King Jaren laughed heartily for quite some time after hearing Raven's response. "Good, good," he said, when he finally stopped laughing. "Look how the boy jumps to defend you right away, little Mana!" he teased.
Both Mana and Raven flushed. Then Mana took Raven's hand in her own and smiled sweetly at him, making the boy blush even more.
"But what does it mean?" Mana asked curiously. "This Regent – Protector – what does it actually mean?"
"It means that you are in charge of protecting the Emerald Kingdom," King Jaren said, the smile on his face turning serious. "You have to protect the monarch, the heir and the people of the Emerald Kingdom. And in the monarch's absence, you are the second in command," he explained. "Both you and Raven, since he has received a protector pendant as well."
Mana raised an eyebrow enquiringly. "I have never heard of this Regent – Protector business," she murmured. "And Raven and I would protect the Emerald Kingdom anyway."
