I'm sorry for late updates but there's a hell called school that's been stressing me out so I couldn't write at all :((((

I will try to update tomorrow as well🥺!!!

Enjoy~~~

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____________♧ACE POV♧____________

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Going back to his house was a big mission he was going to take. It was already night and that meant he was gone or missing since morning. He hoped his father didn't realise even though that was kind of impossible. He knew too well that his brother would never willingly keep his mouth shut.

Tiptoeing to the gate, he felt the cold breeze of air ruffle his hair. He noticed that his hair was already sticking to his forehead, it needed a haircut. Ace was always insecure about his jet black hair, his sister and brother had colourful hairs, his sister silver and his brother reddish-orange. His, on the other hand, was plain black which made it look ordinary and dull. It looked like his mother though, but he supposed she was pretty, to begin with. Nonetheless, he always trimmed his hair in a bowl cut that made him look younger than he is. And it looked like his hair was beginning to grow back which concerned him.

Getting back of his daze, Ace peeked quietly from their outer gardens to the gate, the guards were patrolling the space which made his task harder. He just needed to sneak in instantly to avoid certain questions of his father.

Ace huffed out in annoyance, feeling lost as ever. But then his black cat meowed as if it sensed his irritation.

Ace widened his eye "Lucus!" He exclaimed, picking up the cat and moving nearer to the gate "such a brilliant idea I got!" He noted, proud of his brain. "Make yourself a useful cat and go distract them, I bet they will go weak when they see how lovely you are!" He ordered the poor cat, who had its eyes wide open in confusion.

Ace laid the cat down in a swift motion and motioned at him to move "Luc! Pspsps" he called to the cat. He swore it rolled its eyes in annoyance.

Ace watched how his cat ran to the gate and meowed trying to get the guards' attention. And perhaps it worked, as they quickly cooed at the cat and picked it up brushing her fur slowly.

Ace smirked at their sudden softness to a cat. Cats make men weak I see... He quickly climbed up the wall that separated the forest from the house, he tried to land quietly but failed as he let out a whimper in pain. Shit.

The guards definitely heard the noise but Ace hid behind a huge tree so they just dismissed it as a rustling of leaves.

Ace sighed in relief and began to walk to his room.

--

"Ace!"

The door to his room was so near he could touch it with his fingertips but his sister decided to uncover his whole task right now.

Ace sighed already knowing what she will accuse him of, he turned around giving her his full attention.

He saw how her eyes shifted from anger to concern as she ran to him clearly worried.
"Oh, fates!" She inspected his face then exhaled in worry "what happened to your face young man?"

Ace widened his eyes in shook, how great!
"mmmm, i-i-" he was thinking of a perfect excuse when she cut him off. 

"I know you've been sneaking out these days, don't worry I won't tell dad but I need to understand first" she said in slight anger with exhausted eyes.

"To the garden?"

It was obvious she didn't believe him "oh really? For 5 hours? And no one noticed you? Please make up better excuses" she breathed out in an accusive tone.

Ace was speechless, he didn't want to blow up his cover just yet but she deserved to know "ok ok I'll tell you"

April nodded encouraging him to continue, he noticed her eyes were puffy. He would ask about that later. "I- well, I go out to the forest? And have fun?" He noticed how she raised her eyebrows as if she didn't believe him. At least he told part of the truth.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah!!!"

April sighed "ok let's assume so, what got you this injury?"

Ace touched his face just slightly then winced in pain at the injury that was on his chin. "I walked on a twig, twisted my leg and fell off on my face" he wanted to secretly praise himself for the perfect scenario he just created.

Surprisingly, his sister actually believed his little story "alright, wash off your body it stinks and off to sleep, and. Don't. Sneak. Out!" She pointed to him accusingly and turned around to her chambers.

Ace sighed once again but in relief this time. He picked up Lucus who was playing with a fluffy ball not giving attention to the conversation that just ended. "Hey Luc, time to cleanse off our bodies" he said happily to the cat which was already asleep on his arms.

--

Taking a bath was probably the best thing in the universe for Ace, he liked how refreshed he felt despite the pain he was feeling. He actually felt better.

By now, Lucus was already cuddled up in his little bed that Ace made specifically for him. He looked so fluffy in his house. Lucus was his cat since he was young. It was his mother's cat's daughter. The cat's mother died shortly after his mother died. There were other 5 cats but they all went missing or died. Only Lucus stayed and since then, they were inseparable. Ace built Lucus's house at 12. It was on the cat's birthday. Mrs Leni helped him to which he was thankful for to this day.

Ace threw himself on the bed and was asleep in a blink of an eye.

--

-knock knock-

Ace was feeling numb, too tired to open his eyelids. The accident of yesterday reflected on him now. He heard the knocking but was too tired to respond.

-knock, knock-

Ace blinked his eyes open trying to adjust to the sunlight. He huffed out, annoyed at being woken up now. "Yeahhhh?" He mumbled yawning loudly.

"Wake up Ace! The king wants your presence with us" he heard April's voice say quickly.

Ace was confused but he had to get up sooner or later. "Alright"

His part in the royal council was practically none-existent but his father always made sure he was present to which he was grateful.

Ace sighed, stretching his arms cracking some of them. He looked around and suddenly his eyes caught a picture of him and his mother, and father. A memory then splashed over him.

××

"Mom, why are we taking a picture?" Young Ace asked curiously with puppy eyes.

His mom chuckled for a second before she started coughing. Young Ace felt the glare of his father. That was partly his fault.

"Mom are you ok? Mom, I'm sorry" Ace lowered his head in submission. He felt her warm hands stroke his hair in a delicate manner which calmed him. "Mom's ok! Now let's take a photo now...shall we?"

She laid Ace on her lap and hugged his torso which made him snuggle up to her chest seeking comfort.

And then a clicking sound was heard.

××

It was the only evidence he could get of her living there with him. Although he was 4 then, he remembers this memory vividly. Ace smiled warmly at his mother. He had missed her warmth.

He also remembers the scowl on his father's face. It was understandable, he hurt his mother. His father was too fond of her to the point of nearly hating his children. He was pleased they were at least in love.

Ace looked around but catching a glimpse of his sleepy face. His cheeks were a little bit flushed, his long hair was also sticking upwards. And on top of that, he had eye bags prior to the night before.

Ace knew then that he had to get up and look presentable to avoid embarrassing his family.

--

The palace council was always held every month at least once, to discuss the North's needs and wants. Truth to be told, it was the most boring three hours he had to witness every time. Aron, on the other hand, was always engaging and investing in the ongoing conversations that's why he had to be the crown prince. His sister tried to take part but she usually failed.

Ace entered, greeting his uncles, great-uncles, great cousins and many more. He usually loses count of how many people he shakes hands with.

The location was flawless of any dirt. It was like a holy place. To the right, there usually seated the younger generations of royalties with many guards surrounding them. To the left, there were the older generations and in the centre were the royals from other nations. The king and his three children were seated in front of the people a bit higher. Aron was always next to their father, April was on the other side and Ace was on the far left of Aron. 

Their nation's colour was red representing the old wolves' fur. Their ancestors wrote many of the customs to which they are still practising up to this day. The royal family chairs were made out of gold with a hint of silver. A red piece of fabric that was made up of dead sheep wool was hung on the chairs indicating their positions as royals.

Ace noticed that his siblings were already by their father's sides. April caught sight of him and gestured to him to come quicker.

While walking to the spot, he began bowing to every guest sitting there in respect but then he caught a glimpse of his sister's fiancee and felt his blood boil in anger. How dare he show his face here? He thought in bitterness. At the same moment, that prince also caught his eyes. He sensed the discomfort of Ace and smirked in victory. Oh what an idiot. Ace rolled his eyes and moved to his seat.

His father hummed when they all were there and cleared his throat indicating the start of the council.

--

Amidst the talks, Ace distracted himself by examining the hall and the people there, this talk wasn't his concern so he didn't care about the subjects they were talking about. Maybe that's why he was never the one to rule, he lacked many traits of a natural leader, unlike both his father and brother, Ace was never a patient person and would never sit for hours finding a solution to a simple problem. His father once said that a leader should take care of the least concernings of his people. And he was right in a way. Wait, what are they talking about now? The orange sheep? ridiculous!

Ace frowned when he noticed the Prince of the East checking out his sister. What a pervert! Ace didn't realise he was radiating his anger until his brother nudged him. "Stop frowning! You smell!"

Another mindblowing fact about wolves is that they have a very sensitive nose that smells anything, from happiness to sadness. But that only happened to presented wolves like his sister and his brother. He, on the other hand, was what they called a 'pup'. For wolves, they become adults once they present before that they are pups. With baby scents and baby noses that could only smell strong scents like flowers or food.

Ace wasn't aware that he was in a place full of presented wolves that could easily know his current emotion. And oh boy! How almost everyone was looking at him.

Ace felt a shiver up his spine from the sudden attention he was attracting. He glanced to his father and only saw his head shake in disappointment.

Ace cleared his throat and put on a smile directing them to continue. They didn't resume until all the anger pheromones had completely disappeared.

Ace sighed, cheeks red from embarrassment with a mix of anger. He looked up again to the Prince and saw him smirking at him again. What was up with that Prince and smirking? He decided to direct his attention at something else and tell his sister about her fiancee's creepy smiles.

But then his father quieted the room "I want to announce an important matter" He said to which Ace suddenly gave his full attention to.

"Princess April and the Prince of the East will be wedded by next month"

--

Ace had a lot of questions bugging up his mind, he was too angry and confused and maybe sad but nonetheless, he had to talk to April.

He had waited until everyone was out to talk to her, he knew he couldn't just engage in the conversation with the prince in front of them. That idiot.

And finally, the princess came out of the hall looking as pretty as ever. "April?"

April was shocked by her brother sudden presence "oh my G-God!"

"I'm sorry!!!!" Ace apologised laughing at the bewildered look on his sister's face.

"Can we talk?"

April came out of the shock and nodded "of course but about what?"

"Let's go to your room first" he said running up the stairs.

-- 

"Did you talk to him?"

April looked confused for a second "to....whom? Oh, The prince?" She said his name in a sad whisper.

"Did you?" Ace insisted.

April sighed "of course....not."

Ace couldn't believe his ears "why not?" He sat down next to his sister comforting her.

"I talked to dad....and he said not to"

Ace was now angrier "Our dad? Are you sure?"

April nodded in a sad manner "I am"

"But- why?" He couldn't believe their dad is going to wed their sister to a cheater.

"He told me that this marriage is more like an alliance between the two nations rather than a real marriage so I can't expect the prince to stay loyal"

"What about you?"

"I will live"

Ace felt his eyes burn, he simply couldn't digest the news. His sister was too kind and didn't deserve to live without love. "I'm sorry"

April shook her head dismissing his apology "it isn't your fault besides the prince just needs me to become the king."

"What a greedy bastard" Ace mumbled irritated.

"I hope you actually stay happy, even if it wasn't because of him." Ace wished to which his sister smiled.

"I am happy I have a brother like you Ace and I wish you a happy life too"

They both smiled at each other "i wish too"

--

Ace promised Zia to help her find the truth about herself and he was going to stick to that promise.

He knew where to find information about literally everything. The library. It was his favourite place ever where he usually read books about history, astronomy and many more. He sometimes went there to seek solace knowing that his mother had made this place. She loved reading and so the library was made specifically for her. He grew up to be just like her which was maybe the reason his father didn't like looking at his face for it reminded him too much of his....lost love.

So today he headed out to the library to search for evidence or anything related to the letter or Zia's powers. He just needed anything to give her hope. He didn't know why it bothered him that much.

The royal library was a very big place that held thousands of books. From all over the world and in many languages. He noticed how each time Zia emits green light, her voice becomes deeper and she speaks in a different tongue.

Ace didn't know where to start, the place held a lot of different genres and topics he was lost amongst the variety of things to
approach.

He thought about the name of the old Southern Prince. So he guessed it had to do with the south. The prince sighed scanning the room for the correct corner. History!

He went to the history corner and began to look for something to do with the south. He almost lost hope but then his eyes caught a green book. -Southern Magic- it said.

He almost screamed in delight. Ace took the book out of the shelf and removed the dust covering the book. He opened it and almost didn't understand anything.

-This book is written in the tongue of the magicians-

Ace pouted, if he couldn't come to understand the content of the book then it would be of no benefit. He decided to put it back on the shelf when it glowed.

Ace widened his eyes and threw the book on the floor but after some moments he decided to open it.

The book's pages turned over and over by themselves until they stopped on a certain page that was the source of the glow.

Ace squinted his eyes trying to see the content of the page. It was written in his language to which he exhaled in relief.

"Zoltan? Two? Green? Girl and boy? Lost and found? North? King and Queen? Die and Live?" He had a lot of question marks right now in his head.

But he came to a conclusion nonetheless,

"Zia is a magician"

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As of this chapter, i have officially written 30k words. Don't worry we are still not even at the middle of the story. I have a vision of writing 100k so bear it with me.

Thanks for reading :)