Alex rushed into the Council Hall and threw the doors open. "Father!"
King Klaus raised his gaze from a scroll and gave him a surprised look. Then he frowned, his usuale sternness returning. "Why are you shouting?"
"Sven said it was urgent. I—"
His words died on his lips. He glanced around; the chamberlain kept his eyes down, his cheeks red with embarrassment.
His father let out a deep sigh. "Alex, by the spirits, next time knock."
"But Sven—"
"I was the one who asked him to summon you, but I certainly didn't ask him to let you barge in like a madman."
He hadn't been acting recklessly. He had feared something had happened to his father, but worrying about that stubborn man proved pointless.
William slid up beside him like a dark shadow and gave a clumsy bow. "Your Majesty, how may I serve you?"
The king dismissed the chamberlain, and as soon as they were alone, he handed a scroll to the mage.
"I received a message from the royal gamekeeper. This morning, he found several deer carcasses on our lands, but it seems they weren't killed by predators."
William read the contents of the message and furrowed his brow. "A disease?"
"Maybe. Or magic. Could it be the effect of a spell?"
"Technically, yes, but why would anyone kill the deer?"
"A spiteful act. Or—"
"Or a warning," Alex interjected. "The stag appears in our family's heraldry, and it is an animal protected by royal decree. Killing them within the royal hunting grounds is severely punished."
William gave him a sidelong glance and returned the scroll to the sovereign. "Do you want me to investigate?"
"Yes. With my son."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because you are a skilled swordsman. William may need assistance."
The mage shook his head. "It's unnecessary, Your Majesty. I can manage on my own."
The king frowned. "You will go together. That is an order." He gestured toward the door. "You may go, William. I must speak with my son in private."
The mage nodded and took his leave, his clothes rustling softly.
Once alone, Alex gave his father a sharp look. "There's more, isn't there?"
He approached the window and gazed at the landscape beyond the glass. "Indeed."
"Why not tell the mage as well?"
"Because he hasn't sworn the oath yet. Think of it as a precaution."
Alex pulled a cheeky grin. "So you don't trust him, huh?"
"I trust my mage and his judgment, but I don't yet know the boy."
"And doesn't it feel contradictory that I should trust him enough to bind myself to him?"
His father sighed and turned to face him. "You're right. That's why you will go too. Perhaps working side by side will smooth out the differences. And then…"
"And then you think it's a trap, don't you?"
"Yes. Someone may have killed those deer to lure us into an ambush."
The smile faded from Alex's face. Was his father trying to get him killed? "Then, if you fear it's a trap, why take the bait?"
"Because it's the only way to find out who's behind it. Even if you insist on acting foolishly, I know you aren't."
Alex crossed his arms and grimaced. "You're really ordering me to throw myself into an ambush where I could lose my life?"
His father glared at him. "So much fuss. You are a skilled swordsman, and the mage needs protection. Or would you prefer to sacrifice him?"
That was a low blow! He couldn't stand the mage's ways, but he didn't want him to die. "You know I would never allow that."
"I know." He turned his back to the window and approached him. "And honestly, I hope this will open your eyes. William is the person best suited to stand by your side."
"I doubt that will happen." Alex flashed a grin. "Especially since I have a feeling the mage will be gone soon."
"Your mother won't be helping you this time."
"Your lack of faith in my abilities hurts, Father."
His father exhaled deeply, the blue of his eyes darkening. "Try not to get yourself into trouble."
Alex stifled an annoyed sigh and left the chamber.
Though he had been twenty-two for several months, in his father's eyes he was still a spoiled child, always causing trouble. Would the day ever come when he would be considered an equal?
-----------------------------------------
The conversation with his father had put Alex in a bad mood, so the prince escaped to his beloved weapons.
Training with the sword was one of the few activities that could clear his mind and bring him back to the present. When he wielded one, he ceased to be the Crown Prince — his father's disappointment — and was simply a man.
He sheathed the weapon and accepted the cloth Sven was handing him. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and chest. His muscles were pleasantly sore.
"How did I do today?"
"You've improved, though you seemed a bit distracted."
Alex frowned. "Arguing with my father always makes me nervous."
"But you should try to be less emotional. In battle, it could be deadly."
Sven repeated it in every training session, but maintaining detachment was something Alex simply couldn't manage. It was one of the many differences between him and his father.
He handed the cloth back. "I doubt I'll ever stop being like this. I envy your coldness."
"I just have a few more years of experience than you."
"Six more years. That's not much."
Sven smiled. "It's still six more years of experience. Don't underestimate that and be patient."
Alex huffed and handed over the weapon as well, so his friend could take care of it. "What's the court saying?"
"After your decision yesterday, everyone's busy judging just how irresponsible you've been."
It wasn't news, but he hoped that at least in this case the nobility would give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, the Court Mage wasn't noble and was of mixed heritage.
But apparently, they preferred to turn a blind eye and keep gossiping about the prince.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tomorrow I have to leave with the mage. Without a guard."
Sven frowned. "Be careful."
"It's not me you should worry about."
"Do you think the mage won't be able to handle himself out there?"
"I don't see him as skilled with weapons or… well, anything outside of books. This morning in the library he told me he was very powerful. Still, I don't know whether I can trust him."
"Do you think he could have lied?"
"I don't know. People here tend to exaggerate their abilities just to earn the royal family's favor."
Sven looked thoughtful. "But that boy doesn't seem like the type to do that. I mean, if he wanted to win your favor, he wouldn't have answered rudely in front of the entire court."
It was true, but Alex still couldn't trust him. The mage might not be any different from the rest of the nobility.
Sven scratched his cheek, pensive. "Can I be honest?"
The prince nodded.
"He seems reliable to me. Even if you don't want to bond with him, I think you can trust him."
"Is that your intuition speaking?"
"Let's say yes. I know you feel differently, but if your father summoned him, he must have some merit."
"Or maybe he just wants to annoy me."
Sven sighed. "Your Highness."
Alex scratched his head. "I know, I know."
His father had many flaws, but he wasn't capricious or childish. That mage was there for his good, yet he still couldn't accept it. The decision hadn't been his, and being sidelined like that had hurt him.
"My father wants us to investigate an incident in the hunting reserve." He lowered his gaze to his missing fingertip. "They found some dead deer but don't know why. My father thinks magic is involved and has decided to send the mage. I'm supposed to accompany him to make sure he doesn't get himself killed."
"If you prefer, I can ask His Majesty for permission to accompany you."
"Better not. My father wants us to travel incognito." He clenched his fist and looked back at Sven. "It could be a trap, though. It feels like a bold move."
"You can defend yourself, Your Highness. Never doubt your abilities." Sven sighed. "But I'm a little worried right now."
"But will I be able to protect him too? If I fail and he dies, I…"
He wouldn't have the courage to face anyone. He couldn't endure another failure, another death on his conscience.
Sven placed a hand on his shoulder. "You will not fail. You're no longer a boy; you've grown and become a skilled swordsman. If problems arise — and I sincerely hope it's a simple journey — I know you'll return home safe and sound. Along with the mage."
Alex swallowed the knot in his throat and rubbed his eyes. He couldn't believe how much he had needed to hear those words. "Damn, when you talk like that, I understand why my sister decided to marry you."
Sven blushed and cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. "Franziska is a wise woman. I'm honored she fell in love with me."
"Wise isn't the word I'd use, but thanks. For everything."
Alex smiled, and his friend returned it.
They put on their shirts again and left the training hall.
The sun was still high, and a cool breeze blew through the vast royal garden. Small groups of noblewomen, dressed in voluminous gowns and holding fancy parasols, strolled among the flowerbeds or sipped tea under the gazebos.
His mother must be somewhere in the crowd with her ladies-in-waiting.
"Brother!" A cheerful voice broke the silence.
Alex turned just in time to see Myrina trip on the hem of her dress and fall face-first onto the gravel.
In other circumstances, he would have laughed, but his younger sister was sensitive and would have been terribly offended. And she might have hurt herself.
He reached her and took her by the arm to help her up. "Are you hurt?"
She brushed the gravel of from her cheeks, eyes wet with tears she struggled to hold back. She had some scratches on her hands and face, and her hair was a mess.
"Myrina?"
"I'm fine, I can't cry." She sniffled and looked at him with eyes welling with tears. "But I think I twisted my ankle."
Alex bit his lip to keep from laughing and ruffled her hair. "You're sixteen. Girls your age shouldn't be running around."
"It's just… I saw the mage and… I wanted to tell you." She rubbed her nose, swallowed, and wiped her eyes again. "I'm a disaster of a princess."
"Well, I'm a disaster of a prince. I guess being disasters runs in our family." He crouched in front of her. "Hop on. I'll give you a piggyback ride."
"I need treatment."
"And we need to hide that dirty dress before Mother sees it."
Myrina climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and resting her forehead against his back. "Thanks, brother."
"And then the counselors complain because I'm unreliable."
"You're not, you're just… careless."
Alex frowned. "Watch it, or I'll make you fall."
Myrina clung to his neck. "Try it, and I'll get mad!"
They walked toward the main building in silence. The nobles paused and bowed as he walked by, but as soon as they had passed, they began whispering.
Alex knew without seeing: they were talking about them, how inadequate they both were.
Myrina was sixteen and hated embroidery, was clumsy, and adored sweets. She was the antithesis of what a princess should be.
He was the idle, capricious prince no one appreciated. Yet, everyone wanted to see him on the throne to manipulate him better.
Myrina tugged at his shirt and pointed ahead. "It's the mage," she whispered excitedly.
William walked a few steps ahead, clutching a book under his arms, his expression unreadable. He didn't seem to notice them.
Alex turned to look at his little sister. "Do you want me to introduce you?"
"Yes. No. I don't know."
"Don't tell me you like him?"
Myrina blushed, fidgeting nervously. "He's a scholar and seems… intelligent."
Alex stifled a laugh. "But he has a terrible temper."
"You too, brother."
He couldn't deny it; it was true. He had a difficult temper, but the mage's was far worse.
"If that's what you think, then I guess I'll introduce you. Let's see if you can greet him without stammering."
Ignoring Myrina's protests, he approached William and flashed a broad smile. "Have you finished packing?"