“Father ! Father !” The little boy was very excited. He was bouncing with enthuasism around his father, holding a book with his tiny hands. Prince Varis knew that book very well, he used to read it a lot. The story of the Queen Krystalinda, the Mermaid Queen. It never got old, he looked at his son and smiled. His large blue eyes were shining, without doubt little Zenos enjoyed the story very much.

“Father ! Greatpa told me he met the Queen Krystalinda ! In the Island of Gal.”

“And you believed him ?” laughed Prince Varis amused. 

“Yes ! Greatpa did a looooot of things. He’s been all around the world.”

“Oh sweetheart… Common little guy.” Prince Varis carried the little Prince Zenos and dropped him on his knees. His boy handed him the book and nostalgic, Varis browsed it. 

“Grandpa Solus told me the same story you know. How he met Krsytalinda in the island. So I was curious and I led an expedition in the Island of Gal to search for her. Oh, it was just me and Regula, really. We waited. For the full moon, the hide tide, the low tide, we were very determined. I even bought this ridiculously expensive magical horn before our departure in the fair they organize only once a year in Snarheim. All those efforts and Queen Krystalinda was nowhere to be found.”

“I’m sad for you Father ! We need to look together. Will you go with me ?”

“Yes my love, I will.”

***

They never made this expedition together, Varis realized while recalling this memory. So much happened in between. He stood before the door of his only child’s chambers. He violently pushed the two doors and made irruption in Zenos’ room.

“Ornella ?!” Zenos shouted with a non dissimulated displeasure. 

“Wake up ! It smells like death over here.” Varis complained disgusted by the state of Zenos' chambers. He wide opened up all the shutters and the window the loudest way possible. Ignoring Zenos glaring at him, Prince Varis sat on his bed as they started fighting each other pulling the blanket.

“Leave me alone !”

“You think you’re the first person in this family tormenting that poor Ornella ? Wake up ! You spend far enough time on this bed. When was the last time you got out of it ?! Pull yourself together Zenos ! “

“GO AWAY !”

Zenos threw a pillow on his father head which knocked the wall. Incredibly furious, Prince Varis slapped his son. He grabbed him by the shoulder and violently pushed him against the wall. He held him and shook Zenos with all his strength.

“LISTEN TO ME ! LISTEN TO ME LITTLE CUNT! LOOK AT ME ! ZENOS LOOK AT ME ! Enough of your bullshit ! I know your pain, I have known Grandfather longer than you. He’s gone but life keeps going so wake the hell up ! I have something to make you feel better. A mission for you.”

Still disoriented by their fight, his father’s words didn’t make much sense to him. The younger prince rearranged his hair. “The hell you want ?”

“You’re traveling, to Doma. We must stop the rise of their revolution. I had news from Agatha, this stupid viceroy can’t face some angry Domans. We need someone stronger, fierce, relentless. Are you able to be that person ?”

Zenos came back below his blanket. He was torn between the desire to escape the court and his pain and hide to the Island of Gal. He bit his lips making himself bleed and sighted.

“I want to see Great-grandfather.”

“He’s gone Zenos and everything he built will be gone if we lose our provinces. If you don’t want to do this for me, do it for him.”

Zenos remained hidden in the blanket. He wasn't used to deal with all those emotions. He shed tears without making any sound. He felt weak and broken, he didn’t like that. He smelt the scent of his father’s cigar. It reminded him heart-warming memories of his first cigar. It was Solus who introduced him to it. Zenos could see himself at 16 coughing with his whole chest one minute straight and his great-grandfather laughing out loud. He found the strength to hand his arm to his father and shout with confidence. “ When do I leave ?”

“Today. After you had a proper meal. Oh by the way, Seres is coming with you, this isn’t negotiable. I’ll wait for you in the aerodrome. The Ryla is already set, be quick about it.”