‘’You’re already useful, Raphael, right now you’ll need to rest, both you and Lowe will be my attendants at the ball’’ Nikias doesn’t have the time to talk with his father before the ball, much less finding a loyal guard to protect him, considering the two threats he sent by mail, it isn’t a reach to think that his life could be in danger.

‘’May I ask why?’’ Raphael’s question is understandable, attendants don’t usually attend the balls unless they’re nobles themselves. The twins being commoners, they would be stopped from attending, however they can’t simply dismiss Nikias’ orders as well.

‘’I need the protection, I’ll explain  more later, but the ball won’t be safe, and the guards hate me’’, that’s a statement that no one can retort. ‘’Plus, I don’t have other servants, and I’ll need your assistance during the ball’’. The brothers don’t even need weapons as their knowledge of mana is far more extensive than one might imagine at first. So they will be able to protect him even from afar. ‘’Tell Lowe as well, don’t use servant clothes, if you don’t own any formal attire, buy one with my money’’, Nikias says, grabbing the papers he stopped reading previously.

‘’As you wish, my Prince’’, even if Raphael didn’t understand it completely, he agrees with the Prince and leaves the room to do as he was told.

I hope it is Aelius’ Diary… Nikias thinks before concentrating again on the papers in front of him.

❥

“I'll be escorting my brother tomorrow”, Alkaios words are accompanied by a silky low tone, his office’s lights are off so the room is only illuminated by the moonlight, for a couple seconds the only sound heard is of the ruffling of papers on the man's desk. His pink eyes are dark and mysterious together with the night fall, a man that usually looks kind and composed is now serious and calm. As Crown Prince he decided to take a different approach from his father, looking kind and approachable was his decision, to never make others feel unsettled or scared, however sometimes it is hard to hide your true colors.

“Understood sir”, the knight bows, his red hair glows even in the dark room. “I will establish our men to be undercover at the ball”, worried about his brother, Alkaios ordered his men to watch him at a distance, they can't interfere, only report. As the next Emperor, Alkaios has his own division of knights commanded by his close friend Rainier Bauldry. His division is known as the Silver Crows and are constantly sent to expeditions across the Empire to gather knowledge and strength, it wasn't easy to gather so many talents under him, but after years he finally managed to have somewhat strong and loyal knights.

Part of this is due to Rainier, the young man was addicted to becoming stronger and was the first to swear his allegiance to Alkaios when they were younger. Even if the man developed annoying feelings towards Evangelia, Alkaios betrothed, he still put his duty first. He'll get over those useless feelings soon, the Prince thinks as he reads the documents at his desk, he isn't happy to do paperwork alone at nightfall, however his advisor was showing signs of betrayal so he'll need to do important paperwork at night for now.

“Did you send the compensation to the knight Nikias almost murdered?” Alkaios asks as the sound of his pen scratching the paper is heard in the dark room. 

“Yes”, Rainier answers with discomfort, the Prince pretends not to notice the distaste on the man's face. Nothing good will come from it, he thinks.

“And what were the reports on Evangelia?” Alkaios asks, signing a few more papers.

“She seems to be back at the capital, however she didn't reach out yet”, Rainier pushes his hair back with a sigh, all the knights do is stalk Nikias and Evangelia and hunt monsters, when will they do something worthy of their reputation? Rainier would die for Alkaios, that much is granted, but he can't avoid it but feel annoyed every time he is given such orders. He's loyal to the Crown Prince, not the useless one.

Alkaios sighs, closing his eyes and pressing his thumb between his eyebrows, exhausted. “I can't understand what she's doing”, a while ago the woman went missing, she sent a letter to Alkaios saying she would be back, but the man who is completely smitten by her couldn't sit back and watch the woman disappear without a trace. However Evangelia was able to run from every single tail he put on her. “If something is happening can't she just trust me so we can solve it together?” But even if he already said so to her, she continues to shoulder everything alone.

“She was never the type of woman to be tied down”, Rainier says with a laugh, as it is just the two of them, sometimes he forgets to be formal with the man. Alkaios doesn't mind, as long as it is just the two of them, they're childhood friends after all. 

“That's true”, the Crown Prince says, his attention back towards the pile of documents in front of him. “I need a new advisor, but how come every single noble in this Empire is uselessly stupid?” A groan of frustration leaves his lips.

“Maybe you could try searching at the magicians towers?” The knight’s suggestion isn't all bad, after all, Alkaios himself was more of a magician than a swordsman, even though he's proficient in both. Having a magician as an advisor would be dangerous, though, they will spend a good deal of time with the man, and all the secrets he's hiding might come forward.

“I'll think about it”, Alkaios says, but his friend knows better, best friend. There's nothing they don't know about each other, even the weird obsession Alkaios has with his brother and Evangelia, even his hypnotic magic.

“You should talk with your mother”, Rainier argues for the 100th time, but to no avail, again.

Alkaios shakes his head. “No, she thinks that she's the last one with it, it's better to keep it that way”, an Emperor with hypnotic magic will only bring distrust towards those that wish to dethrone him, especially now that Nikias has mana as well. A part of Alkaios is proud of his brother for finally having what he always dreamed of, but another part of him is scared of losing his brother.

“Oh,” Rainier exclaims “The knight that was tailing Nikias was sent to the northeast forest last night. Alkaios attention drifts back towards his friend, his pink eyes shining with danger. Anyone looking closely enough would see the purple rays in his irises. 

“I assume he was dropped there with no weapons or armor”, a punishment for unruly knights that don't leave traces, it was Alkaios favorite method, leaving them to a swarm of monsters with no way of defending themselves. If they're skilled enough they could survive, however most of them were not. The knight that was previously tailing Nikias for three years, failed to report everything that was happening, the treatment the youngest Prince was receiving, the lack of funding, and even the poisoning of the man that Alkaios found out only when Nikias heart had already stopped. Unforgivable. If Nikias hadn't survived, Alkaios would probably kill the man with his own hands, however since the youngest Prince is still alive it isn't necessary.

“Of course”, Rainier isn't happy about Alkaios cruel side, or his gruesome methods, however, he isn't there to question it. Since they were children, the pink eyed boy was already extremely dangerous, he would go as far as torturing his tutors that taught him stuff he already knew and even threatening people to stay away from Nikias. The knight hates the youngest Prince but also feels sorry for the boy that will never know friendship or love with the controlling brother he has. Even Evangelia can't escape Alkaios obsessive behavior, even though she deals with the man perfectly. They are truly made for each other, Rainier thinks with sadness in his heart.

Alkaios rummages his drawer, grabbing a sealed letter he wrote previously, “Make sure to deliver this to Evangelia before the ball tomorrow, even if we're not going together she needs to start attending Imperial events, as she will soon be my fiance”, he gives the letter to his friend that nods. “You may leave now”.

Rainier bows, leaving in silence, the moment he leaves the room he is met by a silent castle and a figure hidden at the corner of the hallway. As a knight he can't ignore a sign of danger so he unsheathes his sword, calmly walking towards the shadow. When he reaches the suspicious man he points his sword at his neck.

He's met by surprised golden eyes, and there it was the man of the hour. Prince Nikias, the redhead lowers his sword, displeased to see the youngest Prince at that hour, the man is walking with thin exercise clothes and his hair is dripping sweat. Even if Rainier Bauldry hates Nikias' guts, the man's heart skips a beat when his eyes meet his. 

“Oh!” Nikias' expression is one of calm and surprise, he didn't expect to meet someone that late at night, especially considering that knights had a hobby of avoiding him, even with a sword pointed at his neck, he knew that a knight using the family coat of arms wouldn't kill him. A foolish confidence that has a mix of exhaustion and craziness in it. Rainier awaits for the same usual comments, he knows by his information network that Nikias lost part of his memory, he didn't expect the man to forget him, though. At first when they were children, scared of approaching his brother, Nikias tried to approach Rainier, although it was a lot of failed attempts, a lot of disgusted gazes later, Nikias still approaches Rainier with dirty intentions of having a good word put towards his brother.

Even if it is unnecessary. Indeed, Alkaios was already crazy enough about his brother, Nikias didn't need to have more of his attention, not that he'll ever know that. Rainier feels nothing but disgust towards him, it started when Nikias reached a certain age and began to speak badly about commoners and to poison Alkaios. The youngest Prince could be beautiful, however he's completely a waste of oxygen.

“I'm sorry but can you tell me where the room's hallway is?” Nikias' tone is deep, but his expression is soft. He seems to be genuinely lost, even if Rainier doesn't truly believe him.

“Turning left there you'll reach it soon enough”, he points at the corridor behind him, observing the youngest Prince become deep in thought before replying.

“I seem to be walking in circles”, he mumbles low enough that if the night wasn't silent the knight wouldn't have heard him. “Can you walk me there?” The previous formal tone he used to use with him is gone, his tone is relaxed yet firm. He's talking as if I can't refuse since he's a Prince, Rainier thinks, Nikias never acted that way before, maybe dying truly does that to someone. How much he remembers and how much he doesn't? How can someone's true nature change? He asks himself as he bows slightly and guides the Prince in the dark hallways of the Palace.

The silence only makes the two men more aware of the presence of each other, to Nikias it was an uncomfortable interaction with someone that expressed their disgust so clearly, and to Rainier it was uncomfortable to be in the presence of someone he long decided to be the true evil of the Empire. It's hard to know who's the most idealist, Rainier or Evangelia.

“We're here”, Rainier stops in front of Nikias' room, he looks at the man's eyes again, trying to find a hint that he's faking everything. Who knows he could even have faked dying. The only witnesses to his heart stopping were his shady servants.

“Ok, you can go now”, his words are rude, but his tone is calm. He's not thanking the man because he didn't do so at the goodness of his heart. He did it because he's the youngest Prince, nothing less nothing more. Rainier’s eyes twitch with anger but he doesn't say anything as the Prince enters his room without another word.

“So fucking annoying” he whispers, turning around to meet eyes with another individual. The man is smaller than him, his brown hair, black eyes and black clothes makes him blend with the darkness perfectly.

“You should watch your mouth”, the man speaks, Rainier clicks his tongue, by the man's uniform he's one of Nikias' shady servants. He can't tell them apart as they're twins. The servant tilts his head, his eyes are dull and his lips are pursed. “The commander of the Silver Crows needs to learn a bit more etiquette if that's how he treats a royal”.

He doesn't know when to shut up, Rainier thinks, rolling his eyes. “You're lower in rank than me, you're the one that needs to watch his mouth”, the taller man takes a step towards the other, trying to appear more threatening.

“Someone that used to be from the slums shouldn't be saying that”, the condescending tone of the servant puts Rainier on edge. He hates to be reduced to an ex-commoner. The redhead puts his hand on the shoulder of the brunette pushing the man towards the wall.

“Watch it”, he says.

“Or?” The servant doesn't show any sign of being threatened. “You're nothing but the Crown Prince’s dog.” Rainier snorts.

“And you're the scum Prince’s puppy”, he mocks the smaller man with a smirk.

The servant laughs, “I'm more of a courier pigeon than a puppy”, he seems to find the situation amusing. “Can you let me go now? Dog”. The knight tightens his grip on the man's shoulder, he knows it'll leave a mark and that it must hurt like hell, but the man doesn't back down. I can't kill him, Rainier thinks with hypocrisy, a few minutes prior he was questioning the murders of the Prince. He takes deep breaths, trying to control himself. If he wanted he could've killed this man, yes, he's the one in control, or at least that's what he wishes to think so.

“Which one are you?”

“Excuse me?” the servant is flabbergasted, what type of question is that?

“What's your name?” Rainier repeats himself with a groan.

“It's none of your fucking business”, the knight analyzes the man's face, under his right eye there is a mole that catches the man's attention, Maybe his twin won't have it? So he can find a way of differentiating them and finding his name on his own. After all, Rainier isn't the type to let provocations go unanswered.

He laughs with amusement. “I'll find out anyway, enjoy your time, puppy, soon you'll wish to never have crossed my path”, he sounds so threatening that Lowe doesn't want to laugh again. He almost looks cute, thinking he can scare me, the Crown Prince is a thousand times scarier and Nikias is scarier than them combined. The hand on his shoulder is gone and the redhead seems satisfied with what he said. Lowe can't hold back, he isn't the type to make provocations, he used to lower his head, maybe Nikias is starting to rub off on me. 

“I'll be waiting, doggy”, it's hard to hold his smirk as he enters Nikias' room, not turning back to see the redhead's face. I wonder what kind of face he made. Lowe had fun, he knows that he can handle the knight, that's why he provoked him so openly. Lowe is scared of magicians not swordmasters.