"The Queen requests your presence tomorrow," the Commander said as I was eating my breakfast in the dining hall. "What?" I said a little shock. I tried recalling what I did for the past days, but as long as I can remember I haven't done anything that offended the Queen or any of the Royals."Well, she just relayed the message to me.""Thank you, Commander," I said still thinking about the Queen's request to see me tomorrow. If I'm not mistaken, the Queen is really nice and kind compared to the King. Since polygamy is not a thing here, her children are the sole heir to the throne, so there's no competition on it except for her own children.After finishing my meal, I headed towards my quarters to prepare for my daily duty at the training ground. I was already in possession of my uniform and it fit me perfectly. It's a Black and Gold army uniform similar to the captain's, except for the embroidered logo on the shoulder and chest which distinguished us from them.I got used to everythin
"Sir Alexander! It's good to see you today!" The queen said when she saw the vassal. "Good day to the beautiful moon of the Sataraia," he said and bowed gracefully to the Queen. "I heard from the King that you will meet Prince Xydel's trainer, so I spare some time to join you."He said looking at me. When our eyes met he nodded his head and smiled at me which gave me the creeps. "Oh, how nice of you. Come in, join us," he entered the room and made his way toward the seat across from mine. Prince Xydel sat beside me and the princess beside her mother. "Your uniform suits you well, Sir Nicholas. Not all soldiers look good in that uniform." the Vassal said. The way he looks at me suggests something. Suddenly, the scene on my first duty came into my mind. He likes young boys like me. "Thank you, Sir," I said even though I felt really uneasy with the look that he was giving me. "It does suit you master." the Prince said as lively as ever, agreeing to the Vassal. "Oh I forgot to introd
"Master?" I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice he was calling me already."Sorry, Prince Xydel. I thought she looked familiar, but then I realized that she looked like the young princess," I said chuckling, masking the confusion that I was feeling.The prince just nodded and kept on showing me other portraits of the other Royal families and where they are now. After giving me a tour of the Palace's garden, which is off-limits to most people unless they have permission from the Royal Family, he mentioned that he had to go to a court meeting with the Aristocrats and other court officials."Good luck, Your Highness. Please believe in your skills and capabilities and show them that you are the Crown Prince of this Kingdome," "Thanks, master. And feel free to talk to me casually, no need to address me as Prince or Your Highness. I even call you master in front of everyone because I respect you," he said, sounding a bit sulky."I mean, everyone calls you that because we a
Milla"Have you noticed it?""Definitely, Sir." "I felt a strong pull, which I never experienced even during my time among the mages in Rendyl. I'm sure you didn't expect it as well as someone who was born in a mana-filled environment.""Yes, General. It was no ordinary flow of mana,"I stood in the commander's office where General Nathaniel was staying for this month's army meeting."I want you to keep an eye on him, and when the opportunity arises, tell him everything. Help him control it while I investigate him and his family. You may leave now, Milla, and do tell the commander that I have things to tell him about the meeting today.""As you command, General," I said and bowed before leaving the office.General Commander/Duke Nathaniel Treston possesses the same capability as me. And it is the capability to manipulate man. Despite not being born in Rendyl, his link to the kingdom lies in his mother, who is a Rendyl citizen, making him a fellow mana user. It was through his assist
My trainer, Imelda, instructed me to look at the target and fasten myself on the red dot as I struggled to concentrate on the target's exact center even though it was about 500 meters away and my arms were shaking as I had extended the bowstring."Release!" When I heard the cue, I let go of the arrow. I quickly drop the heavy bow and grasp the steel bar beside me. My arms are so tired that I can't even lift them. My energy appears to be completely consumed by the heavy bow."That's the lowest class bow, Nicholas, and you can't even handle it without your arms trembling? You wanted to be a weapon master, but look at you, relying on a mere steel bar to support you after just one shot?" she reprimanded as she began to gather the three different types of bows in front of me. She lifted the bow I used, loaded it with three golden arrows, and stood confidently, aiming at the 500-meter target. I was watching her every move and listening intently to everything she said.She fires the arrow, a
"Careful!" I heard Imelda's loud voice. My opponent lunged at me with an insane speed. I jumped aside dodging his attack then jabbed his back with the other end of my spear. He regained his stance and tried to attack me again."Don't just defend Nich!" Imelda's voice sounds frustrated, and I can hear it. The quickness of this person makes attacking him difficult for me. He attempted to strike my leg with his lance, but I managed to leap back. "This distance should be enough," I mumble to myself as I channeled 70% of my remaining energy into my spear. Aiming it at my opponent, who was ready to launch another strike, I swiftly let go of the spear. He attempted to suddenly change his position from offensive to defensive while concentrating on my approaching weapon.I ran after my weapon, causing him to turn to look at me briefly as he continued to ignore my spear. After disabling his defense with my weapon, I smirk. I pounced on him and kicked the hand holding his lance, which made him l
I sighed and pushed open the door. "Mom, I'm home!" The aroma of chicken porridge assaulted my nose as soon as I walked inside the house. I dropped my things on the wooden chair and went straight to the kitchen, where I saw my beloved mother. "Knock, knock!" I remarked, leaning against the kitchen doorway. She turned around and surprise was very evident on her face. "Nicholas!" She came running over to me and gave me a huge embrace. "My son became more handsome over time." I laugh at her remark. She looks at me and touches my face saying, "You've become manlier since the last time I saw you, Nicholas. Have you been straining yourself? Please take good care of yourself, my dear." She, again, gave me one more hug. I was patting her back when I felt my shoulder moisten. "Mom! Why are you crying?" She sobbed, "I just can't believe that my son isn't the small kid I used to sing lullabies to anymore." I laughed as I dried her tears. "Enough dramas," she moved away and checked the po
My brief vacation was quickly over. And now I'm returning to the training camp. I've spent the last days training, assisting my mother, and even teaching Tania some basic self-defense because she said it might come in handy.I've been also thinking about my uncle. Why hadn't I predicted this? Of course, as the King's vassal, he'll be there to watch the tournament."Nicholas? Is there something that bothers you? You've been zoning out since yesterday." My mother asks with concern.She has no idea what I have in mind. She is unaware that I already know our true identities. She won't like everything, therefore I've hidden it all from her. She kept her family information to herself. I put on a front that I was not interested in any of them, but when I was 17, I started to wonder why it was just my mother and me. Who are my relatives, where did we really come from, and, most importantly, who my father is?"I'm fine Mom. I'm just thinking about the tournament." I reassure her with a smile.