If Yohan represented the darkness, he understood his standing after experiencing the gravity of his desire. Watching from afar, he handed his bouquet to a ragged mother who was praying wholeheartedly. Her child, curious of her mother's action, pulled her clothes to no response.

Not to interrupt her prayers, Yohan placed the bouquet in front of the mother, who didn’t move an inch. Hanging her head low, her body trembled and the ground absorbed her falling tears. Grabbing the bouquet, she hugged it tightly like a baby. The child next to her poked her fingers through the petals, lightly fiddling it. She broke into a smile and told her mother.

“These flowers fit the Sun the most!”

Yohan’s eyes widened in surprise. Before the girl could continue to thank him, he placed his index finger to his lips, gesturing a silent sign.

After a while, the mother wished to express her gratitude. Lifting her head, she found no one was near her except her child. Patting her head, she asked her child who was the kind stranger who gave the bouquet. The child cheekily hugged her mother and snuggled her head between the flowers and her body, shaking her head.

“That… That…” Gerald shuttered, his knees gave up and his body dropped. Caught off guard, Elliot and Herrace quickly supported his slumping body.

“What’s wrong?” Elliot asked.

“No way… He should have kept his face hidden. His Highness's presence literally wiped out all my memories of the first prince! Oh no, I can’t remember how he looks!”

“I wish I could say you’re overreacting but no one can justify that,” Herrace sobbed.

“Stop! You’re so ugly when you cry,” Gerald said while hiccuping, unable to recover from the shock of his life.

Yohan stared at them, covering his face in embarrassment. A hand from behind pressed his shoulder, his arm covered his eyes as he admitted.

“I take back my words. Whatever you say about him being otherworldly is an understatement! Holy...”

Yohan arched his eyebrow in concern. He faced Laurent’s face for over a decade, but he had never reacted this extreme. However, he agreed that Laurent had a bewitching charm.

Finally getting a proper sight of the balcony, he noticed Laurent's eyes busily scanning around, placing his gloved hand on the railing.

Underneath his friendly smile, his eyes glared at the hypnotised crowd as if searching for a person.

Stolen novel; please report.

Suddenly his eyes locked in with Yohan’s, sending numbing heat down his back. He instantly avoided eye contact and focused on his companions on the ground. Ignoring the attention from the balcony, he distracted himself and assisted Gerald. Then, he proposed to leave for fresh air.

Walking down to a nearby tavern, the group sat down and ordered excess mugs more than a person needed to drink.

“Ah! So refreshing. I thought eyes got blinded,” Herrace laughed.

“Man, we still have to watch the ceremony. At this point, the second prince might as well take the crown!” Gerald exclaimed.

Yohan gripped the handle and drank hurriedly.

‘I never thought of this day when Laurent will be the crown pince. That’s a big change.’

He knew Laurent enough that he never intended to be involved in politics. It was already proven in his previous life. Hence, the sudden change of the crown prince might lead to a new future path he couldn’t predict.

This caused him great anxiety and nervousness.

He thought what would change was within him, and not the whole history of the Empire of Eir. Although he had yet to be involved with the storyline, the world seemed to deviate itself from its designed setting.

“So when is the ceremony?” Owen asked.

“Around 11? Don't worry, we can just sit here and watch the nearest broadcast screen,” Gerald replied.

Just as he said, a flick appeared and a screen expanded. Everyone immediately stopped and their eyes glued to the screen. There, the most beloved face of the Empire walked along the red carpet in his heavy velvet cape.

“No way, it’s really him!”

“But wait dear. Isn’t it supposed to be the first prince regardless of achievement?”

“You have a point. Speaking of that, I didn’t see the first prince anywhere on the balcony!”

“Well, it’s the official appearance of the second prince so he doesn’t need to be there,” the woman justified.

The couple next to their table watched keenly, whispering among themselves. Yohan had happened to eavesdrop and realised a fact.

Skipping a monarch to crown the second-in-line heir to the throne was unusual. He knew the Empire of Eir was very traditional about their laws, so why was this occasion made special?

There were two reasons. Either the first prince is severely ill, or the first prince was abdicated.

At that moment, it dawned on Yohan.

It was an undesired realisation that he didn’t want to admit. However, with the various changing factors revolving around that man, could it be possible that he…

‘No way. That's not possible,’ Yohan shut his thoughts.

On the screen, Laurent kneeled and received the crown named ‘Solas Ventus’. Placing replicas on his hand, he vowed to the Empire of Eir that he would lead them closer to victory.

His charismatic speech echoed through the quiet streets. After he ended his speech, everyone bursted into thunderous applause.

All the remaining citizens came out to the streets, crowding the path where the royal family would wave in their carriages, receiving gifts and praises.

Pushing the chair out, Yohan placed his hand over his forehead.

“I wished to join but I feel a bit light headed,” Yohan lied. “Since I have given my bouquet away, I will excuse myself.”

Back in his room, he laid out his clothes and packed everything into a briefcase. Grabbing the unsealed document, the Orient Express ticket slipped out. Riding with the wind to the opened window Yohan leaped onto his bed and catched it midair.

Exhausted, his body collapsed onto the bed.

Sinking into a cotton-like material, it wrapped his entirety, darkening his world.