In the carriage the prince sat beside the window, glancing as it passed buildings and people. The prince seemed to have something in his mind. With his hand he caressed his cheek and turned to Albert, who was busy looking over some expenses the prince made for his birthday.

"Do you think Lucille will accept the invitation?"

"I doubt it. Anymore begging then she'd have to draw her sword out" the prince chuckled at Albert's comment. Amused, the prince gave out a small smile, which made Albert brighten up a bit. Albert has been working for the prince ever since he was fifteen, although Albert himself was only a year older. He admired the prince in every way possible. Sure, the prince can be childish and rebellious but, in some days, he realized that he was fun and kind.

"Your highness! Are you alright? I came by as soon as I heard." Even if it was his job to stay beside him, he couldn't help but feel...like he cared about the prince.

"Albert."

"Yes, your highness?"

"Is there anything else we need to take care of?" Avery glanced back at the window as Albert flipped through the papers "It seems that there is nothing else to take care of. I'll make sure everything will go smoothly as planned" Albert gave a small smile and the prince nodded. I wonder if father will attend...I doubt he has any time for it "Is father busy today?" the prince crossed his legs and leaned against the sides "Unfortunately, his majesty is busy. He's having a meeting with the council as of right now. Do you have something to discuss with him your highness?"

"Uhm, no forget about it. Has the invitations been sent out?" The prince asked, and Albert nodded slightly pushing his glasses upwards "All invitations have been sent out, about ten or nine have already responded" Albert responded, the prince sighed and looked away. Albert noticed how awkward it was, he never liked going on a carriage with the prince because he'd barely start a conversation hopefully we arrive at the palace before I can't handle this awkward situation... Albert thought as sweat started to drip from his forehead. Albert almost jumped as he heard the prince call out his name again "Yes your highness?" he responded "I overheard some people talking about this underground city. Do you know something about it?" It was unusual for the prince to ask something about that, Albert blinked twice before trying to recall something "As far as I know, the underground city isn't part of Arcelia. Most nobles rarely talk about it, I was quite surprised to hear his highness mentioning it" Albert rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling a bit but the prince raised a brow and was even more interested.

"Really? Is it old news to commoners?"

"Hm, I'm not sure about that but I don't know much of this underground city" The prince looked away as if he had something in mind does father know about this 'city'? It's...best to find more information on my own...

The prince finally arrived back to the palace, he rolled his eyes and Albert seemed to have noticed it.

The carriage door opened, as a line of servants and knights greeted the prince. Albert gave a little thumbs up to the prince hoping to lift his spirits a bit. It didn't. Avery knew that the moment he'd step out of the carriage, the two adults he wanted to avoid would be there. After five minutes of not moving, Albert glanced outside "Uhm, your highness. I think it's best to go out now" but the prince didn't budge, "I'd rather stay here until the end of the day."

"Your...highness..." Albert sighed, suddenly a tall middle-aged man started to approach the carriage. Albert immediately tried to get the highness's attention, but he didn't bother looking out the door. The man gave an annoyed expression as he stood in front of the carriage, the servants didn't bother interrupting since it was Doctor Aiko after all.

"Your highness, if you may kindly please step out of the carriage then- "

"Did Count Killian send you?" The prince gave a snobbish remark as he crossed his arms, the doctor's eye twitched in annoyance "You're five minutes late your highness. It would be wise to not skip your lessons, ever again." Tension was building up, even Albert can sense it "My foot hurts" the prince complained, "I was merely taking a short break, after running around preparing after all."

"Your highness, if your foot does hurt, I can easily crack it for you" the two glared at each other, Albert couldn't take it anymore, "Your highness, I can manage the preparations on my own. I wouldn't want you to be so stressed" Albert gave a small smile as the prince turned to him, my birthday is arriving...I can't believe I have to attend those lessons even after I arrived from Kasar... Avery sighed and got out of the carriage. He stared at the doctor and began to glance up and down why is he looking at me like that? I still can't believe Killian asked me to fetch him, that bastard is probably out in the library again...

The prince walked through the wide and spacious hallway as the doctor followed. He kept his rough hands inside his white lab coat, ruffling his short hair and sighs.

"Is Killian treating you well?" the doctor asked, breaking the silence between the two "He's respectable and strict. I guess that's what makes him a good teacher" the prince didn't bother glancing at the doctor, he sounded uninterested to respond but he still did. The prince's pace began to slow down a bit, seems as if he's tormenting you... "Is he bothering you? If he is, then tell me. I'll teach him a lesson" The doctor sounded confident, but the prince stopped which surprised the doctor.

"Stop acting like you care about me."

"But I do- "

"No. You only care about the crown prince." He raised his voice, but he had no intention of pouring out tears. But why didn't he? Everyone already knew he was childish so why didn't he shed a single tear?

"Young prince? What are you doing out here all alone?"

I want to ignore it.

"Ah, I know. Let's play a game"

I want to push that feeling away.

"Her highness is just feeling dizzy, don't worry"

Because I know...

"Avery...what are you doing here?"

You'd lie again and again.

"Does your foot still hurt?" The doctor started to walk towards the silent prince, he averted his gaze onto his foot and hand, his hands were trembling and was formed into a tight fist, the doctor wanted to speak but was interrupted.

"Aiko why are you keeping my student from attending class?" Count Killian Lennox is part of the Imperial court. And one of the most trusted advisors of the Emperor, some say he's too oblivious, but his opinions out shines most of the counts. Doctor Aiko was only an inch taller than him, yet for some reason he's intimidated by the count's careful behavior, just seeing the count would make the doctor uneasy.

"His foot hurts, I'm merely helping him".

Liar

"I'll take care of his foot in the study. Go on now your highness, I'll discuss a few things with the doctor" there he goes...always giving that innocent smile. The prince nodded and walked away, leaving the doctor and the count alone.

Aiko couldn't stop looking at the poor boy, wondering what was on his mind. The prince had a troubled look on his face, not bothering where his legs would take him. All the doctor could do was just look, from a distance.

"You seem stressed, what's bothering you?" the count's tone showed how curious he has, curious... "What do you think?" the doctor scoffed, keeping his distance from the count.

I wonder what he wants now...

"A stressed doctor is rather dangerous to have. Who knows what's going on inside his intelligent mind" a smile crept on the count's face as he pointed to his left temple.

"I don't know what you're talking about..." the count sighed seeing the bothered doctor "Seriously, you're probably the only mystery I can't seem to understand" the count chuckled, ruffling his hair that was blacker than the night.

The count started to take a few steps closer to the doctor, keeping that mischievous grin on his face.

"I'd rather stay a mystery in your eyes, more than anyone." The doctor gulped, the count tilted his head his eyes was set on something. Around the doctor's neck was a pendant. The pendant reflected the sun's light, which almost blinded the count.

"I didn't know you had a thing for jewelry"

"What? Do you want to steal it now?" the count laughed at his remark.

"I could never steal something that precious from you"

"Precious? Why do you think that?" the doctor's expression changed, making the count's smile widen.

"Oh? This pendant isn't precious to you?" the count lifted the jewelry to take a good look "If it isn't that precious then I hope you won't mind me-" suddenly the doctor slapped his hand away from the pendant and took a step back "It may not be that precious to me but it's still mine."

The doctor's tone made it obvious, he was annoyed. Seeing his expression made the count smile again still so full of emotions... the count stepped back and smiled innocently.

"My apologies, it seems as my student is waiting for me. I also apologize if I made you uncomfortable" he bowed and walked pass the doctor.

I still can't remove that feeling. Even if I am barely called to the palace, seeing him always causes shivers up my spine. I hate it, and I hate how close they are to the Emperor...but I can't seem to interfere. Then again...I have my own problems to deal with.

"Doc!"

Right...that child...

"The medicine worked! Also, the glove was successful." A boy shouted as he ran towards the doctor, he had a spark in his eyes and a confident smile. You'd probably mistake him as a thief, but everyone in the palace knew him as the doctor's assistant. The boy's face was covered with a hood and a neck gaiter, but his hazel blue eyes was only visible.

The doctor turned around as the boy breathed heavily as he ran for awhile trying to find the doctor around the palace.

"Andrew, you're supposed to stay inside the laboratory" the doctor turned to the breathless boy and placed a hand on his hip "Sorry...I couldn't really wait..." the boy took a few minutes to calm down, "Calm down" the doctor sighed "How many times do I have to tell you not to wear thick clothing when going outside"

"It's not thick! Plus...I like wearing them"

"You're probably sweating under all of that right now"

"I'm not!"