I’ll protect you

James approached closer, gazing directly at Sebastian's eyes. He softly but forcefully yanked the child into his arms without warning.

"There's a demon inside you," James whispered against his ear, "and I think… It's intriguing to me."

Sebastian gasped. Apart from the quick thumping in his ears, the globe appeared to grow quiet. He sensed it—his heart thudding like war drums. Then another voice from far within murmured:

Would you like someone to look after you?

Sebastian halted.

James rested a hand on his head. "Do you believe you can keep regulating your magic like this?" he whispered.

Sebastian's consciousness vanished then, as he was dragged into the dimension of his mind.

Shadows.

He had left his room. He now sat on a terrible shadow-and-bone throne. His limbs twisted and massive with third arms, additional mouths, and blazing crimson eyes. Behind him was a huge, writhing darkness—the demon housed within him.

James stood across from him, far yet not afraid.

The shadow moved forward, its voice like smoke. "So... you think you can protect little Sebastian? His frail body? His wild mana?"

James stood his ground. His stare was fixed, forceful. "If I can step into this darkness," he remarked, "then I can protect him."

The darkness surrounded him. "You seem strong… Are you some high-ranking mage? Or perhaps royalty?"

James grinned briefly and dryly. "Does it matter?"

It said, "You can't shield him from himself," and stopped looking at him. "You may walk beside him... but you cannot fight what's within his mind."

The illusion broke in an instant.

James and Sebastian snapped back to reality—back to the peaceful bedroom. Weakened, Sebastian slumped, but James caught him and softly placed him back on the bed.

Sebastian opened his eyes and gingerly sat up, pain written over his face; he gripped his head and trembled.

"My head… it hurts," he muttered.

James inquired, already administering a healing enchantment, "Are you okay?" Pressing against Sebastian's temple, a soft light shone at his fingertips.

"That's enough," Sebastian murmured. "Better now."

James greeted him with his gaze. "Do you always get pulled into that dimension when you're tired?"

Sebastian nodded gently, his face undecipherable.

James gently took Sebastian's hand in his own.

"Sebastian," he said softly, "do you want to come with me to Dravencia?"

Sebastian blinked, startled. "Me?" he asked, his voice low, tinged with sadness.

James nodded with a warm smile. "Yes. I'll protect you."

Sebastian looked down, silent. He's just saying that because they need me... because they want to use my magic to protect their kingdom, he thought bitterly. I'm just a puppet to them.

Still, he forced a small nod. "Alright. I'll go with you."

James smiled again, pleased. That was easier than I expected, he thought.

But Sebastian's gaze sharpened, and he stood up quickly. "Let me at least speak with Master Oliver first."

"He's not here," James replied calmly. "He left earlier for urgent business. Before he left, he said, " You can come with me."

Sebastian hesitated, but then looked away. "Okay, then."

"It would be better if we left now," James said. "I can't stay here long. I am royalty, after all."

Sebastian rolled his eyes slightly, annoyed, but began gathering his belongings. He grabbed a suitcase and started packing, but James chuckled and gently took it from him.

"There's no need to pack. Everything you'll need is already waiting for you in Dravencia."

He set the suitcase aside, then reached for Sebastian's arm. "Come on."

Together, they went downstairs. James grabbed a cloak from the wall and draped it over Sebastian's shoulders before opening the door.

Outside, a small line of carriages waited. One of the drivers, however, stood out—his posture and movements didn't match the others.

As James and Sebastian approached, they climbed into one of the carriages. Once inside, James leaned forward and asked the driver in a low voice, "Any word from the crown prince?"

The driver shook his head. "No, Your Highness."

Sebastian frowned, watching the man closely.

James noticed and raised a finger to his lips, giving Sebastian a playful wink. "He's one of Dravencia's magic knights, assigned to protect us."

Sebastian relaxed a little, muttering, "So you even brought knights dressed as drivers?"

James gave a small smile. "Not all of them. Just one."

The carriage rolled forward, taking them away from the only home Sebastian had ever known… toward a future full of uncertainty, and the kingdom that had once abandoned him.