Chapter 2

He groaned then scratched his nape upon hearing the commotion from his room. There are matches clearly from the soldiers since it's a metal sound in sync, shouts from the guards and then it was followed by the loud knock.

"Yes... yes I'm awake now." he announced.

His feet landed on the ground of his room then he walked towards his still closed veranda to get a glance about

the commotion outside.

His mouth slightly agape when he saw the number of people outside their manor and then he noticed the soldiers

beside their opened gate, he tilted his head a little before glancing at the familiar wagon in front of their manor. He gasped in excitement then rushed inside the bathroom to take a quick shower to welcome and entertain the very special guest who surely awaits him on his office or their receiving area.

Now he knew the reason why it caused a commotion outside their house; the King paid a visit to their household! That explains the cheers coming from the crowd outside.

"Your majesty!" he greeted, while excitedly walking down the stairs.

The towering, fine man smiled at him then opened his arms for a hug.

"How have you been? I missed you." the king said.

"Well… I'm doing great."

"You should spare some time and pay me a visit in the palace, my lord." the king offered.

"I would love to, but I don't want to disturb your work, your majesty."

"What? I can ditch my work sometimes too." the majesty said proudly.

"The duke wouldn't be happy if he heard that, your majesty." and then both of them laugh.

King Roy Albrecht is the youngest ruler out of the four kingdoms in the empire. He is just two months older than

Idris, that explains their closeness aside from they're really friends. King Roy lived in their manor for 4 years after the late king and queen died from a shipwreck when Roy was just 14-year-old. The duke, Frederick Gastrell, his father, became Roy's new guardian, from taking care of him up to teaching him the duties his parents left to him as the royal prince that time. They became much closer when the majesty started to live with them and after the coronation event, Roy decided to live in the palace again to continue the reign his father left to him. And in those 4 years, the west was a kingless kingdom, the Imperial Majesty gave Duke Frederick the authority to temporarily rule the kingdom, but of course with the emperor's knowledge in every action they did.

His father, the other rulers, archbishop, and some heads all of them guided king Roy when he was still adjusting to his parents' death. But Idris' father played a big role in the king's life. And of course, it all went smoothly because of the people in their kingdom who showed a lot of support to the royal prince years ago.

"Your majesty and my lord, sorry for interrupting you but I just want to inform you that the duke has arrived."

James said after lowering his head a little, a sign of respect before talking to the noblemen.

Idris was shocked, it was all written on his handsome face, "Already!?" he exclaimed.

He was shocked because that's new… it's just been five days since his father went to the east, that was too fast. Because whenever the duke's dealing with this kind of trading trips he'll take a week or two, but the longest so far is a month. They get to chat with a letter only given by a messenger.

"Well… he's here now might as well surprise and welcome him?" the king suggested before shrugging.

"He won't be surprised, your presence is quite noticeable." he joked before glancing at the window, a crowd

of people are still outside their manor waiting for king to be out.

The king raised his brow before looking outside, "Oh…" then he laughed, "Next time, I should look more irrelevant

when visiting huh?"

"Which you can never do, because you need a lot of guards and you don't have a small carriage, your majesty." Idris added.

The king just barked a laugh at his remark before standing to follow the steward who was about to welcome the duke.

"Welcome home, you grace!" the king said happily with an open arm causing the crowd of people to cheer and that shocked the duke who was taking off his coat.

"Your majesty!" Idris' dad exclaimed.

"Heard you went to Mermolt again, your grace."

"Yes yes, I am making our connections to the other kingdoms stronger."

"By trading?" Idris butted in.

"Yes, by trading, this will be a big help to our people in the middle and lower caste." his father nodded, "Can you wait for me then, your majesty? I just want to change into some comfortable and presentable suit."

"You don't need to but do as you please." the king smiled.

Idris father nodded before looking at him, he gave his son a stare that had a message in it, saying entertain the king first.

Idris as a good son obliged to his father's order.