Eiren was walking down the dorm corridor, heading toward his room, deep in thought.
The truth is… I can't see Aslan's memories. I don't know why.Only once—barely—I managed to see that one memory of his…
A light breeze blew through the hallway window, making his hair sway slightly. He glanced toward the open window and smiled faintly.
I remember that day clearly.The day I met Aslan.
Nine years ago...
A small boy with dark brown hair sat silently on the sofa. His face was pale, expressionless—completely still. There was no life in his eyes.
Six-year-old Eiren.
He was sitting quietly in his father's office.
Across from him, Duke Valehart was flipping through documents at his desk. After a moment, the Duke set the papers down with a sigh.
"Eiren, what's troubling you? You can tell me."
Eiren didn't look up.
"Nothing, Father," he replied, voice completely flat.
The Duke studied him for a second, then spoke again.
"If there's something you want, just say the word. I'll give it to you. If you want to travel, I'll make the arrangements. Would that make you happy?"
Eiren shook his head slowly.
"I don't need anything. I'm happy."
He spoke evenly, but there was something off—like his voice had forgotten how to feel.
The sadness in his tone made it clear he wasn't okay.
The Duke was silent, but his silence spoke for him — he was clearly worried for his son.
He was disturbed by Eiren's constant quietness, by the fact that his own son never seemed truly happy.
A memory came to the Duke's mind — a conversation from one day ago.
In their room...
The Duchess sat on the edge of the bed, her hands covering her face as she quietly wiped away her tears.
"I'm really worried about Eiren…" she whispered, her voice shaking.
"He never smiles. He never enjoys anything. His face is always just… empty."
The Duke stood nearby, silently listening to her words, his face clouded with concern.
"Why doesn't he behave like other children?" she continued, her voice cracking.
"Why doesn't he play like them? Why doesn't he laugh or get into mischief like normal kids?
If he wants something, I'll give it to him. I just… I just want to see him happy."
The Duke finally sat beside her. He gently pulled her into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder and placing his hand softly over hers.
"He'll be fine," the Duke said quietly. "He just needs time."
But the Duchess couldn't stop crying.
"We even took him to a physician. They said there's nothing physically wrong with him. Then what is it? Is someone scaring him?"
The Duke frowned slightly.
"That's not possible. Who would dare scare the heir of House Valehart?" he said firmly.
"And besides, he's been under our watch since the day he was born."
She looked up with teary eyes. "And… he still hasn't awakened his Miran ability."
The Duke gave her a small smile.
"Stop crying," he said gently. "I promise you — one day, you'll see him smile. And he'll awaken his power too. Don't worry."
---
The Duke sighed.
"Eiren, from today onwards, wherever I go, you will accompany me."
"Yes, Father," Eiren replied, his face expressionless.
They stood together in the palace courtyard.
The Duke leaned down slightly, placing a gentle hand on Eiren's shoulder.
"Eiren, I have some business with the Emperor. I'll be back soon, so don't wander too far."
Eiren gave a short nod.
After the Duke left, Eiren strolled through the palace garden—
the air fragrant with blossoms swaying gently in the afternoon breeze.
In one quiet corner, a staircase of white marble curved elegantly toward the veranda.
It was then that he noticed a young boy—Aslan—sitting alone on the stairs.
Aslan. Six years old.
He sat in stillness, idly plucking the petals from a flower one by one, just passing the time in boredom.
Eiren's gaze landed on him. His footsteps stopped. Surprise flickered across his face. His heart beat faster.
Badump.
Almost without thinking, he stepped closer to Aslan.
Aslan looked up, meeting his eyes for the first time. Sunlight caught in his hair as his brows drew together in faint irritation.
"Hey! You! How did you get in here? This place is off-limits."
But Eiren barely heard the scolding. The moment that voice reached him, something unexplainable stirred inside — as though every shadow, every weight on his heart had been quietly swept away.
He placed his hand to his chest,
feeling that strange, unfamiliar warmth.
He's… just like that person, he whispered softly to himself.
For a heartbeat, the garden faded.
In its place—
A lone figure stood a few steps ahead, dressed in a long black coat, hair as dark as midnight.
His back was turned to Eiren.
Eiren couldn't see his face—only a fleeting glimpse of a smile reached him.
But the pull was the same.
The same as that person.
They didn't look alike at all, and their personalities didn't match either.
Yet… something about him felt oddly familiar.
Eiren was pleasantly surprised.
And for the first time… he smiled.
Aslan caught sight of that smile and frowned in annoyance.
"Hey. Are you crazy?" His tone was sharp. "Who exactly are you?"
Eiren's voice was soft and refined, almost gentle.
"I'm Eiren Valehart, the firstborn and heir of Grand Duke Valehart. And you?"
"How dare you call me 'you'? Do you even know who I am—"
Before Aslan could finish, a hurried voice called from behind.
"Prince Aslan! Here you are!"
A maid rushed up to him, breathing heavily. "Your mother is looking for you."
Without waiting for an answer, she lightly tugged him away.
Eiren watched him leave, his smile lingering as he whispered warmly,
"…Prince Aslan."
"Eiren! Finally, I found you," a voice called from behind.
Eiren turned, looking up at the Duke.
"I told you not to wander too far," the Duke said, his tone firm but relieved.
"Father, I saw so many beautiful things today," Eiren replied with a genuine smile.
The Duke blinked, surprised. It was the first time Eiren had spoken without simply answering "yes" or "no," or giving only short, exact replies.
Smiling softly, he reached out and patted Eiren's head. "And what is it that caught your eye?"
"I met a boy today," Eiren said, "about the same age as me."
"A boy? In the palace?"
"Yes. He had beautiful red eyes that sparkled… and bright red hair. And when I called him 'you,' he turned red like an angry tomato!"
The Duke's brows lifted in surprise. "Oh no… that's the Third Prince, Aslan," he thought in worry.
Eiren's smile widened. "He's cute. I want to be friends with him.
The maid called him " Prince."
Seeing that smile, the Duke relaxed a little. "Next time you meet him, treat him with respect."
"Yep, Father," Eiren answered cheerfully.
---
From that day on, I made it my mission to visit Aslan every single day.
First day
"Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Aslan," Eiren said politely, bowing.
Aslan's brows twitched in clear annoyance.
A few days later
"Hello, Prince Aslan," he called from behind.
Aslan flinched ever so slightly.
A few more days later
"Prince Aslan!" Eiren shouted, sprinting toward him.
The moment Aslan spotted him, he bolted at full speed and vanished within seconds.
And then… day after day…
"Aslan!" Eiren called brightly.
"Hah. Forget greetings—now you don't even bother calling me 'Prince,' huh?" Aslan said in irritation.
"That's because we're friends," Eiren replied cheerfully.
"Who said I'm your friend?!" he snapped.
"Don't be shy about it," Eiren teased with a grin.
"Shut up! You've got guts…" Aslan muttered in frustration.
---
One year later
Aslan and Eiren sat beneath the shade of an old tree, their voices low—sharing words meant for no one else. The summer breeze stirred the leaves above, carrying with it the weight of an unspoken promise.
Then, without hesitation, Eiren shifted. He lowered himself onto one knee before Aslan, his gaze steady, his voice firm.
"No matter what happens… I vow on my life—I will always protect you."
Aslan's lips curved faintly, but his reply carried the same unwavering resolve.
"And I… will do the same for you."
The moment those words were spoken, a brilliant blue light flared between them. From within it emerged the shape of a majestic phoenix, its wings unfurled in radiant glory. With a soundless cry, it dove forward, piercing into Eiren's chest.
A deep, resonating hum filled the air. White light poured from Eiren's body, enveloping him in a pure glow. At the same time, a thin crimson thread shimmered into existence, stretching from Eiren to Aslan. It spiraled gracefully, encircling them in a glowing ring before fading into the air.
Eiren's breath hitched. He knew instantly—this was the moment his dormant power had awakened for the first time.
In this world, every Miran child was born with mana, but true awakening happened at different times—some in early childhood, others years later. For Eiren, it had come now… not through battle or fear, but through a vow.
That day, something more than awakening occurred—he had forged an unbreakable bond with Aslan.
His ability was known as Aura Bind.
It did more than simply copy the abilities of the person. Once an oath was made, an eternal link formed between Eiren and that individual. If either of them was ever in danger, the bond would summon the other instantly—no matter the distance, even from across an entire country. Through this connection, they could call upon each other's strength at will, their powers flowing as one.
From that day onward, Eiren was not just himself—he was also bound to Aslan, in power… and in fate.
Three years later.
The heavy wooden door slammed open.
"Father, I want to talk to you," came a clear, determined voice.
Eiren, now ten years old, had grown into a fine young boy—renowned across the continent for his incredible skill in both magic and swordsmanship. His long, dark-brown silk-like hair swayed gently with the movement, catching the light. There was always a spark of liveliness in him now, a far cry from the quiet child he once was.
The Duke looked up, slightly startled by the sudden entrance.
"What is it, son?"
"Father," Eiren said firmly, "I want to become Prince Aslan's personal butler."
"…What?"
One hour later
The Duke and Duchess sat together in the drawing room, both wearing serious expressions.
The Duchess let out a soft sigh before a warm smile curved her lips.
"Let him do what he wants. Don't you remember? It was because of Prince Aslan that we saw Eiren smile for the first time… that he started truly living."
"But he's the heir of our family," the Duke argued. "How can he work as a butler? And Aena is younger—"
"So what?" she interrupted gently. "He can be Prince Aslan's butler and our heir at the same time."
The Duke studied her face for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair. Slowly, the tension left his shoulders.
"…Alright."
---