"I don't like it."
"Ah? What don't you like?"
"That prince."
"…?"
"Does he think this academy is some kind of playground?"
"…???"
The man behind the desk looked confused.
He set down his quill and looked at the dark blue–haired boy in front of him.
"Who's playing…?"
"Are you stupid, Richard?"
The boy—Lucien—snapped coldly.
"Come on, Young Master. You came in, sat down, and started muttering. How am I supposed to know what you're talking about?"
Richard scratched his brown hair, still looking genuinely puzzled.
Lucien stood from the sofa and walked toward the desk.
"A prince comes here to study, yet whether he takes the exam or not, he's already guaranteed to pass? Why are we bending the rules for one person?"
"How did you find out?"
Richard tapped the desk lightly.
"I heard you talking with the Archduke's young master about a week ago. But that's not the point."
"It's not good to eavesdrop. And why is that not the point?"
"Of course it isn't. The real issue is that you're breaking your own rules. What will you do if this leaks? This academy accepts students from other kingdoms. What if they protest?"
As if it were trivial, Richard picked up his quill again.
"It won't leak."
"No secret lasts forever."
Richard paused.
Lucien frowned, unsettled by the look in his eyes—there was something there he couldn't understand.
Before he could ask, Richard shook his head.
"If it does, then so be it. No one will be able to say anything anyway."
"Even if he's our own imperial prince—"
"Oh, right. I forgot you didn't know."
Lucien's gaze sharpened.
"Know what?"
"His Highness is the commander of the main forces."
"…what?"
"So even if this leaks, who would dare complain? They might even line up asking for his guidance."
Lucien sat on the sofa, his expression blank.
"You're saying the prince and that famous commander… are the same person?"
"Yes."
Richard answered lightly.
Lucien stared at him.
"Then why separate their identities? Why not just say the prince leads the army?"
"Because of his power."
Lucien narrowed his eyes.
"Everyone only has one type—offensive or supportive. So what happens if one person has both?"
"That's impossible."
Richard gave a faint smile.
"Exactly. That's why it's hidden. Back then, His Highness was still very young. It would've been dangerous if too many people knew."
His voice lowered.
"Kidnapping. Confinement. Even brainwashing… That's why everyone agreed to make it seem like the prince was two different people."
"…."
"And it's remained that way until now. There's no need to explain it. Everyone chose silence."
"How old is he? I thought the commander was someone older."
Richard chuckled.
"Many think so. That's just how capable he is."
Lucien exhaled.
"…why didn't you tell me earlier? I've been annoyed ever since you said the prince would be under my guidance."
Richard smiled faintly.
"Be honored, Young Master. Accompanying someone like him is no small matter."
"I know. Stop that cheap smile."
"How cruel."
"Then why is he here? There's nothing left to teach him, is there?"
"Why is he here?"
"Yes."
"To attend school. What else?"
"…?"
Lucien's expression went blank.
He rubbed his ear, then looked back.
"Say that again. I think I misheard."
Richard shook his head.
"It's true. His Highness has been in the palace since childhood and has never had a single friend his age. Many suggested he attend school—but it was always rejected."
"That's only natural. What could he gain? He already knows more than anyone."
"School isn't just for knowledge. There's also interaction… and…"
Richard exhaled.
"There's something wrong with His Highness."
"…."
"His emotions… have grown dull."
"Dull?"
"…yes."
Richard pressed his forehead.
"We thought it was his environment… or the battlefield from such a young age. But he hides it too well. We can't point it out directly."
"…."
"And we feel… that might not be the only reason."
His voice dropped further.
"And that's what hurts… because we don't know why."
Lucien watched him.
"It's painful to see him smile… even when it's not the time to smile."
"If he hides it that well, I doubt I'll notice."
Lucien waved it off.
But Richard's gaze sharpened.
"You will."
"…what?"
"You'll be able to see it."
"…."
"That's why I asked you to stay by his side."
Lucien exhaled, frustrated.
"How am I supposed to do that when I don't even know what he's like normally? You can only notice a difference if you know what 'before' looks like."
Richard didn't answer. He only shrugged.
"Tch."
Lucien grabbed a piece of cake and bit into it.
"Oh, right. One more thing."
He looked at Richard reluctantly.
"His Highness only knows he's here for a mission."
"…? What mission?"
"Remember the contamination case involving those two children?"
"That case was already handled by the military. The culprit escaped, but a re-investigation was done."
"Yes. And His Highness came here because of that."
"…what do you mean?"
Lucien frowned, a faint unease rising in his chest.
As if answering that unspoken doubt, Richard continued.
"We had difficulty finding a reason to send him here. So we manipulated the information to make it seem like the case is still unresolved."
Lucien fell silent.
One second.
Two seconds.
A full minute passed.
"…You forged documents?! Are you insane, Richard?! Do you want to go to prison?!"
"Come on, Young Master. It won't go that far. Besides, the Archduke is behind me."
"That doesn't make it safe! This is still a violation—ugh."
Lucien ran a hand through his hair.
"We had no choice. We want His Highness to get better. Even if we had to make a deal with the devil… we would."
"But—"
"So please act as if the mission is real."
Lucien clicked his tongue, about to say something—
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
The door opened.
And in that moment, Lucien finally understood why everyone was so worried.
"It's been a while, Richard."
A small, gentle smile.
Golden-red eyes.
Soft sky-blue hair.
The prince himself felt like peace.
His presence alone made others feel at ease.
"Hm? Ah… you…"
And when that attention fell fully on you—
It felt as if you could give him everything.
"This is Lucien Vale, Your Highness."
The prince closed the door and sat across from him.
He gave a small nod.
"Hello, Senior Lucien. You may call me Yuma for now. Yuma Soren Cody."
That smile remained soft.
"Ah…"
No.
Lucien finally understood.
Others might only see a smile.
But there was something else—
Empty.
Yes… empty.
And somehow, it hurt.
Before he could think—
"My little angel."
He covered his mouth immediately.
For a moment, the smile seemed to freeze—just slightly.
But when he looked again, it was the same.
Perhaps he imagined it.
"Sorry… you remind me of my younger sibling."
"Younger sibling?"
Yuma tilted his head.
"Yes… I used to call them my little angel."
"Ah…"
"I don't know where they are now. Sorry if that was inappropriate."
Yuma shook his head gently.
But that only made Lucien more uneasy.
"It's not that you're exactly alike," he added quickly.
"But… it made me think of them. They'd probably be your age now."
"It's alright."
Lucien's pupils trembled.
Reflected there was Yuma—
still smiling softly.
"Everything will be alright."
"…ah…"
His chest tightened.
Lucien lowered his head slightly.
For some reason…
he felt like crying.