"Your majesty, the crown prince is here" the announcer's voice cut into the king's hazy thought.
"Let him in" the king answered as he went back to his desk and poured himself a glass of Zarkerian ale.
Ivo walked inside the throne room and the door was closed behind him.
"Father," Ivo called as he sat down on a cushioned chair. "Drinking by this time of the day, it's... rather odd" Ivo informed, because it was already dawn.
Thorne drank from his chalice, "I am drinking away my problems, Ivo" and then he poured in another glass.
"Well, I'm not surprised. Since the bastard has returned, and as far as I know he is the epitome of problems" Ivo said as he ran his fingers into his blonde-brown hair.
Thorne settled down in his throne-like chair opposite Ivo.
"I don't understand why he is so difficult" the king whispered but Ivo heard it.
"He is a war-scattered god, that's why" Ivo answered.
Thorne nodded slightly as he drank again.
"Father, I've prepared a royal decree for that villainized bastard that have been bothering you" Ivo informed.
"What kind of decree?" the king asked.
"One that involves him siring alkarites" Ivo said.
"Alkarites" Throne repeated as if pondering over it.
"Yes, father. He needs to be reminded that he is still under your authority" Ivo spoke, with his extremely deep voice that has scared many into subjection.
Alkarites is a special name given to humans that notable gods and goddesses sire - they are too cater for the humans and also apply punishment when needed. Whenever a god sires a human a special bond is built, most of the gods and goddesses take the bond for granted obviously because they consider humans degrading. Gods and goddesses loves having humans under them so as to display their supremacy.
"Do whatever you wish, Ivo. But bear in mind that Zander might decline that degree" Thorne said, only for Ivo to frown.
"He mustn't. As a matter of fact he can't defy your orders, you are the king" Ivo said his deep voice going even deeper.
Thorne smiled a bit, as he stood from his chair. "He is his own king." he stated before he walked into another room inside the throne room.
Ivo sat there pondering over what his father has just said. Ivo was aware that his father has given up on Zander. But one day Ivo would be crowned king and then, he would show Zander who the king is. Ivo was more than determined to ruin the great impaler and crush his ego.
*********************
The aroma of delightful breakfast meals came from the large dining room as the royal family of Leviathan, had their breakfast. But the king and queen were absent for no apparent reason. As they were seated in their respective chairs, a manservant stood behind each of them... Well expect for the great impaler who had Ian behind him.
Zander needs no manservant to taste his food for him, at the city of bones he was thought how to sniff out poisonious substance in food, no matter how strong the aroma of the food is.
"So Zander, how are you faring knowing that you've put father in a state of distress" Ivo asked as his manservant poured him a glass of wine.
Zander looked up at him, and smiled. "I'm faring just fine" he said and returned back to to his dish.
"Well you can't be blamed, since it is in your nature to be vexatious" Ivo stated before he drank from his chalice.
"It appears I've struck a nerve, relax Ivo" Zander said with a hint of mockery. Ivo glared angrily at him, Zander could see that his eyes were slowly turning gołden fiery in colour.
Kal cleared his throat as he looked at Zander - if he keeps striking Ivo's nerves, this breakfast room will surely burn down.
"Table manners, Zander" Cassandra, the goddess of beauty said in her melodious voice.
"My bad, Cassandra" Zander said with an insincere voice.
"Cassandra, a war god that impales his enemies bodies, surely has no table manners" Ivo said, only for the great impaler to grin widely.
"You are so delusional, Ivo" Zander said. And that was it for Ivo, with a simple hand gesture, the dish inside Zander's plate caught on fire. That act startled everyone, including Zander who was about to cut into his oatmeal cake, but only to find it on fire. Ivo used a table napkin to wipe his mouth before he stood, "Enjoy your breakfast" he told Zander.
As soon as Ivo started to walk away, Theo bust into a ceaseless laughter.
"That was the funniest thing Ivo has ever done" Theo said grinning widely.
"Really?" Zander asked as he shifted the burnt cake away from his sight. A manservant rushed and carried it away, he asked the great impaler if he wanted a replacement, but unfortunately Zander had lost his appetite.
Zander looked at Raphael and Kal who were trying to suppress a laugh.
"You two can laugh if you want to" he said.
"I must say. It is good to have you back Zander, if not for anything else, at least to get Ivo back in his spiteful mood" Raphael said with a smile.
"It was a little unsettling to see him relaxed when you were gone. But thanks to your return we have the old Ivo back" Theo jested. That brought a smile in the face of his brothers, they've all gotten used to Theo being the clown and joking around. But they had to admit that his joke had an iota truth in it. Theo often told the truth but in a light and playful manner.
"You all know that I can't just sit here and watch you insult my betrothed." Cassandra cut in suddenly. The brothers turned their gaze at her.
"Then leave" Raphael said nonchalantly as he drank from his chalice.
"Or, I could remind you idiots that he is to be the next king of Axis Mundi" Cassandra stated as she carefully placed down her fork.
"Idiots," Zander repeated, "Wow" he completed.
"Yes, you all are idiots for not giving him the respect he deserves" She said.
"The only respect Ivo deserves is that from a howler monkey" Raphael said, as his brothers chuckled. Insulting Ivo was one of their best activity.
Cassandra frowned at them, staying with the other five princes were just annoying. But what Cassandra does not know was that her one sided love for Ivo, has blinded her so much that she now finds anyone that Ivo does not like, annoying.
"You all actually make me sick" Cassandra admitted.
"Then consult a physician, before you breakdown" Kal advised. Only to have the goddess of beauty shoot him an angry stare.
"But, Cassandra you are just being a wet blanket. Being angry suits you not, flourish instead" Raphael said.
Now they were just mocking her - Cassandra thought as she immediately pushed her chair backwards creating a loud screeching sound. She stood up elegantly.
"You are brainless, Rapheal" Cassandra snapped before she lifted her golden dress and exited the room with a train of ladies behind her.
Raphael gasped jokefully, "Did she just call me brainless?" Raphael asked.
"She did say that we are all idiots" Zander remained as he drank from his chalice.
"I don't understand why Cassandra is always trying to defend Ivo's honour" Kal said thoughtful and eat a spoonful of his oatmeal cake.
"She's in love" Theo stated, only for his brothers to stare shockingly at him.
"What?" Theo asked munching on his cake.
"Did you just say, love?" Kal asked.
"What kind of disgusting love, is that" Raphael added.
"Cassandra is not in love with Ivo, it's just mere infatuation" Zander said.
"I agree" Kal added.
"I told you all, that falling in love is waste of one's time" Raphael said.
"Speak for yourself, Raphael" Theo told him.
"So you don't believe me" Rapheal asked, as he glanced at their faces. They all had a look of uncertainty.
"Great Rao. What is the need when you can just have them all actually" Raphael told them. His brothers knew that he was right - maybe a little. Because the princes of Axis Mundi has never lacked amorousness for the goddesses, it was only up to them to reciprocate.
But still, Zander asked regardless. "What if they is one that you can't have"
Raphael grinned at that question - finding it quite surprising.
"I don't want to exaggerate, brother. But am irresistible" Raphael said.
Zander smiled widely at his words - but he knew that they was an iota of truth in it. Considering the fact that all the six princes were highly irresistible - the height of their attractiveness has no end.