Jerry and prince Ken bowed to greet king Luis. Queen Erlina and prince Edwin stand dignified king Luis' throne. Queen Erlina wore a plush gown, while prince Edwin was clothed in royal robes.
"You are knights in the golden sword competition. The fight you wage against your opponent cannot be ignored. Therefore, I will appoint both of you as warlords in place of my son."
King Luis stood up to deliver his statement. Prince Ken and Jerry were shocked. The two looked at each other and slightly looked up to confirm the king's words. Whereas, prince Edwin was very confused, not being told of this earlier.
"Yes, your majesty," said Jerry and prince Ken. Though they are surprised, whatever the king says is a command to them. There is also no room for indiscriminate rejection or denial.
They both left right after king Luis authorized them.
***
Prince Edwin still has not accepted his father's decision. However, he could not deny his father's words in the presence of Jerry and prince Ken. Because that would be rude. So she decided to see her father in their private room.
Prince Edwin opened the door and saw his father standing looking out the window. She turned to her father when she noticed someone was opening the door.
"Father, why didn't you tell me this before?" prince Edwin asked.
King Luis smiled. "Should I?"
Prince Edwin was speechless with his father's reaction. He could usually tell what happened just by the look of his father. However, this time he has nothing on his mind.
"Dad, can I find out what you're planning?"
"Edwin, don't think about it. You just focus on learning about leading an empire. You're the only crown prince to replace your father.
That soft voice can reach prince Edwin's heart. He just nodded, then said goodbye. After that, he was no longer curious about his father's plans. Then, thinking his father was right, he should learn more about leading the kingdom. For the future of horathomi's empire, of course.
While searching the castle, prince Edwin passed through the army's training grounds. Watching jerry training there. He's been barking up the wrong tree the whole time. He thought Jerry was training hard to be a leader in the war effort. But Jerry kept on practicing hard in spite of his leadership. After paying enough attention to Jerry at practice, he went straight to the library to look up some books.
Afternoon....
Prince Ken passed the practice sword again and saw Jerry still practicing. She frowned and approached him. However, his step came to a halt when he saw his brother coming to Jerry with a drink in his hand. They both look familiar.
"Alice, what is he doing there?" Prince Ken mumbled. Suddenly, prince Edwin came to greet her and invited her to join him for a meal. He just nodded and followed pangean Edwin.
Dinner is served at a large table in the palace dining room. King Luis, queen Erlina, prince Edwin, and prince Ken each take their seats. The prince looked at an empty chair over there.
"Edwin, do you know where your brother is?" asked queen Erlina.
"No, mom. I was in the library the whole time."
"And Ken? Do you know where princess Alice is?"
Prince Ken was instantly nervous. "No, your majesty." He couldn't possibly tell the truth because he was capable of inflicting all the desired things.
Soon princess Alice came to the dining room breathlessly. Paying his respects, he also apologized for his delay. After a short speech, he is allowed to sit by his majesty.
***
At the diner, Jerry and his friends ate their dinner voracious. Just the beating of their mouths when chewing food is heard. In this less crowded tavern, it's impossible not to hear.
"Do you come to this tavern often?" Jerry asked. Ichiro and jirou drink directly together.
"No, I didn't. The next door is closed, so this is the only decent place in the whole kingdom that was open last night." Jirou pointed to another store across the street, then Jerry turned to the tavern.
Jerry's thinking, "it's nine o 'clock? Isn't drugi's restaurant open till ten?" Jerry saw ichiro and Jirou fighting over food in the middle of the last table. "Why don't we move?" he asked.
Ichiro and jirou immediately stopped what they were doing and then looked at Jerry with questions. "Where are you taking us?" ichiro asked.
Jerry smiled with delight. "My old stomping ground. Usually, it's open till tonight."
Jirou swallowed the rest of the rice in his mouth. "Drugi?" Jerry nodded quickly.
"Do you really not know?" asked ichiro with a serious face.
Jerry was confused. "Huh?"
Ichiro drew a deep breath and drank the whole bottle. "We shouldn't go there." Jerry fell silent with a wistful face.
After returning from the tavern, Jerry returned to the palace and went to his room. The room was occupied by ten men who would serve as training warships. They all slept on the floor on a thick mat and a long blanket. Sleep in one room and one blanket. That's how they sleep nowadays.
Jerry was lying with a blanket over him. He is stilll keeps his eyes open because he can't sleep. Been thinking about that conversation at the brew. Ichiro told him that drugi had been blacklisted since its construction. However, the exact reason remains unknown to the citizens of the kingdom. Only the king knew the real reason, because of the direct descendent of the late king.
There's a lot of things that jerry doesn't know about the empire. It's been in the palace for months. That made him determined to find out for himself. That very night, he slipped out of the room and set out to surround the palace.
***
In princess Alice's cozy bedroom, her sister sat gazing at him with probing eyes. He can only bow a little afraid.
"What is your relationship with Jerry?" prince Edwin asked coldly.
Princess Alice tried to answer calmly. "What are you talking about? Come out, I'm going to bed."
Prince Edwin is increasingly suspicious of his brother's antics trying to avoid his questions. "You're dating Jerry?" he asked suddenly. Her sister was instantly stunned.
Princess Alice refused to answer her brother's questions for fear of a possible problem with jerry. Being close to Jerry doesn't mean they're dating. Although, she quietly retains a taste. However, her brother's next words made her even more surprised.
"Go out with him!" Prince Edwin said so briefly.