When Lucilline awoke, he found a nest of soft fluffy golden hair sitting across the bed. Streams of sunlight peeked through slims of the curtains, while wisps of harmless breeze circulated the room. Occasionally, the wind would roughly send the curtain flying up.
The black-haired nobleman was hit by the gaze of the skies' cerulean blue colour. It's morning... wait, morning!?!
Dimitri winked, "Awake?"
Lucilline lurched up from the bed. His entire body seemed to be plunged in a pool of arctic waters. His hands unconsciously clenched the sheets, "What happened to the mission?" Why didn't you wake me up? Thousands of questions raced through his head.
The Crown Prince was dressed in commoners' attire.
He smiled with his arms crossed across his chest. His sleeves were pulled up to his elbows, revealing his robust and well-toned limbs, "The swamp demons have already been taken care of."
Lucilline could not believe it.
He said that he'd eliminate the swamp demons... he promised that he'd help. So why is it that he had contributed nothing?
"What is with that expression?" Dimitri chuckled. "You don't believe me? Ask your butler or maid, they helped me in the process."
Lucilline's pale face turned to look at Augustine. The reincarnator was dressed in an extra large t-shirt, the hem tucked within his belt and loose trousers. His taut muscles tugged against the shirt, which even though was extra large—was still tight. His collar was open, a fragrance of masculinity exposed to the atmosphere. His dashing short black hair gleamed from the sunlight.
Sharp grey eyes flickered, quickly exposing his emotions, a tint of guilt visible within them.
"It's true." Augustine admitted.
"Mhm." Willow shied away.
Now that she talked, Lucilline noticed that the maidservant was present in their room. Willow no longer tied her hair up into a bun, laying it free on her puny shoulders.
Lucilline bit the inside of his mouth.
It is real. He didn't do anything.
"...well, what happened at night." Lucilline asked, despite his great urge to sulk.
Dimitri laid everything bare before him. Last night, he rounded up Augustine and Willow, then investigated Kirvin Village together. It turned out that the swamp demons were gathered near the roots of the centre large tree, thus building a nest there.
The three of them exterminated the demons, then burned the nest.
The core problem of the swamp demons was resolved—
—without me, Lucilline couldn't help but remind himself. In the end, no matter how hard he tried to become stronger, he will forever be a burden.
The Young Master of House Rubius really isn't that impressive.
"What's wrong, Young Master?" Willow stared helplessly. She was like a stray deer caught in headlights, "Isn't it great? His Royal Highness resolved the problem, and the people of Kirvin Village will be able to live peacefully! We should be thankful for him!"
Lucilline mustered up his strength, but found no energy.
He really was still so worthless.
"I'm glad you think the same." His Dream demon casually spoke.
"You're really strong, Your Highness." Lucilline smiled, but his smile lacked emotions. If only I could be like the Crown Prince. This way, I can become more reliable. More people will trust me. Additionally, I won't be more and more like a villain.
Dimitri's eyes narrowed.
He seemed to notice something.
Lucilline's body became stiff. Countless of scenarios rewound his head. What if he angered the Crown Prince? What if his unreliability made the Crown Prince dislike him? What if the Crown Prince decided to kill him there and now?
"Well," Dimitri broke the silence. He smiled casually, "I am tired from last night. How about we stroll around Kirvin Village. Perhaps, we might find some fun."
Willow agreed.
"Yes, let's do it!" She grabbed her Young Master by the arm, "Young Master, you look down! Let's go outside and cheer up!"
Lucilline: did his face really give away his emotions so easily?
*****
The thick and condensed riffs of mist had vanished. Kirvin Village used to appear imposing and suffocating, but the mysterious veil was ripped off. It revealed a village of bright and luscious woods, the leaves rustling in morning dew greenery, and nearby animals poked their heads out to feed on sweet fruits.
"Wow!" Willow beamed as she explored the place. "It's so beautiful!"
Kirvin Village portrayed a huge contrast compared to its beginning look. Without the fog veiled across the village, the swamp did not appear so gloomy anymore.
The wooden paths were crowded with stalls, where owners clamoured for a good sale.
"I had no idea Kirvin Village was so cheerful without the demons," Lucilline was stunned. Truly, no one could judge a book by its cover. His Royal Highness managed to save all the people of Kirvin Village. He is truly powerful and amazing.
Dimitri just shrugged nonchalantly, as if he had no contributions to this.
"Young fellows, would you like a taste of my store's fresh-out-of-the-oven bread loaves?" An eager store owner had skipped over, stuffing a bag of bread in Augustine's arms. The butler was too stunned to speak, and a certain maidservant snickered behind him.
"It's free for today, to celebrate the good weather!" The store owner laughed, running away.
Augustine's speechless face betrayed his emotions.
"Isn't that great?" Willow clapped her hands together. "We get to taste bread without spending a single coin! Let's enjoy this day together!"
Augustine's sharp grey eyes flickered.
He raised his hand, handing the bag of bread over to Lucilline, "For you, Young Master?" His once deadpanned and cold-like-the-tundra face seemed to melt, as if the surface of the frigid glaciers cracked to reveal a hint of undulating waters beneath.
Lucilline felt his entire mindset break.
YOUNG MASTER!?! Augustine is calling me Young Master! The world really was changing.
Willow had to stifle her giggle. She never thought that Augustine would be willing to pretend to be a servant due to the Crown Prince's presence.
However, she had no idea that Augustine was already willing to become a real servant.
"Mn," Lucilline took the bag of bread, his slender fingers accidentally brushing past his butler's. The sudden touch made him stiffen in surprise. Even Augustine couldn't help but pause moving, his lips twitching, embarrassment welling in his chest.
Dimitri watched this with a serious expression, his eyes seeming to appear dim.
The black-haired nobleman did not notice this strange behaviour. He gently parted the bag, taking a small bite out of the bread—
It was better than any bread he'd tasted in the Capital City!
"It's good!" Lucilline blurted out loud. His whole downcast mood seemed to vanish, as if the dark muddy clouds was washed over by a clear stream of warmth.
Willow smiled.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Young Master!"
This sentence had made Lucilline flustered. His pearly white ears burned crimson red, resembling a scorching fire. He couldn't help but look away from his maidservant, "What are you talking about? I was always feeling fine."
A look of teasing swirled in Dimitri's eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Of course of course, whatever you say, Young Master." Willow exclaimed.
They walked around Kirvin Village. The wooden pathway clicked along to their footsteps, enunciating their presence even more so.
Several happy children ran past them, all with a toy clutched in their hands.
"Your Royal Highness," Lucilline couldn't help but lower his voice in a whisper, "Why is it that you want to hide your identity? Wouldn't it be better to just expose yourself? This way, the villagers would know that you saved them from the demons. You would have credit—"
"Hmm?" Dimitri glanced over.
His eyebrows furrowed, as if he was hurt somewhere. The Crown Prince's golden hair fluttered in the wind's whispers, as the bird's sweet chittering babbled in the wind. His face was close to Lucilline's, enough for the latter to count his curtain of light golden eyelashes.
The Crown Prince's unblemished face seemed to be hit, revealing a tint of sorrow.
"Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't want anyone to know who I am." Dimitri responded slowly. "After all, I want to be well known, I want to be respected, and I want people to love me."
He paused.
"But I learned that it's not important. As long as I can save people's lives from the demons, as long as I make the world a better place... well, then credit doesn't matter, does it?" Dimitri smiled. This seemed to be the first gentle smile of his that Lucilline witnessed. "Besides," the Crown Prince laughed, "If I keep my identity a secret, it will provide less panic."
He gave an example. "If people were to know that the Crown Prince came over to eliminate the demons, there may be a worse response. People might panic, thinking that the situation is worse than it really is. Additionally, there was always a bad relationship between nobles and commoners."
Lucilline had heard it from books as well.
The nobles were taught to be polite and well-mannered, always reserved but helping the masses. The commoners were more open-minded, friendly, but their power was limited. Gradually, the two groups opposed one another. The nobles became conceited and arrogant, while the commoners became envious and greedy for the nobles' power.
Lucilline's expression softened.
"You are a really kind person, Your Highness." He couldn't help but whisper.
Dimitri's eyes widened. He pulled back, tucking his hands in his pockets. His adam's apple bobbed, "You say that like you're not a kind person yourself."
This sentence seemed to strike something in Lucilline.
The black-haired nobleman was stunned. I am a kind person!?! How was he a kind person?
His heart was jumbled.
"...Your Royal Highness, I have actually been wondering this for a long time." Lucilline couldn't help but admit. "I was wondering why you didn't wake me up at night."
Dimitri's eyes flashed an interesting glaze of light.
"It's actually really simple." He started off. "You're only fifteen years old. At this time, normal commoner teenagers would be studying in school and pulling weeds from their farms. However, you're pushing yourself too hard."
The Crown Prince lifted a finger before his lips, chuckling. "You're so young. There's no point in risking your life just to help me. I would appreciate it much more if you could enjoy whatever you have at this moment."
Lucilline was speechless.
He didn't expect such an answer. His Royal Highness just doesn't want me to overwork myself. A warm feeling plummeted his heart.
"We're only three years apart... but I hope that you'll be able to live freely." Dimitri's eyes held a gentle light, gleaming with a sense of warmth that bound Lucilline to the spot. It was the same sensation that dominated the black-haired nobleman's heart, melting his blood and warming his ears into flushed states.
Lucilline quickly withdrew his gaze, unwilling to expose his embarrassment.
"Lucy," the Crown Prince also looked away ashamedly, "Could I call you that? Just in case if anyone has heard of you."
Lucilline faltered. He nodded, "Of course. In return, shall I call you by your name instead?"
Dimitri agreed.
They came to a conclusion.
*****
"Here are your cups of coffee," a waitress swayed over, bringing over their drinks, then running back to the counter.
Sitting around the table, Lucilline drank his cup of coffee. He plopped a few cubes of sugar in there, but after drinking, it felt as if nothing had changed.
The bitterness tasted bland to him, but it was fine.
Immunity to coffee bitterness sounded like a cool ability.
"Actually, I will be leaving Kirvin Village tomorrow." Dimitri announced lowly.
Lucilline: !!! That came out of nowhere!
The black-haired nobleman had to catch his own breath, almost spitting out his drink. He clutched on the porcelain cup exasperatedly, "Why?"
Dimitri just shook his head.
"I am the Crown Prince and can't leave the Capital City unless if it's for official duties. This mission to Kirvin Village wasn't an official one—I just decided to complete it for fun."
Lucilline, "..." Yes, who else but the Crown Prince would exterminate demons 'for fun'.
"I need to return back to the Capital City, since the Book of Revelation still needs to be returned." Dimitri mentioned, "I will leave first thing tomorrow at dawn, when the sun rises. When it happens, I hope I can borrow a horse."
Willow and Augustine agreed.
They decided to borrow the Crown Prince a horse.
Lucilline finished drinking his cup of coffee. He calmly wiped his lips with a spare handkerchief, his face softening in contemplation.
"Ah," Willow suddenly exclaimed. "Your Highn—I mean, Dimitri, your face has some coffee spilt..."
Dimitri: !!!
He rose out of his seat like a frightened cat, hurriedly snatching the nearest handkerchief, acting as if the table was the same one he used in the Royal Palace. Dimitri wiped his mouth, then confirmed that his face was spotlessly clean.
"Thank goodness..." he huffed in relief.
He couldn't stand his face appearing imperfect. After all, this face is the same face that will represent the Royal family of Lydia Kingdom in the future.
"Ahh..." Willow's face flushed red.
She couldn't help but stammer on her words, only letting out a messy pile of garbled noises. Meanwhile, Augustine's face was as black as a pot.
"...that was my handkerchief." Lucilline couldn't help but mention.
Dimitri, "..." His face also changed colours—flushed in red like the maidservant's.
"...if you want, you can keep it." Lucilline tried to amend the situation, "I don't mind—"
"No!" Dimitri scrambled to interrupt him.