We Want You To Become A Shadow

"You could've told me that he owned this Tavern." Eden said to Sol as the disguised crown prince looked at him. The two were still at the table as they watched Ivy scold a group of men. Some of the men were getting dragged out of the place while the others tried not to laugh. Yet the ones that were saying "Yes Boss." and "Sorry Boss." kept their heads down. Noticing the dark vine slowly tightly around their legs as Ivy calmly scolded them.

"He owns a couple of bars and taverns actually. It is not something he would want people to know. The only people really know are the shadows, the people he is scolding, and the ones that pissed him off. I think his parents know but he never told me as much."

Eden looked at Sol suspiciously. "Do you own any business?"

"A few taverns that are actually guilds." Eden's eyes widened at the realization of Akeem's words.

"This tavern is a guild too?" Eden asked Sol.

"Of course. It is the best place to find secrets and schemes after all." Sol said with a smirk. He watched the scene with Ivy again. Ivy looked like he'd punch a man as someone begged him. Yet the vines kept tightly around the man as they cried. Sol looked at Eden to explain again." Also, the best place to look into things like creatures hunting, searching, looking for rare items, and so on."

Eden blinked as noticed Ivy was moving away from this guy. "Well, that makes sense." he frowned deeply. "Then again, Father never really bothered coming to a place like this. He said that there is no place for a noble young man to be."

Sol shook his head. "Yeah, that sounds like the Duke of Sealen. For a man that calls himself a progressive, he's sure is conservative. He follows the old ways of the Household too much, not aware of his surroundings at all. The only thing he did that was progressive enough was to marry an Elovian woman out of love. Everything else was business, business, and more business."

Eden stayed quiet before asking. "Why did you bring me here today? To meet your friend?" Sol blinked before looking at Eden. " I doubt it's to spend some quality time together."

Sol smirked at Eden. "You're right. There is something I wanted to talk to you about."

Eden blinked. "Is it about Demi?"

"No, it's mostly about you." Sol stated. Eden arched an eyebrow at Sol before he noticed that Ivy was coming back.

Ivy took a seat and rubbed his forehead. "Sorry, you had to see that. I told them not to fight tonight and they still did it anyway."

"Mmm. It happens." Sol said with a shrug. Ivy rolled his eyes. "At least no one was hurt."

"If it was up to you, the whole place would be on fire." Ivy said to Sol.

" Hey, I like it hot sometimes." Sol said with a smirk.

Ivy just shook his head at his friend. " Of course you do." Ivy looked at Eden who was just watching him and Sol. "Now, for the reason why Sol brought you here."

Eden looked at Sol before looking at Ivy. "Yes. I would like to know why I'm here. Sol said it's more about me and less about Demi."

"It relates to your sister and also your cousin but not completely."Ivy said to Eden. Eden arched an eyebrow at Ivy.

"Then what is it?" Eden asked him. Ivy smiled at Eden which made the young man curious.

"How would you feel if you became part of the Shadow unit?" Ivy asked Eden as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Eden blinked. "Part of the shadows?" Ivy nodded his head. "For which Kingdom?"

"Both." Sol said, causing Eden to look at him. " We want you to be a Shadow for both Kingdoms."

"But why a shadow?" Eden asked them. Sol smiled while Ivy reached for something that was on the ground. He noticed it was a folder of documents, he noticed his name on it. "You have files on me."

"I always have files on people that catch my interest. My mother said that it's a bit obsessive, my father thinks it's fine and my older brother thinks that it's useless." Ivy said while pulling out some things.

Eden laughed a bit. "Sounds like my cousin Daisy." He noticed that Ivy stilled a bit. "But she's more into information about the world and politics than in people."Eden blinked when he noticed the lovesick smile on Ivy's face. "Ivy?"

Ivy blinked as he covered his mouth to clear his throat. Sol turned away from Ivy, his shoulders were shaking and he was covering his mouth. Ivy glared at him before looking back at Eden. "Anyway. I gathered a lot of information about you. From your grades in the academy, grades from your tutors, your rankings among the knights, and finally your magical element, level, and classes."

Eden's eyes twitched at the young man before him. " Do you have too much time on your hands?"

Ivy hummed. "No. I do other things." He hummed as he closed his eyes. "I have so much to do I could barely sleep."

'Great. He's an insomniac.' Eden thought as he inwardly sighs.

Sol frowned at Ivy. "I thought someone was making you sleep."

Ivy shrugged his shoulders. "They quit." Sol shook his head while Eden looked at the other man oddly. "They said something about me being too much."

Sol sighed. "Another one who can't take you on."

Mother said that maybe having a wife will calm me down but I doubt it."Ivy said. He cleared his throat. He looked "Now back to the topic. You have very high magical levels, great swordsmanship, great leadership, and you have the class requirements to be a shadow."

"Why would you want me to be a Shadow?" Eden asked. "If it's because of Demi and Daisy."

"Demi and Daisy are part of the reason. You are the closest to them." Sol spoke up. Eden looked at Sol with narrowed eyes. "But we have other reasons too."

"Other reasons?" Eden asked the two men. Looking at them back and forth. "What other reasons?"

"Well, your skills for one. Sol told me that you're really strong and tough to beat." Ivy said with a smile. Eden could've sworn that the man had stars in his eyes. "Also this is a good chance for you to use that other class."

"My father told me I had no use for that class." Eden muttered.

"Your father is stuck in his ways. He's all about business but I could tell you more than that."

Eden blinked and nodded his head. "That's true. He only let me swordplay and become an acting commander due to image."

Ivy cocked his head at Eden. "Do you want to use it?" Ivy asked as he watched Eden. Eden blinked before nodding his head. Ivy smiled. "Then this is a good chance to use and improve it."

Eden blinked at Ivy. "What are the benefits?" Sol and Ivy smiled at him. Eden sighed. ' Why do these guys remind me of Demi and Daisy?'

"Travel. You could travel to Elov and Valtis. Be it through assignments and missions. You'll mostly follow orders from your higher-ups." Sol said.

"Would this help my household?" Eden asked. Ivy blinked and nodded his head.

"Of course. It will bring more power to the House Of Sealen. You could improve your power and skills. Plus taking this position will also eliminate any debts that your family may have." Ivy said to him.

" I get paid for this?" Eden asked, which only made Sol and Ivy nod their heads.

"You're going into a job where there's possible death and working with royals. Not to mention the months it takes to train you." Sol said.

"Training? What kind of training?" Eden asked them.

Ivy thinks about it before saying. "I heard the training is extremely hard. It also really depends on the person too. Since some people take a year."

"I know Ten took three months in Valtis and three months in Elov." Sol said while he thinks about it.

"How old is Ten?" Eden asked Ivy and Sol.

"No clue." Sol and Ivy said in a deadpan tone. Eden blinked at them.

"We just know that he can't drink because he's underage. He might be some kind of monster but he's extremely loyal." Sol said with a frown.

Ivy nodded his head. " I'm extremely worried about him in fact."

Sol snorted. "And this is coming from the insomniac."

Ivy glared at Sol. "You talk like you're any better."

"What happens if I don't take the offer?" Eden asked them. Ivy and Sol looked at Eden which made Eden shift in his seat. "Well!"

"Then we act like this conversation never happened."Sol said with a shrug. "We really don't want to force you to be a shadow. Most of the people that are shadows aren't there willingly. Mostly because it's a family tradition, their parents want some kind of power, or they want to kill us. Only a decent amount are actually there because they want to be."

Eden frowned deeply as he closed his eyes. Ivy looked at him before saying. "We could give you time to think about it?"

"Will this affect my position as heir?" Eden asked.

Ivy shook his head. "No, not in a bad way. it'll probably improve your standing or most likely promote you if you do well."

Eden blinked before saying. "I'll do it."

Ivy looked at Eden oddly as Sol started laughing. Ivy chuckled before smiling at Eden. "That quick."

" The moment Sol told me about these Shadows, I was interested. Besides, it is better than being in the main house dealing with my father." Eden said with a deep frown. "I'm not sure what the plan with my mother or Mila is but I don't wanna be around them either. Plus this will benefit me in many ways."

"Demi and Daisy has nothing to do with your decision?" Sol asked with a smirk.

"Of course but I can't make this all about them. If I do, I'm pretty sure that they will kill you two." Eden said, which made Sol laugh nervously and Ivy shrugged his shoulders.

"Good point."Ivy said. He pulled out a piece of paper and pen then he showed it to Eden. "You just need to sign this. You'll have to come to the castle tomorrow for the other parts."

Eden took the pen and signed it. After he was finished he sighed before smiling.

"So. Beer." Sol asked.

"Not that much. We have a busy day tomorrow and you'll probably leave by tomorrow night." Ivy told Sol.

"I thought Sol is staying another week." Eden mentioned.

Ivy sighed and closed his eyes. "Due to recent developments, Sol has to go back home as soon as possible."

Eden narrowed his eyes as he slowly nodded his head. "Oh."

Ivy laughed. "Don't worry. You get a chance. It's for safety reasons after all."

"I know." he said with a sad smile. Sol had called over a barmaid and ordered three beers. Ivy went back to work. Eden swallowed heavily as a small sense of sadness washed over him. "I know."