Sepehr walked out of the ballroom probably to get some fresh air. Zen followed observing as Sepehr made his way to the garden. The garden was unexpectedly empty, the air refreshingly cool. Sepehr leaned against the fence, his eyes closed as though savoring the rare moment of peace. 

But the peace was short-lived.

“Well, if it isn’t the academy’s star student?” The deep, booming voice shattered the calm. “The academic council still hasn’t gotten over losing you, you know?” 

Sepehr opened his eyes, “Good Evening, Lord Cresmont.” 

“Drop the formalities already. Why are you not inside? Your master seems to be losing it.” 

Zen was familiar with the name, it was mentioned many times in the novel. 「Is it him?」

“You’re exaggerating, Lord Maven.” Sepehr replied, “I’m sure he’s doing just fine. You should also go back inside.”

“Always so serious.” Maven stepped closer, grinning widely. “Aren’t you happy to meet an old friend?” 

「 It’s him!」

Maven Crestmont was Ambrose’s few friends. He was a long-standing neutral character in the novel. But now the character, with his large frame, was approaching Sepehr with open arms. 

“Technically speaking, I’m your senior.”

Sepehr was pulled into a bear hug before he could react. [It’s strange for him to be not beside Ambrose.] 

[He looks like a ghost.]

[Is Sepehr not feeling well?]

Maven’s train of thought continued to scurry while Sepehr struggled to breathe in the death grip.

Sepehr tapped on Maven’s shoulder as if asking for a time-out, but it was in vain. 

「Dude…you’re killing him…」

Amidst all this, Sepehr was pulled back from the death grip from behind. “What are you doing?”
Ambrose’s tone was icy enough to send shivers down the spine. But currently, Zen didn’t have a physical body, Maven wasn’t the type to be scared and Sepehr was, well, Sepehr. So the intimidation was wasted. 

“Why are you glaring at me?” Maven inquired, putting his hands forward defensively. “I should be interrogating you. Are you overworking him? He’s skin and bones—as if he got up from his deathbed!” 

“That's not of your concern,” Ambrose’s voice was razor sharp. “We’re leaving.” 

Maven chuckled, shaking his head, “Told you—losing it.” 

Sepehr muttered an apology and followed behind him. 

“Your Highness, the party hasn’t ended yet. Are you sure you want to leave now?” 

Ambrose said nothing.

“Shouldn’t you accompany Lady Vivienne for a while longer?”

“If you have someone to accompany, you’re free to stay.” 

「 Is that a permission or a threat?」

Sepehr had no reason to stay. He was here only to attend to Ambrose. Besides, it was already past nine. So he followed the prince as always. 

As they got closer to their chambers, Ambrose’s voice finally broke the silence.
“Sepehr, didn’t you promise your loyalty to me?” 

“Yes, I did, Your Highness.”
“Did you change your mind?”

“No, I did not.”

“Then why,” Ambrose’s voice grew quieter, more intense, "Why do you keep taking every other person into your arms?” Sepehr focused his gaze on Ambrose, and Zen did so on Sepehr. 

「 Not every other person, so far I’ve only seen three including you and it’s usually the other way around.」Zen spoke aloud knowing no one would hear him.

「And what does it have to do with loyalty to the crown? 」

“What does it have to do with the loyalty to the crown?” 

A moment of their collective silence finally came. Zen covered his mouth in shock despite not being the one who said it aloud. 

「What was that? Can he hear me? 」

Ambrose was looking at Sepehr with an expression neither could read. 

*Step. Step*

The sound of his footsteps echoed ominously as he closed the distance between them. Zen would’ve stepped away, no, he would've run if someone approached him with such an expression. 

But Sepehr didn’t even flinch. So in a matter of seconds, both stood face to face at a mere distance of a few inches.

「 That’s way less than five feet, even more than last time.」

“Did I say crown, Lord Vale?”
「That was a quick shift… 」

“Did you have one too many drinks Your Highness?” 

“So what if I did?” Ambrose’s tone was sharp. The tyrant was showing his tyrannical side today. But not in the same way. There was no blood involved, but the heat of his gaze was overwhelming enough for even Zen, who had backed away to a side. Sepehr, however, remained composed, his eyes locked with Ambrose’s, exposing none of his emotions.
“What I do isn’t of your concern, no, Lord Vale?” Ambrose’s words hung heavy in the air.