46 A blessing from the King

The breezy wind was making it a chilly night for the two figures that were under the moon. With the moon and countable stars lighting up the surrounding darkness, making a slight glow on the two.

The king of Canopus, Leonidas, shone like a newly polished gold, with his fluttering cape that goes until his waist. He stood beside the Crown Prince of Antares, who was bending down while looking up to the big and beautiful light in the sky.

"What is the reason for you to call me out for a chat, Leon?" Chance asked.

"Does wanting to have a chat with a friend not enough reason?" Leonidas asked in return.

Chance smiled, "I guess that is enough. It is good to run into you, countable times by small chances."

Leonidas let out a chuckle, 'It is not by chance, I live in the palace so it is natural for me to see you.' he said in his head. He could see Chance any time in his window or when he is walking around, but the prince does not seem to notice.

Come to think of it, has Chance never thought of why he could see Leon inside the palace? 'I guess it never came to cross his mind.' The king thought.

While Chance was still looking up at the moon outside, Leonidas that was beside him stares at him, observing his expression. "From the look of it, your thoughts are in a disarray and it troubles you. What is your problem, little fellow?"

The question surprised Chance, and he glanced at Leon to the side, "What makes you think that I have a problem?" he asked, though the king was right.

"Because…" He smiled and put a finger near his eyes, then pointed at Chance, "The stars in your eyes are gone."

Chance just stared at him and had no idea what to say to his words, 'Stars in my eyes, huh?' he thought and looked back to the direction of where he was looking earlier and raised his head up to the moon.

"A friend told me once," Chance said, not putting his gaze away from the sky. "That when something interests me, stars show up in my eyes."

Leonidas felt a throbbing pain in his chest for a quick moment, with an unknown reason. Confused, he was, but he ignored it and returned his focus on Chance. "Your friend is right, and yet now, why are there no stars?"

Chance shut his eyes tight and sighed, "I do not know what interests me anymore." he responded.

The man with a face of a lion tilted his head to the side while looking at Chance, "Then what did you find interesting by that time your friend said that?" he asked.

Chance remembered his job and the reason he is living in the past now, "History."

"History?"

"I enjoy learning history. Knowing the past is interesting for me." he stated. He put down his gaze away from the moon, "But now…I do not know anymore."

"And why is that?"

"I do not know if it is now interesting or just…distressing."

Leonidas gave him his usual amused look, "Why would you find, knowing the past, distressing now?"

"Because everyone in the past is already dead."

Silence went in between them again. The wind blew and no one spoke. It was true; they are already dead. From his current time and the time where he is currently in, it has been over a century so of course, technically, everyone is dead.

"Why am I trying so hard to know the story of someone who is already dead?" Chance said in a low voice.

The historical researcher is regretting it. He should not have made that wish, he should not have continued the assignment. He should have given up on it after the struggle with a lack of information.

Now, he is stuck in the past. The only way to get out is for him to wait until his destined death.

At first, Leonidas was curious. He thought, who is that 'someone' that he wants to know the story of? To be distressed as to ruminate on it this way, he must really have a serious problem.

It was still chilly as the icy wind continued to blow, Leonidas took a few steps and stopped a little behind Chance. "There is nothing wrong with knowing the story of a dead person" he said.

He took off his cape and wrapped it around the crown prince's shoulders, "The person who died would also likely want his story to be known," Chance glanced at Leon after putting the cape, "Rather than be forgotten." he continued, staring directly at his eyes.

Howard put all of Leon's words into his head. Noticing that Chance was thinking deeply about it, Leonidas smiled, 'A really interesting fellow.' he thought again.

Weston approached them, and Leonidas looked at his servant who just nodded. He faced Chance to bid his farewell, "It is deep in the night, it may be best if we return to our chambers." he said.

The Valorian knight also approached and went to his master's side to bow together to Leonidas. "I thank you for the cape, I will reciprocate your kindness when I get a chance. Farewell, Your Highness."

The King was about to go but then stopped and turned around, back to him. "What is with the honorific? You knew that I am of royalty?"

Chance gave him a small smile, "It was obvious that you were a royal. From your looks to your clothing and the fact that you are always seen here in the palace, it is no mistake that you are part of the royal family of Stein." he responded.

Leonidas stood there, stunned. After a while he chuckled, "I see."

"And you knew that I was the Crown Prince even though I did not tell you. Not only that, but you also look like Cole." he added.

"Cole?"

"The little prince. His Highness, Louis Cole."

Leonidas almost laughed, 'Louis allowed someone to call him Cole?' he thought in disbelief. 'Interesting.' he was amused, of course. The little grumpy prince allowed someone other than his brothers to call him by name. Not only that, but his second name.

"That means you know what I am?" he asked.

"Hmm. Cole and Caliber's brother? You must also be a prince." Chance answered.

Leonidas just smiled and did not utter a word to tell his identity. 'He still does not know that the one in front of him, is a king.' he thought. Little did Chance know, the King that he needed to meet to go home to Antares, was already right there in front of him.

"That is right, I am their brother." he said to Chance with a smile on his face. He and Weston looked at each other, "Now, it is time for me to go."

"Thank you for having time to chat with me, I will see you again, Crown Prince of Antares." he said.

The eyes of the other two people, Weston and Alec, slightly widened when Leonidas went near Chance and planted a kiss on his forehead.

Chance Howard was dumbfounded by what the lion-like man did to him. A sudden kiss? His hand made its way to his forehead and touched it. The feeling of the lips was still there, and he glanced at Leonidas, who was just standing calmly with a smile, as if he did nothing.

Before Chance could explain, Leonidas let out a chuckle. "It is a blessing from me."

'A…a blessing?' Chance repeated in his mind, confused by what he meant.

The lion winked, "Farewell." he said for the last time and turned around. Weston followed behind him.

By that wink, it definitely meant something, Chance thought.

Without the knowledge that Leon was King Leonidas, the new king of Canopus, he had no idea that he received the blessing of a king early before even getting to know his identity. Even if he is not a prince, if he gets the blessing, no one in the kingdom will go against you.

Charles's father only ordered to meet the king, yet even without meeting him as a 'king' he already received a blessing. What would be the Antares King's reaction if he finds out?

Meanwhile, since Alec and Chance came from Antares, they did not know what the kiss meant.

For the king to kiss someone, except of course the girls he sleeps with, is a rare chance to come. The fact that he got the blessing is a big deal.

And yet here he stood, oblivious of the meaning of what just happened.

From afar, wherein the king is currently walking, he could guess their reaction even without looking back. He laughed and Weston gave him an awkward look, 'My master is so weird.' he thought.

Leonidas then recalled the weird feeling he got from earlier. The strong wind, the throbbing pain and a familiar feeling. It was the first time he felt that way and he wonders what the reason was behind it.

Even so, he ignored it. He smiled and was amused by the little chat that he had with the prince. "

"Indeed, an amusing fellow."