Prince of Silence: A Yugioh GX Fanfiction

Chapter 2

 Jaden's first few weeks as prince were all a blur. It had all gone so fast, with princely knowledge and manners shoved down his throat. Jaden was never the type to present himself as a prince would; the staff of Slifer Palace knew that, yet they continued to try and correct the youth." Meanwhile, Aster Phoenix was waiting for him to crack.

"I know he will. But, why did I propose him to be king? I know there are much more suitable options, and yet I've faltered," he mumbled under his breath while he looked off the balcony at the stars. "Slifer is a beautiful kingdom, but why would he ever want to rule it all? Those are ambitions larger than I thought someone as thick as Jaden could possess. Or, maybe he doesn't. The reality will hit him, I'm sure." Aster sipped his tea and looked out at the bright and bustling city of Ra, Slifer's capital city. "I suppose it's not my problem anymore," he reassured himself, and straightened his back. "At least I can still live here." Aster turned on his heel to return to his room and prepare himself to sleep. He walked the lavish hallways of the palace, lit by gorgeous chandeliers hung masterfully. "I'd say I should have stayed prince, knowing how Jaden will handle it. But he made a choice to be here; I can't feel bad for that. Pity, maybe," he told himself, deep in thought. He was almost at his room now, and his tea was almost empty. "I must admit that I'm curious as to why. Maybe I should ask. Yeah, I think I will." Aster entered his room and set his teacup down on the nightstand, then left to go find Jaden. His room was surprisingly close to Aster's; it made Aster feel a little less alone in such a large palace. He found himself at Jaden's door soon and lifted his hand to knock, but found himself intimidated. He withdrew it an inch or two, but did not return it to his side. "Why would I be intimidated by Jaden? He's barely royalty!" He shook off his doubt and knocked, for real this time. There was no answer. "It's nearly curfew for him by now; why wouldn't he be in his room?" Aster questioned, then remembered that he was thinking of Jaden. "Of course he's not in his room. It's Jaden, he's never had a curfew and even if he did, he'd break it." Aster scrunched up his nose a little at the thought. "He won't survive in a place like this." He turned sharply to leave, but caught glimpse of Jaden coming down the hallway to his room. "So he isn't late after all. That's a surprise." Aster thought.

"Hey Aster!" Jaden cheered from across the hallway with a big smile. "What's up?"

Aster pushed a finger to his lips with a sharp hiss. "I need to talk to you," he said softly.

Jaden gave him a confused look. "Okay, come into my room." He led the way in, unlocking it with the key around his neck. He sat on the bed next and gestured Aster to sit next to him, but Aster shook his head curtly and declined.

"Do you want to be prince?" Aster asked Jaden bluntly.

"Well, I don't have a choice! I won the duel."

"I'm aware. I asked, do you want to be prince?"

"Well, truth be told, I didn't duel Sartorius to be prince. I just wanted to duel the king." Jaden smiled at Aster softly.

"That's what I assumed." Aster balled his fist. "You don't know what's in store for you. I'm warning you that there will come a day when you won't want to be prince anymore, and you'll have nowhere to go."

It can't be so bad, can it? I'm living the good life! Delicious food all the time, servants and maids who will do whatever I want! It's not bad, why wouldn't you want to be a prince?"

"You're really a fool. You'll understand it someday when your naivety is gone. You could have saved yourself had you declined our invitation. I can't say I ever thought you would refuse, though."

"If you hate it so much, you should be happy that I took it from you! Right?"

Aster narrowed his eyes. "Yeah."