3 MY EXISTENCE

Volume 1: Ydeo's Adventure and the Trial of the Wise King - CHAPTER 3: MY EXISTENCE

I came to the kingdom of Ar-pi as per my mother’s request. I'll be staying here for while in order to prevent a great war. My mother, my brother, and my aunt, the Ranee of this kingdom is currently at Yong to stop a civil war. My mother predicted that there will be an upcoming great war. She is an amazing tactician and strategist, if she believe that making me go here will help her, then I should do it.

It's been a week since we came, and going here in the Imperial Palace from the main port is tireless, but I guess it is quite okay, because of beautiful and natural sceneries of the islands of Ar-pi, and it made me feel ease and comfort.

Ar-pi is rich in all kind of natural resources such as caves, falls, rivers and lakes, beaches, volcanoes, forest, and mountains . It is composed of thousands of islands. They able to connect one island from another with their giant bridges which it is said that those giant bridges were made by the giants and dwarves that their First Rajah helped.

It is written in their books and on the walls of their Palaces. Their Palace is made of Pink Marbles, it is a unique color, and this can only be found here in Ar-pi.

The Imperial Palace are so beautiful as if it is a Candy Palace. On the top of the palace you can see a giant mirror which is the symbol of a goddess named Liwayway. I think goddess Liwayway is one of their patron deity.

Anyway, today is the grand welcome for me, hosted by the Rajah and his only son. Unfortunately the Ranee, my aunt is in another country helping my mother to stop a civil war.

“My Lady, please go ahead.”

“No need to ask.” I said.

As I entered the hall, I immediately noticed the magnificent sculptures and paintings inside the Imperial Room. The room is filled with sculptures and paintings which shwos the history of Ar-pi, from from the first Rajah up to the current Rajah. This Kingdom treasure their art! They also play a wondrous chorus, I feel so special as I walk in the isle. Truly it is, this Kingdom is beautiful!

However, this mood easily killed by these people, how waste it is, I can feel the disgusting stares of these men. While the womenfolk’s wonder on my dress and silks, talking about how beautiful I am while walking. Nothing is changed, no matter where I am… nobles, merchants, knights or philosophers they always can't stop looking at me, admiring my beauty! the deities of Kaluwalhatian even envy my beauty!

Facing the immature-looking prince and Rajah, I feel bad for my aunt.

Continued talks is what heard. Murmur is everywhere. It kills the mood, I want to go back in my room.

Again talking about me and my past. Why are they always like that? They always wonder why I wear a mask.

Today I wear a pure white mask and a violet gown.

"The Princess are too beautiful that if you see her face you will lose your mind and may kill someone.” Rajah explained trying to appease the atmosphere

"There is this moment when I was on a banquet in the Empire of Viyato, a group of bandits tried to steal from the Empire's Treasury. But then they saw the princess on the balcony and were captivated by her goddess like beauty, the bandits decided to capture the princess instead.”

"The Royal Knights quickly searched for the princess and when they found the princess on a near shore. They saw the dead bodies of the bandits looking like they killed each other." The Rajah said.

Seriously they are gossiping in front of me? How rude and irresponsible these two are?

"The Emperor had a fight with his only son, the big brother of Princess Mayari. The prince caught him the Emperor harassing the Princess in her room.”

Does this guy wanted to be killed by the Emperor? If he does not stop from his word and this get to that man, his Kingdom is doom to end. I can see why they send me here. This guy is an idiot!

"Ever since that day the father and son was never in a good terms which is also why your aunt, my son, the Empress of Viyato, sent the princess here to prevent the two from fighting.”

"This also led them on deciding that only female attendants can be with Princess Mayari. Male Knights or any such are not allowed."

And now they talk about my family, great! But he is wrong, I came here for a different purpose. If my presence will made them kill each other, they should have done it already. This man spout nothing but gossip, isn’t that shameful for a man, or should I say, for a Rajah?

"A wonderful day your Majesty." I said.

They thank and greet me for coming here. They prepared a banquet, bands and performances, things I normally see in our empire. I'm tired with this, there's nothing new.

Meanwhile on the southern island near at the Imperial Palace.

"How should I live now? I am a disgrace, my future is gone!"

"How come your future is gone?" someone said.

Baffled by the sudden question, I look in my back and saw a young man on his teen looking at me. Based on his face He doesn't look like an Ar-pans. He has brown hairs, brown eyes and his skin is medium maybe he is from the Lucios. Only Lucian has this body.

"Who are you, are you a Luciano?" I asked.

"My name is Ydeo!" he introduced himself with high energy.

"I am Elite Warrior Ed-son." I replied.

"How did you know that I am from Lucious?" Ydeo said.

"Even if the Ar-pans become a mixed race, we can still distinguised if an Ar-pan is half Arima or Half Lipi-Lipi." I explained to him.

"Wow! That is amazing, this is the first time I travel outside of Lucios, I did not know that Ar-pi has mixed race." He was amazed by our Kingdom. I always met these kind of traveler. I wonder how the world looks like, but being an Elite Warrior is my dream, so traveling is not my stuff. Unless the Rajah ordered me to guard a noble ship or stuff that would allow me to travel outside Ar-pi. I heard that the Head Warrior met the Emperor of Viyato a year ago.

After having a small talk, Ydeo asked for the way to the Imperial Palace to watch the event later as a princess from a foreign land came here in Ar-pi. I would also like to see the princess but I can't take him there, maybe I can show him the way.

"I've been walking for 3 hours already yet I still can't see the Imperial Palace." He said.

"What? The Palace is only 25 minutes away from here to the north." I replied.

"Nani?!" He shouted.

I feel bad for this Kid, but I guess if I am a foreigner, I would also be lost without an escort.

"Okay, I decided, I will show you the way to the Imperial Palace. I am also interested to the princess of Viyato.

"Why did you said that you do not have a future? You're still young, right?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm a 23 year old man." I replied.

I explained to him the incident as he keep on asking me on why I said that I have no future. But I don’t think he understand it.

“Wow, I think your suck!” This guy decided to insult me.

“What?! Who are you to tell me that? Do you want a fight or something?” I threatened him. I did not become the best rookie for nothing. I know I can take him!

"Come! I won't lose to a guy who does not believe in himself.” Instead of being scared, he mirrored me with enough conviction.

His words made me stop. He’s right. I keep contradicting myself. I don’t trust myself enough to make a decision. How can I take my own troubles to another person, beside he is just an ordinary person. Just how low I become after fighting the Slayer? But I don’t blame myself, if another warrior meet him instead of me, he will also lose his confident. Father, mother, brothers and sisters of mine, I won't be weak like this again! I will show them how strong your big brother is!

He is right; kids can see what adults can't.

".. You’re right Ydeo. Thank you, I'll treat you." I said.

He looks so happy, I can also hear his stomach. How funny this kid is.

Meanwhile on the Imperial Palace

The Rajah and the Prince are preparing for an event they call, “Royal Justice”. The Prince explains this event while he escorts me to the Imperial Plaza.

Royal Justice is an occasion where they listen to the people's problem and give wise judgement. This is a known practice since ancient times when the people seek guidance or ask new ideas from head of the tribe, their elders or chieftains.

I see a new side from these two. I thought they are only idiots.

We went to the plaza and I can see a lot of audience. This event will show the greatness and charisma of a leader.

Once we came to our seats, the Head of the Imperial Warrior gave a list to the Rajah. The list composes of six people who will ask for advice.

While the Rajah explained future responsibility to El-ma as the next Rajah of the Kingdom, they decided to let the funny looking prince to take over the last of the six.

“Is the Rajah practicing his son or he is trying to show off? What are they thinking?”

The Imperial Warrior call the name of the people on the list.

At the outside of the Imperial Plaza

I was busy buying foods forYdeo when he disapperar. After a quick search, I see him walk through the Imperial gate. I thought that the rumored beautiful princess could be the topic of our conversation but looks like Ydeo is not interested with the princess. I followed him.

“Do you think the princess brought a lot of delicious food from Viyato?”

“.. Well, it is normal custom to exchange gifts whenever a royal family visits another land.”

He seemed happy and drooling when he heard that.

We went in the Plaza where the Royal Justice is taking place. That’s where Ydeo’s face changed. He seems very serious when he heard what it is all about.

I wonder what this kid is thinking. He look so serious despite in his age.

The Royal Justice commence without much of difference, the Rajah finished giving his decision of the people on the list.

It seems that the prince will take over the last of the people. Two women came and proclaiming to be the mother of the new born child on the center. Both of them looked sincere and telling the truth. How will the prince act? Will he act like his father or not?

At the seat of the Royal Family

“It is your turn now my son.” The Rajah said.

‘I will do this with honor.” The prince said.

“Princess Mayari, be my guess.” The prince took my hand and asked me to stand with him.

The prince looked at the two women, he look to the sky and had a deep breathe, he stand with dignity, after that he come up a decision and then he said, "True love never lose!” What did he mean by that?

"Both of you must fight, only the true mother with full of love to the child can win the fight." He decided.

He is the same as his heartless and bastard father. This is not a wise decision but arrogance!

The Rajah ignorantly agreed, so they order the Imperial Warriors to give them the weapon they want.

Both proclaiming mothers seemed hesitant. They did not expected the turn of event but decided to pick up the swords given and stand away from each other.

Swords clashed, clamors from the spectators too. I want to stop it but I don't have authority to do so.

Meanwhile at the crowd

"What is wrong with this people Ed-son?!" Ydeo questioned the decision of the prince.

"What do you mean? What the prince said is true. True love will not be defeated, a real mother will not hesitate to kill for her child sake." I answered.

Ydeo are baffled because of the events. Ydeo was about to stop the fight but I stopped and threatened him.

The crowds are cheering for both of the women. The two of them are skilled and have experiences in battle giving the crowd excitement with the battle.

But it seem that Ydeo has a different view on it.

Meanwhile Princess Mayari questioned the Rajah and the Prince’s decision.

"Investigation. That's what we're doing." The Rajah said.

"There's no way that the Mother of that child will won this fight." The Prince added.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It’s how the commoners think, this is a fight of survival. The real mother of that child just want to have her child safe, but the other one will be desperate to live. Giving the lying woman, more will to kill the real mother." He answered.

"I don't get it." I replied.

"He just mean that a fake mother can't die for someone else's child. The one who look desperate to survive is the fake mother and the one who will likely lose is the real mother." The Rajah added.

"The fake mother will be killed right away then, once confirmed." The Prince said.

"What if the real mother also die?" I asked.

"Then we will throw the child." He answered without hesitation.

I can't say anything when I heard their reasons. Is this how to become a ruler?

I continue to watch, but when the fight is likely about to end a young man rush to them and stopped the fight.

The Rajah was shocked and angry when he see the young man stopped the fight. The Rajah immediately commanded his Imperial Warrior to capture the young man.

"What you did is wrong Rajah Jaroleo!" I heard him shouted.

Everyone was left in awe when they heard Ydeo

At the same time, shouts from the Rajah were heard.

"My name is Rajah Geroleo!"

“They sound the same!” the boy said.

Elite Warrior Ed-son’s eyes are big as plates when he heard him argues with the Ar-pi’s Rajah.

“It is Geroleo!”

“It’s okay to call you Jaroleo! Your head’s look like a Jar! It fits.”

"What is your name, ignorant child!"

"My name is Ydeo, I am a fine young man, don't call me a child! Don't forget that, Jaroleo!"

The audience couldn't stop to laughing on the conversation slash shouts form both sides of the plaza.

Some of the audience throws jokes to the Rajah.

The Rajah was so mad that he ordered to have the boy imprison for treason for making fun of him and stopping the Royal Justice. It is the same as questioning the Ruler. Guards are in place and subdue the boy but he resisted and tried to attack the Rajah. The Prince was also shocked on what he witness.

Guards are trained; they are the forces of the Kingdom but were not able to completely subdue one lone kid.

“Who are you?” The shocked Prince could help but wonder.

An Elite Warrior appear from the crowd and he introduced himself. "My name is Ed-son, I am an Elite Warrior. I will subdue this kid!"

The crowd cheered for the Elite Warrior. "Stop the arrogant child Rising Hero!" they said.

Again, Elite Warrior Ed-son came to stop Ydeo, but even he could not stop his rampage. The guards and warriors are already in there, but Ydeo’s resist still ongoing.

Finally, the Head Warrior came to hold him from behind and another Elite Warrior shot him with sleeping stick.

Before the Imperial Guards take the young boy, I, who was quietly observing everything from a distance, stood up.

“Unhand him. I want him as my slave.” I said to the Rajah.

“No. He is a prisoner.” Rajah Geroleo refused.

"Come to my room later. If you give him to me, I will give something to you." I whispered to the ear of this fuming Rajah.

CHAPTER 3 END…