40.

The next day, I woke up early as usual. Since I've got nothing to do, I went to the kitchen and gathered the chefs to help me prepare breakfast for the the royal family and the chipmunks.

The chefs were excited as they can't sleep thinking about the appliances that would make their lives easier. I taught them for an hour before teaching them about cooking. They were enlightened that some techniques could be used in combination with other techniques to create a unique kind of flavor to the food. I made pancakes for the chipmunks and pastries with coffee for the adults.

I almost lost my mind when I learned that they've been using coffee beans as an ingredient for black paints.

I bought a coffee maker from the system and brewed some coffee while making the pastries before setting them aside for half an hour before baking it. I still got a lot of time left before they woke up so I went to an overlooking spot in the castle.

I sat down on the ledge as I looked at half of the Lucis Kingdom. I saw people from the inner circle trying to set up their stalls people from the residential area who got up and prepares to work for today.

While I am overlooking, Father saw me and approached me as he leaned on the ledge I am sitting at.

"A beautiful place isn't it? Our ancestor staked their lives to protect this beautiful place, the safe haven of the people of Lucis." He said.

"Indeed, but it is kind of idiotic in my opinion, but I guess I can't blame them since they've got no choice." I said.

"What do you mean, son?" He asked.

"I mean, you are a great ruler, that's a fact, though your taste in choosing wife for your children sucks, I cannot deny that you are a good father as well as a king. I admire you for that." I said.

"Oh please, can you repeat it? I haven't heard what you said." He said shamelessly.

"I said your taste in choosing a wife for your son sucks. I want you to retire so that you can spend the rest of your life with mother. You are a great ruler and can do more but with the crystal draining your life force, your time in the throne has a limit. 13 years or longer as long as your body can handle, I believe?" I said as he nodded.

"It can't be helped son, without the crystal, we wouldn't be able to float in the clouds, we won't have these kinds of technology, and we wouldn't be able to protect the people with the wall. With the help of the crystal protecting us and our brilliant people that kept on innovating, our Kingdom kept on advancing leaving other Kingdoms and Empires behind the dust. My life is nothing compared to maintaining the peace and prosperity of Lucis." He said proudly.

"And you didn't even stop and thought of the people who are worried for you?" I asked.

"That's the life of a King, my son. When you become one, your life is already tied with the people and not only for yourself." He said.

"Yup, its really not my thing. My decision to step down is indeed a wise one." I said as Father grunted.

"Being a king is honorable and the people praise and love you for it." He said.

"I don't want and need the love and praise of the people. The only love I need is from my family, wife, and kids. I just want to live my life and watch my kids grow into someone I could be proud of. Those are one of the things I learned from outside Lucis. Life is short, either you live it with a bang or die full of regrets." I said to Father.

"When are you going to announce Somnus' ascension?" I asked trying to lead the conversation away and it seems that father doesn't want to continue with the topic as well.

"Later in the afternoon. I issued a crier to tell about the big news that will be revealed later. It is also a good idea to announce your return. It will make the people happy for your return." I nodded as it is also time for the people to know about Somnus' good deeds from the dark so that people would keep on supporting him.

"Tell me, son. My daughter-in-law is not a simple one, isn't it?" He asked which surprised me. I thought due to Irene's nervousness they would thought she is a normal person.

"Well, what you're saying is true. She became a general and a trusted aide of the King of Alvares Kingdom." I said as Father opened his mouth wide.

"You mean the Kingdom that is focused in the military and is on par with our army?" He said as I nodded.

In terms of cannon fodder soldier strength, Lucis is way stronger than Alvares, while in terms of generals, it is quite difficult to decide.

Alvares' Spriggans have purely focused on their magic while Lucis' generals are mostly weapon masters due to Lucis being a scientific Kingdom. The generals that have become weapon masters and polished their magic at the same time were lesser than 10.

"Yeah, we could use our marriage with Irene and ally with Alvares, gaining us a powerful ally in the progress." I said as Father nodded.

We kept on talking before I said my goodbye to father as it is time to take the dough out and bake it.

Soon, the others started waking up and the chipmunks were running all around the palace playing hide and seek. They didn't have the chance to do it in our house since the place is not really that big compared to a palace.

I saw Irene who just finished talking to mother as I had her scan the chipmunks because breakfast will be served.

While she is scanning the place to find the chipmunks, I asked her.

"So? What did mother teach you? Do you think it'll work?" I chuckled

'Even if mother taught you how to handle me, it will always end up with me bullying you so don't even think about it.'

Irene turned red as her scanner has gone haywire for a second before stabilizing.

'Wait... why did Irene become red? Don't tell me... did mother perhaps taught her tips on how to handle me... in bed? Holy sh*tballs mother! What is wrong with you?!' I thought

"Don't tell me that mother taught-" I said but Irene cut me off.

"I swear, Noct, if you continue what you're about to say, you're sleeping alone tonight!" She declared with an embarrassed face as it confirmed my suspicions.

'What the actual f*ck did mother teach Irene?!' I thought as Irene ran to pick jp the chipmunks, leaving me behind flabbergasted.

The morning went by as we dressed up for the announcement of Somnus' Ascension.