In Dire Need Of A Friend

A month had passed uneventfully for most people but Rahey had spent his time carefully with the intention to be viewed in a new light. Time moved much too slowly at times but he had started helping out with any disputes in nearby towns, had offered up some advice to his father's financial advisor and was even exchanging letters with different retailers to help reduce the high prices the public were complaining about.

That incident was arguably the biggest step in his changed persona and it was a stroke of fortune that the dispute about prices reminded him of something he learned in history back in middle school. Rahey remembered finding the whole situation funny and thinking that the people of the time must have lacked common sense to not realize their money was being dwindled away by third parties but in his new world, he was thankful that nobody had noticed.

Ever since making such a grand wave, people started to look at him more charitably. While snooping around the house, he sometimes heard servants whispering about how he would definitely make a great future lord and how they were all relieved knowing that his father's only child was competent.

As pleasant as it was to be showered with praise and to have his plan roll out smoothly, he had been facing some notable interference. He had gotten news that his uncle was returning from his long overdue business trip and Curil was acting up around him going so far as to turn down his requests.

It was one thing to gather news through basic pleasantries and calm exchanges which was what he had been doing until then but the nobles didn't seem to like engaging with him despite being the main source of information he needed and Rahey was aware that he needed another stroke of fortune to happen quickly. 

***

Anice finally learned his name was Wren but knowing his name and being friends were completely different things. She usually cracked down even the toughest defenses after a month but he was too cold. 

Yet light shone even on such a cold person and one afternoon as they were sweeping leaves in their daily routine of maintaining the garden, Wren who was behaving restlessly finally spoke to her first.

"Azil isn't who you think he is."

Once again it was a statement which she couldn't ignore. Her first impulse was to fight back but she knew it was pointless to continue like that.

"Is he who you think he is?"

Wren paused, staring uncertainly at his feet. Anice saw a glimmer of hope in his confusion. "Why do you hate the young master?"

Wren frowned, his eyebrows furrowed and answered deliberately- "He's stupid, not fit to be a ruler."

"You said this before."

"I lost someone important to me because of him but he was too stupid to care or understand. He was ignorant." 

Anice's eyes widened. She felt her brain stop working for a second, in a daze at his straightforward answer. It was the first time he had said anything that sounded truthful since they met. If what he was saying was true and he seemed sure that it was then what could she say against it?

That night Anice struggled to sleep. She believed in the young master whole-heartedly even when they were no longer close. However, it had been ages since she had spoken to him as a friend or even felt touched by anyone's words. What Wren said was true to him and seeing his cloudy expression had resonated with her for a brief moment.

Could she really trust Azil? She got up, deciding she needed to clear her head. She walked around carelessly without paying attention to her direction when she noticed her route was familiar- she was going to Wren's room. 

"I did this everyday and now it's a habit." Anice muttered to herself, chuckling a little. She was tempted to knock on Wren's door and to ask him more. In fact, that was what she nearly did but then she heard low voices mumbling from nearby. It was unmistakable as Anice had extremely sharp ears. She knew at once who was talking and turning around the corner, she felt her heart drop at the familiar sight. 

"Finally...it's time. Don't disappoint me."

"I won't."

"That's right, you won't. The auction is our chance to take him down."

Wren clenched his fist, "Is that all?"

The minister frowned, directing a sharp glare at Wren. "Be patient. Do you think you know more than me just because of your experiences?"

"..." Wren's eyebrows were knit together again and Anice could tell he was biting his tongue. "No."

"Good then do as I say. This time Azil won't be able to get back up again."

Noticing that the minister was about to leave and Wren was going to head back, Anice quickly cut through the garden. She didn't know why she was in such a rush but she slipped through the darkness in a frenzy. Following a distant memory, she went from corridor to corridor with her mind ablaze.

She had heard rumours from her friends about an auction that was going to be held in three days. It was a highly important event with many significant people attending. In the past, Azil had never shown interest in it or done anything when he was forced to attend but he seemed to have changed in recent times. 

Anice found herself feeling a strange knot in her chest at his change but she could understand why. He had almost died after all so he must have changed in order to protect himself. 

The dimly lit corridor and the low flapping of moths reminded her of running through the corridor over a decade or so ago. Standing in front of the wooden door, she knocked while holding her breath.

Could this be her chance to fix everything?