William's office was lavish, comfortable, and large enough to be used by a king. The dark gray brick walls were adorned with decorative wall rugs, which varied in different patterns, giving the room an abundance of color. However, the wall behind William's desk didn't hold a rug, but instead a massive painting of the continent of Zaraemar.

  Dark red leather couches were placed along the walls, which looked comfortable enough to sleep on. Beside the couches were dark red, wooden, encased glass shelves, which contained a variety of items, including golden heirlooms and even ancient daggers.

  Against the far wall upon entering the room was a large, beautiful, dark red wooden desk, which had paperwork, utensils, and other miscellaneous items on top. On one side of the desk, facing the door, was William, who was intently reading the parchment in his hand while leaning back comfortably in his leather chair. Across from William sat Freya, also situated in a comfortable leather chair, and she was also reading a parchment she was holding.

  The room was silent as the two of them concentrated on their reading. They were reviewing several different notifications and requests from various sources. Freya had agreed to help William with this task, so Nicholas could go and spend time with Elianna. She knew he didn't want to be cooped up and do admin work while he was in Gavaria, and she was well aware how much he loved practicing magic, especially with Elianna. So, if she had to spend a few hours helping her brother with admin paperwork, she would.

  As Freya's eyes finished reading the last line of the parchment, her brows furrowed. She placed the document on the desk, and her icy-blue eyes flicked to her brother. "This scouting report," Freya began, and William's gaze flicked to her. "It has no information of any threats, yet, the commander is requesting additional resources?"

  William's eyes flicked down, settling on the document Freya had placed on the desk. "Yes, he is," William stated, looking back at his sister. "Gaelin has been sending rangers into Calignar, looking for any indication of how the orcs are escaping the border." William placed the parchment he was reading down and sighed. "However, as of now, no clues have been found, and no high-level orcs have been seen." William's eyes flicked down and narrowed. "Then again, scouting inside the orc citadels isn't a simple task."

  Freya looked at William curiously, "How would anyone even sneak into an orc citadel?"

  William scoffed and looked at his sister, "Extremely carefully, if at all. The encampments are one thing, but their citadels are literal fortresses. Remaining undetected... There is a reason rangers go through rigorous training."

  Freya leaned back into her chair, her expression inquisitive, "The other kingdoms, what are they doing to assist?"

  "Tysandra is currently in communication with Thearyah and Duridie," William stated. "She's been trying to get them to send their scout units as well."

  Freya's brows furrowed, "And? How is that coming along?"

  "Both have agreed that the rise in orc sightings is a concern and have agreed to assist," William said.

  Freya nodded, but as she thought about it, her brows furrowed, "Wait. I haven't heard of any requests to Tri-Union City to assist with the scouting."

  "That is because no request was sent," William said matter-of-factly.

  Freya's brows rose, "What? Why?"

  William shrugged, "Tri-Union City doesn't have any forces guarding the borders of Calignar. Their main objective is to keep the peace between the three kingdoms and prevent any conflicts."

  Freya sighed and nodded, "While that may be true, I am sure that Lucian and Raina wouldn't be opposed to helping." She leaned forward, meeting her brother's gaze, "Send a missive to them, and ask for assistance. Having additional resources wouldn't hurt."

  William stared at his sister, tapping his fingers against his desk as he contemplated her words. His lips curled slightly, and he chuckled, "You know, sister. I can always appoint you as my chief advisor, should you want it."

  Freya rolled her eyes and gave her brother a deadpan look, "Like you ever listened to me growing up."

  William let out a genuine laugh before he nodded, "Well, I'll listen to you now. I'll have Tysandra go and meet with Raina. It'll be better than just sending a missive."

  Freya nodded then chuckled, giving her little brother a smile, "Look at you, playing nice with others."

  William's smile faded, and he grumbled before picking up the paper he was reading before.

  Freya looked at her brother curiously, then her eyes flicked to the paper in his hand, then to the pile he still had to go through. A curious thought went through her head, and she asked, "Does Tristan usually help you with all of this?"

  William's eyes flicked up before he followed her gaze to the pile of paperwork beside him. William shook his head, "No, he usually doesn't help." His gaze fell, "Though, I do ask."

  Freya raised a brow, looking at her brother inquisitively, "Why do you ask Tristan for help, and not just make him. You're the king, but more importantly, his father."

  William placed his paper down and let out a deep sigh, "'Make him.' I could order him to assist, but that wouldn't be of any help. Tristan doesn't have the patience for—" William gestured to the papers around him "—this. He won't put any effort into this work, and as a result, mistakes will be made." William shook his head, his eyes scanning over the documents, before settling on the crown he had set down when he first sat down in his chair. William shook his head slightly and whispered, "Tristan doesn't have the same patience or inclination as Nicholas."

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  Freya's eyes narrowed on William, and she tilted her head slightly, studying him. She was about to say something, but a knock at the door gained her and William's attention.

  William looked up with a curious gaze and stated firmly, "Come in."

  The door opened, and William and Freya both looked genuinely surprised when Celine, Elianna, and Nicholas walked in.

  As Nicholas walked in, he looked at the guards outside and said, "Stay out here."

  The guards nodded, and Nicholas closed the door behind him.

  Freya smiled at the three of them, "Well, hello, what brings you all here?"

  Celine smiled at her mother, "Well, Mom, you know how much I love you, right?"

  Freya's eyes narrowed suspiciously on her daughter, "What do you want?"

  "Who says I want anything?"Celine chuckled. When her mother raised a brow, Celine let out a sigh. "Fine. Nick, Elle, and I were talking, and we agreed that we could use some time away from the palace. Especially, since the engagement party isn't for another eight days."

  Freya shot a glance at her brother, who continued to look at Nicholas, unbothered.

  Freya looked back at Celine and smiled, "So, are you asking to go into the city?"

  "Actually, we were hoping to go to the beach house for a few days," Celine finished, and quickly smiled.

  Freya's brows raised, then she looked at Elianna and Nicholas, who both quickly smiled. Freya's eyes darted between Nicholas and Elianna, thinking of them alone, on a beach, and all of the possible things that could happen.

  Celine smiled at her mother, patiently waiting for an answer.

  Nicholas and Elianna stood close together, sharing a brief glance before looking at Freya, hoping she would say yes. They were both excited when Celine mentioned the beach house, and were looking forward to having some fun.

  Freya thought about it, thinking that some time at the beach could be fun. She smiled and nodded, "I suppose that's fine. But I will be going with you."

  Celine practically cheered with excitement, since she hadn't been to the beach house in so long, and was looking forward to it. "Thanks, Mom!"

  Nicholas and Elianna smiled brightly, sharing an excited gaze.

  But everyone's smiles faded, and their eyes snapped to William at the sound of his loudly clearing his throat.

  William leaned back into his chair and looked at his sister, "I do believe that I hold the final decision on this matter."

  Nicholas' stomach dropped, hearing his father's tone and seeing his expression.

  Freya sighed, "Oh, come on, William. The party isn't for another eight days. Plus, the beach does sound like fun."

  William tapped his fingers together. "There are plenty of other things to do in the palace."

  Celine's expression fell, seeing that her uncle was most likely going to say no.

  William looked at Nicholas, "And, Nicholas, I was hoping you would stay here, and possibly assist me with some things."

  Nicholas clenched his jaw, feeling irritated, as he was excited to go to the beach and hopeful to escape the palace for a bit. When his eyes flicked to Elianna, seeing her dejected expression, his irritation grew. He remembered how she smiled so brightly at the idea of going to the beach and seeing the ocean. She had been so mesmerized by it the moment they arrived. Seeing her so happy and excited filled his chest with warmth, but now, he was feeling angry with his father.

  William's eyes darted between Nicholas and Elianna, seeing that his son was looking at her.

  Nicholas looked at his father, meeting his gaze, and held his head high. "Father."

  William's brows shot high at Nicholas' tone. It wasn't rude, but was steadfast and unwavering. William leaned forward, placed his elbows on the table, and interlocked his fingers.

  "This is something that we really want to do," Nicholas continued. "I mean no disrespect when asking to do something against your wishes. But, please, don't stop us from going to the beach."

  Elianna looked at Nicholas, her eyes slowly looking him up and down. She noticed how he stood straight, his expression was firm, and he seemed so determined. The more she looked at him, the deeper the rosy tint on her cheeks became.

  Freya looked at Nicholas, surprised. When she looked at William, she thought he might look a little irritated. However, her brows raised as she eyed her brother, seeing his lips curl ever so slightly, and his eyes glinted with what she swore was a sense of pride.

  Nicholas and William didn't say anything, and Freya, Celine, and Elianna looked between them, seeing neither dropped each other's gazes.

  Finally, William leaned back into his chair and pulled a telemirror out of his spatial ring.

  Freya, Celine, Nicholas, and Elianna looked at William curiously and confused, wondering what he was doing.

  The telemirror in William's hands began to glow as he activated it. A moment later, a male voice was heard.

  "Hello? Oh! Your Majesty!!"

  "Captain Dunfort," William began, speaking to the royal guard captain. "Prince Nicholas, Princess Celine, Princess Freya, and Lady Elianna will be visiting the beach house. Please dispatch some guards there prior to their arrival, and set up a rotation schedule."

  Nicholas and Elianna looked at each other, excitement evident in their eyes.

  Celine smiled, seeing that her uncle had agreed to let them go.

  Freya tilted her head slightly, looking at her brother curiously.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Dunfort responded. "I'll get that done at once."

  William nodded, "Excellent." The telemirror stopped glowing as the communication ended. He stored his mirror back into his spatial ring, then looked at the four in front of him. "Enjoy the beach house."

  "Thanks, Uncle William," Celine said excitedly.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty," Elianna said, giving William a nod.

  Nicholas looked at his father before he genuinely said, "Thanks, Father."

  William nodded.

  Celine looked at her mom, "You coming?"

  Freya smiled at Celine, "You three go ahead. I'll see you soon."

  Celine nodded, then looked at Nicholas and Elianna, "Come on, let's go!"

  Nicholas and Elianna excitedly nodded before following Celine out of the office and closing the door behind them.

  Once they were gone, Freya looked at her brother inquisitively, "Why the change of mind?"

  William looked at his sister, "What do you mean?"

  "Don't play dumb with me," Freya said, turning in her chair to fully face her brother. She stared at him, "We both know you were going to say no. I could see it in your face. So, why did you change your mind?"

  William's eyes shifted to where Nicholas was standing, and he smiled slightly. "Growing up, Nicholas had always done what he was told. When I told him to do something, he would do it. When he was told to stop doing something, he would." He looked at Freya, "Even when it came to him wanting to go to Tri-Union City, he let you argue on his behalf." William leaned back into his chair. "This was the first time he stood up to me."

  Freya raised a brow, "So you liked his defiance?"

  William shook his head. "He didn't display defiance. He displayed strength. He asserted what he wanted, not saying that he would do it. He still asked for permission." He tilted his head slightly, "He's protective of her, isn't he?"

  Freya's brows furrowed. "Of Elianna?" She looked down for a moment. "He can be."

  William looked down and chuckled, "He's more like me than he realizes."

  Freya gave her brother a curious look.

  William looked up, eyeing his sister seriously, "Keep a close eye on them while at the beach house. While it's warded and hidden, who knows what could happen."

  Freya nodded, "Don't worry, brother, I will."