Ever since the forr king passed away, the royal family was gradually losing its grip over the kingdom. On the surface, everything looked fine, but there was internal turmoil.
The nobles had always opposed Aldric's rule, believing he wasn't as competent as his father. Several of them had even tried to start a coup to snatch the throne from the Vermilion royal lineage but had failed nurous tis.
'Twice! These fucking nobles have done this twice, and both tis they almost ca close to taking the throne.'
Although Aldric had set an example by eliminating those noble households, the rest of the powerhouses were beginning to grow more defiant. These nobles were bold enough to remodel their estates into mini versions of the royal castle.
...the audacity!
This wasn't even the least of Aldric's greatest worries... his greatest fear was none other than Arthur.
Arthur was soone who was loved by the residents of the capital and loathed heavily by the nobles. The reason for this was simple.
It was because Arthur was a commoner, just like them.
The commoners respected Arthur more than the king himself, sothing that made Aldric's blood boil with anger every ti.
"Those low lives. Those pompous nobles!" The king's handso face twisted into a frown, those scheming green eyes twinkling with sadistic gleams. "I'll show all of them why we're the founders of this kingdom."
He clenched his fist, a smile spreading on his face as he sauntered to the arched windows, looking at the lovely town that was still lit up, his gaze reflecting the massive do in the middle of the capital. "I'll show all of them that my lineage is better than that of Arthur's."
"Guards!" he called out, and one of the royal knights rushed into the room and bowed. Aldric's gaze swept over that knight as he spoke in a commanding tone. "Go and fetch my son, Ainsworth."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The man responded in a voice filled with respect and hurried to the prince's quarters.
Though the first, second, and third princes, along with the princess, were far away carrying out a mission for the Vermilion Royal Academy, Aldric felt that his youngest son was more than enough for the job.
After all... he possessed the royal family's unique class... a class that was exclusive only to the royal family.
....
Back in the hallways, the butler was leading Nyx and Nathan in the opposite direction they had co from.
Nyx's black eyes, filled with confusion, looked at her grandfather and asked in a quiet tone, "Grandpa, where are we going?"
Nathan tightened his grasp on his granddaughter's hand and replied softly, "There's an event coming up. The king personally invited us to attend, so we'll stay for so ti before returning to the barony."
"What about the beasts and the mysterious thing killing them?" Nyx furrowed her brows. Though she didn't want to show it, just like her twin brother, she also cared about the barony a lot.
The little girl wasn't confident that the others could handle the threat alone. Though she was curious to explore the capital as she had been stuck in the barony all her life, she didn't plan on staying too long.
Sensing the concern in his granddaughter's voice, Nathan gently stroked her head, a warm smile appearing on his face. "Have faith. I've known Hans, Elvin, Celine, and your mother for a long ti." A cocky grin soon appeared on his face; Nyx sensed that her grandpa was about to say sothing outrageous, like he always did.
And she was right.
"Those people could even beat if they ganged up together."
"Tsk, stop bluffing; you aren't that strong. Aunty Celine could easily beat you up." Nyx sneered, an irritated expression on her face.
"You think I'm lying?"
"Grandpa, you can barely walk, and you're so skinny that sotis I'm afraid the breeze could carry you along."
"You brat! Is this how lowly you think of your grandfather?" Nathan let out a hearty laugh, his boisterous voice echoing through the quiet hallways as he held Nyx's hand a little tighter.
"It seems you and that stupid brother of yours like to underestimate your old grandpa. I might be skinny, but there's still fight left in !" Nathan winked, feigning a show of strength by flexing his arm, though it barely made a difference.
Nyx rolled her eyes, a small rare smile that was only shown to those she really cared about erging on her face. "Sure, you're practically invisible." She said, her voice filled with sarcasm.
"Hmpff, watch ! One day I'll show you and Nox how great I am." Nathan harrumphed with mischievous glints in his eyes. His steps slowed, and he glanced down at his granddaughter. "And when that happens, you'll owe a plate of those honey cakes you love so much."
Nyx raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Honey cakes? What happened to proving you're still strong? Shouldn't you ask for sothing a little more... respectable?"
"I would've, but fortunately, that's the only thing you can prepare very well... also, have you forgotten this old man lost all his teeth in the countless battles he fought and survived?"
Hearing the subtle praise from her grandpa, Nyx's cheeks ward up a little, but she brushed it off, keeping her focus ahead. "I see, so you're just buttering up to prepare chocolate cakes for you."
Nathan chuckled softly, his voice lowering as they continued walking. "Perhaps, but I speak only the truth. You remind so much of your father. He had the sa determination and fiery spirit, always looking out for others... just like you do... it's just so unfortunate that..." His tone softened, turning a little more sad, and Nyx could feel the weight of his words.
Before he could say more, she raised her hand. "Don't say it."
Nathan was taken aback a little.
"Let's not spoil the atmosphere."
"Ah, true, my bad." Nathan chuckled, scratching his bum. "But I'm always grateful to be blessed with loving grandkids like you and Nox."
For a mont, she looked up at her grandfather, her eyes softer now, though she quickly masked it with her usual indifferent expression. "Well, soone has to make sure you don't get blown away by the breeze."
"Hmpff, I'm not that weak, you know."
Nyx scoffed. "Story for the gods."
anwhile, inside the king's office, Ainsworth was standing with his hands behind him, a serious expression on his face.
"Take a seat," King Aldric gestured to the chair.
Ainsworth's gaze lingered on the armrest that seed to have been charred by flas. Dismissing any thoughts from his head, the fourth prince sat down.
"What could be so important that he'd call out in the middle of the night?" Ainsworth wondered.
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