What are you thinking of, Your Highness?

Carlisle was gazing moodily outside the window with his arms folded. His blue eyes lost its focus and turned clear again, but he didnt turn away from the window as he replied.

Just of old memories.

Presently, Carlisles gaze was turned towards Freesia Palace outside the window. He didnt have many good memories of the place. Perhaps it was only natural. He had a very unhappy childhood.

From the moment he was born, he didnt stay at the palace, but was raised at the maids quarters stayed because of his mothers humble origins. He had grown up not knowing that his father was the emperor until he was eight years old. Although he was the first son, no one recognized him as a prince.

As a child, Carlisles mother was always apologizing to someone. Even if the Empress threw a cup of tea at his mother, she had to bow down and subject herself to the harassment and jealousies of other maids. He couldnt understand why his mother was this way when he was a childbut when he grew older, he later found out it was for his sake. And yet, his mother would always apologize to Carlisle too.

Im sorry, Caril. Im sorry you have such a terrible mother.

His mother suffered greatly to protect him. It must have been difficult to safeguard the life of the boy without any maternal relatives in the palace, where plots and scheming were common. When Carlisle thought about it now, he probably survived that far because nobody cared about him.

Caril, if anyone says something, just say you made a mistake. You cant even breathe a word against anyone.

No. Why should I do that when I didnt do anything wrong?

The moment you are noticed by others, your life is over.

Mom, can we just run away together? I dont want to live as a prince.

He meant it. He would abandon the position a thousand times over if he could only be with his mother. She answered him with a weak smile.

Caril, you cannot live like this. How precious is the blood that flows in your body? Look towards the high places like birds flying in the sky.

He complained countless times that he didnt need riches, but his mother has pretended not to listen.

The turning point in his life came without any warning. One day, the Orb appeared in Carlisles body. He lay in bed for a week and struggled with severe pain. There were no words to explain the way his skin turned black then white again. It was only then that he realized the change in his body meant that he was not a normal human being. The sun and moon rose and set several times before the blue orb finished growing inside his body and separated from him.

The moment he held the perfect bead in his hand, he met his father for the first time. His father told him that the emperors had the blood of the dragon. Carlisle thought he would retch. This wasnt just the blood of a monsterIt was a curse. His mother was completely wrong; The blood flowing through his body was never precious or blessed. He could still remember clearly when Sullivan patted his shoulder.

You will succeed me, Carlisle. Your father believes in only you now.

Soon after, Sullivan declared to everyone that Carlisle would serve as the crown prince. Carlisles life completely changed after that. Like a lie, Sullivan began to love him dearly, and in turn, the days he saw his mother gradually declined. Then one day, his mother spoke to him.

I need to leave the palace for a while. Your Highness, can you manage on your own?

Where are you going? Dont go.

Ill be back. Just count on your fingers for ten nights.

No, dont go. Mother!

No matter how much Carlisle cried and clung to his mother, she turned coldly and left the palace. Since then, he folded her fingers one by one, counting the nights by ten, but his mother never returned to the palace. He realized at some point that she would never come back.

He felt an aching loneliness. Although he lived in palace, his food would often be poisoned and he struggled with death several times. In front of him were smiling faces, but when he turned around, he could not tell who was the enemy. Who was trying to poison him behind his fathers back? The enemy seemed to be on all sides and no one could be trusted. When he was alone and isolated, Sullivan called him. Then he issued a final notice.

Carlisle, theres no way to protect you here. Go to the border and enter the war.

FatherIll die if I go there.

You are the child who has the blood closest to the dragon. How can you die so easily? Follow your fathers decision. This is the best.

My father was a madman, so obsessed with myths that he wouldnt look at the reality before him. Carlisle was only thirteen years old when his father condemned him to die outside of the palace. What were the odds that a young man who had never even held a sword would return alive? Even if there were people eager to kill him in the Imperial Palace, it would be much worse if he were away from his fathers side.

Haaaa.

It was a miserable life. He believed that he would live his entire life in misery. Anyone who married such an unlucky person like him would surely be doomed.

Carlisle felt no more anger, resentment, or sorrow. All he had left was emptiness. His mother abandoned him at the Imperial Palace, and his father was pushing him to a dangerous place, saying it was the only way. The chances of survival were extremely slim, but he didnt have any desire to live anyway.

Everything. Its all because of this Orb.

Carlisle looked down at the blue bead ring in his hand.

Before his mother left, she made him this ring so the Orb wouldnt be noticed, but he doubted it would be useful. He couldnt use the Orb for himself or for his family

In those days even the maids working for the Imperial Palace did not want to make eye contact with Carlisle. Rumors began to circulate that his existence was unclean. The rumor was not wrong in Carlisles mind.

The sky is so clear.

On the day before he would leave for battle, Carlisle hid himself in Freesia Palace, the largest palace on the grounds, and looked up at the blue sky. He was in a gloomy mood, but unlike his thoughts the sky was clear. It didnt matter though, since nothing reflected Carlisles mood in his life so far. He was under the sway of other people. He was about to give up everything when

Jabag, jabag.

He heard the sound of light footsteps. When he turned his head in the direction of the sound, a blonde-haired girl emerged through the bushes.

!

Carlisle was momentarily speechless. He thought it was a fairy. He couldnt believe there was such a beautiful human being. She had golden hair, pale skin, and jeweled red eyes that stared right at him. The moment their eyes met it felt like eternity.

Are you a servant working for the Imperial Palace? Im lost, where am I?

What?

Carlisles eyes widened as she addressed him informally. Although he didnt care for it, everyone used the crown princes title since he ascended to the position. He didnt answer, and the girl said softly,

Are you a lost child, too?

At her question, Carlisle looked down at what he was wearing. He did look quite scruffy, but he was leaving for the battlefield tomorrow anyway. He wanted to reveal himself, but at the same time he didnt want to hear the girl use his title like everyone else. Although words of respect came from everyone elses mouths, their eyes and voices were cold.

The girl before him spoke up again, her red eyes lifted sharply as if she were offended.

Why dont you answer when people speak to you?

When he saw this girl like a nine-tailed fox in the palace, he couldnt help but be surprised.

Why should I answer your question?

Becausebecause servants have to obey the words of the nobility.

Carlisle leaned back and responded in a flat voice.

Theres a strike today.

What? No way.

Ask someone else for directions in the palace.

Ive been walking around for ages, but I didnt see anyone else.

It was easy to get lost in Freesia Palaces labyrinthine grounds without a guide. The girls poor dress was a little worse-for-wear, but he decided that wasnt any reason to do her a favor. The girl said something else, but Carlisle closed his eyes and ignored her.

Then, at one point, it became quiet. Suddenly curious, he opened his eyes and saw the girl sitting nearby and looking at the flowers. She looked a picturesque image as she smiled prettily at the flowers, unlike the face she made when she was complaining earlier. She was still beautiful before too, but he liked this a lot more.

Is there something interesting about the flowers?

Dont talk to me. You wont even give me directions

I told you to ask someone else.

Tch, how am I supposed to find someone else here? Ive been walking around a long time and I only met youIm scared to be alone.

Carlisle chuckled how girls voice adorably became smaller and smaller. It had been a long time since he met someone of his age. Unlike the half-brother who always stared at him, she was a perfect stranger.

I didnt know it was such a strange flower. You can find it all over the palace.

Not where I live. Maybe this flower only blooms hereHave you ever been outside of the palace?

No.

Never?

Never.

The girl looked surprised at Carlisles answer.

Then have you ever gone to a bakery or an opera outside the palace?

No, I havent.

WowCharlies Bakery is really good. And children usually arent allowed to go to the opera, but I saw it once because my mother took me there. It was so grand and beautiful.

Carlisle did not reply. It was a story of a world that he didnt know.

When Carlisle didnt say anything else, Elena sidled up to the boys side.

Then would you like to come with me?

What?

Ill take you to a fun place outside the palace.

The girls bright expression dazzled him and Carlisles heart began beating faster than usual.