Where is the peace (22)

The rest of the boys were behaving on their best attitude, and each were treated differently based on that. Miran only watched at the side, he did not talk much and his attitude is not as good as them, resulting the servant and maid all showed a dislike toward them.

The quality of the food and clothes given to him was also changed, it getting worse day by day. Miran ignored it, but the boys would always go do something to taunt him.

Miran just gave them a glare whenever they did, but there was one time he snapped when his food was once again being ruined by them. He was eating, but they splashed stinky milk to him, splatter into his food, making them unable to be eaten.

Laughing at him, they walked away. Miran did not look up or stand to argue with them, he just clenched his spoon strongly that it was slight bend. He held in and wiped his face with a napkin, and then return to his room to wash up and change into another clothes.

Within a month, the boys aimed at him almost everyday all just because of that first day breakfast, all because they labeled him as the candidate that the king had taken a liking into.

There were days where they caused actual injuries. One if them put needles into Miran horse riding shoe, with the pressure of the moving horse, it was stabbed deep into his feet, causing so much pain and it even bleed.

Another where they capture him and tied him to a tree that was under direct sunlight, making him almost faint from the overheat, only to be released by Siran who were just passing by that area.

The other, his snack was dipped with light poison, it caused him to get a high fever for three days straight. Those were the most common one that they would do, and yet, every week there will be someone that gone missing.

He knew the reason why, but he acted as if he did not notice the numbers were reduced. He maintain his not caring attitude, did not show actual respect toward the king whenever they dine together, even ignoring the king, making the others feel gleeful on his soon to be misfortune all because of his attitude.

While he were behaving like this, sometimes Siran came by to check on him and it was just like the first day they are back at the castle, with him trying to persuade Miran to behave better in order to be selected by the king.

Miran shook his head and reply with a simple okay, he looked at the door and saw Klein waiting by with a steady posture, just calmly leaning at the wall, watching them.

This is not what he want and he don't need this feeling of familiarity when only he was close to Klein. It is useless and with how they talked before, just make him feel pretty sorry for himself.

----

Facing the king sitting on the throne, there were only two of them left.

Miran, who acted passive when he got bullied by the other, but rude and nonechalant when he was facing the king.

The other is a handsome blond haired boy, the one looked the most similar to the king, behaved with perfect etiquette and shows positive thought even when he were facing the king.

The minister this time were also in the hall with a serious face, guessing by how they looked upon the other boy with favorability, they would most likely choose that boy as the crown prince replacement.

Miran just ignored their whispering about how he had also been a lazy little brat as compared to that other candidate who would help the ministers with what little strength he had despite not having any actual power.

"Lunette." The king finally spoke, his face shows no other changes, but his tone sounded clear and also a bit unfriendly. "Everyone had discussed, the majority of them had voted for you, with a 70/30 ratio of that vote."

Closing the book he held open, he looked at Lunette, "The without further delay, come over for I to bestow the right to ascend this throne."

With a calm smile, that boy stood up and give a slight boy toward the king before he then walk until he was infront of the king. He stood up straight and waited for the king next word. "Honor to our king." He said with a happy smile.

Miran turn around and walk to the door, feeling that it finally ended and he could now leave this place, only to stop on his action of pushing open the door.

"Your majesty!! How could you?" The ministers sounded shocked as they become noisy.

"No! Quick, guards, call for the imperial doctor!" The panicked one order the soldier, only to see the guarding soldier just closed their eyes without moving an inch despite the order from the ministries.

"The last one is gone. Hah." The king sat back on his throne, "come here, Miran."

"No. I am leaving." Miran did not turn around, his left hand covers his nose as he frown with a slightly disgusted face.

"Who are you, despite being my son, dare to defy the king of a kingdom.? If not for I, the king, to marry your sick mother, how would you exist until this day?" The king spoke calmly.

With that que, the guards surround Miran with their sword pointing to his neck, intimidating Miran.

"Did I not treat you well enough?" The king ask with a cold tone. "As a heir, this is your sole responsible and no matter you will become my heir and ascend the throne as soon as you reached the age of 18"

"I would rather die than going in that throne." Miran calmly said as he looked up at the king. Behind the red curtain, he can see the silhouette of two people standing there. They seemed to be shaking, but they did not come out as if they were only spectating this.

"Go back to your room." The king ordered, and also ordered the guards to follow Miran until he enter the room.

It seemed that Miran will be held here as if he was a prisoner, he can guess that starting tomorrow on his movement will be restricted and every place will be people watching him.

Sighing, Miran did not fight back, he open the door and walk out, walking back to his own room with so many guards following him, making him frowned with discomfort.