Four years have passed since the third son of the Duke went missing. Within months, no one bothered to find or even get information as to where he had gone. Missing posters stopped being distributed and some even forgot his name. Duke Raxalus passed away at the age of sixty-eight, due to an illness that started ever since Raine disappeared.

Eventually everyone forgot about the missing third lord of the Atreus family. Kairin Elias Atreus, the eldest son took the title of Duke several weeks after Raxalus had passed away, with Kairin traveling place to place, battling invaders and defending the emperor's border, the Atreus estate was left for the second son, Lord Seymour Varick Atreus to administer. The Atreus family reputation has risen over the years, rumors of the two sons succeeding and winning the trust of the Emperor, protecting, handling political affairs and many more.

"They seem to have done a lot these years"

"They've gotten better too. If only you were there to support them"

"Who said I can't do that in the shadows?"

It has been two months since Raine returned to Arcelia, he kept his identity low and his guard on. He isn't planning on paying his brothers a visit, they probably thought he was dead anyways. Raine started to work at a newspaper company as a part time job, although all he had to do was sell papers and buy new supplies.

Over the years, Raine learned how to survive. He wasn't taught much living at the Atreus estate but living in his uncle's home, made him learn a lot.

"You surely have changed over the years."

"I've learned a lot from you, uncle"

Running through the crowded market, was Raine. Not Amadeus Raine Atreus but just Raine. The wind swayed his brown hair to the back as he breathed heavily, looking for the supplies his co-worker asked for. In a rush, he kept bumping into people on the way "Sorry-" "My apologies!" "So sorry!".

I should really wear something light next time...

Raine stopped running and leaned against a wall to take a break. I'm going to scream at Reynold for the last-minute changes... He glanced around and noticed there were a lot more people than usual today, imperial guards were stationed around the restaurant most nobles would visit I wonder which noble is out today... Raine stood up and fixed his attire before running around looking for the supplies again.

After searching for fifteen minutes, Raine had finally found the store. Iris's bookstore! During the four years of Raine's disappearance, Iris quit being a maid of the Atreus family and went on to own a bookstore. Raine didn't want to involve Iris in any of his affairs but surely it wouldn't hurt to show her that he was still alive and well.

Hopefully she remembers me...

The sound of a small bell rang as Raine opened and stepped in the bookstore, although it had a lot of people visiting it was rather hard to find it due to the amount of buildings surrounding the market. Raine was practically running through circles. The bookstore was small but comfortable, it gave off a cozy aura with it just being small.

No one seems to be here...hopefully I get to bump into Miss Iris... Raine started to look around. His boots were a bit muddy due to the multiple routes he kept taking, his black coat slightly touching his legs as he walks around. He takes a book from one of the shelves and began flipping through the pages Ah, I remember reading this as a kid...

"Mother! Mother!" "Mother? Why so formal Raine?"

" What should I call you then?" her hands were soft and smooth; her voice was gentle whenever I smiled.

"Call me 'mama'" her chuckles felt like soft tickles to my ears "Now! What is it you wanted to show me, gumdrop?"

Gumdrop was a nickname she loved calling me, everyday whenever I'd visit her she would always give me a small pouch full of gumdrops. I started to love the sweet treats, to the fact I had a sweet tooth.

"This book Miss Iris recommended to me!"

"Oh? A fairytale?"

"Yeah! I was wondering if you have time to read it to me." I was a shy kid, asking simple requests made me all flustered and awkward, but my mother didn't seem to mind.

"I'll read it...I'll read it to you every day..."

Raine sighed as he placed the book back to the shelf. Raine wanted to avoid those old memories but still, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic and smile so brightly again. He turned his head slightly, and before he knew it, a boot flew directly at him hitting his nose.

"This store is closed!" Raine heard a familiar voice of a girl, wait...could it be? Once the boot fell from his face, Raine's eyes widened as he saw a girl in front of him, after a few seconds of staring at her, he chuckled.

"You've grown" causing her to turn into a blushing mess of embarrassment. Her eyebrows furrowed as she clenched her hand causing her to form a tight fist, "Stop laughing or else your face isn't the only thing I'll hit" she glared and took a step closer "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. It's just been so long since I last saw you, Kiyoko".

"Raine, I'd like you to meet my daughter. Don't be shy Kiyoko".

The first time I met Kiyoko, was when I was twelve years old. She was a shy girl, didn't talk much either. I guess that's why Miss Iris wanted her and I to be friends.

"If I had known you arrived to Arcelia I would've visited you" She hasn't changed I see... "I didn't want to bother you and Miss Iris" She cut her hair to her neck length, she even dyed the ends of her hair to a bright color yellow "Nonsense, she would be relived to hear you're doing well" after four long years, Raine finally saw the beauty of change around the person he spent his childhood with, but he still felt uneasy.

"Would you like some tea? I'm heating warm water in the kitchen" she still likes tea...

"I'm alright, I'm supposed to buy something but since your closed...I'll come by another time" Raine rubbed the back of his neck as Kiyoko observed him he's gotten taller...his voice became a bit low, but it still has that kind tone.

"Oh, what is it you wanted to buy?"

"Just some paper, I'm working for a news paper company you see..." Kiyoko glanced around for a bit, and walked closer to Raine, "It's on me."

"Seriously?" Raine whispered back, stepping back a little "I can't accept it" hearing that Kiyoko pinched Raine's cheek harshly, "Are you seriously going to turn down something free for once?!?" Kiyoko whispered, still pinching Raine's cheek "Okay! Okay! I'll accept it" Raine cried, Kiyoko stopped pinching his cheek and stepped back. Raine realized that she had become more confident of herself. She had more attitude, but she still is the Kiyoko he enjoyed spending time with as a kid.

"Psst! Raine! Raine!"

"Kiyoko!?! What are you- "

"Shhh! I'm playing hide and seek with someone, want to join?"

"No thanks, I might get my clothes dirty like last time. But who is this new friend of yours?"

"Well, she's my neighbor who recently moved in!"

"Her name is Kairo. She's the best!"

A few minutes passed and eventually the two had to part again. Raine promised to visit often and Kiyoko made sure to tell Iris that he was doing alright. As Raine walked away, Kiyoko was in front of the store still waving goodbye.

Her expression changed, the moment felt familiar and bittersweet. I guess she still recalled the day he disappeared.

And the day, she almost died.

"M-Mother...? Where's...Raine...?" I was only thirteen, I held the stuffed animal my mother gave me. The rain grew heavy as flashes of lighting lit the dark room. Inside it, was my mother holding a sharp object, to her throat.

"I'm so sorry......duchess......may the gods forgive me"

Kiyoko shivered as the wind blew, people glanced and walked as they passed. She went back inside, feeling as if, someone was watching her.

The crown prince returned to Arcelia after graduating from an elite school in Kasar, the southern kingdom.

His highness the prince was a rebellious son. He was nicknamed "the childish prince" for his outgoing personality, the nobles love to snicker and spread rumors about the prince, but he didn't seem to mind and was fully aware that those rumors would just benefit in his reputation.

"No."

"Come on! Pleaseee, I'm practically going to beg on my knees at this point!"

"Go ahead, I still would say no"

Inside a popular restaurant, was prince Theodore Avery Kasavik, the third. The prince was begging at a lady who sat in front of him, with her arms and legs crossed she still didn't bat an eye on the pleading and desperate prince.

"Just this once! And I promise I'll leave you alone and won't bother you ever again!" the prince clasped his two hands together, praying as he lowered his head almost touching the round table which carried the food they ordered.

"I don't understand why I have to be your partner to your birthday celebration. You have a face, so use it." Aside from the prince's childish attitude, he was quite handsome. His straight brown hair was smooth and healthy, his emerald colored eyes shimmered in the sun light ("It was as if I was being blinded by an angel!" at least that's what the ladies say) his fair skin and his freckles all made him look attractive. But those features and compliments some how got into his head.

"That's the thing! Every lady wants to accompany me on my birthday celebration! They're like lions, when they see something they like. They'll eat it!" the prince cried which made the lady exhaled in annoyance "I doubt anyone would want to 'eat' you. Just find someone else, why should I accompany you?"

"Because you give off a scary aura..." Seriously?

"You want me to accompany you because I look scary? Is that it?" her tone became harsh as she kept going "Do I look scary to you?" she continued.

"To be honest...yeah...?" the lady raised a brow as the prince responded nervously but honestly. She sighed and stood up to leave "I have other matters to attend to. I'll be off, your highness" she bowed and walked away, with two knights accompanying her out the door.

The prince leaned against his seat and exhaled, his assistant walked towards the exhausted young prince.

"It doesn't seem like Lady Lucille is willing to go your highness" his assistant added "Yeah. I sometimes forget it's hard to convince her to do certain things, even if it's as simple as that." The prince gave a faint smile and closed his eyes.

Lucille Esper Vidorict is the second daughter of the Vidorict family. A prestigious family known for being related to the Imperial family and is considered the second richest clan in Arcelia. The family is also known for their peculiar hair color, which was the color of innocence, the color white. If someone has white hair they are considered part of the Vidorict clan, nobility or not.

The prince opened his eyes and glanced at his assistant, "Albert" he called out, as the light brown-haired boy rushed immediately to his highness's side "Change of plans, I think I'll just ask Mikaela to be my partner" the prince sighed and got up to stretch for a bit, "Of course your highness, I'll get planning right away" Albert bowed and the prince made his way out of the restaurant.

Outside, imperial knights are stationed around the building. As soon as the prince walked out of the restaurant all eyes were on him. He smiled and waved as the people started to crowd around him.

"Your highness!"

"Oh my god it's prince Avery!!"

The people crowded and screamed the prince's name as they start to throw flowers and gifts to his feet. Avery, who was used to this kind of attention smiled warmly, he gave a wink and the ladies squealed, louder than a horn maybe even a screech.

The prince walked over to his carriage and gave his last wave as the carriage started to move.

As soon as he left, the crowd was still stunned to see the prince out in the market, and amongst the crowd was Raine. Who was stunned to see his old friend behave in such a way.