Chapter Three: The Second Prince
Azval
"Your Highness!" A worried voice and face from my personal guard made my face sour as soon as I saw him also running in my direction. His crimson red hair really stands out that's why I signaled him to lay as low as he could before the other knights found us but that redhead kept on ignoring me.
"You fool!" As soon as I successfully landed on the palace grounds, I ducked his head using my right hand and I also lowered my head. That was enough to cover the both of us through these tall bushes. We almost got caught!
When the three knights who were doing their rounds already passed the location we were in, that's the time when I already stopped hearing the heavy continuous beat of my heart and Ferran's.
"Sir Larnaaz, you're wearing a mercenary's clothing again. You went outside the palace's grounds again. If your mother finds out again about this, surely we will see ourselves again marching to the North with our horses," he worriedly said emphasizing the word 'again' as the both of us sneakily went to the Aysel Palace where the room of the second prince— my room, is located. That's because the last time that I was caught, which was almost a year ago, both of us were sent to the North.
The North is known for its extreme cold weather, lack of resources, and a home for multiple monsters that are rarely seen in the East. The lack of servants for nobles and protection of the castle there is also a disadvantage. It is not ideal for any royalty to live in. Thus, it is a perfect place for a punishment to be held.
Just the perfect place for me to practice and wield my sword as well.
If the others think that those places are beyond help, I think otherwise. During my stay in the North, I developed more resistance to cold and advanced my sword skills in just a month compared to when I stayed here in the East in which it would take me around two to three months at least to progress better.
"Quit the nagging. That's why I'm telling you to not just go after me like that and just stay here and cover," I said as I inspected the rope that is connected to the terrace of my room. I pulled it slightly and see if it could still withstand my weight. This was Ferran's doing. 30 minutes around the time I would be back, he would tie a rope for me to climb to. "Let's continue talking in my room."
"Yes, sir. Please be careful," he said and walked away as if he didn't aid his master to be back in his room after sneaking out of the palace grounds.
When I successfully landed on my terrace, I immediately changed my clothing to a much more suitable piece for a prince. A simple white long robe exposed my chest area. I walked in front of my mirror and as I admired my stature and build, Ferran entered.
"What's the status?"
"There are notices from the South that there are sightings of a dragon again there. Especially in the Grafgue Forest."
"Grafgue Forest, you say?" I said and walked out to my bedroom. Some maids greeted me a great morning as I walked passed them until I reached my study room to discuss this private matter with Ferran.
"Yes, Your Highness. It seems that one of the three dragons residing in that area did really wake up as you suspected but due to some circumstances even King Rolvo and his party cannot explain." Ferran stood in front of my desk while I sat at the top of it and crossed my arms.
"No earthquakes like as usual that made a dragon wake up? Did they already check the weather as I told them to in case the dragon really woke up? Sometimes dragons wake up because of extreme weather though it only happens rarely that it was often overlooked."
"No, sir. They already checked the weather like you told them to but there are no irregularities." I frowned. That's impossible. Either the two are the only cause why a dragon would wake up. I stood again and this time, I went to my chair and sat on it.
"In that case—"
"That's why they went to the Crown Prince instead, this time," Ferran nervously said and avoided my gaze. My right hand formed into a knuckle and I let out a small laugh.
"Hah. So they think I won't be able to solve the waking of the dragon and went to my brother instead?" calm but coldly, I said those.
"Y-Yes sir. They think that the dragon woke up this time because of the magicks and witchcraft from Erend that created some disturbances in the flow of our world and that they are the only ones also who can solve those without bloodshed. thus your participation is not needed anymore."
The Erend Island is where the magic lies. All sorts of mages, prophets, elves, witches, and other unexplainable creatures are there. That small continent has protective barriers and only those humans who are only the ones with mana and interested in learning magic and witchcraft can enter the place. It was considered sacred. There are a lot of secrets that are kept in there and if they want to, they can erase all of the Kingdoms that exist in this world. That's how powerful they are. And between my older brother and me, he was the one that was more affiliated with the highest and most important person on that island— the Great Master.
"Since Crown Prince Lorcan's specialty is public relations and economics, he would be a great asset for them to use,' Ferran continued.
"I guess it can't be helped. Does brother already know about this?" I asked and relaxed my posture. Even though I am furious that they suddenly would just dump me and pull out their request just like that, as long as my brother would be the one to benefit in the end because of the alliance, not to say that the Astorias Kingdom would gain more recognition after helping the South— Kroubet Kingdom, I can easily turn a blind eye. They better create a banquet and give compensation after solving this event for recognition because if not and they would just use my brother and me for their good, it means war.
"S-Sir Larnaaz, what are you smiling? You know your face is really creepy right now," Ferran said and hugged himself like he got some chills.
"Shut up! Go to the training grounds and prepare the knights. Additional a hundred push-ups for you."
"What?!"
"Go, go! I'll be there at 6. I'll just read and sign these documents I left last night and take a quick nap."
"Ugh, what a worst way to start my day," he mumbled to himself as he walked out the door but before he closed it, he stopped and turned to me.
"I hope you didn't forget about the banquet this afternoon for the celebration of the Queen's birthday. The clothes you will be wearing are already prepared by the Butler." I just gave him a nod. "Don't really forget it! The duke's daughter will be there and you are expected to accompany her. So don't think about something absurd later."
I just rolled my eyes and gestured for him to go away. The duke's daughter will be there? It's already bad for me to attend since I'm the son of the first concubine which has a bad relationship with the Queen. What a nuisance. I'm sure I will hear some talks about pushing the engagement between the both of us again. She's not that bad but it's obvious that she's more interested in my brother than me which I think is best for someone like me who'll one day be considering the battlefield as my home.
As I was signing the documents, I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. Speaking of a lady, I met an odd one today. I wonder how I can excuse myself later on the banquet so that I can see her again at The Elderberry Inn that was managed by Cecil. I wonder what continent she came from because it is a strange one where dark brown eyes are paired with dark brown hair. It's like she's not from this world.
"Let's now end today's training," I shouted as soon as the knight in front of me dropped his sword which meant, I won in this duel.
"Yes, captain!" they all shouted in chorus.
"You should work on your stance and the way you drew your sword," I coldly told the knight I dueled with as soon as I passed by him.
"Yes, captain!" he shouted and picked up his sword. The others stopped their training and Ferran hurriedly went to accompany me.
"Sir, the banquet will start in an hour. You should've ended the training hours ago since you still need to prepare," he worriedly said as the both of us were still catching our breaths while walking.
"I know," I replied shortly just focusing on my strides.
Ferran just kept nagging me until we reached my room wherein the maids and Caesar, my Butler, were already panicking.
"Your Royal Highness. Where have you been?" Caesar welcomed me with a worrisome face and his forehead was covered with sweat. I just ignored him and hurriedly went to the bathroom.
"Please hurry."
The moment I stepped my foot outside the bathroom, it was like a spell cast on the maids around me and they dressed me as hurriedly as they could. The moment they were finished, they allowed me to walk and see myself in the mirror. Impressive. As expected from the people my mother sent me.
I was wearing a fine silk dress uniform in a shade of gold, which is Astoria's house color, with embroidered white threads. The collar is quite high reaching just right under my chin. On my left shoulder, there's the insignia that tells people that I am the captain of the Royal Knights. On my other shoulder, falls gracefully my cloak. My pants were white brocaded silk fastened by a wide leather belt with a golden buckle. To complete my look, Ferran gave me my sword. Now, my ornate sword is resting in my ornate scabbard that is attached to my left hip.
But as just as I expected, I was already late when I arrived at the Lerene Palace where royal banquets and balls are often held. As soon as I entered the hall, all eyes were on me and Ferran who was just right behind me. When I looked at my mother, she gave me a glare with a hint of disappointment. The King just stared at me blankly like he always does and the Queen ignored me.
Well, it's not like I expected her to smile widely at me when I am the closest threat to her son's throne.
"Brother!" Lorcan greeted me with a smile and a big warm hug. As he was hugging me, a chilly atmosphere surrounded both of us and I heard him whisper some words in my ear, "The moment the Kroubet Kingdom betrayed us, start a war."
I smirked at him and slightly pushed him. "Don't talk to me as if I'm your slave."
"I'm not," he slyly said and smiled at me making his scarlet eyes disappear. "Now, shall we enjoy this banquet? And look, Lady Emilia, the duke's daughter is approaching our direction. Do your best to entertain."
"Just do say that you don't want to deal with her," I sarcastically said and he just shrugged at me and walked out of the scene as soon as possible. That jerk!
"Prince Larnaaz!" Lady Emilia greeted me and gave me a bow. "It's good that you were able to attend the Queen's banquet. Though you are somewhat late."
"I plan to not attend," I said and crossed my arms.
"You're still as cold yet handsome as ever," she said with a chuckle and combed his long flowy orange hair using her hands. However, I noticed that even though she was talking to me, her eyes were set on the other platinum blonde hair in this place— my older brother.
See? She's not interested in me at all but sorry for her, Lorcan is already engaged to the princess of the West. Who is she? That, I don't know because I was on the battlefield when they announced his engagement. When I came back, Caesar just told me that Lorcan was already engaged but I cut him off that and told him that I don't care. So I wasn't able to get the name of the Princess or know her face.
"If you approach me here, at least pretend that I'm the one you are interested in," I told her and surprise was written all over her face as if I revealed to everyone that he likes the crown prince more than me. Before she could utter an excuse, I gave her a smug look and went to the other nobles who were waiting for me to be alone and we discussed some affairs.
"Your Highness, you're really getting us in trouble here," Ferran said in a shaky voice as he held the royal clothes that I wore earlier. I am now wearing this durable canvas shirt that is underneath my thick hide vest made of leather. A pair of rough hide breeches were tied off around my waist with a thick twine rope and the black leather boots completed my look. This is just like the pieces I wore yesterday, just another set because the one I used yesterday was already in the laundry being was secretly by my trusted headmaid.
"You act like this is my first time," I said as I was wearing my boots.
"Because you act like this is not your only life, sir!" he said. Ferran is against what I am doing yet he's helping me tie the rope around my waist. "I hate my life."
"Yeah, you should," I told him and pat his right shoulder. With that, Ferran packed my clothes in a hurry and I on the other hand was silently making my way out of this place. Good thing that only a few guards were stationed here since most of them are in the main banquet hall. It made it easier for me to go to the garden where Ferran prepared a horse for me to go back to Aysel Palace.
As soon as I successfully tied the horse to a tree, I carefully waited for the guards to pass by and once again, threw myself outside of the palace grounds.
With a few walks and turns on the alley, I found myself in front of the busy merchants, loud chatters from people who were buying from them, kids playing around, musicians playing on the street from afar, and more. It was so lively which made my eyes sparkle with joy.
This is a place where people look at me with such kindness in their eyes. Not with those dagger looks from the nobles who think they rule the world with their money.
This is my safe place. My nightlife.
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