Kismet || Yuno

16: Oddities

Nezetta's PoV

"You do know that you're already part of the Royal Knights even if you don't participate in the exam, right?"

Marx sweat-drops as we walked to the arena where the exams will be held. Julius, the Wizard King, walks ahead of us. I looked at mushroom head, smiling. "I wanted in on the fun." I hummed. "Besides, I'm technically a magic knight."

The day for the selection of the Royal Knights came sooner than I anticipated. I have been helping Mimosa, Klaus, and Yuno in controlling their magic more even when we had different affinities. I managed to get the grasp on their points of improvement.

Though, Yuno has been acting a little distant for the entire week since the Star Festival. Maybe it's just him being typically quiet, as usual, but my guts were telling me that something was wrong.

Every time I tried to speak to him or point out some aspects he needs to get control over with his magic, he would only look at me for a moment then turn away to focus training. I didn't think much of it before, seeing as we were never really the closest in the squad.

But it was really bothering me for some time now.

"Master Julius," I called. "Is it okay if I talk to you for a moment?"

Now isn't the time to be worrying about it.

Yuno will be fine.

The Wizard King and I stopped walking, making Marx do the same beside me. "Marx, is it okay if you leave us for awhile?"

"Of course, I will be in the balcony." He bows at the Wizard King and smiled at me before leaving us alone in the hallway. I bit down my lip, preparing myself to voice out my concerns.

"About William," I sighed. "I don't know what is happening with him, but I believe that he has something to do with the Eye of the Midnight Sun."

Exactly, I have more important things to think about than Yuno and his current behavior. The kingdom will always come first. William will always comes first.

At what I said, the Wizard King's lips tugged down into a frown. I didn't take back what I said. Instead, I waited for him to tell me what his intake is about what I just told him.

"It seems like we both thought of the same thing again, Zetta." He smiled. "I commend you for not doubting yourself, even when William is practically family to you."

"I tried asking him, but he would only dodge the question when I do. It left me to think that he's not really the one making decisions." I mumbled. "I can't explain it, but I don't think that William is a traitor, but he's not an ally either. Not in this state."

"You mean he's stuck between choices. The kingdom, or his personal matters?"

"Yes, sir."

"From what we're seeing, he's doing his best to fulfill his role as a captain, but that may also mean that he is also doing his best to fulfill whatever he has hidden from us."

"Yes,"

"Which means that William is partly accountable for what could possibly be the downfall of the Clover Kingdom."

I only stayed silent, my eyes dropping down the ground between our feet.

"My, what a conflict we're in."

"William's too kind for his own good."

"He is, isn't he?" Julius chuckled. "Until the day where we confirm things come, please keep this between us, Zetta. We don't want the kingdom doubting the magic knights at this critical time."