The Mad Alpha King

Meeting An Old Friend

Making his way back towards his waiting limo where his elderly manservant, Weber was holding the door open for him. 

After Orion got into the car, “Where to next sir? Straight to the Victorian hotel or off to another appointment.”

“Back to the hotel. I'm tired and would like to rest. It's been a long day.”

As Weber started driving, he struck up a conversation with Orion as that had always been the norm with them. Weber wasn't just a manservant to Orion but was his confidante and advisor to him besides his family. The Royal family of Eleftheria had great trust in him for his loyalty and besides that, he had been at Orion's father's side since his youth. 

Moreover, he had been present for most of Orion's childhood so it is not an exaggeration to say that he had practically raised Orion like an uncle alongside his father as well. So he was family to Orion as well despite that he never fails to address Orion with the proper method of address for a Prince even when they are alone like now.

Though Orion has always been exasperated at this, and preferred Weber called him by his name. Weber being a stickler for propriety just wouldn't acquiesce to his request despite being there when he was born and watching Orion grow up.

“Your Highness, it seems your childhood friend, Renzo Verrater, the son of the king of Adlino is also here in Victoris as well. I received a message from him during your speech saying that he would like to meet with you this evening.”

“Oh, Renzo is here as well. That's surprising. Where has he been all these years? And what brings him here from Adlino?” Orion was slightly surprised to hear that his childhood friend whom they schooled together was also in the same nation as him.

Adlino and Eleftheria were neighbors as they shared the same border, both being on the other side of the Great River of Nist. As royalty and their fathers being the rulers of their respective countries, Orion and Renzo Verrater had shared their childhood, always competing to see who was better.

Although they always competed with each other, it was only healthy competition encouraged by their fathers since they too had always been rivals since their youths as well. Nevertheless, Orion and Renzo's rivalry ran so deep to the extent that they became very good friends throughout their teenage years into young adulthood.

“So should I send him a reply that you would be available this evening or perhaps you would prefer to meet him tomorrow morning, sir,” Weber asked after seeing that Orion was lost in his thoughts after hearing about Renzo Verrater.

He replied Weber, “It would be nice to catch up with him, I have to hear all about his recent exploits.”

“Very good, Your Highness. I have a feeling that it would do you some good and take your mind off the mental stress. Besides, perhaps with Renzo around, it would give you the chance to act your age without feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders,”

Orion chuckled at his statement, and said, “What would I do without you? Web,”

Later that evening at a luxurious restaurant close to the Victorian Hotel. Orion made his way to one of the tables reserved for him. As he walked towards the tables, some of the waitresses couldn't help but steal a glance at him. Even some of the high-class women having a meal at some of the tables there couldn't seem immune to his charms and extraordinary bearing.

Dressed in a black three-piece suit with a bow tie, Orion always had a striking figure due to his height. His sharp brows brought out the color and fierceness in his greenish-blue eyes. He had a tense jawline which always gave a look of seriousness.

And whenever he walked, he always seemed to move like a man with a purpose and he gave the feeling of someone comfortable in their skin. Nevertheless, Orion didn't seem to care about the attention he was getting since he hadn't the time to care for romance.

He believed that there were better things worthy of his time, and although he didn't hate women he'd rather stay away from the drama and mental stress that came with having a woman in his life. Although it was important for him as a Prince who would one day rule his nation to get a bride.

And despite being only 24-years old, Orion gave more priority to his goals over devoting time and effort to courting and wooing a woman. Also being a prince, he believed that any woman he chooses to be his partner should consider herself incredibly honored. Nevertheless, despite his views about relationships and romance, it doesn't stop him from having intimate relations with a woman when he wants to satisfy his urges as a man.

“Old chap, it's so good to see you!” Orion exclaimed with a smile as soon as he set his sights on the young man who was dressed in a dark-gray suit with a bow tie as well.

Unlike Orion, Renzo Verrater had a more cheerful outlook on his pale face. His emerald eyes, dark blond hair, and straight nose showed that he had a more playful personality and was at ease with himself. He was also around the same age as Orion, but if placed in the same room, Renzo wouldn't stand out just like his friend, Orion.

Although he was royalty as well, that confident air of nobility was more restrained compared to his friend. Raising his head to look at the approaching figures, his emerald eyes brightened as he joked, “Why is it that anytime you come to see me, you always drag Weber along? You are a big boy now. Don't you think it's time you let Weber retire?

Weber bowed at Renzo and said, “Good evening, Your Highness. How have you been doing all these years? And how is that fellow too?”

“I can't say that I haven't been better. Thank you for asking, Web. Oh! As for that ‘fellow’, he's right over there,” Renzo replied cheerfully as he pointed at another elderly man around Weber's age two tables to his left.

Just like Orion, Renzo's butler, Ray also belonged to the same generation as Weber. And because they have always been by the two princes' side since their childhood, they are well acquainted with each other and get along just like their masters. 

Weber excused himself to give his master space to talk and went ahead to join the other butler as Orion took his seat opposite Renzo, whilst retorting, “I could say the same about you. Why haven't you let Ray retire as well?”

“Oh, I will. As soon as I take the throne or maybe after I give birth to an heir as well because that's what Ray tells me,” Renzo said with a smile.

“Oh you are getting married, who's the lucky girl?” Orion winked.

Renzo paled at his words and hurriedly replied, “That was just a joke on Ray's part. Just like you, I have no intention of tying myself down anytime soon. I'm still so young after all and still want to have lots of fun,”

Orion laughed at his statement, and exclaimed, “That's my old boy! Now, let's have something to eat. I'm starving.”

Then he added, “Since you chose this restaurant, I hope that they have good wine and a decent meal.”

“Only the best for you, my friend,” Renzo said as he signaled to the waitresses to serve them.

While having their meal, Renzo praised Orion in his recent speech at the University of Petra in the afternoon.

“You are getting more and more popular these days. I watched your recent speech at the University of Petra. And I must say, old friend, it was insightful.”

Orion raised a brow at this, and jokingly said, “Oh! You heard that. I'd have thought that it would be too boring for you considering that you never seem interested in long speeches.”

Though Orion and Renzo can be said to be very good friends, their personalities to each other are more like opposites; Orion always being the serious type, and Renzo the playful and fun-seeking type. Despite their personalities, the both of them complement each other and still love each other's company though it has been a few years since they've seen each other.

Renzo objected, and said, “Are you kidding me? Even if I don't like to dabble in political matters too much. I am still very much interested in what you do. After all, for the past five years, the continent has been abuzz with news about you. So what exactly are you up to these days?”

“Well, since you asked so nicely.” Orion mused, “Over the past few years, I have been paying visits to the other nations including yours as you may have heard.”

“Oh yes!” Renzo chimed, “My father told me about your visit. He said that you were very persuasive and passionate in getting them to see things your way. He said that it was like confronting a lion and he almost didn't believe that that gentle young boy could grow so fierce.”

Then he laughed, “Though I thought he was being absurd at the time but with what I saw on the TV today, I agree with him that he wasn't exaggerating.”

Orion chuckled, “Well, do help me tell him that I apologize for my aggressiveness back then. Those old men around him said something that struck a nerve and I had to make them understand the point I was passing across.”

“I can understand what you mean,” Renzo sighed, “The ministers in my father's court always think themselves so wise to the ways of the world that they never welcome fresh ideas from the younger ones,”

“And since you practically grew up around them, they wouldn't want to take you seriously. I'm also having this same issue. That's why I left home for a while or else they would have been clamoring that I should get married soon.”

“I get what you mean,” Orion said meaningfully, “They are the same at my home as well. The old generation never seems to accept that the young ones could be more knowledgeable than them. After all, they believe that living long enough makes them so wise.”

The two friends continued chatting throughout the evening. Their conversations mostly revolve around Orion's new goals for freedom and Renzo pledging his support as a friend should Orion need it.

After two hours had passed, they both found out that they had drunk enough wine that it had left them tipsy. Being the serious one and also because he knew the type of friend he had; Renzo would have kept drinking even till midnight. Orion glanced at his watch and knew it was time to call it a night.

As the both of them made their way to Renzo's car with their butlers walking behind them. Renzo who was almost completely drunk looked towards Orion with a solemn expression and advised. 

“I understand that you want to free Eleftheria and you believe that rallying the other nations to stand with your cause will bring your goals to fruition faster. But as your friend, I must warn you that you must trust no one.”

“They may have given their words to help you. But when push comes to shove, it's every man for himself. They won't hesitate to betray you if the need arises.”

Orion replied in a low growl, “Then they are fools if they do that because that would mean that they have learned nothing from our history. Besides, it is in their best interests that they cooperate with me if they wish to come out of Modena's heel.”

At this moment they have already reached Renzo's limo as his Butler, Ray opened the door before Orion helped him in.

Renzo shook his head and said, “Perhaps, that's what you think. But their best interests could be to ensure the status quo. Moreover, everything has been relatively peaceful for centuries, no one wants another war.”

Orion objected, and said, “That's what you believe, my friend. But I have faith in the capability of the people to rise when the time is right.”

“It may be what I believe. But remember, the people don't always know what they want.” Renzo shrugged, then he asked, “Do you plan to leave Victoris soon? I would like us to hang out more. Two hours are just not enough to catch up after five years of not seeing each other.”

“I will be in Victoris for the next couple of days since I still have a lot of people to meet. But I should be free to meet up again before I leave Victoris.”

Renzo nodded, and then bade goodbye, “That would be splendid! Good night, my friend,”

“Good night, Ren,” Orion replied perfunctorily before making his way back to his suite in the hotel. As he walked, Orion threw Renzo's words out of his mind as he had an unshakable belief in the people.