The dining room for the royal family wasn't all that grand, but it was warm and cozy. The room was opulently decorated with teal painted walls, which were adorned with paintings of beautiful scenery. Brown furniture, which consisted of a buffet table, cabinets that were filled with gorgeous plate settings, and had beautiful decor placed on top. In the middle of the room was a beautiful, brown table that was large enough to seat ten people, where two white vases were situated in the center, with a silver five-piece candlestick set between them.

  Inside the room stood several figures. Standing to the right of the door with menus in his hand was a young butler who held his chin high and kept his heels together as he stood firm. Standing along the walls of the room were several Gavarian guards, who all stood poised. The two guards in the back of the room were older than the rest, with one being a mage and the other a knight. The knight had a single golden triangle on his collar, indicating he was a lieutenant. The mage had four golden leaves on her collar, indicating she was an experitor. The aura they radiated indicated they were stronger than the others in the room.

  But it wasn't the opulent room, the decor, the furniture, or any of these guards that had Elianna's, Nicholas', Freya's, and Celine's attention. The four of them stood there, staring wide-eyed in disbelief at the figure at the end of the table.

  Sitting at the end of the table, dressed elegantly in fine clothing, with a golden crown atop their head, was none other than the king. William sat with his back straight, his elbows on the table, and his fingers steepled together. His dark blue eyes flicked between the four individuals standing in the doorway, lingering on Nicholas for a moment longer, before finally settling on Freya.

  Freya's jaw clenched as she did not expect William to be here, and was caught off guard. Looking at his sharp facial features, she could easily tell that he was irritated. Others may not be able to tell, but she knew her brother better than anyone.

  Celine's eyes darted to her mother, wondering what this meant, and not knowing if Freya would be in trouble for not telling the king of their early arrival.

  Elianna's eyes darted to Nicholas, concern filling her beautiful celestial blue gems. She noticed how pale Nicholas had become the moment they stepped into the room. The warmth that had filled his facial expressions mere moments ago was gone, replaced with waryness.

  Nicholas balled his fists together, knowing that the entire dynamic would change with his father being here. He felt a storm of emotions brewing inside him, ranging from nervousness to irritation. Part of him hoped his father wouldn't find out about his early arrival, but he scolded himself, knowing he should've known better. His thoughts were like a tempest, with his breathing becoming labored as he tried to keep himself calm.

  Seeing Nicholas' current state, Elianna gently reached out and wrapped her hand around his fist.

  Nicholas' thoughts immediately began to subside, and he physically relaxed slightly, feeling Elianna's warm and soft touch. He opened his hand and interlaced his fingers with hers, with his lips curving slightly. Feeling and knowing Elianna was beside him, he began to feel better.

  Staring at her brother, Freya quickly composed herself, held her head high, and smiled. "William. You're here."

  William's eyes narrowed ever so slightly on his sister. "Yes, well, it seems that I must've lost your notification."

  Freya's brows furrowed. "What notification?"

  "The one where you informed me that you would be arriving early." William lowered his hands, glaring at his sister. "After all, you wouldn't purposefully deceive me, would you, Sister?"

  Freya stared at William, and William stared back at her.

  "How did you know we were here?" Freya asked.

  "Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" William said as he picked up his silver goblet, which was sitting on the table. He took a sip of his drink. "Very little happens in my kingdom without my knowledge." He placed down the goblet with a thunk before looking at Freya and the others. "Now sit." His eyes flicked to Nicholas before they fell, noticing that Nicholas and Elianna were holding hands.

  Freya's eyes narrowed slightly, seeing an unreadable expression crossing her brother's face. She raised a brow. "Are we in for a lecture?"

  William looked at his sister. "No. We will simply have dinner." His eyes flicked to his son. "And talk."

  Nicholas' eyes narrowed slightly, and he raised his chin under his father's gaze.

  William's brows rose seeing this, and the corners of his lips curved ever so slightly.

  Freya looked her brother up and down before she nodded. She walked toward the table, and Celine, Nicholas, and Elianna followed.

  The guards that were following Elianna, Nicholas, Celine, and Freya entered the room as well, joining the others along the wall.

  William's eyes were locked on the four of them, seeing how they were all heading to his left. "Nicholas." He watched as Nicholas stopped and looked at him. He gestured to the chair to his right, not saying anything.

  Nicholas looked at the chair, knowing what his father was indicating. He knew that the most important individuals were to sit to the king and queen's right. Nicholas nodded and began to walk around the table, still holding Elianna's hand.

  Elianna followed Nicholas wordlessly. She had no idea why he had to sit to his father's right, but could tell there was some rule by the way the king looked at Nicholas. She held his hand tightly, to let him know that she was there for him and to reassure herself. After all, she also felt nervous right now, as she wasn't planning on dining with the king today.

  Freya took her seat, sitting to her brother's left, with Celine sitting beside her mother.

  Nicholas broke the hand hold with Elianna and pulled a chair out for her.

  Elianna smiled at Nicholas, "Thanks."

  Nicholas returned her smile, "No problem."

  Elianna took her seat and pushed her chair in.

  Freya and Celine smiled at Nicholas, giving him small nods of approval.

  William stared at his son, his expression unreadable, as he watched Nicholas take his seat to his right. With everyone seated, William looked around the table before looking at the butler. "Menus, please."

  The butler bowed, "Your Majesty."

  The butler approached the table and handed the menus to Celine.

  Celine grabbed the menus, took one, and passed the others to her right.

  The others took a menu, passing on the others, until Elianna got the last menu.

  The butler walked back to the corner of the room, as the room fell into an awkward silence, with everyone looking over the menus.

  Elianna's eyes scanned the menu before flicking to Nicholas, who had his face buried in his. Elianna chuckled slightly, seeing how close Nicholas was holding the menu to his face.

  Nicholas' eyes flicked to her, and they shared a comical smile, with him shrugging slightly.

  "So," William began, setting his menu on the table. "Everyone knows what they want?"

  Freya looked at her brother with a raised brow. "We literally just got the menus."

  William looked at her. "So that's a no?"

  Freya rolled her eyes. "Gosh. You've always been impatient when it comes to food. Just give us a damn minute."

  The guards all looked surprised at how Freya spoke to the king. Some of them awkwardly coughed and looked elsewhere.

  Celine cleared her throat and put her menu down. "Well, I know what I want."

  Elianna tilted her head, trying to decide between two items. She thought for a moment, then finally decided and placed her menu on the table.

  William looked at Elianna, "Know what you want?"

  Elianna looked at the king, surprised. She didn't expect him to address her just now. She simply nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

  William nodded, then looked at Nicholas, "What about you, Nicholas?"

  Nicholas stared at his menu, hiding behind it. In truth, he had already decided when he wanted, but was now trying to avoid having to converse with his father. He sighed and placed the menu on the table. He looked at his father and nodded, "Yes, Father."

  William nodded, then looked at his sister. "Just waiting on you."

  Freya glared at her brother. "You have no patience."

  "I have plenty of patience," William countered. "You just take forever."

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  "I do not!" Freya argued, her voice and tone rising slightly.

  William raised a brow, "Shall I remind you that you were always the last to decide on a meal at family dinners?"

  Freya narrowed her eyes on her brother. "Was not."

  "Yes, you were."

  "Was not."

  "Was to."

  "Was not."

  Celine, Nicholas, and Elianna looked between Freya and William curiously, seeing their banter.

  "Whatever," Freya huffed, and placed her menu on the table passively aggressive. "I know what I want."

  "Finally," William commented, and Freya shot a scolding look at her brother. William looked at the butler, who nodded.

  The butler went around the table, taking everyone's orders, before grabbing the menus and leaving the room. Shortly after the butler left, a few maids came into the room, rolling a cart that held pitchers of different drinks and silver goblets. The maids took everyone's drink orders before placing them on the table.

  Once everyone had their drinks, William looked at Freya. "So, how is everything at Tri-Union City?"

  "It's fine," Freya said, taking a sip of her drink.

  William nodded at her two-word answer. "How has the city recovered since the attack?"

  Freya placed her goblet down and stared at it for a moment. "The city has recovered well. The walls were rebuilt, and the wards were redone as a precaution."

  "That is good," William said as he picked up his goblet and swirled the liquid around. "The same goes for us."

  Nicholas looked at his father, listening curiously. He knew that Zasaly, Cildious, and Ostria had been attacked, but he didn't take the initiative to learn anything about these attacks.

  "The cities have been restored, and we have increased the city defenses," William stated and took a sip of his water. "The damage to the Great Wall has also been repaired, with the sentries being more vigilant. The orcs would be foolish to attack again."

  "The Great Wall," Nicholas said, looking surprised. "There was an attack?"

  Elianna looked confused as well. She was well aware that the Great Wall was built by the three kingdoms to separate the orc kingdom of Calignar from the rest of the continent. But she didn't hear her father mention anything about an attack.

  William looked at his son before his gaze snapped to Freya. "You didn't tell him?"

  Freya's eyes narrowed defensively, "Of course not. He is just a boy."

  William placed his goblet down, meeting his sister's glare. "A boy who is also a Gavarian prince. He has a right to know."

  "He doesn't need to know," Freya countered, her voice rising. "He doesn't need to know about these attacks. He should be out having fun and training in magic, which he loves." She narrowed her eyes on her brother. "And, the attack on the wall wasn't made public. The only reason I knew about it was because Lucian told me. Only the high leadership was privy to this information."

  William looked at his sister, tapping his finger on the table. After a tense moment, he just looked at Nicholas. "And how is your magic training coming, Nicholas?"

  Nicholas sat straight and cleared his throat. "It's going good. I've recently attained the third circle."

  William nodded, "I noticed." He lingered for a moment, looking at Nicholas, before adding, "Well done."

  Nicholas' brows raised, looking astonished. "Uh, thanks."

  William looked down and smiled slightly, but there was a hint of sadness to it. He let out a low chuckle. "Your mother reached the third circle around your age as well."

  Freya's gaze softened as she looked at her brother sympathetically.

  William fell quiet for a moment before he cleared his throat and looked at Celine. "What about you, Celine? How is the Academy?"

  "Can't say I love every class," Celine shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. She smiled. "But, I like it. I'm learning a lot."

  William nodded. "Yeah, I was never a fan of the academy. But, I am grateful for what it taught me."

  Nicholas looked surprised. "I didn't know you went to the academy."

  William looked at Nicholas and nodded. "I did." His lips curved slightly. "Where do you think I met your mother?"

  Nicholas' mouth went slightly agape. He swallowed hard, "I-I didn't know. You rarely talked about her."

  William nodded, "Well, she was magnificent in the academy, showing off her mage skills. She was a brilliant enchanter." He pointed at Nicholas' chest. "It's where she made her pendant, that you wear."

  Elianna's brows raised in surprise, and her eyes flicked to Nicholas. She watched as he looked down and brought out his pendant, which was tucked under his shirt. She had no idea that the pendant was his mother's, but now understood why he would sometimes look at it with a saddened expression, like he was now.

  Staring at the pendant, Freya smiled slightly. "Your mother was a brilliant mage."

  William nodded, his gaze locked on the pendant, "That she was." He fell silent for a moment before looking at Elianna and clearing his throat. "And what about you, Elianna?"

  Elianna looked at William, taken aback. "Me, Your Majesty?"

  William nodded, "Yes. I understand that your father, Lucian Vail, trains you. How is that?"

  "Oh, uh, it's fine, Your Majesty," Elianna said, adjusting herself in her seat. Her soft-looking lips curved, "My father has trained me well in swordsmanship."

  "I see," William said. "Then you must be good with the sword. After all, Lucian is renowned as one of the best swordsmen on the continent."

  Elianna smiled proudly at the compliment towards her father. "I like to think so, Your Majesty."

  All eyes flicked to the doors as they opened, and the butler walked in with the maids, as they pushed the cart of food into the room. Once the cart was in the room, the maids took the plates of food from the cart and placed them in front of everyone. Once the food was delivered, William dismissed the maids and butler, who then walked out of the room.

  "Enjoy the meal, everyone," William said, and everyone picked up their silverware. As William cut into his steak, he said, "So, Elianna, tell me about yourself."

  Elianna looked at the king as she was twirling her pasta chicken alfredo with her fork. "Oh, uh,—"

  "Why?" Nicholas asked defensively, looking at his father.

  William raised a brow at his son. "Why what?"

  "Why do you want her to tell you about herself?" Nicholas asked, meeting his father's gaze.

  William tilted his head, looking at his son curiously. "Is it a bad thing for a father to want to know more about his son's friends?"

  Freya's eyes narrowed slightly on her brother.

  Celine was eating her spaghetti, with her eyes darting between William and Nicholas.

  "I guess not," Nicholas admitted.

  William nodded, then looked at Elianna.

  Seeing the king looking at her, Elianna continued, "Well, not much to say, Your Majesty. I grew up in Tri-Union City with my parents. I was taught at home by my private teacher, Justine, and have recently completed my studies."

  "Private teacher, huh?" William said. "I imagine your mother assisted with your classes, seeing that she is a professor at the Tri-Union Academy."

  Elianna looked surprised, "Oh, uh, yes, Your Majesty. She did sometimes."

  William nodded, taking a bite of his food. "And things you do for fun?"

  Elianna took a bite and swallowed her food. "Hang out with Nicholas, and train with my father, Your Majesty."

  William looked at Elianna curiously, "No other friends?"

  Elianna's smile faded, and she stiffened slightly.

  Noticing Elianna's reaction, Nicholas looked at his father with a narrowed gaze. "Why so many questions?"

  "I'm just curious," William stated, not taking his eyes off Elianna.

  Nicholas was about to speak, but he stopped and looked to his right. His eyes fell on his arm, seeing Elianna had gently placed her hand on it. He looked up, meeting her gaze, and watched as she smiled at him. He could see that she wasn't bothered, and she gave him a slight nod. Seeing that she was okay, Nicholas returned her smile and nodded back.

  Celine smirked, seeing their shared gaze and nod, before going back to eating her spaghetti.

  Also noticing their nonverbal exchange, Freya smiled warmly at Nicholas and Elianna.

  William's eyes flicked between Elianna and Nicholas.

  Elianna looked at William, "No, Your Majesty. Nicholas is the only friend I need."

  Elianna looked back at Nicholas, and they both smiled and blushed slightly when their eyes met.

  William nodded and went back to eating his food. "I see." He took a bite. "So, when did you start training with your father?"

  Elianna looked at William, "When I was five, Your Majesty."

  William looked up calmly and met her gaze. "Awfully young, don't you think? Especially for one who hasn't awakened yet." He tilted his head slightly to the right, "Unless you were already awakened at that time."

  Freya's jaw clenched, and her eyes narrowed on her brother, seeing he had no hint of surprise on his features. "How about we just enjoy our food," Freya suggested, giving her brother a smile that didn't meet her eyes.

  William looked at Freya, seeing her glare. They stared at each other for a moment before William spoke, "Very well."

  The room fell into silence, with only the sound of forks scraping against plates sounding off.

  Once Nicholas finished his meal, he looked over at Elianna's plate, seeing she was also done. Nicholas looked up, "May Elianna and I be excused?"

  William looked up and was about to answer.

  "Yes," Freya smiled. "You may."

  William looked at his sister with a raised brow.

  Nicholas didn't wait for his father to respond before he stood up. He smiled at Elianna, "Come on. I'll show you a cool place to hang out."

  Elianna smiled and nodded as she stood up. She looked at William and bowed, "Your Majesty."

  William nodded to her, then looked at Nicholas expectantly.

  Nicholas nodded, "Father."

  William nodded back to his son and watched as he and Elianna left the room, with their guards following.

  Once they were gone, Freya looked at her brother scoldingly. "What was that?"

  William looked at Freya, meeting her glare. "I was just getting to know my son's friend."

  Sensing the growing hostility, Celine stood up. "Uh, I'm gonna go." She didn't wait for a reply before she quickly left the room, her guards following her out.

  "You were basically interrogating her," Freya argued. "Plus, you knew her mother was a professor, and you didn't even look surprised when Elianna said she had been training since she was five. So you obviously already knew when she awakened, didn't you?"

  "I did," William said, scooping up some food onto his fork.

  "Then why so many questions if you obviously looked into her background?" Freya demanded.

  William simply took a bite of his food. "I was just trying to understand what kind of person she is."

  Freya placed her fork down. "What kind of person she is? Elianna is a sweet young lady. She and Nicholas are good friends and care deeply for each other."

  William looked at the empty entrance. "I could see that." He smiled ever so slightly. "She sees him as a person. Not just a crown."

  Freya's eyes widened in genuine surprise. Then, her eyes narrowed slightly, "Why did you invite Elianna here. What are you planning?"

  William swallowed his food, then looked at Freya. "Finish your dinner, Sister. The food is getting cold."

  ***

  Elianna's eyes were glimmering as she felt the wind caress her skin. She breathed in the ocean air as she stood against the tower railing, looking out at the beautiful sunset over the ocean. She loved how the setting sun shone upon the ocean water, making the clouds and sky above look orange.

  "This is gorgeous," Elianna breathed out.

  Elianna was surprised when Nicholas brought her to one of the palace towers, telling her that each tower had a fifth floor which served as an overlook.

  Nicholas smiled as he drew in his sketchpad, capturing the sunset. "I used to come up here all the time when I was younger. I loved drawing or painting these sunsets."

  Elianna looked at him curiously, "What about the sunrises?"

  Nicholas nodded, "Those too. We'd have to go to one of the east towers for that."

  Elianna looked down, seeing Nicholas' drawing, and how he elegantly drew the sunset. Elianna looked back out, enjoying the view. "Are you okay? I know you weren't expecting your father to be here yet."

  Nicholas sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine. I was hoping my father wouldn't find out I was here already. But, it is what it is."

  Elianna nodded, "I noticed your brother wasn't at dinner. Think he is still hunting?"

  Nicholas shrugged, "Probably. My father most likely left him with other guards while he came back knowing I was here."

  Elianna looked at Nicholas, "Do you think he came to spend time with you?"

  Nicholas scoffed, "Doubt it. He didn't spend that much time with me when I was younger. He was always busy."

  Elianna looked back out, "Well, I wouldn't worry too much about him being here."

  Nicholas' hand froze, and he looked at Elianna. He noticed how the light of the sunset shone off her. Her gorgeous celestial blue eyes shimmered, and her silvery white hair seemed to catch the light perfectly. He blushed at the sight of her. "Why's that?"

  Elianna looked at Nicholas and smiled. "Because Freya is here and will keep your father off your back." Her smile grew, "Plus, I'm here too. So, you can just ignore your father, and we can do something else together. Right?"

  Nicholas looked into her deep, beautiful eyes. He matched her smile, thinking how he could get lost by just looking into them. "Right."