Hearing King Horace's question, Crown Prince Hemeri Van Hale slowly walked toward the King. His gaze swept around the King's working chamber and though his face appeared nonchalant, the Aritish King knew very well that there was more to it.
"If I'm not mistaken, you are the one who says that I can come to Aritish whenever I want," the young yet powerful Crown Prince of Emerido Empire deadpanned. "And I need a reason now? Is easily changing your mind a hobby of yours, Your Majesty?"
"You know that's not what I mean, Hemeri," King Horace patiently responded despite the constant rebuttal from the young Crown Prince. "You come here, unannounced. I think I have the right to be curious. Besides, you need at least five days to reach Aritish from Emerido. I don't believe you're here only to remind me that your hatred for me is still going strong."
"I plan to stay here for a while this time," Hemeri Van Hale simply responded to the King as he took a seat on one of the couches while the latter still remained standing. "But my business is none of your concern. However, if you're really curious, I indeed brought a letter from my father as a bonus."
He took out an envelope from his inner pocket and put it at his arm's length for the King to reach it. With a sigh, King Horace walked toward the rude Crown Prince and took the envelope. He then took a seat opposite him and opened it to read the letter.
"I know that my father still trusts you but I don't," Crown Prince Hemeri Van Hale spoke up again when the Aritish King finished reading the letter. "I can vow that if your children from your second wife happen to inherit your throne, the first thing I do once I become the Emperor will be crushing this whole kingdom of yours."
"Hemeri -"
"You already trampled on my aunt's dignity by marrying that woman less than a year after my aunt's death," the Crown Prince interrupted in a cold yet firm voice. "But I will never allow you to do the same to her sons in favor of that woman's son. If you even think of making your fourth son your heir, just remember that it will be the doom of your Aritish."
With the letter from the Emperor of Emerido still in his hand, King Horace Varence glanced at the Crown Prince who looked at him, unrelentingly. However, despite all the sharp and bold words that the Crown Prince said to him, the Aritish King didn't even look offended or angry.
"The chamber you used to occupy is always available and ready for you," was what King Horace said after a few seconds of silence. "You must be tired from the long journey. Go and take a rest."
The King narrowed his eyes and noticed how Hemeri's hand slowly curled into a fist. However, the latter soon stood up and said, "Don't announce my arrival yet. I want to stay low for a while."
He didn't even wait for the King's response as he stormed out of the working chamber.
Now being alone in the chamber, King Horace quietly stared at the empty doors for a while and then let out a soft sigh. "It seems like your favorite nephew is still the same, Marie," he murmured as if he was talking to someone. "He is still sharp-tongued and... his hatred for me is still running deep."
He narrowed his eyes at the letter from the Emerido Emperor and softly said, "But I deserve it, right? Besides, I think he is the only one who qualifies to punish me for tarnishing your name like that after your passing."
Thinking of how much that rude Crown Prince used to like him when he was just a little child, the King's face hinted at an undeniable regret.
Will he ever be forgiven?
*
Crown Prince Hemeri made his way past many hallways with Andry trailing behind. As he was too familiar with the royal palace of Aritish, he didn't need anyone to escort him to the chamber that the Aritish King mentioned.
When his aunt, the late first Queen of Aritish was still alive, Hemeri Van Hale spent most of his time in Aritish rather than Emerido. He was always close to his aunt and he always preferred the company of his cousins rather than his own siblings and half-siblings. However, since the passing of his aunt, he rarely visited Aritish anymore, especially when the second Queen was still alive. As he was too young when his aunt was still alive, his memories of Aritish weren't even that clear anymore.
Nevertheless, he still knew the palace like the back of his hand though it had changed a lot compared to years ago.
After quietly walking for minutes, Andry was baffled when the Crown Prince suddenly halted his steps and stood still without saying anything. The guard waited but when the Crown Prince took too long, he spoke up.
"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"
"Do you know if Alanus is in the palace or the camp?"
Andry briefly thought and said, "I heard that the Second Prince is in the camp during the day but I'm not sure right now, Your Highness." He made a deliberate pause and asked, "Should I go and check?"
Hemeri Van Hale thought about it and shook his head. "Go and rest for now. I will go there myself."
"Will you be alright, Your Highness?"
As they weren't in Emerido, the guard was worried and the Crown Prince knew this. "With the Black Guards around, nothing could possibly happen to me. Besides, I believe that I'm safer here than I am in my empire."
The Crown Prince was referring to the intense fight for the throne in Emerido and Andry knew it.
Ever since the Emperor appointed Hemeri as his heir despite being the Third and the youngest Prince, the fight that had already been triggered grew more intense than ever. However, his appointment was already foreseen by many as Hemeri was the only son of the Empress, the legal wife, while his two older half-brothers were sons of concubines as polygamy was practiced in Emerido Empire.
Not to mention that many officials vouched for Hemeri as they considered him as the most competent among the Princes.
As the one who possessed the coveted title, Hemeri Van Hale found himself in the middle of all plots and attacks that happened due to the fight for the throne.
Even with the protection of the Black Guards which was formed to protect the heir apparent to the Emerido throne from the shadows, there were several times when he barely escaped fatal attacks from unidentified assassins.
As the Crown Prince already made up his mind, Andry bowed without protesting further and walked away. Then the Crown Prince made his way toward the chamber of his most favorite cousin.....