A few days later—
Alaric and Graneth were walking back from the restroom, teasing each other along the way.
As they laughed, Alaric looked ahead—
and froze.
Caelin was walking toward them.
They stopped.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Alaric glanced at Graneth. "Go ahead."
Graneth hesitated, then nodded, walking past them—though not without looking back.
Silence lingered.
"Yo… long time no see," Alaric said, giving a small hand gesture.
Caelin lowered his gaze for a moment… then smiled faintly. "Yes. I hope you're doing well."
Alaric's expression shifted instantly.
"…Why would you say that?"
His voice tightened.
"You left us without any explanation. Do you know how confused we were?" He took a step closer.
"I thought we were friends… but I guess I was wrong."
Caelin let out a small laugh.
"Friends?"
He shook his head.
"I only did what I was told. I just happened to be around you."
His voice was calm.
"It never meant anything more than that."
He walked past Alaric.
Then stopped.
Without fully turning back—
"And you… don't really have time for things like friendship, do you?"
A pause.
"You want to become a knight, right?"
His tone sharpened slightly.
"Next time we meet… it'll be with swords."
"And I won't be the one losing anymore."
He walked away.
Alaric stood there—
silent.
Watching him leave.
Behind them—
Elara had heard everything.
Lalanat and Graneth came rushing over.
"Is Caelin already gone?" Lalanat asked, slightly out of breath.
Alaric didn't answer.
He just looked down.
Graneth and Lalanat exchanged confused glances.
Elara approached from behind. "What are you all doing here?" she asked, glancing at Alaric.
Something about him felt… off.
Lalanat spoke, "I heard from Graneth that Caelin and Alaric were talking. I wanted to ask him why he left…"
Elara nodded slightly.
"So… what did you talk about?" she asked softly, leaning closer to Alaric.
No answer.
She watched him for a moment… then straightened.
"…Alright. I guess you need some time. Let's go back."
She turned and started walking.
Lalanat and Graneth followed.
Graneth looked back. "You coming, Alaric?"
Alaric nodded.
Slowly, he followed behind.
Suddenly—
Elara grabbed his ear.
"I told you to stop acting like you just went through a breakup."
She let go.
"Ow—what was that for? That hurts," Alaric complained, rubbing his ear.
Elara glanced at him.
"Besides… he's not entirely wrong."
She kept walking.
"You have your own goals. You can't let something like this shake you."
A small pause.
"And I'm pretty sure you don't want to lose to him either."
Alaric blinked, surprised.
"…Wait—you heard us?"
He quickened his pace.
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
Elara covered her ears. "I didn't hear anything."
And suddenly—
she ran ahead toward Lalanat and Graneth.
"Hey—then how do you know all that?!" Alaric shouted, chasing after her.
She didn't answer.
Only laughter echoed ahead—
as she kept running,
and Alaric kept chasing.
On the other side—
Caelin went to the school's backyard, a place he thought no one would be.
He slammed his fist against the wall, gritting his teeth, staying there for a while—
until a voice cut through his thoughts.
"You good?"
Caelin froze.
He quickly turned—
Alice stood there, waving at him with a relaxed smile.
"Eh—Miss Alice? What are you doing here?" he asked, startled.
His eyes dropped to the glass in her hand.
"…And why are you drinking during school hours?"
Alice glanced at her drink, then shrugged.
"Ahh… I decided to take an afternoon break," she said casually.
"So I'm having a little drink before I leave. This is kind of my spot."
She looked back at him.
"But I don't think I'm the problem here."
A small pause.
"Are you okay?"
Then, as if remembering—
"Oh—and I heard you left my class?"
Caelin stiffened.
"Ah—no, I… it's—"
He stumbled over his words.
Alice laughed softly.
"Relax. I already know why," she said.
"The principal told me. So don't worry about it."
She tilted her head slightly.
"So… what is it? Want to tell me?"
Caelin looked away.
"…It's nothing."
Alice hummed lightly.
"I see."
She turned, about to leave—
then paused.
Without looking back, she said,
"It's not good to keep things inside just because people think you're 'mature.'
Those thoughts don't just disappear because you ignore them."
She walked back to her spot and took another sip.
Caelin stood there for a moment.
Thinking.
Then, slowly—
he walked over and sat beside her.
Still searching for the right words.
Alice glanced at him, a faint smirk on her face.
"So… what is it, Prince Caelin?"
She leaned back slightly.
"You seem to have everything—wealth, looks, good grades… teachers praising you all the time."
Her eyes narrowed just a little.
"So what's missing?"
Caelin looked down.
"It's not that something is missing…"
He paused.
"It's things I've never had… but want the most."
Alice shifted, now fully facing him.
"Go on."
Caelin took a breath.
And then he told her—
about his father,
about the choice he was given,
about choosing his dream over friendship,
about the things he said…
things he didn't even mean.
Alice listened quietly.
No interruptions.
No judgment.
"I just…" Caelin's voice softened.
"I just want to be understood… not just expected to be something."
Silence followed.
Alice hummed.
"Hm…"
Caelin said nothing.
"You know…" she finally spoke.
Caelin glanced at her.
"I don't have much to say about your father's decision," she said calmly.
"You're his only son. From his perspective… it makes sense."
She swirled the drink in her glass.
"But about your friends…"
She looked at him.
"You said you want them to understand your choice."
A small pause.
"But you never gave them the chance to."
Caelin froze.
"You observe things… and make decisions based on that," she continued,
"not on what they actually feel."
She lifted her glass slightly.
"Not on facts."
Caelin leaned back slowly.
His hands covered his eyes.
Alice watched him quietly.
"…You know, Miss Alice…"
His voice was low.
"I really wish someone had told me that… before I said those things."
Alice poured herself another drink.
A small smile formed.
"Yeah… that's the thing about being human."
She let out a soft laugh.
"We usually learn our lessons… after the damage is already done."
She tapped his shoulder lightly.
"So allow yourself to make mistakes."
Her voice softened just a little.
"Because underneath all that praise and expectation…"
She looked at him.
"You're still human."
Caelin slowly stood up.
Then bowed.
"Miss Alice… thank you."
"For listening… and for telling me what I didn't realize."
Alice grinned.
"Wow. Under all that chaos, you're actually a very polite young man."
She raised her glass slightly.
"How about a drink?"
Caelin froze.
Then quickly shook his head, flustered.
"Ah—no, I should head back now."
He turned and walked away.
Alice watched him leave, chuckling softly.
"Prince Caelin…"
She took a slow sip.
"The type who understands everyone… except himself."
She looked at her glass and smiled.
"…Interesting."
She finished her drink, stretched lazily, and let out a small yawn—
before finally getting up to leave as well.
While walking home, Alaric was lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Elara and Lalanat chatted casually beside him.
Lalanat noticed how quiet he was—unusual, since he was normally the one talking the most.
"I wonder what they talked about… he's so quiet," she said, glancing at him.
Elara looked over as well.
"Who knows. He probably asked Caelin something directly and didn't get the answer he wanted… or didn't understand it. Caelin isn't exactly straightforward like Alaric."
Thud.
"Ouch…" Alaric held his face.
Lalanat quickly rushed toward him.
Elara burst out laughing as she walked over more slowly.
"Are you okay?" Lalanat asked, leaning closer.
"Ah… yeah, I'm fine," Alaric replied, giving her a small smile.
"Your nose is bleeding," she said, pointing.
Alaric touched his nose and looked at his hand.
"…Eh?"
Lalanat quickly handed him a handkerchief. He took it and wiped his nose carefully.
"Thanks, Lala," he said, standing up.
"It's okay."
Elara crossed her arms slightly.
"What were you even thinking about? You didn't notice the pole right in front of you."
"I was just thinking about what to do tomorrow. It's the weekend," he said as they continued walking.
"I could practice… but all day? I'm not sure."
"Ah, yeah… it's the weekend," Lalanat said.
"How about we go out? Maybe try some tea stalls," Elara suggested.
"Oh, that sounds good. Since it's your city, you must know a lot of good places," Alaric replied.
"Not really," she said flatly.
"I can't casually go out like others, so I'm just as lost as you two."
"Hm… must be hard being a princess or a prince," Alaric said, glancing at her.
"You have all the luxury, but can't even enjoy it."
Elara paused for a moment.
"You're half right… and half wrong," she said, then walked past him.
Alaric hummed softly as he followed.
"So, tomorrow we're heading into the city?" he said.
"I wonder if we'll run into Sou."
"Sou?" Lalanat asked.
As they continued walking, Alaric told her about the lost kid he and Elara had helped before—
while Elara kept interrupting, insisting he not mention the part where her stomach growled.
On the other side of the Bane nation—
King Conrad and his wife, Seraphine, were having dinner.
Silence lingered between them.
Seraphine was the first to break it.
"I wonder how our son is doing… It worries me," she said softly, looking at Conrad.
"You made him face such a hard choice. Don't you think you were a little harsh on him?"
Conrad paused for a moment, then resumed eating.
"Don't worry about it. He'll understand soon enough that I did this for his own sake," he replied firmly.
Seraphine lowered her gaze slightly.
"For his sake?" she repeated.
"Taking away what makes him happy… for a future that hasn't even come yet? Do you really think that will make him happy?"
Her voice was quiet as she continued eating.
Conrad set his utensils down, his expression hardening.
"Love? Friendship?" he said, his tone sharpening.
"Those things only weaken a ruler."
He looked at her.
"Do you think ruling a kingdom is easy? It's not just about caring for our people. There are other nations—some stronger, some weaker. And a weak king becomes nothing more than a servant to a stronger one."
His voice rose slightly.
"If he's to become a strong ruler, he cannot afford unnecessary attachments. The only connections he should have are the ones that benefit the kingdom."
Seraphine's voice trembled.
"I understand… I know you're doing this for his future," she said, reaching for his hand.
"But it's too soon. He's still just a student. Before he carries that burden… let him at least enjoy his youth."
Conrad didn't meet her eyes.
"Once he graduates from the academy," he said, his tone unwavering,
"I will arrange his engagement."
Seraphine froze.
She took a slow, heavy breath.
"At least… let him choose his wife," she said, her voice soft but breaking.
"You've already decided everything else for him. Don't take this from him too."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"She's the one he'll spend his life with… please… let him marry someone he loves. Don't force this too."
Conrad exhaled, his patience thinning.
"He doesn't need love to rule," he said flatly.
"He needs someone who is useful."
He stood up.
"And I already have someone in mind."
He turned to leave, then paused slightly.
"Go rest early," he added, his voice calmer now.
"Don't worry about him. One day… both of you will understand I did this for the sake of our family."
Then he left.
Seraphine remained seated at the table.
She didn't move for a long time.
Her hands slowly covered her face.
Tears slipped through her fingers.
"My poor son…"
She let out a quiet, heavy breath.
Next morning.
Caelin and his new roommates were having breakfast together.
While they ate, a yawning Simon walked downstairs, his hair completely messed up. He dropped into the seat beside Caelin and let out another huge yawn.
"Morning," Caelin greeted with a small forced smile.
Before replying, Simon stared at him with a puzzled expression.
"Ah… morning, Caelin," he said sleepily.
For a moment, Caelin felt like he had seen this scene before somewhere. He let out a quiet laugh.
Soon, Katy pointed at Simon with an annoyed look.
"Geez, Simon. At least wash up before breakfast. And try waking up earlier for once."
Without even looking at her, Simon waved lazily.
"Yes, yes. Sorry about that."
Then he turned toward Silvia, rubbing his stomach dramatically.
"Can I get something to eat too?"
Silvia disappeared into the kitchen for a moment before returning with a plate.
"Here. Since you woke up late, you only get half an egg."
Simon stared at the dish in disbelief.
"Eh? That's not fair."
Silvia glanced at him silently.
The moment Simon saw her expression, he quietly picked up his spoon and started eating without another complaint.
After a while, Katy leaned toward Caelin.
"Caelin, do you have anything to do today? If not, why don't you come with us to the library?"
Simon raised a hand while chewing.
"I'm free too."
Katy immediately shot him a look.
"But we weren't asking you."
"Eh? That's rude," Simon complained before returning to his food.
Caelin let out a faint laugh before answering.
"Well, I actually have a few things to do at the market. Since it's the weekend, I usually go there sometimes. Sorry, maybe next time."
Out of nowhere, Silvia suddenly straightened slightly.
"What do you even do at the market every weekend?" she asked.
Everyone looked at her.
Realizing the attention, Silvia quickly sat back down.
Caelin smiled lightly.
"Nothing special. Sometimes I buy books… or try out a few shops."
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Hmmm…"
After a while, Caelin came downstairs dressed neatly with a hat on.
Simon stopped him near the door and narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Hmmm… dressed like that, you look like you're meeting someone important."
He rubbed his chin dramatically.
"Is it a girl?"
Caelin laughed.
"Haha, no. It's not like that. Anyway, I'll see you later."
Then he left.
From the kitchen, Katy called out while washing dishes beside Silvia.
"Did he already leave?"
"Yep," Simon replied while heading back upstairs. "He seemed in a hurry. Anyway, I'm going back to sleep."
Katy stopped washing dishes for a moment.
"Hmmm… I wonder if he's going on a date."
A mischievous smile slowly appeared on her face.
"How about we secretly follow him and find out what he's actually doing?"
Silvia finished washing her plate and sighed.
"Hmmm… sounds more like you're trying to avoid studying and just want an excuse to go shopping."
"Huh…"
Katy immediately looked away without answering.
As Silvia walked past her, she tapped Katy on the shoulder.
"Get ready. We're going to the library."
Katy looked down and stomped her foot dramatically.
"Ahhh, geez… I hate studying."
Then she quickly followed after her.
As Caelin walked through the street, a thought quietly crossed his mind.
I wonder if they're doing okay.
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Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed the chapter, I hope to see you again in the next one.