Merlin struggled free of the hands covering his mouth and sighed in relief once released.
"Don't say too much and keep quiet. You know the consequences," Zaky warned Merlin sternly, reminding him not to reveal anything about their spirit companions.
"I know, I know! I wasn't going to say anything bad. I was just going to say how cool they look. Look at their matching eyes!" Merlin pointed out to Zaky.
The four princes' blue eyes were undeniably captivating, a detail that caught Merlin's interest. Yet, those same eyes were the reason the Black Clan couldn't easily challenge them.
"I know that already. Don't get too charmed by them—you're mine," Zaky muttered, unwilling to be outdone.
Zaky wasn't as striking as the Eastern princes. Though he was also a prince from the West, his face bore numerous scars, making him appear fearsome rather than princely. Unlike the pale complexion of the Eastern princes, which gave them an aura of icy elegance, Zaky's darker skin and rugged appearance added to his intimidating demeanor.
But Zaky didn't complain. He accepted his fate and his tough upbringing with dignity.
"Oh my goodness, he's bragging again," Merlin muttered under her breath, trying to avoid Zaky overhearing.
"But why does your face look similar to the fourth prince's?" Zaky asked, noticing a resemblance.
"Are your eyes broken? I'm a woman, and he's a man!" Merlin snapped, unhappy with being compared.
Everyone present, however, couldn't help but notice the striking similarity between Merlin and Azura when they stood near each other.
The resemblance was uncanny—Merlin, despite being a commoner, seemed to share traits with the royal blue-eyed family of the Eastern Kingdom.
"I'm going to assume your eyes are malfunctioning. Don't compare me to a lowly person like her," Azura growled, offended by Zaky's comment.
"You're so quick to anger," Zaky teased.
"I'm disappointed in you, Brother, for associating with people like them," Azura muttered angrily before storming off, followed by his two brothers.
The trio was alone again. Azuma knew his siblings shared his old hatred for the Black Clan. Yet today, they had managed to sit together peacefully, thanks to Merlin.
Merlin, a misfit with a tragic past, had unexpectedly bridged the gap between two long-feuding clan leaders. Both Azuma and Zaky were curious about Merlin's abilities and intrigued by her story of familial abuse.
Azuma had already promised to help Merlin resolve her issues after the tournament, while Zaky had vowed to reform himself for Merlin's sake. His admiration for her had only grown after witnessing her strength.
"Your siblings are so rude," Zaky taunted, disapproving of the Blue Clan's excessive hatred of the Black Clan.
"Of course they hate the Black Clan. Do you even realize the atrocities your clan has committed?" Azuma retorted.
"Oh, come on! I've already promised to change and be better," Zaky replied, irritated by the reminder of his clan's dark past.
"I'll believe it when I see you stand against your father," Azuma remarked knowingly, aware of Zaky's struggles as a prince under the rule of a cruel king.
If the Black Clan ever had the power to challenge the Blue King, they wouldn't be participating in this tournament—they'd be wreaking havoc everywhere. The Western King's cruelty was legendary, as was the infamy of the Black Clan's leader.
"It's late now. How long are we going to stay outside? Aren't you supposed to take me to the academy?" Merlin interjected, eager to rest.
"Fine, I'll take you. And as for you, Zaky, you know where you're supposed to go," Azuma replied, having arranged separate accommodations for the clan leaders.
"Yeah, yeah. I already know I'll get scolded by my father tonight," Zaky muttered internally, resigned to his fate.
The three headed back to the academy, where Azuma escorted Merlin to the Blue Clan's quarters and showed her to a guest room.
"You can stay here for the duration of the tournament," Azuma said.
"Thank you," Merlin replied, relieved and ready to rest. She quickly entered the room to sleep while Azuma returned to the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lucy, Merlin's spirit companion, perched on the roof, keeping a watchful eye on her master without revealing herself.
Zaky found his way to his assigned quarters, already dreading the encounter awaiting him.
His father was standing at the door, clearly waiting for him. Zaky approached, bracing himself.
Slap!
A sharp slap landed on Zaky's cheek. His father's anger over Zaky's actions was swift and harsh.