Somethings were just beautiful or attractive from further away. Like butterflies, or even lady bugs. Insects were the only examples I could think of in the current moment since the other example there at the tip of my tongue was a little too treasonous to speak aloud. Or even think about.

My father glanced back at me, and I straightened my body further which made me seem like a log more than a human, but it had him satisfied so that was good enough for me.

“You insolent fools! You told me Pellin would be the salvation for this Kingdom!”

There was nothing more happening around us other than her royal Highness throwing a tantrum which was far from the truth than anything. No one told her something like that. She was advised to use Pellin. But my thoughts were my own and no one else’s, since the 1^st advisor – Ulgrim – stepped forward to bow his head apologetically.

“We were wrong in our calculations, your Highness. Please forgive our old souls.” I controlled myself from rolling my eyes since I had no part in this, and I was no old soul. The Queen, however, wasn’t as merciful as she was known to be. Turning towards the bowing man, she growled audibly and pushed the man from his shoulders onto the rest of us.

It was a good thing that I stood behind my father and away from the other 4 advisors. It meant I could dodge any responsibility and of course, this embarrassing ordeal entirely.

“My dear.” My attention moved from the raging Queen to the calm King sitting atop his throne. He hadn’t moved an inch the entire time the Queen was berating all the royal advisors. But it wasn’t because he didn’t agree with her. It had more to do with how he was as weak as us. Especially when a situation included the Queen’s fury.

To summarize, the King’s authority was the notion that he had any in the first place. All that he did was sit beside the Queen and look pretty. And he did incredibly well at that even at his age.

“The advisors are not to blame for Pellin’s inability in handling the Geraldian Queen.”

The Queen screeched out in fury before she bunched up her gown and went back to her throne. The advisors around me took a collective sigh of relief which was as short-lived as the Queen’s anger. “You are right, my King.”

Yes, that was also something the Queen did usually. She was fickle with her emotions and her fickleness was always harmful to the ones around her.

“Your Highness, perhaps, we should send someone else to infiltrate the Geraldian Queen’s castle. Someone who can shadow this new King as well.” The 3^rd advisor – Graham – spoke up excitedly as he bowed his head in respect in the very next moment. Something quite on brand for him since he was always trying to get the favor of the Queen.

“No, that would directly point to your royal Highness. Only you, the most powerful Queen in the entirety of every Kingdom, could be able to afford to send someone to spy on the Geraldian Queen and King.” The 2^nd advisor – Melvin – was just as bad as Graham, since he had said so many useless words in the same sentence – it was astonishing.

But while the rest of us didn’t think his words were of importance, the Queen had other sentiments – as always.

“I think Melvin is onto something.” Her words caused Graham to throw a nasty glare in his brother’s direction. Yes, Melvin and Graham were brothers, who were as similar to one another as they were different. From one glance, their similarities were quite evident but getting to know them further only brought out their differences and nothing else.

“I think we should listen to Graham and send Melvin to Geraldia.” I bowed my head immediately so to snicker at what the 4^th advisor – Oanez – had whispered to my father, the 5^th advisor. But my father didn’t find humor in any of Oanez’s attempts at jesting. I believed he didn’t have the humor to find anything funny, actually.

“Pellin’s failure only highlights how far we are from understanding the Geraldian Queen’s true power and authority.” The Queen’s words brought silence around us as we all bowed our heads and listened to her important statements. She wasn’t wrong since it was unprecedented to see Pellin Jade fail after he had succeeded once in getting rid of the late Geraldian King and Queen.

The news of his death had been sudden and shocking to the entire court, but the Queen was more disappointed than she was saddened. I hadn’t been around to see what Pellin Jade actually meant to the Najan Kingdom, but my father always mentioned how he had been a great spy, and he had made way for our assassins to infiltrate the Kingdom to rid of the Geradian King and Queen, and anyone who came in their way.

But while the man had been an asset, he was also foolish and greedy. Hence, the outcome of his actions we are seeing now.

“I propose we rethink our strategy and discuss on this after finding more viable ways to harm the Geraldian Queen and King.” Ulgrim bowed his head further as he spoke. He was the wisest amongst all the advisors since he was the oldest as well, but this never had him showing any pride for his higher status or regard.

Well, I wasn’t to say anything since I was just an apprentice, but I had never seen him be anything but understanding towards the other 4 royal advisors.

“Ulgrim is right, my dear. We should heed his advice.”

The Queen hummed dismissively as she waved a hand, which we all knew the meaning of. Bowing our heads once more in respect, we backed out of the throne room collectively.

It was only when the large doors of the throne room were closed behind us that the conversation amongst us initiated.

“Pellin, that idiot.” Graham frowned as he looked at his brother in distaste. “I told you; he was going to ruin us all!”

Melvin barely gave his brother the attention he wanted, as he began to walk ahead of us, obviously going back to the grand study. Ulgrim patted Graham’s back as we all watched Melvin’s retreating back. “We cannot curse the deceased now. All we can do in this time, is to find another way to appease the Queen and her ambitions.”

Ulgrim was right, and my father agreed with him as he nodded his head. “It’s a miracle that the Queen wasn’t as furious as she was back when the Geraldian princess came into power.”

Oh, I remembered that time, since my father had told me all about it. It was when the Queen had ordered all of her spies to be killed because they had overlooked the princess and hadn’t killed her as well. They were framing the wilders anyway, so why hadn’t they killed the princess as well? The spies’ answer: we weren’t ordered to do so.

And their answer made complete sense, but they couldn’t vouch for their own innocence in front of the merciless and furious Queen. That was a death sentence in itself.

“We should look into the new King more.” I spoke up suddenly, in hopes of being heard, but the only person who heard my suggestion was Oanez, who nodded his head slowly with a serious expression. “This Bran Grine could be of use to us now if she chooses to betray the Queen.” Oanez replied to me and suddenly the rest of the advisors were looking at him. “Did you say we should find out more about King Bran?”

Oanez shook his head, but the three elder advisors were already nodding their heads in approval. “Indeed, a wise man!”

I rolled my eyes at their reactions as Oanez shot me an apologetic glance. This was something I had become quite used to, so it didn’t bother me much anymore. My own father would sometimes ignore my presence if he wasn’t directly teaching me how to make calculative decisions or how to advise a royal for their own betterment.

It wasn’t like I didn’t know how much he had yearned for a son so he could push him to walk in his own steps. Footprints which were difficult for me to fill with my inferior genes and smaller feet. But I tried as much as I could, and I was going to prove myself one day or another.

Suddenly, Ulgrim’s head bowed and seeing him, we all followed suit unaware of the reason. But our silent questions were answered as soon as a voice travelled over to us.

“Why are all the royal advisors standing here? Did my mother order all of your beheading?” The chuckle which followed caused me to frown to myself. I was glad that my head was bowed, and my expressions wouldn’t be seen by the Princess.

“Answering the Princess! We just finished meeting with the Queen!” Ulgrim was always the one speaking up for all of us. It was a good thing too, since neither of us had the patience to handle either the Queen or the Princess for that matter.

Another chuckle was sent our way before I smelt a strong scent pass by me. My head turned slightly out of curiosity and my eyes locked onto hazel ones. “Move.” My eyes widened as I realized that I was the only one blocking the door. Quickly stepping aside, I watched as the guards pushed the large doors open and welcomed the Princess inside of the throne room.

The princess’ gown flowed on the floor regally as she walked inside the throne room with complete confidence. Her crown sat snuggly on her head, bringing more attention to her long flowing blonde hair. My eyes remained on her until the doors were closed behind her.

Feeling a nudge to my side, I turned towards the only one present there with me now. “Where’s everyone?” Oanez chuckled as he answered in a teasing tone. “They all went ahead. You know they don’t have time to wait for you to finish ogling the princess.”

Feeling my cheeks heat up at the treasonous accusation, I elbowed him brutally. “I wasn’t doing that!” Turning to walk over to the study hall as well, Oanez fell in step with me with a wide smile. By far, he was the only one who wasn’t as prideful or dismissive as anyone in the castle. And to think that he had to deal with someone like that for the entirety of the day.

“Don’t you have to go to the prince?” I questioned as soon as the thought entered my mind. “He can live a few more hours without me.”

“I doubt that.” He wasn’t just a good advisor, but he had been appointed to the prince as soon as he had turned eighteen. The prince was now nearing 30 and Oanez had been his advisor for about 13 years now. That was a long time to be dependent on someone but somehow Oanez had the prince’s approval as well as his attention.

The prince never went anywhere without Oanez and sought him out all by himself sometimes.

“You should also work on becoming a royal advisor instead of remaining an apprentice all your life.” His words struck me as we walked near the back gardens where the prince was present, hunting birds. His aim was clean and strong as it pierced each bird with a deafening sound.

“I want to, but father says I have more to learn.” Oanez chuckled at my answer. “He’s been saying that for the past five years now. I became a royal advisor in my 3^rd year.”

His words did hold merit since I had been at his formal ceremony. He was appointed to the prince immediately after that, which was surprising but not impossible. “Well, I need my father’s approval and recommendation.” Sighing out the answer, my eyes trailed to the prince again, who had turned to notice our presence.

Oanez and I bowed our heads in respect towards the prince, who turned back around to shoot at more birds.

“You can always get my approval and recommendation. I’m the prince’s royal advisor, and I’ve never even been scolded by him.” My eyes narrowed in thought since I agreed with him. There wasn’t a fixed rule on being approved by your own mentor, or one that I knew of. Any of the royal advisors could approve an apprentice. “Would – would you do that for me?”

Oanez smiled widely as he nodded. “Of course! You’re my friend and a great advisor. Even better than Melvin and Graham.” The last sentence was whispered, and I chuckled with relief and gratitude. “Thank you, Oanez.”

“Just be prepared to be at your best when I mention you for approval.” I didn’t understand what he meant then, as he smiled once more at me and went ahead to the prince. His company was immediately noticed by the prince, who turned to give him his undivided attention.

He was like that – Oanez. He commanded attention and appreciation. A trait I, also, aspired to build up. But for now, I was fine with being one step closer to becoming a royal advisor. Smiling widely at the thought, I turned around to go ahead to the study hall to get some much-needed reading done.