Not long after servants and maids entered to dress me for the dinner. The clothes they gave me were extravagant compared to what I usually wear. It feels like going to an 'event' more than a 'family dinner'.
'I guess they want me to look presentable in front of the King.'
A dark tail coat and trousers with a low collar shirt underneath and an uncomfortable necktie. All those days wearing loose clothes, I never had an issue but now that I am finally preparing for something social, clothes seemed to be the biggest issue when you cross over worlds.
"Your highness, please correct your posture." When the head maid said in a stern yet respectful voice I realized I was slumping and creasing the clothes.
"Is it over?" I asked when the maids started hurrying up and leaving.
'They are trying to make me late, aren't they? And as a prince, I am not supposed to make a King wait, huh?'
When for the nth time a maid tried to fix my tie, I slapped her hand away. She backed away with her head in her hands asking for forgiveness.
'I am not trying to punish anyone but they are the same people who never paid attention to Prince Ray till he was invited by the King. They don't deserve my sympathy. Wait, sympathy for what? They are trying to get me punished.'
"Look, I get what you all are trying to do but I am not that stupid to play along with you for more than an hour. I don't care whatever the Queen ordered you to do. She should know better than playing politics with a 5-year-old kid." I turned around from the mirror, on a small stage I am standing, to face them.
A look of horror painted their faces at every word I spoke. As I loosened my tie to throw it away I said again,
"Just leave me alone like you always do."
Simple words of warning for the Queen. I have no interest in her stupid games for the throne or her bastard son. I am not here to waste my time over plotlines and become a self destructible character like Ray.
'I just don't want to regret anything in this life.'
Few painful memories of previous life descended upon my emotions once again.
'There was so much to do yet my parting came so soon.'
I want to live my life however I want.
*
I looked at the grand dining table feeling exhausted. It was laid with several dishes of western cuisine, rich table cloth, expensive tableware, and a fine bottle of wine. Just looking at what awaited me made me weary. The King sat at the head of the table. He was a man in his early forties, his face wrinkled. He has dark grey eyes and black hair is very much contrast to mine. In fact, the first prince is a carbon copy of the King while my looks owe to my late mother.
Somehow it gives the King an excuse to hate me because I resemble the woman he loathed to death. Not that I care enough to be loved by him. Beside him on the left, sat the Queen who has her 'saintess-like' appearance on, whenever she flutters her lovely eyes and spits sugar-coated poison from her mouth. Sister sat beside the Queen with a look of visible disapproval but still managed to give me a welcome smile.
The snobby male lead sat on the right of the King giving me a smug look as if he won a race by coming to the dinner table before me.
'Let's ignore that kid for now.'
"It seems to me that my second 'son' is quite laidback on schedules." The King said without making an eye contact speaking of 'son' as a word he never knew when it comes to me.
"Well, my pretty mother, wanted me to look my best today. Perhaps she went overboard with her preparations." I said loud and clear without stuttering like previously 'Ray' used to.
The Queen unexpected of an answer almost dropped her 'godly image' when the blame was put to her. Quickly recovering she added,
"It's only natural because I love you, 'son'."
"You spoil him too much, love. Discipline comes from a young age." The King continued eating.
Unknown and weak to criticism, the Queen was flustered.
Sister seemed to be laughing internally at the state of the Queen.
"Lily, " The King began admits the war of expressions, "You've grown to a responsible child capable of bearing the kingdom's future. With this decision of alliance, the Kingdom of Freya will benefit a lot."
'Ha...he make it seem like it was her decision when it clearly is him who is forcing her.'
"Yes, this is a great way to contribute to the kingdom, child." The Queen smiled. "I am sure like your mother, you will make a wise Queen."
...Wow, did she really mention mother with her filthy mouth? I looked at my sister who had grown uncomfortable at the slight mention of mother. Of course, any child would! On the surface, it may look like a compliment but everyone knows how the previous Queen was tricked by her and led a life without power.
The King's expression too had gone cold but said nothing. Like always.
"Your majesty, I have a request to make," I kept my spoon down and looked him in the eye.
"Oh, Ray? Is something wrong? Would you like some more of the chocolate cake?" The Queen immediately replied instead of the king in the attempt of barring a direct conversation with the King.
Ah, I get it. She is the one behind me not being able to meet the King for the last two days.
"Pardon his manners, your majesty. Little Ray never leaves the castle, so he is short on manners." The Queen softly said in an apologetic voice, "Ray, apologise."
Apologise...? For what..? She constantly wants to depreciate me in front of the King who already hates me.
"I have a request to make, your majesty," I said again in a stronger voice glaring at the Queen. "I object on this 'alliance' with the Kingdom of Atlantia."
As I spoke those words, I caught the attention of the King. Everyone present in the dining hall, from Queen to maid, the guard to the prince, looked shocked at my open disapproval on King's decision.
"And why is that?" The King asked quietly.
"Your majesty, this must be a-a, what does a child know about the anticipated alliance. I will discipline him later. Please forgive him." The Queen nervously said.
"The Kingdom of Atlantia is known for its experiments on dungeons. As it is growing stronger day by day, it poses a threat to even the magical kingdom of Freya. Also, the hidden activities that are going on in the dungeons in Freya, the sudden foreign inspectors from Atlantia. It seems to me this is a heavily one-sided alliance. Freya is definitely on the weaker side. It will later cause problems with our already broken relationships with our neighbouring kingdom."
I said ignoring the Queen.
Two more kingdoms surround the central power Kingdom 'Freya' in the continent Freya. From many years tensions have been increasing between these kingdoms which later leads to war in the game and novel. I now have figured out the match that flamed this war. The kingdom ahead in magic technology deficient in dungeons have 'bought' a part of 'Freya' that shares borders with the neighbouring kingdom, Freion. It's actually the same piece of land over which Freya and Freion are fighting over since decades. For the same reason, a treaty of peace was signed between Freya and Freion which also stated mutual rule over the piece of land long ago. However over the years due to changes in law and order of both the kingdoms, with not changing the treaty, the system in that piece of land, Endelon, have become lose causing distress and a blame game between the two kingdoms.
If this alliance is confirmed, the 'treaty' which is only in name, these years, will break out into a cruel war. At that time the Kingdom of Atlantia will back out from the war leaving Freya in a tough spot. Of course we win at the end because this is the land of protagonists.
But at the cost of the life of 'second male lead' that is me.
According to laws of these lands, the Queen is in charge of foreign alliances. The alliance with the Kingdom of Atlantia was also proposed by her in an attempt to 'get rid of the first princess' from her son's path to the throne. Since there is an age difference of ten years between princess and first prince, the throne inevitably goes to sister as firstborn. There is no chance for the first prince to even compete that's why his 'protagonist cheat sheet' doesn't come in use here but his evil mother does. With sister out of her way, her prodigal son will obviously win in compared to me, an 'ordinary' and hated son.
She is ready to sell a part of Kingdom for her son. This pathetic woman...
There is no fear in her actions when she hides the scam from the King. Not only will she be stripped of her position but will be hanged for treason.
"On what basis, do you think such things?" The King asked. "If it's the rumours, that's a very unroyal like to believe in rumours. The Atlantians have proven their loyalty, they bring in a great amount of trade."
"It's more than trade, I suggest your majesty to -"
"Your majesty, Ray is a child and children makes mistakes. I believe the mistakes he makes will make him wiser." The Queen poured her overly sweet voice. "I, your love, has prepared this extremely carefully while thinking of daughter and this kingdom. Won't you believe me, your majesty?"
"I know you're capable, Myra. That's why I have chosen you as my Queen. I know you worry about the family very much. A little too much, in fact. I don't need to overlook every little thing you do, unlike the previous Queen." The King announced his profound love to the Queen.
Sister's expression grew dark.
It struck a nerve.
'It's really hopeless, huh. Not allowing me to talk to the King and now when I talk, I am not heard because I am a child?'
"My sister's marriage is a little thing to you, 'father'?" I slammed my fists on the table as I said in a harsh tone.
Strong wind banged against the long windows of the hall.
"Ray, this is not how you talk to your father."
"I was wrong thinking you would care if not for your own daughter but the kingdom which is at stake." My voice got louder and echoed in the room.
"You don't care about anyone, do you? As long as sister and I disappear from your sight, nothing bothers you."
The lights went out and darkness shrouded the dining hall. The strong wind once again hit the long glasses, shattering them. The burning sensation in my eyes returned and I knew they were glowing yellow in the dark.
The servants and maids ran from here to there creating havoc and unnecessary noise. I felt dizzy and light-headed and as I faded to darkness I saw my sister leaping towards me with a worried expression.