Chapter 4 - An Oath to the Crown

*Second Dream*

Radaj found in the middle of a grassy field with the night sky being coated with beautiful colors of purple & blue with the stars & moon glowing he then noticed that he was on a hill and was not alone as next to him was Kendrix leaning against his arm with the panther sitting next to him they were enjoying the scenario before Kendrix pointing at two shooting stars that got brighter to the point there was a flash of light—reflecting on the young wolf's eye.

The young wolf then found himself opening his eyes as he noticed that this time he was surrounded by enemies with the panther at his back and found themselves fighting the enemy in the same grassy field. With the final enemy being taken care of they both found themselves staring at each before they engaged in combat with their swords clashing under the night sky before blitzing towards each & clashing their blades. Now finding themselves on a throne surrounded by a ring of fire, Kendrix begs them to stop only for them to wound each other severely and collapse to the floor.

This time the young wolf was slowly falling from the sky landing in the grassy field and as he opened his eyes and stood up he took a moment to examine his surroundings before spotting a black wolf looking at him menacingly. Radaj snarled at him and as he was about to rush him the wolf smiled as a wall of black flames erupted in front of him this time he found himself in another throne room facing the black wolf with the panther's sword but Radaj was more focused on the crystal on top of the throne with Kendrix inside. As the crystal lights reflected in Radijas determined eyes a flash of light

*****

Radaj awoke with a gasp as he took a moment to calm himself. As he took a moment to calm himself he noticed that he was inside a room that was not his, as the room looked like royalty with its expensive furniture and decorations. Was he in the castle? How did he get here? How long was he out? The last thing he remembered was getting shot by the bull with the poison arrow, so he lived that was good, but that dream wasn't like the dream that he's been having these last two months. This one was different, what did it mean? Why did he keep seeing Kendrix and that panther? Who was that panther? Or that black wolf? These were questions that plagued his mind until he heard the door knob turning, breaking him from his thoughts as his ears swiveled toward the direction of the opening door as two familiar figures walked inside.

"It's good to see you awake, after these last five days." King Dominic said smiling warmly towards Radaj with his voice carrying a tone of warmness & relief.

"Kid is a trooper, if he is willing to risk his life three times in a row for your sakeThomas said nonchalantly as he leaned on a wall crossing his arms a smirk on his muzzle as he gave Radaj a look of respect.

"Your Majesty!! Captain Thomas!! What brings you here!? I mean with all due respect aren't there more important duties to attend to than my well-being? I'm just a mere weaver, a Mark One, a lost soul and murderer." Radaj exclaimed surprisingly that the King and the shield of the young prince would even bother to check in on him in the first place, surely they had better things to do than waste their time with him.

"Yet you went out of the way to risk your life for my sake, all to fulfill your desires." King Dominic said changing to a stern tone while adopting a look of a hardened ruler, something that didn't go unnoticed by Radaj. "Tell me young Radaj, what do you desire most in the world?" King Dominic continued as he sat at the side of the young pup's bed he eyed the wolf no older than his son, a young eighteen old wolf that had risked his life for him three times.

"My desires?" Radaj asked nervously with a hint of unsureness as he knew the answer to the King's question remembering he had told the king that he desired to protect him and he also remembered whispering the last part not sure if the king had heard it…that is until now.

"I…."

"Five days ago during the attack of the festival, you told me that you desire to protect me but there was another desire… a desire involving my son." King Dominic said with a sigh hoping that the young wolf would freak out with the stern tone he was using as well as giving him the look of a hardened ruler but he softened his look as soon as he saw the wolf's reaction.

The King's words didn't surprise Radaj that much, as they have also given him an answer as to how long he was out, a total of five days. However, that didn't stop him from lowering his ears down and looking unsure at how to respond to the king's suspicions as he felt ashamed of his desires. Thomas remained unfazed as he was also patiently observing the interaction between the young wolf and the king, a poker face was written all over him. Dominic on the other hand decided to take the role of a parent as he reached for one of the wolf's paws and held it kindly before changing his tone to one of kindness.

"Take your time Radaj, you're not in trouble I just want you to understand my role as a father concerned for his son's safety as well as yours as a citizen living under my rule," Dominic assures the young wolf with kindness showing his patience and the warmness of his heart.

Radaj took a deep breath as he answered his King. "It is true that one of my desires was to protect you…the other one was to protect your son because…I'm in love with him!… There is something about him & that precious smile of his that makes me feel at ease, I just want to protect him from everything and be at his side. I want him to be happy! I would sacrifice everything for my home, king, and prince. Just so I can see that precious smile of his, a smile filled with nothing but joy & kindness. Now I don't know if I should feel ashamed for having this desire for him all because I don't know if they're out of lust or love!!" Radaj ranted in frustration a whine in each of his words as tears streamed from his eyes as he didn't dare to look his King in the eyes fearing what he might do & reacted.

King Dominic processed everything the young wolf had said and once again his suspicions were confirmed. The wolf was in love with his son, even if he had known the answer already he wanted to hear it from the young pup in front of him. He let out a sigh and looked to gaze at the window as he gave his own reply.

"It's funny, you know. Normally I would have forbidden you from dating my son, but…I have to face reality at some point. Kendrix is growing up. I can't be there for him forever, that alone scares me the most even if there are others at his side like Emily & Thomas yet they can only do so much for him…I didn't want him to experience the same pain as I did when I lost my wife. I try to protect him from that pain as a father. But now I see that I was preventing my son's happiness from finding his soulmate as well as yours." King Dominic ranted with a deep tired tone as Radaj listened to his king opening up to him, he couldn't imagine how difficult it must be for him to raise Kendrix without his wife.

"So I want to ask you something. No, I want you to promise me something Radaj. Do you promise to truly stand by my son's side as his soulmate, do you promise to stay by his side when he takes the throne? Do you promise to aid Thomas in protecting my son as his sword? Because if you promise me, I can't guarantee your safety, as Mark Ones are destined to die at one point in their lives by their desires or for the sake of their soulmate."

Radaj took a moment to process what King Dominic had asked him. The King had asked him to stand by his son's side much to his surprise but was he really deserving of standing by Kendrix's side? So without even thinking, he opens his muzzle.

"I pr-"

"Before you promise, I won't you to be truly honest with me. Do you really love my son? Or do you simply lust after him for his body & looks?" The stern overprotective tone of a father & hardened look returned to King Dominic's face as he asked a really important question to the young pup's surprised look.

Radaj then tore away from the king's ruby eyes that meet his honey-golden eyes as he reflected on his desires for Kendrix, he would admit that the King's son was beautiful and had a beautiful feminine body that any man would lust for as they would a female of the same looks just the thought was enough to make him blush much to his dismay as no doubt the king & the captain would notice. Yet that wasn't the only reason Radaj desired to protect the young prince, he wanted to personally know him, he wanted to see him happy, to see that precious smile. He should have known the answer already because, on the day of his trial, his instincts had screamed mate & jumped in joy but he chose to ignore this even when the desire to protect Kendrix and his father was born on the same day.

"I do your highness, I truly love your son. Not because of his body & looks but because I want to know him personally and spend the rest of my life with him until the bitter end as his soulmate. I promise that I will stand by his side no matter what. I will use the sword as a shield until he is ready to become King." Radaj said with nothing but pure honesty & determination hardening his look then King Dominic hold his paw with both hands before giving him a warm smile as he bestow him the blessings of the Equinox Prophets with a golden glow, a blessing that would mark him as member of the royal family.

"Then you have my blessings to be his soulmate, young Radaj." King Dominic said smiling warmly at the young pup that would be his future son in law then he let go of his paw "I should make my leave, Thomas he's at your hands now." Thomas could only nod his head as the King turned to address him as Dominic made his way toward the door he stopped in his tracks as he heard the young wolf address him once again.

"Your Highness, wait!!" Radaj said as the King turned towards him with a curious look as well as a raised eyebrow as if silencing, questioning him to know what he wanted to ask. Radaj then closed his eyes and asked him a question.

"Do you think I'm worthy of living up to my father's reputation?" Radaj asked the king desperate for an answer, his father Elijah Dente was a well-regarded knight across the Kingdom of His he was known for his devotion towards his home & King Dominic among those traits he was also famous for not leaving any man behind, and for his compassion & kindness. To his relief, he received an answer from both the king & the captain of the crown guard.

"You risk three times to protect me & my son's happiness, I would say that's more than enough." King Dominque said respectively then Thomas answered next.

"During the attack, you show potential, despite being a weaver with little combat experience from your old man. But don't think that just because you have the King's blessings or are the price soulmate I won't be going easy on your training, expect to go through hell like the others. Your old man went through it too and so will you, if you are going to be my sword in protecting the young prince." Thomas said with a playful smirk but behind that was the tone of someone that took their job seriously.

"I'm looking forward to it," Radaj said with a playful cocky smile much to the amusement & irritation of Thomas who could only let out a chuckle at the young wolf's confidence.

"Something tells me you're going to be a pain in the ass," Thomas said as he chuckled, making Radaj chuckle as well, while King Dominique could only look at the young boys with an unamused look, ah to be young again how he misses those days.

"Well I have other manners to attend to, your training under Thomas will begin once you fully recover, feel free to explore the palace any time you want.." With those words being King Dominque took his leave, followed by Thomas.

"As much I like to hang out & chat I also got my fair share of responsibilities," Thomas said as he went towards the door but stopped himself to see the young wolf in the bed, the same wolf that will be a pain in the ass like the other recruits yet make his job easier in making sure Kendrix was safe. "Oh before I go. You should consider yourself lucky that you survived that arrow, try not to be reckless next time or I will personally kick your sorry ass." Radaj noted the edge towards his voice and could only nod in understanding as he also gave his reply.

"No promises, but I understand," Radaj said with a serious look of understanding with a small hint of annoyance that he was being treated harshly but he also couldn't blame Thomas.

"Good to know," Thomas said as he left Radaj to his business before closing the door gently much to Radaj's surprise as thought for a moment that the slightly older Savannah cat would slam the door to his room. Radaj let out a sigh as he flopped down in the bed reflecting on the conversation he had with the king & the small interaction with the captain he then decided to watch some cartoons from the flat tv that was on the wall across the bed.

****

Kendrix hummed happily to himself while carrying a basket of freshly baked cookies a small soft smile planted on his muzzle as he was walking towards Radaj's room with his beautiful fluffy tail moving from side to side, earlier he had convinced his father to let him bake some fresh cookies with the kitchen staff as a thank you gift for the young wolf that saves his father's life, which brought him to the shocking approval that his father had given him when normally his father would not let him near another male for his protection, however, his overprotective father had approved of it, which brought him to a conversation to his father as he had met him in when he entered the dining room in his way out and asked him what was with the sudden change.

"I see you are really putting a lot of work into that gift basket." Kendrix's ears perked up at his father's voice as he was adjusting the bow of the gift basket, his father was smiling warmly at him.

"Yeah. I wanted to make sure it looked good." Kendrix said with a small smile his tail swiftly moving behind him, then decided that maybe was time to ask his father what was with the sudden change of attitude.

"Hey Dad, I've been meaning to ask you, how can you be letting me near Radaj? Normally you would act all overprotective of me." Kendrix asked with sincere curiosity.

King Dominic let out a sigh, knowing that his son might ask him sooner or later. "Would you mind hearing this old man answering your questions, as you work? Of course, if you don't interrupt" King Dominic asked his son with a tired look as he knew this conservation was not going to be easy.

"Sure" Kendrix shrugged his shoulders with a carefree smile "Oh and your, not that old dad, not yet." Kendrix joked with his father as Dominic couldn't help but let out a chuckle at his son's answer & behavior as he made his way towards his son's side seeing him work in the gift basket for a few seconds before he decided to answer his son's question.

"I figure that I have been sheltering you enough & hindering your growth. You're not the same small fox that I used to know." Kendrix listened to his father speak without interrupting as he knew there was much more his father was going to share. "You're a young adult now capable of making your own decisions. You're growing too fast & honestly, that scares me more than anything in the world, you are no longer a child no matter how much I wish you to stay one." Kendrix noticed that his father's voice was one filled with solemn but decided not to question it, instead what he asked him was:

"I see. But what's that got to do with Radaj?" Kendrix asked his father with confusion in knowing what his father was trying to get with him telling him something he already knew ever since he turned eighteen.

"I get to him in a while," Dominic answered with the same Solemn voice as he turned towards his son with a tired solemn look, something that Kendrix wasn't expecting but defied once again to not comment on, instead choosing to hear his father continue to answer his questions. "I was afraid that you might go through the same pain that I went through when your mother passed away. I didn't want you to go through that." Okay, now Kendrix was really confused.

"Dad you are not making sense, I mean I understand that losing someone important hurts like hell, we both went through the same pain of losing Mom. I figure you should know by now. What does this have to do with Radaj?" Kendrix asked, feeling a little frustrated at his dad's vague answers.

"It has everything to do with Radaj. It's just not that simple Kendrix." Dominic said once again solemnly.

"Why tho!? Why is it not that simple!?" Kendrix asked, raising his voice in frustration, then he was startled as his father hit the table with a fist loud enough along with the volume he used.

"Because he's your soulmate yet destined for salvation!?" Dominic slammed frost covered fist into the table in frustration about the cruel fate that was bestowed upon his son & Radaj startling Kendrix as he jumped from the impact.

"I know. For a long time even before you did." Kendrix said solemnly, for a truth that he had been running away from, he wasn't sad that Radaj was his soulmate but sad that he could lose him at any time. Knowing that Mark Ones are destined for salvation is a word used for death or finding inner peace but with death being the most frequent one. Death was not uncommon, everyone knew that. But for Mark Ones they had a clock of limited happiness, death catching up to them faster than those who were not Mark. Destined to suffer the most due to their crimes of giving into their darkest desires even losing themselves & not finding inner peace in the Spiritual Cosmo, the realm where their souls rally once they turn into stars.

"What!? Since When!? Dominic asked, startled by this revelation.

"Since the day of his trial. Once he entered I saw how defeated he looked, the moment our eyes met my instincts were screaming at me that he was my mate & my desire to comfort & save him was born. At first, I thought nothing of it, but as time went on I knew that I had to save him from his fate. I know how most of Mark Ones' lost souls are destined to die, but I have hope I can prevent that same fate for him!!" Kendrix said with a whine as he expressed his heart out.

"Why didn't you say so!? Why keep it hidden from me!? King Dominic asked his son with a hurt expression that his son might not have trusted him with this information.

"I was afraid you might have said no. That I wasn't ready for a relationship. I-I was also afraid of what others might think of me...I was a-afraid of what you might have thought of me. Th-tha that I will bring you shame." Kendrix said as tears were now streaming down his eyes, Dominic felt his heartache at seeing his son in this state so he pulled him into a hug as his son sob softly into his chest.

"Oh my little prince, you know I could never think of you any different. You are my son no matter what. It was wrong of me to shelter you from experiencing love, alright?" Dominic said petting his son's head while hugging him in an attempt to calm him down, luckily it worked.

"A-Alright Dad," Kendrix said as he wiped his tears as they broke the hug, he then took a few minutes to compose himself before he decided to speak once again.

"I really love him, I want to be by his side. But I highly doubt that Radaj might feel the same way about me, for all I know he could just have a stupid crush and not be my soulmate or just be lusting over my body & looks." Kendrix said solemnly not knowing if their hearts were truly meant to intertwine as soulmates.

"He does, I spoke to him this morning. He promised that he will stand by your side until the bitter end and that he was ready to sacrifice everything for his home, King, and his prince all to see that precious smile of yours filled with nothing but joy & kindness." Dominic said, putting an accruing paw on his son's shoulder.

"Re-really?" Kendrix said as he looked at his dad with an innocent look, his tone matching his expression.

"Tell you what, why don't you deliver those cookies you said you were going to give him and find four yourself, sounds fair?" Dominic said as he smiled kindly towards his son whose ears perked up once again at the suggestion.

"Yeah, it does." With that being said & done Kendrix finished decorating the gift basket and after making sure that the cookies were still warm he made his way towards the door to the hallway but not before stopping and turning this father.

"Dad," Kendrix said as his father looked in his direction.

"Yes, Kendrix?" Dominic asked his son as heeded toward the opposite door that led to the main lobby of the palace.

"Thank you for everything," Kendrix said, showing appreciation for his dad's actions.

"Anytime my little Prince." Dominic smiled at his son and with that small exchange the two foxes headed in opposite directions, one to deliver the news to the royal staff and a few trusted nobles & the other towards the young wolf that saved his father's life, his soulmate.

With that memory being over Kendrix wiped a few tears from his eyes as he continued his way still smiling but lamenting that he had somehow ruined his eyeliner, oh well he was still pretty without it. Soon he came into the room where Radaj was staying and as soon as he opened the door he almost dropped the gift basket as he let out a gasp and blush at the sight in front of him.

"Oh, Prince Kendrix! What are you doing here!? Not that I mind the sudden surprise!!" Radaj said, turning towards him and smiling brightly at seeing the beautiful arctic fox in front of him once again. As he felt comfort & nervousness at being near the fox. His soulmate was blushing at seeing his well-defined muscles and fur despite the bandages.

*****

Radaj's ears perked up at hearing the door open for the second time as he was looking at himself in the mirror of the room examining his scars, muscles, and fur. Then turn around as he heard a gasp only to be met with Prince Kendrix himself blushing madly as he was holding a gift basket of freshly baked cookies making his mouth water before wiping it out and addressing the prince.

"Oh, Prince Kendrix! What are you doing here!? Not that I mind the sudden surprise!!" Radaj said as he gave the small arctic fox a bright smile he also couldn't help to blush a little at seeing how beautiful Kendrix was with is white fur as well as the cute outfit that he was wearing he truly look a vixen, especially with the painted markings, make up & was that eyeliner?

"Sorry if I'm not properly dressed," Radaj said feeling ashamed as he realized that he was only in his boxers with a few bandages, it was so embarrassing that he was practically almost naked in front of the prince himself he really should have locked the door. He could have sworn he felt a sense of excitement down in his privates.

"It-It's okay. It was my fault for not knocking." Kendrix said shyly struggling to not look down below the wolf's chest & waist, he would feel like a total pervert if he would have stared at his crotch, not to mention that he felt a sensation down there.

"You shouldn't apologize, It's your house…well palace. You should feel free to roam wherever you want. Are those for me?" Radaj said as he noticed the gift basket that Kendrix was still holding in front of him.

"Oh! Yes, there for you! I wanted to give them to you as a gift for saving my dad's life." Kendrix said, smiling cutely as he placed the gift basket I'm the table before laying on the bed on his stomach, with Radaj sitting at the edge of the bed eating a peanut butter cookie with a satisfied smile.

"Wow, these are so good!." Radaj said like a little pup in a candy store as he happily finished his cookie causing the young prince to giggle at the wolf's cheerfulness.

"I'm glad you are enjoying them, I bake them myself," Kendrix said proudly as he adjusted his position to sit next to Radaj unaware that both their tails were intertwining with each other, a result of their desires & instincts.

"Really!? Then you're a great baker!" Radaj said smiling as he licked his chomps tasting the still leftover peanut butter flavor, they were so delicious he then reached for one and handed one to Kendrix.

"Thanks I wanted to give you something for saving my dad's life," Kendrix said as he took out a bite of the cookie enjoying the rich banana & nuts flavor making him hum happily.

"It was nothing special. I was just answering to my desire to protect my king and prince." Radaj said, looking away blushing but found himself drawn to Kendrix's ruby eyes as he heard his voice and what had been said made his heart skip a beat.

"There was more to it than your desires, right?" Kendrix asked him with his ears folding submissively, still unaware that his tail had intertwined with Radaj's. A small blush forms on their faces as they gaze into each other's eyes. Ruby-colored eyes meet honey-golden ones. His voice carries a desperate hopeful tone.

Radaj knew at that moment that this was his chance at telling him the truth; the desperate & hopeful tone in Kendrix's voice was the last straw for his heart as the yearning sensation that everyone felt in their souls was being driven wild by his desires and the word mate was repeatedly screaming thanks to his instincts. So he took a deep breath and confessed to his soulmate.

"The truth is I really like you, Prince Kendrix. I'm in love with you. Ever since I saw you in my trial a new desire was born in me, that desire was to protect you and be by your side as your soulmate to protect that cute precious smile of yours…I understand if you don't feel the same way for me, after all, I'm just a mere weaver, a lost soul and a -." Radaj was cut off by Kendrix kissing him on the cheek this caught him by surprise he could only look at the blushing fox with his ears still down in submission he looked so cute and innocent. Radaj reached for his left cheek tenderly touching it.

"Sorry about that…the thing is I also have feelings for you, for a long time ever since I saw you in your trail I knew that you were meant to be soulmate with my instincts screaming mate and the desire to comfort you as well as saving you from your fate," Kedrix said looking down in deep thought as Radaj listens without interrupting his heart fluttering every time Kendrix confess his love towards him. Then Kendrx reaches for his paws with Radaj doing the same out of their instincts mixed with their desires.

"So I might ask you. As our hearts intertwine even in hard times and no matter what comes our way, no matter what happens in the distant future, would you be my soulmate, Radaj Dente?" Kendrix asked him gazing into his eyes with desperation and a yearning of hope that he would say yes, and so he did.

"I will Prince Kendrix, I promise to be your soulmate and protect you with my life," Radaj said with a few tears streaming down his face. With those words being said they both lean towards each other's lips and kiss as their hearts intertwined making them soulmates for life.

After what felt like an eternity both of them broke the kiss blushing madly but happy that they both were fulfilling their desires to be together with their soulmate. Still holding paws as they both cherish the aftermath of their kiss gazing into their eyes and admiring the beauty of them as well as seeing how beautiful & handsome the two were, the moment of silence was interrupted by Radaj.

"I guess this makes us boyfriends & soulmates for life, huh Prince Kendrix~"? Radaj said teasingly and Kendrix could only giggle cutely at the teasing words by the young Mark wolf.

"Please just call me Kendrix, there's no need for formalities now that we're soulmates," Kendrix said as he admired Radaj's handsome features even with the numerous scars that adorn his face the wolf was still a looker even with the most gruesome scar on his right side of his muzzle as a chunk of it was missing revealing some of his gums and fangs, he would have to ask him about it later but he suspected that the injury was caused during the time he went after the noble that insulted his deceased parents. His train of thought was interrupted by thumping noise & something hitting his tail.

"Hey, Radaj? what's that noise & what's hitting my tail?" Kendrix asked innocently as Radaj gave him a confused look before they both followed the noise and saw that Radajs tail was wagging happily while gently hitting Kendrix's swiftly moving tail.

"Since when did our tails come, how long were they like that?" Kendrix asked, blushing a little at not noticing the interaction their tails had without their consent.

"Probably when we are eating the cookies. Not that I'm complaining, I think it's cute." Radaj said with a shrugging of shoulders, liking the idea that their tails were already sealing their relationship as soulmates & lovers.

"Yeah I guess you're right," Kendrix said as he & Radaj laughed softly as they took comfort in each other's presence as they got to know each other enjoying the words of one another. All the while their hearts intertwined. Their souls bond as they become soulmates in pure love to protect & comfort each other. A big gray wolf & small arctic fox, both canines destined to be together.

* 8 months later *

Radaj walked inside the throne room as two guards both Komodo Dragons by the name of Rex & Tex opened the doors for him and his comrades whom he had befriended during his training, a mare by the name of Claire, Amanda a swan, Rocky a mountain goat, a bull named Miguel, lastly Sable a Gila Monster. Animals that Radaj had befriended during his training with Thomas. They all had become good friends and right now they are attending the ceremony of Radaj's recognition as the prince's sword that will stand by his side just as the captain of the royal guard stands at his side as his shield. All of them bow in front of the thrones as King Dominic & Kendrix sat in the throne room along with some trusted nobles.

"Your Majesties," Radaj said respectively towards his King & mate.

"Rise young Radaj, all of you too." King Dominic said respectively as they all rose together at hearing the king's voice filled with authority, a stern expression on his face right now he was taking the role of a King as the rest of the royal staff & nobles including Thomas wore the same expressions.

"Young Radaj two years ago you were trialed for the murder of a noble, making you a lost soul, a Mark One. Eight months ago you risked your life three times for your desires of protecting your home, king, and lastly my son, your soulmate & promised to protect him to be at his side until the bitter end" King Dominic addresses the young wolf that was standing before him and the other members of royalty.

"Today you are here to make that same promise by swearing an oath to the crown as a member of the royal guard. To serve as the Prince's sword and stand by his shield, Thomas Shield. You will also serve the oath to the crown as a member of the royal family when I gave you my blessing to be my son's soulmate. Do you understand the responsibility that will be set upon you?"

"I do your highness," Radaj said, adopting a mature tone and a stern expression toward his King while Kendrix could only smile kindly toward his soulmate. For the past eight months, Radaj had worked so hard even forming a brotherly bond with Thomas & Emily as she stood next to Kendrix observing the young wolf that will be dating her best friend. Radaj had even taught the young prince how to handle a sword with Thomas agreeing that Kendrix should learn how to handle one as a backup weapon other than his bow, despite being skilled with a polearm it was always good to learn something new bringing discipline & growth.

"Very well then, young Radaj." King Dominic stood up from his throne room followed by Thomas who went to retrieve a red pillow with a sword he followed Dominic down the stairs stopping in front of where Radaj stood.

"I present to you the sword of the King, a sword that was gifted to me by the Equinox Dragons, baptized with the name Soul Bond. A special blade that amplifies the user's magic by the strength of one's soul and adapts to the enemy's weakness. With this sword, your position in the royal family, crown guard, and even the title of the Prince's Sword will be recognized from now on forward." King Dominic said as he reached for the pillow, putting it in front of Radaj, who could only look at him and the sword with a look of reluctance.

"Your Highness, I can accept something that was gifted to you. I am not worthy of it," Radaj said with nothing but respect towards his king while doubting himself if he was even worth it of wielding one of the king's swords.

"Young Radaj you risk your life three times to save mine, you are more than worthy to wield one of my blades, trust me. This is my way of thanking you for saving my life. Your father & mother would have been so proud of you to see how far you come. You are a skilled weaver as well as a skilled Knight respected among the royal guard even in the Knights of Hia." King Dominic said kindly towards the young pup as he had seen him display determination & hard work to protect his son as his soulmate.

Radaj didn't cry but felt a boost of confidence from his King's words and his doubts were banished as his desire to protect his home, king, and prince emerged. "Thank you, your highness, then I will accept your gift with nothing but respect." Radaj said as he reached for the sword and took a moment to examine its beauty, it was a straight sword with light purple & pink engravings of the Kingdom of Hia with the words "A warrior strength is born out of their soul, strengthening their magic in Latin." Its grip was built of beautiful black leather with bandages, its pommel was in the shape of a dragon's claw with a small charm wrapped around the sword pommel; the steel was of good quality as he could also see his reflection on it.

King Dominic then gave Radaj enough space to bow down with the sword and declared his oath. "By your sword, I swear an oath to the crown as the Prince's Sword that I will protect your son as my future king & soulmate. I swore upon my life that I will fulfill this promise as I will take my responsibilities as a sword by the prince's shield. For my home, king, and soulmate. I Radaj Dente swear that as a mere weaver, a lost soul, a Mark One and a murderer will keep Prince Kendrix my soulmate safe at the cost of my own life as his shield, Captain Thomas Shield all for my king's sake." Radaj then lifted their head to see the other members of the royal staff, nobles, and some high commanding officers giving him a look of approval.

"I know you won't let me down young Radaj. You may rise now for you are dismissed. You three as well. Feel free to join them if you wish" King Dominique said with a gentle warm tone as he looked at the young pup then towards his son and his friend Emily as well as Thomas permitting them to join the others in return they bowed down respectfully leaving with smiles on their faces.

"Very well your highness."

"Don't worry we will."

"Thanks, Dad. We will see you later at dinner."

Soon the three of them left to join Kendrix's soulmate & his friends that will sacrifice everything for their home, King, and even price as they will stand by Radajs side until the bitter end.