Chapter 20: Prince of the Night (2)

“Insomnia is a disease that can recur at any time. But! You’re in luck. Because you’re visiting me, Gilbert, the second most renowned physician in the empire.”

“......”

“If you drink this medicine, you’ll fall asleep instantly.”

Ascal eyed the doctor suspiciously.

This was an era where the touch healing of priests, potions, and healing magic existed. Thanks to magic, some areas of the empire had advanced beyond modern standards. However, medicine was not one of them.

In a place where jesters could stick a needle in someone's hand once and were immediately hailed as doctors, that was the current state of imperial medicine.

“May I inquire about the ingredients of the medicine?”

“Hmm. Normally, I don’t disclose the formula to outsiders but...”

Having been in public service for a long time, Ascal could sense the underlying opportunity in Gilbert’s tone.

Ascal placed a shining silver coin on the desk. In a flash, Gilbert pocketed it.

His sleight of hand was impressive; it hinted he might be skilled in surgery.

“But! For the sake of my patients, there’s nothing I won’t share! This sleeping pill consists of a devil’s herb, mixed magic stone powder, animal tranquilizer, and chamomile. All personally compounded by me, a medical doctor.”

“I see. I’ll be taking my pet goldfish for a walk then.”

“Wait! Dear patient!”

Ascal didn’t want to sleep forever.

So he quickly excused himself.

In the empire, it might be best not to visit hospitals.

​

​****

‘It’s time to return as the Prince of the Night.’

Ascal applied oil to his hair, donned a black cloak, and put on the half-mask he had purchased from the flea market at the outskirts. 

Despite the vendor trying to mark up the price claiming its antique value, he had managed to buy it at a bargain after some intense haggling.

He looked like a figure entirely draped in black.

Using a silver mirror, Ascal checked his appearance and felt a hint of embarrassment.

If Sushia were to see him like this...

<What is this, Director-nim? The Prince of the Night? Ahahaha! Isn’t that something you outgrow when you’re young?>

How mortifying.

‘She must never discover me like this.’

Ascal cast a self-hypnotic spell. ‘You must respect me. I am the Prince of the Night. The observer who oversees the night, the mastermind of darkness...’

“Perfect.”

After mumbling the self-hypnosis like a mantra for a while, Ascal finally immersed himself entirely in his role as the Prince of the Night.

“It’s time for the night to welcome its master.”

As Ascal swirled his cloak and stepped outside, he paused. The hem of his cloak got caught in the door. After struggling for a moment, he finally freed the hem. It was a close call.

​****

​The Empire’s Second Princess, Serena Barba, had been in quite a sour mood lately.

She was originally a sensitive person, but recently she had become so low-key that even the maids close to her started to notice the change in her.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

Serena, sitting askew in her chair, tapped on the armrest, a silent expression of her displeasure.

“We’ve found him. The black-haired prince who recently visited the empire.”

“Really?”

Serena’s face lit up.

Her mood instantly brightened.

“He will be visiting us shortly.”

“Really? I’m not looking weird now, am I? No stray hairs, eyebrows well-groomed?”

“Yes, you look impeccable.”

“No, I should do it over. Starting with the dress.”

With a fluttering heart, Serena inspected her attire. It was crucial to appear natural during their first meeting. Not too much, yet not lacking either.

With the help of her maid, Serena, deeming herself to be in perfect condition, sat calmly in her chair, waiting.

“Do I look alright?”

“Yes, you look absolutely beautiful, Your Highness.”

Three minutes passed.

“Is the lipstick a bit too bold? Should I redo it?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Another five minutes passed.

“No, this isn’t the right dress for our first meeting. I want to change.”

Just as Serena was about to stand up to change her outfit, she had no choice but to stop.

The guest had already arrived.

“The prince is entering!”

The doors were slowly opening.

Serena nervously fiddled with her ears as she awaited the door to fully open. It had been a while since she felt this anxious.

“Hmm. I didn’t realize the princess was looking for me.”

​

And there appeared the black-haired prince.

With a deep gaze, the prince smiled graciously at Serena.

“Why were you looking for me? Oh, don’t be shy. You’re as beautiful as I’ve heard.”

Flowing like silk, her stunning red hair complemented her pale skin, and eyes that seemed crafted from rubies.

The prince openly admired the princess’s appearance.

“Princess?”

Serena, without uttering a word, looked up at the prince.

“It’s not you,” she whispered.

“What do you mean?”

His chubby cheeks glistened, as if he had only ever dined on the most lavish foods. An air of naïveté surrounded him, suggesting he had never experienced hardship.

The expensive clothes, laden only with expensive gems, were of colors so bright they hurt the eyes. They betrayed an absolute lack of artistic sense.

This prince was not the one she was searching for.

A coldness settled in Serena’s crimson eyes.

“Leave.”

“How rude, Princess. This could escalate into a serious diplomatic incident...”

“I said leave.”

His body stiffened, as if being watched by a snake. With a gasp, the prince stumbled backward, then bolted out, kicking the door in his haste.

“Noella, you brought the wrong person?”

“I will accept any punishment you see fit.”

“...Haa. No, thinking about it, finding such a person couldn’t have been that easy.”

Serena heaved a sigh.

This had become somewhat troublesome.

The prince who had just left was, after all, merely a prince of a small island nation. Even weaker in status than a baron of the empire. The chances of this escalating to a diplomatic issue, as he had suggested, were close to nil.

The real issue lay elsewhere.

“How can I see him again?”

An answer came to her.

“That’s right. Let’s hold another play.”

The Prince of the Night seemed to have a fondness for the arts.

“If we do that, he will come back.”

The princess smiled.

****

Ascal felt an eerie chill as he walked the streets at night. Despite his thick cloak, he hadn’t expected to feel this cold...

Regardless, he had a destination in mind.

'Moonlight Theatre.'

After turning at the three-way intersection, a familiar alley appeared. In that place, the wandering musician was still playing his music.

“Ah, sir!”

Ascal flipped a coin towards him. This time, it was a silver coin.

“Whoa! This is too generous.”

“Not at all. Thanks to the troupe you told me about, I had a wonderful experience.”

“Is that so, sir? Then, have you heard the news?”

“What news are you talking about?”

The words from the wandering musician were shocking.

“The Moonlight Theatre has failed. Due to financial hardships, they can no longer sustain the troupe.”

This couldn’t be.

Ascal, suppressing his initial reaction, responded in character as the Prince of the Night.

“Ah, so the unfortunate moment has finally come. It’s truly saddening that the troupe which stirred my emotions has met such a tragic end.”

“Still, they must’ve been happy to have been able to perform for you, sir. Perhaps I can recommend another troupe that might touch your heart?”

“Please do.”

Who knows? Maybe he would encounter someone else capable of curing his insomnia. With a hint of anticipation, Ascal went to the troupe the musician had recommended.

.

.

.

.

“Ah! Isolde! You are truly beautiful!”

‘Not Isolde again?’

Ascal patiently waited, hoping to see that girl from the other troupe once more.

However,

The play was merely an assault on the ears, and no matter how long he waited, that girl never appeared.

If anything, the little sleepiness he felt vanished entirely, leaving Ascal’s eyes bloodshot.

‘I must find her.’

He began to wander the streets at night.

He was very tired.

Yet sleep eluded him.

It felt like he could die.

‘Please... save me. Where the hell are you?’

At this rate, he’d be more of a ghost of the night than its prince.

He drifted from one troupe to another for a while, but he never saw that girl.

‘I want to see. I want to hear. That girl’s voice.’

He still couldn’t forget.

Upon hearing the first note, the girl’s soft voice had naturally lulled him to sleep, as if playing theta brainwaves. It felt like she was the very embodiment of a siren.

‘If I’d known, I would’ve at least asked for her name...’

Regret filled him for leaving so abruptly to maintain his cool demeanor.

Sighing deeply, Ascal headed into a theatre where the lights were still on, clutching at straws.

And then.

Upon seeing the girl on the stage, he instantly knew.

It was her.

‘I’ve found her! My remedy for sleep.’

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