Being the son of any King wasn't simple. Being the son of a King like Magito made you a target. The Eastern Crest had long been drawing up plans to kidnap the King's son. Most of which were too outlandish. For now; the son remained a target, but one that wasn't pursued. When the King heard questions from the citizenry, the Eastern Crest's agents in the Capital attended. All of them saw the lack of companions by the King. The Diplomat and Military Commander may obviously be busy. But the Queen and the Young Prince? Where could they be? Of course, they could also be busy, the agents thought but they also believed that possibly turmoil was growing in the royal family.
Datlum was still with the de Arabel girl. It was the longest conversation young Datlum had ever had. All because one girl intrigued him so much. He, so easily, got lost in her eyes and her words.
"Hey Datlum?"
He didn't hear it at first. His infatuation was paramount.
"Prince Datlum?"
"Oh yes miss?"
"I'm rather hungry."
"My maids will cook something for you!"
Datlum stood up and grabbed the de Arabel girl by her hand. He ran to find one of his many maids. Lucia gladly followed along with Datlum's actions. Her de Arabel necklace swayed as ran close behind Datlum. Her heels were making it difficult for her to keep up. But she refused to ruin the moment.
As the son searched for one of his servants. He heard many footsteps leaving the castle. He ran toward them, thinking a servant must be near the large crowd. Eventually, he was in the throne room. Magito was speaking with Irian. Datlum interrupted.
"Father." he said.
"Datlum? Shouldn't you be talking with your friend? Why do you look like you've been running around the capital?"
"Do you know where my personal maids are?" Datlum asked.
"Your maids? Son, you are meeting marriage prospects and you can't find your own maids?"
"Father, that's not…"
"Find them yourself. Stop draggin around the girl. Is that how you treat someone? An heir to a KINGDOM drags around a potential Queen?"
"I'm sorry, father."
"Go find your maids yourself boy. The girl will help you. When you do, eat. Then return to your studies."
Datlum let go of Lucia's hand and walked away with his head down. Lucia walked right beside him. They exited the throne room.
"You must keep that boy happy, sire." Irian said.
"I 'must' do what I see is fit. Begin gathering the men you trust. I must send a word to my brother. We'll need to increase army recruitment." Magito responded.
"I'll make the personal guard quickly sire."
"Good." Was all Magito gave to Irian as he went off to create a new personal unit solely for the King.
Magito wanted more. This guard wasn't enough. He needed to build a larger safety sphere around himself. His current system had faults. If he wished to live a long life as King. He'd need more. He'd do whatever was necessary to get more. Magito before was content. He felt safe in his rule. But now so much had gone wrong, by no doing of his own. Magito was boiling like the geysers of Mocantage. He had to think of new and added ways of consolidating power. He left to chambers to think.
Magito's son continued his running through the castle halls. Eventually, he found the maid's quarters. He knocked on and its door and chanted to them from the outside:
"Maids! My stomach is growling so loudly!"
From inside, a maid responded.
"Sire, a meal will be made shortly. Please head to the royal dining hall."
"Cook for two, please!"
The maids were taken aback by the "two" in Datlum's words. They knew the King himself always ate alone and inside his chambers. Many maids smiled, believing Datlum had acquired a new companion.
"Don't worry, my palette isn't picky." Lucia ottered.
All the maids let off a genuine grin, for the lonely prince, who learned, ate, and slept, how found someone to speak to. Someone Magito allowed to interact with his son in the great castle that normally forbids all. The maids set off preparing a meal for the young prince and his guest.
"Anything you want to do while the food is made?" Datlum asked Lucia.
"Do you have a hall of paintings?"
"My father thinks the paintings were just taking up space, but Uncle refused to let him get rid of them completely. They were moved into an empty room. I'll bring you there. Come on."
The two set off running to the paintings long ignored by the castle and its people.
"How old are you Datlum?" Lucia said to the young prince as they ran through the halls.
"I'm 12."
"Hmph. I like people close to my age."
Datlum only blushed, he was too taken aback by her words. He just smiled at her and kept moving through the halls.
Later, a maid knocks on the door of the King's quarters.
"Your majesty, your dinner is ready. I'll leave it here."
"Enter." The King said.
"Of- of course your majesty." The maid, shocked, entered the room. It was tidy, the King normally allowed no one inside. He cleaned it all himself, every night.
"You allowed me entry, your majesty?" The maid wanted to know why she was granted such a gracious thing seemingly at random.
"The Queen is gone. But you know that of course."
"Yes your majesty I do."
"The lead maid knew me when we both were younger. Send her here please."
"Of course my lord I shall do that immediately."
The maid left and headed immediately for the shared maid quarters. She arrived and told the lead maid, Zarina, to go to the King.
Zarina knocked on the King's door and entered.
"You asked to see me sire?"
"Remember what your mother did for my Father?"
"Sire, I'm not sure that's necessary."
"You will go to the East and infiltrate the Eastern Crest. You will build a network loyal to me."
"Your majesty, I don't see why it must be me. I'm not like my mother."
"Learn to be, Zarina. I'm giving you a great duty for the kingdom. Travel East with my brother's caravan. It leaves next week."
"Your majesty, what if I fail?"
"Don't fail, Zarina. Don't make me angry with you."