Alex rushed into the Council Hall and threw the doors open. "Father!"

King Klaus raised his gaze from a scroll and looked up at him in surprise. Then he frowned, his expression hardening again. "Why are you shouting?"

"Sven said it was urgent. I…"

His words died on his lips. He glanced around; the chamberlain kept his gaze lowered, his cheeks red with embarrassment.

His father let out a deep sigh. "There's no reason to barge in like a madman."

Alex clenched his jaw. He had feared something had happened, but worrying about his father was pointless.

William slid up beside him, silent as shadow, and gave a clumsy bow. "Your Majesty, how may I serve you?"

The king dismissed the chamberlain, and once he had left, handed a scroll to the mage. "I received a message from the royal gamekeeper. This morning, he found several dead deer on our hunting grounds, but it seems predators didn't kill them."

William read the message and furrowed his brow. "A disease?"

"Maybe. Or magic. Could it be the effect of a spell?"

"Technically, yes, but why would anyone kill the deer?"

"A spiteful act. Or—"

"Or a message," Alex interjected. "The stag is on our family crest, and it is an animal protected by royal decree. Killing them within the royal hunting grounds is punished severely."

William shot him a sidelong glance and returned the scroll to the king. "Shall I conduct an investigation?"

"Yes. My son will go with you."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because you are a skilled swordsman. William may need assistance."

"It is not necessary, Your Majesty," the mage said. "I am quite capable of handling this task alone."

"No, you two will go together; that is an order. You leave tomorrow." He gestured toward the door. "You may go, William. I must speak with my son in private."

The mage nodded and took his leave, his clothes rustling.

Once alone, Alex shot his father a sharp look. "There's more, isn't there?"

The king approached the window and looked out over the land. "Indeed."

"Why not tell the mage as well?" Alex gave a cheeky grin. "Don't tell me you don't trust him."

"I trust my mage and his judgment, but I don't yet know the boy."

"And doesn't that seem contradictory that I should trust him enough to bind myself to him?"

His father turned to face him. "You're right. That's why you will go too. Perhaps working side by side will ease the tension between you. And then…"

"And then you think it's a trap, don't you?"

"Someone may have killed those deer to lure us into an ambush."

The smile faded from Alex's face. Was his father trying to get him killed? "Then, if you fear it's a trap, why take the bait?"

"Because it's the only way to find out who's behind it. You can act like an idiot all you want, but I know you're smart and reliable."

Alex crossed his arms and grimaced. "You're really ordering me to throw myself into an ambush where I could be killed?"

His father glared at him. "William needs protection. Or would you prefer to see him killed?"

That was a low blow! He couldn't stand the mage's ways, but he didn't want him to die. "You know I would never allow that."

"I know. And honestly, I hope this makes you realize that William is the one best suited to stand by your side."

"I doubt that will happen." Alex flashed a grin. "Especially since I have a feeling the mage won't remain here long."

"Your mother won't be helping you this time."

"It hurts that you don't trust my abilities, Father."

His father exhaled deeply, his blue eyes darkening. "Try not to get yourself into trouble."

Alex stifled an annoyed sigh and left the chamber. Though he'd turned twenty-two months ago, in his father's eyes, he was still a spoiled child, always causing trouble. Would the day ever come when he would be considered an equal?

"Good. Now I'm in a bad mood."

Maybe he could clear his head with sword training. When he wielded one, he ceased to be the Crown Prince—his father's disappointment—and was simply a man.

He reached Sven and pressed him to spar. After a long session, Alex sheathed his weapon and wiped the sweat from his forehead and bare chest. His muscles ached pleasantly, a satisfying reminder of his effort.

"How did I do today?"

"You've improved, though you seemed distracted."

Alex frowned. "Tomorrow I have to leave with the mage—without guards. I'm a bit worried."

"Do you think the mage won't be able to handle himself out there?"

"I don't think he's skilled with weapons or anything beyond books. He told me he's quite powerful, but I don't know if it's true."

"Maybe he was sincere."

"I don't know. People here tend to exaggerate their abilities just to earn the royal family's favor."

Sven looked thoughtful. "But he doesn't seem like the type to do that. If he wanted to win your favor, he wouldn't have slapped your hand in front of the entire court."

It was true, but Alex still couldn't trust him. The mage might not be any different from the rest of the nobility.

Sven scratched his cheek, looking pensive. "I think you can trust him. If His Majesty summoned him, he must have some merit."

Alex knew that his father wouldn't appoint someone who didn't merit his trust, yet he still couldn't accept it. He should have chosen his Court Mage himself, but being sidelined so openly cut him deeply.

He lowered his gaze to his missing finger. "They found some dead deer in the hunting reserve. Maybe magic is involved, and my father decided to send the mage. I'm supposed to accompany him to make sure he doesn't get himself killed."

"If you prefer, I can ask His Majesty for permission to accompany you."

"Better not." He clenched his fist and looked back at Sven. "It could be a trap, though."

"You can defend yourself, Your Highness. Don't doubt your abilities."

"But will I be able to protect him, too? If I fail and he dies, I…"

He couldn't endure another death on his conscience.

Sven placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're no longer a boy. You've grown into a skilled swordsman. You'll return home safe and sound, along with the mage."

"Damn, when you talk like that, I can see why my sister married you."

They put their shirts back on and left the hall. Alex headed for the royal stables to make sure the stablemen had everything ready for the departure the next morning.

The sun was still high, and a cool breeze blew over the gardens of the palace. Small groups of noblewomen, dressed in voluminous gowns, strolled among the flowerbeds. They bowed as he walked by, but as soon as he had passed, they began whispering.

Alex knew without looking—they were judging him as inadequate. He was the foolish prince no one appreciated; yet, everyone wanted to see him on the throne to manipulate him better.

"Is that the mage?"

William walked a few steps ahead, holding a book against his chest, his expression unreadable. He didn't seem to notice Alex.

"Hey, you! Mage!" A noble, whose name Alex didn't remember, stopped in front of William and pointed a jeweled finger at him. "I demand an apology!"

The mage glanced at the finger, and his lips curled. "Step back. You're too close."

"How dare you?"

Alex approached them and smiled. "Is there a problem?"

The noble spun around and went pale. "Your Highness, I… I…"

"My mage did something wrong?"

"Well, this… commoner," he curled his lips in disgust, "has disrespected me. I demand a public apology."

William averted his gaze. "He humiliated himself. He cannot blame me if he is incompetent."

The noble trembled. "I am not incompetent! Your Highness, I request your intervention. This commoner dared to make a fool of me in front of everyone."

Alex glanced around. The shouting had attracted a small crowd of bystanders. Shit. Everyone would be watching to see how he handled it.

William frowned. "You humiliated yourself by babbling about economics without understanding anything. Cutting taxes in the southern territories won't revive trade."

"How dare you call me an idiot? You are a nobody without a shred of noble blood!"

The prince swallowed his anger and stepped in before the mage could snap back and escalate the argument. "That's enough. William, apologize to him."

The mage gave him a sharp look, clearly displeased with the order. But glaring at him was pointless; his hands were tied. Alex couldn't stand against the nobles. He wasn't powerful enough.

The noble smiled in satisfaction. "You heard His Highness. Bow."

William's expression darkened, and he slowly knelt before the man, bowing his head. "I beg your forgiveness, sir."

Around them, murmurs of excitement spread through the crowd. Alex pressed his lips together; nothing was entertaining about watching someone forced to bow like that.

The noble lifted his foot and shoved it under William's nose. "Kiss it, you filthy Xianese mutt."

Alex clenched his jaw, his anger burning in his gut. Mutt?

"He already apologized!" he roared. "What kind of man humiliates someone like that?"

He shoved the noble, who lost his balance and toppled to the ground, then turned to the onlookers. "And you, don't you have anything better to do? Clear out!"

The crowd dispersed amid murmurs and rustling of clothes. Even the noble got up and slunk away, casting one last murderous glance at the mage.

Alex sighed. Good, now they were going to hate him even more. But at least he did the right thing. No one deserved to be treated like that, not even that grumpy mage.

He turned to William and held out a hand, but the mage ignored it and stood on his own.

"You shouldn't have intervened. I am no one, and he is a noble. Defending me is illogical."

"Then you're lucky I'm famous for doing illogical things."

William grimaced and turned to walk away, but Alex grabbed him by the robe. The mage looked at him in surprise.

"Your Highness?"

Alex let his hand fall at his side. "I... Nothing. You can go."

He didn't know why, but for a moment, he felt the urge to stop him and ask him if he was all right. But feeling this way didn't make any sense.

After all, he didn't like William, did he?