𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

010 | Act One Finale

♡

Be careful, Y/n. Don't be too gullible.

The atmosphere was stifling. Y/n stood there awkwardly, his heart beating erratically against his chest. By his side, he could feel the ever-present hold that Isidor had on him, fingers curling around his wrist. And Y/n needed that hold now — he needed something — just something — to stabilise him. And he found that very comfort in Isidor. (When was the prince not comforting?)

"What," Y/n wet his lips, swallowing. "are you doing here? As far as I know, there wasn't supposed to be any visits from the school staff today."

"Oh, there wasn't," Lady Sasha said calmly, before she stalked over to Y/n and folded her arms. "I just wanted to see how you were doing now. It's been years, has it not?" Her voice took on a wistful note as she smiled at him. "You were the first student I taught. The only one," Lady Sasha added. "I wonder if I got unfortunate with you as my student."

"I don't see how that's relevant," Isidor interrupted, his voice flat, "so you were Y/n's nanny, I take it?"

"Yes, Your Highness —" Lady Sasha's tone became amused. "I see that Y/n and you have become closer than ever despite all odds."

"All odds?" Isidor repeated, his lips tugging up onto a cold smile, "elaborate, please."

"Oh," Lady Sasha said flippantly, waving towards Y/n's direction, "it just seems strange to me that the esteemed future ruler of the empire should associate with...Y/n."

"Young Master Y/n," Isidor corrected with a brilliant smile on his face. "I believe you forget your place, Lady Sasha. And why exactly is my relationship with Y/n strange?"

Isidor would have liked to abandon Lady Sasha's title — even at first glance, Isidor had realised that he wanted to kill her — to mutilate her limbs, if possible — but the prince did not want to seem so close to Lady Sasha by calling her by her name. Such intricacies and details were reserved solely for Y/n. Y/n alone.

"I'm sure you know Y/n's plight. He is without magic, and he has a terribly weak body," Lady Sasha murmured.

"All the more reason to protect him."

"...Protect him," Lady Sasha blinked her eyes, "surely it would be a futile effort, Your Highness? I can't imagine how draining that must be for you — to cater to all of Y/n's needs... to run around for him...don't you think, Y/n?"

Y/n was jolted out of his stupor. "Oh — yes, Lady Sasha," he mumbled, voice soft, "I agree." What other answer could he give?

"The boy agrees," Lady Sasha said triumphantly, "see, Your Highness. Y/n knows himself that your doting has become a problem."

Problem. The word hung in the air before it pressed down on Y/n's skin uncomfortably, making him shift about. Y/n felt hot and dizzy — it seemed too warm, all of a sudden. Everything seemed too much. He found himself unsteady on his feet, a headache coming on.

"It isn't a problem," Isidor cut off furiously, "it was never one. Keep your words to yourself. I treat him the way he deserves to be treated."

"Well, Y/n? Do you think you'll become a problem for the crown prince if you keep acting like this?"

Lady Sasha's eyes could have bored a hole into Y/n. The (h/c)-haired male started to fidget, voice trembling slightly as he spoke, "she's right," Y/n said in a small voice. She's right. Of course she's right. She's never wrong. She's the one who taught me all these things — all these facts about the reality I am in. "It is a problem."