Rising of the Weakest Mage

Vol 5/Ch 49 - A Royal's Wish

After deciding to head out to find August, he opened the doors to the exit out to the balcony. Since the rest of the guests were all inside chatting and getting ready to leave, it wasn't that hard to find him.

He was just straight ahead, leaning against the railing of the balcony. His gaze was focused up above, to the starry night sky.

A sad, yet longing expression was on his face. It was almost as if something was almost in his grasp, but it kept getting further and further away from him.

Allen decided instead of just standing around and watching him, he would go and walk up over to him. As he walked up towards him, August made no obvious gesture that he knew Allen was there. It was almost as though he was in a trance, like Cecily did occasionally.

It wasn't until he went up to his right side and stood there with him that August turned his head towards Allen and acknowledged him with a slight nod. Allen gave a slight smile before turning his head to look up at the night sky with him.

Not one word needed to be said to the other about how beautiful the night sky is. Allen understood exactly why August never diverted his attention to Allen until the last minute - he wanted his gaze at the night sky while in his own thoughts for as long as possible. Allen decided to join him in this endeavor before asking him anything.

After some time had passed, August was the first to speak.

"So, care to explain why you decided to come out here? I thought you would have waited out with Rose"

"Yeah I could've," Allen responded. "But you had a weird look on your face, so I followed you out here"

"A look on my face?," he laughed. "Is this your way of having a casual conversation with a prince?"

"You were the one who told me to call you August, and that I didn't have to give you the formal prince treatment," Allen grinned.

"Okay, fair enough, you got me there. But what do you mean by 'weird look'?," he asked, curious.

"You had a somewhat saddened expression on your face before walking out here," Allen explained.

"Ah, am I that easy to read?," he nervously laughed. "I suppose you found me out"

"Is there something on your mind that is bothering you?," he asked.

"I suppose you could say that," August sighed.

"Care to explain? I'm willing to listen," Allen gave him a reassuring smile.

"Alright, I'll explain," he sighed again. "I don't have just one thing on my mind, there's in fact several things on my mind that are there all the time"

He shifted for a moment as he stood, putting himself in a more relaxed position before continuing.

"There's a lot of weight that remains on my shoulders, and they've been there ever since I was the first son born in the Lionheart family: the family that has been the royal family in power in London for centuries"

As August began to explain, Allen turned himself to face August, giving him his full attention.

"My entire childhood was replaced by the duties and tasks that come with being a prince. Every day was a new day to learn etiquette and get better at diplomacy. I always have to do my best, minimize my mistakes, and never show weakness. That's what it means to be the First Prince of England. One day, I will take my father's place and become the King of England..."

Allen stood there, taking what he had said all in. Despite Allen's own situation, he believed that August had more to worry about. August had a lot on his shoulders, and Allen knew that August couldn't do everything on his own.