Alex reached Sven and pressed him to spar. After a long session, the prince 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.