Unexpected Appearance

"The Queen requests your presence tomorrow," the Commander said as I was eating my breakfast in the dining hall. 

"What?" I said a little shock. I tried recalling what I did for the past days, but as long as I can remember I haven't done anything that offended the Queen or any of the Royals.

"Well, she just relayed the message to me."

"Thank you, Commander," I said still thinking about the Queen's request to see me tomorrow. If I'm not mistaken, the Queen is really nice and kind compared to the King. Since polygamy is not a thing here, her children are the sole heir to the throne, so there's no competition on it except for her own children.

After finishing my meal, I headed towards my quarters to prepare for my daily duty at the training ground. I was already in possession of my uniform and it fit me perfectly. It's a Black and Gold army uniform similar to the captain's, except for the embroidered logo on the shoulder and chest which distinguished us from them.

I got used to everything here, and so far nothing has happened to me. even after my encounter with Milla last time. I haven't seen her since that day. Maybe she is really trying to avoid any interaction with me.

"Nicholas! We heard that you were to meet the Queen tomorrow," Salen asked the moment he saw me. I just nodded in response.

"You are really being favored by everyone, that's actually a good thing!"

"Maybe they just want to ask the Prince's progress," I said as I was looking around the area.

"Can I go with you? Say I'm your assistant perhaps?" He said nudging my side a little.

"Stop it, Salen. Wouldn't it be so arrogant of me if I had an assistant? I am just a mere trainer here."

"Trainer of the Crown Prince!" He exclaimed. I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Nicholas Avenier, you have a letter," one of the guards handed me two envelopes.

"Oh, from your family? Or partner?" Salen teasingly said.

"From my mother and a friend," 

I immediately open the letter from my mother. I just realized that I haven't written a single letter ever since I went here.

I mentally noted to write letters for my mother, the count, and this later.

"This is going to be another boring day since we will just stand here, guard the ground and if unlucky, stop knights who will get into trouble," Salen complained acting as if he was so fed up with our daily routine.

"What if we spar as well?" I asked him which made him look at me with wide eyes.

"Are you seriously asking me to spar with you? Man, I will never say no to that, let's go!" He said and immediately went to the table full of weapons, he took off his top as well leaving him half naked. 

I followed him to the table and picked up the wooden sword.

"This is a great privilege for me since you are the chosen soldier to teach the crown prince," Salen said excitedly.

"Stop your nonsense and let's start this," I said and prepared myself.

Salen is 5'9 in height and has a not-so-muscled body built. I can see Liam in him, so I am assuming that he's going to be fighting with an insane speed too.

But I was completely wrong about it. He can enhance his attack and defense at the same time with his energy, but he isn't as good as Liam in combat fighting. His moves are predictable and simple, nothing about the way he fights is remarkable.

Maybe because he came from the Royal Academy where his father is an executive. He told me that he wanted to be a soldier instead of doing paperwork like his father and older brothers.

"Maybe you should try learning more about fighting. The way you utilize your energy is really useful so a little more training won't hurt."

"Yes, I know that I am a little weak on that part. Maybe because I was taught very little about it," he said as if it was not the first time he heard it.

"Then why don't you try improving it? Are you just going to stay like that forever?"

"I'm good now. I just want to escape my fate from being someone who works non-stop inside the office of the Academy."

I just shrugged my shoulder and wiped my sweat and we both sat on the pile of sacks on the side.

There is a new batch of trainees from the Northern Region who are training now, so we are just watching them as they are being trained by their squad captain.

"Good thing we are under the direct command of Commander Dyle, we don't have to be the other captain's slave," 

I agree with what Salen said. We have noticed a lot of crazy treatment here in the training area. Some of the captains are really using their positions for their own benefit. What a bunch of power-tripping cowards.

"Use your left hand!" My voice boomed around the Prince's training area.

He groaned when I tapped his side. He wasn't able to deflect my attacks that were coming from the left.

I pulled his hand twisting it on his back and kicked his right knee which made him kneel and groan.

"You still need to improve your awareness," I said as I released him. He sat on the ground stretching his left arm and legs.

"Master, I was really having a hard time trying to figure out your attacks," he said as if he was complaining.

"Because you are too focused on my body movement," 

This is our first time doing hand-to-hand combat and I must say he doesn't know how to fight properly. 

"When facing an opponent without any weapon, it's important to focus on their eyes," I said as I offered my hand to help him up from the ground, hoping to offer some advice, "I noticed confusion in your eyes as I attacked, which made it easy for me to gain the upper hand," I added as I handed him his water. I wanted to make sure he understood the importance of maintaining a clear and focused mind during a fight.

"But how can I even see your next moves if I don't look at your movement?" He aked, brows furrowed.

"You can tell by my eye movement, Xydel. Have you seen me look away from you?" I asked. He squinted his eyes as if recalling something.

"You already know the basics of using different kinds of weapons, now we have to focus on your hand-to-hand combat. It's still so disappointing that at your age, you still can't defend yourself by just using your bare hand."

"I'm sorry about that, master. But now that you are lecturing me about all this, I will be able to do this as long as I listen and apply your teachings." He said ardently.

"Your mother, the Queen, invited me today to join you and your sibling in the drawing room," I informed him.

"Yes, Her Highness wants to meet my mentor so he asked the commander to extend her invitation to you,"

"I hope she wouldn't scold me for hurting you at times of training." The prince shakes his head. 

"Of course not! Trust me, Mother is excited to meet the one who taught me how to use my favorite weapon which is the bow,"

I looked at him and his eyes were gleaming by just talking about it.

"You see, my mother was a notorious huntress during her prime years. She likes to join hunting competitions, but unfortunately, she wasn't able to continue it when the war broke out decades ago. Now, she just does archery as a hobby when she is bored and not busy with the palace affairs."

"I see, and she didn't teach you that?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Not really. My father is the one who is assigning people to teach me, and he doesn't want my mother to meddle with my studies." He said sounding a little bit sad. 

"I see. Maybe that's why you have learned to use the bow and arrow easily. You got it from your mother." I said and that made him smile.

"I came to love it the moment you taught me how to properly use it."

"Okay, get up now and try landing a punch on me," I said as I offered my hand to him. He put the bottle of water aside and stood up.

"I will try harder this time." He said bouncing off a little.

"Remember to apply what I taught you," he nodded and started attacking me.

After the training with the prince, I immediately eat breakfast and clean up. I made sure that I looked neat. I ran my fingers through my hair and went off to the drawing room where I first met the Prince.

I noticed several guards stationed outside the room. As I approached, they gave me a disdainful look from head to toe. I knew what they were thinking without them saying a word. When I reached the door, they refused to open it, standing there as if I didn't exist. I shook my head internally at their unprofessional behavior. I opened the door and was momentarily dazzled by the luxurious decor and furnishings inside the room.

As soon as I saw the woman with long ash-brown hair, dressed in elegant white and green formal attire, sitting in one of the chairs, I immediately kneeled down and greeted her.

"You highness, the Queen, Nicholas Avenier greets thee." 

"You may stand, Sir Nicholas," her voice sounds like my mother's, calm, soothing, and sweet.

"Thank you for honoring me with your presence, Your Highness."

I don't know but I suddenly feel nervous for no reason. As time passed by, I could feel the atmosphere getting heavier as if my breath was being sucked out of my lungs.

"Are you feeling okay, Sir Nicholas? You look rather pale," the Queen asked with concern. I breathed deeply and composed myself.

"I apologize, Your Highness, perhaps I'm just too nervous," I said politely, hoping to make amends. As I spoke, I couldn't help but gaze at her in awe. She had a regal, commanding presence that demanded respect. I felt a strange sense of familiarity with her, almost as if I had met her before. 

"You may take your seat, Nicholas." She said smiling as she offered the seat on the left part. "The Prince will come shortly." She added.

"Thank you, Your Highness." I bowed before going to my seat.

"So it's true that you are very well-mannered, yet you also have a strong will. It can be challenging to balance both traits, but I appreciate your efforts in doing so." the Queen suddenly said making me look at her.

"Xydel has been talking about you non-stop. His eyes were practically sparkling with joy as he talked about his morning training with you whenever I asked how it went." She continued.

"My son, the crown prince, has been feeling a lot of pressure from the other nobles ever since he took on the role. He's a bit shy too, which isn't helping his situation. But I'm happy that he's found something that brings him joy. He's really taken a liking to the weapon that I love. It's been so wonderful to see him talk about it with such enthusiasm. Thank you for your patience and dedication to teaching my son, Nicholas. I never thought I'd see Xydel enjoying something so much again." The Queen smiled warmly as she spoke.

"It's nothing, Your Highness. I should be the one thanking you for your kind words. I am just doing what I'm expected to do." 

"How nice of you, Nicholas. Anyway, what do you prefer, tea or juice?"

I was in the middle of saying something when I was cut off by the sound of the door opening. As the door swung open, my attention was immediately drawn towards the figure of the Prince, who was looking as dashing as ever in his elegant royal attire. To my surprise, he was accompanied by a beautiful girl who was holding onto his arm in a rather clingy manner. It was evident from their body language that they were close.

The Queen rises gracefully from her seat and steps forward to greet them. "You are finally here, my children," with a warm smile on her face she, embraced the Prince, and the beautiful girl who happened to be the young Princess of the Kingdom.

I was about to stand to greet them when a man with mid-length black hair, appeared at the doorway. 

The vassal, Alexander Lidime II.