Chapter 48 - The kingdom still has you
1644 Words
Vince knew his father would like to spend some time with his mother, so as soon as they arrived at the fae, he walked away. From up one of the towers, he could see fairies flying around. The prince was eye-catching. Not him, his uncle Prince Erik. It’s weird that they’re both princes. Well, his mother is still a princess in this dimension.
He watched as his uncle flew around. Vince chuckled as he realized Erik is trying to shake off his guards. Then, it was a full-blown chase. He tried to follow their progress until they disappeared into the forests. Afterwards, he studied the lay of the land. The actual landscape is immensely different from the maps. Well, there are trees and paths. He’s not very imaginative when it comes to maps. He’s still working on that end.
His grandfather found him that way.
“Your parents are waiting at the meeting hall. Your father asked me to call my advisors and trusted knights to attend as well.”
“I see.” He’s probably going to brief them on their current situation and their short-term plans.
“He asked me to get you.” King Florian added when Vince seems to have no intention of moving.
“Right.” He then walked towards the king and they went together.
“We’ve been doing things together so I know the things he’ll probably say.” His father also analyzed things for them and properly informed them of all things he deemed necessary. It was all helpful for them to make their own decisions in possibly unexpected situations.
King Florian nodded.
“How about your son?” Though he might not personally like Erik, he can understand a want to prove oneself. Erik expressed that a number of times the few times he saw him.
“He’s still young.” The king did show an expression of concern and a bit of hesitation. He’s not sure what to do with that son of his. He might’ve spoiled him from a young age, have given in to his needs and wants. And now he thinks his father would give in to everything he does.
When Elise returned, Erik did feel threatened. He’s not the heir to the throne. And his father always praises his sister, comparing the two of them and pointing out how much lacking he is. By the time he realized he won’t be inheriting the position of ruler, he lost interest in it. He admires his sister, though. She was kind to him, almost motherly. Now, he understood why. She has a son! Though he’d given up on the idea of becoming king one day, he still wanted his father to praise him and acknowledge his worth. But sometimes, he would just embrace his insufficiency. He kept going back and forth. Between giving up and wanting to prove himself. He couldn’t seem to decide what he really wants. Of course, his father’s restrictions play a relevant role. How can he prove himself if he’s heavily protected?
Prince Erik did show up in the middle of the meeting. After King Edward provided them with the information they have gathered, he asked King Florian to start preparing an army.
“It would still take some time, but being prepared is a good thing.”
“Yes, I know that.”
Erik couldn’t be bothered to interrupt. His father is probably going to tell him to stay put again, even if he wanted to go.
“I would’ve suggested making up near the borders, but since you guys can fly…” He wouldn’t require it.
“This potion you’ve used… will you providing them to us as well?” One of the fairy knights asked.
King Edward slowly nodded, “Yes, of course.”
Vince grimaced. From what Hannah and Aaron said, the old man can only prepare small portions. They would have to do something about that. Maybe send additional equipment and ingredients. On their next visit, Hannah should ask what the old man would need to produce large quantities. Yes, that could work. His heart settled a little.
Prince Erik was uncharacteristically quiet. His father and sister took notice.
When everyone has gone and the humans have disappeared, Elise went to talk to him.
“Is there a problem?” She quietly stood next to them in a walkway between towers.
“Hmm?” He spared her a glance before looking far away again.
“You seem quiet.” She noted, then waited for his reply.
“If your husband succeeds, would you return to the human world?” He has been thinking about this for a while now.
“Yes. I belong there.”
“But you’re fae.”
“Maybe. But I grew up as human, did I not? I lived as a human and I have a family to return to.”
“We’re your family.”
“They are, too. And they’re a family I chose to build with my husband. It is my choice to go back.”
“What of the kingdom, then? You’re heiress to the throne. Father expects you to succeed him.”
“The kingdom still has you, no? You’ll be king one day.”
There was silence after that.
“Do you think father will let me become king?” The hesitation in his voice made Elise smile. He’s still young.
“Of course. You’re his son, after all. He wants you to do well.” She reached out a hand to tap his arm.
“Father said he spoiled you too much. When I came, he doesn’t know how to change his treatment of you. You’re used to getting what you wanted. He’s used to making sure you’re protected and properly attended to. He’s unsure how to let you learn without fear of endangering your life. You are his sole heir. He knows I will go back if we can defeat the dark fae.”
“He has an odd way of showing it.” He clearly snorted, but he can almost believe it. His relationship with his father has always been strained. As if there was a gap between them.
“I believe it’s the gap in age. You’re too young. You’re almost the same age as his grandson.”
“He doesn’t seem to have a problem with your son.”
Elise chuckled at the way he grumbled, “You’re his son. He’s strict to you. I would be that way with my son, too, if I wasn’t trying to get closer to him in the shortest amount of time possible.”
“Really?” He couldn’t seem to believe her.
“Yes. I would forbid him from coming here and joining his father as they explore the dark lands. Unfortunately, he’s one of the two people who can bring his father here. And I can’t let Nate be the only one to shoulder that responsibility.”
Somehow, she feels bad for the kids. They are still young and these tasks they are undertaking are highly dangerous, best left to the adults.
“But if you’re allowing them, why can’t father allow me?”
“When it comes to Vince and Nate, we have no choice. They are necessary for us to accomplish the tasks. As for you…” She didn’t want to say he’s not necessary because that would sound as if he’s useless.
Erik showed an unlikely expression on his face, “You can say it. I’m not needed. There’s nothing I can offer to help. I’m useless.”
The way he said it was almost nonchalant, almost smiling. Elise sighed as she closed in on him.
“You’re still young. Do you still attend to your sword practice and other classes?”
As part of the royal family, he’s being taught by private tutors. Sages. Warriors. He’s being given the best education available in the kingdom.
“Of course. It’s becoming boring. And your son is still young.” He pointed out as he continued to look beyond the land, not wanting to look at her and see her disappointment.
“Maybe, but he can use enchantments. If he couldn’t, no matter how great of a knight he is, Edward and I wouldn’t allow him to get involved.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It’s the same with you.”
“It’s a pity that fairies are born with natural magic.” And their magic isn’t as powerful as the humans. They do have a variety of it, though. Basic ones. They can elevate objects. They can summon objects to their hands as long as they know where they currently are. They can fly. They can produce fairy lights with their wings. They can move things. However, they don’t have specializations until they’re relatively older. They can’t pursue improvements at a young age. And the magic is almost random. You can’t choose what to have.
“You can use them to your advantage. Granted, humans who can enchant seem powerful but they are also prone to weakness. Much like everyone else.”
He couldn’t remember his father ever praising him. When he joined the ranks of knights, King Florian didn’t seem pleased. He heard nothing from him.
Elise extended an arm across his shoulders, pulling her into an embrace.
“You’ve done well. But you have a temper much like father’s. The two of you seem to be against each other. Why don’t you try to listen to him once and see how he reacts?”
“He’d probably think I’m an imposter if I do that.”
Elise chuckled, glad to see him smiling, “Maybe so. But it will come as a surprise. He’s still our father and we must learn to bow to his will in order to learn. He is wise. He won’t order you to do anything that would hurt you. At least, in his wisdom and knowledge.”
For a stubborn individual like himself, it would be hard for Erik. But at this point, he understands that something needs to be done. He hadn’t interrupted the meeting earlier because he knows how serious the matter is and the humans have a limited time.
He turned to look at his sister.
“When you return to the human world, how often would you visit here?”
“Maybe once a month?”
“Right, time should flow seamlessly again when the dark fae is defeated.”
“Yes. Do you miss the night?” Elise looked up at the sky. Clear and blue.
“Of course.”
- Writer
