Asher’s POV
“…Haa…” I heaved a long, shallow sigh. The gentle grip I had at the crown of my head was slowly released, as I opened my eyes and peered at the ray of sunlight through my opened office window. The slightly chilly morning air blowed in, ruffling the ends of the semi-transparent curtain, and unconsciously, I gazed emptily at the swaying fabric for a long time.
“…Come in.”
After I said that, a huge figure entered the office. Its body was covered with dark blue and white royal knight outfit, and over it was a red and golden brooch indicating his rank. However, unlike his intimidating appearance, a soft smile formed on his curvy lips.
“Anxious much, Your Highness? I’m starting to worry about your health if you continue on with your sleepless spree.” He said to me in a light tone.
“…Henry.” I stated his name. As I raised from the mahogany sofa, a soft grun
Lancelot’s POV“Good morning, My Lord!” Silica hollered, as if her original voice wasn’t loud enough. “Come on, My Lord. If you didn’t wake up right now, us servants won’t have enough time to dress you up prettily before the opening of the festival!” She then added a scolding on the side.“…Ugh.” I could hear my own grunt resonating through the muffle of my pillow. It’s a mix between irritation, and despise. Silica’s voice wasn’t this irritating originally, but I was probably easily ticked this morning because of how late I slept last night.Why is it morning already?Are mornings created to actually torture people?“…Why do I have to prepare early in the morning? Wasn’t the festival is supposed to happen late in the evening?” Like what Aran said to me right after I returned to Isaiya, the people of Isaiya wanted to celebrate for my return
Lancelot’s POV“W-What… What do you mean by that?”I tried my best to keep my cool. The feeling of being discovered by Aran was different compared to when I got discovered by Izana and Cecilia. Probably due to the reason being Izana closely related to supernormal activities so he seemed used to hearing about transgression, while Cecilia is related to him, and I don’t think is someone big mouthed.However, if it’s Aran, then a myriad of possibilities would happen. It’s because, I don’t have much knowledge about how Aran will act, or his personality, or a lot about his daily life. He wasn’t depicted frequently in the novel, apart from being called Asher’s secretary and a virtuoso.If he found out about me, what will he do?“You know,” Aran began, while he picked his glass of drink. The air seemed so sinister and dark, especially his growing shadow by sitting with his back facing
Lancelot’s POVThe sun had already set, inviting the coming of the dark blue sky. Still, beneath its embrace, was a bright and bustling ambience of Isaiya, decorated and laced with lanterns, flags and colourful ornaments. The people of the town looked very happy and cheerful. Streams of laughter could be heard from any distance, be it far or near.At a distance away from those bright and dazzling lights, I was staring at the half-completed entrance wall to the town, built to separate between the settlement and the orchard. Aran prompted me that it was necessary to build walls to protect the people from any monster attacks, and to distinguish this town from another town. Because of that, two separate walls were built, one between the wilds and the orchard field, and one which I was looking at.However, due to the lack of funds, for several days since I’m back, the building of the wall has been halted. I kind of understand why Aran did that, as Isaiya
Asher’s POV[BREAKING NEWS! THE RENOWNED MARQUIS IS AIMING FOR THE THRONE! HIS WRONGDOING CAUGHT REDHANDED?!]My eyelids twitched when I read the newspaper’s headline. While I’m grateful that the news had gotten out, what’s with the title? They make it seemed like it’s an artist’s controversy or something.I heaved a long sigh, and placed down the newspaper. Not long after that, a door to my office was knocked, and when I granted permission to enter, Henry came into the office, holding the exact same newspaper I had.“Have you read the news, Your Highness?”I brushed my bangs backwards. “I have. Though the reporters could use a change in title.”Henry softly chuckled. “Still, it’s a good thing that the news had gotten out. Now we can prepare for the offense of things.”“Indeed.” I glanced back at the newspaper. Truth to be told, it wasn’t m
Asher’s POVI felt my forehead throbbing. As I caressed my temple, I was recalling about all the days of barely sleeping had finally caught up on me. While I silently groaned, I felt the smooth paper in my hand slowly slipping away from between my fingers. Unconsciously, I pinched the paper.From that point on, all I did was sigh. From looking down to the paper, to lifting it up closer to my face, these small sighs couldn’t seem to stop leaving my mouth.I reread the first sentence of the paper again.[Dear Crown Prince Asher Sol Tristan…]I felt a throb in my head.Skipping the entirety of the paper consisting of a beautiful handwriting, I glanced down to the signature.[Aisha Rahasi Ulma.]I sucked a huge sigh.Barely a few days ago, I was addressed a letter from Princess Aisha Rahasi Ulma, a royal princess of the great sand kingdom of the South, among one of the regions of the pole where my mother i
Lancelot’s POVThat night, I decided to take a night stroll, because even though I’m sulky, which I didn’t even try to deny it anymore, I was still nervous by Asher’s presence inside this mansion.Especially after what he done to me during dinner. TT _ TT“Please be careful, My Lord.” Rokhan reminded while I took off my sandals to step on the grasses at the field near the mansion.“I know.” I smiled at him and adjusted my brown-black checkered parka on my body. Then I resumed to begin my first step towards the cold and damp grass.There was a lingering smell of flowers in the air. As I stared at the bright half-moon, I unconsciously counted the numbers of stars that shone brightly around it. Then my eyes slid down to the brightly lit town beneath me.“The number of stars… Must have been much more than the people of this town…” I muttered slowly, before turning to Rokha
Lancelot’s POVIsaiya is a small town located almost at the edge of the continent, which means, there weren’t a lot of people around and it gets particularly spookily quiet at night up until a point where you ponder whether there are people around you or not when you left the mansion. On that note, that quietness went up a few notches after what Asher said.I almost couldn’t believe my ears after he said that.“…What…” My lips trembled. The hammering in my chest couldn’t get any louder. And at that moment, I feel faint from the rushing of blood in my veins.Asher loves me?Like, really now?Asher didn’t give me an answer. Instead, he stared at me dead in the eye, as if looking for something in me.“…As I thought, I still love you even after that confession.”“Wh- Hold on a second!” I instinctively covered his mouth with both hands, my cheeks
(Lancelot’s POV)“As I was saying,” Rokhan suddenly spoke, while he gently wiped my feet with a clean piece of towel, dipped in warm water. Now that I think about it, why did I let him wipe my feet when I can do it myself?“It was actually quite obvious that the Crown Prince harboured affection towards you, Sire. His eyes said so.” He added, while putting down the damp towel to hang at the side of the basin, and wiped my cleaned feet with a dry and clean towel. Then he slipped my foot into its respectable pair. After that, he placed down my foot to the ground and picked up my other foot, before placing it on his knees. He started cleaning again.“…I can do it myself, Rokhan.” I finally spoke. It was embarrassing having to let someone else clean you up when you’re a full-fledged adult. I don’t know the rules of the medieval ages, but in my world, if you know how to clean yourself, then you passed the ba
Lancelot’s POV“Phew…” I heaved out a long sigh.Never have I ever imagined that I could be bruised and battered even in the land beneath my consciousness. I thought so as I looked at myself. Approximately some time ago, I got stabbed by the original Lancelot, and was fading away quite fast, but somehow my body is okay now and I don’t feel that pain anymore.“But…” I gazed towards my surroundings. There’s nothing but white all around me. And because I’m here, I don’t think my body outside is conscious. Maybe. I did feel like I had almost grasped the string of consciousness within me, but it was only for a brief time, and only happened once in a while. How do I get out from this situation?“So, you’re the one Izana has been talking frequently about.” A voice suddenly appeared, snapping me from my pondering, and rendering me to flinch in surprise.“Wha-”
Asher’s POVI was even more surprised and confused compared to Louis, who was trying to calm her down. The three of us decided to change our spot further away from Lancelot, by sitting on the sofa set nearby.While I turned on the lamp on the coffee table, Louis guided Cecilia to one of the empty spots of the sofa. Cecilia tried to stop her own sobs. Both me and Louis then gazed at her until she had calmed down for the most of it.“…I’m sorry.” Cecilia started, wiping the tears on her cheeks with a handkerchief Louis handed to her. “But you can’t be with the Count, Your Highness. You mustn’t.”I felt the surge of air in my lungs as I rapidly inhaled. Pausing, my slightly parted lips moved as I mouthed, “Why?” In an exasperated breath.Cecilia had her gaze lowered on the ground. Waiting for her answers, I tried to calm the seething annoyance within me. I know Cecilia as someone who doesn’t do something without reason. With that being said, I still couldn’t fathom why she was so against
…A pair of eyes were staring blankly at the marching of the black ants. Some ants greeted the other on its way, but they never really stopped on their tracks to idle about. However, not too far from the corner of those eyes, is a black ant that was standing idly on its feet, while looking up. As if, for some time, it has noticed of the presence of the seemingly alien looking eyes inspecting it from above.Avery smiled.As if satisfied with what she saw, she lifted her gaze. Her eyelids immediately squinted, hiding her irises from the blazing sun above her head. The sun is already high above the sky, and the temperature is rising.Avery then stood up from the ground, a sitting spot that she chose to ease her fatigue from walking for some time. She then quickly readjusted her knee length cloak around her body, before resuming her steps; destination unknown.Even so, once in a while, the flora and fauna witnessed Avery fiddling with the air just above her waist. Her index finger twisting
Asher’s POV My memory—between me preparing to leave the palace to arriving at the Great Kingdom of Sand in the South—was blurry. I heard the tap of my heels on the ground, which instantly brought my senses back to reality. It seems while I was in a daze, I have already arrived. Some attendants were escorting the horses away, while some others tended to me, along with Louis and Cecilia, who decided to tag along with me. “Her Highness is inside the guest room. Please follow us.” An attendant said. The three of us then followed from behind. We walked through a corridor. The subtle orange tinge of the sun ray that lit the marble arched corridor indicates the time. After some time walking, we arrived in front of a shiny two-leaf wooden door. A guard was situated at each leaf of the door. The attendant halted in front of the door. He briefly knocked on the wooden surface, and stepped back again. A soft, incomprehensible voice appeared from the other side of the door, before soon, the gua
Asher’s POV“There has been a report of sightings of several magenta auras located at the border of the kingdom. Albeit unsure of the source, the sentries placed there are alert.” Henry informed, while holding a piece of paper, presumably the report paper.He then sauntered closer and handed me the paper. I accepted the paper and skimmed through it, confirming Henry’s report. A sigh unconsciously escaped my lips.What does Avery want actually?After thinking of several reasons and causes for all the incidents, that occur in only within a day, I reached to that conclusion. What does Avery really want from Lancelot, that she even chased him to the ends of the world? Was the news of his death not enough for her? Was the display of the corpse not enough to make her stop?Then again, Avery was never the one to get attached to Lancelot. If that so, then why does she looked for him, and even proceeded to use a high-level dark magic
Lancelot’s POV“My Lord…” I heard my name being called. I turned behind me to see Taylor standing at a nearby distance, about a few steps away from me.I suddenly came to a realization.Ah, this dream again.I thought, while letting my body move on its own accord. It was one of those flashback dreams again, where I remembered my previous life. Though this time, I became the old Lancelot for the first time ever.How do I know that?“I told you to bring me a fancy attire, not this crappy one!” My hands moved on its own and slammed about three layers of clothing onto poor Taylor. The old butler trembled a bit due to the impact, but quickly picked himself up.I then fumed on my own while Taylor left.“Looking decent is not enough. I need to look even better when meeting my dear Avery! Should I put on more accessories on me?” Lancelot monologued loudly.As Lancelot was standing
LancelotThey probably noticed me freezing on my spot. With a slightly concerned tone, Princess Aisya said, “Are you alright, Count Constance?”I properly but quickly shot up, and met my eyes with her. “I am good. Apologies for making you worry.”The princess smiled. “I see. Thank goodness that you’re finally awake. You have been sleeping for almost two days, me and your friend here are starting to get worried of you.”I nodded my head. Then I dithered for a moment. “…How do you know my name, your highness?”Princess Aisya retained her smile. She then tossed a glance towards Suna beside her. “Master Suna has told me a little bit about you.”I fluttered my eyes. “Do you also call him ‘Master’, Your highness?”“Yes.” Princess Aisya suddenly chuckled, probably noticed my confusion and found it amusing. She then added, “He is
AsherAn hour after the incident, Taylor finally managed to disperse the crowd. While the workers returned to their routine, I asked Izana and the twins to follow me, along with Taylor, for a short discussion. Because of that, the five of us went to Lancelot’s office.“Obviously,” Izana spoke. “Obviously, this is Avery Ila Ronan’s doing. But I don’t remember her magic being this potent, and a teleportation magic like that can only work if one became a high-level mage. But Avery is not a high-level mage.”I heaved a long, low sigh. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Taylor diligently cleaned the room.“Fair enough.” I replied. “Still, there’s nothing that we can do now that both the Count and the Bivorak Company’s master disappeared. What matters the most is finding them, but right now, we don’t have any clue of their whereabouts.” I paused for a bit. “I just hope that n
Asher’s POVBy the time I arrived at the mansion, I heard the noise of people clamouring, particularly in front of the mansion. A group of servants were talking to each other, voice mixed with panic and confusion. I immediately jumped down from my horse after I halted, and made my way towards the entrance of the mansion, where luckily, Taylor is seen among the group.“Taylor, what’s this all about?” I paced closer. Although I can clearly see that the main balcony, one that is built above the entrance of the mansion, is shrouded with thick and ominous looking magenta aura, the people here might know better of the current situation. But that magenta aura…The butler turned to look at me, a petrified look masked his slightly wrinkled face. “Y-Your Highness? Well,” His grey eyes were frantic, glancing between me and the spectacle in his view.“I-I am not sure myself, Your Highness. I was helping the twin secret