Saturday came far faster than he wanted it to. He had been dreading it so much that even his sleep was restless. So restless that he had not even had any dreams, let alone sleepwalked. Though … that should be a good thing, should it not?
He sighed over his food and Balsea finally had enough.
“Emilio, you have been sighing every few minutes since you woke up.” The fae said, turning their entire body to them. “You are clearly reluctant. At this point, I might as well just kill-”
“No.” Emilio shook his head and looked at Balsea. He knew exactly what Balsea was going to say and he knew they would mean every word. “No killing, no anything. No, I am not looking forward to it but I can handle it. Stop worrying.”
Balsea stared at him for a long time before huffing. “Alright. If you say so.”
“And do not follow me.”
Silence.
“Balsea.”
The fae groaned. “Fine.”
“And make sure to keep Sal with you so that he does not follow me.”
Sal, who had been lounging on the table they were eating at for a change, hissed in protest.
“I know you will not restrain yourself, Sal.” He told the Leviathan. “I want to get him off my back, not mutilate him. Can you please stay here for me?”
Sal wordlessly hissed again and then moved towards Balsea. That was all the confirmation he was going to get. Emilio looked up at Balsea and raised an eyebrow in question.
“Fine.” The fae sighed. Emilio gave him a soft smile and turned back to his food. The rest of the breakfast was uneventful, except for the eyes he could feel boring holes into the back of his food.
It was when he was done with his food and walked out of the Dining Hall that the Prince seemed to appear out of nowhere, that smug smile once again playing on his lips.
“Ready?” He asked as he held out a hand.
Emilio could hear Balsea holding a growl in his throat and knew there would be a scene if he stayed here longer.
He did not speak. Instead, he nodded and took the man’s hand.
Emilio looked at the Prince. “When will we be back?”
The man tilted his head. “Well, I was thinking of spending the whole day with you, so we will come back after dinner. Curfew is set an hour later on weekends to give the students exploring the city to come back.”
“Very well.” He turned back to Balsea. “I will be back after dinner. Don’t wait up, okay?”
And with that, he took a deep breath to steel his resolve and turned to the Crown Prince who manipulated this entire situation into being.
“Alright, let’s go.”
----------------------------------------
The city at the foot of Irantha Academy was also named after the same mage.
It was as they were walking down the stairs of the Academy and he could see the bustling city coming into view when it occurred to him that this was the first time he was going to the city since arriving at the Academy.
The city of Irantha was as lively as it was legendary, a hub of commerce and culture that drew people from all corners of the world. As Emilio descended the grand staircase with the Prince, Emilio's eyes could not help but widen in awe. The city's sprawling landscape was a sea of vibrant colours and constant motion, unlike anything he had ever seen.
The grand walls of the Academy gave way to bustling streets lined with shops and homes, their architecture a blend of ancient and modern styles from different kingdoms. It made sense since Irantha was renowned as a city welcoming everyone. The air was filled with the clatter of horse-drawn carts and the chatter of countless voices. Emilio's heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was the first time he had ventured beyond the Academy grounds since his arrival, and the sheer scale of the city was overwhelming.
"This is incredible," Emilio murmured, almost to himself.
The Prince, walking beside him, glanced over with a knowing smile. "It's just the beginning. Wait until you see the bazaar."
As they continued down the steps, the bazaar came into view. Stalls of every shape and size lined the cobblestone streets, offering a glimpse into the enchanted world around them. The canopy of colourful, sun-bleached roofs cast a patchwork of shadows on the ground. Emilio paused at the entrance, his senses overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells that greeted him. The air was thick with the mingling scents of exotic spices, roasting meats, and freshly baked bread.
"Wow," Emilio whispered, his eyes darting from one vibrant stall to the next. Merchants shouted their wares, their voices rising above the hum of the crowd, beckoning passersby to check their goods. It was not only from the stalls. Oh no. Small vendors found any and every empty space beside the road where they could sit with a mat or a basket and showcase all sorts of goods in the hopes that some customers might take interest. Some of them were quite successful A burly blacksmith hammered away at his forge, the rhythmic clang of metal on metal resonating through the air, while nearby, a delicate glassblower shaped intricate trinkets that caught the light in a dazzling array of colours.
The bazaar was a lively mix of different cultures and races. Elves, dwarves and humans created a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. He was sure he saw a few sprites and fairies running and flying about. An elven jeweller displayed delicate silver jewellery, each piece adorned with glowing gemstones that caught the eye. His work was intricate and beautiful, drawing many admirers. Nearby, a dwarven smith showed off his sturdy weapons. Each sword, axe, and hammer were etched with magical runes, making them gleam with enchantments.
"So, Emilio," the Prince said, breaking the silence, "have you ever seen anything like this before?"
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Emilio shook his head, his eyes still scanning the vibrant scene around him. "No, this is my first time in Irantha City since arriving at the Academy."
The Prince's smile widened, clearly pleased. "Then allow me to show you the best parts. There's much more to see."
The Prince, with his ever-present smug smile, led Emilio through the crowd, his hand lightly guiding him. Despite all the manipulation and their strained … acquaintance, Emilio couldn't deny the Prince's charm as he smoothly navigated the bustling streets, greeting merchants and onlookers with a confident nod. It seemed that at least some of them knew him and were quite charmed by him. The Prince introduced him to the stalls that sold the truly valuable things or things he thought might interest Emilio. A half-elf merchant from Viridia with all sorts of different jewels here or a tailor from Zahir with a mixture of beautiful vibrant silk fabrics there.
He ended up buying a ruby ring for his father and ordered tunics to be tailored for both his father and his brother. After a moment of thought, he ordered a gown for his mother too. He had not planned on buying anything but he could not help it. Imagining how cute his brother would look in that deep blue tunic sent a wave of happiness in him, not that he allowed himself to show anything more than a wistful smile.
“You must really love your brother,” the Prince brought him out of his own mind.
He looked up at the man. For once, the smile wasn’t smug. No, it was … melancholic.
Emilio looked away. He could not allow himself to be swayed by that face.
“Yes.” He said softly. “I wanted to buy something for him but I cannot very well buy something just for him.” He turned to the merchant. “How long will it take for you to complete this order?”
“Well, this kind of order would usually take a few days.” The merchant leaned forward. “But since you are a friend of a special customer, I can have this done by evening. Maybe an hour or so after sunset.”
“Perfect.” He said. “I will come by around that time. How long do you stay open?”
He confirmed the specifics of the order, fee and delivery as the Prince watched on. Once he was done with that, he turned to the Prince, who had long wiped that look off his face.
“Ready to explore more?” He asked as he offered his arm.
Emilio sighed softly and took his hand, walking forward as he once again turned his attention to his surroundings.
In a quieter corner of the bazaar, a hooded figure offered mysterious potions and elixirs, their contents swirling with an otherworldly glow. Strange creatures, some in cages and others on leashes were displayed by exotic animal traders, their eyes gleaming with intelligence or ferocity. Emilio's attention was caught by a merchant with a cart full of rare herbs and magical ingredients, explaining their uses in hushed tones to eager buyers. He wished he could sit there and inspect each and every one. But he refused to show much enthusiasm for anything in front of the Prince. He could come later. With Balsea. Maybe even Lamnia. He had a feeling she would love to meet that half-elf jeweller.
He turned his attention to the street performers who added to the chaotic charm of the bazaar. A troupe of acrobats flipped and tumbled through the air, while a minstrel strummed a lute and sang tales of heroism and adventure. Fortune-tellers sat in shaded tents, offering glimpses of the future in exchange for a few coins. An illusionist entertained a crowd with tricks that defied reality, making objects disappear and reappear with a flick of his wrist.
He was quiet as they walked through the bazaar. A few attempts at talking by the Prince were met with short responses that did not allow the conversation to continue. The atmosphere between them was awkward and Emilio planned to keep it that way. Hopefully, that would at least put him off of getting any more ideas like this.
As they passed a stall selling sweet pastries, the Prince paused and bought two, handing one to Emilio. "You should try this. It's one of the city's specialities."
Emilio looked between the Prince and the pastry at least twice before he sighed and took the pastry reluctantly, feeling the Prince's gaze on him. He took a bite, the sweet and flaky pastry melting in his mouth. It wasn’t too sweet and he felt a note of salt in it. Despite his reservations, he couldn't help but enjoy the treat.
“Thank you.” It would be rude of him not to thank the man.
“Do you like it?” The Prince questioned.
Emilio paused and gave a small nod.
“I’m glad.”
Emilio neither answered nor looked the man’s way.
The center of the bazaar was dominated by a grand fountain, its waters sparkling with a magical luminescence. People gathered there to rest, share news, and make deals. Children darted through the crowd, laughing and playing games, while their parents haggled over prices and inspected goods.
The Prince led Emilio to the fountain, finding a quieter spot to sit. "So, what do you think?" he asked, watching Emilio closely.
"It's...impressive," Emilio admitted, unable to deny the beauty and liveliness of the bazaar.
The Prince nodded a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I'm glad you think so. There's so much more to explore, and I want you to see it all."
The Prince then stood up from beside him. Emilio frowned in confusion before his eyes widened as the man knelt down in front of him, glancing up. The sunlight reflected of his golden locks and his cerulean eyes, which looked like crystals. For a moment, Emilio’s breath caught in his throat at the sheer beauty. He had always avoided thinking of how handsome the man was, which had been easy in the face of all the stunts he pulled and the presence of others around him. But now, even in a crowd, he was alone with the Prince and it was … peaceful.
“I know we have gotten off the wrong foot,” the Prince started. “But I ask that you give me a chance. I will make it up to you.”
Emilio looked at the Prince, feeling a mix of emotions. Despite the manipulation, there was a genuine effort to show him the best of the city. He knew what the Prince's true intentions were. But for now, he decided to go along with it, hoping the man would leave him alone. He could not afford to be swept away.
“You blackmailed me into coming out with you,” he accused.
“I know.” The Prince reached up and Emilio leaned back. Immediately, the man paused and dropped his hand before sighing. “I apologise for that. But there was no other way. Now that you are here with me, won’t you enjoy the day with and give our friendship a chance?”
“We are not friends.”
“I would like to be.” The Prince replied. “Please.”
He frowned at the man. “Then, I have conditions.” He took a deep breath. “You will not use Sal or anyone I love as leverage against me. And you will not have any expectations of any romantic involvement from me. I do not like you that way.” He did not like the Prince at all but it was not as if he could say that. “And I doubt I ever will. To be frank, I do not trust you. I am willing to have a respectful acquaintance with you, maybe even friendship. If you do not cross my boundaries again. But please do not expect anything beyond that.”
The man paused for a long moment. “Very well. I shall agree to your first condition. As for your second… I will think about it. I will give you an answer soon. But for now, may I show you the rest of this beautiful bazaar? I promise I will be respectful for the day.”
It took a moment for Emilio to respond.
"Alright," Emilio said, standing up. "Lead the way."
The Prince's smile returned, and he stood as well, taking Emilio’s hand before they continued their journey through the bazaar.