The Reborn Magus and His Prince

Chapter 22

The servant he had seen with the marquis that day. Does the marquis have an idea who was serving him? He must first catch that servant and wring everything he needed out of him and prevent any disaster if he's out for revenge. Alex might be dragged into this, he's the most beloved brother of the king who prosecuted the Dan's patriarch that led to the two brothers' misfortunes. The prince is an open target.

He guesses he has to give a subtle warning to Alex or better yet act like a lunatic and tell him to stay away from the Stewarts.

Just like that Yulian spent the day thinking about methods of notifying Alex without appearing suspicious and giving away his secrets.

Nightfalls and he only came up with one solution, an anonymous letter. Yeah, this could work.

A soft knock came on his door, he looked up and realized that it's time for dinner. Who could be knocking at his door, no one does that.

He went to open the door. And he thinks that he felt his eyes would someday go blind if this person keeps on popping upright on his face.

"Hi." Alex set down his hand that was about to knock again.

The prince was in an all-black suit highlighted with golden line threads and a golden sash across his chest. His silver hair was pulled back revealing his forehead. This was the most princely look he had seen Alex since the day he met him.

"Hi?" Yulian didn't know what to say. He immediately hid his hand behind his back and crumpled the anonymous note he was going to leave at Alex's room.

The prince showed a sheepish smile.

"You're back?"

"Hm-mm, the day's event at the palace so I was able to escape. So dinner?"

"Oh, not yet. I was thinking about going to the cafeteria."

"Then, perfect. I'm not too late." Alex stood aside and the person who's been serving them their meals every night went inside his room pushing a cart that contains their dinner.

"Let's eat in your room for a change."

Yulian let him do what he wanted since Alex's already here and prepared everything. As soon as he entered his room and had his back at him, the crumpled paper in his hand burned until it turned to ashes. With a wave of his hand, he got rid of the remains of his note and close the door of his room.

The prince's attendant deserved a raise. He put together his and Tim's desk to create a big enough table for the two of them and in just a minute he meticulously arrange their meal, bowed to the prince, and was out of the room.

Once they're alone. The prince got rid of the accessories on his clothes and took off his coat. He laid them neatly on Yulian's bed when he found no rack to hang them. He then undid his shirt's upper two buttons, unclasped his sleeves, and rolled them up to his forearm revealing strong slender arms.

Yulian watched all of the prince's actions in full concentration at the side and thought, why was this guy all-natural and comfortable at someone's room he went to for the first time?

Though that was Yulian's thought, he forgot that he acted the same way the first time he came into Alex's room.

"Let's eat." Alex motioned for him to sit down at the opposite chair. The way he said it was like he was the host and Yulian was the guess in his own room.

He did not want to raise this small matter as he was lured by the appetizing smell of their dinner.

The fact that the golden presence of the royal in this shabby room was a mismatch but Yulian somehow felt happy at seeing this strange scene.

"Your roommate was still not found?" Alex asked in the middle of the dinner after noticing the empty side of the room. Yulian had told him in passing the matter of Tim's.

"Uh, yeah. The academy had assumed that he and his family had gone to the countryside. What about the girl? Do you have any news?" He did not understand why he found it awkward to tell lies to Alex. He took a big gulp of the juice especially set aside for him and wince. Orange juice again. Why's everyone assumed that he likes orange juice?

"Last I heard from the city's authority after a week of not development from her case, they will put a bounty to whoever will find her."

"Oh, that would be... for the best, I think. Much faster if every person would actively search for her." He took his glass again and finish it in one go.

Alex took notice of this. "Still thirsty? I'll call for another glass." He raised the bell at his side and was about to ring it to call his attendant but Yulian stops him.

"No no... I'm quite alright. I'll just have some water."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep!" Yulian wiped his mouth with the napkin and cleared his throat.

"Um, Alex."

The guy raised his head from focusing on cutting his steak in answer.

"About the marquis, do you know that - actually never mind. Just continue your meal." Yulian changed his mind a second. Guess, he'll have to stick at the anonymous letter.

But Alex had already put down his knife and fork with a worried frown. He decided to finish his dinner to address this short one's problem with the marquis.

"I have not realized that this is a serious matter about your fear. I have spoken to a healer once, he said to overcome your fears, one must face them head-on. So if you wanted, I'll take you to meet the marquis."

"We've had this conversation for how long and I only mention him in passing... wait a minute." Yulian had his eyes wide after processing the last sentence said by Alex. "You'll take me to meet the marquis? Personally?"

"Yes, but if you do not want to, I won't force you." Alex had mistaken the subtle excitement in Yulian's voice as fear and rejection at his offer.

"No, I am very much willing to face my fears head-on!" He put his fist on his chest as a sign of his commitment. "So when will I face my fear?"

Yulian had to suppress his impulse to jump and give Alex a big kiss (though he finds it weird why he thought that). He decided from then on that this prince is his lucky charm. One problem solve. Good things went in his way ever since he met this guy.

"Next month. The marquis will hold a party at his manor in celebration of his birthday. I'll take you there."

This kind of dampens Yulian's enthusiasm. Party at the marquis' means Alex will be there and his target will be there. Not good. But he can't let this rare opportunity go, he will have to keep a good eye on Alex's safety and secure the target as quickly as possible.

After their dinner and the dishes taken away by the attendant. Alex had lingered for a good hour inside his room. The two desks returned to their original place. One person had plopped to his bed carelessly taking the high-value and elegant coat out of his way and putting it aside. While the owner opted to sit on one of the chairs and positioned it beside them while they talked.

The marquis matter no longer entered their conversation. Instead, it centered on each other today's events. Yulian told half-truth and half-lie, he told the prince he spent his day alone in the dormitory and directed the conversation to Alex's. He was more curious about his day in the palace. While Alex only generalize his answers, he still found joy in the prince's little stories about some funny incidents at the palace. Like how he would trick his attendants to escape to have his alone time.