____

"...No."

I managed to say one word that didn't really specify what it is meant for. Klydeur blinked his eyes. "What?"

"I said no to sparing Ashley from her punishment." I repeated, this time, full of conviction. I was hesitating since I might get punished too, but right now, I am also willing to accept my fault.

Ashley frowned. "Your highness, that's—"

"You two." Everyone fell silent as soon as the Empress spoke again. I could feel her frustration at the situation. "Do not cause a scene in the hallway ever again. This isn't the first time."

I nodded, quite unsure how she knew about it, but shrugged it off. "Yes, your majesty."

But it seems Klydeur is not comfortable. "Then...mother, how about Ashley?"

She glanced back at the princess, and the two of them got into a staring contest before the princess herself decided to calm down. "...I understand."

"Follow me to my office. Both of you." Aureus then looked at him then me, which is enough for us to oblige. The knights finally managed to handcuff the Florida princess, her power restrained.

The maids soon left as well, but not so good stares came my way. Judge me all you want, I could care less.

As Klydeur and I followed the Empress, the walk seemed fast enough that we reached our destination in a blink of an eye.

She sat on her chair, and so I sat on the couch infront of her desk. Klydeur narrowed his eyes at me, before hesitating to sit down the opposite side.

There was a momentary silence before she started the conversation. "I will be sending back the Florida princess to her Empire temporarily. Consider it a recuperation."

My brother widened his eyes, at a loss for words. I squinted my eyes, not sure whether this did me justice. "Your majesty, if I may ask, does this mean she'll return here in no time after her...recovery?"

"Indeed. But under stricter circumstances." She responded, tapping her fingers on the desk.

Ah, so is she saying that she'll cover up the princess' punishment as recuperation and send her back to the Florida Empire? Then, if she returns, she'd be strictly guarded.

I do hope that's the case.

"Now we've dealt with the one who slandered an imperial member, let's discuss the assault."

I lowered my head. "I have no excuses, your majesty. I completely realize my fault, and I'm willing to accept any befitting punishment."

My brother must be silently enjoying the situation. It's not like one moment ago, he promised not to put any punishment for me in exchange of sparing his so-called-friend. But now she's temporarily sent away, he's not saying anything.

And with the silence dragging on for longer than I thought that it might reach imperial court, I soon heard the Empress' next words. "Your punishment shall be..."

I gulped, this time, I'm the one who widened my eyes in surprise.

Klydeur stared at the Empress in utter disbelief, while I almost couldn't process why such a thing is my punishment.

"T-that's..." I bit my lower lip, refraining myself to say something else or I might get even worse of a punishment.

She tilted her head, silver eyes analyzing me. "Is it too difficult a punishment for the crown prince?"

"Ah, no, not really." I replied casually, before realizing my situation. "But! Is that really a punishment?"

The Empress blinked her eyes. "It's not like I did extreme measures to punish the princess. It should be fair to have yours as light as hers."

"Mother, is this really right?" Klydeur decided to speak up. "No matter what, even if he is the crown prince, he assaulted me. Isn't it supposed to be taken seriously and with consideration?"

"Then tell me." Aureus stood up, before slowly walking towards us. "What happened for him to assault you?"

"I only asked him why he always fights us whenever we meet, and that he wasn't like this before." The sly fox even added a sniffle effect to make himself look pitiful and innocent.

Yeah, sure, in others perspective, that reason doesn't sound normal for me to choke and slam him down the floor.

I shouldn't have resorted to violence, but I guess it runs in the family bloodline.

"I have a different reason." I raised a hand to get their attention. "As you all know, Ashley kept on insulting me wherever and whenever. I let it slide multiple times, including the rumors that circulates around me."

Looking at Klydeur, my expression turned serious. "I lost control of my emotions and lunged at you. That, I apologize." But before he can say anything, I continued. "However, as I told you that time, do not provoke me."

"I did not!"

Staring at the Empress, he still tried so hard to win her over. "Mother, atleast tell me why Ashley had to go back to her homeland."

Aureus then stopped walking, as she put a finger at my younger brother's cheek. "I thought you prepared your script well. You dissappoint me."

I blinked, and so did he.

Huh? Script?

Don't tell me...

"T-that's, what do you mean, mother?" Plus points for Klydeur who raised that question for me. Does she know what kind of person my brother actually is? Or is it about something else?

The latter smirked, making me shiver as a chill ran down my spine. She then redirected Klydeur's face to look up at her.

"Didn't your maids claimed that the princess is still young and stressed to be far away from home?"

I blinked, able to remember those familiar words earlier.

"She must have rebelled and said words she truly didn't mean." Aureus copied the exact line the maid told me. But she wasn't there that time yet!

"And so, I showed mercy and gave her the lightest punishment, which I won't consider calling a punishment either." Aureus finished as she let go of his face, walking towards another direction.

Klydeur collected himself and made sure he didn't show any opposition, but his balled fists says otherwise.

I mentally and emotionally prepared myself as soon as the Empress stopped infront of me. "I believe you understand the punishment I have given you, crown prince."

I gave her a firm nod. "Yes, your majesty."

As soon as she raised her hand, I expected to get the same treatment Klydeur did, but unexpectedly, she only ruffled my hair a bit. "Good. You must reflect with your actions by doing more paperworks. Soon, you'll be able to handle other diplomatic affairs."

It's a good thing that my punishment is to work harder, but I'm sure I'll also have my confinement as to not be able to leave the palace for a while. Besides, rumors about the crown prince assaulting the 2nd prince might become a trend.

But too bad, that trend won't happen.

I simply signalled that possibility to Eldest earlier. So I'm sure she's on her way to either stop the rumors or change it altogether to avoid mine or Klydeur's reputation be ruined.

Besides, she'll also be busy to find accurate evidences that Ashley was the reason for my dissappearance and the exaggerated rumors of my death back then. That way, we can completely demolish the Florida princess.

If you're curious why I included saving Klydeur's dignity from the rumors, it's simple.

I do not use the same tactic my enemies use against me. Rumors will just be rumors. And I don't want to take advantage of the situation against Klydeur either.

He just lost one ally. I'm not heartless as to crush him at his lowest.

If he doesn't make trouble for me, or have ill intentions towards me again, I won't bother him either. He probably got influenced by Ashley, or this is just really his personality.

Klydeur may think this is unfair. Well, it is. But he's the one who isn't fair. He may have used Ashley to diss me and become his fallout, so honestly speaking, he needs to learn his lesson as well.

This time, it will be me against him. No more connections, no more people to defend each others.

The Empress is probably planning to just watch on the sidelines and step forward if needed. So for the time being, I'll be working extra hard.

"Interesting. Despite the chaos, you still held unto that book." I snapped back to reality when I heard the Empress' voice.

Instinctively, I looked at my left hand, still holding the precious book of truce that Eldest got for me. Holy, I didn't even realize! Good thing I didn't use it to slap the living daylights out of my brother earlier.

"Ah, ehehe." I simply laughed my way out, while Klydeur probably internally rolled his eyes at me. Yep, after the crisis, I simply changed into mama's boy mode.

Don't blame me, fate made me crazy.

___

Days turned into weeks, then months, until it became years. All those years of my dreadful extra working to fulfill my duties as the young crown prince of Vermillion will finally pay off!

With enough intellect and experience, I am confident to say that I am one step near to securing my position. Even the nobles and other aristocrats that supported me has increased, and are proud of supporting me.

As for Klydeur, he's doing good. Not as better as when he's with Ashley, but he managed with the help of the three well-known aristocrats I met before. The Lord, the Lady, and the young Lord.

Sorry, I forgot their names, quite intentionally.

The Duke of Lethilde, whom I had a bad impression at first, soon turned out to be a nice man. He was just straight-forward and calculative. I made sure to lecture him how to knock on the door first, tho.

The Marquis of Marveil is also good, he may have been stoic and looked at me seriously all the time, but I can feel how loyal he is. Everytime new rumors that wants to defame me comes up, he makes sure they go down or get changed into something else.

As for the Viscount of Fregossa, he is someone I am most comfortable with. Since I grew up having no warmth of a father, I saw him as a father figure. I also became friends with his son, the reknowned genius, Richard Fregossa!

We even took up academic classes together at the imperial academy. Klydeur is there too, but we finished way earlier than my brother.

Ah, and ofcourse, I forgot the Duke's and the Marquis' daughters. Lady Beatrice and Lady Mia.

They grew up well. That's all I can say. Their baby fats are gone, and they look like they're about to evolve into their adult self, but still looking younger.

"Your highness."

I blinked, before recalling the fact that Jamie and the rest of my maids are here as well. Back then, she prepared such a grand birthday party for me and even had to put up with collabing together with Klydeur's maids for it.

Good thing those maids agree to one thing despite serving different princes: a grand birthday party.

Our 11th birthday party is the most unforgettable moment of my life. I won't be telling details, it was just luxurious and I spent so much time socializing that I almost tried to jump off the balcony.

Eldest wasn't present at that time. I shrugged it off. Not until she's still absent every year, not only in my birthday's! But literally, I couldn't find her anywhere!

Again, I shrugged it off and tried to be understanding. It must be difficult to gather evidences against Ashley.

Then I heard from Lady Beatrice herself that she saw Eldest staying in another Empire, I believe it was in Valeria.

I shook off my head, recalling the fact that Jamie is infront of me. I should be focusing in reality first, and so I smiled. "Jamie."

"Our prince! We have prepared your bath." Mia, my maid and not the Marquis' daughter, is still bubbly as ever.

Ria silently scolds her for being too loud before calmly smiling at me. "Afterwards, you are scheduled to have breakfast at the dining hall with her majesty the Empress, and prince Klydeur, his imperial highness."

I gave them an understanding nod. "Thank you, Mia and Ria." I stood up and before I can peck their cheeks like I usually do, I refrained myself since it seems awkward now.

"Ah, I'll go now."

"Your highness, a moment please!" Looking back, I saw Jamie, who then signalled for me to lower my head. Confused, I did so.

"As I had foreseen, our prince grew up tall and handsome." Jamie beamed proudly as she pat my head. I chuckled, realizing how tall I've become over the course of 6 years.

Yes. From my 10 year old self, I suddenly got a glow up after 6 years. A 15 year old prince who'll have his first debut at 16 once the month of my birthdate comes along this year.

Mia and Ria soon joined Jamie as they all pat my head. "We are sooo proud of you, your highness! It wasn't long ago when you said you like me as much as you like cookies!" Mia sniffled, and Ria, as always, offered a handkerchief.

"Aha." I can't help but smile. My nannies are really caring and genuine. Despite the difficulties I had as the crown prince, they would always be there to brighten my mood.

"Alright! Our prince can't be late." Jamie clapped her hands, and so they all prepared to push me into the bathroom and putting my clothes in a table before closing the door.

Don't even think about me being washed up by my own maids. I do it my own, I am perfectly capable and not disabled.

Before I took off my clothes to wash up, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I grinned upon seeing myself. Indeed, I grew up tall and handsome. If I imagine my hair white, then obviously, that's what Klydeur looks like.

"I better be quick." I mumbled to myself as I recalled the event for today's breakfast. Can't risk being late.

___

Finally reached Clydeur's teen era! I'll be writing more drafts again before I post them in one go. I'm planning to finish this story but at the same time, I don't want to rush it. So either I write a book 2 or just write this one with a long journey ahead. That's all for now. Happy reading!

-ShaneRRR☕