Then, without thinking, Aslan turned sharply toward the group.
"No!" he blurted. "He's… he's handsome."
The students all looked at him.
Aslan cleared his throat, lifting his chin. "I admit he's trash. The laziest member of the imperial family. No talent whatsoever…"
He paused, placing a hand on his chest.
"…But he's very handsome."
One of the boys raised a brow. "You sound awfully confident."
"I… met him once," Aslan replied, trying to sound casual.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Do I look ugly to you?"
There was a brief silence. Then, from the back of the group, a shy girl mumbled, "N-No. You're… very handsome."
"Exactly," Aslan said quickly. "And he's even more handsome than me."
The group stared at him in awkward silence.
Then someone spoke up. "My uncle's an Imperial Knight. He saw the third prince once."
The others leaned in, suddenly interested.
"He was visiting the palace for official business," the student said, voice lowering conspiratorially. "And he saw the third prince with weird childish stickers drawn all over his face. Like—stars and swirls and stuff."
Aslan blinked.
"And the moment the prince saw my uncle, he just—ran. Bolted. No explanation."
A murmur went through the group.
"That's… weird."
"He sounds childish."
"No dignity at all."
"Imagine running away from a knight. So embarrassing."
Aslan stood frozen, heart sinking. It felt like the ground had slipped out from under him.
His mind screamed.
That was because… because Lucian drew those stickers on my face while I was asleep! And just when I looked in the mirror—bam! That knight showed up. What was I supposed to do? Pose for a royal portrait?!
His face burned.
At their desks, Alice, Cael, and George were watching him silently.
George adjusted his glasses. "Huh. That explains a lot."
---
Later That Afternoon
Cael, Alice, and George were sitting together around a small table in the common room, half-finished drinks in front of them, books and scrolls pushed aside.
George leaned in a little and asked, "Alice, do you know anything about Aslan's background?"
Alice shook his head. "Not really. I have no idea."
He looked thoughtful, fingers tapping lightly on his cup. "But... he's always seemed strange to me. I mean—he's a commoner, right? But he doesn't fear anyone. Not even nobles with high status."
He paused. "And his personality... it's hard to explain. He doesn't try to act noble, but somehow, everything about him—how he eats, how he sits—nothing about him feels lowborn."
Cael raised a brow. Alice continued, "I actually met him three years ago. During the teenage aptitude test for magic. The moment I saw him… I was impressed. It felt like his powers were sealed or something. But even then, just standing nearby, I could feel them."
"That kind of magic…" he looked at both of them, "It's impossible for a commoner to have. Powers like that only show up in noble bloodlines—legendary ones, even. If someone like him is really a commoner… history might be about to change."
Cael leaned back and crossed his arms. "But Aslan doesn't care about any of that. All he wants is sleep and snacks."
George nodded solemnly. "Then we'll help him. Help him become stronger."
They were quiet for a second. Then, with the seriousness of a secret pact, George extended his hand across the table.
Alice placed his on top of his. Cael sighed, rolled his eyes—but smiled—and added his last.
"Promise," they said, almost in unison.
---