"What's wrong with these clouds today?" Arvard murmured, gazing up at the sky blanketed with thick, stormy grey. "But… I like it."
Not far ahead, a man in a black suit stood partially behind a car, almost trying to hide. As Arvard approached, the man bowed slightly.
Without a word, Arvard opened the rear door and slid into the seat. A moment later, the man—James—got into the driver's seat and started the engine.
"Thanks for coming, James," Arvard said, his tone formal but soft.
"No thanks needed, my Prince," James replied stiffly. "It's my duty to serve."
Arvard chuckled lightly. "Take me to Touch Care Hospital."
"As you wish."
They pulled into traffic, only to crawl to a halt minutes later. Horns honked. Tension clung to the road.
"What's the holdup?" Arvard asked, peering through the window at the congestion.
"We're near the bridge," James explained, trying not to sound nervous. "Security's registering students leaving the island."
Arvard leaned back. "Will this take long?"
"Not if we take a different route." Without hesitation, James turned the wheel, steering into a clear lane. The moment the guards spotted the license plate, they waved the car through without question.
Once they were off the island, Arvard broke the silence.
"James… I know it's soon, but have you found anything?"
James hesitated. "No, sir. But—"
Arvard glanced at him. "Don't hold back. Speak freely with me."
James exhaled. "With all due respect… why are you even bothering with this? The Silver Warriors are done. Broken. Gone."
"I've heard that before," Arvard muttered, lowering his window. "But this time, I want no surprises."
James nodded, saying nothing more.
"How long's the drive?" Arvard asked, pulling a small vial from his coat.
"About three hours."
Arvard stared out the window for almost an hour, watching the world blur by. Then, he rolled the glass back up, a tired smile brushing his lips.
"Whatever happens in the next two hours… ignore it," he said quietly.
Without waiting for a reply, he drank the contents of the vial and closed his eyes.
Three Hours Later…
The car pulled into the underground parking of Touch Care Hospital. As the door opened, a completely different man stepped out—blond-haired, muscular, carrying a weight in his posture like he'd lived a thousand regrets.
James's mouth parted in shock. It was still Arvard… but transformed into someone else entirely.
He watched as Arvard walked toward the hospital entrance—less like a prince, more like a broken man searching for something.
One Hour Later…
Arvard returned, body and face reverting to his original form as he walked back to the car. He climbed in silently.
"Want to grab something to eat?" he asked, voice tinged with weariness.
James blinked, unsure how to respond.
Arvard placed a hand on his shoulder. "My treat."
"…Alright," James finally said, starting the car.
"King's Chicken."
"There's one nearby, and one back in Ampher City."
"The nearby one," Arvard said without looking at him.
"As you wish, my Prince."
As they drove, Arvard leaned against the window, his gaze distant.
After a moment, he said in a cold voice, "We're being watched."
James checked the mirrors. "You mean that old black car behind us?"
"No. A crow. Flying above us." Arvard sighed. "Probably Saina."
"Ms. Triffin? Why would she—?"
"Just leave it," Arvard interrupted, frustration tightening his voice.
James nodded and drove in silence.
At King's Chicken…
They sat at a table, plastic trays between them, fried chicken steaming in buckets. James placed the food down and glanced at the envelope Arvard had set on the table.
Avoiding eye contact, James sat quietly.
Across from him, Arvard flashed a smile at the girl behind the counter who had been sneaking glances. She blushed and quickly turned away.
"You can start eating," Arvard said.
James picked up a drumstick, awkwardly.
Arvard chuckled. "Why so tense?"
"Forgive me, my Prince. I just… can't believe you're being so kind to someone like me."
Arvard tilted his head. "You married?"
James paused, startled. "No… but I'm dating someone."
Arvard nodded, interested. "What about your future plans?"
James gave a dry laugh. "Haven't really thought that far."
"Would you marry her?"
"Probably. Someday."
"Kids?"
James hesitated, then shrugged. "We'll see."
Arvard leaned back. "That's why the population's dying out."
James looked up, surprised. "I—"
"No judgment," Arvard said. "I just want to understand. What do you think we should do to avoid extinction?"
James took a breath. "I know what you're trying to say, but… it's not that simple. Raising kids isn't easy. You have to be prepared—for everything. Teaching them control, hiding their identity, guiding them between our world and theirs…"
"And money," Arvard added.
James nodded. "School, college, helping them start out. It's a lifetime of responsibility."
Arvard stared at him. "Thank you, James. I understand now. I know who… and what… the real problems are."
James wasn't sure what that meant. He just nodded.
They sat in silence for a while. James noticed Arvard struggling slightly with the food—like something was bothering him physically—but said nothing.
Then Arvard slid the envelope across the table.
James wiped his hands and opened it—money.
"My Prince… I don't want this."
"You're not used to being given things by royalty. But remember—when we offer, you must accept."
Arvard stood and walked out into the grey drizzle.