Shuusei was very busy and he was more than glad that he had Hotsuma at his side. His unwavering presence helped him dealing with the stress.

And slowly, very slowly they got enough money to start the first projects. The king watched his son's activity with worry. Shuusei knew barley anything about the world and now he was stepping outside into this cruel world he had always wanted to protect him from. Now he started to doubt if it had been a good idea to accept the friendship with this young shoe maker...

"It was a good idea." Sairi said when the king asked him. "Look at him. He is happy about his new task. And don't you want him to be happy?"

The king nodded slowly. "I just wish he would be happy with his books like he was as a kid."

"He never was happy with only his books. Not now and not as a kid. He just didn't show it. I for my part am happy that he had found this friend who helps him come out of his shell." Sairi said.

"I just don't understand why he is so keen on helping the poor. Is it even necessary? They barely exist, do they? He can catch whatever sickness is out there!"

Sairi shook his head. "You can go and talk to him. He knows better than I do what it's like to be poor in this city. And when I watch him now, he looks healthier than ever. I think his new activity benefits him" Although he regularly sneaked out to meet people. Sairi had seen his brother out in the streets more than once now. He hadn't told anyone though. Yes, he had been sceptical at first but now he supported Shuusei and helped him and his friend where he could.

"But how does he know?"

"I will not tell you his secrets. You need to ask him yourself." Sairi stood up and left the room.

And something else changed for Shuusei. Slowly the people in the streets for whom he regularly bought bread or gave money slowly started to recognize him as the youngest prince. They had known that he was of nobility but not that he was part of the royal family. Or at least they didn't want to really believe it until this celebration of the nation's founding.

This time Sairi had looked out that the people who were beggig at the boulevard were not removed and could be part of the celebrations. And Shuusei was glad about it and nodded at the old woman he now knew for quite a while when he saw her standing at the side of the street. But after this the news spread and when Shuusei was out with Hotsuma the next time he again was addressed as "Your Highness" – which he didn't like. He had never introduced himself with a name but hearing his title from these people felt wrong. The people were even more thankful now for his gifts. And Shuusei noted that they had gained a bit of hope now that they knew he had indeed started a few projects to help them.

"They love you even more now." Hotsuma grinned one day on their way back to the palace. Today they had been out officially – with a few guards of course – to sign a contract with a bank but Shuusei still could not pass a homeless person without giving them money or food.

"I'm not doing this for popularity." Shuusei stated coolly.

"I know. And they know. And let me tell you something: Exactly this is why you are this popular. Almost every aristocrat who's supporting you does it for his own popularity and influence. They think if they help you they will get your father's approval. Or they will be liked more. I'm not the most empathic person but even I can see that many of your kind are just opportunistic and egoistic."

Shuusei didn't say anything. He knew Hotsuma was right. But there were also envious people in the common folk. He had lately met a few of Hotsuma's neighbours who had looked at him sceptically and enviously. So there was light and shadow on both ends of society.

"Shuusei?"

"Hn?"

"I'm glad I met you." Hotsuma grinned.

Shuusei looked at his friend. Where did this come from? He returned a tiny smile and said fondly: "I'm also glad I met you. It's now ten years ago that your ball rolled on our way." And that was quite a long time. "You don't know how much your friendship means to me."

"I know it means very much to you and that's enough." Hotsuma grinned and bumped into Shuusei's shoulder with his own in an affectionate way. One of the guards gasped. No one dared to touch the prince!

Said prince didn't care and returned the treatment and grinned at his friend happily. Yes, he was happy when he was together with Hotsuma. And it was the only time he truly felt like himself.