The Broken Prince

We all have died down, or they all have died down from their hysterics from laughing at me for feeling bad in eating chicken. I mean how can I not? Ugh, anyways I'm not about to go into that again. My stomach is beyond full, I must admit that with guilt and a heavy heart. My mouth was on the rim of the glassware as I was sipping some form of beverage which can help your stomach digest things easily, as Apollo told me.

"Well it seems like you enjoyed the chicken just as how you tried to feel bad eating it." My mouth formed into a pout as I looked at Kaval with a look that said 'stop it already'. Kaval only shook his head while chuckling by himself. We then sat in comfortable silence which I think happened for the very first time. There was no plans of breaking bones and killing me. Well it was there at the beginning but whatever. There was also no competition at this point. We were just like old buddies that had dinner. Acting like this was such a normal thing between the five of us when in fact it isn't. It's nice..

The five of us turned our heads together when the waiter arrived to give us the bill. He looked very self-conscious then as he kept his gaze down and I couldn't overlook the faint blush on his cheeks. Maybe he likes Dianne? Who knows. As soon as the leather envelope was sat on the table, our eyes then went to look at each other.

"I'm not paying. I was just invited." I immediately stated as they all started to look at me.

"Well whose idea was this then?" Hade asked.

Both Dianne and Kaval pointed at Apollo who sighed. He then went on to grab something from his pocket which I figured was a wallet. He pulled out a thousand monopaper and placed it carefully on the envelope. Monopaper is the currency used throughout the whole span of this world. It is by all means used in every thing we do. From buying things to negotiation. Almost everything at this point requires monopaper. A single monopaper can feed a normal family in a day and as I looked at the money that Apollo brought out, all I could think was how many starving kids that are astray. Those who do not belong in any kingdom and continues to venture from borders to borders.

Apollo might've caught my expression so he looked at me then went on to explain.

"I know what your thinking. The food was expensive and we're wasting too much for one meal but the truth is, our food only cost 50 monopaper. Still a lot I know but the change for the money I gave will go to the charity that this restaurant has. They provide foods to the rogue kids. Some of it will also go to the shelter they have made for those kids. Don't worry, I won't pay for that much alone if it was all for food."

Apollo's words made me smile and made me feel warm. It's good to think that he too cares about those kids that are in the dark. Every kingdom has have started to create a solution for those who are commonly known as border-crossers. Those are not only the kids but everyone who does not belong in any kingdom.

Each leader of the kingdom has agreed to lend a helping hand to those people as they are more prone to sudden threats from evil rogues that will salvage them and sell their organs to wicked abyss mages. That is why the High Majesties has come to an agreement that they should build a bunch of outposts in some deserted area. These area's are called the barren lands as these lands and waters are not part or claimed by any kingdom. It is where abyss mages, wind assassins, illegal fire dweller and frost monster resides.

These creatures normally shows up in groups and try to spread fear within kingdoms but over the past years, each kingdom has strengthened their respective guarding forces, making it quite hard for these entity to do the things they want to do easily.

I remembered the day when Captain Elevi told me about coming here. Father was supposedly away for a meeting as a specific group of people from the land are planning to pollute the oceans. I think these creatures from the barren land has something to do with it as rogues can only do so much by trying to attack but with the support of these barren creatures, they might gain confidence and try to disrupt the peace that not only my kingdom has worked hard for, but also the others.

I snapped out from my deep serious thoughts as I felt someone tapping my shoulders. I turned my head and saw Apollo looking at me.

"Sorry, uh, were you saying something by any chance?" I asked with an apologetic smile.

He did not speak but only motioned that I turn my head to Hade. I followed Apollo looking at me with a bored face.

"Y-Yes?" I stammered all of a sudden.

"You better use your weapons well. I may have been defeated by your chosen proxy but, now that you're here." Hade stood up and fixed his suit. He was in all black and his suit looked very fancy in contrast to ours but it still looked normal.

He looked at the others before he landed his gaze on me. He smiled, a genuine smile that made me feel something. Something that I felt on that night where I had that stupid dream.

"Like I said. You excite me, Alexander. Who knows what I might end up doing for having too much fun with you." He spoke one last time before smiling at us faintly. Normal people wouldn't see it but we knew that it was there. He then turned his back at us before walking out of the room without a sound. In contrast to how he arrived with his mini rants. Hade was almost out of my view but something came up to me and made me do a certain thing I never thought I would do with a sane mind.

"Good night Hade!" I exclaimed. He stopped in his tracks before turning around. He now wore a smirk but not the one that used to irritate me. I don't know how to describe it but it was a kind type of smirk? He raised his hands and then fire ignited within his palm. He blew it towards our direction and I could see some glowing fire fractals flowing towards me. It soon touched my face leaving a warm feeling as the glowing fire fractals felt like it was going to scorch me but it didn't. It only left like a pinch before disappearing completely.

Hade then went on to wave his hands at us before continuing at his tracks then disappearing from our sight. When I turned to look at Dianne, Kaval and Apollo, they all looked at me as if I was someone who was crazy.

"What?" I asked.

"You just said good night to the person who wants to kill you so bad." Dianne spoke in a matter of fact tone

"Well he was nice tonight. Well for most of the parts that is but when will we get this chance again? This practically occurs once in every red moon." I sighed while stating back. They seem to have understand my point so they just decided to let it go.

"It's quite late and I do believe that we have done so much of the catching up even if we really didn't get to." I laughed lightly at Kavals remarks as we stood up from our places and started to leave. I thanked the waiter who served us our food once again before completely leaving the room.

As we got out, those who were eating stood up once they saw us and gave their respects. I just smiled at them and found the action too unnecessary but then again. It's been sewn in the customs way long from when I was born so saying something about it won't really do anything.

As we continued to walk back to the main school building, we talked even more and discussed over things. I was looking at the vast field of the academia which was covered in vibrant green grass. There were also a bunch of light posts on each side of the brick road but we decided to walk on the grass and take a long stride on our way back to our rooms. The moon was shining above us as the starts twinkled so lively. The wind was embracing us and everything seemed to be just in place.

Peace and quiet. The most I had since coming here. I smiled as I looked at my friends who were busy talking with each other with such joyful faces. I wish we could stay like this forever. I wish.