Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

Chapter 107: Alex's Empathy

A frown was plastered on my face by the time I went out of the administrator's office. I can't believe that helping my classmate could be this hassle. Thinking about it, I know I did the right thing.

"But we let the students grow in this institution and learn from their mistakes, if possible," I remembered the words of Ms. Leigh earlier when I tried to defend myself for what I did. 

"And helping them with certain lessons that they could learn by themselves would be a hindrance to their growth, that's why I didn't take action as soon as possible hoping that Ms. Love could find a way to resolve her own problem."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. I don't know what to do anymore.

Later on at the castle, the same thoughts keep on circulating inside my head while I was having my daily training with Alex, whom, I sensed, is already fuming to his place seeing that my mind is drifting into somewhere else.

"I see that you are out of focus today," Alex can't bear it anymore and pointed out my actions. I snapped back into reality.

"I'm so sorry," I say, "It's just that I can't help but be annoyed that I was called out in the admin office for helping a classmate from burning her hands during our Magic execution class,"

Alex's attention was then piqued the moment I said those words.

"What? You have been called out in the admin office?" he said, looking at me in disbelief.

"Yes, do I have to repeat myself?" I snapped and almost rolled my eyes at him.

There was a moment of silence between us, until I heard him sigh and once again turned to look at me.

"There is nothing wrong when trying to be kind or helpful," he uttered. "It's just that, you should also learn the situation to know if it is necessary."

I spread out both of my hands in front of me, as if there is something interesting placed in there before I responded with what he said.

"I know that already. But every time I remembered the orphans that I happened to visit a day after my first appearance as the fake prince I always blame myself for the death of their beloved foster mother."

Feeling the heat in both corners of my eyes, I tried to blink away the tears that threatened to spill out of it and looked up into the ceiling for a while. I could feel Alex's stare boring into mine, but I tried so hard not to notice it.

I already told them once about the encounter that I had with Leo and the rest of the kids the moment when I returned to the castle with a tear-stained face and really soaking wet during that time. Alex had then witnessed how much I cried in front of them, and I also cursed at myself for showing such a weak side in front of them.

"I understand your pain, since I have also been in that kind of situation you know that, right?" 

Just then, I felt his hand reaching into mine, giving it a light squeeze after.. I just stood there, frozen, not really sure what to do at this point.

I know that he is pertaining to the war in Sodor, the one that he shared with me, and I almost forgot about it to be honest.

"I know the feeling of being useless, watching someone die in front of you without any knowledge how you could help them," he now looks at me, suddenly meeting my gaze.

"However, what I learned from that awful experience is that we should not let ourselves dwindle in the past, but move on and learn from our mistakes so that we could become a better person than what we are during those times of being helpless."

A smile crept up from the corners of my lips as his words made sense to me now.

"And I know you can do it. I see you improving on your magic skills as time goes by," Alex lifts one hand and gently caresses my hair. "So I know you can help a lot of people in the future. I'll be the proudest mentor here by the time I see that happen."

Alex is arrogant and cold by nature, but if he really wants to.he could be a sweet and caring person during occasional times such as this. I don't see any people being like that besides him alone.

Before I knew it, my cheeks were literally burning right now as I stared at him for too long. Looking away from him took a lot of courage on my part to do so, or else we will create a misunderstanding to those people who could see us from afar.

"You know, you could really be a nice and sweet person if you wanted to," I teased. "It suits you much better than your usual self."

He only rolled his eyes as his reaction.

"I can't believe it," he says. "Here I am, trying my best to make you feel better and this is how you repay me? By teasing me? Oh, come on."

I can't help but chuckle at that for a moment before I put on a serious face.

"But kidding aside, thank you Alex for being nice to me. Even if it is only for today."

He clicked his tongue and said, "You know I'm hardly nice to anyone."

"Yup I know that already, and I'm used to it."

The skies have started turning orange as the sun begins to leave its place. Seeing it like this, Alex turned to me and I could see it in his eyes that an idea just suddenly popped into his head.

"Let's watch the sunset together."

Before I could even react to it, he then snaps his fingers. And the next thing I knew is that we are now exactly in one of the castle towers on the right which gives us a perfect view of the sunset.

"Gosh, this guy. You startled me." I complained.

"Quit your yapping and just watched the magnificent view from up here. This could definitely make you feel better," he scolded me.

Like what he said, I refrained from talking and just enjoyed our first sunset watch together. 

---

-LUCAS-

It was a long day for me today as I went back to the castle. Having meetings with the leaders of each town and city to discuss the recent attacks that occurred in our country could be tiring sometimes.

I was actually looking forward to seeing Krisella by the time I returned here. I am not really sure what's gotten into me why I'd like to see her this instant, but what I do know is that just by merely seeing her, her radiant smiles, and her shining presence, makes me forget all my troubles in just a short while. 

Krisella is like a breath of fresh air inside the castle, and I know having her here brings joy to the three of us (Lancelot, Alex, and me). It was a good thing that Alex had discovered her and brought her here because she brought a lot of changes to our lives without her even realizing it.

I first went to my room, which is just a walking distance from the prince's chamber, and changed my clothes. Once I was done, I left my room and tried asking a maid if she had seen the prince lately.

"I've seen them training together with captain Alex in the backyard," she responded, which then I replied with a thank you and proceeded to the location that she mentioned.

By the time I arrived there, I was stunned for a while upon seeing Alex and her looking at each other, smiles plastered on both their faces. It even surprised me that Alex- whom I know is a reserved guy and picky towards other people-- speaking with Krisella this close.

There was a time when Alex and I had felt something for one particular girl during those times when we were still studying together. He was in the same batch as I when we graduated, and the girl whom we fell for didn't make it past graduation.

Since she died of an illness before she could even make it to the stage to accept her diploma. I remember her choosing Alex over me until her last breath, and all I could do is let them be together if that is what makes the girl happy.

"Let's watch the sunset together," I heard him saying this to Krisella, and then off they went to the spot where I'll know they have teleported into.

Remembering the past, my hand formed into a fist until my knuckles turned white from it. I'll always remember those times where I sacrificed my happiness for someone else, even if it meant hurting myself in the process.

And now, I'm afraid that history will definitely repeat itself.