If there was any feature a person would use to describe Alexander Vylian’s face, it would be his smile.

Of course, he had his ever-infuriating languid eyes, his pale face, and the sheet of golden blonde hair resting atop his head that branded him a Vylian.

But that small smile tied the whole package together, barely tugging at the corners of his red lips without showing his teeth.

He was happy, true.

But he felt no joy.

After his… independent attempt at a violent resignation as crown prince a few months ago, Alex had gained a new appreciation for life and the joys it had to offer.

All of them.

Almost a fifth of the personnel employed by the palace were guards, to prevent the prince from escaping the royal grounds on one of his euphoric, sugar-fueled adventures.

Of course, none of them had ever actually captured the prince, but the Emperor gave them credit for trying.

As long as Alex was happy, he would be happy.

Penelope however, was at her wit’s end and was on the verge of breaking down after having to clean up after the prince’s antics every single day.

Not many could say no to the heir of the richest family in the Empire.

But she could.

Maids fearfully scurried away as a very angry Penelope stormed through the palace halls, her eyes ablaze with fury. There was one pig she was on the hunt for, and she wouldn’t settle for anything less than a massacre.

“Alex, open the door right now!” She yelled, banging her fist on the door.

No response.

Gritting her teeth together, she did the unthinkable; she kicked down the door to the crown prince’s bedroom.

The first thing she noticed was the distinct scent of chocolate, making her mouth water and her stomach grumble.

The second thing she noticed was how messy the place was. None of the maids had dared to enter the prince’s room, so the curtains were still closed and the windows shut. Wrinkled clothes were strewn about lazily along with opened sweet wrappers and books.

And finally, the crowning piece of the scenery: the prince, fast asleep on the bed and delirious after another chocolate-induced high.

Penelope crossed the room swiftly, and plopped herself on the bed.

None of the Shadow Guards stationed around the room bothered trying to restrain her, since she was never punished for her insolence.

Penelope raised her hand, and striked the prince across his face. “Oi, Alex! Wake up already.” she said.

Alex jerked awake. “Huh? Wh-where am I?” he said groggily. “What are you doing here in the middle of the night, Penny?”

“This is your room and it’s already morning, you dimwit!”

“Morning? But I swear I only fell asleep for a minute or two-”

Penelope sighed. “Anyway, your family is waiting for you downstairs for breakfast.”

“I think I’ll pass,” Alex replied with a wave of his hand. “I’m still full from dinner.”

“My ass, you are. Look at yourself.” Penny walked to the curtains and with one swift motion, swept them aside. Sunlight shot out from the window like a bullet, exposing Alex in all his glory.

Or more accurately, misery.

A skeletal, gaunt figure, deprived of nutrients, replaced the once childish, healthy body. His skin was pale—not the usual fair kind of pale, but the sickly kind of pale—and his clothes looked baggy, despite the growth spurt at his age.

Alex’s eyes widened when he saw the changes to himself.

“Is-is this really me?” He muttered in disbelief.

“It is.” Penny said with a nod.

Alex dropped down to the ground, covering his face with his hands. “How did it come to this?”

“Is this what I’ve been doing to myself this whole time?”

“Well…”

“Be honest with me, Penny.”

She sighed, “It’s not just you. Your parents are worried about you, but they feel too guilty about pushing you to do anything about it. The young mistress cries everyday, hoping you’ll get better, and the young miss misses you.”

“How is Lenora doing?” He asked tentatively.

“She’s alright, I guess,” Penny muttered, her gaze dropping to the ground.

“That’s a relief. What about you?”

Penny’s head snapped up. “Huh?”

“Are you alright?” Alex repeated, concerned.

“Wh-what do you mean? Of course I'm alright!" sputtered Penny, her voice going up an octave. "J-just promise me you’ll get better,”

“I will.” Alex swore as he dusted himself off. “I’m sorry, Penny. I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

Penny sprang up from the bed. “Shut up, go get changed, and go downstairs for breakfast,” she ordered, “I don’t want to hear another word from you until after you’ve showered. You smell.” With a huff, she stomped out, slamming the door behind her.

Normally, someone of high class would have been appalled at the direct order, and would have ordered her to be punished. But instead, Alex sat on the bed with a big smile on his face. One that showed his teeth.

Penny, meanwhile, ran back to her room with enough speed to rival even the most experienced augmenter. she jumped onto her bed and let out an almighty scream into her pillow.

‘He-he asked me how I felt!!’

…

Alex walked towards the dining room more afraid than he had ever been in his life.

‘How will my parents react when they see me? Will they be sad, disappointed? What about Elena, or Lenora?’ He thought absentmindedly.

Before he knew it, he had reached the dining room. Sweat dripped from his forehead in dread.

“Young Master,” The head butler greeted with a bow. “Shall I inform your family of your arrival?”

“Yes. Thank you, Andrei,” Alex said with a polite nod.

“No problem, young master. It is good to have you back.” Andrei raised a fist to his chest as a salute, and turned towards the dining room.

“Enter Prince Alexander Billiam Vylian.”

Alex took a deep breath and stepped inside, just as he had rehearsed many times before.

The first thing he heard was the cheerful chatter of his family. His father said something that made Elena laugh, and his mother was helping Lenora butter her toast, the scraping of the knife on the crisp surface resounding through the room. Normally, the scent of it would have made Alex’s mouth water, but today, it made his stomach churn.

His mother glanced up at him, and dropped her knife with a loud clang. The chatter slowly died, and everyone turned to look at Alex standing in the doorway awkwardly.

“Dear…”

His parents stared at him, concern written all over their faces.

“Hello Mother, Father.”

“Brother, you’re alright!” Elena exclaimed as she dropped all manners and embraced her sibling.

“Good to see you too, Elena.” Alex replied, returning her embrace.

“Buh-buh!” Lenora cried, raising her arm.

“Hey Lenora, did you miss me?” Alex asked as he tickled her.

Lenora giggled and began playing with Alex’s finger. His anxiety washed away, forgotten.

At least until the Emperor coughed slightly, gathering the attention of everyone present.

“Alex, how are you?” He asked. Although his face looked indifferent and impassive, Alex could hear the worry in his voice.

“I-I’m alright, Father.”

Alex dropped to his knees and thumped his chest with his fist. “I apologize for my actions. They have brought disgrace to our name. Punish me however you see fit, for I have failed you.”

Elena gasped while Lenora happily played with her food, oblivious to the ongoing conflict. Charisse rose from her seat to object, but Isaiah put his hand over hers.

“Let me speak to him first.”

Authority.

Mana surged in the Emperor’s body, silencing and putting pressure on everyone.

“Alex.”

One word. Just one word broke a hole in Alex’s wall of indifference, cracking it.

“It seems you haven’t learned your lesson yet.” He said with disappointment in his voice.“Before we are kings, what are we?”

“Merchants, Father.” Alex said.

“And what before that?”

Alex opened his mouth to answer then closed it back, finding himself unable to answer.

“Tell me.”

“We are family, Alex.”

Crack.

“You can never disappoint me, Alex, because you,” the Emperor kneeled down and dripped Alex’s shoulders, “You, Alex Vylian, are my son.”

My son, echoed in Alex’s mind. Another crack.

“I’ll give the throne to your sister if you won’t have it.”

“Me?” Elena asked, surprised.

Isaiah turned to face Elena, “Yes, you. After all, it’s all about the money in the empire. No one would object.” He turned back to Alex.

“You don’t have to carry this burden anymore, Alex.”

Isaiah saw something move from the corner of his eyes, and he looked up to see a flash of white through the doorway of the room. Smiling to himself, he asked Alex.

“So, my son, What will you do?”

Alex stared down at the floor in deep thought before speaking.

“I choose…”