6 The Crown Prince

"Prince Alistair has returned." A knight announced as he noticed a series of horsemen approaching the entrance of the castle. Leading the flank was a man clothed in a white shirt and suede pants, on his left chest was a metal insignia of a golden firebird. His irises were like time pieces in gold, hair the color of fresh honey and skin sun kissed. He looks quite young around 18 to 19 but he exudes a vibe more than his age.

"Le Soleil Chateau," the man in lead said as he hopped down from his horse. The Sun Palace as commonly known, is already a marvel even just from the outside. A reminiscent of the exterior of Schwerin Palace and interior of the Grand Kremlin.

"Is my brother home by any chance?" he asked the guards who stood to welcome him home.

"No, your highness," one of them answered.

"Is that so? When will he back? Any longer and I would be the one marching to West..." he sighed entering the Sun Palace.

"I believe, the Crown Prince would be returning a month from now, before the Tribunal," the guard walking a step behind him answered.

"Alright. Where is father?" Alistair asked.

"His majesty is in his study."

With that, the young prince walk towards the East wing to the King's study. Three knocks on the door, a voice from the other side cued for the man to come in.

"Father."

"Alistair. You're back, how was your journey?" the man said. The King, with all the regalia in the palace interior, his clothing was contrastingly simple. He was wearing a red shirt and suede black pants, resting on his obsidian hair was a crown designed to look like flames. It was a white gold crown, that has an iridiscent finish that it makes the exquisite flame design real and burning. His eyes were what sets him apart.

Though his irises are still like a clock, looking its color were shifting like the aurora borealis. This color is the take away as to whom is the rightful bearer of the Crown of Aevum, the true phoenix. This phenomenon only happens to those of the Royal Family, usually those of the first born, who will inherit the throne. With this magical eyes meant that that person is ready. They began exhibiting this orbs once they start to show characteristics of a ruler.

"Oread is still as beautiful as ever. But on my way, I heard rumors of war breaking out in Amber? Something about Cierge landing by the shores of the White Seas?"

"That's nothing but false rumor, they are just trying to spread fear. But something is happening with the countries west of our borders. Convoys back and forth from Chandelle and Etoile were spotted, that's all we know."

"Then should we postpone brother's return?"

"Of course, not. Caleb will return just as planned a month before his 21st birthday. Postponing the Tribunal and hiding the heir would show we are weak. Terascene is not weak."

"Apologies for that suggestion."

"It's fine. You may go..."

Alistair left the study after that conversation. Planning to find his mother, the young prince thread the whole of the palace. Till finally resigning himself to ask the staff passing.

"Where is my Mother?"

"Queen Adelaide is by the Fountain of Light," one of ths Palace staff answered.

"What is she doing there? Only a Chronos could use the Fountain."

"With his majesty's absence, the Queen is trying to utilize the presence of the fountain."

He finally spotted her by the Fountain. The marbled water works that stretch several floors has an intriguing mechanism. With water flowing perfectly, it looks like ice. But touching it says otherwise, that it moves like normal, well not normal really. Normal in a sense that the water flows, though surprisingly from the ground up.

"It really is a marvel, don't you think my dear?" A woman with hair the color of fresh snow, eyes like amethyst, and lullaby like voice, spoke. Her slender figure highlighted by an intricately designed gown complementing her small face.

"Mother," Alistair said as he walked towards her and give her a hug.

"Cael Alistair Auria, you've lost so much weight. Have you just been partying in Oread?" she said, pushing him a bit to have a look.

"I just miss the food here. The chefs out there can't hold a candle against your cooking, Mother."

"Heh your brown nosing has improved. Anyway, get yourself clean. I'll have the staff bring some food to your room."

"Why don't I accompany you here for a while. My clothes wouldn't get messier by now."

"It's alright. With the way I am, I can still use the Fountain without the help of you or your brother," she winked.

"But Mother-"

"Being the only Einan here really takes a toll being surrounded by Chronos," she chuckled ruffling her son's head.

"It's not like that, Mom."

"I know I know. I just want to flex a little that I was once the best. Good enough to be crowned Queen, now off you go."

With that said, he courteously bowed. The woman slightly nodded and turned back to watching the Fountain, her eyes glowing brighter than it was then.

"I hope I wasn't interrupting," the commanding voice of the king.

The queen turn around to see her husband his face stern as ever, making her chuckle.

"Father," Alistair greeted and the King answered with a slight nod, indicating that he may go.

"My Queen seems to be busy," he said walking towards to stand beside his wife. His gaze shifted from one beautiful view to another beauty the, Fountain of Light.

"I miss our son..." she sighed, "He always train here. Pursuing lenghts of discovery to his ability."

"Our son is indeed talented. He after all has my blood, Adelaide," he answered comforting the woman beside him.

"I believe he is a better Chronos than you because he is my son," she mused.

A hefty laughter was heard from the usually composed King, "He is indeed talented even by our family standards. Alistair too. I am proud of both of them."

"You do realize that it wasn't me you should be saying that. Alistair was just here a while ago you should have said so then," she chuckled.

"My actions are enough, my Queen."

"No, it is still important..."

"Alright, I will when the opportunity arise. So have you seen anything?"

"For some reason, my eyes saw the water turned gray... It's a bit distant so I can't see any more. Why don't you look for yourself. Accelarate it, maybe we could understand more,"

"It was contaminated?" the king asked. Closing his eyes and slightly lifting his left hand. The flow of water became so rapid but because of its luminar characteristic it's not even noticeable. A few more minutes and the water was turning gray then a few more it froze solid.

"This is impossible. 11 generations of Kings it has never happened... What could have happened?" the king ask a rhetorical question.

"You don't have to worry much. It's far down the Timeline and as you know future is volatile it changes quite rapidly," the Queen comforted.

"You are right, I hope that when our son returns he is fit enough, not only with his ideals but in heart and body as well."

"Don't worry too much, if he's not in tip top shape yet we are still here to train him but knowing our son, he would be a wonderful king. A greater monarch than we both are."