An Argument

Thousands of years ago 

A few days before the war and attack

"Sorry to reach you so early to discuss this," King Cedric said as two of his confidants entered his workspace, giving him a salute. "Sit down!" King Cedric pointed to two empty chairs in front of him.

"How about it? Is there any factual news of the barbarian's attack on the land and islands around Alras?" asked King Cedric to Luis, and Sebastian.

Luis and Sebastian took the time to meet with a difficult look to guess the meaning, then both gave the nod to the king. For a few days, Luis and Sebastian were assigned to observe the truth of the barbarian's attacks all over the country.

They watched the entire city of Mimora, the nearest island to Alras, collapse. Almost half of the town burned. In fact, Sebastian ventured across and witnessed firsthand the chaos that occurred from the border. Sebastian also heard warning alarms echoing from all over Mimora City.

Luis let out a long breath. Folding his hands on his chest, then he said, "Half of Mimora, a land so close to Alras, fell into the hands of the barbarians," Luis could not hide the bitterness in his voice when he recalled the thick black smoke rising in half of Mimora, as well as the screams of its inhabitants who lost defending their country. "It's just a matter of waiting for time—"

"We have to prepare, Your Majesty," Sebastian cut off. "Sooner or later, they will try to reach this land, when they have succeeded in taking control of the whole country directly opposite Alras."

King Cedric nodded. He then got up from his seat, walked up to Luis and Sebastian, then stood filling the empty space between the chairs that Luis and Sebastian were sitting in. Slowly King Cedric caught the broad shoulders of the two, staring straight into the eyes of the two men.

"Just sit down," King Cedric said as he felt Luis and Sebastian's shoulders move under his palm.

He knew that his two confidants were about to get up and kneel under his feet, but he did not allow what the two wanted to do. Not only them, but King Cedric also forbade all his people, all the habitants of Alras knelt when faced him. For King Cedric, they were all the same, no differentiator except the title and position he had. However, that did not make an excuse to get excessive respect from them. That is why the whole people and all the inhabitants of Alras loved King Cedric and his family so much.

He even taught the same thing to his son, the only son he had to never let anyone kneel under their feet, except enemies and traitors. Thus, everyone felt that King Cedric even his son had no blemishes, ugliness as well as weaknesses. In fact, they have. Just like most people and creatures that live on this earth.

The weakness of the king is in the queen and his son. And vice versa. When King Cedric asked Luis and Sebastian to protect Queen Ilaria, and his only son; Prince Marc, keeping them away from the chaos and war, the two men spontaneously met.

Luis and Sebastian had first received a similar request from Queen Ilaria, as well as Prince Marc, when they arrived from the duties given by the king, checking the state of the land close to Alras.

"Where are your voices?" quipped King Cedric when he did not get a response from his two confidants for a long time. "It seems that you guys are starting to object to fulfilling the small request I gave you."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Luis spoke first when he got a nod from Sebastian beside him. "We—"

King Cedric smiled. He patted Luis on the shoulder softly. "Just talk casually, cousin."

"Look, cousin," Luis spoke again. "Ilaria and Marc had first known all the chaos and wars that were going on around Alras. In fact, Marc knows a lot more about all the developments that are out there than the two of us. When we arrived from duty, Marc asked to be included in the war."

"Oh, no, Luis!" King Cedric refuted Luis's remarks. "You two certainly know what would happen if my son joined the war. If we... if he loses on the battlefield—"

"I'm not going to lose, dad!" retorted Prince Marc.

The young man jumped from behind the window. King Cedric, Luis, and Sebastian shook their heads watching the prince's behavior. Everyone knows, he is a werewolf, just like them. But his ability for climbing every wall of the palace, and even sneak into the king's workspace made everyone wonder about being him. Like the gaze that the three were showing at this time.

"I'm an Alpha, a werewolf, just like you guys," Marc explained in a loud voice.

Nimbly Marc jumped down from the window sill of his father's workspace, then attached himself to the king's work chair which felt so soft when it intersected with his buttocks and back.

Marc sighed with a smile. "This chair is really comfortable," he commented bluntly. "No wonder you would rather spend your time here than in the room, with mom."

"Hey hey hey!" rebuked King Cedric spontaneously. He even approached his son and tried to ask the young man to get up and get away from his chair. Patting Marc on the shoulder, he said again, "Don't talk carelessly, son! There can be a big misunderstanding if your mother heard your words just now."

"I want to sit here, dad," Marc ignored his father's complaints. "Let me sit a little longer."

King Cedric gently patted his son's shoulder before again motioning him to leave his chair immediately. "You can sit in this seat if I lose the war and leave this world."

"It's so scary for your words, dad."

"Isn't that the case?" retorted the king. "You will sit here, doing the whole work as well as the king's duty, when you officially succeed me. Either after I die, or I give up my throne to you."

"Stop offending about death, dad." Marc got up, allowing King Cedric to sit in his chair, in addition to his throne of pride. "Are you planning to lose the war against the barbarians?"

"No," replied King Cedric in a loud voice. He shook his head. "Of course not."

"Good!" retorted Marc. "In that case, include me in the war, dad."

Marc didn't get an answer. He looked disappointed. Even his father, King Cedric, turned his face when he gallantly volunteered to be included in the war. However, opposing the words of his parents is not Marc's skill. Even if he wanted to, he felt it was inappropriate to do so. Although he is a boy, all his wiggle room is restricted.

Marc knew, very well, that his father excluded him for a reason. The cause is either true or just a myth. Obviously, Marc hates being treated too especially as he is today. He's a boy, not a girl who should be given extra protection.

Marc chose to move on when he didn't get an answer. With heavy steps, he walked one by one along the passageway connecting the king's workspace with the palace hall and open field that is often used by the entire royal staff as a place to exercise or practice their abilities.

Marc was pensive when he was in the middle of the intersection. Either has to choose the passage on the right; towards the field, or the hallway on the left; towards the palace hall commonly used for meetings as well as the banquet of major events.

"Come with me!" Genevieve led Marc into the hallway to her right.