We had known each other for years, but nobody was allowed to lay a finger on royalty without just cause—especially mages like Raphael. His father headed the Ministry of Magecraft, and he doubled as my magic tutor.
Despite being a year older than me, Raphael often accompanied his father to the palace, and we were made to compete in our studies. Our rivalry was overall short-lived, as he had far more opportunities for practice and easily surpassed me. He was frank with me to the point of rudeness on account of our shared history, despite his family being no less subordinate to the throne than the Nordens. Harold, naturally, saw his very existence as an insult and a threat.
Raphael winked at Harold, backing up halfway across the room with his hands raised. “Don’t worry, little guy, I won’t touch your master again.” Still smiling, he turned to face me. “So? Anything I can do for you?”
It was a tad difficult talking to him from such a distance, but as it was leagues better than tolerating his clinginess, I didn’t complain. Knowing him, he had already erected a barrier to prevent anyone from overhearing our conversation, even if we had to raise our voices. He was irritating, but his eye for detail was impeccable.
“Edward has been acting oddly,” I said.
He dramatically covered his mouth. “Oh, no! Has he finally stopped acting like a boiled-down code of chivalry on legs?!”
“I’m…not sure exactly what you mean by that, but I think so, yes.”
“Let me guess—you need someone to find out why?”
“Exactly. You know Lady Yulisse, don’t you? The girl who resembles the Star Maiden?”
His face brightened. “Lady Yulisse Merrifield? Why, of course I know her!”
Regrettably, his overwhelming magical prowess was matched with an overwhelming love of women. Rumor was that he’d been with countless women, but never made one cry, and the tales of his playboy antics were almost impressive. He had long purple hair that hung loosely past his shoulders and wore a monocle suited for magical analysis. He was genuinely amiable to most people, to the point that he was almost too nice. People had a natural tendency to trust him, and if he already knew Lady Yulisse, that would make things even easier.
“Star Maiden is such an interesting little novel, isn’t it?” he continued jovially. “I’ve wanted to pay her a visit for some time now, but I always assumed you’d get all pouty if I did.”
I nodded. “You’d be right.”
Honestly, if not for the irritating way he talks, I’d love to make him one of my personal advisers when I’m king.
Raphael’s smile deepened. “If I have your permission, though, I’d love to figure out what dirty little secrets she’s hiding. Hehe, I’m going to enjoy this!”
“Just remember, you’re not to approach Elizabeth at any point or under any circumstances. Am I clear?” I stressed.
Even a brief meeting could be cataclysmic.
“Relax. I’d love to meet that fiancée of yours sooner or later, but I can save that little treat for your wedding. You’ll let me see her then, at least, won’t you?”
I froze. “O-Our wedding…”
Elizabeth’s smile came to mind, and my cheeks warmed. Her bashful smile after we picked pet names for each other was so potent that, even after thinking of it all night long, its sway over me was still immense.
Raphael sniggered bemusedly at my expression. Behind him, Harold sighed and rolled his eyes in a rare sign of disrespect. I swiftly composed myself and explained the details of Edward’s behavior to him.
After hearing everything, Raphael nodded. “My, that is interesting! Any idea what might be afoot?”
“I suspect there may be magic at work.”
His eyes lit up. “You don’t say?”
Magic was as valuable as it was rare. It was impossible to think that Lady Yulisse, a mere baron’s daughter, would have access to such a luxury on her own. The possibility alone warranted a thorough investigation—especially if your father happened to be the head of the Ministry of Magecraft.
“Hehe, I may have to report this to Father! Don’t worry, I’ll investigate Lady Yulisse myself. Look forward to the good news, now!” Raphael spun in place and gave me an almost comedic bow. I wasn’t surprised—I’d piqued his interest by combining his love of women with his love of magic and conspiracies.
Honestly, what a magical man-whore.
“Come to think of it, the heroine of the novel makes all of the prince’s friends fall for her,” he mused, smirking lewdly. “I wonder how our own little Star Maiden will try to seduce me? Oh, I can’t wait!”
Forget letting him meet Elizabeth at our wedding—they should never come into contact with each other, ever.
He noticed me watching him, so he made a heart shape with his hands and winked at me. Any reply would just encourage him, so I ignored him.
“Oh, I nearly forgot. Harold?” I turned to my aide. “I’ve got a task for you, too.”
“Your word is my command.”
“First, read this.” I handed him my copy of Star Maiden, which he accepted with a polite bow. “After my latest read-through, I’ve come to the conclusion that the author must be a noble themselves.”
The novel’s main claim to fame amongst the nobility was the characters’ likenesses to Elizabeth and myself. It was the level of realism the author included that made it clear they were intimately familiar with noble life. From the appearance of the Academy to the Coming-of-Age Ball, there were enough similarities to the real places and events that no commoner could’ve written it on imagination alone. The author thus had to be a Royal Academy student, or else someone with similar privilege.
“Focus on those elements and see if you can track down the author. If a noble truly did write this…”
“That would be a grievous crime,” Harold finished. “Such slander may even warrant exile.”
Raphael nodded. “Makes sense. A noble might be able to get their paws on magic, too.”
I’d assumed that a commoner wrote it and added real people as characters so that it would sell, and that was innocent enough to go unpunished. However, if it was written by a noble, that was a different matter, especially since they were slandering the royal family. Worse, if they had written it not only to slander, but to make the story come to life and deal palpable damage to the throne and its interests…
That would be unforgivable.
Any enemy of the kingdom, no matter who they were, needed to be rooted out. They had already damaged Elizabeth’s and my reputation at school. I would stop them from interfering with our engagement if it was the last thing I did. A story required conflict, certainly—but life had no villain. Whoever was attempting to turn Elizabeth into some villainess needed to be found and neutralized with all due force. I would make an example of them. Then I would thwart any other wicked elements in the aristocracy standing against us.
I gave Harold a solemn look. “It’ll be difficult, but I’m counting on you.”
This may be the first time I’ve acted truly king-like.
Harold took a knee in deference. “As you will.”
After the formalities and solemn vows, the author was found the very next week—and in the most unexpected manner imaginable.