Reincarnation. Rebirth. Transmigration. Regression. 

Zen was quite familiar with these terms because of his job as a part-time editor. What usually happens is that the MC faces something unfortunate, dies, or just goes to bed and finds themselves in a different place. The place and position would vary as well. The second chance stories™. 

However, Zen couldn’t be put into any of these categories. He merely floated around Sepehr 24/7 purposelessly which was his only option. Lucky for him, Sepehr was always busy, so at least he didn’t have to be bored. The story was unfolding live before him. 

“Your Highness, are you ready to leave?” Sepehr waited patiently in the hall, in front of the crown prince’s room. From the window beside, Zen could see almost the whole academy.
The buildings were illuminated by the soft glow of the dusk. Decorations were put up on every archway and column. The people were no less either. 

「For a reunion? Looks more like a coronation or a very fancy wedding.」

The extravagance was almost comical to Zen. 

Sepehr was an exception, or at least he tried to be. On most days, he didn’t put much or any effort into dressing up, taking only his signature earring and the brooch signifying his position as ornaments. But today, he too was dressed more formally, accepting the other accessories presented to him by the attendants. His position demanded this much. Yet, he didn’t go as far as others. Not that he needed to anyway. 

*Click*
The large wooden door opened and Ambrose stepped out. Sepehr immediately bowed like it was second nature. Zen directed his gaze toward the two instinctively. 

Going into details about the prince’s appearance was unnecessary. The man radiated power and beauty. 

Ambrose’s gaze lingered on Sepehr until he spoke up. “Your Highness, your radiance humbles even the stars.”
Zen was amused by how Sepehr had shared the compliment. 

No response. No movement. The tyrant continued to stare diligently as he was.

「What is he thinking?」

“Your Highness?” 

“Are we exchanging compliments?” Ambrose’s voice conveyed his curiosity. “Is it part of the protocol?” 

“No, Your Highness. I only said what I believed.” Sepehr spoke with no hesitation as always. “If you’re ready, we should head to the ballroom.” 

“Alright, let's go.” Ambrose strode forward and Sepehr stepped behind him, maintaining the few paces of customary distance.

The lively ballroom quieted down tremendously upon their entrance. People were told not to bow at the entrance of the crown because this wasn’t a royal event, but they still refused to act naturally.

「I wouldn’t want to attend a reunion like this. 」

The ballroom was also a work of art, Zen thought so even when it wasn’t fully decorated when Sepehr was here for a safety inspection. Adorned with ornate flooring and glamorous lights, it was a sight to behold. Of course, Zen personally didn’t find the horde of lighting safe, because most of them were open flame, but this wasn’t something he could decide.

Though murmurs rippled through the crowd, it took a whole ten minutes for things to get back to normal and people gradually came forward to greet the Crown Prince. The contents of each conversation were almost the same. Zen couldn’t help pitying the two. 

“Your Highness, I was hoping to meet with some old classmates,” Sepehr said in between greetings. 

Ambrose’s eyes narrowed slightly, “What are you trying to say?”

“It appears that people are too afraid to approach me here,” Sepehr replied smoothly, “And it is my duty to give you privacy when necessary. May I be excused?” 

“You—”

“Good evening, Your Highness. Lord Vale.” The beautiful woman bowed slightly. Zen was busy observing Sepehr’s attempt to take a break, so he didn’t notice the amber-eyed blonde beauty approaching them until she was right in front of them. Her eyes flickered towards Sepehr for only a moment before locking onto Ambrose.

“Good evening, Lady Emerson,” Sepehr was the first to speak, “I was just about to get some drink, please excuse me.” Her eyes flickered towards Sepehr for only a moment before locking onto Ambrose.

「Emerson? Sounds familiar. 」

Sepehr skillfully slipped away from the two, leaving no room for objection. As he moved towards the refreshment table, Zen remained with the pair. 

“Good evening, Vivienne.”

“Your Highness is as handsome as always” 

“And you are as radiant as ever,” Ambrose replied, voice carrying a rehearsed formality.

That's as far as Zen could eavesdrop before he was pulled back to Sepehr, who was now in another corner of the room. 

「Ugh. This is so inconvenient!」

But he didn’t need to be too disappointed, because he was able to gather many details from the whisperings of the crowd. One of them was about Vivienne Emerson being a top candidate for the crown princess position, but couldn’t get any success so far, which was not surprising to Zen, because, well, the tyrant didn’t have a queen. 

In the novel, the Emerson family was slaughtered, by the king, in the beginning act; no wonder he didn’t have a queen. 

That aside, the two, Ambrose and Vivienne, definitely stood out from the crowd. One flaunting her rose-colored gown, the other with his deathly aura. Vivienne was for sure trying to match her outfit with Ambrose's, who was supposed to wear red, but that idea failed. 

Meanwhile, in this corner, Sepehr alone was enough to light the room with grace. He naturally drew attention, proving his excuse to be true.

Now that he was standing separately, more people gradually came to talk to him. 

“Good Evening, Lord Vale.” They both looked at the young woman, flaunting her emerald green days as well as a cheerful smile. 

“Greetings, Lady Thisbe.”

「Does he know everyone? 」

Sepehr addressed everyone directly and never had to ask about their identity. 

“May I ask you to join me for a dance?” 

Sepehr inclined his head. “It will be my honor.” There was no reason to refuse, it would be rude.
So, he took the lady’s hand and moved to the dance floor, joining other pairs who glided elegantly to the music. 

But the harmony was short-lived. Barely a quarter into the song, Thisbe tripped, her foot catching on the hem of her dress. She toppled forward, landing in Sepehr’s arms.

Zen sighed.「 There’s a lot of falling involved around here…」

[This is it! I’m one step closer.]Zen froze. Thisbe’s voice wasn’t audible to anyone, but Zen heard it as if she had shouted.
[I’ll make you mine Lord Sepehr. Just a little closer…] The sweetness of her smile didn’t fade, but the words didn’t stop there. And the more he listened, the more unsettling her thoughts became. He genuinely felt concerned for Sepehr.

「How does he deal with such people? 」

“Perhaps you aren’t feeling well,” Sepehr spoke in his usual tone.

“What—no—I…” Lady Thisbe stammered. Not waiting for her response, he led her off the dancefloor and told the staff to check her health. It happened so naturally, that Zen could only assume this wasn’t an uncommon occurrence for Sepehr. Whether or not those encounters carried similar intentions was a separate question.