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 depictions of  self-harm, suicide attempts, implied abuse, wounds and injuries, as well as psychological distress. Please be warned.

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"How is he?" Diland asked the priest bluntly. The butler had a dark look on his face, regret, and guilt in those reddish-brown eyes.

The priest, a young man in his early 20's, was frowning. His face held a look of deep worry. "He's stable, for now," the man started.

Diland's face got more worried, no doubt blaming himself for being so negligent to his young ward. He had left multiple people to take care of the prince during his leave, yet none of them had done as they were tasked. A flash of anger passed his eyes, as his annoyance and anger raised at the reminder of those incompetent workers.

"It's a miracle that he's gotten better, I'm surprised he's even alive" the shorter man continued, as Diland snapped back to the conversation. The butler kept silent, but a pool of dread was forming in his gut.

"From the [SCAN] that I used, his condition seems to be even worse than I originally thought" at this, he pulled out a notebook. "The [Scan] showed that his highness is suffering from severe malnutrition, and has been starved for at least a week or two" he listed off.

"If he hadn't subconsciously used his mana to feed himself, he wouldn't be alive right now," was his grim declaration. 

Diland felt faint, he felt horrible. How could this happen? How could no one have taken care of the young prince when he specifically told them to? What had happened? No, it was his fault for being negligent. He didn't ask for a single update, he didn't make a single servant report to him on the conditions of the fourth prince. Diland had forgotten that this wasn't just one of the royal siblings he was taking care of, that he couldn't just trust anyone to serve the prince. The fourth prince is hated by most of the servants, and the boy himself pushed his hateful servants away. No one would have been willing to serve prince Alexander.

He had gotten careless, and now the prince is suffering the consequences. The priest waited for the butler to calm himself before continuing, which was something the taller man greatly appreciated.

"In addition, his body was a mess. My [Holy Heal] was going overdrive, trying to heal his stab wound, as well as the additional wounds he had across his body" the priest added, which made Diland feel a stab of guilt once again.

If only he had finished his task faster, perhaps he could have protected the boy, who although had a crooked personality, didn't deserve to die. Alexander was still young, and his actions could still be corrected. He could still be helped. Yet someone had tried to end him. Kill the youngest prince before he could even grow as a person. If Diland had been a little faster, perhaps he could have protected the boy.

"Yet there is one thing that made me concerned" the priest stated. The butler felt the pool of dread in his gut grow increase. Much like it has when he was entering the fourth prince's room that day.

"His body is failing him, his blood is hot as if it's on fire, but his skin feels freezing cold" was the symptoms he started to list. The butler felt his eyes shake, his face pale. It couldn't be, no way. Perhaps it's just a coincidence.

"His organs are barely functional at this point. The only thing keeping him alive is his mana" at this, the man paused as he let the information sink in. Reddish-brown eyes shook, cold hard fear gripping his heart in a tight hold.

"And..." at this, the priest swallowed a lump, preparing to say one last thing.

"His highness has a black star-like mark on his back... It's killing his skin and I can't heal it..."

Diland fell to his knees. Everyone had been so sure that the fourth prince had inherited nothing from his mother, that he had killed the bright light of the palace with his birth. They had hated him, who looked and acted nothing like her, who had taken her life. In the end, they were wrong, he had inherited something from his mother after all.

He inherited her sickness, far younger than expected.

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When Kim Lee Hyu woke up once more, he felt tired. It's pretty contradicting, but that's simply what he felt.

He isn't sure how long he slept this time, and he isn't sure how long he slept the last time around.

The boy felt sluggish, almost lazy, but for the first time since he'd gotten here, he felt calm.

Kim Lee Hyu wasn't sure why, but he felt warm, a good type of warm. The heat of his blood didn't feel as hot today, and his body didn't feel as cold as it normally does. His body didn't feel as heavy, not in as much pain as it usually is. The exploding pain had subsided back to little needle pokes to his skin. He felt oddly fine. It was strange.

Looking around, he could see that he was still in his room. There were more priests, the healers having been sent away. Kim Lee Hyu frowned, it will be even harder to escape now. It must be because he had tried to run from punishment the first time around. He put the thought aside for now, he had things to think about.

Fake Diland wasn't here, but a random butler had taken his place instead.

Kim Lee Hyu couldn't put his guard down, the imposter would probably be called once he had woken up. Judging by the priest who had left the room, he might be correct in his assumption. Sitting up was still a pain, but at least his mana reserves have recovered enough. He couldn't help but notice how the unnamed butler put the other pillows beside him so that his back could be supported by them. Odd. Turning to the man, he couldn't help but show a confused look at what he saw. The butler before him looked at him with pity in his eyes, not even a hint of annoyance, only pity.

Kim Lee Hyu was going to be honest, that seriously freaked him out.

It was strange to see pity on a face that wasn't either a healer or Diland in this godforsaken palace. Everyone looked at him like he was dirt below their feet, so why was he being treated with pity?

Suddenly, one of the priests rushed in the door, Diland right behind him. Both looked winded like they had ran here.

"Your highness!" Diland cried out, relieved tears building up in his eyes.

Kim Lee Hyu held back a shiver, but the confusion on his face remained as clear as day. The man almost ran to him before hesitating, as if realizing something. Diland composed himself, walking slowly and within the prince's view. It really seemed like he was approaching a scared animal. Kim Lee Hyu didn't like that comparison as much, now that he was thinking clearly.

"How are you feeling, your highness?" the butler asked softly, a gentle but unreadable look in his reddish-brown eyes.

Now closer, he knelt with one knee, as a soft and reassuring smile lay on his face. He didn't seem all that threatening at that moment, his height reduced, eyes closer to the height of the younger boy. Diland waited patiently for his reply, a soft, but underlying guilt in his warm eyes.

He almost seemed like his dad at that moment. It was giving Kim Lee Hyu serious whiplash. The man waited for him to talk, but the young prince could only continue staring at him. Green eyes darted around the room as if to make sure he was in the same room. Hell, he even checked his hands and tugged his (ugly, disgusting) white hair just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. or perhaps he's actually hallucinating, maybe that's why his mind felt so clear today.

This was a really unrealistic hallucination, the other servant wasn't glaring at him with hateful eyes. The healers, or priests really, were still looking at him with pity, but there wasn't that underlying fear or hatred in their eyes. Kim Lee Hyu would know, after all, he's highly proficient in telling negative emotions.

He hadn't lived in hatred for 18 years for nothing you know.

"Pardon?" Kim Lee Hyu could only ask, as he finished his scanning and saw that they were still waiting for his reply.

"Sir Diland, the fourth prince has just awoken, he's still disoriented," the priest who had burst in with the imposter said gently. Everyone seemed to be speaking gently today. How odd.

Turning to the said prince in question, anyone could see the bewilderment in his emerald-green eyes.

"This one apologizes your imperial highness, I was inconsiderate and immediately bombarded you with questions " the imposter apologized. The boy in question merely nodded in acceptance of his apology. He inwardly sweat dropped. Bombarded with questions? The imposter had only asked one question!

At this, Kim Lee Hyu was actually starting to get suspicious. He hid this suspicion but didn't bother hiding the rest of his emotion, after all his punisher would probably enjoy his confusion.

The priest behind the butler nodded in satisfaction, before turning to the prince with soft blue eyes.

"Greetings and glory to the fourth prince of the Oriel Empire. This one is named Sora Leclair, a priest of the temple of [Light]" the blond man greeted, making sure to bow before the royal. It was a little strange to Kim Lee Hyu, who despite having been raised as a prince previously, was far more comfortable and lived longer in his commoner life. He was barely treated with respect even as a prince, the only respect he had was from fear. So to see someone greet him was truly strange.

"Your imperial highness, please excuse this one. Sir Diland was simply anxious and worried for the prince" the priest said before slowly approaching closer.

Kim Lee Hyu let him, after all, he could tell how weak the priest is. He could easily kill him. Not only that, his punisher wouldn't let him die, as he had found out before, so he didn't even have to care about his life.

"This one is aware that his imperial highness has just awoken, but this one must take a check on your health, my prince," the blond-haired man said.

Ah, Kim Lee Hyu understands now. His punisher had enough of his bullshit and gave him a healer so that they wouldn't have to keep reviving him again and again, as well as to heal any wounds he inflicted upon himself. To add to that, he can also serve as a monitor so that the boy would stop killing himself. Or even to see if his obedience was true. How clever.

Kim Lee Hyu bowed his head slightly, to not only look as obedient as possible but also to hide his scheming eyes.

"This prince understands, feel free to do as you wish," the green-eyed boy said, his voice still sore. This caused him to cough a little, which triggered the adults in the room.

The butler nearby grabbed the glass of water that had been prepared earlier and handed it off to Diland. The brown-haired man quickly reached out to grab it before presenting it to the small child.

"Please drink this, your highness," Diland said, as he offered the drink. Kim Lee Hyu, who now knew they were assigned to keep him alive, didn't hesitate to take it.

After all, they need him alive. If this harmed him, then it's fine as well. Kim Lee Hyu knew he could endure, he hadn't been tortured for six months for nothing.

Sora waited for the prince to finish drinking before proceeding. A soft green glow emitted from the man, a circle of mana going through Kim Lee Hyu. A [Scan], it's been some time since he's seen magic be used in such a crude way.

Truly, not only was the technology inferior here but so was their magic. Relying on an outside source instead of creating their own [Mana Circles], made their magic stagnant. Never researched more about mana and its mysteries. What a pity as well, after all, the mana here was far denser and more potent here as compared to his world.

Ah, he's getting sidetracked again. He can research more about how magic is affected here later, for now, he needs to focus on his opponents.

The circle of mana faded away after completing its scan, the priest briefly frowning at what he had seen. Turning to Kim Lee Hyu, the blond gave him a comforting smile. It was so fake, but then again, the priest did have to act like a priest. So it's no wonder he's been acting so nice despite who Kim Lee Hyu is.

"Your condition seems to have stabilized, your highness. This one thank you for your compliance" the taller man said.

Kim Lee Hyu let out a hum, nodding slightly in thanks. Not too much respect, but also not too little. He's still royalty, it's only appropriate he behaves as such. The man-turned-boy might have been raised as a commoner in his world, but he was still once royalty. The lessons that were harshly taught to him had remained stuck to his core, even after so long. Plus his punisher seems to have a thing for roleplay, so it's better to play along.

Bowing slightly, the priest handed a slightly glowing paper, no doubt the physical copy of his scan. He received it with a small muttered thanks. Reading through it, he was rather surprised at the list of healed injuries.

⟨««

🅂🄲🄰🄽 🅁🄴🄿🄾🅁🅃

•°•°•°•loading•°•°•°•

•𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕝𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤
•𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕓 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤
↑ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕
↑ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕤𝕥
↑𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕒𝕥
↑𝔸𝕓𝕕𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟
↑𝔸𝕣𝕞𝕤
↑𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤
↑ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕
↑𝕃𝕖𝕘𝕤
•𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕝𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 ℝ𝕚𝕓𝕤(𝟛)
•𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕠𝕣 ℂ𝕦𝕥𝕤
•𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕒𝕥(𝟙𝟠)
•ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤
•𝔽𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕓𝕚𝕥𝕖
•ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕜𝕖

»»⟩

Dislocated shoulders, he must have done it while he had been in a panicked state. Multiple stab wounds from his suicide attempts. His throat shows that it had to be healed multiple times.

It's no wonder his throat hurt like a bitch. The broken ribs were a little surprise, he isn't sure what he did that could have done that. Eh, Kim Lee Hyu was previously delirious, so he probably didn't remember or maybe didn't even realize.

Looking through it, it seemed normal.

⟨««

•??? : 𝕌𝕟𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕟

»»⟩

Ah, there it is. The reason he had never allowed the royal priests to heal him. Hell, had never allowed a priest he couldn't bribe to heal him. There in bold letters. His unknown sickness.

Something must have shown on his face, or perhaps it's the nonchalance in his eyes, but the priest must have noticed it.

"Your highness, I would like to ask if you knew about your condition," the blond asked, well really it's more a statement than a question.

"I am aware" Kim Lee Hyu replied, looking rather calm. Or at least calmer than how he truly felt.

Sora looked like he sucked a lemon, and Diland couldn't help the grim look on his face. The other priests, as well as the other butler who had nearly been forgotten, could only look at the prince with sadness. Ugh, was his punisher trying to guilt-trip him so that he'd stop trying to kill himself? Well lucky for them, he had already decided that there was no point to it after the last time.

"It doesn't matter, it can not be cured. It's not important" the boy added.

After all, it truly wasn't important. He can't die since he still needs to be punished for his crimes. It's annoying to have it shoved back to his face. Ugh, stupid roleplaying punisher. Forcing him to roleplay as well.

"P-Pardon?" the priest couldn't help but let. Kim Lee Hyu sighed, it seems the healer was new. No wonder there was still the shine of innocence in his eyes. Kim Lee Hyu felt guilty that this new bud had to deal with him.

"I'm saying that it's un-curable, so I'll die anyways," Kim Lee Hyu said slowly, treating the priest a little gentler now that he knew that they were a newbie.

"It's not that important, so there's no need to worry," he said with a smile.

"I- P-Pardon your highness. This one thought he had misheard you" the priest said, eyes shaking slightly.

"It's fine" Kim Lee Hyu replied. "I would like to rest, my body is still tired" he added.

"Pardon your highness, but you have yet to eat," Diland said worriedly, suddenly joining the conversation. Green eyes looked at him before he sighed.

"I'll eat later, now out with you lot," Kim Lee Hyu told the group of healers as well as the two butlers. Most of them looked hesitant, looking at one another with confusion.

"If you don't let me rest, I won't eat," the boy said.

Diland looked like he wanted to argue but only sighed. Although it hasn't been that long since he'd been assigned to the prince, the older man has already known just how stubborn the prince could be. Looking at the others with a look that promised pain if they didn't leave, most of them hurried off. All that was left was the blond priest and his reddish-brown-eyed butler.

"If his highness needs anything from us, just call," Diland said, placing a bell on the bedside table before bowing politely.

"May his highness have a wonderful rest" the priest added, bowing as well.

Once the two left, Kim Lee Hyu sighed in relief. He was really tired from talking, so it's nice to be alone again. The looks he had gotten were weird, and if that's how they were going to look at him then he'd rather be alone.

"Being alone is the best" Kim Lee Hyu said, nodding at his assessment.
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Alex: Hey Ren! Remember what we talked about the last time you went to my house to study? Yeah, so I wrote down some of it, just a little, and I need you to finish the rest. Thanks!

Me: Kay, seems I'm gonna have to write the rest. Let's see the bit that he wrote-

*2000+ words

Me:...

But for real, this crazy man went up to me after our test and told me that he 'only put a little bit' so I thought I had to write a lot. Can you tell which parts I wrote? Probably not, I did my best to match his style, which is rather similar to my own. He edited this at the end, so it's coherent enough. Updated it earlier than expected because Alex decided to be a madlad and write 2k+ Also, writing dialogue is such a paiinnnnn.

This week is our exam, which was delayed for a while because of the fact that the (non graduating) Senior Highschool students did theirs before us.