How to Live as the Enemy Prince

Yan clicked his tongue. Slayman pretended not to hear that sound and sat down on a nearby garden bench, Yan who followed him, eventually opened his mouth to ask, 

“The people of the royal palace really don’t know who I am, right? His majesty and the other royals as well?” 

“I don’t think so – the internal affairs office would have reported it sooner if that was the case. You don’t have to worry about such things, we’ve hidden your hand well,” 

“That’s true, if anyone knew who I was, Silica wouldn’t have put me next to the Prince,” 

Slayman smiled happily and patted Yan’s hair again, 

“No one is really suspicious of my son because he’s so good at pretending to be a poor little servant,” 

Yan narrowed his eyes and frowned but Slayman didn’t move his hand. Yan, with his curly blond hair, looked exactly like the little poodle ‘Yan’ they had at home so his hand kept moving to pet him automatically. 

“By the way-” Yan, who had just opened his mouth to speak, stopped talking. He had been about to ask about Calian’s recent symptom but he remembered that it had to do with Calian’s magic – it was one thing if Slayman definitely knew how to help but if he didn’t then Yan would just be giving away unnecessary information that Calian had asked to keep a secret.

He couldn’t just leave his sentence there, so instead he asked, 

“How is Reia doing?” 

“She’s doing okay, it was hard coming by myself this time since she latched on saying she wanted to come with me,” 

Dumireia was Yan’s younger sister. Not only was she talented with a sword, she was a bright and intelligent child.

Slayman gently squeezed the fist that he rested on his knee. Then he looked at his palms and then Yan’s hands, which were covered in calloused flesh.

“So, is living here worthwhile for you?”

“How does it look to you, father?” 

“It seems like the same old cheap shit,” 

‘Why is that when he speaks, it’s always like that. This is why mother won’t go back down to the house,’ Yan shook his head. 

“But if you think it’s better to hear ‘Young Master’ than wait on the little kid here, come down any time you want. Reia has kept an open spot for you,” 

Thinking of his younger sister, Yan sighed, 

“He’s the same age as Reia,” He was of course, talking about Calian, 

“That’s right,” Slayman nodded, 

“When I came to the palace for the first time with you, father, the prince was like a dried tree branch but Reia was a shiny leaf that had just sprouted up and sparkled,” Yan said.

The rippling sound of the water from the artificial stream which wound itself all the way across the garden could be heard between the gaps of their conversation. 

“At first I felt pity towards him and it felt fascinating that I could feel sorry for someone like that so I decided to protect him and now, I feel that I want to watch over him in all that he does. So it does feel worthwhile, living like this,” Yan finished. 

“Then that’s alright,” 

Slayman, who had been watching Yan’s face, smiled fondly. He recalled seeing Yan and Calian having a conversation, both looking completely comfortable and relaxed. He also remembered Calian’s first steps into the banquet. 

“That little kid, I think watching him would be a lot of fun.” 

Yan opened his eyes wide, clearly asking Slayman what he meant with his expression,

“Well, there’s something like that – if you don’t know then don’t worry about it. Anyway, I won’t see you for a while, I’m going back down to the territory,”

“What are you talking about, you’ll see me in about 3 months anyway,” Yan replied, 

“Are you really thinking of quitting?”

Yan shook his head, 

“His highness is 15 soon after all,” 

“Oh yeah, right it’s already that time.” Slayman nodded, 

Yan stood up from his seat and began to neatly comb his hair back with his fingers before tying it back. Having finished chatting with his father, he would now go and wait by the front gates for Calian’s return. 

“Then, I look forward to seeing you again, Your Grace,” he gave his formal farewell, 

Slayman pretended to look disgusted and waved his hands as if to shoo him away quickly. Yan smiled and turned away.

—

It was still some time before the banquet would come to a close, but the events in the square all ended.

People returned to their homes or gathered at nearby bars to unwind and relax. The once crowded plaza was now magically lit with lanterns that shone brightly on the fountain.

– clop clop, clop clop. 

The sound of hooves broke through the silence at the plaza. The source of the sound were two horses galloping away from the royal palace. At first the horses seemed to follow the royal road, then they changed direction and crossed Hatsuara Plaza.

The horse riders were Alan Manasil and Calian.

Calian, who had been following Alan on Raven’s back, had not said a word for a while. He wanted to call out to the mage, but he hadn’t decided what he should say. Alan had given his name to the guards, not to Calian, who was far away eavesdropping in on the situation.

‘I’m in a bind. What should I do?’ 

Meanwhile, Alan had long known that someone was following him. He was still offended by the treatment of the gate guards, and so he stared silently forward thinking, ‘If you’re going to follow me, then follow me as long as you can,’

His opponent refused to call out to him even though they were at a relatively close distance. Alan looked back in curiosity and his brow furrowed.

‘Who is that?’ 

He caught sight of a fluttering white cloak. Only then did Alan realize the rider wasn’t a palace guard, and he slowed down and stopped, and the rider followed suit.

The light from the fountain shone brightly as they came to the centre of the plaza. Because of that, Alan turned to confirm his opponent’s identity. It was most certainly not a guard; it was clear the rider was a nobleman or a member of the royal family.

The pursuer dismounted his horse and approached slowly. He stood under the light and looked at Alan.

Black hair, red eyes.

Alan had also seen the royal family out in the square this morning. The face of the Third Prince, which had been shown in the crystal display, was now standing before Alan.

What business did this delicate-looking prince have?

There was a deep curiosity in Alan’s eyes.