Chapter 26

"The people have voted, and the victor for the first trial has been decided. The point belongs to…" the chief secretary read the name in the parchment and squeezed the words out of his teeth, "…His Highness Prince Zain Clementine."

Low murmurs buzzed in the throne hall, the nobles and ministers who weren't present during the banquet doubted the judgment. They didn't know what the criteria for the judgment entailed, but knowing the panels consisted of commoners, their credibility was well worth questioning.

Yet, those with keen eyes would notice the mismatched reaction between the two princes, standing in silence amidst the confusion.

Despite losing, the younger prince was entirely calm and composed. There was even a subtle tilt on his lips as if he did, in fact, win. On the other hand, the winner didn't have the smallest hint of a smile. Rather than triumph, his figure was shrouded with doubt and suspicion.

"As expected of Brother," Vesper congratulated. "I guess there is still a lot for me to learn about the common people."

"What are you planning?" Zain kept his head straight, not sparing him a glance.

"Planning? Does Brother think the northern star would allow any deceit in such a sacred trial? Everything is as it wills it." Vesper chuckled, a derisive glint flitted in his eyes. "I'm glad Brother is taking this seriously."

Zain suppressed his incense, his jaw clenched tight to stop himself from responding to the provocation. That was exactly what Vesper wanted, and he wouldn't give it to him.

The moment he showed any form of aggression towards him, history would only repeat itself. As much as he hated to admit it, Vesper hadn't yet lost his control over him. He could only fight him through himself.

"His Majesty will now announce the second trial." The chief secretary raised his voice over the buzz, pulling everyone's attention back to him.

The king stood up from his throne and stretched his palm towards his two sons. "The second trial will be held in two weeks. He who bears the light carries the blessing of the stars in his blood. The northern star favors those who bleed during the day and sweat during the night. Prepare yourself. Court dismissed."

As he left with his wife, Shen Yuan straightened from the wall and walked out of the hall through the side door. This second hint was pretty straightforward. He didn't need to commission the mercenaries for this one.

The time was just right for lunch, and he fetched Zain's meal from the kitchen. Not only the nobles and ministers, the news that Zain won the first trial also caused a commotion among the servants. Those who disliked him were particularly frustrated and in disbelief.

The first prince never even stepped a foot out of the palace. How could he win against his brother who dealt with state affairs every single day?

"Can you believe it? Prince Vesper lost? This is impossible!" Lemia slapped the island table in her agitation. "You know something, don't you, Sean? Spit it out!"

"I only serve Prince Zain his lunch. Why would you assume I do?" Shen Yuan picked up the tray. "The seniors who were on duty last night are talking about the banquet in the dining hall. Go join them if you want to know what happened."

"You should've told me sooner!" Lemia zoomed out of the kitchen, not hesitating to leave the mountain of dirty dishes from last night, yet to be cleaned.

Shen Yuan shook his head and headed out as well. Not only Lemia, other servants who hadn't gone to eat their lunch also kept stopping him in his tracks to ask how such a result was possible. He gave them the same answer.

Reaching the stairway that led straight to the third floor, the man of the hour was already waiting for him. Unlike usual, none of his retainers were by his side.

He lowered his head. "Good afternoon, Your Highness."

"Good afternoon, Sean. We meet again." Vesper rested his hands behind his back. "The clock has struck melodiously. I believe you are now available?"

"Indeed, I am." Shen Yuan straightened his head, their disingenuous smile almost a mimic of one another.

Vesper stopped a passing servant and had him take the tray of meals from Shen Yuan. It didn't need to be said to who it must be delivered. The servant could only swallow his bad luck and accepted the task.

Once he was gone, Shen Yuan followed Vesper towards the garden. They walked past the fountain and further to the north of the palace ground until they were surrounded by lush trees, lulling the wind with their mellow rustles. Clouds floated past, breaking the harshness of the afternoon sun and shaded the earth in their cool comfort.

"The weather is pleasant, isn't it?" Vesper broke the silence. "Perhaps the blue moon will appear tonight."

"I didn't think someone with achievements like Your Highness also looks forward to the blue moon." Shen Yuan tucked back his wind-blown hair that kept getting to his face. "Is there something Your Highness must wish to such an existence to obtain?"

"No, but it doesn't mean I can't appreciate its beauty."

A hand combed through the side of Shen Yuan's hair and a firm clip rested on his head in its leave, holding his locks in place. He traced it with his finger to recognize its shape and raised his eyes to find the golden laurel was indeed gone from Vesper's hair.

He felt a little helpless. "I believe this isn't something that should be willfully lent."

Vesper sifted his fingers through the soft black hair, pleased by the contrast it brought to the laurel. Like a star finding its way to the darkest night. "Whether I lend something of mine is fully to my will."

"Your Highness will get scolded."

"Let's see who would dare."

The path soon opened to a clearing that led to the small pond. 6 men in black uniforms and lace blindfolds stood guard around the area. Shen Yuan figured these people were Vesper's real private guards. Harold was only for his amusement.

They crossed the wooden deck towards the gazebo built above the water where Vesper's lunch was long prepared on the table. As Vesper took his seat, Shen Yuan poured him his drink and asked. "Why does Your Highness have them cover their eyes?"

"They don't have one. A testament to their devotion. They use magic to navigate around," Vesper answered, not hiding his watchful eyes at Shen Yuan's reaction.

Shen Yuan didn't feel anything in particular and didn't have much of a reaction. Still, he was curious. "Why eyes? They're rather functional."

Vesper chuckled as he reclined on his seat. He didn't retract his gaze from his fascinating company, but it no longer held any scrutiny. Only relish. "What would you take then, if you were to choose?"

"Tongue? It's more of a liability than eyes."

"Then, imagine you have two witnesses testifying against each other." Vesper held up two fingers, one on each hand. "One is mute and the other is blind. Which one do you think holds more credibility?"

"The mute." Shen Yuan mulled over it and nodded in understanding. "I get it now. Perhaps, I should keep this in mind."

"Well, but if they already look what they shouldn't have, it's indeed better to make them not be able to talk. Or write."

"Or breathe." Shen Yuan completed Vesper's words, earning himself a mirthful laugh.

"Exactly. You never know what kind of magic is out there. And since we're on the topic…"

Vesper raised his hand with his palm facing up. With a flick of his wrist, a mass of crystal as big as a boulder shot up from under the pond and hovered above the surface, meters away from the gazebo.

The clear crystal was half filled with water and inside it, a familiar man in a soaked knight uniform sloshed around in a frenzy. His face was bluish pale and his lips had darkened into a cold purple. Seeing Vesper lit hope in his eyes, and he knocked on the crystal with frantic tears. His lips seemed to form words, but no sound escaped the airtight chamber.

"Pft–!" Shen Yuan covered his mouth to suppress his laughter, but when Vesper started spinning the ball around and tossing Harold left and right like a wet rag, he lost it and burst out laughing.

Vesper couldn't help but be infected by the unbridled glee and let out a few laughs himself. "It seems you're not that hard to please after all."

"It's Your Highness's humor that is too formidable." Shen Yuan wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes. He laughed so much that it turned into hacks and had to take a moment to breathe. "Oh, god. I never laughed this hard."

"…Drink."

Shen Yuan used the spare glass to pour himself water and drank several mouthfuls until he calmed down. Still, small spurts of laughter kept slipping out the moment his eyes fell on the ball again.

Vesper ate his lunch as he waited for Shen Yuan to get used to it, inwardly proud of his work. He was conflicted between drowning, humiliating, or straightforwardly cutting off the dog's tongue, but it seemed like he picked the correct choice.

But if Shen Yuan wasn't satisfied, of course, the other two options were still open.