[Content warning - Mentions/descriptions of violence and/or gore.]

[NOTE- THIS CHAPTER FOLLOWS RU'S FIRST PERSPECTIVE]

My morning routine was simple. I got up from bed, made the bed, and washed up. After dressing myself, I headed to the dining hall. I'd get breakfast, eat it, and then receive tutoring from an esteemed scholar or sword training by one of the veteran knights. 

But today... 

I went the opposite direction and opened a large wooden double door. Inside, rows and rows of books greeted me—tucked neatly in tens of bookshelves. The library in the castle was better than most, and I enjoyed reading as much as training. The smell of books and ink brought a spring to my steps and I grabbed several—mainly from the history section.

My goal was to find a way to help Rael. I couldn't let him help me without returning the favor. 

I was aware that he had mein too. I also knew that the supposed cure was only available in Urel for citizens of Urel. Even if Rael's position in the royal family was a bit shaky... they surely wouldn't let him die, right?

I hesitated, before grabbing three more books.

Just in case.

——

For the next four days, I read almost every book in the library, trying to find anything on mein. But there wasn't even a mention of it—except for one book.

I held one of the oldest books, which looked like it'd disintegrate if I sneezed. I carefully opened the book, slowly reading each word, hoping to find a clue. This was my only hope to be of help to Rael. I couldn't just accept someone's help without giving anything back. It was... selfish.

After nearly an hour, I finally found it. My eyes widened as I leaned closer. I traced the fading letters with my finger.

'—said, quoting the Lightning Archmage, Gabriel H. Based on his research, he'd concluded that typically, the percentage of illegitimate children to contract mein was 100%. But what about the few nobles who contracted it too? He traveled all over the continent, calculating the percentage, and the chances of a noble contracting mein. There was exactly 0.00001% chance for a noble to contract it. That's a 1 in 10 million chance. 

On his journey, he only met four nobles with mein—two who had already passed away. He summarized that perhaps the reason 'pureblood' nobles got it was because of a mixed lineage. That's why it was better to breed within the family tree. The closer, the better. A second cousin, a first, or even one's—' I slammed the book shut. And slowly exhaled.

This book was too outdated. I pushed it to the side and leaned against the chair. It'd been my only hope but the only thing I'd learned was how impossibly unlucky I was, and that 'inbreeding is the only way to alleviate all nobles from contracting mein in the future'. I scowled and decided to hide the book away. It won't be missed.

But now what? Should I try to read every book? Or should I just... give up? I stared blankly at the ceiling, unsure. Mein seemed like such a forbidden topic to discuss... It's as if no one wanted to research anything about it. It was a bit weird considering how high the mortality rates were. There was a cure but it had been impossible for my father—the King of Tenn to acquire. Even with Tenn's close bond with Urel—his request had been refused. 

I never had any hope in the first place, but I wanted to know why... Even if I couldn't discover anything new about mein—what was it that made the cure so hard to get?

Wait... forbidden topic?

I leapt up from the chair, nearly running as I rushed out of the castle. Headed towards the stable near the gates, I walked to one of the carriage drivers and gave him as much gold as I had. He blinked at me.

"Uh..."

"Please take me to the Grand Library." I've been there before but it never crossed my mind to check it out. The driver finally snapped out of his daze and grinned.

"It'd be my pleasure, your highness!"

——

The ride to the library was a bit bumpier than I would've liked, but we arrived quickly enough. I stood there, staring at Tenn's pride and joy. The capital library, one of the world's most renowned libraries in the world. No other country is as obsessed with books and literature as Tenn is. And I was no different.

Walking up the stairs and getting an approved entry with flowery words by the staff, I walked in, feeling the cool air. Wow, it was cool inside too. I should go here more often, especially during the sweltering summer season.

The library was huge, large enough to be a castle. Able to fit over tens of thousands of people, there were already over a thousand inside, either browsing for books or sitting quietly and reading. There were windows and lights for those who preferred bright reading places, and a section with cooler lights and dark curtains for those who enjoyed late-night reading. Private rooms and even resting rooms existed—though they were usually reserved or fully booked by this time of the year. 

I tried not to go here too often as I knew I could stay here for weeks without getting bored. I had to spend my time wisely—you couldn't just spend every day reading. 

Walking past an old couple who were whispering to each other, I stopped by one of the librarians organizing books on the ground floor. 

"Um, excuse me?" The librarian didn't turn, placing two books on the fourth row and grabbing another.

"Yes?" Her tone, though hospital, sounded annoyed. Feeling a bit guilty, I tried not to waste more of her time.

"I wanted to know if it was possible to access any old scriptures or forbidden ones? I—" She cut me off with a snort. She lowered the book she'd been holding.

"If I had a coin for every time a naive foreigner asked for access to the forbidden section, I'd be a millionaire—" Her mocking expression fell when she saw me. "Y-your highness! O-of course! Anything for you! I...didn't know it was you, please forgive my ignorant words!" She trembled as if she'd committed a horrible crime. I shook my head with a frown.

"No, it's fine. Could you lead me there?"

"O-of course! Follow me, your highness!" She walked carefully, glancing back to make sure I was following her. I swallowed a sigh.

I knew I wasn't the warmest person to be around, but this behavior was a bit... much. Was I that intimidating? Should I... smile more?

My thoughts stopped when the librarian pulled out a card and swiped it at a blank wall on the third floor. I blinked, and there it was—a door to the forbidden section of the library. The librarian bowed twice.

"Please, if you need anything—" she gave me a bell, while still shaking. "—use this, and we'll give you anything. I-I'll book one of the rooms for you to rest in as well, don't worry about the cost! I hope you'll enjoy your stay here, your highness! Once more, I am truly sorry for my behavior! I will repent, so please, don't hold it against me!" I was too stunned to speak. I raised a hand, trying to gesture for her to raise her head but she flinched.

"I-I'm so sorry! I will stop bothering you now." She... ran away. I touched my face, pondering if I was really that scary.

Maybe... I should practice smiling during my morning routine...

——

The forbidden section—only available to a select few. I was granted access due to my title as Prince of Tenn, but I knew friends to the crown and/or powerful mages had access to it too. Thankfully, no one was inside when I walked in.

The section was far smaller than other sections, and nearly equal to my own bedroom. But it was crammed full with scrolls, books, and maps. It was like a feast for any bookworm.

I looked at all the books, took a deep breath, and then straightened my back. I had to focus now and try to find something. I couldn't give up until I did. 

——

There was a certain saying. Hard work pays off. I took off my reading glasses and yawned.

That was a big fat lie. Otherwise, I'd be drowning in books about mein. But right now, I'd only read seven books that mentioned it or quoted a well-respected (and very dead) mage before going on a tangent about magic, the flaws of aristocracy, or the state of the world. 

At this rate, I was beginning to suspect they all just copied each other or something. Outside of those books, most were about controversial mage authors—and their outspoken criticism about commoners' rights and the laws regarding magic. They were interesting, sure, but it's not what I was looking for. 

I rested my head against one of the books, before sneezing. 

There was quite a lot of dust here. It wasn't cleaned often enough, unlike other sections of the library. I'd pondered about asking nicely for a cleaner or two so I wouldn't get sick. But...

'Y-yes, your highness?! Were the books to your liking? Is there anything more you want? Do you want a better room? Wehaveeverythingsopleasedon'tbescaredtoask—' I shuddered, wondering what they might do if they found out I'd been sneezing each time I opened a book. They might just bend over backwards to clean this section out. Which meant less time reading and researching.

I wiped my nose with a handkerchief and powered through. This was just day two. I was sure to find something soon! I couldn't give up so easily!

——

By day four, I'd caught a cold and was forced to return home to recover. I'd asked one of the librarians to clean the forbidden section before leaving. His face became one of horror as he realized how I'd gotten sick. I had to run out before he could throw himself at me and beg for forgiveness.

In days like these, being a prince was just a burden... I sighed, now back in my room. I'd only been gone for four days but it felt like forever. I collapsed into my bed, feeling a headache begin to creep up. 

Ugh...

I sneezed again and curled into a ball as I hugged one of the pillows. Soon, I fell asleep.

{——}

A soft voice humming a sweet tune made it impossible for me to open my eyes. I felt a hand gently stroke my hair. It was warm which made me snuggle closer into the warmth.

'Ah, is he sick again?' I could faintly hear someone whisper. I could feel the leg I'd fallen asleep on tremble. She was trying to suppress her laughter.

'Yes, and he didn't want me to go. I'm stuck here.' Though it sounded like a complaint, she hadn't moved at all. She'd even wiped away all the sweat from my face with a towel. 

'Mother, you spoil him too much...'

'Shh, he's only like this when he's sick. He's usually so 'mature and independent'. You were like this too Lola.'

'Wha—' My older sister stammered with embarrassment before she fell silent. A quiet click was heard. She'd left rather than argue with our mother. I tried to hide my amusement.

'I can see your lips twitching, dear'. Mother exposed me by poking my cheeks. I refused to open my eyes, instead clinging closer to her. The faint scent of earth and lilacs enveloped me. It filled the entire Queen's suite—where mother usually spent most of her time. Each time I visited, there was a new plant taking up space. At some point, she'd run out of room.

'Aren't you worried I might get sick too if you cling to me like this?' She poked me again. I grumbled but didn't let go. 

It's fine. This was just a cold. And spending it being pampered by my mother was the best. Not that I'd ever tell her that... 

Whenever she grew too busy, Lola would check up on me. Lu was banned though since she usually ended up catching whatever I had.  

I heard her sigh, unable to argue with me while I was sick. Her warm hand began to stroke my hair again, humming a sweet tune. Despite just waking up, I felt drowsy again.

Being sick with my family by my side... wasn't so bad...

{——}