chapter 20

(Alexander POV)

Eyeing the man over me, I couldn't help but feel chills down my spine.

He was tall and thin, handsome with a goatee . His eyes lined with kohl were like a hawk, he wore a dark purple thaub with a matching keffiyeh.

This fucking jerk

"Prince Alexander, a pleasure to meet you." he says, his voice like a snake waiting to devour its prey.

Usually, I would put a nice front but frankly I'm too upset to even play. I have a inkling this man was the one behind the whole engagement.

"yes. 'Nice' to meet you too, I would talk to you more but I need to see to something else right now. My apologies." I said as Alfred and I walked past him. Until finally were we out of hearing range did I finally tell Alfred my theory.

(3rd POV)

"Alfred , is it possible that he might be the one behind it" asked Alexander as he looked at Alfred, eyes dead and fierce. 

Alfred  knew his master enough to know that this was one of those days, he couldn't help but feel a slight nostalgia as he thought of this though. His chest hurting, it made him felt like he hadn't accomplished his duty.

"I will investigate further your highness." bowed Alfred as he handed Alexander a cup of tea to calm down.

Hoping to brighten up the young master, he smiled before suggesting that they accompany Reius and William to the local town. It was supposed to be a secret but word had slipped through to Alfred and of course, he had to tell Alexander this.

(Timeskip)

"Okay, so how are we getting out of the palace?" asked Alexander as he asked Reius.

They were dressed in common clothes and aside from some amount of jewellery, they actually looked pretty good.

"Don't worry my tiger has that covered." With that Reius whistled and suddenly a loud scream could be heard from the entrance.

"Let's go."

The day spent was strangely great, so much that Alexander nearly forgot about his anger.

 Until....

(Alexander POV)

We were simply walking around town looking over the goods to see if they were or in my case valuable souvenirs. It was good thing I guess, after all it would benefit trade between Arborea and Scarabia and not only that I would be able to learn as part of being future king.

Killing two birds with one stone

"HEY GUYS, LOOK AT THIS!" exclaimed William as he looked over a set of novels. 

"I never knew you were interested in novels." I said as I looked over a cover.

He laughs a little before smiling, " I mean I spend some time reading in the library so you could say I'm a bookworm."

At this, Reius decided to buy the whole selection thankfully we managed to convince him not to.

"Are you crazy? How much money do you have?"

"I don't Know, I've never really checked but I do know that my limit is up to....10 houses?"

10 houses, if that so then if it equals to Arborean currency, it would be equals to...

My brain at that started to overwork itself as I hurriedly calculated and the result was shocking.

"Hey, Alexander are you okay?" asked William as he looked at me worried.

"Yes! Why wouldn't I?" I replied. It was a lie, this prince was a mega millionaire! It shouldn't have been surprising since Scarabia excels in oil trade  being one of the few manufacturers but to think to have at least $xxx,xxx,xxx,xxx.

"STOP!  THIEF!"

A light flash passed us before stumbling and hitting the ground.

It was a young beastia boy, his brown hair was choppy and a mess, his skin bruised and battered. Rags hung loosely on his body as he hugged a simple loaf of bread.

"Ow."

"COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!"

Quickly, William took the boy by the hand before using his robe to cover him. Dragging Reius and I to get closer till we were in a tight hug.

The shouting could be heard nearer till they stop. Sweating, I looked over my shoulder. There standing was a potly looking man, he was furious as he looked around before finally walking away continuing to search.

We  then move to a secluded alley before breaking apart after that. 

The boy had tears threatening to flow from his eyes as William uncovered him.

"Are you alright?" asked William as he wiped the tears from the boy's eyes.

The boy looks at us admiringly before breaking into another bout of tears, thanking us profusely.

"Say, did you steal?" I asked, every word being as careful as I could.

"Ya but I really had no choice! Because...because...Waaahhh!"

It took us a while before we finally calmed the boy down. His every bite into the bread, fast and hungry.

"Hey kid, slow down. Here, take this." digging through his pocket, Reius produced an apple. 

How did he get that

"Thank you, mister!"

"So why did you steal?"

"I'm sorry but it's because there's nothing to eat. My mama got sick so she can't help and my papa's not even with us so there's no food to eat." explained the child as he looked down, guilt ridden.

Shock and sadness. 

Those were the two things that struck us. 

'Beastia racial discrimination' a simple term, it applied to a lot of countries and even now not a lot of people are still accepting of them. This made me think of Alfred  but.....

Huh? Alfred...why.. him?

This struck me as odd, what exactly was I thinking just now?

In the end, the kid thank us gratefully before running away. We then settled on a roof in an abandoned building.

The scenery was nice, it compensated a lot for the lack of proper furnishing but it was comforting.

"Say what did you guys think of just now? You know, the beastia?" asked Reius as he stared aimlessly at the palace. From here, it looked like paradise, something one couldn't dream about.

"I'm not sure but If there's one thing I want to know is that I don't think that people should be treated like this. In the end, we'll all the same aren't we. Laughing, crying, being angry. Isn't that how everyone acts?" said William as he buried his head to his knees.

I didn't say anything. Maybe I was ashamed, or something.

"Alex. What do you think?" asked Reius 

"I don't know. Ashamed, I think. My country has already abolished discrimination but truthfully there's still a ton of people who still don't accept it, hiding behind their masks. Maybe, when I become king, I want to give them an opportunity to make a better life for them. The beastias."

"Spoken like a true king"

(Timeskip.Dream)

Where am I? 

How did I get here?

Surrounding me was a pitch black darkness, the scene like a chessboard. Roses and thorns spiralling down several large chess pieces. 

Standing before me was...me?

"Who are you!?" 

This had to be a dream, there was no way.

The me in front smiled before it slowly melted away to form.....Alfred?

He was wearing a white suit, his eyes dead as if all meaning of life had been sucked out. His hands raised with a glimmering sword in hand, ready to strike.

"To be killed one more time isn't that right...() after all it would be delightful to steal your name one more time wouldn't it!" 

what?! No! 

"NO!"

"Finally awake now?"

Standing by my side was Kevin and Alfred, each holding a single candlestick, shadows forming over their faces giving them an ominous look.

Panting, I asked, " What are you doing here?"

"We investigated. Turns out little advisor is the culprit."

That shook me awake. Smirking, I immediately got my red coat and hurriedly walked towards to meet that man. 

"Grand Advisor! Pleasure to meet you here, I have some questions for you!"

The grand advisor looked at me for a second before bowing, " Now what can I do for you, prince Alexander."

"Quit the act, we know you're the one who pressured the engagement. Why?" asked Kevin as anger filled his eyes

He smirks before finally letting the mask slide.

"Why? For the great father, of course. After all this is all for him and I can't let you three ruin my plans." 

Kevin then lunged for the man, gripping him by the collar of his robes, " What the hell did you do to Eira, you scumbag!"

William! what the hell happened?

"Simply sending her into a daze of course. Do not worry the little doll will wake up, probably!"

Anger suddenly filled me as I heard this. That villain did what!

However, before we could even act, a red magic circle formed beneath our feet.

"Like I said, I cannot let you ruin our plans. I hope you have a good time, good night!"

With that the circle dragged us into an empty abyss, a flurry of red blurring our vision. All we could hear was the cackling of that evil man as he sent us to the abyss.