Alex blinked. Had the ritual gone wrong?
"Do you know what might have happened?"
Gregoris shrugged. "Maybe your magic is too strong, or maybe Will made a mistake. Or perhaps the reason is something else entirely. Magic and the way it works are still unclear to us, but I can try asking my familiar if she knows anything about it."
Now that Alex thought about it, Caedos had told him back at the castle of Astya that he and William were intertwined. Was that what he had meant?
Maybe he should ask the amphiptere, but getting close would be difficult.
"Your Highness?"
Alex looked back at Gregoris. The mage ran a hand through his white beard.
"Perhaps I shouldn't say this, but try to be patient with that boy. He's got a terrible temper, and he seems to have gotten worse in recent years, but he's not a bad kid."
"Do you know what happened to him?"
Gregoris shook his head. "William doesn't open up to anyone, not even to Caedos. He's been like this since he was a child—probably his way of protecting himself from others. But ever since he entered the Academy, it's as if he built walls around himself—walls that, in the last three or four years, have grown even thicker. On the day he graduated, his expression was so empty it sent a chill down my spine."
Alex lowered his eyes to the glass still full of liquor and set it on the small table.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"One last thing: until I understand what happened, try to avoid unpleasant situations. What happened today could happen again. And maybe it's best if you stay away from alcohol. Will has Xianese blood and can't handle it at all."
"It's not my intention to hurt him again."
"Thank you, Your Highness. That boy is like a grandson to me, and it would break my heart to see him suffer."
Alex nodded. He hadn't gotten the answers he wanted, but at least one thing was clear: whatever had happened wasn't normal, and maybe it wasn't entirely his fault.
From now on, he'd better stay away from brothels—at least until he understood how that damned Pact worked.
------------------------------
The next day, Alex went down into the city with his sister Myrina and Sven. For once, he didn't pretend to be the son of a cloth merchant.
The royal carriage entered the main road heading toward the Merchants' Quarter. The horses' hooves tapped against the cobblestones.
Myrina pulled back the curtain and peeked outside. "Are you going to tell me where we're headed?"
"I need to buy a book."
His sister shot him a surprised look. "You… read?"
Alex pressed his lips together. "Are you trying to annoy me?"
"It's just unusual to see you interested in books."
"Well, it's not for me. It's a gift."
Myrina leaned forward, elbows on her knees and chin in her palms. "For whom?"
"William."
"Is it his birthday?"
"Not that I know of."
"Then why do you want to give him a book?"
Alex hesitated. He didn't want to tell her anything about what had happened, but dodging the question would only fuel her insatiable curiosity.
"I think I wronged him, and I want to try to apologize."
Myrina raised her eyebrows. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing good."
"You two didn't fight, did you?"
Alex rested his hand on the carriage seat.
"I don't know, Myri. I think something broke between us."
"I'm sorry."
He smiled at her. "It happens sometimes when two people don't know each other well."
His sister nodded, though she didn't look very convinced.
"So… what exactly do you need me for?"
"I need help choosing a book he might appreciate."
"But I don't know him."
"But you like reading—maybe you can help me choose."
She took on a thoughtful expression. "Do you know what he usually reads?"
"No."
"And who his favorite authors are?"
Alex shook his head, and Myrina frowned.
"You're not being very helpful."
He shrugged. He had thought he knew William, but now that his sister had pointed it out, he realized he knew nothing about him.
He had no idea what William liked or hated, and he didn't even know whether he had any siblings or where he came from. How could he never have bothered to learn anything about him?
How could he expect William to trust him if he hadn't even had the courage to ask him what his home was like?
"I never asked him any personal questions."
Myrina lifted an eyebrow. "And why not?"
"I don't know. At the beginning I didn't care, since I'd already decided he would leave. Then I just… never thought about it."
"Well, you haven't known him that long anyway. What has it been, a month?"
"More or less."
"That's not a lot of time."
"But I should have. He's my Court Mage. If I don't take an interest in him, who will?"
Myrina parted her lips, then pressed them together again. "You sound upset."
Alex ran his fingers through his blond bangs. "Because I am."
"Brother, what happened?"
"I can't tell you."
"William is fine, right?"
He gave her a faint smile. "You really like him, huh?"
Myrina blushed. "No! I mean, he's a handsome man, I can't deny that. And he seems very smart."
"He is," Alex confirmed. "He's as sharp as our father, though he's far less used to politics."
"And he knows so many things!"
"Yeah. It feels like there's an entire library in that head of his."
Myrina nodded, her blue eyes sparkling. "And I admire him so much! I mean, I like him, but not in the way you mean."
Alex raised his eyebrows. "So you haven't a crush on him?"
"No. I like him as a person, not as…" She blushed. "Well, a fiancé."
Myrina lowered her gaze to her knees and scratched her cheek.
"And besides, I think he already likes someone else."
His chest tightened.
He stared at her, stunned. "Are you sure?"
She shrugged. "Not really. It's just a feeling. Ever since you two came back from Astya, he seems a little distracted, like his mind is somewhere else."
"I see you've been watching him quite a lot."
Myrina blushed again. "Just a bit, in the library. I'd really like to ask him to give me lessons or… to ask him about his favorite authors. But previously he seemed a little unreachable, and now it feels like his head is full of something else."
Alex looked away. "I don't think the reason has anything to do with heartbreak."
"That's exactly what it is. Trust me! He has the same dreamy look as the protagonists in romance novels."
Alex burst out laughing, making her huff. "Myri, real life isn't like your books."
"They're far more real than you think." His sister pouted. "And anyway, I'm sure of what I saw. If you don't believe me, you could ask him."
He could, but he doubted William would answer him, not after what had happened between them the day before.
And besides… Alex wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"I can't picture him in love with anyone."
"And why not?" Myrina asked.
"He doesn't seem the type. He's stiff and uptight, and annoyingly logical and pragmatic. How can someone like him feel love?"
"Everyone feels emotions, brother. Even our father is very pragmatic, yet he loves our mother and all of us."
And yet his father wasn't even as rigid as William.
But maybe his strictness was just a mask to protect the wound that had torn him apart.
"Listen, I don't want to think about him in a relationship. Let's focus on the gift."
Myrina gave a little smirk. "You seem jealous."
Alex pouted. "I'm not jealous, I'm just a bit annoyed. William can have all the lovers he wants; it's none of my business."
Even if they could stop pointing out how handsome he was right in front of him.
His sister sighed. "All right. So, what kind of book were you thinking of buying?"
"I'm not sure. Yesterday he went into town to buy a book. It was a novel, but I don't know who the author was."
"I didn't take him for the novel type."
"Me neither."
Myrina smiled. "But even if we don't get the perfect book, I'm sure he'll appreciate the gift."
Alex hoped so, because that was the only idea he had to apologize without seeming too forward.
The carriage stopped. Sven opened the door and helped them step down.
They had stopped in front of one of the most renowned bookshops of Adesten. Alex only ever came to accompany his little sister.
As soon as they set foot on the sidewalk, the shop's door flew open and the bookseller—a short man with fluffy white hair—bowed deeply.
"Your Highnesses, it is an honor to have you here. I am terribly sorry if my welcome is not worthy of your presence."
Alex waved a hand. "No need, really. If we'd wanted to be greeted with rose petals and red carpets, I would have sent a messenger to announce us."
The bookseller nodded several times and led them inside. The customers browsing at that moment bowed as they passed, set down the volumes they were leafing through, and slipped away. Not without shooting curious glances at the two royals.
"This is why I hate coming by carriage," Alex murmured.
Myrina pressed her lips together and shot a glare at the now-empty shop.
"Me too. Whenever they see me, everyone runs off, as if I had the power to smite them with a glance." She sighed. "It's a real shame, I wish I had someone to discuss books with."
"Don't your friends read?"
"Sometimes, but not novels. They say they're frivolous reads, and lately I get the feeling they're talking behind my back."
"Welcome to my life, sister."
The bookseller approached them, rubbing his hands. "May I ask if you are seeking anything in particular?"
Alex glanced around for a moment, then focused on the man. "Did you happen to sell a novel yesterday to a young man with long black hair and exotic features?"
The man raised an eyebrow. "A young gentleman, did you say?" He smoothed his hair. "As a matter of fact, a young Xianese gentleman matching your description has called upon the shop on several occasions, generally seeking certain volumes."
"Perfect. So you know what he likes."
"Not exactly, but I am familiar with the types of books he seeks. May I inquire whether you intend to give him a gift?"
Alex nodded. "Can you help me?"
The old man smiled. "Of course, Your Highness. I am here to serve you."