Chapter 265

Prince Chase waited outside the palace where the princess was residing for his father, Vorbuk. There were noblemen from Theapan. The meeting had already taken place between them and his father. Several of them had stayed behind as they had much work to take care of within the bounds of the palace.

In the future a select few dwarves would be joining in the ranks of noblemen among Theapan. Once they were merged in they would need equality. Therefore noble ranks would be for more then just a single race. Vorbuk did not want to see the continent divided. It was his dream to help bring the people living on it together more then they had ever experienced. To bring them a sense of tranquility that was near impossible for the continent to even dream of on their own.

Chase could see the vision that his father held deep in his heart. The longer he was by his side in the palace he had even come to feel drunk on the ideas he could see Vorbuk dreaming of. It made his own heart stir a bit as he wanted to see it himself.

"~" "~~~!" His eyes flicked over as he could hear some of those nobles whispering and gossiping to each other. They were heading to the palace library to work on their own duties for the upcoming battle while chatting as if they had forgotten where they were.

"Do you really think he has our kingdom in the best interest here?" one of the nobles asked.

"He is the king, Count." Another replied hurriedly. "You should be careful while we are in the palace."

"Aren't you upset about this at all?" The count continued. "He has only had the throne a few months and wants to expand into Brolan Kingdom. This could end up leading the king to his death or worse the whole kingdom could fall with him. Who is next after Brolan? Do you think he will stop with just taking over one kingdom?"

"You-" They found the conversation cut short.

"Are you sure this isn't because your son was beaten by the prince himself?" Chase's cold voice cut through them like knives causing their bodies to shiver in fear. Those beautiful green eyes of his stared them down as he strutted over without pause. If a glare could kill someone they would have surely dropped dead on the spot. Since his body was that of a young child his head had to tilt upward in order to maintain eye contact with the count.

"Y-Your highness," The count quickly gave him a respectful bow, "It's an honor to see you here."

"If I recall your the father of the one who dueled me, correct?" Chase drilled his words into the count with a harsh tone that made it difficult to look him in the eyes.

"Y-Yes, he was. I apologize on behalf of my son for his disrespect." The count replied as he tried to calm himself down.

"His disrespect?" Chase grit his teeth at those words. Usually he would not bring himself to talk so much with others. However he could not stand back and listen to the counts words.

"Pardon?" The count couldn't tell what Chase was mumbling about.

"Count, have you forgotten your own words just a moment ago?" Chase asked him.

"Your Highness, I did not mean-!" The count began to panic again.

"My father is a King with a kind heart. He would naturally take care of the people under Theapan's rule." Chase stated bluntly his view of Vorbuk.

"Ah-? Yes-!" The Count stumbled to respond to the strange words of the young prince.

"However," Chase looked up at the count that's human form was much older then his own and his chest released a bellowing tiger's growl as he spoke, "The king is not the only royal who could have you punished for uttering nonsense."

"Y-Yes! I apologize!" The count kept his head lowered to the floor as he prayed that his life would remain in tact. How thoughtless it was to utter words openly in the palace! Everyone close to the king is dangerous!

"Get to work quickly." Chase's words began to shorten more like his usual self as his anger began to dispel at the sight of the cowardly image before him that the count had become.

"Yes, your highness, thank you." The nobles around Chase quickly scattered and headed towards their original destination. They could not be late to the meeting.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"You really showed them who was boss. Congratulations." Aoki's sudden voice broke the silence around Prince Chase.

Whipping his head around to look he found Aoki standing not far behind him, "Shouldn't you be busy right now?"

"I should be a lot of things." Aoki closed his eyes with his response as if he was lost in thought for a brief moment. "Anyways, what are you doing here?"

"I'm waiting." Chase simply answered.

"For?" Aoki felt bored already.

"Father." Chase's response got even simpler.

"Aren't you just..." Aoki sighed heavily.

It feels as if I just go around in circles with this kid. Aoki thought to himself as he wondered if Chase was even capable of holding a conversation with someone he held no interest in. If Chase does not want to communicate with someone it seems as if his responses dulled. It made it obvious when he was not interested in someone or something.

"What are you two doing?" Vorbuk walked up to them as his eyes scanned over Aoki carefully. He was not aware of what reason he would have for hovering around Prince Chase.

"I was on my way to join in the meeting... You two are heading to speak to Seon and Damien, correct?. I have already finished my work before coming here." Aoki responded quickly with the first thing that came to mind. In fact he was not interested in the meeting nor was he interested in getting closer with Vorbuk and the group of his. It was simply a form of entertainment for him to get closer with Chase when he noticed the young prince standing up against the nobles for the sake of Vorbuk.

"Aoki." Vorbuk simply spoke his name to get his attention.

"Yes, your majesty?" Aoki swallowed as he waited to hear what he had to say.

"You and Chase will be spending some time with Priestess Mai for the next few days. The two of you and help her take care of teaching mana use to her students." Vorbuk stepped on past the both of them.

"M-Master?!" Aoki was startled at the sudden order. "Teaching with the priestess?!"

"Father-?!" Prince Chase was confused about how he got dragged down with Aoki.

"Perhaps it will do you both some good," Vorbuk said to them without looking back, "If I catch you two causing problems I will extend the length of time."

A heavy silence fell over the both of them as they watched Vorbuk walk on without them. It was something neither of them could imagine dealing with. The two of them were very different from the priestess. Aoki felt like he could hear his own life shattering like glass. He could not imagine himself dealing with the priestess or helping someone take care of their students.