LOGINShare
Reunion At Dawn
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56"Sigh... Goodbye Archen Menoch! I'll be back soon!" Mikhail yelled out from a top the hill Aria showed him yesterday.
To think I could only enjoy the capital city for 3 days and 2 nights... Mikhail thought as he lugged his suitcase down the long staircase.
***
Upon reaching the bottom of the flight of stairs, Mikhail was out of breath and panting. Sweat dripping down his chin as he wiped off the sweat collecting on his forehead with his arm.
"I don't believe even walking down... Hah... haah... Is this tiring... Is Aria right? Am I that unhealthy?" Mikhail muttered to himself as he tried catching his breath.
As he finally caught his breath and calmed down, he took in his surrounding. The beautiful river flowing in the middle, separating the marketplace and the residential area as it flowed gently down a canal with a firm foundation.
Mikhail then took the long path home as he walked through the market to the familiar arched gateway that he arrived through.
I'll be back. To this town... and to the rest of the world... Mikhail thought as he nodded towards the guards and slowly trudged onwards.
***
"Follow him! But don't be too obvious! It's a direct order from the king." a man cloaked in black said as he instructed his subordinates to trail Mikhail before disappearing to chase after him.
Silent footsteps rushed into bushes and tree tops as Mikhail walked slowly down the dirt path back to his house; completely unaware of the countless people trailing him.
"... Why would the king be interested in that boy? He seems so... Hmmm... I can't quite put a finger around the word..." one of the cloaked man asked another as they watched Mikhail flop onto the pasture of grass.
"Peculiar?" another man replied, turning his gaze from Mikhail to his subordinate.
"Hmm... I guess. Eh... Look! His hair... I see." the man said as he nudged his subordinate to look at Mikhail as Mikhail's hood fell off once he got up.
"A bastard son you suppose?" the man blurted out as he stared at Mikhail's glistening silver hair.
"You!... Hold your tongue! If the others heard that, you'd be charged with slander against the royal family!" the man practically screamed as he clamped his hand against his subordinate's mouth.
Mikhail glanced around confused from the loud whispering but turned away and continued on with his journey home; thinking it was only his imagination because he was too anxious to return home.
***
Mikhail stood in front of his house door. Staring at the worn wooden door, scratched with signs of his rough entrance whenever he knocked on the door with the back of his farming utensils upon returning from working the fields.
Finally mustering his confidence, Mikhail rasped on the door of his home. Anxious of his mother's reaction.
***
Hmm? There's no response? Is she not at home? Mikhail wondered as he opened the door to enter.
"M... mom?" Mikhail called out as he entered the house. He placed his suitcase down as he walked around the house.
"Nnngh... Who..." a voice groaned as Mikhail turned towards it. "Oh, mom... Its me. I'm back..." Mikhail said as he walked towards his mother's bedroom.
"Huh? Mikhail? Why are you back so soon? Am I still... dreaming?" Mikhail's mother asked as she sat up, groggily rubbing her eyes as she squinted at Mikhail.
"N-no.... I came back... because... erm... reasons..." Mikhail said, averting his gaze from his mother's now sharp gaze.
"What happened in town? Did you cause a commotion?" Mikhail's mother asked as she eyed him suspiciously.
"Wha-?! No! I didn't think you'd think of me that way! ... ... I... ran out of money." Mikhail finally said as he sighed; staring at the creases on his mother's blanket, averting her gaze.
Trying to ignore the fact that she was not exactly wrong as well, Mikhail kept his head down. He had been chased by the royal guards the previous night after all.
"Huh? But, that was a whole bag of silver coins! That should be enough for at least a year on the road! Did the price increase that much in town? ... or... did you lose the money?" Mikhail's mother asked as she stared at her son who was looking everywhere but at her.
"... ... Mikhail, you lost the money?" Mikhail's mother asked as she lifted Mikhail's face to look into his eyes.
"... Not exactly... there was this... boy... he was cornered by mercenaries. I couldn't NOT do anything!" Mikhail stated as he stared straight into his mother's eyes.
"... Well, then that's fine."
"... Huh... Really?"
"... Do you prefer me to yell and punish you? I'd say it's punishment enough with you having to come back home instead of venturing out on an adventure."
At his mother's last statement, Mikhail fell silent as he took in her words. It's true I used the money to save the boy but... Ahhhh! It's so unfair that I'm back here again!!! Damn! It's so unfair!
*knock**knock*
At the sudden knock on the door, both mother and son jumped in surprise.
"Mikhail, are you expecting someone?"
"... No... Are you?"
"No."
Mikhail hesitantly got up to open the door as he left his mother to change her outfit before welcoming their guest.
A familiar silver haired man appeared in front of the door as Mikhail stared blankly at him.
"Mikhail? Who is it... ... X.. ander..." Mikhail's mother asked as she walked towards the opened door to welcome the guest, dropping the vase she was holding onto.
As Mikhail's mother stared with wide eyes at the man whilst the man smiled at them both, Mikhail stood awkwardly at the door before bending down to pick up the broken shards of glass at his mother's feet.
"Ah! I... I'm so sorry! Please... permit me to clean this up before I welcome you in..." Mikhail's mother exclaimed, flustered as she bent down to help Mikhail pick up the shattered vase.
"That's fine. I'll do it. Your hands scar easily." Xander said as he bent down to help Mikhail earning astonished gasps and worried exclamations from a man behind him.
"Your high-... I mean, Your Honor! How could you stoop to that... I'll do it!" the man behind Xander exclaimed as he rushed forward to stop Xander but stopped upon seeing the fierce expression on Xander's face.
"You lot may leave. Except you. You stand guard." Xander commanded, as he turned back towards the broken shards.
"... Yes Sir! ... You heard him. Move!" the man nodded before turning around and instructing the soldiers behind him to disperse.
When was there a group of soldiers... Mikhail thought as he stared at the soldiers leaving before his gaze turned towards the visage of the handsome man before him who was picking up broken pieces of the vase.
He looks like a figure from a painting. A fleeting thought passed through Mikhail's head as he stared at the man who seemed to be glowing radiantly from the light behind him.
"Where do I put them?" Xander asked, pulling Mikhail out from his thoughts.
"Huh...? Oh! Um, here! Sir!" Mikhail exclaimed in a start as he directed Xander to the rattan waste bin in the corner of their kitchen, leaving his mother and Xander alone; staring at each other in silence.
Related chapters
The Unwanted Prince A Peaceful Moment
"... Xander... how...?" Mikhail's mother asked with a shaky voice as her hands trembled. She looked so fragile almost as if she could break if you were to touch her."... Diane... I... the method was a tad unsavoury but I just... wanted to see you... and... this young man." Xander said as he pulled his gaze from Diane to her son briefly before turning his heated gaze back to her."... ... S... sit down, Your Grace..." Diane said as she instructed Mikhail to pull the chair for Xander. Mikhail quickly wrapped the fragments of the vase in a cloth and tossed them into the bin before rushing towards the dining table.***The trio sat around a small dining table in their quaint home as the awkward silence filled the room. Mikhail looked at his mother then to the man. Both were seated rather rigidly and said nothing to each other."Err... Well, it's nice meeting you. It's a surprise seeing you here right a
The Unwanted Prince A Distant Memory : Part I
A young man dashed through an alley as men clad in casual wear frantically chased after him. Their faces twisted in anxiousness as they sped down the narrow passage of bricked walls."Please slow down, Your Ma--- Young Master!" one of the man yelled out as he avoided a pedestrian who was walking through the alley, quickly apologising before turning his gaze back to the young man."Why should I? I'm running away aren't I?" the young man yelled back excitedly as he jumped onto the brick railing, quickly making his way across the busy paved road bustling with crowds of people."Young mas---" the voice of the man running after the young man trailed off, drowned off by the sound of the street vendors and customers who were haggling.The young man let out a sigh of relief as he looked left and right, reassuring himself that he had finally lost them.I finally managed to get out of that stuffy palace. Then
The Unwanted Prince A Distant Memory : Part II
"You work as a florist? How old are you? You don't look old enough to work." the young man asked as he looked at the girl who just grabbed the flowers out of his hands. Her expression unfazed even by his question, acting as if she had never heard him."Are you ignoring me? Seriously...? I!... I came all this way to... see you..." the young man exclaimed exasperatedly as he stared at the girl in a heated manner, heaving as he tried to calm himself down.The girl turned her beautiful violet eyes to his clear sapphire eyes as she studied his face. She cocks her head to the side as the corners of her lips lifted into a sweet smile."Heh... Hihihihi!" the girl burst out into a fit of giggles as she stared at the young man. His face now twisted with a look of confusion as he stared back at her with his bejewelled sapphire eyes."Diane. I'm Diane Orvielle." the girl said as she stretched out her hand towards the young man,
The Unwanted Prince A Distant Memory: Part III
"Hey." Xander said as he pulled his lips in a grin, running after Diane who noticed him.Diane's wide opened violet eyes indicated how surprised she was as it was clearly written all over her face. She then averted her hazy and cloudy gaze as she turned around, ignoring the boy clad in a fully covered outerwear who was chasing after her."Hmm? Diane! ...Did she not hear me?" Xander wondered aloud as he noticed Diane not stopping regardless of how many times he had been calling out to her."Diane?" Xander finally called out to her, his voice filling Diane's ears as she felt the ticklish sensation of his hot breath on her ear. She finally brought herself to a halt when Xander held onto her shoulder, bringing his face close to hers as he grinned widely at her."... What do you want?" Diane breathed out as she ignored the warm tingly feeling she felt in her chest and the burning sensation on her shoulder beneath his tou
The Unwanted Prince A Distant Memory: Part IV
"See this? Do you remember this flower?" Diane enthusiastically asked as she lifted a blue flower against Xander's face, filling his vision with the oblong-ovate petals which tickled his nose."Calm down. Its too close." Xander said as he gently pressed Diane's hand down, breathing the clear fresh air before turning to face her."This is called an Aster! There are many variants of this flower. All the colours hold different meanings... However... this one... I like to think of it's meaning... especially how it brought us together..." Diane continued, ignoring Xander's statement from earlier. Her eyes which were full of passion now soften as she looked at the flower in her hand with a tender look in her eyes."It... did?" Xander asked as he turned his gaze from Diane's face to the flower she held in her hand.I don't think I've seen the flower before... What was she talking about? Xander thought as he
The Unwanted Prince Unravelling The Rumours
"Your Highness, what were you doing in the city?" a man asked as he nervously kept his head down."City? What are you talking about? I haven't been to the city. I have my assignments to complete. The turf war with the Agrestia empire is still ongoing. I've yet the time to spend leisurely. It's such a joke when that so called empire is more similar to a tiny country and yet, they procure so much issues. Sigh... You should know that. It is an assignment from my Father. So, why would I be out prancing about the city?" a voice lightly chuckled dissatisfied as the man who kept his head lowered flinched."But... Your Highness... there were rumours because..." the man dared to continue before the young man in front of him slammed his fists onto the desk, dragging his leather bound office chair with a screech as he stood up abruptly."Rumours! You came here to talk gibberish! What a waste of my time! Come back once you have reportable news!
The Unwanted Prince Tea For Two
"Halt! Who goes there?! Do you have permission to ride on a horse in the city?" a guard exclaimed as they stared upwards through a blinding light that obscured their view of the young man on the horse."Hah. I can't believe... To think that soldiers can't even recognise their future King." the young man scoffed as he glared at the men clad in armour, stopping him from exiting the city's walls."Wha... that emblem... on the sword... P-pardon us! Your Highness! We humbly beg for your forgiveness!" the two guards immediately lowered their heads as they frantically bowed several times."Hmph. Its fine. Just move aside. I have things to do." William said as he tightened his grips on the reins of his horse, stabilising himself and the horse as he prepared to leave."Of course! Have a good day, Your Highness!" the men said as they swiftly moved aside, clearing a path for William to pass through.Upon
The Unwanted Prince A Brief Encounter
After parting ways with Cathy, William speed walked towards the small house, his eyes then swept the surrounding area before noticing a man he had seen countless times before. Clicking his tongue, he rolled his eyes as he stared at the man who was a sore sight to his eyes."Louis." William called out to the man with a sharp tone as he slowed his pace, walking towards the man with even steps. Trying his hardest to stand at least two feet away from the man.The man looked around confused before his eyes landed on William. His apparent confusion flashed in his eyes before he knelt down on one knee, keeping his head low."Greetings, Your Highness. Louis Rutherford extends his humble greetings." the man said as he kept his flustered gaze towards the dirt path."Forget the formalities. Where's my father?" William asked as he turned his gaze away from the man who knelt before him, cl
Latest chapter
The Unwanted Prince Onwards!
"Are you up?" Mikhail pries his eyes open groggily before he groans and rubs at them before turning towards the source of the voice."Whu--?" Mikhail blurts out a confused reply as he blinks his bleary eyes at William, waiting for them to focus but grew drowsy in the meantime."It's high time you get up. It's the second time in my life where I had to personally wake you up." William sighs as Mikhail's eyes slowly shut."Don't you dare fall asleep! We need to move out while it's still lights out. The terrain is more dangerous at night and we need to be able to pinpoint where to go from here." William frowns as he shakes Mikhail awake."F-five minutes more..." Mikhail tried to keep his eyes open but couldn't help it as the grogginess overwhelmed him.William released Mikhail's shoulders as he frowns, knitting his eyebrows in annoyance. Without thinking twice, he grabs the hides out of Mikhail's reach and tossed them to the other end of the tent, fold
The Unwanted Prince I'm Your Elder Brother!
"Hup! Easy!" William steadies his horse as he approached the deserted camp. The men behind him murmur in silence as he spares a glance at the messenger. He purses his lips and led them towards the stable before hopping off his horse. It's unlikely that the messenger is lying to me. But even if he is, I'd better keep a safe distance for myself from the group. "I'll look around. Remain vigilant!" William instructed as I kept a calm expression to ensure they don't think something was amiss. The messenger stated that there would be someone to greet me once I arrive. Yet, there is nary a soul nearby. Did something occur? William keeps a wary hand on the hilt of his blade as he surveyed the empty tents that were billowing with the frosty wind. Whatever footsteps that could have been used to track down where they could possibly have gone were covered in the cloak of white.
The Unwanted Prince To Be Bold
Venturing further up to the north was where the enemy camp was located. Arthur holds onto the contract, glancing at its content as he purses his lips and knits his brows.He looked over his shoulder, thinking about his sister and everyone back at the camp before frowning. However, as he turned to look forward, he shakes his head and sighs.Men clad in jet black armor with red lining greeted him with a few warning arrows before he climbed off his horse. Arthur slips a note he had written prior to leaving the camp between the stallion's caparison before sending it off by startling it into running away.He watched the men try to shoot it down or run after it but failed as the horse ran past them. A sigh of relief escapes his lips that he had brought along his beloved horse before a burly man approached him and covered his head with a bag."You do know who I am, right?" Arthur frowns as the man shoved hi
The Unwanted Prince Don't Give Up Hope
"I can't." Arthur pushes Soleil off his arm as he grabs the contract and leaves the tent.Soleil glances at the flap swaying back and forth from where Arthur had left as she flicks her tongue in silence. She then slithers over to Mikhail, her faintly golden scales reflecting the light of the oil lamp on the desk.Mikhail holds his head and grimaces before blinking his eyes, slowly making out Soleil's presence as he sits up straight. He stares at her for a moment before glancing at his hands that were tightly restrained by some thick ropes."Shall I get you out?" Soleil slithers up his arm as Mikhail shakes his head, unlike what she expected him to do."No. I need to show my sincerity and that I truly wish to help him.""Is that so? But would that require you to be restrained like so?" Soleil wraps herself around his neck, dangling loosely like a jewellery as Mikhail sighed to himself."Tigris showed me a memory of young Arthur. He woul
The Unwanted Prince Truth
Back at Trevault or somewhere fairly close to Trevault, Mikhail kneels stiffly as Arthur paces around him. Even if he wanted to make an excuse, the way he was caught clearly puts him at a disadvantageous spot regardless.Mikhail shifts uncomfortably before straightening his back upon noticing Arthur's narrowed gaze. His legs had been growing number by the second and he could only feel pins and needles in his lower half."How did you escape?""I escaped? No... I..." Mikhail peeked at Arthur's face before the flap of the tent was raised and Juniper walked in eyeing Mikhail as she gave him a belittling gaze."Brother... so this is where he was..." Juniper sighed as she walked over towards Mikhail and kicks him onto his side.Mikhail gave her an astonished gasp before knitting his brows. It was totally uncalled for, for her to act in such a manner when she was the one who requested such an act to be carried out. He was simply carrying out her ord
The Unwanted Prince Ending Dream
After their discussion, Xander walks down the corridor with Lilith by his side. Not too far down from the room they just exited, he halts in his steps.Lilith paused as she turned to face him, curious eyes met muddled ones as she opens her mouth to say something but decides against it. She purses her lips, deducing the words she knew he was going to say before swallowing the lump in her throat."The nobles must be feeling rather impatient after this long. They must not be used to waiting, being the top of the social hierarchy... we should head over." Lilith eloquently puts her words into a chain to shackle Xander down, hoping that his Kingly duties would keep him from going back to Diane."... .... You're right. We should make haste..." Xander meets Lilith's gaze as he takes a step forward.Lilith releases the breath she had been holding as she heads over to his side. It wasn't like her to act in such a behaviour. However, upon seeing Diane up close, it w
The Unwanted Prince Future
The hands of the clock on the wall seemed to tick all too loudly as the only sound that accompanied it was the clinking of the teacup as it rested back onto its saucer. The uncomfortable silence and tension in the room made the air overly sufferable for the knights stationed to guard Xander.Lilith takes a sip from her teacup, her expression calm. It made it seem like she was unfazed by such a situation and had been in one countless times before. She glances over at the two people across from her before peeking at Xander from the corner of her eyes.If she had known better, it was obvious he was irritated and his bad mood was much worse than when he had to deal with the pesky nobles. Lilith shut her eyes and takes a deep breath before placing her teacup back onto its saucer as she decided to break the silence."To what do we owe this unfounded invasion?" Lilith directed her question at Diane but before Diane could say anything, the man beside her cut her off.
The Unwanted Prince Taste Of Betrayal
"Your Highness! I have an urgent report that beseeches your attention!" a messenger rushes before Lilith, lowering his head as he holds forward a scroll to prove of his task."Let me hear it." Lilith swivels around to face the man, turning away from the window as she sits herself down by her desk."There is a foreign enemy consisting of a large troop by our Eastern borders. Reports have claimed that their attire are not known to resemble any of the Agrestians, Trevaulties or Lestrian garments."Lilith straightens herself as she taps her fingers impatiently. She opens the lone jewellery box that rests atop her desk, the only object that didn't match her otherwise packed desk of paperwork.She stares at the innocent stone sitting in the box, void of any colour before shutting the box almost as quickly as she had opened it. She ponders something before shifting her gaze to the messenger who had been furtively glancing at her."I've received the
The Unwanted Prince Fool's Gambit
"... The... Gods?" Arthur glanced at Mikhail with a look of disbelief as Mikhail felt the hesitant smile on his face start to falter.Arthur then burst into laughter as he holds onto his stomach for dear life. Mikhail frowns in response, lowering his disappointed expression to his hands which he suddenly realised were cuffed."What?! You... you chained me up? Why?" Mikhail gasped and shifted his anxious eyes at Arthur who was busy wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes that were a by-product of Mikhail's words."Because of what you said. It could be anyone's guess that you were grasping at straws, begging us to save William. But for you to make a wild guess that we had hidden messengers... it would be implying we don't trust our own men." Arthur tugs on the chain, jerking Mikhail's attention towards him before donning a serious expression."I wasn't grasping at straws. I saw it myself.""That's impossible. We didn't find any communicati
