27. The Invitation

“Class, you're dismissed. Have a good weekend.”

Joseph looked down, grabbing his bag by the strap and pulling it closer when the boys stormed to the door like a herd of bison.

Professor Wagner approached him, gathering his belongings on the desk.

“Do you need any more help, Son?”

“Uh, well, I-”

“I’ll help him.”

The young doctor blushed at the sound of that familiar voice. He turned his head slowly and found Prince Tariq already standing right beside him.

*He's so big, yet so silent... I didn't even notice him coming closer.*

Tariq kept staring at him, right in the eyes.

Joseph scratched his head, turning towards the window to hide his reddening cheeks.

"If he wants me to, of course,” the prince added.

The doctor scratched his head harder, his face now burning. He hid a smile, both of shame and happiness.

Professor Wagner raised an eyebrow.

"Dr. Selden? Are you listening?"

"Oh!" Joseph rubbed his eyes, looking up, just a bit. “It's f-fine. He's m-my ch-charge for this p-period.”

"Ah! I see, I see. In that case, I'm sure you'll take a good care of him, Your Highness."

*Really? Do the two of you want me to die of embarrassment or what?*

"Have a good weekend, you two!" The man waved, already heading to the door.

Joseph clenched his fists, his head lowered again. He could see Tariq standing there out of the corner of his eye; he felt the prince’s eyes on him like a physical touch.

"Hey!"

The doctor looked up, staring at the prince, his expression now relaxed. He smiled, a flush of pink running across his cheeks and the top of his nose.

"Hey..."

Tariq leaned over him and grabbed his bag, throwing it over his shoulder.

Joseph raised his hands, his mouth and eyes opening in utter disbelief.

“Y-Your Highness, you don't have to-”

“I told you, don't call me ‘Your Highness’.”

It was the third time he had asked the doctor to not address him like that. But this time, he had a smile on his face. A carefree and child-like smile, as warm as his skin touched by the diffuse sunlight in the classroom.

***

They crossed the patio near the Fountain of the Archangels, whose waters kept falling heavily and hastily, completely oblivious to the white winter around them.

Tariq slowly walked side-by-side with Joseph, carrying his bag so Joseph could move at a comfortable pace.

*Surely even a snail would move faster than me...*

He glanced to the side, meeting the prince’s golden eyes.

A wave of warmth spread through his chest, making his heart beat faster and rising to his cheeks.

Joseph lowered his head, trying to hide his smile. He noticed the other boys' eyes on him, ready to ridicule him just like Honza had earlier in the classroom.

They all stayed silent, though. A gaze of contempt and wariness was imprinted on their faces as their eyes travelled from the disabled boy to the imposing monarch. The young doctor shook his head, his smile growing into a wide grin.

*It's funny how SUDDENLY, they have no interest in disturbing me...with Prince Tariq walking by my side.*

A part of him kept saying he was weak for having to hide in the shadow of another man, for being unable to impose respect on his own terms… However, another part of him was in a state of pure joy and celebration, his whole body burning in a heavenly fire.

*This is certainly the first time, in nearly six months of studying here, that someone other than Reverend Weber has shown me kindness.*

*And not only that, but it’s also the first time a teacher has treated me with dignity. I had barely exchanged more than three words with Professor Weber before he let me sit in his desk.*

*Now, one of the heirs of Bohemia has slowed his pace to accompany me, a simple, dishevelled foreign doctor – practically a mendicant – as I limp my way to the exit of the college.*

*And to think I was so rude to him that night...*

Joseph looked up at the prince.

"Thank you."

Tariq raised an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"For forgiving me, I suppose." The blonde boy shrugged, feeling too awkward to take the conversation any further.

*If I’m too bold with my thanks, I might scare him away again...*

An uneven patch in the stones near the canteen caught Joseph’s foot, nearly making him stumble to the ground.

"Ugh..." The doctor grimaced as he tried to regain his balance, putting more pressure on his broken hand that was holding the crutch. A quick, sharp pain shot through his arm, making him lose his balance again and stumble on the uneven stone floor with his injured foot.

"Hey! Are you alright?"

"Yes, it's nothing, I just..." Now Joseph could see some of the boys staring at him, holding their laughter in as they whispered to each other. "...It's nothing."

"You should sit down. There’s another canteen right there. I'll order you something," the prince said, gently taking the doctor to an area full of round, dark wood tables and flat benches.

Joseph's mouth fell open.

"Err... That’s not necessary, Your Grace! P-please!"

Tariq, nevertheless, was already pulling a bench out for him at the table closest to the canteen's counter where it was possible to see the whole menu while sitting.

"Would you kindly grace me with your company, Doctor Selden?" The prince stretched out his hand, bowing to the English boy.

The aforementioned boy kept looking from the bench to the prince, his cheeks as hot as a volcano ready to explode.

*If I don't sit down, I might collapse from embarrassment anyway.*

After Joseph took his place and laid his crutches under the table, the price took a seat as well, right in front of the other boy.

“What would you like, Doctor?”

"Eh...I think...I shall pass. I mean, I'm a bit short on funds, and-"

"There’s no need to worry about that, as I said."

"Y-Your Grace, I-"

"Choose whatever you want."

Joseph sighed. He hadn’t known the prince for very long, but he was on familiar enough terms with him to know he was stubborn, very stubborn, and right now, the young doctor didn't have enough strength to offer any opposition.

He stared at all the pastries and sweets showcased in the glass case and his stomach growled like a wolf in heat. His mouth watered when he spotted a chocolate cream pie, sprinkled with chopped nuts on top.

The prince let out a laugh. “You don't even need to tell me what you want..." he said, standing up and heading to the counter.

Joseph looked away, letting his head fall into his hands.

*I'm so bloody exhausted, and my foot is so irritated. Ugh... I just give up.*

He could see from afar that the iron gate was still collapsed, just like they last saw it in the middle of that night.

*Are they fools? What if the demon invades the campus again?*

Well...most likely the staff had no idea about the creature, or even that Svoboda had been kidnapped and rescued by two of their students.

The doctor had noticed that they seemed to be a little lax about the security of the walls because, first, all the residents were male - except for the two nurses, who went back to their homes after their shifts – and second, there were guards at the gates of the dormitory towers.

*Ugh... What am I supposed to do? What if that thing comes back?*

He felt his throat tighten, thanking all the gods that he hadn’t decided to use the university’s accommodations...

But the prince had. And Joseph remembered well when the monster had kept growling *“Schlanger... Schlanger boy...”*

"What are you staring at?"

Tariq was there, standing in front of him, setting a plate with a huge slice of that glorious chocolate pie and a fork down on the table.

"I need to go and wake Svoboda... To see if he's alright, and such,” the prince continued. “Could you wait here a minute? You can go ahead and eat."

*He and Svoboda seem to be friendly with each other… Or...is the prince just being polite?*

Joseph frowned.

*Is he just being polite to me, too?*

"I'll be right back."

"WAIT!"

The prince turned back, startled when he felt the doctor grasp the sleeve of his coat.

"Yes?"

"You... W-Where will you st-tay, for the weekend?"

"Uh..."Tariq looked around, his eyes shifting back and forth as if checking an invisible planner. "I need to meet my brother in Pilsen, but otherwise, I'll just stay here, I suppose."

"Stay at m-my h-home."

The prince’s eyes shot up.

"Are you sure?"

"Y-yes..."

*I know he’s strong, but...for some reason, I'm worried about him staying here with that creature around, possibly targetting him.*

The doctor fixed his eyes on the pie, its bright creamy consistency reflecting the sunlight. His heart felt as if it was about to burst out of his chest, blood rushing to his cheeks and staining them a dark pink.

He wouldn't admit it, but he felt a little left out when the prince mentioned Svoboda. Wasn't he already safe? And in any case, that pest always went back to his family's house for the weekends, as he lived in downtown St. Lukas… His family would take care of him.

*That asshole… I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s just pretending to be friendly to earn the prince’s favour.*

"I'll come, then. Thank you, doctor!"

"Oh..!"

Joseph nodded, failing to hold back his fascination as Tariq smiled. He picked up his fork and kept his head low to hide the ridiculous blush that covered his face as he grinned, both in panic and relief.

*Now to focus on the pie!*

*********

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