The White Panther of Antares

"What are you doing here?"

Chance turned his head to the voice behind him and saw the white clad knight with a furrowed brow and sweat breaking in the side of his forehead, "Alec." he muttered.

The knight sighed in relief and wiped the bits of sweat with the back of his hand. "How could you suddenly get lost?" Alec asked. Chance rubbed the back of his neck, "I was just going straight but before I knew it, you were gone." he answered.

"Sorry, Your Highness. Someone pulled me to talk, thinking that I was a noble." he said. Chance laughed silently, 'Anyone would think so.' he thought.

"It was only for a minute, but when I looked, you disappeared. Can you not at least look behind you?" he added and Chance smiled, "I was careless, I know. Next time, I will be more aware." he said.

Alec did not say anything and observed his master from feet and up to his face. He took out the handkerchief from inside his coat and knelt on the ground on one knee. 'Ugh, he looks like he is about to propose.' Chance joked.

Alec brushed off the dirt on his clothes starting from the legs while Chance was sitting on the bench. "Oh, I lied down on the ground." Chance stated to explain where the dirt came from. "As I can see." the knight said in return which made him quiet. 'Right, pretty obvious.' Chance thought and wanted to facepalm but Alec slightly stood up from kneeling.

The knight put one hand on his back and gently pulled him to his chest so he could see his back clearly to brush off the dirt on his coat. Chance felt awkward to be in between the knight's arms but his mind went blank and all he could think of was one thing.

The way the man pulls him to an embrace.

Chance closed his eyes tight and slapped his inner self, 'Stop thinking about him, he is just one of the clouds that passed by.' he said to himself. Even though he said that, the memory could not disappear. It was on his mind the whole time Alec was cleaning the dirt.

As the knight finished, he removed his hands and Chance sat back up straight again. Alec's gaze fell on his face and he narrowed his eyes, "Your Highness," he called out.

Chance raised his brows as he looked up to him, "Hmm?"

"Did you cry?" he asked with a darkened face.

Chance paused and was not able to answer him immediately but then he smiled, "Not really." he responded.

"Why did you cry? Who made you be in such a state?" the knight continued to ask despite hearing his master's reply. He was not convinced at all since the stain of tears was still obvious under his eyes and cheeks. "Who?" he asked again and Chance noticed him gripping on his sword tight.

He returned his gaze unto the face of the knight, "What will happen if I tell you?"

He pulled the sword slightly from the scabbard using his thumb, "Then I shall find that person and slay him." he said with no hesitation. Chance him on the head lightly with the pommel of his sword, "Get that violent thought out of your head, you frightening creature." Chance stated with a chuckle but the knight stared at him for what he said.

Chance felt anxious as he could not decipher the expression that came upon his knight's face, 'Did I say something wrong?' he thought. He decided to continue talking to move on from the silence, "Anyways, I did not cry. So let us go to the ballroom." Chance said and started to walk towards the door he went from.

Alec did not utter a word and just followed him. He coped up with his master's pace and walked beside him, not daring to go ahead of him. Chance glance at him from time to time to check if he was still beside him so he will not get lost again. Alec guided him until they finally reached the two large doors of the gathering room.

"We are here, Your Highness." Alec stated and Chance nodded at him, "Let us enter, then." he ordered. The knight nodded as to show that he had understood.

He knocked at the door two times before saying, "The Crown Prince of Antares has arrived." he stated, not loud for everyone to hear because of the music that is playing in the celebration. The two men that was guarding the door from inside heard it clear and the two of them glanced at each other.

They nodded at each other and thumped their spears to the ground, getting everyone's attention. The musicians stopped playing as the people inside paused from dancing.

"Presenting, the Crown Prince of Antares!" The two guards yelled, the moment they have stated that the crown prince has come, loud whispers traveled around the room like insects buzzing, as though they do not even care for the royalties to hear their gossips.

The guards grabbed the handles of both doors at the same time and opened it wide, revealing the prince and the knight standing there, "His Royal Highness, Prince Charles has arrived." they stated and knelt down, raising their hands high while bowing as a respect.

The nobles inside watch the crown prince walk his way inside the ballroom. "What a handsome prince." some ladies whispered.

"I say, he is very different from usual." a voice of a man muttered making other ladies glance at him, "Why do you say so?" they asked in curiosity.

"Oh, you ladies would not understand. I have met him before, it was very intimidating." the voice responded, came with a sigh. "Was he scary?"

"Not scary at all." the ladies hit him with their fans, "Will you please stop talking that way? It is very difficult to understand your words!" one of the ladies complained in a loud whisper.

Chance could hear them loud and clear, although a bit irritated by being the subject of their gossip, he could not help but to want to hear more of what the man was going to say about Charles. He thought maybe he could have a clue as to what Charles was like.

Before the group could continue with their gossips, a loud clearing of the throat was heard. Chance looked straight and saw the Royal Head Butler, Nicholas Wright across him. "You have finally arrived, Your Highness. Your father, His Majesty, was waiting for you so long." he stated.

Behind him is three stairs to the stage where the two thrones sit. The throne of the King of Canopus was empty, figuring that the subject of the celebration was nowhere inside the room. Chance glanced at the other throne and he felt as though his heart dropped out of nervousness as he see an old man sitting on it.

There was a majestic aura lurking around the man. His hair and eyes look strikingly similar as to what Chance or rather Charles looks like. The long white hair with curly ends, wearing a robe of a royal purple color. He gave out the frightening vibes of a white panther with blue eyes.

The King looked at the people inside and glared, "Do you people not have respect?" he roared, not exactly a yell but they could feel the threat in his tone.

The people invited to the celebration were all from wealthy families and they know well what could happen if they dare enrage the Canopus king.

They looked at each other, still whispering, after a few seconds they all bowed, "Blessings from the Goddess! Welcome, Your Highness, the Crown Prince." they all greeted.

Chance smiled slightly, "You may all raise your heads." he ordered. They did as he ordered and celebration resumed. Starting a bit awkward from what just happened but they all got carried away and had fun as if nothing happened.

Chance bowed in front of the king to give his respect, "Forgive me for making you wait, Your Majesty." he said.

The Royal Butler turned, hearing the last two words while Alec just blankly stared since he was used to Charles's sudden change. "When did you last call me with such honorifics?" the King stated with a serious face.

Chance gulped, realizing that he was wrong. Seems like Charles did not call his father his majesty. "I apologise, Father. I just thought maybe I should call you with honor here as there are many people." he immediately said as an escape to his mistake.

"I do not care what these lowly people would think. My great son shall call me Father as he wishes." he said.

His serious, grumpy look disappeared as he gave his son a smile, "I heard you left the palace for so long, mind you share what happened with your travel?" he asked.

He went cold as he did not know how to answer his question. He never really got to know the reason why Charles was staying at the inn and why he was out for days.

He heard footsteps and saw Alec standing by his side. He bowed, "May I speak, Your Majesty?" he asked for permission.

The King stared at him for a while and then waved his hand, "Speak." he ordered.

"We had set out for..."

Chance listened to them talk but as they speak it was as if he could not understand what they were saying anymore as the words wouldn't come to his head. He lost focus as his eyes caught sight of someone he had just met.

"The midnight sky sure came early." Chance whispered and his heartbeat quickened as the man also met his gaze.

Caliber who was near, smiled and walked towards him. It felt slow and he could hear every step he made. Caliber stopped in front of him and stared down at his face. "I did not think we would meet again so fast, Crown Prince." he said and smiled.

Chance looked up to his face and remembered what happened earlier at the garden. He smiled and nodded,

"So did I."