Edited by: Kuro and Lille

Also, go read Lille's story called Baby Mama. It's on CG, Tapas, and some other sites. It's super cute :D <3 

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Grey, Prince Cecil, and Blaine were sitting in Prince Cecil's office waiting for Prince Zachary to arrive. They were sitting around the small coffee table that sat in the middle of his office. There were two couches on the longer sides of the table. Grey and Prince Cecil shared a couch while Blaine sat by himself. 

Blaine looked over at the two nervously and he couldn’t help but rub his hands on his knees. How could he have known that his savior and his superior/role model were well acquainted with one another?! 

"Why is he here with us?" Prince Cecil sulked as he looked at Blaine who was confused as to why he was there as well. 

Blaine did say that he would repay his savior for everything he had done for his family, but how did he know the Knight Commander?! He also knew Prince Zachary! Just who in the world was Number 18?

"Master, stop sulking. Sir Blaine is here to help us as I had someone check the number of bandits hired. There are around 30 of them. I don't have doubts that we would be able to kill them all ourselves but to cover more ground and make it easier, having Sir Blaine would make the job done quicker. As we Shadow Guards say, the quicker, the better." 

Though this mostly applied to killing. 

Prince Cecil looked over at Sir Blaine, jealousy laced his eyes that he didn't even bother to hide. "You better not hold us back or I may reconsider your position as Knight Captain." 

"Ye-yes, Knight Commander, Sir! I will do all that I can to keep up with you, Sir!" Blaine was startled out of his mind. If he messed up it was the end of his whole career...

Grey looked over at Prince Cecil and saw his overly satisfied expression. He considered re-educating his Master. 

When Prince Zachary arrived, Blaine got off the seat and went behind Prince Cecil and Grey. Prince Cecil went over the details of the letter. He even let his little brother read it. 

"Brother, I do not understand... Why would our Eldest Brother want to kill me? I do not want the throne nor do I care about being a Prince. I just want to live my life as a painter..." 

Prince Zachary was sitting in front of Prince Cecil, brows furrowed. His cute face was in distress for the first time in his life as he couldn't understand why he was being targeted when he had already renounced his rights to the throne. 

"It seems Eldest Brother is paranoid. He wants to eliminate those who pose a threat regardless of their standing." Prince Cecil sighed, his cold face seemed a bit more gentle in front of his younger brother. 

The two got along pretty well. They were closer in age, so it was a bit easier to bond with each other. They also didn't understand why their Eldest was so obsessed with the throne, so they relied on each other from time to time when the Eldest schemed against them, well mostly schemed against Prince Cecil. 

"How did you even find this letter?" 

"My Shadow Guard was given a tip when I was being targeted on the campaign." 

Even though Grey said that, that was a lie... He needed a reason and that was all he could think of at that moment. At least it worked. His lover hadn't gained all of his memories. If he talked about the System and the Commander Center, it would be counterproductive, maybe even life-threatening. God System's soul was not ready for that kind of information.

"Okay, that makes sense. So why is Sir Blaine here?" Prince Zachary looked over at Blaine who was standing respectfully behind Prince Cecil. He had known Blaine through Prince Cecil and Prince Levi, but he wasn't very familiar with Blaine. Blaine was even older than Cecil, and a year older than Prince Levi. 

"Ah, Blaine will be helping us. He will be able to keep the secret as he was also just recently targeted by Eldest Brother." 

Blaine saluted Prince Zachary. "This humble Knight greets Prince Zachary!" 

"Hello, Sir Blaine..." Prince Zachary nodded and then turned back to look at Prince Cecil. 

There weren't any other people in the room besides Grey and Number 30 who were keeping watch of the three. They were standing in a corner nearby, hidden in the darkness. 

They were talking with their hands.

Number 30: (Number 18, It seems your work has been difficult. You are even stopping assassination attempts almost on a daily. Make sure you take care of your health and don't be reckless.) 

Grey: (I am actually having fun.)

30: (Yes, I can feel that Aura of joy oozing out from you. Make sure you keep it to a minimum.) 

Grey: (Noted.) 

Number 30 was one of the oldest of the Shadow Guards that were assigned to the Princes. He was wise, tall, and compassionate. He wasn't the strongest, but he was gifted in leadership. He was also considered the Father of the young Shadow Guards. He always looked out for the younger members and worried about them. 

30: (I will make sure the other guards are ready for this battle.)

Grey: (I am counting on you. We must be quick and efficient.) 

30: (Noted. Just don't rush too much and hurt yourself.)

Grey: (Yes, Father.) 

Grey and even 18 liked to tease Number 30 from time to time. It made them feel closer to the other Shadow Guards.

30: (I am not your father!!) 

His hands were moving strongly in protest.

"18, come here." Prince Cecil called out. His head was turned, eyes staring into the shadows as though he knew exactly where 18 was. 

Grey quickly stepped out of the shadows and knelt down next to Prince Cecil. "Yes, Master?" 

"Give this letter to the Emperor." 

He didn't question it, he just took the letter before departing. Prince Cecil didn't want 18 to leave, but he was the only man he could trust. The letter was really important and had to be delivered. No other man could do the job. 

"Brother." 

Prince Cecil snapped out of his trance and looked up at Prince Zachary. There was an all-knowing grin on his face. 

Prince Zachary had noticed how his older brother indulged Number 18. To think his stone-cold brother could feel something for another person...  But unfortunately, it was toward a Shadow Guard. Forget about gender, the fates of Shadow Guards were quite cruel.

"What is it?" He seemed to see the look on Prince Zachary’s face, but Prince Cecil pretended he didn’t.

"Could you repeat the plan one more time? I'm not very good at tactics and stuff, so I want to make sure I understand before getting everything into place." 

"Understood. I will be stationed here..." 

It took three more explanations for Prince Zachary to understand the plan and his role in it. It was simple but he wanted to spend more time with his brother.

**** 

Grey handed the letter to the Emperor, waiting for his permission to leave. Emperor Emeron was staring at 18, wondering why such an interesting individual was not his own Shadow Guard. 

Emperor Emeron gave a soft sigh before finally urging 18 to stand up and look at him. 

"I want to apologize for my eldest son's behavior. I didn't stop him even though I knew he was being troublesome." 

“What did his highness do?” 

"Hmm? Did he not try to persuade you into becoming his Shadow Guard?" 

"Oh. Yes, he did. I declined." 

"I noticed when you gave me a letter from Cecil. Do you know the contents of the letter?" 

"I do not." 

"I see. Thank you for taking the time to deliver this to me." 

"I was only doing as I was told." 

"You really are stiff as ever, but I didn't think you were this cold even to the one that you would call Master in the future." 

"Ultimately, one of your sons will end up as my Master." 

"That is true." Emperor Emeron chuckled a bit as he stared at 18.

"Do you think I am a bad father?" His eyes looked worn out, even though his body showed that he was still in the prime of his life.

Grey paused for a bit before finally shaking his head. "Your Majesty, may I be blunt?" 

"You may." 

"You are as good of a father as your position allows you to be... It is 'your son' that you should be worried about. I must get back to my Master, Your Majesty." He could only hope that the Emperor heard his warning.

"You may leave." 

Grey gave a salute before disappearing into the darkness. 

He had thought about what had happened to the Empire after the Liyas Empire had taken control of both continents. This continent was split into vassal countries, each ruled by a King. Coincidentally, the man who was King of the Uferna Vassal was Prince Levi. 

Prince Levi was actually a Prince from the Liyas Empire. They had planted him in the Uferna Empire, switching out the real Prince with him. He already knew his role since he had turned 5 years old. He had a few butlers and maids who had accompanied him from the Liyas Empire, educating him, and making sure he knew his role in the grander scheme of things. 

The real First Prince of the Uferna Empire? No one knew if he was killed or still living to this day. 

Emperor Emeron sat in his seat for a moment before looking into the shadows. "Number 1." 

Number 1 had stepped out of the shadows and saluted Emperor Emeron. 

"Yes, Master?" 

"Investigate everything about the Crown Prince. From the days before his birth to his days after. I want a long book-length investigation about who he has contact with and who cares for him. I want everything about him and the people around him to be on my desk by the end of this week." 

"Understood, Master. This servant will not fail you!" 

Emperor Emeron watched Number 1 leave before finally giving an exhausted sigh. If Number 18 had given him that warning, he must take all the measures to get to know "his son." He knows he hadn't always been there but there's only so much he could do as a father as being Emperor was first. 

He originally didn't want to be Emperor, but somebody had to step up and save the people of their Empire... That person had become him. 

He had sacrificed too many things to get this far. His dreams, his freedom, his humility, and most importantly, his beloved one. 

*****

Crashing sounds echoed throughout the Crown Prince's Palace. If the man wasn't so worried about his looks, he would've pulled out all of his hair and everyone's hair around him. He took his sword, slicing through tables, couches, and even considered cutting down all the bookshelves in his study. He was so angry, he wanted to find someone to hack at so he could lessen his anger! 

"M-Master, Please! You mustn't cut down the maids." His personal butler shouted as the maids were huddled in the corner of the room. 

"Freddy, are you ordering me?" He glared at the man who had practically helped raise him. 

"No, Master! It was only a suggestion. His Majesty would be displeased if you were to kill the maids in your palace. I just don't want Master to be punished!" 

"You filthy commoners are lucky that you have been graced. Now get out of my sight." Prince Levi glared at the maids sitting on the ground. 

They quickly scrambled out of the room as they tried their best to maintain the proper etiquette. 

Prince Levi took a couple of deep breaths before looking over at Freddy. "What did the Association say about their failure?" 

"Reporting to Master. The bodies of those who took your commission were sent back to the Association with a note saying 'You have been warned.' The note was suspected to be written in the blood of the victims. The association did its best to investigate, but they couldn't even find Sir Blaine's family. Their whereabouts are unknown, but Sir Blaine is still working in the palace under Prince Cecil." 

"Was our plans perhaps leaked?"

"I do not believe so as I had personally sent out your letter!"

"Send out that letter. We must make sure that our next attempt does not fail." 

"Yes, Master!" 

Prince Levi watched Freddy leave his study before gritting his teeth in anger. Why wasn't anything going out the way that he planned?! He must become Emperor! He must. Even if it means that he has to slaughter his way to the top. 

"I must become the Emperor..."

---

kuro_kama: That was one hell of a twist!

Mini theatre:

Blaine: “what to do when your savior and your god idol are close acquaintances? waiting online”

System 225 who saw this: How is this possible in this era when there’s no modern technology.

System 505: He is waiting online for any helpful letter. They use letters, don’t they?

System 225: -_-

Lille: I’m glad I already had suspicions that Prince Levi was not who he seemed, so I’m not too surprised that he’s a prince from the enemy planted there at a young age.

Grandpa Marky: Have y'all ever injured a finger and didn't realize how important it was until it was injured? That's me but with my pinky finger that I can't put pressure on, can't grip, can't bend, and can't straighten out because it hurts so fucking badly. It's still hurting and one of my joints in my pinky is sticking out (of course not out of my skin). It was also swollen for a while. Seems this will be a permanent thing and I can only hope my other fingers will be spared, but I can already feel the hurt in my ring finger on my right hand T_T 
And my doctors have said nothing is wrong with me :D yay. I'm going to lose all my fingers before they finally believe me. 

Anyway, enjoy the update while I cry about my fingers and play Pokemon Legend Arceus.