The moment the duel ended, Theodore turned on his heel. He retreated to the South Wing and slipped out of the academy grounds in a few quick, decisive strides.
"His Imperial Highness is waiting for you."
"Understood. Please lead the way."
A man who looked like an experienced butler bowed respectfully in greeting, and Theodore sighed inwardly at the sight.
The face was familiar-- far too familiar-- and this particular old man was someone he always struggled to deal with.
"You must be working hard today, Young Lord."
"It's nothing worth mentioning."
"Very Well. We shouldn't keep his highness waiting."
There were countless reasons Alder made Theodore uneasy, but three stood above all.
First-- Alder was born into a prestigious baron house famed for its absolute loyalty to the royal family. Even high-ranking nobles treated him with cautious respect. Theodore wasn't easily intimidated, but facing someone with that kind of pedigree was… unsettling.
Second--- despite that pedigree, Alder treated everyone the same: beggar, merchant, duke, servant.
If he had been arrogant, cold, or even slightly dismissive, Theodore could have disliked him in private. But Alder was too proper, too courteous, too impeccably good. The kind of good that made people wary.
And finally, the biggest reason Theodore couldn't let his guard down around him--
"Oh, you've grown much stronger. It's wonderful to see your progress, ho ho."
"Ah… yes."
"At this rate, you might even be able to hold your ground against a dominant alpha."
--this gentle old man had once been one of the Empire's strongest war knights.
'This old man is terrifying.'
A man of such integrity-- with such a past-- choosing to serve as a butler?
Theodore had never been able to understand it.
As he followed beside him, Theodore wondered, not for the first time, whether all strong people were simply eccentric.
He had sparred with Alder before.
'Once was enough.'
Though a perfect gentleman in everyday life, the moment he picked up a weapon--
'He became a living nightmare.'
"You're late."
Theodore snapped out of his thoughts. They had arrived at an unassuming carriage tucked into a quiet alley.
"My deepest apologies, Your Highness. Our delay was unintentional."
"Spare me the excuses, Alder. I'm sure you were either mocking me or gossiping again."
"Ho ho, Your Highness gives me far too much credit."
"Hmph! I am in no mood for jokes."
The prince's tone might have sounded arrogant to any outsider, but the force and dignity beneath his voice were unmistakable-- refined, commanding, imperial.
Alder opened the carriage door with reverence, and Theodore reluctantly stepped inside.
A handmaiden sat within, surrounded by glittering jewels and magical artifacts that glimmered softly in the lantern light. The interior was far more extravagant than its plain exterior suggested-- like a hidden palace disguised as a simple carriage.
Yet even the jewels paled beside the noble radiance of the crown prince.
Theodore offered a subdued smile and bowed.
"It's been a while, crown prince."
"Hmph, you heartless woman. What kind of friend disappears for three years without sending a single letter?"
"I've been busy at the Academy."
"Nonsense. If your brother hadn't impregnated an omega beneath your house's standing, you'd have had plenty of leisure-- especially as a beta."
"Haha."
"Trying to dismiss it with laughter again, I see."
He had used "woman", "friend", and "beta" to describe Theodore.
At first glance, it seemed completely incongruous.
Just from Theodore's masculinity alone, anyone would see a handsome young man; and given his acceptance into Argentwolf Academy-- a school that admitted only alphas of status-- it was bizarre for this man to be called a woman and a beta.
But the truth was simple:
Theodore was Eugene.
His twin sister in disguise.
A beta, exactly as the crown prince addressed her.
"Surely, the Crown Prince has been busy with Imperial affairs. So, we've both been busy. "
"You still have that impertinent tongue. I'd like to cut it off."
"Haha."
"I'm not joking."
"...l apologize."
"Hmph, still quick to bend the knee."
Tap.
His Imperial Highness, Anastasios Sylverin de Valois, nineteen and first in line to the Valois imperial succession, tapped his fan against his hand and snorted haughtily.
His astonishing beauty made up for his attitude.
The Crown Prince—merely an omega prince when they had met before had gained untouchable power in just three years and had become the official heir to the imperial family.
Once merely an omega prince, he had gained untouchable power in the last three years and become the official heir. Critics who questioned whether an omega could be emperor had likely become fish food or fertilizer by now.
Truly a fearsome man.
Having secured a foothold in power while still in his early teenage years and demonstrating the acumen to recruit even Alder, one of the Empire's strongest men, he already carried himself with the dignity of the next emperor.
Ironically, Eugene's friendship with such a formidable figure had been orchestrated by him.
"Your Imperial Highness. I off--"
"Enough. Don't call me by such boring titles. Address me as you normally would when we were younger."
"But, our positions are different now."
"Do you intend to make me repeat myself?"
"... Aston! Your little subject greets you!"
"Ho ho, that's more like it."
Anastasios smiled broadly, almost radiant.
"Remember this, Eugene. I choose you as my most trusted confident, making you my favored subject. In return, you have been granted the honor of becoming my friend. Consider it a lifelong privilege and an act of mercy."
"You really haven't changed at all, Aston."
Fifteen years ago, when the Emperor's second son had just been born, the four-year-old Anastasios visited the Margrave's family purely for political gain. But the Margrave-- choosing neutrality-- denied him influence over:
the East Border Province trade corridor,
the Fire Crystal Mines,
and the Eastern Naval Port.
The Crown Prince's long-term interests in controlling access without appearing aggressive politically went down the drain...
Until he pulled Eugene, then a small child, from drowning.
That was the start of their relationship… and his renewed long-term ambitions.
And to be clear:
There was absolutely no romance involved.
If there were, it would be catastrophically worse.
Because...
"Ho ho, l've actually become much more easy to please than before."
"Is that because of your recent engagement?"
"Of course it is, I finally have the opportunity to cut that bastard's d**k off."
"..."
"He and his family simply won't be able to escape their punishment like last time. And, I'll be able to meet the love of my life."
He was engaged to Caesar Anson, the second son of the Anson Ducal Family… and was planning to destroy the entire Anson line.
"..."
Eugene's mouth fell open.
She knew who Caesar Anson was.
After all, Eugene had sometimes worked with Caesar at the Academy.
That's why she, irreverently said:
"...A-Aston, I know I shouldn't say this, but... you haven't become a madman over the past three years? Right?"
She questioned him, but Anastasios only smiled deeper, laughing magnificently like a future emperor.
"I'm perfectly sane. In fact, I'm more sane than ever. I only accepted the engagement, so I could marry Caesar's future lover. Then, kill Caesar."
"Your intentions are… exceedingly bold."
"Ho ho, yes. Boldness befits me."
"Hmm..."
Hadn't her father once said that every member of the imperial family was missing a screw or two?
It seemed her father was...
Exactly right.
The direct heir to the imperial family grinned happily, and Eugene's brain hurt.