Julius

Today was the first day I was going with Dad to the castle. He was currently lecturing me on etiquette and dealing with the Crown Prince. Nil saved my life. I still felt a bit guilty about shocking Ein. I hope Crown Prince Nil doesn’t hold grudges. We arrived, and the two of us walked to the third floor. Waiting there was Crown Prince Nil with his uncle, Nez. I don’t remember his title. Crown Prince Nil had this intense aura around him. Why does it feel like death?

“Greetings Crown Prince Nil.” I stated with a polite bow.

“Greetings Julius.” Crown Prince Nil replied.

“I’ll take my leave.” Dad told us and left to begin his day.

“Is it just us?” I probed. Crown Prince Nil looked confused.

“What do you mean? Lux is here.” Crown Prince Nil retorted.

“Lux?” I checked. Nez was chuckling.

“Nil, only our family and Orga can see her at all times. When she slips in and out of it requires immense .” Nez lectured Crown Prince Nil.

“Oh.” Crown Prince Nil quipped.

“Is Lux the white Ein was riding?” I asked.

“Yes! She’s my !” Crown Prince Nil chimed excitedly.

“So, what do we do now?” I inquired.

“Let’s play a game.” Crown Prince Nil said with a smile.

“Which game?” I checked. For some reason, Crown Prince Nil looked caught off guard.

“What’s normal?” Crown Prince Nil asked in a softer tone.

“We could play hide and seek.” I suggested.

“Alright!” Crown Prince Nil agreed.

“Nil, he means without .” Nez told him.

“Okay.” Nil sighed. Lux materialized next to him.

“Do you normally play with Crown Prince Nil?” I checked. Crown Prince Nil made a face.

“It’s Nil.” Crown Prince Nil grumbled.

“Nil, he’s not a member of the Imperial Family, he’s being polite.” Nez lectured him.

“We’re playing games as friends.” Crown Prince Nil retorted.

“I’m very uncomfortable calling you just Nil, Crown Prince Nil.” I informed him. He let out a sigh.

“Fine.” Crown Prince Nil conceded.

What do I refer to Lux as? Does Lux have a title? It was getting unsettling to remain standing by Crown Prince Nil. Where did this aura of his come from? Was it from saving me? I still wasn’t sure if Crown Prince Nil forgave me for shocking his brother. Crown Prince Nil and Lux both looked excited. Nez summoned a dice and rolled it.

“Nil has to seek first. Stay in the outer grounds.” Nez declared.

Crown Prince Nil covered his eyes and began counting. Lux sprinted off in one direction and I began moving in another. What happened to the shrubs? They seemed to be regrowing from getting butchered. I wonder what happened. About a minute later, Crown Prince Nil began hunting us. I hid by the barracks, so I had a decent view of him. He quickly began climbing, inspecting the sentry stations. On his third, he victoriously found Lux. Crown Prince Nil then began seeking me. Lux was doing quick sprints, checking various spots. Crown Prince Nil was looking around. He surveyed the options before walking directly to the barracks. How did he know? I tried burying myself in the scenery, but it didn’t matter. It took Crown Prince Nil all of thirty seconds to find me. Wow that aura of death is strong.

“Lux’s turn! I found her first.” Crown Prince Nil declared.

We ran back to Nez, and Lux began counting. The two of us ran off. I went towards the outer wall, looking for a small alcove. After the time was up Lux began seeking. She also instantly checked the sentry station. Both of them thought of it; it’s probably where they normally hide. Lux stopped after the second, running around a bit. After a few checks, her head snapped to me. She’s still a . Lux bolted over directly to where I was. She had this oddly smug expression as she found me. We walked around, with Lux sniffing the air. She did a quick sprint in a direction, reaching one of the storage rooms. It’s pretty tall. Lux immediately began climbing it. I stayed at the bottom, waiting as Lux reached the top. A few moments later Lux and Crown Prince Nil jumped off using to land. It was my turn to look again. It was a fairly constant rotation of who got found first. Lux was the best seeker of us. It took her very little time to find us. Lux and Crown Prince Nil kept climbing up and hiding in tall places. After nearly an hour and a half of playing, the two were tired from all their climbing. Several minutes later, Crown Prince Nil got an idea and ran to his uncle.

“Can we get Ein?” Crown Prince Nil requested.

“You three have to play nice if we get your little brother.” Nez told us.

We all nodded in agreement. The Crown Prince does care for his brother. A few moments later Prince Nox arrived with Prince Ein who looked ecstatic to see us. He ran up with a giant smile on his face. The four of us walked a distance away.

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“Why are uncles watching us?” Prince Ein inquired.

“I think what we did to Helga.” Crown Prince Nil answered nonchalantly.

“What did you do to Aunt Helga?” I asked.

“Harmless fun.” Crown Prince Nil stated with an awkward face. Lux nodded furiously in agreement.

“Helga is your aunt?” Prince Ein checked, looking curious.

“Yes.” I confirmed. I remember her ranting to Dad about Crown Prince Nil and his furry monster.

“What do you two do to my aunt?” I pressed as the two were struggling to make eye contact.

“Um.” Crown Prince Nil stalled, clearly thinking fast.

“Play some games.” Prince Ein stated as he wasn't catching on.

“What game?” I checked.

“The chase game!” Prince Ein chimed. Crown Prince Nil and Lux both were giving him a shut-up face.

“As in, run away from your caretaker?” I verified.

“Yes! It’s practice!” Prince Ein said happily. I looked at Crown Prince Nil and Lux who looked away.

“Why?!” I roared at them.

“We’re not allowed to spar each other.” Crown Prince Nil grumbled.

“So, you torture my aunt?” I asked. I noticed Prince Nox and Nez look over, smirking.

“I wouldn’t call it torture.” Crown Prince Nil replied, looking embarrassed.

“What would you call it?” I pressed.

“Practicing my . She’s the only one I can practice against.” Crown Prince Nil explained.

“You have two uncles, a , and a little brother.” I pointed.

“They’re too strong and the other two I’m not allowed to.” Crown Prince Nil retorted dejectedly.

“Why not just spar your friends?” I probed.

Crown Prince Nil looked bitter when I asked that. He nearly shot something back but stopped himself with a sigh. Lux and Prince Ein were looking at me kind of funny. The aura that Crown Prince Nil had got intense as he mulled over what to say. That aura is so unsettling.

“We don’t have friends.” Prince Ein informed me, shifting awkwardly. Oh.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized.

“Let’s play a game.” Crown Prince Nil deflected.

“What game?” I asked.

“Cards!” Ein declared happily.

“Okay.” I agreed.

The four of us moved back to the third floor, where Crown Prince Nil summoned a deck. Can Lux even hold the cards? Crown Prince Nil began shuffling the deck. I noticed his uncles followed us, and acting similar to Dad and Mom when they thought they were alone.

“What game?” Crown Prince Nil checked.

“Go fish!” Prince Ein requested with pleading eyes.

“Okay.” I agreed.

Crown Prince Nil dealt us all cards. Lux did this odd little grip with her paws, before they glowed, and she was making the cards float. Oh. How does she say go fish though? I was sitting to the left of Crown Prince Nil, so I went first. I asked Lux for her twos before she made a fish made of light appear. I drew from the pile. Lux made the number or letter representing the card she wanted to the player. Interesting. We played several rounds. I could have sworn Crown Prince Nil was cheating somehow. He seemed to smell who had what cards. Lux and Prince Ein just sighed as Crown Prince Nil emptied their hands. He won hands down. I shuffled up for the next game. Again, Crown Prince Nil slaughtered us.

“Can we play crazy eights?” I requested.

It won’t help. A feminine, bell-like voice chimed in my mind.

“Who was that?” I asked, looking around. A bright arrow appeared, pointing at Lux.

Who did you think? Lux asked snarkily.

“You can talk?” I checked. Crown Prince Nil and Prince Ein looked at me with a smirk.

Obviously. Lux taunted.

“Why are you two smirking?” I probed.

“Now you get to listen to Lux too.” Crown Prince Nil laughed.

I’m great. Lux declared.

“What do you mean it won’t help?” I inquired. Crown Prince Nil looked at her with a glare.

Talk mentally with . Also, Nil is going to crush us at cards. Lux instructed me.

“How?” I probed.

Like this. Ein told me. Can all three of them can do it? I guess they have practice with Lux.

“I don’t get it.” I confessed.

Imagine using your to connect your mind to ours. It’s making a tunnel for thoughts to flow. Crown Prince Nil instructed.

I tried following his explanation. Remember my lessons. Feel your . I put out feelers and could sense when I managed to touch Crown Prince Nil. Wow. He’s got . He gave me an approving nod. Imagine a tunnel. That’s easy. I started visualizing it, hoping it was working. His presence was starting to make my skin crawl a bit.

Did I do it? I checked.

You did. Crown Prince Nil confirmed. It was a little taxing. I tried making the tunnel with Lux. She has quite a bit of too.

So why would Prince Ein ask to play cards if Crown Prince Nil is going to win? I inquired, not grasping her point.

Wanting to win. Ein insists he’s going to win eventually. Lux informed me.

Why are you playing? I probed.

Because I will beat him and gloat my ever-glorious victory. Lux told me, glaring at Crown Prince Nil.

We began playing crazy eights. Crown Prince Nil again proved to be near invincible. Near because in game four Prince Ein managed to barely win. When Prince Ein finally won, he shot up, dancing for joy. Lux looked bitter, glaring at Crown Prince Nil. Crown Prince Nil was smiling. Despite all the fun we were having, I just couldn’t shake his aura.

“Congrats Ein.” Crown Prince Nil praised.

“I won! I actually won!” Prince Ein cheered, looking on top of the world.

“Julius, can you come here for a second?” Nez requested.

I did as requested. Nez placed a hand on me, and the horrible sensation went away. What did he do? He motioned that I could leave now. What is that? I saw Crown Prince Nil, who looked a bit ashamed. I sat back down at the table. Before much else happened before my dad arrived. Dad looked happy when he saw all of us playing cards.

Hey Dad. I tried, showing him the new I learned. His face lit up.

When did you learn ? Dad asked.

Crown Prince Nil showed me. I explained.

I see. How has your day been going? Dad probed with a smile.

It’s been fun. I answered.

“Let’s get lunch!” Dad chimed excitedly.

We all got up excitedly, and Prince Nox and Nez followed as well. I thought we all were going to go somewhere, but instead we went deeper into the castle. I looked at my dad a little confused. Is it because of the princes?

Why are we eating at the castle? I inquired, practicing using .

The princes aren’t allowed off the grounds without an armed escort. Dad answered. Ah.

We walked into a dining room, where the Empress was waiting. Aunt Helga was there along with a fox Beastkin. Think that’s Orga. We all took our seats, and I shifted awkwardly. I don’t know what to do here. Crown Prince Nil was relaxed, looking a bit bored.

“Ah. Greetings Empress Senna. Good to see you Archmagus Orga.” Dad said, while nodding hello to Aunt Helga.

“Mama! I beat Nil at cards!” Prince Ein declared excitedly.

“Way to go Ein!” Empress Senna cheered. I looked at Nil, who was smiling at his little brother.

Why are you tense? Crown Prince Nil asked into my mind.

I can’t offend the Imperial Family. I informed him.

How would you? Plus, we aren’t easily offended. Crown Prince Nil shot back.

“I can’t just say what I’d like!” I retorted out loud. A lot of eyes fell on me as Crown Prince Nil smirked.

You just did. Crown Prince Nil taunted with a smile.

“What do you mean?” Dad asked.

“Um. Uh. I. Uh. Didn’t want to offend.” I stammered as Crown Prince Nil smirked.

“Can you please explain Nil?” Empress Senna probed, glaring at her son.

“I was telling him he should relax, and we aren’t easily offended. He was worried about offending us.” Crown Prince Nil answered calmly.

“Nil, you are a prince.” Empress Senna sighed.

“It awkward to have a friend call you Crown Prince. I’m Nil.” Nil replied. The adults had faces I didn’t recognize.