The King's Order

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Kenneth had just finished cleaning up and was about to change his clothes when Uri's panicked voice reached him. Even if his mother was acting strange again, Uri usually did not sound that panicked. Kenneth subconsciously sped up his movements to put on his clothes, then rushed to the door and opened it for Uri to enter his room.

"Why are you panicked? Did something happen to my mother?"

Upon seeing Uri, Kenneth immediately asked worriedly. Unfortunately, Kenneth could not immediately get an answer because the servant was still busy trying to catch his breath.

Although Ruby Palace was smaller than the other palaces, it was still tiring to run around. Uri tried his best to stabilize his breathing again before he said what he wanted to report to Kenneth, who looked worried because of him.

"Your Highness, Sir Noah of the royal knights has just come to this palace. He said he has official orders from His Majesty to take you to the main palace."

Although being visited by a royal knight or summoned by King Ducan was not unusual for princes and princesses, it was still unusual for Kenneth as the most disliked prince in the palace. Since King Ducan had stopped coming to their palace a few years ago, that would probably be the first time the king personally called him back to the main palace again. Kenneth's brows involuntarily furrowed. If not for serious business, Kenneth believed that his father would never send someone to fetch him at his secluded palace.

"Where is he now, Uri?" Kenneth asked.

"I told him you had just returned from the princes' study and asked him to wait for you in the parlor."

Kenneth nodded after hearing Uri's answer. The prince signaled for Uri to follow him as he hurried to the parlor Uri had referred to.

Once they arrived in front of the living room, Uri immediately opened the door for Kenneth to enter. In Kenneth's simple parlor, a man in golden armor was sitting in one of the chairs. The man only turned his head when Kenneth entered the room along with Uri. But, unlike proper royal protocol, the knight did not stand up or give any salute when he saw Kenneth.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Sir Noah."

Kenneth tried to ignore Noah's impoliteness as he greeted him politely. The prince knew that since the royal knights were predominantly the children of nobles, they must be reluctant to recognize Kenneth as one of the princes. Kenneth was used to being underestimated by those around him. Just as Kenneth ignored his brothers' pranks, the prince also turned a blind eye to the reluctance Noah clearly showed.

"It's not a big deal. I know you must have something to do in this deserted palace."

Kenneth only smiled a little as Noah slipped an obvious mockery into his words. The prince deliberately did not reply to Noah after that. Kenneth waited for Noah to say what he wanted from him so that he could dismiss Noah from his palace.

"His Majesty has ordered all his children to gather in the throne room. Ignoring this summons is not allowed. I was sent to escort you to the main palace."

Fortunately, Noah spoke straight to the point so that Kenneth could know what he wanted from him. Originally, Kenneth wanted to ask why King Ducan suddenly gathered all the princes. But when Kenneth saw the sour expression on Noah's face, Kenneth could only swallow his question whole.

"Alright. Let me put on my formal clothes first. We can leave after that."

"I understand."

This time, Noah gave Kenneth no more trouble and allowed him to change into his royal clothes. As Kenneth walked out of the parlor, his brows did not stop furrowing as he suddenly recalled the commotion he had witnessed while talking with Princess Abigail. Remembering his father's nature, Kenneth began to believe that this meeting had something to do with King Ducan's invasion of the Audoran Forest.

"Your Highness, please allow me to accompany you to the main palace."

It seemed that Uri was also a little worried because of the sudden order. Uri wished he could come along to protect Kenneth. But the man he served shook his head softly while his eyes gazed toward the corridor that could lead them to arrive at Emma's room.

"I want you to guard my mother in this place, Uri. You know my mother is at her most vulnerable when she's like this. With you here, at least I can leave in peace."

Uri looked frustrated when he heard Kenneth's answer. But on the other hand, he also knew that they had no other choice.

In the end, Uri could only obey Kenneth's words, then watched as Kenneth left with Noah, who walked in front of him.