Ghost

Every time he recalled yesterday's event, Ailen felt the hair on his nape stood, and chills ran down his spine. El— he's a ghost. He just talked with a ghost. Well, there are two possibilities. Either El learned some sort of a teleportation spell, or he's just a ghost, and Ailen started to hallucinate. The stress and pressure after waking up into this unknown world made the screws on his head loosened.

"Your Highness, you've been shivering since yesterday. Are you sure you're not ill?" Irma asked prudently as she refilled Ailen's empty cup of tea.

It's morning. He didn't get enough sleep because of his bizarre encounter with El and the young boy's words stuck inside his head. El must be a knowledgeable source. He blatantly expressed his thoughts regarding the people who were against him and not against him at all.

The Emperor, and perhaps the Duke family.

Ailen shook his head after heaving a sigh, thanking Irma before sipping on his tea. Meredith, who's standing beside Irma, gently elbowed her friend. Irma cleared her throat.

"Speaking of, Your Highness. I don't want to sound presumptuous, but—"

"I think we're close enough to speak whatever is in our mind freely,"

"Yes, well," Irma cleared her throat. Meredith stifled her giggles over Irma's rigid posture. "Meredith and I have noticed something,"

Ailen's heart skipped a beat. He whipped his head to Irma and Meredith with big eyes. "Noticed what?"

That he's acting like a completely different person? Too mature for a twelve-year-old? Was his cover blown? Did they use magic to see through his identity? But they said they don't have magic.

"Please calm down, Your Highness," Meredith gave a warm smile. "We simply noticed that the way you speak and the act was very mature. It's not a bad thing, we promise!" she quickly added as she saw Ailen's face contorted to fear. "We're worried, that's it. We're worried because since you woke up, you never complained whatsoever,"

"Ah," Ailen mumbled.

It's true that he never whined or cried since he woke up. He was not entirely acting like a normal twelve-year-old who lost his close mother or expressed how upset he was for his father to resented him for an unknown reason.

The only thing he's thinking about was his survival.

"It's not good for your health to bottle things up, Your Highness. We're not forcing you to share about your personal feelings because—well, we're mere maids and—"

"Irma," Ailen sighed.

Irma blushed, Meredith smiled brightly. "We're worried, Your Highness. Your health is important for all of us,"

Ailen smiled, putting the teacup on the saucer. "Thank you, Meredith, Irma. I appreciate your concerns. It's true that I'm a bit stressed— okay, I'm very stressed," the boy sighed. "But I realized that nothing would change if I cry and whine about my misfortune. The weights in my shoulder would disappear once I settle some things up, so don't worry,"

"The weights, you mean…"

"Yes," Ailen nodded.

Meredith and Irma knew about The Emperor who wanted Ailen dead. But they didn't know that there could be other enemies, or about his encounter with El.

He hoped he could meet El before meeting the Duke's family, though. Because of today's schedule, he'll have to meet with them. Meet with his replacement.

"You're ready to start your first classes this afternoon, Your Highness?" Meredith asked after a beat of silence, smiling happily.

Ailen groaned, reclined on the chair. "Ugh, I forgot I have to attend classes,"

"Ah, it's the first time I've seen you acting your age," Irma pointed out.

Ailen shot her a playful glare.