Master of Minds, Master of Me

I’m starting to get seriously worried about my mana. I thought I was better at controlling it. But each day it grows harder. It doesn't affect my usual life. I don't have that many negative feelings inside me anymore, so even if the mana grows stronger, I don't lose my sense of reality as much.

Of course, my hatred toward the Palace is still there, just not as potent anymore. Only because my pretty flower is here. But there is one huge quality that it brings out in me. And I hate it. I hate myself for it. Since I know it is something that is already in me. And I don’t want it to be.

Last time, I thought I wanted to hurt Lo because I was so angry at her for wanting to die and leave me. That I wanted some kind of sick, twisted revenge. Now I know why she did what she did. I don't blame her for anything anymore. I know how much she wants to be with me, and I know that she loves me.

But I still want to hurt her. So fucking much.

And I hate it. I do my best to hold on to my reason when I have sex with her. Of course, I am rough with her already, but I crave more. I must be sick, because seeing her hurt makes my cock so fucking hard.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

What is wrong with me? How fucked up must my brain be for me to want to choke her so hard that I feel her pulse slowing under my hand?

I love her. I want to be with her. So why do I want to hurt her? It doesn't make sense. Have I always been this fucked up?

I’m glad that this whole Theodore–Florentia thing is going on. It distracts me from the real problem. I need the distraction. And my pretty flower also enjoys the thrill of stalking them. I’m honestly surprised that Theodore didn’t notice the communication stone being active while he visited my office on Monday. Florentia came back yesterday from her visit home. Meaning that today I can finally attend dancing lessons with my pretty flower.

The communication stone vibrates. I take it out of my pocket and stare at it in disbelief. Is Theodore really contacting me first for the second time already? That surely lifts my mood.

I’m glad I’m not the only one acting all crazy. I let my mana flow into the stone.

“Missing me already, bestie?”

“Not your bestie.”

“If I’m not your bestie, then who is?”

“Cut the crap, Felix.”

“Alright, alright. No need to get all grumpy first thing in the morning. So what is it?”

“She wants to see you.”

“She?”

Is he talking about Florentia?

“Yes, she.”

“She who? I can’t read minds. Not like that, at least.”

I hear weird noises, like he is grinding his teeth together. I guess he really means Florentia. I noticed that he hasn't called her by her name recently. But I didn't realize he was this stubborn about it.

“Theodore? Did you turn mute or something?”

He exhales, clearly annoyed. “She. As in the one you forced me to spy on.”

I suppress my amusement.

“Florentia?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you just say so? I didn't know you enjoyed guessing games. I’ll keep that in mind in the future. So why does she want to see me?”

“She will tell you that herself.”

“Okay… that's pretty vague. Of course, I can see her.”

“I’ll fetch her, and we’ll come right away.”

“Wh—”

The stone grows dark.

We?

Oh boy. This is starting to get really juicy. I glance at the clock. There isn’t much time until Lo’s dancing lesson starts. I told her that I would dance with her today. But of course, Theodore doesn't appreciate my schedule at all.

I stand up, draw a magic circle, and go to Lo’s room.

“Holy crap!” she yelps as she suddenly sees me. “Felix! I’m all happy for you that you can use teleportation and all, but stop scaring me like that!”

I ignore her, move in front of her, and grab her by the shoulders.

“You’ll never believe what happened!”

“What?”

“Theodore contacted me and told me that Florentia wants to see me.”

“No way! Is she going to tell the truth at last?”

“I surely hope so. And Theodore is coming with her.”

Her pupils widen with excitement. “Really! Oh, this is so juicy! Can I—”

I hand her the communication stone with a smile, and she grabs it and squeals with excitement.

“You are the best, Felix!”

“I better be. And you need to get back in that bed and keep being sick.”

“What? Why? I thought Duke Callum was going to return to work today.”

“He is. But Theodore just stated that they are coming right now. And the class starts soon too.”

“So they could arrive at any minute now?”

“Yes.”

She sprints to her bed and slides under the sheets with the stone in her hand.

“What are you waiting for? Go already! They might already be there!”

I walk next to her bed.

“Be careful, pretty flower. I might start to get jealous if you push me away like this.”

“There is no time to be jealous! The romance is unfolding! Go!”

I lean in to kiss her forehead.

“I’ll go, I’ll go. You'd better get healthy soon, pretty flower. It pains me to see you sick like that.”

She fake coughs. ‘’Yes. Very sick.’’ She fails to hide her smile.

‘’Well, luckily I know the cure.’’

‘’Oh? Didn’t know you had medical skills.’’

‘’I’m sure you just lack Vitamin Me.’’ I wink at her before teleporting back to my office.

I settle behind my desk. If Florentia really is going to tell the truth, I have to make sure that they don't figure out that I already know she is another soul. But I’m not too worried about that. Even though I usually act dramatically, I actually am a great actor when needed. I have pretended to be the perfect Crown Prince all my life, after all. Of course, the people close to me know my true nature. But for everyone else, my Crown Prince image is perfect.

It doesn't take long for the office door to burst open. Theodore is the only one who has the audacity to do that, so I immediately smile and let my mana flow into the communication stone in my pocket.

“Theodore! This is the second time you’ve contacted me first, so I really think there’s no hiding your affection toward me.”

Theodore rolls his eyes, annoyed. So cute.

“I’ve already told you that I tolerate you, nothing more. So wipe that smug smile away. We’re not here to discuss this again.”

“Of course. It’s good to see you, Lady Florentia. Please, sit down.”

I give her my most charming smile. Since I remember what she asked Theodore about me, I want to convince her that I’m not a psychotic murderer.

“Good to see me? Well, you sure didn’t seem like it the last time we met.”

She spits the words with so much attitude that they shock me. Right after, I sense embarrassment from her mind, clearly regretting her words. Theodore’s chuckle breaks the silence, and I join him, honestly pleased by her straightforwardness. Clearly, she is not Florentia.

“I do apologize for my rude behavior back then. I regret it, and I hope you can forgive me,” I say, smiling.

“Apology accepted, Your Highness.”

“I’m grateful. Please, both of you, sit down so we can get started. Theodore said you have something to tell me. He didn’t specify what exactly, so I’m quite curious, Lady Florentia.”

Theodore settles lazily into one of the chairs, but Florentia comes to stand in front of my desk.

“My main reason for being here is to give you this.” She places three stacks of documents on my desk. “This is all the evidence I could find against my father. Here is—”

“What? You’re giving me something I can use against your own father?”

I’m honestly so shocked that I can't comprehend this situation. Is she seriously giving me something against Duke Callum?

She starts to explain what the papers include. And it’s just too good to be true. My only worry was how to get evidence against Duke Callum. And she is just giving it to me on a silver platter. I look through the files. They are so neatly organized that it’s even clearer that she isn't from here.

“Is something wrong?” Her voice is full of nervousness.

I look up at her. I know she isn't the real Florentia. But I still don't understand why she would want her father in jail. Or more like on death row.

“Wrong? These documents are organized so perfectly, I’m not sure whether I’m more surprised by that or by the fact that you, of all people, are giving them to me. Why expose your own father? I thought you had a very loving relationship.”

“Well, if by loving you mean whipping, starvation, being locked in a dungeon, and poisoning, then sure, we had a very loving relationship. All I want is to see my bastard father fall. That’s it. I was given the opportunity to get this evidence, so I took it.”

I think my brain malfunctions for a while. It's hard to believe her words. But I can sense that she is telling the truth. Theodore's mind clearly darkens. Duke Callum abused her own daughter? How come no one ever noticed anything? Why did Florentia never say anything about it?

“I’m very sorry for all you’ve been through. I had no idea.”

“No need to feel sorry. I’m not here for sympathy.”

She feels oddly detached about it. Well, those things happened to the real Florentia, so I guess it makes sense. But isn’t she going to tell the truth about herself? Maybe she needs a nudge.

“I think we can all agree that you used to be rather meek, doing everything your father wanted. So… what changed?”

She hesitates for a while.

“The thing that changed… was me. I’m actually not the real Florentia.”

I pretend to be shocked as she starts to talk about it in more detail, explaining that the real Florentia was indeed a spy. Which I already knew.

“This day turned out very different than I expected. I can’t believe he succeeded in hiding all this.” I turn to look at Theodore. “I’m guessing you knew she wasn’t the real Florentia?”

Theodore nods. “Yes. When she collapsed, I knew. What I said about the mana entering her body was true, but I left out that the source was a different soul.”

I really want to rub in his face the fact that I already knew all that. But I restrain myself. Can’t risk him actually getting mad at me.

“There are so many questions in my head, I don’t even know where to start,” I admit.

“Ask anything. I’ll answer the best I can.”

She seems rather confident and coiled. Oddly calm, considering the weird situation she’s in. I assure her that I believe her before asking the first thing I’m curious about.

“Do you have any idea how you ended up here?”

“Unfortunately, no. I actually died in my world… then just woke up here somehow.”

“What?” Theodore’s voice hits hard.

I look at him. He is furious. His mind is even darker. Florentia looks at him in confusion. Goddammit, Theodore. Don't show your psychotic side right away. You’ll scare her off. Better to draw her attention to me before Theodore ruins everything. I don’t want their love story to end before it even starts properly.

We talk about her time here at the Palace, and I apologize for her treatment and offer her a reward for the evidence.

And to my surprise, all she asks for is for me not to kill her. This all feels so absurd that I can’t help but laugh. Whoever this new Florentia is, I like her. And I’m starting to understand why Theodore has taken such an interest in her. I would have never guessed that Theodore could actually fall for anyone. I guess it’s still true if you consider the people in this world.

I try to assure her that she deserves some kind of reward, but she clearly doesn’t want anything, claiming that receiving something would be a burden. But in her case, she is going to be homeless and penniless soon, so I would guess that she could really use some reward money. But she surprises me by saying that she will just work.

“It’s pretty rare for a noble lady to do actual work. Usually, they just deal with household affairs. So do you really think you can find work?” I ask.

Theodore answers for her. “I’ve already offered her a job at the Mage Tower. So she’ll be fine.”

Oh, perfect opportunity to tease him. Let’s call this payback for stealing my pretty flower in our last life. I raise my voice, acting all shocked.

“Theodore! How could you decide something like that without consulting me first? I thought we were friends. I am deeply hurt, Theodore.”

Theodore rolls his eyes so cutely.

“Stop the dramatics, Felix. Mage Tower business has nothing to do with you, and you know it.”

“Well, maybe not. But Florentia is still one of the Queen candidates, so I don’t think it’s right for you to steal her right in front of me.”

Oh, I clearly got him with that one. Theodore’s face stiffens, and he clenches his fists in anger. And I’m just so pleased by how easily he took my little bait.

“Are you saying you consider her a potential Queen for yourself?” His voice is low and dangerous.

Goddammit, he really likes this new Florentia. Maybe I push him just a little more.

“Well, she has many good qualities that are considered useful. Her insight helped with the abandoned farms after the flood. She clearly knows economics, which is vital for the rulers of this country. She’s very skilled at organizing and presenting important matters. So wouldn’t it be reasonable to consider her as a candidate?”

His mind darkens deeper, and I’m eager to hear what he is going to argue back. But unfortunately, Florentia speaks first, interrupting my teasing game. What a shame.

We talk for a while after that, but there are still some things I’m dying to know.

“How did you get your hands on the documents you brought? I know you didn’t have them when you got back home yesterday.”

Her mind clearly panics, and she speaks nervously.

“Well, I had some outside help last night that allowed me to get into the mansion.”

The realization hits me. I do faintly remember hearing some knights talking this morning. But I didn’t know they were serious. I thought it was just a rumor.

“I heard some knights this morning talking about an explosion at Duke Callum’s mansion. But it completely slipped my mind when Theodore told me you were coming. So was that explosion because of you? But… you can’t wield magic. So it must have been the help you mentioned.”

“Yes, it was him. I needed a way in, and he… provided it. But we didn’t hurt anyone, so don’t worry. I tried to make sure we didn’t cause too much damage.”

“So you’re saying you had help, someone who could blow a hole into the mansion and just walk in and out without getting hurt? Care to tell me who this person is?”

It’s way too obvious that it’s Theodore. But I’m just testing whether she knows it’s him. And her answers tell me that she doesn’t. So Lo was right when she thought that Florentia didn’t know that her stalker was Theodore.

I guess I have a new opportunity to tease him. So I turn toward him, smiling, clearly giving away the fact that I know it’s him.

“What are your thoughts, Theodore? You’re the Master of the Mage Tower, after all. Sounds like this mystery person is a very powerful mage.”

“The only thing I’m sure of is that he isn’t from the Mage Tower, if that’s what you’re implying. You know we take pride in being righteous. No one in our ranks would have done something like that. So the mage is probably from another country. Maybe one of the Duke’s own mages turned against him?” His voice is so calm. He really is playing it cool.

Then there is only one last question on my mind.

“Since you’re not really Florentia, what should I call you? And do you want to keep your true origin a secret?”

“Please keep calling me Florentia, Your Highness. I have no desire to dig up my past life. I’ve accepted that I’m Florentia now. And yes, I’d prefer to keep it a secret. I don’t mind if a few people know, but I’m not a fan of attention. I’d like to live in peace. And I imagine that if everyone found out, it would stir unwanted curiosity. I hope you understand, Your Highness.”

“I understand and honor your decision. And please, feel free to call me Felix. I have a feeling we’ll be great friends in the future.”

Since you will totally marry my best friend. Or at least I hope so. If that emotionless goo next to me will realize his feelings someday. And you have some very weird taste in men. Although I do enjoy Theodore’s company, I have no idea what woman would tolerate him in the long run. But I’m keeping my thumbs up.

I watch as she talks with Theodore, and they make a dinner date. Oh, please, get a room already, you lovebirds. When saying goodbye, she bows to Theodore and then to me.

“Thank you once again, Felix.”

I stare at her, stunned. Did she just call me Felix? Just like that? Okay. She is definitely a soul from another world.