“Your Highness,” Javi said a few weeks later with a grave expression, “I bear bad news. Our spy in House Ferrer reported that some unknown and probably unregistered mages wearing black hoods were spotted converging within House Ferrer. They believe those people are black mages.”

Tan raised his head sharply at that, slightly alarmed. “What?”

They went to the Ferrers instead of coming to the Magic Tower? Why?

He had forgotten to ask his sister-in-law regarding this matter, and now it looks like it’s too late to get them to their side.

On the bright side, he could prosecute the Ferrers the way they had prosecuted him in his dream, but he couldn’t rush it without more evidence at hand.

“Get our spy out of there as soon as possible.” Tan said firmly. “It’s dangerous for them to stay there.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And send word to Mikael that I’ll be late for our date.” Tan continued as he stood up. “I have something to discuss with the Tower Master.”

Javi blinked blankly at that. He watched his liege leave the room before letting out a tired sigh.

Meanwhile, Tan made his way to the top of the Magic Tower, nodding every now and then at the mages and knights he came across. Once he reached the top, he knocked on the door a few times.

The door opened on its own and he saw Siane scribbling away on a piece of paper while a pair of mages and knights acted as babysitters to the young prince.

“What brought you here?” Siane asked as she glanced up briefly to look.

“I have a question that I hope you can answer.”

Siane smiled at that, stopping her writing and putting her pen down. She then interlaced her fingers together, resting her chin on top of it.

“Sounds like I’m under interrogation. What is it?”

Tan blinked, realizing too late the tone he used was a little severe. He broke into cold sweat as he tried to smile to ease the tension.

“It’s nothing like that, Your Majesty.” He said in his most soothing tone. “I was…only curious if you tried reaching out to black mages and getting them to be part of the Mage Tower, knowing that you and my brother, His Majesty the King, tend not to fixate on preconceived notions or stigmas but rather their worth in helping our kingdom flourish.”

The mages and knights froze upon hearing his words, and they were careful not to make any sound as they retreated a little farther away from the two.

Siane blinked. “Oh…”

She didn’t speak another word for a moment, making Tan a little nervous.

“I did try to reach out to them.” Siane finally replied. “But I didn’t get a positive response so I didn’t bother…”

“Oh, I…see…”

Siane smiled at him. “In exchange for answering such an uncomfortable question, I’d like to enlist your brigade’s help.”

•×•×•

Tan arrived at their date’s meeting place ten minutes later than he had promised. It was a newly opened cafe that also offers a big selection of books to choose from. It was quite popular for those who have great interest in reading various literatures from around the kingdom and their neighbors, as well as a dating spot for young couples getting to know one another. 

He looked around with a frown, unable to see his date.

“Well, hello, Your Highness.” He heard a female voice behind him and he turned around to see a blonde female dressed in casual hunting gear. Her long blonde hair is tied up in a high ponytail and her green eyes were bright.

If his memory serves right, this is the daughter of Marquis Rivera, his supposed love rival.

“Lady Rivera, it’s a pleasure to see you.” Tan pleasantly greeted her.

The lady only smiled in return as she adjusted her gloves.

“Are you looking for Lord Mikael, perchance?” She probed.

“That I am.” Tan replied, a little miffed. “I arrived later than our agreed time because of work, have you seen him?”

Does Mikael let anyone else call him by name instead of ‘Lord Canaels’? He should ask him to fix that in the future.

“Lord Mikael left a little while ago.” Lady Rivera replied, a little smug. “I had the honor of accompanying him earlier, and I must say, he’s quite the conversationalist.”

Tan doesn’t understand why this lady seems to be trying to pick a fight with him and getting on his nerves.

Mikael is not someone who’d gladly converse with anyone, that’s why he picked this place for their date today. Not to mention, he’s looking for clues as to where to get a specific book for his sister again.

It was something that Tan doesn’t understand, since Siane owns one of the royal libraries, the Tower Master and the Queen of the kingdom. She could easily obtain books with other means but she still let Mikael do the job.

He was about to respond to Lady Rivera when he sensed a hand pressing against his lower back and sliding around his waist, sending shivers down his spine.

He turned his head to see Mikael, with his usual poker face, looking at the two of them with one eyebrow raised.

“Here I thought you’d be late for hours.” Mikael told him, giving him a questioning look.

“I thought as well but Her Majesty didn’t have much to say regarding the matter that I asked her so I came here as fast as I could.” Tan replied, hyper aware of Mikael’s arm around his waist.

He’s not used to this physical intimacy that Mikael is showing, especially in public.

Lady Rivera only blinked at the two of them, before gracing them a smile.

“If we didn’t know any better, we would have mistaken Your Highness as the Omega in your relationship.” She teased.

Mikael only raised an eyebrow at that. “I didn’t think you’d be one to judge solely by looks, Lady Rivera. You didn’t seem to be the type during our talk earlier. It seems I was mistaken about you.”

The lady flushed in embarrassment, as Mikael slid his hand off Tan’s waist and went to slowly hold his hand. 

“We’ll be taking our leave.” Mikael said as he tugged on Tan’s hand and the prince followed him out.

Once out of earshot, Tan abashedly asked, “Were you always this intimate…?”

“If we don’t act like our siblings so in love with one another, people will realize that we’re in a contract marriage.” Mikael shrugged. “Besides, didn’t you bribe my sister to get your brother to move the Court to approve our marriage?”