Idris was standing against the window of his classroom, holding a book in his hands, attempting to focus.
"Idris, did you hear that your brother-in-law won’t be the next King?" One of his classmates, Romeo, approached him, eager to deliver the shocking piece of palace gossip.
"Where did you hear that news, Romeo?" Idris asked, shutting his book immediately.
"Right here, in this forum," Romeo replied, quickly showing him his phone. Idris took the device and read the comments being rapidly put down in the popular royal gossip thread.
He saw the discussions centered on Casaio being disqualified from the line of succession. He saw his own name and his sister Zilia’s name repeatedly mentioned, being cited as the primary reason for Casaio’s changed status.
Idris felt sad as he realized their past was now causing significant political fallout for Casaio.
"But these can just be rumors, don’t you think?" Romeo pointed out, trying to divert the subject as Idris looked increasingly troubled. "Besides, Dad was telling me that you were a captive in Blood Dominion for almost twelve long years. That history alone makes everything difficult."
"Yes, I was," Idris confirmed quietly. He didn’t say much more, suddenly feeling exposed and unsure if anyone around him in the classroom was truly trustworthy.
"You should have known the consequences you and your sister would bring if you two chose to get involved with Prince Casaio," another boy’s voice, cold and judgmental, came from the back of the classroom.
"Don’t listen to him, Idris," Romeo told him immediately, protective of his friend.
The voice continued, filled with thinly veiled prejudice. "You wear clothes like us, you live like us, but that doesn’t mean you can ever truly be like us, Idris."
"Shut up, Jake!" Romeo snapped back at the prejudiced boy.
"Romeo, don’t be a fool. Spies can’t be trusted. Have you forgotten this?" Jake frowned at him, rising to his feet and walking to them. The other boys agreed with him, gathering together. "Idris, you are lucky you’ve a back of the royal family, else you know what could have happened."
"What’s going on here?" The teacher, alerted by the sudden noise, struck the book in his hand sharply against the door frame of the classroom.
The students quickly scattered back to their seats, except for Idris, whose arm Jake had tightly held during the heated exchange.
"You better leave this place, Idris. You don’t belong here," Jake murmured menacingly close to his ear before the teacher could intervene further.
"Jake! Go back to your seat!" The teacher said in a loud voice, sternly showing his authority.
Jake glared at Idris one last time, let go of his arm, and finally walked away to his desk.
Idris returned to his own seat, and the mathematics class started. However, he couldn’t focus during the entire class; his mind was consumed with worry for his sister, Zilia, and the political gossip he had just overheard.
Soon, the class ended, and it was the lunch break.
"Idris, the homeroom teacher is calling for you," one of the students told him. He quickly packed his bag and headed to the staff room, his nervousness increasing.
"Now that you’ve raised this matter, I must call him," Gabriel conceded, instantly dialing Idris’ number and waiting for the call to connect. However, the call wasn’t picked up immediately. He was about to end it when the call was finally answered.
"They are hitting Idris!" A frantic, young voice came from the other side of the line.
"Who is this? Who is hitting him?" Gabriel frowned instantly, his pulse quickening with fear.
"Our classmates," Romeo said quickly, his voice shaky and breathless, identifying himself.
"Hey! Give that phone to me!" Gabriel heard a loud, aggressive boy’s voice shout just before the call disconnected entirely, leaving Gabriel staring at the blank screen.
Gabriel was quick to dial Casaio’s number, knowing that a mindlink wouldn’t work across such a far distance, especially under stress.
Casaio answered his call instantly. "Hey, Gabriel! What’s up?"
"Idris is in danger, Cas," Gabriel said immediately, his voice strained and urgent. "You must save him now. He’s at school."
"What?" Casaio had just taken off his heavy princely robe and settled comfortably on a chair, ready to relax after the day’s council meeting, but he instantly shot back up to his feet.
"I’ll talk to you later," Casaio said and disconnected the call before teleporting to the school.

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