Very few people in the world would be reluctant to accept the position that had been given to him, but it is that very few people in the world had a family like that of Bemlos. From the moment his brother left the palace the poor boy did nothing but go from here to there fleeing from those who sought him for his own benefit, like his own mother for example. And it was normal to be harassed, because what little they knew of the new king was that he had a close bond with him, and whether Alanzor returned or not, to earn the esteem of the current viceroy could merit a better future.

—A moment, Hokas. I thought we were going to prepare the invitations for the coronation —He commented when he saw several maps prepared on the table.

The palace minister, who was none other than the elder Hokas, often required it. Unfortunately, most of the time it was not to seal documents in the name of the king but to impart a lesson to Bemlos.

—That's right, prince Bemlos.

However, what was on the desk were not letters in need of a stamp, but maps. to tell the truth, all that seemed more like a battle strategy than diplomacy, which was ultimately what the happy invitations were about.

—Okay, I'll ask —The boy growled—. What is all this for?

—Your Majesty must learn the name, rank, and lineage of all who are invited to the ceremony, and you will too. After all, it will be your duty to attend to your majesty in the event that... your many duties cloud your senses when you most need them.

So he had to act as a prompter. It certainly was not a job that appealed to him very much, but while he was studying with Hokas no one would bother him, not even his mother. Or he would have liked that.

—Do not you think, Hokas, that this post would be much more suitable for the Quiliarch of the king's guards?

The one who had spoken was Alanzor's mother, and also the avowed enemy of her own mother. Bemlos was never comfortable with her, not even when his friend was near.

—Tanmi can not neglect his duty, ma'am —The minister replied with a slight smile.

—It does not have to be the Quiliarca, it can be any of his men.

Why was she there? She tried to get him away from Alanzor, that was clear, but why had she gone with them there?

—For the security of his majesty we must try not to exhaust those around him.

The woman made a brusque gesture, as if accepting but reluctantly, and crossed her arms defiantly while directing a cold look at the boy.

—What should I learn? —He tried to look only at Hokas as he spoke.

—Because we counted on the presence of the queen mother, why do not we start with the Kingdom of Sílfice?

Bemlos placed it on the map immediately, because he was good at geography. Sílfice was an extensive kingdom located to the northwest, where it snowed almost all the year. His warriors were strong and resilient, though only when they were not subjected to southern temperatures. Sults had a very good relationship with that kingdom, which always used to send them blue-eyed blonde princesses like the one who was looking at the boy with such hatred.

—They will send an emissary to the coronation —The boy said, aware of the distance between the two kingdoms.

—That's right —The old man agreed—, although the proper name is…

—Ambassador —Interrupted the female—. In Sílfice the emissaries are called ambassadors, and there is at least one for each known country.

—The most likely thing is to attend...

—Nom Sortor —The woman interrupted him again—, and he will not come alone. We must expect for his daughter to come and at least one guest who has come to visit the country by the date of the coronation "by chance". She will be a blond, blue-eyed noblewoman who will try to marry my son, or at least place her as a concubine —Said the latter, in a disgusted tone.

Bemlos had the sudden impression that Sílfice's ambassador would not be the only one to do that.

—And what should we do?

Both adults looked at each other, and for once Hokas was able to speak without interruption.

—Sílfice is undoubtedly an important commercial ally, but Sults needs to strengthen its infrastructure.

What did he mean by that?

—It's too early to think about the king's marriage —The queen mother concluded.

—If your Majesty wanted the opposite, we could not oppose you, but, on the other hand, choosing an alliance with the Tarkaton Empire would be much more desirable —Added the minister, whose opinion was slightly different from that of the woman.

Bemlos understood perfectly what the minister expected of him and why he had wanted to give him that little lesson, and in a way he also understood the position of his stepmother. And if Alanzor married, the woman would be displaced from her current position. This was undoubtedly a war in which it was better not to take sides, at least not officially.

—Your Majesty will know what is best for Sults and himself —He handed over the task of presenting battle to his brother.

—Of course —The queen mother agreed proudly.

—No doubt —Old Hokas agreed.

—Let's continue —The boy suggested, a bit amused at having found a point of mutual agreement for both adults—. What is the real problem?

—Problem? —The minister did not seem to understand him.

What Bemlos was trying to ask was who would be the most problematic dignitaries and who would have to be controlled during the coronation, and if there was a possibility of imminent confrontation with one of their countries. However, what the adults understood was that the boy had discovered that all this was a kind of distraction.

—I said this was ridiculous —The woman complained, looking back at him with contempt.

—Calm down, ma'am, I beg you. Prince Bemlos, I'm sorry I hid the truth from you —The minister bowed—. I should have guessed that you would discover it.

The boy did not understand anything, and when he began to hear noise in the corridor beyond the doors he began to realize some details that he had not given importance before. As for example that day there were two guards around him and not one as usual.

—Where is my mother? —He wanted to ask about the identity of his attackers, but that was the first thing that came out of his lips.

—I was not going to let that dirty bitch be in the same room as me.

Damn woman! He was talking about his mother! No matter how unbearable it might be, if they were in danger they had to save her.

—Madam, maybe... —Hokas tried to save the situation.

—She is not even part of the royal family; she's lucky my son has not thrown her...

—Enough!! —Bemlos tapped the table with both hands—. Damn it, enough! Talk about my mother like that again and I'll make sure they throw her out to the dogs.

The threat came out of his mouth without he could measure his words before, but no matter how prestigious the position of queen mother, that females was still a woman, and the Sults that meant very little.

—How dare you…? —She was offended.

—Madam, your majesty appointed Prince Bemlos...

—I know very well what MY son did —The lady emphasized, to make clear what her position was in that palace.

Some sounds were heard outside again, this time metallic noises and people... fighting?

—Hokas, what the hell is going on?

—A few days ago I received a blow about a riot that would take place in the palace, taking advantage of the king's absence. My mission from that moment has been...

—Who are our guards fighting? —He asked, worried since Alanzor had taken most of the palace staff with him.

—Against the evil born of Ceres —Replied the king's mother.

—Princess Ceres? The wife of…?

—That's right —Hokas agreed—. Apparently she intends to place her son on the throne.

—And can we know what we are doing here standing? Do we have men to stop this rebellion? What about the princesses, who protects them?

—A messenger has gone in search of the real forces, meanwhile...

—We can only wait —The woman resumed.

—"Wait"?

And what about his mother? And the ministers? Who the hell would protect them from being killed?

—I know it's difficult to assimilate but...

—Alanzor will know about this —He spoke suddenly—. Even if I have to tell him from the grave, my brother will know EVERYTHING that has happened and WHO has not done well —He swore.