Caution!

The following contains dark themes. Self loathing and suicide are present in multiple chapters. This story gets lighter as it progress, but be advised that the beginning is rather dark.(?)

Current chapter has implied violence, implied child abuse. Please be warned. This is mostly fluff, despite the sprinkles of angst.

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Cheerful giggles flew through the air, the golden rays of the sun shining down softly on to the garden.

The Opal Palace's garden, once a beautiful masterpiece, only to fall into neglected abandon. Thousands of years ago, this Palace was the home of the Empress, a woman with beautiful opal colored eyes. When she had suddenly died of unexplained reasons, the Emperor declared the palace to be cursed.

Neglect had woven its vines through the once-pruned rose bushes, and dandelions sprouted defiantly between cobblestones. The grandeur of the palace, once an elegant silhouette against the sky, faded into a ghostly reminder of past glory.

Yet it wasn't entirely abandoned, not anymore. A portion of the garden began to blossom with life once again. A clumsy, but sincere, attempt to fix the garden. New life breathed into the once abandoned garden.

The garden was a charming chaos of colors and scents. Attempts at pruning the roses were far from perfect, resulting in a mix of blossoms in various stages of bloom. Some roses stood tall, their velvety petals unfurling elegantly, while others appeared more like wildflowers, their petals ruffled and untamed.

Stones and paths were placed irregularly, whoever placed them clearly didn't know how to properly landscape. Smalls daisies and marigolds sprouted between the cracks, decorating the stone with its colors.

Tiny handmade decorations littered the garden, some matching, some not. Yet they were placed around with pride. Bigger, much more professional looking decorations were hidden behind the tinier decorations, as if whoever decorated the garden wanted to show the tiny decorations as great masterpieces that needed to be seen by all. Clay figurines of animals and a small boy and man peeked out of bushes, beads strung together hanging from branches, lighting the garden with color and life.

A small vegetable patch was in the garden, neat rows of carrots, lettuces, and tomatoes thriving beautifully. This vegetable patch was also decorated with tiny decorations, filled with love and care, like the rest of the garden.

The garden had flaws, bearing the marks of its caretakers' learning curve. It was in how the techniques and garden slowly seemed to develop, seemed to get better, yet still held so much love and care in it. Its imperfections only added to its charm,

It wasn't a very beautiful garden, neither people who made it were experienced in gardening, but the love was clear in the way the flowers looked so well taken after. How the flowers were carefully planted, or how many of the decorations were obviously handmade.

A small head of white poked out of the flowers, his small figure moving fast through the plants. The small figure only stopped after finding a good bush, crouching down and waiting patiently.

The child was clearly trying to hide, but his white hair made it obvious he was there. Tiny giggles gave away his location easily, anyone who heard it would immediately have found him. Emerald green eyes looking with diligence, as if to make sure he wasn't found. There was a certain level of innocence in the child's eyes, not completely innocent, but slowly healing. A child who was hurt by the world, but was now healing. It had yet to be dimmed by the darkness that would plague him in the years to come.

"Now, where could my mischievous little prince have gone?" A man said, voice filled with false wonder. The man's voice was deep, like that of velvet, and was filled with sweetness.

The little boy placed his hands over his mouth, trying to silence his giggles. He stayed still, trying to be hidden. But it was obvious where he was. The white of his hair, the blue of his clothes, stood as a contrast to the green and red bushes he was hiding in. His tiny giggles, like that of bells chiming through the wind, easily lead anyone to where the child was. Looking around, purposefully looking higher, the older man pretended to not have seen the little boy's hiding spot.

It took all he had to hold back a laugh as he saw the prince's white hair peeking out of the bushes. The brown haired man sighed, pretending to be confused.

"It seems he isn't here, oh well. I'll have to look somewhere else" at this, the man walked away. The child silently celebrated his success, thinking he had fooled the older. He made the move to run to another spot, only to let out a yelp as strong arms pulled him out of the bush.

He kicked and wiggled, trying to resist the arms that the boy knew would never harm him. Despite this knowledge, he struggled to get out. After all, this would mean that he lost their game of hide-and-seek. The boy turned to the man, letting out a pout as he did.

A handsome man, with long ashy brown hair, held the small boy. His ruby red eyes filled with amusement, softness making his face melt into warmth as he watched the boy wiggled in his arms. The tiny boy had medium length white hair parted in the middle. Emerald eyes, big wide and filled with laughter despite the pout on the little boy's face.

"Caught you, Alex" the man said, as the green-eyed child giggled before stopping himself and pretending to be grumpy. Clearly, the boy was enjoying this despite how he pretended not to. It was adorable, and the man couldn't resist the urge to hug his little boy. The older man's long brown hair tickled the small child, causing the boy to squirm in his father's arms. Tiny giggles escaped the boy, either he liked it or not as he was tickled.

"Daddd! Stopppp! That ticklessss!" Alex, the little boy, whined out, as he let out another fit of giggles.

The man only smiled at his son, but didn't relent in his tickling. It wasn't like Alex wanted to stop him either. He enjoyed this too much, enjoyed the simple hug too much to really fight it. Diland knew his boy well, could read him like an open book no matter how many years it has been.

Alexander Oriel, that is the name he was born into. The fourth prince, an illegitimate child, born to the only woman the Emperor had loved. A mistake to others, a curse to few, and a burden to many. But to the two of them, he was just Alex. A child loved and happy. To any noble, the prince was living like a commoner, like someone who didn't have royal blood.

But it didn't matter to the boy, he didn't mind. Alex enjoyed his simple life. Sure, he lived in a giant palace, but it was basically abandoned. He only ever used small portions of the Opal palace.

If Alex could, he would even live in a small hut. As long as he had his family, he wasn't afraid to face suffering. Diland knew this and he as well shared the same sentiment. For despite being abandoned by the Emperor, despite having lost every bit of power and fame he once had, it was all worth it. For he had gained the best thing to happen to his life. His son, his light. Who he would do anything for.

(Oh how those words would one day come through. A father's sacrifice, a young boy turning into a young man. The young man who would fight for humanity, his love for his family fueling him to push through every battle. A mantra. A prayer. The only thing fueling his soul.

Neither knew how much their devotion to their family would end up being their last life line.)

Where before Alex was but a shadow of a child, now he was a bright and happy little boy. Smile easily rivaling the sun.

Alex was always a good child by nature, heart soft and so sweet to any who was willing to see it. Smiles came easy to him, as if he was sunshine placed into a mortal form.

It was only a shame how the moon tried desperately to cover the sun, hiding it away under the shadows of the clouds.

"Daddddd!!!" Alex whined again, snapping the older out of his thoughts.

Diland gently placed his son down, watching with another round of amusement as the boy immediately began to run away. Alex ran around the garden again, unhidden joy on his face. It felt like the greatest achievement in the brown haired man's life to see Alex laughing and playing like the child he truly is.

It felt like yesterday when the prince was still terrified of his own shadow. The growth, the healing of an abused child, it filled Diland with pride and so much love. A great part of him held regrets, regrets of handling his money, regrets of his contract with the Emperor, regrets of not being able to give Alexander the world.

(That blasted man, oh how he regrets swearing loyalty. How Diland was so blind to his benefactor, letting the white haired man get away with far too much. Diland's tongue remained unresponsive, his voice unable to tell his prince the truth. He regrets that contract.

Hates how, until now, it keeps him chained. Unable to tell the truth to his son. Oh Lady Marionette, how you must be rolling in your grave.)

Yet, Diland felt love regardless, felt a joy and peace he had never felt before. Life was simpler now and at the same time harder. The Emperor cut off his funds, withheld his money, a threat to return to the man's side. Diland's contacts were banned from meeting him, regret in the people who were loyal to him. That contract holds all of their lives on a tight leash, unable to escape. Unable to do anything as the Emperor cut off everything Diland could do to make Alex's life better. To spoil the child who had never been given anything before.

But Diland wouldn't trade this life with Alex for anything. Not if it meant losing the child he has grown to love as his own. Who calls him dad, trusting a man as dirty as he.

(Who's hands are permanently stained red.

He does not deserve Alex.)

"Dad, dad, look at this!" Alex's voice, filled with excitement, cut through the man's thoughts. He always got lost in his thoughts, the weight of his sins not allowing him silence.

(One day, his son would be the same as he. Head filled with thoughts and voices that kept him trapped in his own mind.)

The small boy held up a butterfly, its wings painted with nature's most delicate brushstrokes. Sunlight danced on the wings, creating a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors. If it had been anyone else, the butterfly would have surely flown away by now. But it didn't, in fact, other butterflies flew around the young prince, surrounding his head like a halo.

Diland approached with a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Alexander had such a gentle soul that animals always seemed to love him. It sometimes leads to moments where Diland would find the prince sleeping next to a bear, or even a wolf that one time. Or should he say many times. Darn wolves, they kept coming back no matter how many times Diland had kicked them out.

Diland always had to have a broom in hand, ready to shoo away the stray animal to recover his son from their little nest.

It was a form of training, he supposes, but he would prefer his son not be buried under furry creatures, thanks.

The only reason the garden had even grown was also thanks to the little prince's green thumb. Plants grew easily under his hands, animals drawn to the prince like moths to a lamp. No, it wouldn't be right to call Alexander a lamp, for he was the sun, so bright and strong.

As the older man got closer, he was a little relieved to see the butterfly hadn't flown away by his presence. For whereas animals loved Alexander, the same could not be said about Diland.

In fact, animals tend to avoid him like the plague. No matter what Diland did, all animals seemed to hate him. Hiding or attacking, with no in-between. They could tell what he was, the stain that he pretended not to be. It's no wonder they avoided him. It seemed that the butterfly found Alex's presence comforting enough that it didn't try to fly away after Diland approached.

Its wing's flapped for a second, looking like it was about to fly away, but luckily it didn't. He stayed still, trying not to get too close but not too far, marveling at the butterfly in Alexander's hands.

"It looks beautiful, nature truly creates the most beautiful creations" He replied, watching the green-eyed boy light up. The smaller boy pushed the butterfly closer to the older man's face, an excited and curious sparkle entering his eyes.

"Dad, do you think butterflies have magic?" the young boy asked. Diland gave a curious look, tilting his head slightly.

"Why do you ask, my little prince?" Diland replied, a hint of a tease at the title. It made his son pout a little, before quickly explaining. The child gently held the behaved butterfly the entire time.

"I've read in books that all things have magic, especially nature" Alex began explaining. The little boy then went to further explain his thoughts. "And I've always felt magic in plants, or even animals. But no one else seems to feel the same things I do" the boy said, a flash of sadness flickering in his eyes. Diland just knew that his son was remembering something sad.

"That just means you're far more talented than them, it's not your fault they just couldn't see that" Diland reassured as he booped his son's nose, his son looking up to meet his gaze with that vulnerable look on his face. A look that just told the older that although he did not believe his words, he appreciated it. Diland hopes that one day, his son would believe him when he tells him a compliment.

(Alexander would grow up to never believe a single good word about himself.

Kim Lee Hyu was barely any better.)

"Yeah, sure. Uhm, anyways, you didn't answer my question!" was the boy's attempt to change the subject. It wasn't very good, but Diland had enough mercy on his son and let it be. The brown haired male placed a hand under his chin, thinking about it slightly. He took his son seriously, so he would be serious in answering the child's question.

"Yes I do, in fact everything has mana inside it" Diland answered, sitting down on the grass as he does. His son let the butterfly fly away as he rushed to sit on the older man's lap. Alex always enjoyed sitting close to those he loved, those he was comfortable with. Always finding ways to stick close to them. Diland's heart swelled with affection for the young prince. His son was just far too cute. From how sweet and lovely Alex is, Diland is surely going develop diabetes at this rate.

(Diland doesn't want to think about the root of Alex's clinginess right now. How that clinginess comes from the neglect he had received. It hurts his heart so much. His son didn't deserve this.)

"See this ribbon?" Diland asked, pulling out the ribbon from his hair, letting the long strands fall over his shoulder and to his back. Alex pouted, making the older chuckle. His hair, which was in a low ponytail, was actually done by Alex. Even if it was an absolute mess and some strands were already slipping out.

Nonetheless, the boy looked at the ribbon obediently. Diland chuckled again before turning his attention to the ribbon. Using his free hand, he gently moved the smaller hand's of his son to touch the ribbon. "Can you try feeling it?" he asked patiently, watching green eyes look at him with confusion as his nose scrunched up slightly.

"Why do I need to do that?" Alex asked with confusion, tilting his head.

Diland smiled at the sight, but remained silent. His son knew that he wouldn't respond unless he did what he asked. With a tiny grumble and a sigh, the boy rolled his eyes like a sass little brat before actually doing what the ex-butler asked. His emerald eyes were shut close, nose scrunching up again as the boy concentrated. Silence passed through the garden, only the sounds of the birds and the fluttering of the butterflies seemed to accompany them.

Then, Alex gasped as his eyes opened wide. He seemed to vibrate, as he looked back up to face Diland, a look of pure wonder on his face.

"I felt something in it! I could feel tiny mana in it!" the boy said, wonder turning into excitement. The boy stopped sitting on his lap, and stood instead, as he began to talk about this discovery at a speed that made Diland unable to understand him. He patiently waited for his son to finish before replying.

"-did you know this!? Dad, dada, papa, tell me your secret!!!" Alex exclaimed with excitement, basically bouncing from his sheer energy. He nearly fell off Diland's lap, but luckily the older caught on to this before the child could actually fall off. Still, seeing the sheer excitement in his son as he discovered something new would never get old. Diland always enjoyed answering his little prince, enjoyed seeing the imaginative and brilliant ideas the little boy's mind could conjure up. It didn't just come from nothing as well, it also came from knowledge gained from reading, a thirst for knowledge that seemed to be never ending.

But Diland could not answer his son on this question, not with this seal on him. So instead, he put a finger on his lip and with a playful smile, gave a wink.

"That's a secret~" he teased his son, laughing when his son pouted. The tiny boy hit his chest weakly, grumpy at being denied. The white haired boy jumped off as he scowled. Little arms crossed, he faced his dad with an annoyed expression.

"Dad's a meanie! A big meanie who won't tell me where he learned it from!" he exclaimed, but there was no heat behind his words. The boy stuck out his tongue before running off, clearly he got bored and wanted to explore elsewhere. Still, it made Diland chuckle as he watched his son run off with his swarm of butterflies. Not a single one remained behind with Diland, which was sad.

After what seemed like hours, the prince got bored with exploring alone and dragged Diland by his hand to join him in his little expedition. The butterflies made space for Diland, avoiding the man, but sticking close to the little boy. As they walked and looked, a few birds began following them. A few sat in Alex's hair, playing with the pure white strands. Not a single one got close to Diland. It was really unfair. Oh well, he supposed he should focus more on helping his son explore.

Despite having rebuilt the garden, having planted and dug up old parts of the palace's garden, there were still little secrets to the garden that were left behind by Alex's ancestors. It was old, after all, and many of the palaces' original artisanal schematics were lost to time. Secrets were bound to be hidden, especially due to the abandonment of the Opal Palace. The prince enjoyed searching for these little hidden secrets, loved exploring the garden's deep crevices.

Alex enjoyed exploring, enjoyed learning, enjoyed so many things. The boy had a never ending thirst, always so curious, wanting to learn more, exploring topics and places. They had a little book and everything, the book being the place that Diland and Alex would write their findings in. At this rate, the two might even find every hidden pathway in the Opal palace that has long been forgotten. The older man is sure that if Alex was to go out, then he would be even more happy.

There were times when Diland wanted to bring the boy out of the palace so that he could truly explore the wonders of the world. But the ex-butler wasn't stupid. He knew that if Alex where to go outside the palace walls, he would be in danger.

For as much as Alex deserved to be given a normal life, a life that let him play with kids his age, it would never be safe for him. There were so many forces that desperately wanted to kill the prince, wanted him to be gone forever.

Either it be from within the kingdom or outside, a dagger was pointed at the young boy's back no matter where he went. Even now, Diland had to fight off some pests.

They made good food for the little wolves that Diland could never seem to shoo away. Despite this, he knew. It can't last forever, he can't last forever. He knows he's weakening, the never ending fights, not a single bit of support, and this seal, all of it was killing him slowly. Still, the brown haired man only cared to keep his young charge safe. To stay alive for as long as possible. For if he was gone, there was only one thing keeping the boy alive.

Only the Church's protection could keep him alive. The only reason he wasn't killed when he was born.

Ah, he shouldn't think about such depressing topics. Not right now. Not with his son. Diland turned back to the little boy, realizing their little group of birds and butterflies increased. He jumped, as a deer's antlers nearly hit him.

How a deer entered the palace, or even why it was so docile, Diland had no idea. Nor did he question it much. The Opal palace wasn't even near a forest, for the love of the Gods. Yet beast, animals tamed or untamed, just kept going in despite Diland having made a fence to keep them out. He didn't want to think about it right now, and it would be one of the many mysteries of the world.

They wandered down hidden paths where songbirds serenaded the sun, and discovered secluded corners where fragrant roses whispered secrets to the wind.

A small howl startled both of the humans, as well as their animal companions. A small wolf of pitch black approached Alex, it's tail wagging in excitement. Eyes a magnificent purple, as it looked at the prince with it's big wide puppy eyes. Had it been anyone else, Diland is sure they would have mistaken the wolf pup as a dog. But Diland knows the differences between dogs and wolves.

Alex lit up with joy, a big smile blossoming on the sunshine child. The little boy ran to the wolf, his animal companions hesitantly following.

"Doggy!" The green-eyed boy exclaimed, the wolf pup running towards him with the same amount of enthusiasm. The wolf crashed onto the child, making him fall over with a loud laugh as his face was ruthlessly licked by the only pup.

The wolf pup, affectionately called 'Doggy', was a regular visitor to their little palace. The pup first appeared when the little prince had slept on a tree.

Sleeping peacefully, the little boy was easy prey, yet the little wolf didn't even try to attack him. Instead, the pup had simply slept next to the child before getting shooed away by Diland's sturdy broom. Doggy was rather behaved for a wolf pup from the wild, seemingly only wanting to play and lick the young child.

It's been a while since the pup visited. The two younglings seemed so happy to see one another once again.

"Doggy, is Fluffy not with you?" Alex asked.

Fluffy was another wolf that sometimes accompanied Doggy. Fluffy has white fur and similar purple eyes, being slightly bigger and calmer than Doggy. The white wolf seemed to be older than the black wolf, simply watching over the two children silently. Neither of the wolves ever seemed bothered by Diland's presence, which was strange when he first encountered them, but he's slowly grown used to their oddities.

The small pup shook its head in response before licking the little white haired boy. It made Alex whine at being licked, but nonetheless let it happen. The children tossed around the grass, Alex  trying to fight back by licking the little wolf pup in return. As they engaged in their antics, Diland felt soft fur gently touch his leg. He smiled as he looked down to the creature beside him.

A large, majestic looking wolf, its fur a pure white, with only the ends of it's legs and tail fading to a black color. Intelligent eyes a deep purple, as it silently nodded to the human man beside it. This wolf was affectionately named 'Wolf' by Alex, the father of the two wolf pups.

(Diland is a little embarrassed by the names given to the wolf pack, but it's his son who named them. He couldn't simply change their names. Not when his little boy looked so proud to have chosen those names.)

The wolf huffed at him, it's face expressively saying 'look at them play, so cute'.

It was a little sad, but the wolf had slowly become Diland's only friend. He couldn't contact his old ones (Thanks Emperor, really know how to make a man want to serve you again), so Wolf has been his only other ADULT companion. The brown haired male sat down on the grass, the wolf moving to sit beside him as it laid its head on his lap.

The two children, completely unaware of the new spectator, continued rolling around and play-fighting with Doggy. The little prince rolled on the grass, giggling as Doggy nipped gently at his fingers. The black wolf's tail wagged furiously, clearly enjoying the game.

They were both so cute, and the two fathers could only watch their respective young fondly. They both shared a moment of silent camaraderie, watching the children with a mixture of parental pride and amusement.

A smaller head of white rested itself on Diland's lap, as he looked down to see another wolf. The young wild pup, Fluff, must have come along with its father. He smiled at the child as he pointed at the two children.

"Do you want to join them?" He asked the white pup, watching it shake its head in disagreement.

The white pup looked exhausted, letting out tiny whines which were only silenced after the man petted its head. Fluff and Doggy tend to act like this at times. Whiney and seeking for comfort. Despite their father being near them, they ignore him completely and go to Diland. It was cute, but it never failed to make the wolf jealous. Diland heard the wolf beside him snort, making him turn to the father of the two pups to see it's dissatisfied expression.

"Oh don't give me that look, it's not my fault your children love me more than they love you" the brown haired man said, watching the wolf snort as it arrogantly looked away. Diland nearly laughed, but didn't want to embarrass his friend any further. Instead, he only smirked and turned his attention back to the children.

If he felt a certain wolf pulling his hair in retaliation, he would continue to ignore it. Diland chuckled as he relaxed and enjoyed his time with his family.

(One day, his family would be separated. By death, by time, and by dimensions. It would take a miracle for them to meet again. But they had all loved each other in the short time they were together. Their love so deeply ingrained in their souls, that even after centuries apart. Even after dimensions lay as a wall to tear them away. They had still loved. Loved and remembered.

Diland Blade wouldn't have it any other way.)

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Bits of moonlight cast its rays down on a sleeping figure through the cracks of the curtains. The figure, a tall man, slept in an office room exuding an air of refined elegance, adorned with silvers that shimmered like moonbeams, deep blues that resonated with the vastness of the night sky, and regal reds that spoke of power and authority.

The walls, draped in rich blue tapestries, bore patterns of flowers and leaves. Yet not a single family emblem. Only silver designs decorated the walls. The regality of crimson velvet upholstery adorned the furniture, each piece was imperfect, yet filled with love. Bookshelves lined with leather-bound tomes towered against one wall, the spines bearing the weight of accumulated wisdom.

A mahogany desk, adorned with silver filigree, stood as the centerpiece of the room. The surface, a testament to countless hours spent in diplomatic discourse and strategic contemplation, held parchment strewn with quill-written notes. The flicker of candlelight danced upon a silver inkwell, casting a warm glow that permeated the room.

White hair lay messily on a table filled with stacks and stacks of paperwork. The short strands, nearly going down his shoulders, held together by a faded red ribbon. Ruby red glasses were set down somewhere on the messy desk so that the man could sleep in peace. He wore a midnight blue suit that was accented by red jewels and silverware.

The plush carpet beneath his polished boots was a sea of deep red, muffling any sound that dared disrupt the sanctity of his contemplation.  A black wolf, with a beautiful silver collar with sapphire jewels on it, slept peacefully next to the man's foot. Above the sleeping man was a portrait of an older man with kind, reddish-brown eyes and long ash-brown hair. There were only a few portraits in the room, one of them of a family of wolves surrounding the young man. Another, a woman with pink eyes sitting down with a smile as he stood behind her intimidatingly.

Drapes of midnight blue framed tall windows that allowed a glimpse of the moonlit courtyard below. A silver candelabrum stood tall on a side table, casting silvery shadows that danced on the walls, creating an ephemeral ballet.

A gentle knock broke the peaceful silence of the room as a servant slowly entered. Light slowly trickled into the slightly dark room, the warm light of the hallway filling the office with warmth.

"Your Grace?" The servant called out to the man as he began to stir awake. Green eyes blinked sleepily, eyes sharp with a jawline that could cut diamonds. His hair fell messily in front of his face, his bangs styled in a similar manner to the older gentleman on the portrait.

Duke Alexander Leclair the Duke of the North, previously known as Prince Alexander Oriel.

Alexander rubbed his eyes, squinting as the hallway lights started invading his eyes. The wolf sleeping next to his foot let out a low grumpy growl, but otherwise remained asleep.

"Your Grace" the servant said softly, voice quiet so as not to startle the half awake Duke.

"It is late, and the hour suggests that rest is due in your bedchambers." The servant, a man much older than Alexander, said with a look of fondness in his eyes as he looked at the young Duke. So young, only in his late 30s. To an old man like him, Duke Leclair was but a young man. He can still remember when the man was still a boy, grief in his heart.

It's been many years since Diland Blade died. It's been years since the ex-prince returned to the palace. And it's only been a few years since Duke Leclair renounced his title as Prince and stepped down to become the Duke of the North.

Alexander nodded at the older man, as he stretched his aching body.

"Thank you, Alfred. Clean my desk for me, and deliver this to the princess" Duke Leclair replied, his deep voice soft. Weariness and the weight of his duties lingered on his features as he stood, acknowledging the servant's gentle insistence. Still, he was thinking of work even when he was tired.

He handed a letter, a beautiful thing that was appropriately made for someone of the princess's status. It's been a few weeks since she's come to bother him. Princess Katherine, despite everything that had happened in their past, has been stubbornly trying to patch their relationship with one another.

Alexander turned to the sleeping wolf as he gently shook it awake. "Desmond, come on. Let's go sleep in the bedroom" the green-eyed man told his stubborn wolf brother. As children, the wolf had once been called 'Doggg', but as Alexander got older, he gave his wolven family far better names. The black wolf let out a whine, but nonetheless stood up sleepily.

Desmond tried to walk, but it was clear to the humans that the animal was still asleep. Alexander chuckled quietly as he bent down to pick up the wolf. The black wolf was large, but luckily Alexander was very tall. By some miracle, despite his malnourishment from childhood, he had managed to grow tall. Out of all the blood related Oriels, he was the tallest. That fact has always angered Emperor Micheal, which never failed to make Alexander laugh.

The Duke carried his loyal companion as he walked back to his chambers, reminiscing about family and everything in between.

It's been a few years since he went from Oriel to Leclair. The legal battle had been exceedingly tough, despite his dark reputation. It all began when he was only eighteen years old. When he was framed for poisoning the princess.

Princess Katherine had been aware and conscious enough during the time Alexander had frantically poured his mana into her body, keeping her alive. Had she passed out, had she not been awake, no one would have known these actions were done by the prince. When she woke up, she immediately yelled at everyone, screaming and glaring at everyone who came against him.

(Looking back, it was funny to see the normally smiling, kind, and sweet princess go feral and act like an angry mother bear protecting her cub. What more that Alexander towered over her in height.)

After everything was done, Alexander went through so much legal work just to renounce his title as Prince. Getting the Emperor's signature was easy, the eldest brother felt too guilty to deny Alexander of anything. It was the Pope that made it... difficult.

Pope Nathaniel was just newly appointed, and as such he needed the agreement of the elders before he could sign something as important as this. Had he been any other prince, any other noble, such issues wouldn't be a problem. But he was an Oriel, a member of the royal family blessed by the God of Light. A holy figure, a child with blood more valuable than any other royal.

It was due to this, his stupid fucking bloodline, that it had been difficult to get approval from the Church of Light. He sighed, as he repositioned his arms so that he could hold Desmond more comfortably.

Stupid Church, stupid Gods, how he hates them. He doesn't care if they've tried to (poorly) ask for forgiveness. He hates them.

Demons were better, they were infinitly better. In fact, nearly all of his staff were demons. For example, the elder servant earlier was a demon and so was the wolf in his arms. So, despite his holy bloodline, and the fact that he could wield the powers of light, he had aligned himself with the demons.

His people weren't even bad! They were wonderful, great and amazing people. They were holy too, but those damn Gods feared them and thus condemned them. Fuck the Gods, did Alexander mention he hated the Gods?

He digresses, his hate is eternal, but his body is not. Alexander is tired, and frankly he wanted to sleep already. But he was regrettably a responsible adult, and he knows he'd regret his decisions by tomorrow if he doesn't clean himself before bed. Or go to bed.

His body isn't young anymore, he can't handle sleeping on his desk without his back feeling like hell the morning after. Desmond yawned, and he lightly glared at his brother. Lucky bastard, sleeping away peacefully. Still, he wouldn't wake the wolf up, not after the tiring day the black hound had today. It wasn't because he cared about the wolf, nor that he couldn't bring himself to wake his tired brother.

A white wolf, bigger than even the wolf in his arms, walked beside him at some point. He was used to the wolf sister suddenly appearing out of nowhere. So Alexander smiled at Demeri, as the three siblings went to bed.

(Somewhere beyond the void, beyond dimensions, two fathers smiled as they watched their children.)

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And that's the intermission chapter finished! So, this is going to be a recurring thing. For every 10 chapters, and intermission chapter happens.

Edit: Some clarification cause I was sleep deprived as hell when I wrote my notes hahah. Basically, the intermission chapters are a part of the world. However, it isn't the main story, because the main story follows current Alexander or Kim Lee Hyu. Some of them could be alternate timelines (like this) mixed with flashbacks of the past (also like this).

Just remember that all characters in these type of chapters aren't characters exclusive to the intermission chapter. They do exist in the world, but it's just that they have different roles or they met in one world and not the other.

Ren notes:
Lmao home boi trying to be mysterious. But nah, I don't know shit either cause Lex changed the original planned story so don't go looking for me for spoilers.