Reflections
The Same Man

All this time, I was convinced that being a prince was not an easy thing. You can imagine how it feels when there are many people who put their trust in you, even hanging their fate on you as well. Isn't that heavy?

But I, Faramir Young, despite being born the son of an Emperor and having the status of a Prince, was never considered so. I am different; I am different.

As a child born to a woman who was in the palace, even having a lower status than a concubine, I was always ostracized. For a long time, they hated me for reasons I didn't understand.

Although I officially bear the title of Prince, but that is just nonsense. Because I have done absolutely nothing for my people; or rather, they have deliberately made me a useless figure. I am a prince hated by his own people. Isn't that irony?

I was born ugly—ya, although Mere always said, that in fact, I am very handsome, but still, I do not think so. After all, I would still wear that mask to cover half of my face that somehow had scales. Because of that, there are people who call me a demon.

But, is it all worth it to be the reason they hate me?

Is it my fault that I was born to a woman who was forcibly slept with by a ruler?

Is it my fault that I was born with this anomaly on my face?

How bad am I in their eyes?

"Ayahanda, what does that mean?" The question asked by the Crown Prince, managed to wake me up from the daydream.

I followed the full highlight to Ayahanda. I gulped my saliva slowly. Although he said it clearly and firmly, but I still hope he mispronounced, rectified his words, or this is just a misunderstanding.

"Faramir Young, I give you the duty to marry that woman."

That statement, really slapped me. It's easy he said it. Although I knew something like this was common in noble circles, I still hoped to have a chance to reject it.

After all, my heart already has. I'm in love with a girl and I promised myself to marry only her.

"Ayahanda ..., why me?" my many.

I lifted my head to look at the two neutrals. He also looked at me. For a few seconds, he was silent before he finally answered my question.

"Your age is ripe."

"Can I refuse it?" My voice vibrates. It's so hard to say. This was my first refusal, considering all this time, I was known as a child who always obeyed Ayahanda's orders.

"What's the reason?"

"You can love a girl, but which girl will love you? You should have, you'll take it, Ami ...! Ayahanda was kind. I don't care if I have to give up. After all, the woman given by the Father was only a lowly woman whose existence was here only to atone for her mistakes and as a medium of exchange for the independence of her people."

I growled low when Crown Prince Wang Xiao Young said so. That mouth, it's so venomous. If there's a chance, I'd really like to teach him a lesson.

"You can marry both."

"I only want one woman who will accompany me for the rest of my life." Hearing my answer, Ayahanda actually pulled both corners of her lips wide. I got goosebumps looking at it. I don't know what's behind that smile.

"Everything, leave me alone with Faramir Young. There's something important we both need to talk about" he said.

I can only bend my eyebrows. I don't understand what the purpose is. However, this father of mine, is truly mysterious. In fact, even though he always tried to protect his children, but I, instead of feeling protected, often felt that he was the real one, very dangerous.

I also do not understand why such a premonition could arise ....

"The boy will refuse if he knows who the girl is."

Whatdoes thatmean? Why does he seem so sure when he says that?

Oh, I just realized that I'm alone with Father in this very magnificent room.

"The girl I'm talking about is the same person you love" she said.

I'm unmoving. The same guy I love?

Instantly, my mind immediately focused on one name.

Constantine Yang, she's the girl I love. Yes, she—only him for a dozen this year.

"Yes—you will marry Constantine Yang" he said. But really, I don't understand how Daddy can know the feelings I've kept these meetings.

"already know. When a cold young man on every woman focuses his attention on a girl, what else does it mean if not interested? I know, you've been watching him at every royal meeting" Ayahanda said, as if he could read my mind. Now, he looks at me with a very bright face.

"So, do you still want to refuse him, my son?" tanyakanya.

I also made a determination. It seems, I was indeed destined to be a child who always obeyed. Ah, after all ..., how can I refuse a request that benefits me like that?