At the heart of the capital stood a towering four-story structure—less a building and more a city unto itself.
Its sprawling halls and countless chambers connected like an endless web, while two colossal towers flanked its sides, rising above it like silent sentinels watching over the city from the heavens.
Its walls were painted ivory, streaked with soft hues of pale green, lending it dignity without overpowering its beauty.
The surrounding gardens were filled with the fragrance of blue and red blossoms, interwoven with meticulously trimmed shrubs that resembled living statues—nature spirits standing guard over the grounds.
This was the Imperial Palace: the embodiment of the throne's authority and glory.
Along one of its long corridors, a blond young man dressed in formal attire walked with steady steps.
The hem of his ivory cloak brushed against the marble floor, and the moment the servants noticed his presence, they dropped whatever they were doing and bowed silently.
None dared to raise their gaze—and he paid them no heed.
His eyes were fixed solely on his destination.
— The Imperial Library —
After a short while, he stopped before a towering golden door that nearly touched the ceiling.
No servants lingered nearby.
From the inner pocket of his coat, the young man withdrew a white envelope and studied the name written upon it for a brief moment.
A faint smile curved his lips as he pushed open the heavy door.
Hundreds of bookshelves stretched endlessly to the right and left, holding thousands of books in varying sizes and colors.
The scent of ink and aged paper filled the air, and everything was impeccably clean—evidence of the meticulous care devoted to the place.
He closed the door behind him and moved quietly inside, scanning the space as if searching for something specific.
Moments later, his green eyes settled upon a figure lying near the wide inner window.
A subtle glimmer flickered in his gaze.
He lifted the envelope to eye level, regarded it for a second, then headed toward the person he had come all this way to see.
The man by the window was sound asleep, his face hidden beneath a red book shielding his eyes from the sunlight.
The sheer curtains swayed with the breeze, brushing against his pale skin, yet he did not stir.
The young man approached and leaned close to his face, lifting the envelope to conceal the smile tugging at his lips before calling out playfully
"Mikael♪"
Mikael did not respond.
He merely shifted the book away from his face.
Sunlight spilled over his white hair and blue eyes, prompting him to shut them immediately with an irritated groan.
He lazily shoved the blond intruder aside.
"Your Highness, Prince Theodore… what brings you here?"
The prince stepped back a few paces, smiling, and waved the envelope lightly in the air.
"I have something that might make you happy. Care to take a look?"
"Hm…"
Mikael straightened and adjusted his posture, lifting his gaze in mild confusion—until his eyes froze on the envelope.
In one swift motion, he snatched it from the prince's hand and turned away, placing a few steps between them.
He paused, as if steadying his breath, before turning back with a radiant smile.
"It's been a long time since I received a letter from him…"
"A long time?"
Theodore replied with light mockery as he sat on the edge of the window.
"It's only been two weeks. And yet you look like you've been waiting a full year. You clearly missed him."
Mikael's expression softened, showing no irritation.
He was accustomed to the prince's tone, but he answered quietly
"It's the first time he's been out of my sight for this long."
His eyes drifted into memory.
Theodore's teasing faded, replaced by a contemplative silence.
After a moment, Mikael opened the envelope, broke the red seal, and pulled out the letter.
The instant his eyes landed on the familiar handwriting, a genuine smile bloomed across his face—one that Theodore found himself mirroring unconsciously.
But the smile soon faded, replaced by a subtle tension that did not escape the prince's notice.
"You seem uneasy," he said calmly. "Is there something troubling in your brother's message?"
Mikael folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope, then stepped closer to the window, leaning against the wall as he watched the passing clouds.
"He didn't say anything outright. He wants to see me—and that makes me happy… but something about his final question gave me the feeling that something isn't right."
Theodore studied his expression before replying in a composed tone
"Then why not go and see him yourself? The letter doesn't suggest any immediate danger, does it?"
Mikael answered evenly
"Ray isn't weak enough to fall into danger so easily. Still… I need to see him with my own eyes."
The prince raised his hand, stopping him as he moved to leave.
"Wait. Do it carefully. The academy's regulations are strict—there's no need to rush. Write him back and arrange a proper meeting. There's a holiday coming up; the timing is on your side."
Mikael cast him a slightly sharp glance.
"I'm not going to storm the academy. You don't need to worry."
He lowered his gaze thoughtfully, then murmured
"That's right… I should prepare for our next meeting."
Lifting his head again, he added
"I'm counting on you to cover for my absence, Your Highness."
Before Theodore could respond, Mikael leapt onto the window frame and jumped without hesitation, disappearing from sight.
A strained smile appeared on the prince's lips.
"We're on the second floor,"
he muttered dryly.
"And you say you're not reckless? When it comes to Ray, you lose all sense of danger…"
He sighed, then added
"In any case, everyone's busy preparing for the celebration. No one will notice you're gone."
The prince straightened and walked toward the library door with steady steps, a faint glimmer of concern reflected in his eyes.
"It seems I'll have to move as well."