The Reborn Magus and His Prince

Chapter 19

 Later that night, a name from the list of the students in the academy was crossed out. The official withdrawal of a student named Timothy Dan had been concluded among three people. Orphys, Mr. Brook, and the principal who without any second thought brought down the seal of approval on the documents.  

Yulian had recounted the events as he did with the professor to Emilia. So she had much controlled her emotions when Orphys went to their table and informed them of the matter of Tim's dropping out over dinner at the cafeteria. 

After the professor left their table, the two ate in silence, each was preoccupied with their thoughts. 

No one cared about them much less of one singularity who suddenly disappeared on the grounds of the academy one weekend. So, the next day, when it was announced in the class of one unfortunate classmate not being here, most eyes strayed to the remaining two. Whispered discussions broke out but most of them were betting who's going to be next. 

Yulian being immune to his young classmates' ability to make them stand out yawned at all that attention. He's glad that the noisy mohawk was not there to add drama. Speaking of him, he can't be still lying in the clinic, can he? He made sure from his kick that the rascal would only have a bruise on that annoying face of his but not enough to render him invalid for the next days. 

Yulian decided to make a detour to the infirmary after his class just to make sure. 

He made his way to the infirmary and quickly hid his body at a corner when he spotted three figures just outside its door. 

It was Alex, talking to an older man with a curled mustache on his face. The older man had that ingratiating smile as he spoke with him. His form was humble and had a respectful attitude. While the young prince, on the other hand, had his gentle smile while pretending to listen attentively to the opposite endless flow of compliments directed at him. 

Alex glanced once more at the boy behind his father, the marquis Stewart. Clayton did not dare to meet his eyes and resumed his head low.

The marquis notice his line of sight. He bowed and signed for the boy behind him to do the same which Clayton followed. "I was too muddled when I received a letter from Clayton that stated he was injured. This old man did not think straight and just barge into the academy disturbing the peace of the students. This humble servant deeply apologizes again on behalf of my son, your highness."

"No need to be that extreme, your lordship," Alex said with a kind tone but made no move to stop the father and son duo from bowing. "I understand your sentiment as a father worried about his son. The king, my brother, would also react the same way as you."

Upon hearing mentioning the word king, the marquis' body trembled. Everyone knows how doting the king was to his younger brother. 

"My Prince, this servant will make sure to discipline this boy. I once again deeply apologize. And... regarding h-his m-maj -"

Alex smiled even more gently as if pacifying a child. " This kind of trivial matter, naturally, would not fall into my brother's ears."

The noble repeatedly bowed some more with the mercy graced on them. "Thank you, your highness!"

"It's a small matter. I'm afraid I have some other things to do, I'll leave you to your devices, Marquis, Clayton."

"Ah, yes, be careful on your way, your highness!"

Alex nodded in response and turned his back at them. 

Yulian saw the prince was coming in his direction so retracted his head and plastered his back at the wall, expecting him to walk straight ahead and not notice his presence. He waited for him to walk past but even his shadow was nowhere in sight.

He slowly move his body to the edge of the corner and tried to take a peek again but...

"Boo."

His heart almost jumped. It was a double attack, an unexpected close-up view of the dazzling face of Alex nearly blinded him. 

Ugh, this prince truly knows how to use his face to his advantage. 

"What are you doing sneaking in here?"

Yulian did not answer, he needed time to calm his heart. Bu Alex mistook his silence as something else. 

"Ah, you saw the marquis? I already intercepted him for you. No need to be scared."

He's not scared. He's more surprised at him. 

Yulian patted his chest three times before meeting Alex's eyes. "I can't believe that snotty boy would actually call his father here."

He took a peek again and saw the mohawk and his father walking in the opposite direction. The father was scolding his son but anyone with eyes can see that it was only superficial and the marquis' still favored his son.

Alex chuckled at his choice of words. "From now on, you don't need to worry about Clayton bothering you."

"Well, I guess I owe you one for that."

Though he mostly can ignore mohawks' deathly glares and taunting words, it's still a relief that he can more concentrate in class without his constant mockery.

"Then, accompany for dinner."

Sorry, what?

Alex noticed his confused expression. "Since you owe me, I'll ask for compensation right now."

"Oh, okay. I'll treat you to dinner." With still his mind on the gut, Yulian made way to the cafeteria forgetting that everything within the academy had no need for money including the food. 

The prince grinned more widely at his silliness and had to catch up to him. "Not the cafeteria."

Yulian paused. "You want to go out?"

He calculated the cost of food at a fancy restaurant, he can't have a prince eat to some side stalls! Just thinking about how much damage it would cost in his wallet makes him want to take back his words. Even now, he's hoping that Alex won't remember his one pouch of coins debt.

"Hmm... not a bad idea but maybe next time. For now, let's settle for something simple."

Alex grabbed his arm and dragged him in the direction of the dormitory.

Just as they reached their destination, they saw again the marquis in front of the building getting on his carriage. A servant man was holding the vehicle's door for him. 

It made Yulian stop short upon seeing that familiar face. In an instant, he withdraws his hand from Alex's. This time, he's the one to snatch his hand and dragged, no, almost dived with the prince into the bushes on the sidewalk.

"What are - ?"

Yulian quickly covered his mouth and ducked their heads under when he noticed that familiar servant turned his head in their directions. 

"What are you -?" Alex for the second time when he removed his hand from his mouth.

"Sshh... just stay still for a minute, please?"

Yulian pleaded with him with his eyes.

Seeing those innocent and sparkling eyes targeting him, Alex mindlessly nodded in agreement.

"Good... just a minute."

Yulian found a small gap among the thick leaves and peep. The servant had long gone remove his attention at their direction and settled himself beside the coachman and the carriage whirled away from the front of their dormitory. 

He had glimpsed at the servant's face for a few moments only but he had seen that face already. The man in the photo with Tim. They had the same face.  

"Are you that scared of the marquis? I told you, you have me -"

Yulian had to raise a hand and cover the prince's noisy mouth again without looking back. 

His mind was gearing for information. And now that he thought about it the servant's built was almost identical to that other cloaked figure.

Did he hit a jackpot? He had easily spotted one of his targets right here in the academy.