Lost

"Sir Alexander! It's good to see you today!" The queen said when she saw the vassal.

"Good day to the beautiful moon of the Sataraia," he said and bowed gracefully to the Queen. "I heard from the King that you will meet Prince Xydel's trainer, so I spare some time to join you."

He said looking at me. When our eyes met he nodded his head and smiled at me which gave me the creeps.

"Oh, how nice of you. Come in, join us," he entered the room and made his way toward the seat across from mine. Prince Xydel sat beside me and the princess beside her mother.

"Your uniform suits you well, Sir Nicholas. Not all soldiers look good in that uniform." the Vassal said.

The way he looks at me suggests something. Suddenly, the scene on my first duty came into my mind. He likes young boys like me.

"Thank you, Sir," I said even though I felt really uneasy with the look that he was giving me.

"It does suit you master." the Prince said as lively as ever, agreeing to the Vassal. "Oh I forgot to introduce my younger sister," he said looking at the princesses who seemed so shy. She's way smaller than the Prince, looking so adorable in her light green gown with her long golden brown hair is braided on the side. Her eyes were like the queen's except for the color. It seems like she's around 14 to 15 years old.

"Princess Merria Mydelle Edan, are you not going to greet our visitors?" the Queen suddenly said. We all turned to look at her and then at the Princess, who seemed hesitant. She stood up and curtsied, saying, "Princess Merria greets the visitors." She looked adorable, almost making me wish I had a little sister too, but I knew it was impossible.

"It's an honor to meet you Princess Merria," I said as I bowed at her. She smiled shyly and sat again at her mother's side.

"Mother taught her the basics of archery too. She's quite skilled," the Prince spoke with enthusiasm.

"Yes, prince, I taught her and she's even better than you." The queen said, teasing the Crown Prince. I can't help but smile at them.

"But at least, I know how to use it now, thanks to my trainer. He is really good at every weapon in the training ground," he said which made me feel a little embarrassed.

"Of course Prince. He wouldn't be your trainer if not. The King saw his potential firsthand during the tournament in their training camp." Alexander said to the Prince. "We heard from the director of the camp that you were training there for only two years, and you already mastered weaponry in just that short period with the help of Imelda of course."

"Imelda Bowen?" I noticed a sudden spark of interest in the Queen's eyes. She seemed to recognize the name immediately. "She's the one who taught me archery back in the day." Her statement took me by surprise. I know that my trainer, Imelda Bowen was a well-known name in the capital, but the fact that the Queen had a direct connection with her was quite intriguing.

The Queen went on to explain why she was familiar with the way Xydel used the bow and arrow in combat, and that is because I was trained by Imelda, and now I'm using the same techniques to teach her son. It was fascinating to see how the Queen's face lit up with nostalgia as she recounted her experiences with one of the greatest archers of the land. It was a pure coincidence that Xydel's technique reminded her of her mentor's teachings.

"She is the one that I look up to. When the war broke out, she led the army to victory with only minimal casualties. I was actually a little bit sad when she chose to retire early and went to the camp to train young people like you," the Queen said.

"Your Highness, that lady remains as cold-hearted as always. She didn't even bother to assist Nicholas when he fainted during the tournament," Alexander chuckled. "Fortunately, you were able to recover quickly," he added, glancing at me.

"Yes, I'm glad it was a fast recovery," I just said, still feeling a little awkward.

"Anyway, it's really nice to know that Imelda was the one who trained you. The young prince is surely in good hands," she said smiling at me which made me smile as well. I can really feel my mother's warmth from her.

"Let's have a snack," she said picking up the small bell from her side and ringing it.

"I've had my maids prepare a snack for my visitors so please feel free to eat your fill," 

When the snacks arrived, all of us were served by the maids. The vassal and the Queen were talking about some palace affairs while the Prince was assisting his sister.

I was just observing them, looking around at the rooms. It was richly decorated with fine fabrics and expensive vases and ornaments. I suddenly felt a gaze on my side so I tried to look at where it was coming from. 

One maid was looking at me and when our eyes met, her face became red, and avoided my gaze she even tried to cover her face. The maid beside her even nudges her side. I just smiled a little and awkwardly continued eating while eavesdropping on the Queen and the Vassal's conversation.

The Queen gracefully bid us farewell after thanking me for accepting her invitation. She expressed her hope that the Crown Prince would continue to benefit from my knowledge and insights in the future. The Queen then proceeded to inform us that she had to attend a tea party organized by one of the Countesses in the Capital and the young princess followed her out of the room.

"Since you are here, why don't you tour your master here in the palace, young prince?" Alexander suggested as he was about to go out of the room.

"Thank you, Sir, but I have to decline, I have to return to my posts—" Before I can even finish what I'm saying, the vassal cut me off.

"Don't worry about it, you can be excused as long as you're with the Prince," he said with a tone of assurance.

"Come on master, I'm willing to be your tour guide here in the palace,"

"If the prince insists then I have no say," I said scratching the back of my neck.

"That's good. I hope you have a good time," Alexander said and bowed to the Prince before exiting the room.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to be having a tour when I should be returning to my post?" I asked the Prince who was leading the way.

"Of course! As Sir Alexander said, it's okay as long as you are with me. His words are absolute and so were mine," the Prince said confidently.

Come to think of it, he is freely deciding on things here in the palace as if he has equal power to royals. 

"How many years has Sir Alexander been serving here in the Palace?" I asked the Prince.

"If I'm not mistaken, he has been serving as my father's trusted advisor and mentor ever since my grandfather passed away. Based on what I know, he's been great in guiding my father through the complicated things in politics, particularly here in Sataraia. It's safe to say that he is an invaluable asset to our family, and his guidance has greatly contributed to our success in ruling the Kingdom."

"He doesn't have a family or successor? I assumed that his age is about my mother's age,"

"He doesn't have any family anymore, he was considered an orphan because when his parents were killed, he inherited a lot when his whole family died, and he gained the power and authority that he has on his own. I kind of admire him because, despite all those circumstances that he had experienced, he was able to get up and become a prominent figure here in the kingdom," 

I can't help but feel a little bad because the one he idolized is a greedy murderer. If only I could disclose that information to him, but I can't take that risk. I can't trust anyone, not even the crown prince. 

"They seem to be a powerful house when his family is alive, considering the amount of his inheritance and power over the nobles,"

"I don't have much idea about it but he is the only alive person in their lineage, no wife nor successor at that," he said. AN I just nodded contented on the information that I've received. And I should refrain from asking too many questions about the vassal to avoid suspicion.

"Oh master, I will show you the portrait of my family, even that former rulers of the Kingdom," he said excitedly, half running towards the end of the long hallway. I just realize that whenever he gets excited he acts like a kid.

"This is the room where the portraits were taken and hung for everyone here in the palace to see," he opened the huge door when we reached the end of the hallway. 

When we entered it, it was way simpler than the room that we'd been to. It has a high ceiling and when you open the door, the first thing that you will see is the portrait of the current King. On the upper part of the wall is his family. And that is the same when you look around. A huge space with portraits of the former royal family of Sataraia.

"This is my great-grandfather, the King's grandfather, who died during the war when his Son was the one sitting on the throne. I admire him because he didn't die as a King, but rather, he retired early and passed the crown to the crown prince during that time who is my grandfather. He spent his last days with his wife but sadly they passed away during the war." He was intently looking at the portrait on the left part of the room which I assume is his great-grandfather.

I observed it closely and one thing caught my attention. The familiar ash-brown hair, almond eyes, and fair skin, but with a more mature look. I looked closely at the details in the portrait of the woman.

"What is it, master?"

"Is she your great-grandmother?" I asked, still looking intently at the familiar face in the portrait.

"Yes, she is Queen Catrisana Edan. Why? Did you happen to know her?" I didn't answer him, instead I looked at every woman in their family. The King's sisters, the Young Princess, and all the other women in the family have the same distinct features as Thria.

She looks like the older Thria Elden.