Alex pulled the hood over his head and moved closer to William.
The streets of Lenz were crowded with people enjoying a stroll, and no one seemed to pay them any attention. All the better—the last thing he wanted was to be recognized while with the mage.
He smiled at the thought. "It's our first date."
"You seem happy."
"Aren't you?"
William frowned. "Of course I am. I was the one who suggested it."
Alex laughed and slipped an arm around his shoulders, drawing him close. "I like you."
"Don't say it out loud…"
"When you get embarrassed, you're adorable."
William lowered his head, his cheeks flushed, and the prince leaned in to kiss his temple. He loved that shyness William showed in public, which melted away like snow in the sun when they were alone.
Or when he was drunk.
"Where are we headed?"
"Nowhere in particular."
"Why do I get the feeling you're lying to me?"
William pressed his lips together and gave him a cold look. "Do you have so little trust in me?"
Alex shook his head. "But I know we're not here just for pleasure."
"And if that were the case, would you be angry?"
"Why would I be? We're still going out together." He slipped an arm around him again. "As long as I'm with you, I'm happy."
William blushed and looked away. "Well, I was thinking of gathering information about that man."
"The bastard who beat up your brother?"
"You said we would intervene."
Alex smiled. "And we will. You know I don't tolerate injustices."
"Thank you."
"Besides, we can't risk your brother getting hurt. That bastard might target him again."
William sighed. "Noah isn't a fool, but that man is dangerous."
"What did you say his name was?"
"Jonah. I don't know his surname, and that's what I'd like to find out. His father trades in valuable books, so the first step will be checking bookshops and libraries."
Alex smirked. "Why do I get the feeling you don't mind this at all?"
"Consider it the appropriate punishment for defiling a sacred place like the duchess's library."
"We defiled it together. And I recall a certain raven saying it had been worth it."
William's cheeks grew even redder. "It's your fault. You're far too shameless."
The prince chuckled and followed him into a bookshop. They were in one of the wealthiest districts of the city, and the shop overflowed with fine volumes displayed on carved tables and shelves made of polished wood.
William lit up and immediately hurried down an aisle. Alex shook his head with a smile and turned to the bookseller.
"May I ask you a question?"
The middle-aged man looked him up and down and curled his lip in disgust. "This bookshop carries peculiar books."
"I know. I'm here on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince."
The bookseller rolled his eyes. "Of course. Of course."
He clearly didn't believed him, but Alex didn't care. People like that only understood one language.
He pulled out his coin purse and let the coins jingle in his hand.
"Do you believe me now?"
The man glanced at the purse, then back at him. "What are you looking for, sir?"
"His Highness would like to give a gift to the duchess. Knowing her love for reading, he was thinking of a fine book—perhaps an ancient text, or something peculiar. Ideally, something she doesn't already own."
"I have some texts imported from the southern kingdoms. One is a sacred text in the original language, with illustrations and gold inlays. Is that peculiar enough?"
"I'm fairly certain the duchess owns more than a few volumes like that."
The bookseller pressed his lips together, annoyed. "Then perhaps you should look elsewhere."
"Or you could point me toward someone else in the book trade who might be willing to help His Highness." Alex leaned toward him. "If you help me, I can buy a few books from you. My companion is an avid reader."
The man twisted his lips. "Wait here."
He disappeared into the back room, and Alex took the opportunity to look for William.
He found him standing in front of a bookshelf, his arms full of books and his poison-green eyes shining with joy.
"I see you've found something," Alex said.
The mage jumped and turned around with a guilty look. "It's not what it looks like."
"It looks to me like you're happy. Am I mistaken?"
"No, I…" He lowered his gaze. "I get easily excited about books."
Alex smiled. "Would you like to buy something?"
"There's no need. I still have many books to read, and—"
"I'll buy it for you."
"There's no need, really."
"But I'd be happy to." Alex took the books from his arms. "If it makes you happy, it makes me happy too."
"W-wait!" William grabbed him. "I'll choose just one."
"You know I don't have money problems."
"I know, but I wouldn't feel comfortable making you spend so much. Please."
Alex hesitated, then smiled and handed the books back to him. "All right. Choose the one you like most, but don't worry about the price." He kissed his forehead. "For you, I could even buy an entire library."
"You're… really romantic."
Alex went back to the bookseller, who handed him a sheet of paper with several names and addresses.
"These are the merchants I get my books from. If you're really looking for something specific, they'll know how to help you."
"Thank you."
The prince slipped the paper into his jacket pocket, and the man looked at him as if he were expecting something else.
The purchase, of course. That man must have been very attached to money.
William approached just then and held out a book to the bookseller. He took it and read the title, his mouth twisting.
"I was expecting a somewhat more… substantial purchase from men in the prince's service. Assuming it's even true."
The mage scowled. "I would've bought more books if the owner weren't so unpleasant."
"Foreign rat," the bookseller spat. "I should've guessed you were liars. The prince would never associate with a Xianese."
Alex forced a smile. "Really? And who should he associate with, then?"
"With a Vellarian, obviously. This is Lenz, not Xia." He handed the book back to William. "And he certainly doesn't associate with someone who reads trash."
He held out his hand toward Alex.
"That'll be three denars."
The prince paid, albeit reluctantly, then stepped outside with William.
"I almost feel like putting him out of business," he muttered.
"He'd deserve it, but it's better not to. He was rude, but if he shuts down, many other people will end up destitute."
"Like who?"
"His family, the clerks he's hired." They set off along the sidewalk. "Then the people who supply him will see their business volume shrink. Even the baker he buys bread from every morning will suffer. It's not just a bookshop; it's a cog in a much larger system."
Alex grimaced. "But he treated you badly."
"I'm used to it."
"And it's not right." He caught him by the arm. "Will, I hate it when they treat you like that, and you shouldn't just let it slide."
"I've done it all my life. But you stand up for me, and that's what makes the difference. Before, I was alone, but now I have you."
"I will always stand up for you. Always. Because you are my raven, and I care about you."
William gave a faint smile. "There's a place I'd like to show you."
He started walking again, and Alex followed.
"Anyway, that man also gave me a list of names. He was awful, but maybe it'll be useful."
"We'll look at it later. As far as I know, there aren't many book merchants in Lenz."
"Even though it's known as the city of art and literature?"
"There's a kind of oligopoly. A few families control the market, and it's practically impossible for an outsider or a newcomer to enter the trade."
"A bit like in Narea with the cocoa trade."
William raised an eyebrow. "I see you've done your homework."
"I have a teacher who gives me excellent incentives to apply myself."
"You're really shameless."
Alex laughed, and for a while they talked about the capital, the situation at court, and what they would find once they returned home.
"We're here," William said suddenly.
He turned into an alley and stopped shortly after.
Alex drew level with him, puzzled. There was nothing there except a puddle of rainwater. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and pastries; somewhere nearby there had to be a baker.
"Did you want to show me… this?"
William met his gaze. "Don't you remember?"
"Remember what?"
The mage lowered his eyes and, for some reason, seemed disappointed.
"Will?"
For a long moment, William stayed silent as if torn, then he looked back at him.
"We've already met. Many years ago."
Alex hesitated, trying to remember. "Really?"
"Thirteen years ago. You were visiting Lenz; I saw you riding in a carriage with the King and the Queen."
"Will, from up there it's a bit hard to recognize anyone in the crowd."
"But then you saved me."
"Saved you?"
William nodded; a strange light shone in his eyes. "Right here. In this very place."
"In an alley?"
"An older boy was about to beat me, and you… stepped in. You put yourself between us and chased him off."
Alex rubbed his temples, but nothing came to mind. And yet, it must have happened—William would never have made it up.
"I'm sorry, but I only remember helping a little girl and—"
He widened his eyes and looked at William. The mage pressed his lips together clearly unhappy.
"It was me, Your Highness. Not a little girl."
"Oh. Fuck." He brought a hand to his mouth, embarrassed. "Sorry."
"You were really terrible at telling me apart from a girl."
"It's not like I got a good look at your face. I mean, they dragged me away right after; I barely managed to say goodbye."
But now that he thought about it, that child had had piercing green eyes.
William hugged the book to his chest. "If you hadn't intervened, that boy would have beaten me. He tormented everyone in the neighborhood, but he targeted me in particular."
"I got scolded pretty badly that time."
"Why did you do it?"
"I don't know, it seemed like the right thing to do." He chuckled. "I suppose you thought I was just a show-off."
"No, I thought you were a just and brave person." William lowered his head. "When you smiled at me, it was like looking at the sun. And I… I promised myself I would find a way to repay you."
"Is that why you accepted the position of Court Mage?"
William nodded. "And it's also why I went to the Academy and stayed despite everything."
"All this… for me?"
"So I could stand in your light. So I could serve you. I would have been content even performing my duties far from court, but I'm happy to be at your side."
Alex placed his hands on his shoulders and leaned down toward him.
"I don't know whether this is the most incredible or the most foolish thing you could have done," he murmured, his lips brushing close to William's. "But I don't want you to suffer for my sake anymore. I'm at your side now, and I want to take care of you. Will you let me?"
William nodded.
Alex smiled and kissed him, and his heart filled with joy when the mage returned it. He would have liked to stay there with him until sunset, but they had work to do.
He pulled back and rested his forehead against William's.
"Let's go find the bastard."