After a thorough interrogation, it all turned out to be something ridiculous—a misunderstanding. Mostly on the attacker’s side. Completely on the attacker’s side.
They intended to make the prince withdraw the business tax rule passed a month ago. Never mind that the prince didn’t draft the policy himself. And even more absurdly, the tax didn’t apply to them at all—it was for nobles running personal businesses.
Unless they were hired by a noble who meant to harm the prince, it had nothing to do with them, who didn’t even read the paper properly. 

Sepehr’s exasperation was obvious as he explained this to the group, sending them to a collective shock, which was followed by a tearful cry for mercy.
Of course, they weren’t granted mercy, who knew how much they said was true? So they were subjected to labor, for the Black Crescent.
Zen couldn’t figure out how it was any different from imprisonment, but what did he know? 

By the time they were done with the assailants, it was already midday. So the journey ended up extended to the night. And while Sepehr was looking at the sky through the window, Zen found himself in an unfamiliar place.

It wasn’t completely unfamiliar, because in the distance he could see the palace. In front of him was a building that looked similar to the buildings of the royal academy.

「What is this place? Am I in another story now? It better not be worse.」

“I don't need a friend!” A stubborn voice rang through the air. Zen turned around. 

A young boy was being carried over while a woman followed him behind. “Put me down!” 

“Only if you promise not to run, Your Highness.” 

「Which Highness is this one?」

The boy struggled to free himself but in vain. 

“We're already here, let him down.” 

The boy was about to take a run for it, but the woman caught his hand before he could escape. “If you don't want friends, you can think of him as an ally or a subordinate. But you can't run away today, it goes against etiquette. And who knows, you might just like him.” 

The boy pouted. “That will not happen.” 

Zen had nothing better to do, so he followed the pair towards the building. 

A few people were waiting at the entrance, among them, one caught Zen’s attention. The silver hair was hard to miss. 

「That’s him! It has to be!」

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” They all bowed before the pair. 

「Majesty? Wait, is she the queen? Then who—」

“It's an honor to be in your presence, Your Majesty, Your Highness,” the silver-haired boy spoke, making Zen 90% sure of his identity. “I'm Sepehr Vale, second son of Duke Vale.” 

「Knew it.」

Zen looked back at the other boy. 

「But…this one's hard to believe.」

The boy was looking at Sepehr as if star-struck. 「Then again…the traits match.」

“Introduce yourself.” The woman instructed.

Pulled out of dreamland, the boy finally spoke up. “Hello. Uh…My name is…you…uh…Mother…what was I saying?”

“Name.”

“Ambrose Aurelius. The first prince of—you look like an angel.”

「Which kingdom is that?」

Zen was confused about whether to laugh at the awkward prince or be amazed by comparing the versions of the prince. There was a resemblance, but at a glance, no one would think they were the same person. 

The younger Sepehr tilted his head. “Me?” 

“Who else here could look like one?” 

「Well, he's not wrong.」

Zen might not have agreed if this was said about the older Sepehr. It was true that Sepehr was very beautiful. But in terms of angelic charm, Zen didn’t find any. 

The younger Sepehr covered that.

The conversation moved forward and so did the scene. But they were brief glimpses through time, like looking at a photo album. The frames passed one by one, each covering a different part of their lives, some from Sepehr’s, some Ambrose’s. Most of them were shared moments. 

Sepehr’s confused expression each time Ambrose asked him if he was an angel. Ambrose’s bright smiles upon being praised for his swordsmanship. 

Failed attempts to make Sepehr gain some muscles.
The scene of 12-year-old Ambrose bawling his eyes out on the day Sepehr left for the academy followed by his smiling face sometime later when he joined the academy himself.

「They’ve known each other for quite some time, huh?」

Zen couldn’t focus on each scene because there were too many. But he didn’t miss the transition. Each image marked the passage of time. From the day they met to each day ahead. And with each passing image, the speed of the reel increased, barely sparing a glimpse. 

Until it stopped at one scene. Here, the two stood face to face, the same way as they did on their first meeting. But instead of the small crowd of five, they stood in the middle of a room full of faceless people. In place of the eyes that shone with admiration was a set of eyes that held no emotion. 

Sepehr kneeled down on one knee.
“By the light of heavens and the weight of my honor, I, Sepehr Vale, pledge myself, my counsel, my loyalty to Your Highness. 

I vow to place the need of His Highness above my own, to guard your secrets as my own, and to be the voice of reason in times of need.”

With each word, Ambrose’s expression became more distant. But just before the final line, there was something—a flicker of hesitation, quickly masked. Regret? Pain? Zen couldn’t tell, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared, leaving only the cold, unreadable mask behind.

“From this moment on, I pledge my life to the crown, to Your Highness, for until the day I die.” 

「That’s way too much…」

The scene began to fade. First, the people, then the room, leaving only the two people and Zen’s phantom body in the space. 

“Why?”

Zen heard Ambrose’s low voice, but the rest of the words were soundless, as were the words Sepehr spoke.
Just like that, memories dissolved, bringing Zen back to the current point of their story. 

「Now I understand why I was seeing both sides of the picture.」

As Zen was, in some unknown way, connected to Sepehr, it was understandable for him to see Sepehr’s memories. But the scenes he saw weren't all from Sepehr’s side. 

This became more clear when he was back. Sepehr had drifted off at some point, and Ambrose took the chance to lend a shoulder…and arm…and… never mind. 

Zen figured that he could only hear the thoughts of people when they were a certain amount in contact with Sepehr. He likely saw both sides because the two were in a half embrace. 

The carriage jolted, waking Sepehr from slumber.
「Damn carriages.」

“Why are you…” Sepehr trailed off under Abrose’s gaze. 

“I’m cold.”
[Please stay.]
「I’ll give that excuse a 50/100.」

“It’s summer, Your Highness.”

“Let me stay, I even drew the curtains.”
Zen could spot the shadow of his younger self on Ambrose. A glint of plea in his eyes that Sepehr could never say no to.
“As you wish, Your Highness.” 

Zen sat leisurely on the opposite seat that was left empty, watching Ambrose lean against Sepehr’s head, nestling closer.
And as he watched for a few minutes, an unusual thought crossed his mind.
「How dare he say he wished they had never met?」
「So what if he said it because he was worried or whatever?!」

「Sepehr should’ve slapped him across the face when he said it.」

Zen’s outburst was left unheard under the weight of the peaceful night, and the silence that lasted until they reached their destination.
Sepehr got down first as usual followed by Ambrose. Guards were already waiting along with attendees. 

“Rest well, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave.”

“To where?” 

「To where he lives?」

“...Does Your Highness have anything for me to do? If not, I’ll return to my residence.” 

Ambrose faced Sepehr, with the air of authority. “This is a decree.”

Sepehr bowed as if by muscle memory.

“Sepehr Vale, I hereby put you on house arrest at the Aurelion Palace on the offense of disobeying royal order without proper validation. From this moment forward, you are not allowed to leave the palace unless I permit it or it is a life-and-death situation. This order stands until I declare it null. Do you understand?”

“...Yes, Your Highness.”

「You should’ve taken your shot with the slap.」

The palace gates closed behind them. Ambrose turned on his heel and began walking toward the palace, gesturing for Sepehr to follow. With no other choice, Sepehr quietly fell into step behind him. Zen could almost read the frustration on his face.

「Well, this is unexpected. Guess you’re roommates now, Sepehr.」

Sepehr’s gaze flickered upward for the briefest moment, as if he’d heard the comment but refused to dignify it with a reaction. 

Ambrose walked with an expressionless face, though Zen could swear he caught the faintest hint of a smirk.