When Prince Nicholas and Lord Archibald Ferdinand returned to the capital, they were all summoned to the king's chambers to meet with the king. Nicholas's mother, the queen, was seated at the side of the bed and was taking care of her husband when the two arrived.
"Ah, Nicholas," Queen Cordelia's expression brightened. "You're finally back after so long."
Nicholas nodded politely and then bowed. "I have finally returned upon His Majesty's request."
The king sat up from bed despite his coughing and nodded. "Good. It's about time that you finally focus on becoming the next king instead of wasting your time and bothering Lord Ferdinand."
Lord Ferdinand tried to laugh it off. "I'm actually glad to have a companion, Your Majesty. It has been incredibly lonely for an old man to live by himself."
"Your Majesty," Nicholas's mother glanced at her husband with a small frown. "The two of us agreed that it was right for our son to leave the palace so he would remain safe and recover."
