Chapter 13 - To Be a Friend

The chilly wind breeze flows once again as sound from two wooden swords is heard clashing against each other. A strike being parried and then counterattacking. 

A young man with ruffled, wavy black hair and deep brown eyes and skin holds one of the wooden swords as he has one hand behind his back to hold back against his opponent. He has a scar going horizontally through his nose. Wearing a black long-sleeved compression-like shirt with grey pants and black work boots. A small dagger banded on his right tight while two short blades are hung in his lower back just in case something were to happen. 

He stands in the middle of the sparring ground, while the other person backs away to the near edge of the sparring ground. Messy and ruffled midnight hair, sapphire eyes. Wearing a practical white long-sleeve button up for sparring against the other person. 

Just before tension arose between them once again as they thought about their next move. The young man shifts his gaze to the sun before looking down back at the boy in front of him.

"It is time to conclude today's training, Your Highness."

The young boy wipes the sweat off his forehead before taking a deep breath. "I guess that is true, sparring with you takes quite a toll on me." The young boy then walked towards the near bench before taking a seat and closing his eyes while putting both his hands on the bench. 

Soon enough, a white towel covers his eyes. The young boy flinches and takes it off before shifting his gaze towards the person who gave him that towel. His tired expression soon turned happy as he saw a white-haired boy seating next to him. 

"Thank you for the towel, Lys." As the young boy begins to wipe his sweat with the towel, the white-haired boy begins to look at him before shifting his gaze towards the young man. The young man soon walked towards them, and soon slightly bowed before the white-haired boy.

"It has been a while, Young Master."

The white-haired boy nods. "Indeed. How have you been, Nilo?"

Nilo contemplates before responding to the boy. "... It has been... quite eventful these past few days..." He looks at August before looking back at me. "I have been assigned to be His Highness sparring partner since His Grace has been busy with some domestic affairs."

It has been a month since my father agreed to be August's teacher. Every day they would exercise in the morning and spar late at noon until it became dark. The Empress allowed August to stay with us, so I practically see him every day. Even when I'm cooped inside the library, he would often visit me while talking to me about topics he found interesting. 

I'm not the best when it comes to creating small talk. I usually remain silent but listen attentively. Little by little, we began to get closer. Even now, for some reason, I just felt like seeing him train, and brought a towel just in case he needed it. 

I continued to look at Nilo, his demeanor shows a slight show of worries. 

"... Is there something worrying you, Nilo...?"

He flinches before looking away and scratching his cheek awkwardly. "... It's just that... Qadir has been sent on a Solo mission..."

"Ah... It has been a while since he went on a solo mission, especially since the last incident that happened..."

He scratches his head while closing his eyes with a worrisome face. "True... I can't help but be worried. He insisted on going on this mission. With his persistence, His Grace hesitantly allowed him..."

I felt a slight nudge on my forearm and saw August's elbow nudging me. His face showed a slight hint of curiosity about the topic we were discussing just now. 

He tilts his head, and his eyes continue to shift between me and Nilo. "Who are you attentively talking about...?"

Nilo closes his eyes with a bashful expression, slowly looking away before covering his mouth. "... Qadir is my... partner..."

August showed a wowed expression before closing his eyes with a smile and doing a single clap in front of him. "That's unexpected. You only mentioned that you had a twin sister before. I didn't expect that you would have a partner." He opens his eyes and leans forward while still sitting on the bench. He shows a delighted smile while he looks at Nilo. "Is nice to know more things about you, and I hope that your worries get resolved soon..."

Nilo face freezes before letting out a subtle smile towards his response. "Your words are comforting... Your Highness. I hope that he is safe..."

Nilo closes his eyes and then looks at me. "By the way, Young Master. What brings you to the training grounds this morning?"

I tilted my head and began to contemplate while rubbing my chin. I look at August, who stares at me with a happy smile as he waits to listen to my answer. "... I just felt like seeing August train..."

August face turned delighted as he got closer to me while grabbing both my hands. "Really? You came just to find me?"

Though it is true I did want to see him, there was no need to. We could've met later like always, but it always felt like he came to me. I guess I just felt like being the one to look for him and initiate the conversation like any normal friend would.

"... Is true. I just wanted to see what you were up to."

He smiles brightly before letting go of my hand and placing them behind his back. "Then it's a good thing that I just finished my training for the morning. Do you wish to grab a cup of tea while we talk like always then, Lys?"

I looked at August and stayed silent for a bit. "... If you want, we can hang out in the garden..."

August face tilts his head with a small smile. He grabs my hand, and we begin to walk towards the garden's direction but still looking directly at me with a joyous smile. "Then let us go! This is the first time you told me where you want to hang out."

A few rose petals began to drift in the air current as I saw August with his bright smile looking at me. I couldn't help but smile back at him. 

"Yes, let us go then."

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The garden filled with blooming roses as spring ends into fall. The air feels a bit windier and colder, but I prefer such weather to the constant heat from the summer seasons that makes you sweat. 

We lay near an empty lot in the garden and began to converse with each other about many subjects. Occasionally changing our subjects to the different shapes of the clouds or the type of birds that flew across the sky. 

August closes his eyes, letting the warm sunlight from the sun ray on him to counteract the chilly weather. "... Maybe is because you're always at the library, but you always seem to know everything, Lys."

I shifted my gaze from the sky to August, who continued to lie on the ground while both of his arms were over his shoulder. He opened his eyes then looked at me, our gaze interlocking. 

"I recall you saying that you already learned all your formal education. When did you finished them again?"

I stayed silent before answering. "...By the age of four."

He shows a surprised and awed expression towards my answer. "Impressive! I only managed to finish everything until I was eight so I can focus more on my swordsmanship..."

All noble children are expected to commence their formal education once they become of age six to seven. The education provided stems from advanced mathematics, history, moral ethnical values and behavior, selections of classical dancing and instrument lessons, reading and writing comprehension, analytical and business thinking, and primary introduction on the concept of Mana or Swordsmanship. 

There are more things to be learned, but those concepts are to be learned in an academy. Different selection of school all throughout, and provided, by the Empire give a more robust understanding of more difficult concepts. Learning and wielding magic, aura, horse or beast riding, and more things. 

Ever since the incident where I learned mana at an early age, my father enforced a prohibition to Veda about which books I can read or not. Most of the books locked away are subjects I'll soon learn when I enter the academy. 

There are sixty academies in the Izora Empire, the empire I currently reside in. Each is ranked according to how well their teachings progress the students for the four years they reside and learn. Of course, the number one academy is the one residing in the capital city of the Izora Empire, Kanta, where the Imperial palace is located at: Lusia Academy. Just like its name, only the brightest that will light up and change the world may attend. Not limited to nobles, even people of lesser classes can freely join without tuition problems. 

August continued to stare at me, waiting for my response as I continued to remember all the knowledge. It has become a habit to remember and say everything about this world for some reason... 

I let out a subtle smile. 

"That is still impressive, you started your study at the age of six, no? Just shortening your studies that will normally last four years, or till the age of ten, by one is a grand feat. But you managed to learn everything in two years."

Once he heard my answer, he went on from lying on his back to laying on his side while looking at me with a gentle smile on his face. He continued to stare at me until he closed his eyes while still showing a bright smile.

"Maybe so, but that just means that you're more amazing than me if you began your studies earlier on."

I let out a chuckle, before looking at the sky with the moving clouds and flocking birds. 

"... It's not impressive... on the contrary, is quite abnormal..."

Everything that I do... is always abnormal... I still wish to believe that I can live a normal life, but everything is hindered by my emotionless and rigid personality that only depends on my intelligence...

I could only continue to look at the sky above me. Seeing the white birds fly through the sky as freely as they ever wanted... How would it feel to be free just like them? How would it feel to not have to worry about the minuscule details that trouble me?

How would it feel to be a true human being?

As I continue to look at the sky, a warm sensation fills my open hand. I shifted my gaze and saw August holding and gently squeezing my hand as he looked at me with a warm gaze, he fondles and stares at my hand before looking at my eyes once more.

"... Do not condemn yourself..."

He then interlocked his fingers with mine. 

"I always wonder why you feel sad when it comes to such topics... but nevertheless, you don't have to worry about the opinions of others that wish to bring you down. Only worry about those who genuinely care about you. Know how special you are to them."

Ah... his words once again make me feel some sort of foreign feeling... It's the same as when I feel happy, but also a mixture of when I feel sad... 

Is this what you call... comfort?

As I continued to look directly at his eyes, I could only smile at his comforting words. "Thank you... August. You truly know how to comfort someone..."

He smiles brightly while closing his eyes. "Of course. I don't wish to see one of my friends sad."

Being able to comfort someone with words easily. Truly... this is the one of the traits that surrounds the male protagonist, Augustus Rutherford. 

In the novel, Ways of the Mystics. The story follows in the eyes of Augustus, the main character, through his journey to becoming a worthy king for the Empire while bringing down the corruption that wishes to bring him down. Seraphina accompanies him as they fall in love. With a sword in his hand, not even the beasts that accompany this world would be a threat to him. 

I know the character Augustus from the novel, even more so than what the current Augustus knows about himself now...

'Hmm... Hearing myself say that out loud... feels quite creepy.'

I slowly closed my eyes. We both went silent as we continued to enjoy this fleeting moment of peace. The chilly wind breezing through the leaves of the trees and going against our skin. But despite it being chilly, I could only feel the warmth of August as we continued to interlock our hands together. 

A long time may have passed, but for some reason it only felt like a moment. I soon felt a slight poke on my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes and turned my head to the side. I saw Sera squatting down while she still had her finger on my cheek, showing a gentle smile on her face as she saw the situation in front of her. Further in the back I saw a familiar figure.

Her wavy brown hair that was once messy, is now carefully groomed and laced with precision as it reaches further down her back. Her once childish appearance now evolved into a more refined and sophisticated outlook. It was Mia.

I got up while still sitting on the ground. Seraphina closed her eyes while still having her gentle smile and got up and put both her hands behind her. 

Mia tilts her head with the same gentle smile. "Quite a sight to see..."

I let out a small chuckle. "It has been a while, Mia."

"It has surely been a long time, Young Master. Ever since His Grace shifted my position from being your personal maid to Lady Seraphina's, I have been unable to catch up with you. My apologies."

I shook my head. "It's alright. I believe that taking care of Seraphina is more eventful than being stuck with me."

She smiles warmly at my response. "Don't be like that, Young Master. My time that I have spent with you has been joyous." She then tilts her head and shifts her gaze behind me. 

I looked behind and saw August stretching his arms and back before looking at Sera and Mia. He then waves at them with a gentle smile. "Greetings, Sera and Mia."

Mia bows down slightly while Sera waves back at him. "Hello, August. You must've gotten really comfortable for you to two sleeps alongside each other like this in the open."

August chuckles awkwardly as he scratches his cheek. He then looks back at Seraphina with a bright smile. "I just felt very relaxed. I was also able to rest very well after the harsh training with Nilo."

Sera tilts her head with a hint of confusion and curiosity. "I see... You must have it rough then."

"Nothing that I can't handle!"

As I shift my gaze between the two people, their relationship has improved ever since their first encounter a month ago. They are on more friendly terms. 

I bring my knees towards me and lay my head on top of it in a huddled sitting position. I then look at Sera. "You two seem much closer now."

Sera and August froze for a moment before they began looking away from each other. Sera began to squirm her hands behind her back while trying to avoid my gaze. "We came into an... agreement of sorts. So, for now, there's no need for hostility..."

August began to scratch his hair as he also tried to avoid eye contact when I faced him, "Let's just say... that we have a common belief that we share..."

Agreement...? That seems strange. I looked towards Mia, but all she did was shake her head to show that she doesn't know anything about what they just said. But it is best to leave such things for the moment. 

Mia walks up close to Sera and gently places her hand on her shoulder while sightly leaning forward. "Forgive me for interrupting, but I must ensure that Lady Seraphina attends her afternoon classes. Hopefully, we can meet later to reminisce about the past."

I let out a subtle smile at her response. "Of course."

Mia and Sera began to walk towards the building, waving their hands goodbye towards us. Both me and August waved back. Shortly after, I looked up at the sky again while I placed both my hands on the floor while slightly leaning back. 

August continues to look at me with a neutral expression before speaking. "... Aren't you curious about what Sera was talking about...?"

I stayed silent, still looking at the blue sky in front of me while contemplating how to answer his question.

"... I am curious. But it is not something you have to say. Everyone holds secrets. I'm no exception. Is rude for me to say that I want to know your secret when I can't even tell you mine's..."

A moment of silence aroused before August stood up and gently dusted off his clothes. He then walked in front of me, the sun being covered by him and showing his gentle smile as he extended his hand towards me. 

"What you say is true. Everyone has a secret they wish to keep... even me..."

I look at him with a neutral expression. He shows a smile but behind his eyes, there lies a sorrow and troubled look. I gently reached out my hand towards him, he then helped me get up from the ground before he looked away for a moment. 

"I wish... I can tell you the things that trouble me..."

I looked at him for a moment before grabbing his hands just like how he normally would. He flinched as he looked at me again with a surprised expression. I look down at our interlocked hands as I fondle his warm hands, just like he did earlier before I close my eyes.

"You don't have to. But if you want to tell me your worries, then I'm willing to listen, just like you did for me."

The young boy's eyes widened. His thoughts filled with anxiety and worries. Despite harboring such negative feelings, once he looked at the white-haired boy in front of him. All those feelings began to vanish, even if it's just momentarily. The young boy smiles brightly once more.

"... Thank you, Lys. You don't know how much those words mean to me right now..."

But just before I was about to respond, a guard came up to us with an exasperated expression as he started gasping for air. 

"Y-Your Highness. I have some urgent news!"

August looks towards the guard as he gently let go of my hand. His relieved expression turned sour once more, his eyebrows frowning while his eyes are filled with worries once again.

Once the guard caught his breath, he looked up and immediately began to speak.

"The Empress has been poisoned!" 

Soon, August face distorted. His mortified face alongside his shaking hand... His mouth quivered before he tried to blurt the words out. "T-That's impossible... The Empress has been trained to have tolerance to all types of fatal poison..."

"It is true! The Chancellor sent out a letter, requesting that you return to the Palace immediately!"

August fists his hand before looking down at the ground. He then ran towards the estate. "Prepare the carriage now! I shall immediately inform the duke about the situation!"

"Y-Yes, Your Highness!"

August began running towards the estate, while the guard began to prepare the carriage just like August said to do.

I could only look at August run through the corridor into the estate. I slowly fist my hand as I look at the ground. Feeling an emotion I have yet to know... causing my heart to swell while worrying about the wellbeing of August and his mother.

How could I forget about such an important detail that belonged in the novel? How could I forget about an important event? I clearly remember the dates when such an incident occurred in the novel-

Wait...

How... could I... forget...?

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The sun begins to set. Both of my parents stand outside of the entrance of the estate, to where the open gates show a white, luxurious carriage waiting for someone. In front of the still carriage, August stands there motionless with his sword on his waist. Sera stands in front of mother where she clings to her cloth, showing a worried expression. 

Mother clenches her open hand near her heart, about to burst into tears about the situation that is happening in the Imperial Palace. Father takes a step forward and places his hand on August's shoulder.

He hesitates for a moment before speaking. "... Are you sure you want to go alone...?"

August stays motionless. "... Yes. You don't have to concern yourself about my wellbeing. It is true that the chances of it being a trap to lure me in is high... But that doesn't mean I can abandon my mother who is suffering..."

"I see." My father slowly took his hand away from his shoulder and stepped back from the boy. The doors to the carriage then open from the same guard that we saw earlier. He climbed the small steps from the carriage before entering inside. 

I don't know why... but I can't let him go alone... 

Despite only seeing his back, I could somehow feel the strong, negative emotions that were about to consume him. I don't wish to see him suffer, just like how the Novel mentioned... 

Seeing his mother die in her bed, all weakened and sick. Suffering from the effects of an unknown poison. 

I don't want that to happen. No. I can't let that happen!

I ran towards the carriage. My mother was surprised as she saw me run towards the carriage while my father reached out his hand to where I was at. 

"Lysander! Where are you going?!"

August, who heard the commotion, slowly turned his head around. I stretched out my hand. Trying to grab his hands once more. Once our gaze met, I grab August hands while panting for breath. 

"Please... Let me go with you!"

I'm not sure if this is a good idea. Even if it isn't, I don't care. I said to myself that I won't be following the same storyline just like in the Novel. I wish to keep that belief to myself. 

I don't wish for August to suffer. 

Once August fully comprehended the words that I uttered. His body began to tense, while his mouth quivered. "N-No! It's best if you stay here, Lys!" He looked away while his face showed an uneasy expression. He tried to remove my hand with his other hand. "I can't guarantee your safety if you come alongside me to the palace...."

His uneasy face turned more sorrowful as he continued to try and remove his hand. I grabbed both his hands and made him face me while our faces were close to each other. I can see the pain in his eyes, the sadness that lurked within them. His complexion doesn't seem the best. All the more reason for me to go with him...

"Please take me with you! I know is impotent for me to say, but I may be able save your mother if you take me with you!"

His whole-body shook, immediately after he placed both of his hands on my shoulder while showing a hopeful face. "Do you truly mean that?!"

But once I could respond, I heard a cough behind me. I looked back and saw my father staring seriously discontent with me. Behind him, I saw my mother and Sera with worried expressions. 

"Lysander... I hope you're not being serious about what you are saying..."

A shiver ran through my spine as he uttered those words. His eyes shimmered red, his presence alone overpowering us. August also felt that sensation and quickly took his hands off my shoulders and looked away with an uneasy and sorrowful expression. 

I fist my hand before looking towards my father with a serious look. "Please, father! Let me go with His Highness! With my knowledge, you must know that the chances to save The Empress will increase!"

His discontent turned into slight anger once he heard my response. "That is not something you can decide on, Lysander!"

"Why not?! Is it because you think I can't protect myself?"

"Yes! What if something happens to you once you get to the Imperial Palace? What if people with malicious intentions begin to pursue and hunt you down? Do you truly not care about the feelings from all of us?!"

I froze. I looked at my father. The angry expression on his face... It means just how worried he is about something bad happening to me... I look at mother, her worried and sad expression... Seraphina scared expression while she tries to hide herself in mother's dress...

I look down at the ground. Contemplating the choices presented to me. Shortly after, I took a deep breath and looked up at my father once more with a determined face. 

"I know you are worried. That mother is worried. Sera and even the rest of the people in the estate might be worried if something bad were to happen to me. But I wish to ask you, father... If I can't protect my friend from the danger that lurks once he gets to the palace..." I momentarily paused for a bit and looked at August. His demeanor looks quite rigid as he tries to avoid eye contact from everyone, thinking that this conflict is his fault. I gently grabbed his hand, causing him to flinch. I look at my father once more. 

"If I can't protect my only friend during this tough time. Then what right should I have to even be called his friend? I do not wish to enjoy myself here while I know that my friend is suffering. I refuse to leave him behind! I know that you might hate me for this, but I wish to go with August..."

A moment of silence passes by. August astounded and perplexed look as he stared from behind me soon turned into a subtle smile. Father begins to scratch his head with annoyance while mother and Sera continued to watch the situation unfold, with a hint of confusion, but relief, in their faces. 

Once father took a deep breath. He looked at me with a stoic expression. "... I don't know what to do with you... Honestly..." His gaze shifted to August as he glared at him for a second before looking back at me. "If that is what you wish... then so be it. But on the condition that Nilo accompanies you-."

It was out of instinct, but I immediately hugged my father after he said those words. His surprised expression soon showed a small smile as he let out a defeated sigh. He gently strokes my hair. "... Just make sure to stay safe..."

I looked up while still hugging him. "Yes! I promise!"

I immediately ran towards mother and Sera and hugged them both. "Mother, Sera... I'll be back!"

Mother's worried face soon turned relaxed as she let out a sigh. She slightly leaned forward, and then gently placed both of her hands in my cheek, slightly liftin my face up with a serious expression on her face. "... Just make sure to be safe... Don't put yourself in danger, I ask of you, Lysander...."

I let out a smile at her response. "Yes, mother. I promise!"

I hugged Sera one more time. Tears began to roll down her eyes while mother began to comfort her. I walked to where August was, his uneasy expression still lingering on his face as he saw the situation unfold. 

"... Do you really want to go with me...?"

I let out a bright smile. "Of course. As your friend... I should always be there for you during harsh times... Let me help you save your mother-." August suddenly hugged me as tears began to roll down his eyes.

"... Thank you... Lys... You truly don't know how your words comfort me right now..."

As I felt his tears roll down to my clothes, I hugged him back. I patted his back before pulling away and putting both my hands on his shoulders, letting out another bright smile from my face. 

"There's no need to cry... We still must go and save your mother."

He begins to wipe his tears before showing his usual bright smile.

"Yes! With you by my side, we will definitely save my mother!"