Chapter Text
The Akademiya was not a place for royalty. Kaveh had been told that for as long as he could remember. His mind should be used for politics, traditions, table manners, and other similarly mind-numbing subjects. His time and energy were wasted on something as useless as architecture. Yet, here he was, spending his little free time in the library finishing his homework, just like a common student. It was novel, in a way. He barely noticed the stares and whispers as he engrossed himself in the book he was reading. Precious time slipped away and all too soon, he realized the sun was no longer streaming through the stained blue windows. With a deep sigh, he collected his work and made his way out of the library.
He didn’t get far before a stern voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Leaving all by yourself, Your Highness? It’s a little dark, don’t you think?”
The voice belonged to Alhaitham, a younger student Kaveh had seen around a couple of times. Alhaitham was fairly antisocial, but Kaveh had tried to force an awkward conversation once or twice. Those always ended with Kaveh feeling like the younger one was somehow making fun of him. He just had an air of superiority that bothered Kaveh a bit too much.
“I am perfectly capable of walking.” Kaveh snapped, already on edge.
Alhaitham shrugged.
“Don’t be stupid. You know what I mean,” He replied.
“Anyone could have ill intentions. Even you. It’s safer to go alone and keep my guard up.” Kaveh turned away, ready to abandon this interaction, but the other student could not seem to take a hint.
“What about that guy you are with a lot? Cyno? He’s tough, he cou-”
“He left a long time ago. Some of us can’t afford to just sit around by the doors all day, waiting to ambush people trying to go home with stupid conversations,” Kaveh interrupted pointedly.
“Sorry for having good time management, I guess,” Alhaitham said. “But whatever, just go if you’re in such a hurry.”
“Fine.” Kaveh shot back. And he did go. He left in a huff without looking back.
It had gotten late very fast. Kaveh didn’t mind, but he knew his father would have something to say about it. He did his best to push the thought to the back of his mind as he walked the familiar route, enjoying the sounds of nighttime. He quickly became lost in thought, each footstep automatic as his mind jumped from designs to equations to Alhaitham (whom he quickly banished to the back of his mind with his father) to the pressures awaiting him at home. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t banish every negative thought. There were far too many of them piling up back there.
Kaveh decided to focus on the street instead. He passed the adventurer’s guild- abandoned. It really was late. A prince should not be out at this time. Maybe Alhaitham had had a point back there. He should’ve-
“Lost?”
Kaveh had not noticed the Eremite sneak up on him. He quickly looked the stranger up and down. The Eremite was blindfolded and had white and red robes, typical of the neighboring kingdom. He didn’t appear aggressive, but Kaveh did not intend to take any chances with strangers.
“No. I’m just fine,” Kaveh insisted.
The Eremite looked around the empty street.
“You out here with anyone?” He asked.
Kaveh’s mind raced as he debated his answers. Lying was probably best- it might make the stranger leave him alone, but it also might make him angry. He became increasingly aware of his identity, the expensive jewelry he had on, and the fact that this whole thing was undeniably his fault. Why was his heart beating so loud?
“I’m meeting someone,” He managed. “Close by. I should go.” Kaveh took a few steps back, and his stomach sank when the stranger matched his movements.
“Are you now?”
“You’re late.” Kaveh felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around to see Alhaitham, and for once, he forgot to be annoyed.
“Oh, you’re here,” Kaveh said, relief flooding his words.
“Of course. I was waiting for you, like you said.” Alhaitham’s tone was almost completely flat. Kaveh bit back a grimace- there’s no way the Eremite would buy that. How could he be such a horrible actor?
Still, the Eremite seemed to realize his target was no longer an easy one. With a scowl, he turned and stormed off, leaving the two alone.
With the threat out of the picture, Kaveh stepped away from Alhaitham. There was only one reason he could think of for the other student to be here, and he did not like it.
“Did you follow me?” He accused.
“Yes,” Alhaitham said bluntly.
“I told you-”
“Are you really about to yell at me for saving your ass,” Alhaitham interrupted. “When you said you could handle yourself?”
“Don’t you dare speak to me that way,” Kaveh snapped.
“I’m not scared of you.”
Kaveh could not find a response. He fumbled around in his mind for a moment before crossing his arms and giving a lame “Hmmph.” He was sure he looked just like a pouting child. It didn’t help at all that the younger student was taller than him and about 3 times as intimidating.
“Are you ready to go home now?” Alhaitham asked condescendingly.
“You’re not taking me home.”
“Sure, because that worked so well when you said it last time.”
“I hate you so much right now.” Kaveh grimaced.
Alhaitham did not respond. He just sort of waited, staring at Kaveh until he started walking.
It was a long, quiet walk.
By the time they reached the palace gates, Kaveh had cooled off a bit. The doors loomed over them, set in an arch with soft round sides coming to a point at the top. The doors were heavy, as usual, and Kaveh was surprised to see Cyno standing watch in the foyer. (There had been guards posted outside, but none Kaveh knew well enough to take notice of.)
“I thought you’d be home by now,” Kaveh commented.
“I could say the same to you.” Cyno returned coolly. “Your father gave me a hard time when I arrived here without you. I am glad to see you have company, though.”
Kaveh scowled.
“Not by choice.”
Cyno raised an eyebrow.
“You shouldn’t act like you’re invincible, Kaveh. It’s only going to cause more problems for you in the long run.”
“It’s like 11:30 pm. Don’t get philosophical, I can’t do it right now,” Kaveh huffed.
“Don’t walk alone at night then.” Cyno crossed his arms.
“I didn’t. Can you not see the rude ass nerd that followed me?” Kaveh gestured to the rude ass nerd in question.
Cyno sighed.
“Thank you,” He said to Alhaitham.
“Of course, the prince is such lovely company,” Alhaitham replied flatly. “I loved every minute of it.”
A loud thud echoed suddenly through the foyer as the doors fell shut behind a frail-looking figure.
“What is all this noise?” Kaveh’s father asked.
“Baba, you should be in bed,” Kaveh scolded. “It’s late.”
“How can I sleep knowing my only heir is out wasting his life away from home, with no protection and not a care for the future of this country?” His father implored.
“You say that like I was being reckless somehow. I was in a library.”
“How will you find a wife in a library?”
“We’ve talked about this.”
“How will you find a husband in a library?”
Kaveh rolled his eyes.
“Please, can we not do this now? I know exactly what you think about me going to school. You tell me every night. At the very least do it when my friends aren’t here.”
“Fine. I suppose I shouldn’t worry about my son then. I will just go to my room and die while you are never home, with no idea what the future of my county holds, because the only prince of Sumeru wanted to be an architect,”
Cyno let out an uncomfortable huff of air.
“You do that.” Kaveh snapped, storming past his father and not stopping until he reached his bedroom. Once there, he fell facefirst onto his bed and let out a long, frustrated groan into a silken pillow.
That did help a little. However, his limbs still felt like they were made of concrete, and his brain was all but dead from being annoyed for so long. He did not move from that spot until the sun rose the next morning.