"Greetings, the crown prince." A spy bowed to the crown prince of Elysia. Eyes focused on the feet and hands bowing along with the head."You may raise." The crown prince whispered with eyes focused on the dark shade of the sky."Your Highness, the prince, tied a red string to the holy mool." The whisper of the spy shocked the prince to the core. His ears were ringing with the words."How could he?" The crown prince slams his fist on the wall and glares at the spy."Who is the maiden?" The rasping voice of the prince threatened the spy to speak further."Not a maiden, your highness. It's the merchant." The spy whispered with a bowed head.The prince narrowed his eyes. It doesn't make sense. Why does it matter if two men tie a string?"You may go." The prince ushered in the spy with a shake of his hand.Just in a day, his brother has gotten close to the unknown man quickly, which is unusual. He needs to dig deeper into the merchant. The man did give basic information for getting permission to go away. Yet the man is still here with his brother in the palace, under the same roof.The prince shifts on his table and picks up a black quill. He dipped it in the ink and wrote a short note on A6-sized paper. Scrolling the paper and steps into the balcony. His eyes gazed around the sky, and he whistled a tone that brought a falcon tearing from the sky."Go to him and return with his reply." The prince whispered, tying the tiny scroll on the right foot of the falcon. He fed rice to it and patted its back."Make sure to bring a positive response." The prince watched the falcon fly through the sky.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Elric's eyes were looking at his reflection. His eyes did not gaze anywhere other than his eyes. The brown eyes were staring back at him.The servant watched the prince with a worried gaze. His prince has sat in front of the mirror since the moment he returned. It's been a long time since the sky has taken on a deep shade of blue."My prince, is anything bothering you?" The servant asked while folding the prince's outer robe and placing it in the wardrobe.Since he did not receive any response, His worries took a step further as he closed the door of the wooden wardrobe."Your Highness?" The servant steps forward, gaining a reflection in the same mirror."Prince." The servant placed his hand on the prince's shoulder and Elric flinched as though returning to reality from his overthinking mind."You are torturing your thumb again." The servant whispered, noticing the redness around the thumb and prominently near the nail."Huh?" The prince looks at the servant with wide eyes.His eyes fell behind the servant, and he noticed stars shining in the sky. He gasped and swiftly stood up, taking his royal cloak and draping it over his shoulder."Where are you going, your highness?" The servant asked, following the prince."Please do not follow me. I would return soon." Elric said, walking over the corridor and taking a left turn. He disappeared before the servant could comprehend the situation."I do not understand what is happening." The servant whispered to himself.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Please pardon me," Elric whispered, stepping towards Aaron, who was waiting for Elric.Aaron smiled and stood up from sitting on the ground. "No worries, your highness."Elric smiled back and sat down on the ground. He gestures for Aaron to sit beside him. The Cresent moon is shining with an alpha star and many pearls in the ocean of sky."What is it? What do you want to discuss that we have to meet here?" Elric asked, remembering the time when Aaron placed him on the ground as he was done tying the red string to Mool."We were followed by guards and a spy," Aaron said, looking at the wide sky and leaning back with arms resting on either side.Elric narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Must be my father. He must be worried about me."Aaron looked at Elric and sighed. "That's not the thing. Were you aware of anyone following you?"Elric blinks and shakes his head. "Guards always follow the royal family. I think it's something that has been followed for generations."Aaron sat in the Lotus position and said, "You have guards now. But, in the future, how will you understand whether the person following you is your guard or enemy?"Elric frowns and gazes at the green grass. His fingers were plucking a few of them. "It's difficult. I always thought the same. However, my brother always told me that I did not need to worry about it. He will take care of everything, and I should focus on my studies."Aaron massaged his forehead. "Not his brother again." Muttering to himself He forced a smile and whispered. "How about we learn to determine someone's presence? In the future, you shall learn someone's presence without looking at them."Elric stops plucking grass and looks at Aaron with shining eyes. "That would be wonderful. Father would be proud of me."Aaron smiled. "Your father loves you a lot.""Huh?" Elric didn't get Aaron's words."Let's get started now," Aaron spoke and immediately stood up."Now?" Elric looks around."Yes. Since nobody is around, Not even birds are singing. You can concentrate easily.""Alright, if you say so. Should I get my sword?"Aaron shook his head. "Just try to say where I am standing.""Right in front of me," Elric replied, pointing at Aaron, who chuckled while pulling a cotton cloth."I shall tie this around your eyes." Showing the cloth. "You would not be able to see anything." Standing in front of Elric. "You have to use your other senses and determine my position by pointing your finger, as you have done now."Elric nodded. "What if I get it wrong?" His gaze locked with Aaron."I am here for a reason, right? I will teach you. I would be happy when you grow independent." Taking the cloth and placing it before Elric's eyes "When you can stand strong for yourself,"Elric closed his eyes, feeling the fabric over his eyes, and remembered Aaron's words about using other senses. He inhaled deeply, taking in Aaron's fragrance of rosemary. His eyebrows frown. Rosemary is present all over the palace. However, smelling like one can happen only if you are in a sea of rosemary."Did you revisit Mool?" Elric asked, tilting his head up, knowing that Aaron was taller than him.Aaron widens his eyes. He finished tying the cloth. Now, he feels it's useless. Elric's smarter than shown."How did you know?" Aaron asked, knowing the answer."Well, around Mool, we have many rosemary plants. One needs to pass through the bushes to reach there. Remember, we have crossed through it. Since we returned long ago, you would have visited again."Aaron smiled. "Yes, I did. The idea of tying strings to a tree in the hope of everlasting love is something I have never seen. I wanted to witness it. I wished to see two people tying it in front of me. But I was unlucky. Nobody visited Mool."Elric chuckled. "You would see it again. We celebrate the festival whenever the priest says, "The fragrance of rosemary faded with a strong wind.His eyebrows narrowed as he understood that the task had started. Focus on other senses. Other senses, such as smell, which is quite difficult.The wind cannot just be felt. It can be heard too. He has focused on listening.For now, he cannot hear any footsteps. Probably, Aaron is standing still. Mostly, he understood that Elric would be focusing on his steps. If Aaron is standing, Where could he be? Another strong wind would be helpful. A wind would force Aaron's clothes to ruffle with the wind. Surely that would create a sound. Even a tiny sound can be helpful.As Elric waits for the wind to flutter Aaron's clothes, He hears mud being crushed. It must be tiny stones crushed between the foot and the ground."You are standing on my right side behind me." Elric's clear voice resonates in the silent atmosphere. "Yet, I do not know how far you are."Aaron smirks with crossed arms. He has purposely stepped hard on the soil to create sound and give him hints to identify him."You are a quick learner, Your Highness."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"I do not understand what is happening here." The general of Amorite paces around the room."We...we just are not able to leave this kingdom." The general whispered to himself in disbelief."We tried to leave twice. Yet, something has occurred and stopped us." The general stopped in the middle of the room.Since Aaron accepted to teach Elric, They were provided a guest room. The room is not large yet sufficient for two people to occupy. The bedding doesn't hold the softest fabric."How will his high—" General stops his blabbering, remembering that their identity must not be disclosed.I should not talk out loud.The general looks at the bedding and sighs.I am unable to inform his majesty about the crown prince, not even his wellbeing.General sits on the bed and watches an ant looking for a way.I cannot send a message either. Why did the crown prince agree? We should have left after he stated his point.The general smiles to himself.What happens inside the crown Prince's head? Only the future king of Amorite knows. I wonder where the maiden could be. Perhaps, that maiden could be the reason for staying back?⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Your Highness," Aaron said while shifting aside from the smiling prince."As I had previously stated, your eyes are similar to those of a maiden." Aaron continues while sitting on the ground.Elric turned his gaze away and stepped towards a tree.Aaron swiftly stood up. "I have no intention of making you uncomfortable. I want to know about the maiden. She works in the palace as a servant." Taking a step closer. "She is very shy. I want to talk with her. Perhaps she does not believe me yet."Elric turns around with narrowed eyes. His mischief glitters in his eyes. "So? You want to take my sister?""Sister? Is she a princess?" Aaron asked with astonishment. Now, the general would be happy."Oh? If she's not a princess, You are not interested in knowing her?"Aaron shook his head. "You are mistaken, Your Highness.""Eh? Am I mistaken? What are you correct?" Elric placed his hands on his waist. "Oh! Now, I get it. You agreed to teach me because you want to flee with my sister."Aaron looks at Elric, whose eyes are accusing him of the thought he never had. "Flee? Your Highness. You are not understanding me.""Make me understand. I have heard enough news about merchants visiting a new place and taking beautiful maidens with them. Later, sell them to brothels."Aaron's widened eyes were forcing Elric to laugh at his face. However, he turns around and controls his expression."I shall make sure you'll never meet her. I must protect my sister from you." Elric smiled while his eyes glanced over his shoulder.Aaron heaves a sigh of defeat. "Your Highness, if I was as wrong as you are claiming, You would have never asked me to be your friend."Elric bites his lower lip, realizing He went too far with his words. He turns around. "I shall make the arrangements for meeting her. But, on one condition.""What is that, your highness?""You?" Elric hesitates. "You just want to be her friend, right?"If you see the maiden as more than a friend. Then I am digging a grave of sin, which even Mool will never forgive me for.Aaron takes a moment to think. Taking one step at a time is better. This way, even the maiden will be comfortable."Yes, Your Highness. I want to be her friend."________________________________