I can’t compare you to anyone

"Oh, Blair! My dear son, come here."

"Mother, I told you to call him 'Crown Prince Blair'."

"But… But Blair is my son, too, right?"

"It doesn't matter. Queen Consort Catalina can call me anything." Blair smiled gently at Catalina, then kissed the back of her hand. "Sorry for just getting around to visiting again."

Catalina's eyes flashed with pleasure. Even though she was old, her hand still felt soft on Blair's face. He enjoyed the warmth she gave him. "I know you must be very busy with your studies. Did the academy give you a special day off today? How about your sword practice? I hope you weren't hurt…."

Blair and Aeneas exchange glances. Aeneas gave him a look, "Just answer that you're okay."

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. You don't need to worry. I'm a big boy," Blair replied later.

"Oh, my son Blair. For me forever, you are my little angel. I made chocolate chip cookies this morning. You wanna taste it a little?"

Blair winced at that but couldn't help it either.

This is why Aeneas was almost cooped up in the Queen Consort's Palace all day. Catalina's mind is trapped in Blair and Aeneas' teenage years due to a terrible incident. Since the incident, Catalina refuses to accept the reality that made her go mad.

Catalina treats Blair and Aeneas like children. For Blair, it's not a problem for Blair, even though sometimes it's a little troublesome. But for Aeneas, it is very troubling. Catalina is very protective of Aeneas, who is her biological child. She is determined to protect her "little angel" so Aeneas cannot leave her sight for a moment.

Aeneas has to coax Catalina all day if he wants to go out. Catalina would be hysterical if Aeneas left without saying goodbye or suddenly disappeared. One time, Aeneas urgently had to go with Blair on royal business. That day Catalina ravaged her palace and cried all day until she fainted from exhaustion. Aeneas, who knew about it, also cried that day.

That's why Aeneas couldn't have gone on a date with Selah, Blair thought.

"I want to play with Aeneas for a bit," Blair says after eating Catalina's chocolate chip cookies. Sweet and delicious as usual. "Can I?"

"Oh yes. Of course. You have to play to your heart's content. But don't get hurt, okay?" said Catalina.

Blair invites Aeneas to step aside. The two of them watched Catalina from a distance.

Beautiful blonde hair, gentle golden eyes… It's no wonder King Tristan wanted someone who charmed her so much.

"Did something happen to Father?" asked Aeneas.

"Not. That's not what I'm here for," Blair said slowly. He watched his half-brother intently, trying to find the lie in his eyes. "There is something… I want to tell you."

Aeneas awaits Blair with his usual smile. That serene smile often made Blair flinch.

"Lady Selah asked to break up with me," Blair said.

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. Why... could that be?"

No. Why is your reaction like that? thought Blair. "I don't know why either. Suddenly she said she wanted to break up."

"You agreed?"

"No. How can I just decide?"

"Maybe you have something wrong with Lady Selah. She's a tough woman, right?" said Aeneas. "When you both broke up… You didn't say or do anything that hurt her, right?"

Blair remembered Selah's ear bleeding when he pulled on her earring. It's just a small wound for someone like Selah. "She will be fine."

"Brother…" Aeneas let out a long breath. "I don't know what has happened between you. But no matter how strong Lady Selah is, the slightest wound can still make her feel sick," he said.

"You don't understand how Lady Selah is, Aeneas. She was a woman who didn't even shed a tear at her mother's funeral."

"Why do you say that? Even though you always take good care of me, who is a man, to the point where I'm afraid I'll get hurt…."

Those words have always been a trigger for Blair. He subconsciously pins Aeneas against the wall and holds him roughly. Aeneas winced in pain. Looking across the garden where Catalina was joking with her maids woke Blair.

"Aeneas, you are… different. I can't compare you to anyone in this world. You are a prince, and it is only right for a prince not to get hurt," Blair hissed.

"Yes, alright. I understand, Brother. Sorry for my impudence," said Aeneas calmly.

Before Blair left, he took the time to ask, "Are… Queen Consort Catalina, or are you selling the Mermaid Tear Earring?"

"Mother is wearing it now," answered Aeneas confused. "Why?"

"No, nothing…"

This means that the Mermaid's Tears that Selah used were fake. Maybe Selah didn't notice.

Would Blair be able to pretend that his brother and his fiancee weren't playing behind his back?

***

He didn't even dare to ask until the end, Aeneas thought as he watched Blair leave.

"Keep believing in me, Brother," he muttered.

A soft and warm hand suddenly clasped Aeneas' hand. Catalina also saw Blair leave. She looked at Aeneas sadly this time.

"Did Blair's friends at the academy not treat him well? He looks sad," said Catalina.

"No, Mother," said Aeneas gently. "Crown Prince Blair is sad because he broke up with his lover."

"Oh!" Catalina looked shocked and sad at the same time. "I just heard about it. Poor Blair, but he's such a sweet and smart kid…."

Aeneas chuckled at that. He knelt in front of his mother then. "Mother, what if I have a lover?" he asked.

Azel, who was near them, immediately glanced at him.

"My little angel has started to like someone?"

"Yes."

"Then you should treat her well." Catalina strokes Aeneas' head. "Women like to be loved, so love her like I love you. Give her small gifts. Your bouquets are very nice now."

"I will do as Mother said." Aeneas kissed the back of Catalina's hand. "If I have time, I will bring her some time."

"Wow!" Catalina's golden eyes twinkled with pleasure. "I can't wait for it."