Chapter 12 - The First Encounter

A subtle impermanence feeling of the spring breeze arises through the garden trees, the leaves shivering, all while the flowers begin to blossom into beautiful beings. Through the fountain that has a sculpture of an angel with water flowing through her hand, a familiar young boy sits on the bench near the fountain, holding a series of papers in his hand, all while concentrating deeply on nothing but the task on hand.

The short, wavy white hair. Delicate pale skin, and his left eye being hazel while his right eye being white. The young boy looks away from the paper in his hand and up into the sky while many white birds roam through the bright, blue sky as the clouds continue to pass through and shadow the sun.

"Eight years have passed now ever since the incident..."

The young boy closes his eyes, putting his hands down on the bench while he relaxes under the warm sunlight.

Ever since that day in the bedroom, no major incidents have happened in the mansion. The joyous days remained the same as I continued to receive the love of both my parents... and sister...

He opened his eyes once more, looking at the same blue sky.

At first, I must admit that I wasn't ready to have any new siblings. I can't forget how I lied to them, and I continue to grow afraid that the same mistake would commence all over again. Though it's true that I can finally express profound emotions, I still can't truly control them. I only know how to be happy and smile, be angry and show a scorned face, or be sad and cry. But that's really it...

Can these emotions truly be enough to avoid the same mistake as before?

But once again, those worries prove to be for naught. When Mother carried Seraphina in her arms and showed her to me for the first time. I could only see her bright smile shining in the room. The subtle emotion called happiness grew stronger, into what you call joy. A smile on my face only continued as I enjoyed the happy moments with people, I now call family.

I do not consider this moment a second chance to redeem myself. I could only hope that with these new emotions that I will continue to learn and hope to express these new feelings to them again. Even if that wish seems impossible... I truly wish for a moment like that to appear, even if I don't deserve that chance...

"Lys!"

I open my eyes and see the eight-year-old Seraphina running and calling me by the nickname she gave me. Long hair reaching her waist, ruby red eyes with pale white skin. Wearing a short, light-pink dress.

I smiled as I saw her running towards me until she stood in front of me with an excited look.

"Lys, Lys! I have something tell you!"

I tilt my head while trying to guess what is making her so excited. I put the paper that I had in my hand on the bench next to me.

I have come to realize that the personality of Seraphina right now... has deviated from the original version in the novel. As I recall, being neglected by the duke while Lysander continued to draw a line between them... She had no one to depend on. Because of that, she matured at an early age and developed a refined and independent personality.

But the Seraphina in front of me is just like any other children around her age. A child whose only worries are the things that make her happy.

"Calm down, Sera. What is making you excited?"

She sat in the other empty space next to me, looking at the sky before turning her head.

"The Imperial Prince is coming to visit today!"

I froze.

The Imperial Prince, the one who is destined to end up with Seraphina, and the one who is supposed to end my life... Sera looked at the sky again with a smile on her face.

"I wonder what type of person the prince is... They say that he is beautiful! His midnight blue hair with his sharp sapphire looking eyes. Not to mention that he is skilled with the sword."

She looked at me once again with a bright smile on her face.

"But no one is more beautiful than you, brother!"

I smiled at her compliment, then closed my eyes before I began to speak.

"... Do you like the prince?"

"Not really... I heard the other children's talk about him when I went to that tea party awhile back, and thought that he seems interesting, that's all."

Her immediate and stoic response baffled me. Though the prince's arrival is a few months earlier than what the novel described... I still need to confirm whether the romance between these two people will arise. If not, I will have to take some countermeasures to at least ensure ensure them with a positive image of each other to at least ensure friendly relations.

Their relationship, lovers or friends, will inevitably help with the serious issues that will soon arise based on the novel.

"... Then why are you excited that the prince is coming?"

She looks down on the ground and looks at her shoes. She closes her eyes and lets out a smile before talking.

"I feel like the prince would make a good friend for you, brother."

She looks at me with a tilted head. Her eyes showed a hint of intention behind the words that she uttered.

"Of course, it'll be nice if we could all be friends. But I feel like brother needs someone his own age to be friends with."

She stands up and stands right before me, her smiling intent still showing.

"You only know the people in this mansion, but what about those outside and around your age? Building connections is necessary, especially if you are to become the future grand duke."

She looked away with a condescending look while stroking her chin.

"Though... if he is someone who is going to take you away, then I won't let you become friends with him at all..."

Moments like this remind me of the original Seraphina that I read in the novel. Her intelligent and stoic mindset for the future yet caring of the people she truly cherishes. I continued to smile while letting out a breath. I stood up and patted her on the head, but that only made her pout.

"I'm no longer a kid, Lys!"

I continued to ruffle her hair with a small smile on my face.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Sera. I'll try and take your advice. Hopefully, the prince would want to be friends with us just like you said."

She puts both her hands on her back, smiling at my response.

"Okay!"

We begin to walk from the fountain to the garden. Diverse types of flowers are organized and growing into the bushes while the grass and trees are well taken care of and trimmed into wonderous forms and shapes. I wonder how Qadir manages to do all of this while doing the task that Father gives him and making time for Nilo...

That reminds me... It's been a while since I saw them.

I remember a time, around four years ago, when Qadir got severely injured doing a solo mission in the middle of a forest that is now banned from entry. He was going to survey the area since it was newly acquired land received from the emperor in "apologies" from the incident. But Qadir was suddenly ambushed by a swarm of monsters from this world. I haven't inquired about the types of monsters that reside in these lands since I'm prohibited from learning about them, but they seem powerful if Qadir got injured because of them...

He tried to secretly sneak into the servant quarters to prevent people noticing his injuries and went to his room while trying to bandage himself up. Fortunately, I was able to sense him using mana and brought Priya with me to his room. Priya surprisingly began to scold him, saying that if he hesitated on treating his injuries, he would have become disabled or even died.

Shortly after, Priya notified my father about the situation. He also began to scold Qadir, saying how he should've retreated rather than to take care of the monster by himself. Nilo heard of the situation, and quickly finished his own assignment to see him. Tears rolled in his eyes as he saw how bandaged Qadir looked. Qadir tried to lighten the mood as he sat injured in his bed, but Nilo wasn't having it. He stayed by his side and took care of him while the injuries that were too severe to heal with magic recovered naturally.

Nila teased him about how his actions could mistake them as a couple. Surprisingly, he didn't deny it. Furthermore, he responded contently in front of everyone about how his partner is injured and wants to abstain himself from any missions until Qadir is fully healed. Everyone was surprised since he always wanted to hide their relationship for some reason. But this time, he embraced it. Their relationship was finally known to everyone officially.

I wonder how they are doing... love towards a significant other is still a fleeting emotion that I have yet to encounter. The love towards my family is genuine, but romantic love...

How would that feel like?

I chatted with Sera as we continued to walk along the stone path that connected into the corridor of the mansion. But my attention wanders elsewhere. From the moment I sense their aura, I tried to see how the scenario would turn out.

Footsteps echoed silently through the same corridor we were in.

A boy with midnight hair and sharp sapphire looking eyes and pale, but tanned, skin, beautiful just how Seraphina described him. Wearing formal attire for the visit as a brown hair guard with green eyes and tanned skin with a red imperial uniform following behind.

I stopped and looked at them uneasily. Once the boy and I made eye contact, he stopped walking, and stood around five meters away from me. Despite being the same age as him if I were to remember, he is much taller than me. Having more muscle and strength than someone with a small frame that can easily mistake people as a girl like me.

I admit, I do feel somewhat of a sense of insecurity because of that but it is partially my fault for rarely eating and exercising as I just focus on my readings.

A minute passed before he spoke.

"... I'm surprised. I thought that the duke only had one daughter. I didn't realize that he had another daughter."

I tilt my head in confusion. Though I'm used to the comments about my appearance, I couldn't help but point my finger towards myself and correct him.

"My apologies, but I must clarify that I, in fact, am a boy."

His face froze for a bit while showing a bewildered expression. Shortly after, he coughed for a bit and blushed embarrassedly as he looked towards the other way.

"Ahem. My apologies. I shouldn't have been too quick to judge..."

I let out a small smile out of instinct. It has become a habit of mine to smile in every conversation, for even if my emotions disappear once again, I'll at least remember how to truly smile.

"it's alright, no need to apologize."

He bows down slightly with his eyes closed and his head facing slightly to the ground. His right hand is placed on his chest while his left arm rests behind him.

"I forgot to introduce myself. Today I am here to discuss some personal matters with the duke."

He raises his head up and opens his eyes with a bright smile on his face.

"I am the first Imperial Prince, Augustus Rutherford."

He fixed his posture and stood up. I bowed down, Seraphina following on as she slightly raised her corset while also bowing down slightly.

"Greetings, your highness. Allow us to properly introduce ourselves."

I placed my right hand on my chest and expressed a pleasing smile on my face."

"I am Lysander Blakesty."

I shifted my gaze towards Seraphina as she began to formally introduce herself.

"Please to make your acquaintances, your highness. My name is Seraphina Blakesty."

After we finished introducing ourselves, the prince closed the distance between us and gently held both my hands with a bright smile.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance as well. Hopefully, you are willing to become friends with someone like me-"

Despite still not finishing his sentence, Seraphina shook the prince's hand away from mine. She forwards herself while gently pushing me back and creating a distance between me and the prince, as if protecting me. We both had a perplexed look on our faces as Seraphina continued to show an annoyed look.

The prince looked down at his open hands before closing them and putting them down in silence. After a few seconds, the prince laughs with his hand near his mouth with his eyes closed before wiping a subtle tear from his eyes.

"I see that you genuinely care about your brother, Lady Seraphina. My apologies for not considering your feelings. But... you should've used words rather than resorting to such things..."

Seraphina flinched at his words and glared at him before whispering something to me.

"... Lys, I don't know why... but the prince seems a little dangerous..."

I look at Seraphina worried expression and shifted my gaze towards him. His once closed eyes opened slowly before letting out a gentle smile.

"That reminds me..."

His gaze shifted from Seraphina to mine. A sharp gaze unbefitting of a child. Yet he still smiles with utmost confidence.

"I do recall that you are an exceptional mage who has reached the third ring. Considering that you have the Blessing of the Mana, you must be exceptionally strong..."

I fixed my posture and sharpened my gaze while showing a stoic expression. He begins to unbutton his right sleeve and soon shows his right forearm. He flexed it in front of me, and soon a shining mark resembling a long sword appeared and covered his forearm.

"Though is imperative to say as of now, I wish to show you both something..."

That symbol... so they have finally confirmed it. I took a step forward and straightened my posture, putting up a stoic expression that can't be read.

"That symbol... it symbolizes the Blessing of the Sword..."

He smiled at my response before buttoning up his long sleeve.

"Impressive, you figured it out at just a glance. Though it is still unofficially proclaimed, I was born with the Blessing of the Sword..."

He closes his eyes and soon opens them sorrowfully, but still having a gentle smile.

"... I get that you feel somewhat skeptical about me."

He looks towards Seraphina.

"Especially you, Lady Seraphina. But I hope that we can continue to get along."

I gently placed my hand on Seraphina's shoulder. She looked at me and sighed before bowing slightly to the ground.

"... My apologies, your highness. I will deeply reflect on my actions..."

He began to shake his head while crossing his arms.

"No need to make the mood so sour."

I quietly comforted Seraphina as she stepped backward and hid behind me. Their first encounter is filled with animosity. I looked towards the prince, who kept on looking at me without ever so blinking.

"... For what reason did you tell us this, if is meant to be a secret...?"

He contemplates for a bit before answering my question.

"I just felt like... I can trust you. Though we just met, I can see a resounding aura coming from you..."

He once again lets out a gentle smile.

I try to think about the meaning of those words. Just like the five gods that reside in this world, there are five blessing that gifted into the world when a time of crisis will soon engulf the world.

The Blessing of the Mana, The Blessing of the Sword, The Blessing of Light, The Blessing of Darkness, and The Blessing of the Spirits.

I recall that each blessing bestows each bearer a certain gift. Just like how the Blessing of the Mana allows me to see the flow of Mana with my eyes, the Blessing of the Sword allows one to see one's aura and true nature.

I already knew that he had the Blessing of the Sword. The blessing lay dormant within him all this years before the mark he just showed me appeared. If I calculate the timeframe, the mark should've appeared around two months ago as he reached the third ring and became one of the rare magic swordsmen who can use both aura and magic. It is impossible to learn magic and aura since both properties can't coexist in the human body, but a magic swordsman could achieve such a feat.

"Trust... can you really trust me?"

He began to walk towards me and then placed one of his hands on my shoulder. Seraphina continued staring at him with annoyance, but he seems to have gotten used to it.

"You have a gentle and soft aura coming out from you... I have seen countless people with auras that exposes the facade under their fake mask, but yours seems to flow freely while trying to avoid any shackles that can bind you... it feels warm..."

I widen my eyes at his words. Those are quite... comforting words for someone like me...

I couldn't help but let out a small smile. The prince soon smiled once again while still having my hands in my shoulder.

Seraphina, who stood behind Lysander, continued to witness the warm atmosphere being created while the two of them continued to smile at each other.

'I thought that the prince would be a good friend for Lys considering the rumors I hear about his kindness but isn't he just trying to win him over?!'

Just as Seraphina was about to separate them once again, the guard behind the prince soon coughed and grabbed the children's attention.

He showed a stoic face as he began to talk formally.

"Your Highness, it is close to the scheduled meeting with His Grace. I believe we should begin to move now."

The prince takes a deep breath before sighing while gently removing his hands from my shoulders. He looks at me once again with a smile.

"I'm sorry, but I should really meet with the duke. Do you mind if you can show us the way to the guest room?"

"I'll gladly show you the way."

I looked at Seraphina, who was still hiding behind me.

"Sera, do you mind notifying Father about the arrival of The Imperial Prince while I show them the way?"

"Why can't you ask one of the maids or butlers to show them the way?!"

I scratched my cheek at her responses. She has never acted quite immature like this before. I guess the appearance of the prince has something to do with it.

I smiled at her before bending down towards where our eyes align.

"Sera... there's no need to feel anxious. Didn't you say you wanted to be friends with his highness?"

She quickly shook her head.

"No! He's no friend if he's trying to take you away from me!"

"... huh?"

Before I could respond to what she said, I sensed another presence entering my range and hearing a subtle footstep in the corridor. Two people are walking towards us.

I looked up and saw mother and father walking towards us. Seraphina heard the footsteps and ran towards mother while she hugged her and buried herself in her dress.

"Mom!"

Mother seemed quite surprised and gently placed her hand on Seraphina's hair.

"Oh my, what's wrong Seraphina?"

Seraphina looked up with a sad expression with some tears on her face. Though those tears seem to be forced...

"Mom! I don't like the prince! He's trying to take Lys away from me!"

The prince looked surprised at her words. My father walked towards the prince and stood in front of him, his gaze showing a hint of annoyance towards him.

"Your Highness... Is there some sort of problem going on?"

He scratched his hair to try and avoid total confrontation with him, while also trying to look away from him. Our gaze interlocked once more, his eyes showing a sign of help.

"... Father, there's no need to worry. We were just discussing something, that's all."

He continued to stare at the prince before closing his eyes and sighing. He opened his eyes and crossed his arms while having a stoic expression.

"Your Highness, I guess you came all the way here for your personal request you mentioned in your letters, am I right...?"

The prince straightened his posture and showed a nervous expression.

"Yes... if the duke is willing to-"

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your personal request."

The prince flinched at his words, and his mouth began to quiver before responding.

"P-Please reconsider at least! I know I may not seem special in front of someone of your caliber, but at least give me a chance to prove myself!"

Father contemplates his words before strangely looking up and down at the prince.

"I have no intentions of taking in a disciple... that's all."

Father turned around and walked away towards where mother and Seraphina were at. He then slightly turned his head at the prince, who was still dismayed while looking down at the ground, gritting his teeth and fisting his hand.

"I believe that concludes today's schedule meeting. I'm sure you can show yourself out, right?"

The prince continued to look down while not responding. After a few seconds, he looked up with a determined face.

"Please! At least have a spar with me so I can show you my capabilities!"

My father flinched at his words and turn his head towards him slight confusion. Mother slightly covered her mouth with one of her hands while Seraphina continued to look at the prince with disdain. I slowly walked over to father and gently tugged at his cloth.

"Father... Can you give him a chance at least...?"

From the conversation presented in front of me, I can conclude what is going on. The prince wishes to be personally taught by my father. I looked at the prince and began to contemplate.

Just like how mages can finally cast magic when they reach the third rank, sword users can use aura when they reach the third rank.

Aura can be used similarly like magic. In exchange for mana, they can freely alter its shape, allow them to enhance their body during battle, or be physically manipulated to restrain or protect.

Seeing how the prince has reached the third rank, he wants to be taught how to properly use aura by my father, the strongest swordsman in the Empire. Contrary to his young age, he reached the eighth rank at twenty-two, a year before I was born.

Even after ten years have passed, at the age of thirty-three, he is still the most powerful swordsman in the Empire. Trying to attain the rings beyond the sixth rank becomes increasingly difficult, requiring perseverance, and being put into a situation near death. That is why father, who was able to achieve the eight rings, became an important asset to the empire.

The prince wants to be taught by the most powerful swordsman in the Empire. In the novel, the prince didn't have such opportunities after the duke closed himself from the death of the duchess.

But if the prince can get stronger under father's guidance, would he have the power to deal with the changes that might occur even after the original storyline is destroyed?

Yes, he needs to get stronger in the chance that Seraphina won't be there to help him when he's in trouble later, since personal relationship doesn't seem to be an option seeing their interactions just now.

I look up at father once more, his expressions showing a sign of confusion as to why I would ask him that.

"... It doesn't hurt trying to see if he truly is capable. From the looks of it, he already achieved the third ring."

Both my father and the prince flinched at my words with a surprised look on their face. It is not easy to gauge someone's power since mana is not visible to the naked eye, especially knowing how much ring they have. But it is quite possible with The Blessing of the Mana.

The prince looked at me as if he had questions about how I knew that. I just pointed at my white eyes, and surely enough he understood the meaning while slowly nodding.

My father looked at me and sighed once more.

"... As I said... I don't have any intentions of taking in a disciple..."

He looked towards the prince. The prince flinched once more as he met the gaze of the duke.

"Though, I can teach you some techniques in response to my son's request."

He walked once more towards the prince and stood in front of him. Arms crossed, staring down on him despite being a member of the Imperial Family.

"I would've accepted automatically if it was by the order of Her Majesty, the empress. Why didn't you ask her?"

The prince continued to look directly into his eyes, trying to hide the nervousness of talking to him.

"What point is there to achieve more power if I continue to stay behind my mother's shadow?"

The duke strokes his chin before letting out a small smile.

"Interesting... Maybe I did misjudge you. Very well then, let's head out to the sparring ground."

The prince tilted his head as he questioned the intentions behind those words.

"What for?"

The duke let out a sinister looking smile.

"You said you wanted to spar with me, didn't you? I'll see how much you have honed your skills and decide what training you shall receive."

The cold sweat ran down the prince's face. This isn't going to be a simple spar from the looks of it.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

I sat on the bench near the training ground. Mother decided to take Seraphina inside since Seraphina was "crying". Though Seraphina continued to try and stay with us, my father convinced her that it would be safer to stay indoors. The guard the was behind the prince also stood near the bench.

A stack of wooden swords aligns in a handle with a few training dummies dispersed into different areas for individual training. In the middle, there is a large circular paved stone used for soldiers to spar against each other.

On one side near the edge of the paved stone, the prince wields a wooden sword while looking directly at the duke who is at the center of paved stone.

He places both his hands on the bottom of the hilt while the tip of the wooden sword stabbed right through the ground, standing quietly while balancing his hands on top of it.

His eyes that were closed soon opened while letting out a subtle smile.

"I will stand here and only deflect your attacks. If any of your attacks touch me or make me move from my positions, consider that a win for you. But if I can withstand your attacks for ten minutes, then it is considered my win. Is that alright for you?"

The prince positions his sword in front of him, gripping the handle while having a determined look in his eyes.

"Yes, I am fine with that."

"Then, you can begin whenever you are ready. Lysander, make sure to tell us when time is up."

I nodded my head.

The prince closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A golden aura begins to cover him and the wooden sword. He opened his eyes. Before I knew it, he dashed and was already in front of father.

That speed... in terms of short dance travel, it can beat my teleportation...

He strikes horizontally, but my father immediately deflected it and pushed the prince away. Once the prince reached the ground, he immediately dashed again towards father's side and tried to strike him. Once again, my father continued to counter the attack.

The prince continued to disappear instantaneously and reappeared while striking down at my father. Despite the onslaught, he continued to easily deflect and predict where the prince is going to appear while not using aura at all.

Seven minutes have passed.

My father looked at the prince in front of him as their swords clashed.

"Not bad. It seems I have severely underestimated you."

The prince smiled at his response.

"You haven't seen anything yet!"

The prince backed away from him and placed the sword vertically in front of him while closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, his aura grew stronger and fiercer as it began to manifest itself while blowing away the wind around him and blowing his hair upwards.

Leaves began to deorbit from their natural gliding path. I could feel my hair brushing up against the unstable wind. My father continued to look at him with a smile on his face, preparing to take the attack head on.

Soon enough, the prince opened his eyes and dashed towards him with his golden aura. A trickle of golden lightning began to surround him. He soon dashed towards him once more, much faster than before.

Once their sword clashed, dust began to cover the surroundings. I immediately put forward a mana shield to protect me from the dust and tried to see what happened.

Their swords clashed against one another, my father being able to block the attack while the prince's face is filled with a hint of surprise and admiration of the person hailed as the strongest swordsmen in the empire.

Father parried the sword, causing the prince to back down with his sword still positioned in his hand, but shortly after his knee shook as he started to lose balance.

"Your Highness!"

The worried guard ran towards where the prince was.

My father put his sword down. He looks towards the worried guard who tried to help the prince stand up.

"Can you go towards the estate and notify the maids to bring The Head Priest named Priya to come and heal the prince?"

The guard looked at the duke and nodded before bowing down to the prince.

"I'll quickly return, Your Highness."

The prince nodded as he continued to try and balance himself with the sword. The guard ran towards the estate, and my father sighed once he was out of sight.

"... Quite reckless of you to try and use magic when you still can't control aura correctly."

The prince chuckled at his response. I stood up and got close to the sparring ground where they were and looked at my father.

"Ten minutes has passed, father."

He nodded before looking at the prince again, who was trying to balance himself up with the sword.

"You have truly exceeded my expectations... I'll notify the empress about this and acquire her approval to teach you personally."

He chuckles before raising his head and looking at him with a smile.

"Does that mean you accept me as a disciple...?"

The duke looked the other way.

"You'll have to prove yourself if you truly want to be my disciple. For now, I shall just teach you the way of the sword."

"I see..."

The prince almost fell to the floor, but I quickly grabbed him and placed his arms around my shoulder.

He looks at me while his face is covered with dirt and some injuries.

"Thank you... I owe you one."

I smiled at his response.

"No need to thank me. Just doing what any other person would do."

He lightly chuckles at my response.

"I wish... every people were kind as you..."

The duke sighed before walking towards us.

"Lysander, can you stay with the prince until the guard returns with Priya? I wish I could stay since I am the cause of the injury, but I have to immediately take care of some affairs, alongside the letter to the empress."

I nodded.

"Don't worry father, I will stay here with him."

He smiles before patting me on the head.

"Thank you, Lysander."

I smiled.

"No need to worry. You can count on me."

He nodded before leaving me with the prince. The prince soon took a deep breath before being able to stand up properly and stretched his back.

"Be careful, you are still injured."

He looked at me and smiled.

"Thank you for your worries. I'm still able to at least move my body, so you don't have to carry me and tire yourself up. "

"I see... Just don't overexert yourself."

He smiled brightly.

"You are truly a kind person, aren't you."

I flinched at his words. A kind person... I truly wish to become a kind person...

I look down at the floor a little sorrowfully. After a few moments, the prince squatted in front of me to where I saw him.

"Your aura changed. Are you perhaps sad?"

He thought for a bit before looking directly at my eyes.

"Don't be sad..."

He then smiled again.

"I'm not confident when it comes to comforting people... But I know that there is no reason to feel sad for being a kind person. I may not know what happened, but I prefer your smile alongside your warm aura..."

He closed his eyes and smiled more brightly.

"You truly are a kind person if you care about my wellbeing even though we just met."

His words lingered in my head. I squatted down and looked at him with a smile on my face.

"... It was my first time being called a kind person by someone else... I always thought that my kindness seemed superficial in the eyes of others..."

"There's no need to think like that. If the kindness you wish to show comes from the bottom of your heart, then even its others call it superficial. In your heart, it is undeniably true."

He smiled once again while looking at me. The sunlight highlights and contrasts his midnight hair, his sharp-sapphire eyes looking at me with gentleness and kindness. His smile towards me isn't forced to try and pity me, but to comfort me.

I couldn't help but let out a bright smile just like his.

"Thank you..."

In the eyes of the prince, the young boy smiling in front of him mesmerized him. The white hair and pale skin resembling winter, but his eyes and expression give off a warm, subtle feeling than that of coldness of winter. Under the same sun that began to set, turning the sunlight in a deep shade of orange, the boy in front of him named Lysander is the embodiment of warmness and kindness, just like the setting sun.

The prince once again smiled at him.

"If you're thankful, then do you want to become friends with me, Lys?"

Lysander face continued to smile.

"I'm happy to be your friend, August."

In the moments when the boys decided to call each other by a set of new and meaningful nicknames, the young and lonely boy finally made his first friend.