"I-I did?" I widen my eyes.
"I'm fine with both English and Japanese, but that's not the issue here," Advin shrugs. "You subconsciously wire yourself towards us, my prince."
I bite my lip. Switching languages isn't a problem, we do it in Europe all the time. The problem is that I do it without realising and that it's an alien language nobody besides the Divementis understands. No wonder my partner, Liana and my subjects feel awkward. They have no idea what we've been talking about.
"Sorry, I'll be more careful from now on," I apologise.
I pretend to be busy with the food on my plate so that I can quickly check everyone's emotions. As expected, my people are extremely distressed whenever I act too Divementis in their eyes. They don't have a problem with me being half-Divementis; that's not what this is about. They just feel threatened every time there's even a slight sign I might start preferring the Divementis instead.
As for the Divementis, it's quite hard to say. Some of them leak their emotions so I can pick them up and analyse them. The more skilled Divementis, however, are unreadable to me unless I'd really push which I won't do for obvious reasons. Still, it seems that it makes the Divementis happy when I seamlessly switch to their language.
"Zetraya asked to come together with our research team," Liana announces out of the blue. "I approved his request because I assessed that having a psychologist would provide invaluable insights. Celestial mentality is quite different from Divementis and since other races will soon come as well, it can't hurt to be prepared for possible clashes of views."
"Why do I feel that there's another reason?" Gotrid gets suspicious.
"Well," Liana gulps a spoonful of porridge, "Zetraya might or might not have decided to come after he spent several hours on call with Erik last night. Still, whatever the reason, I think it's a brilliant idea. Our transformation was as physiological as it was mental and we have to take it into account if we are to cooperate closely with other races."
I look at Advin again and ponder how different his thinking is from Celestial or human thinking. He might enjoy social media and human entertainment and he was born here, but he's pure Divementis who grew up in the Divementis community. Is he allowed to go outside I wonder? Can he disguise himself as a human and go explore Tokyo?
"Your Highness, could you please not to...?" Advin twitches nervously. "Your telepathic pressure is too strong."
"Sorry," I murmur. "I wasn't trying to pry or anything."
"I know," he nods. "It's just... you were thinking about me right now, weren't you? I could tell because you subconsciously sent your mind to me. I have to admit that I'm still in training when it comes to telepathic mastery and your raw power is too much."
"How does it work with the Divementis? Do you have to train your telepathy from an early age?" I ask and pull my mind back.
"Naturally," Advin confirms. "An untrained telepath is not only potentially dangerous but also easily susceptible to other telepaths and prone to migraines because of telepathic noise from other races."
"So that's why Your Majesty has been suffering from headaches," Liana is happy about the discovery. "With proper training, you could get rid of them entirely."
"Well, maybe not entirely," Advin has to mitigate her enthusiasm. "When it's too much, it's simply too much. It's not unusual even for a well-trained telepath to get a headache from a telepathic overload."
"Are the Divementis permitted to go outside the premises?" Liana is interested to know.
"We are... under certain conditions," he says slowly. "We have to always go in pairs and carry a tracker. It happened more than a few times that a Divementis fainted from a telepathic overload. Tokyo especially is an overpopulated area that's high-risk to us."
I can see why that would be dangerous. If a Divementis ventured out alone and fainted, they could be taken to a hospitalâthe same thing I was so afraid of. It actually happened to me several times, but I always managed to regain consciousness before the ambulance arrived and fled. Still, it would be much worse for a sole Divementis who would probably lose their cloaking if unconscious.
"Advin, can I ask you how old you are and how your age compares to the Divementis lifespan?" I ask openly, hoping it's not rude to ask a Divementis about their age.
"I'm thirty-seven, considered to be a young adult," Advin seems unfazed by the question. "This is my first serious work assignment. Normally, I'd continue my education, but relatives of the Royal bloodline are expected to intern as adjutants quite early to get practical training in politics and statecraft."
Huh, so Advin is ten years older than me and the Divementis still consider him to be a young adult in training? I guess it's understandable considering their super long lifespans. The gap will probably be even bigger for Celestials once we start having babies. Of course, provided that we win this war and survive as a species.
This reminds me that I haven't heard from Julia recently about the progression of Brina's pregnancy. I need to ask her about that when we call our headquarters again. Maybe there are even more Draconian babies on the way? It's been over a year, after all, and I doubt Draconians have been living in celibacy.
"Have you finished eating, my prince?" Advin asks because I haven't touched the food on my plate for a while now. "I don't want to rush you, but His Majesty said that we should try to arrive at nine and it's half past eight already."
"Finished," I nod and wipe my mouth with a napkin. "Let's not be late for your first assignment."
Advin gives me a grateful look for the very first time. Had he been afraid that we would arrive late and he would be in trouble? It certainly seems so. However, my main motivation to finish breakfast quickly is a bit differentâI can't wait to be reunited with Erik.
Advin acts as our guide, telling us to follow him. The Royal Guards still watch over me closely, but they are much more relaxed today. They don't trust the Divementis just yet, but they seem to accept that they aren't going to hurt us.
"Is this really necessary? I feel like a spectacle," I lament because a crowd of Divementis is waiting for me outside again.
"You kind of are, though?" Advin comments venomously. "A Celestial-Divementis hybrid and possessing the Royal bloodline no less. I meant no disrespect, Your Highness, I'm simply stating a fact."
"Simply a fact, huh?" I sigh and struggle with two things at once.
First of all, my automatic reflex to send my mind out to explore. Every time I do so and just gently brush any Divementis, I feel them hastily strengthening their mental defences and getting apprehensive. Secondly, I haven't flown for two days in a row now and my wings are starting to get sore. The breeze pushing against my feathers and tempting me isn't exactly helping.
"Vermiel, I'll need to fly in the afternoon," I tell the Guard Captain so that he can make the arrangements.
"I'm afraid that doesn't depend solely on the Royal Guard, Your Majesty," Vermiel has to disappoint me. "The Divementis have some kind of cloaking device over the premises. You have to ask your father for permission and have him explain to us how it works because we can't risk being seen by humans. Don't forget that we're supposed to be in Osaka."
"You can safely fly as high as the highest building here," Advin answers readily. "That's the minimum scope of our cloaking device. The question is whether you have the discipline to do so, my prince. I've seen your flying sessions and they are usually pretty wild."
I purse my lips. It seems Advin doesn't miss even one opportunity to tease me.
As we get close to the underground laboratories, I start to sense Erik's presence again. I'm relieved that he's okay, but he's still too far away from me to feel his emotional state. When we get to the building, I can tell that he's in the upper levels while we go down to the underground floors. I have to muster all my willpower not to run after him and give him the space he needs.
"Good morning, son, I have good news," my father greets me, waiting for us in front of the elevator. "One of our smaller vessels picked up your research team early in the morning and they are on their way. They should arrive in the late afternoon."
"Your Majesty, if you will follow me," Nyx is here as well and gives Advin a strict look, probably hoping he didn't offend me. "Our medical bay is ready for you."
I nod and turn pale. Gotrid clutches my hand encouragingly and has to drag me or I wouldn't move. I know that my fear of doctors and hospitals was instilled in me by my Mom for a good reasonâto protect meâand I don't need that anymore, but I still can't help not being afraid.
I really hope that I will overcome it after today. I did overcome the fear of my father so why not this one? But then I realise that Erik isn't here to hold my hand and my resolve wanes.