The King and Queen were sitting in a beautiful garden, watching Long practice with a bow, the Queen whispered something in his ear, and the King chuckled softly as he nodded at her.
The Queen then got up and went to the boy, talking to him, seeming to give tips on handling the bow. Long listened attentively to his mother's advice and, from time to time, pursed his lips, speaking suddenly – Human weapons are so complicated.
Jiaohui chuckled lightly, running her hands over the bow's edge as she spoke – But we must agree they are pretty ingenious.
Helping Long with his stance, Jiaohui guided him through the shot as the King watched them sternly.
Attentive to his surroundings, he raised his hand, a clear signal for anyone approaching to stop where they were.
Ikalles and Bavellis stopped when they saw the signal, kneeling shortly after.
The King continued to watch his wife and son – I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed.
Ikalles spoke quickly – I'm sorry, my King, I have some complaints.
Bavellis looked at Ikalles in astonishment. Not only he, but the King himself turned and looked at his Guardian with a surprised look.
– What complaints? Rairin asked. Ikalles looked at him and then at Bavellis from the corner of his eye. The King turned his gaze to the general, who quickly understood and walked away. Once Bavellis was far enough away, Rairin looked back at Ikalles and said – Say it.
– I'm sorry for bothering you at a time like this, Rairin, but I need to talk to you – Ikalles spoke a little guilty. He didn't know that his friend was busy like this. Out of his selfishness, he had disturbed him with a matter that could have been discussed at another time.
Rairin stood up. It was unusual for Ikalles to be the first to drop the formality. Looking back at his family for a moment, he nodded at Ikalles, guiding him to a more secluded spot.
Jiaohui looked at her husband. Seeing him walk away with Ikalles, she narrowed her eyes, motioning to Bavellis, who approached. Long grew up in an environment like that and knew how to read situations very well, choosing to remain silent and pretending to still play with his bow but listening carefully to the conversation behind him. The Queen had no intention of keeping anything from her son, so she allowed him to overhear any conversation between her and the general.
– What happened? – She asked, still looking at Rairin and Ikalles.
The general revered her, answering – This General does not know my Queen. However, the Guardian said he had some complaints to make.
Jiaohui blanked out for a moment – Complaints? – Since when did Ikalles complain?
Already away from the others, in a small pavilion further away, Rairin turned and looked at the Guardian –What happened, Ikalles?
Ikalles sighed – It's about my son.
Rairin pursed his lips thoughtfully – I made sure to organize everything correctly, has he left the frost palace yet?
Ikalles suddenly looked surprised – What?
Rairin continued – Isn't that why you're worried? Your son is under good guardianship. Jiaohui assured me of that.
Ikalles looked at him confused – What do you mean, Rairin?
The King looked at him blankly – Isn't that what you're worried about? Because he left the frost palace? If you want to know where he is, I can ask...
Ikalles interrupted him quickly – No. I know where he is, and that's what worries me.
Rairin looked at him – Is the place he is not good enough? I asked Jiaohui to help me with this matter, and she told me that she had found a great location and a good tutor for Izrun.
Ikalles looked at him, still in doubt – Wait, was taking my son out of there your order?
The King sighed. Of course, Ikalles would forget, speaking – It was your request.
Ikalles froze, muttering the King's words, searching his memories when he had asked something so absurd.
Seeing her still confused expression, Rairin spoke again – At your wedding. You were drunk. Did you know that you are very sincere when you drink? You said you were unhappy with all that, asked me several things, and told me to shut up when I answered.
Ikalles was shocked. He didn't remember any of that – And I asked… for you to take Izrun away from me?
Rairin shook her head, smiling slightly as she spoke – You asked me if you had a son, that I would take him away from you if I realized that you treated him as your father did during your childhood. You saw how hard your father was with his older brother, so much so that he became highly desperate when he saw him take his own life right in front of him.
Ikalles was startled, looking at the King with a guilty expression – His highness knew that.
Rairin raised her eyebrows – You told me.
Ikalles looked out at the garden, sighing lightly. He didn't want to remember this.
Rairin quickly changed the subject when he saw Ikalles's expression turn bitter, returning to the topic they were talking about before – It was my order. I know how much you love your son and that you are unaware of how you act like your father. I also know that you think this is the best way to raise you because you became so strong being raised that way that you think it was all thanks to your father, but you became what you are today thanks to yourself and your effort.
Ikalles didn't answer. Rairin sighed as he continued – Whenever we trained together, you told me how much you couldn't do anything, that you were utterly useless, you didn't learn anything from him, it was during our training that you suddenly became powerful, you could do everything, and when you ran happily to tell your father he would boast that it was thanks to him that you became strong, that it was because of the blood, of your Snowden lineage – Rairin approached and touched his shoulder – Deep down you know very well that you only managed to get here because you were intelligent and hardworking.
They both remained silent for a while, remembering days of their youth. Then, Rairin suddenly scowled and commented, "Another thing that troubled him was this competition between his family in the frost palace and the Ocannanes family in the ice flame palace, fighting to find out who would occupy the post of Guardian. You even beat Alba. Everyone thought she would become the next Guardian, and I always believed in you.
Ikalles looked at Rairin, completely expressionless after his speech. Rairin laughed lightly, saying – I know your relationship didn't work out, but that's in the past, right?
Ikalles frowned – Please, Rairin, I didn't come to talk about this.
Rairin nodded, smiling – Well, perhaps Izrun's tutor is not to your liking? Or maybe the location. Jiaohui said he found an excellent place for Izrun.
– Silverleak – Ikalles cut him off.
Rairin's smile froze, watching the King's expression change. Ikalles sighed. Rairin had entrusted this matter to the Queen. Ikalles repeated it – The Queen sent him to Silverleak.
The King looked away, laughing nervously – Well, Silverleak gathers the best and most powerful sorceresses of our race, the strongest of our empire. Probably one of them was chosen to teach him.
– Alba.
The King suddenly coughed, and Ikalles came over to help him. Rairin took a deep breath, looking at Ikalles with a surprised look, waiting for him to say he was joking.
– Alba is my son's tutor – Ikalles stated again.
The King laughed awkwardly and looked away – Well, we shouldn't consider your personal problems now. Alba is mighty. Besides being my cousin, I think the Queen's choice makes sense.
Ikalles lowered his eyes thoughtfully while the King continued – Well, why don't you reconsider the relationship?
Ikalles lifted his head and looked at him in disbelief.
Rairin sighed, it was a rather strange idea, but maybe it was a good idea – About that accident, we know it had nothing to do with her. The two were very close. There was no reason to hurt each other. You still love her, right? Marry her.
Looking away, Ikalles replied vaguely – That could cause unnecessary rumors, Your Highness.
The King laughed – What rumors, Ikalles? You are overthinking. Always talking all that nonsense about your marriage and the fact that you changed fiancées? And well, I guess you focused on the wrong part, so have you considered getting back together with her?
Ikalles lowered his head. Rairin noticed a suddenly strange atmosphere. Noticing Ikalles's discomfort, the King's smile slowly faded. Then, with a serious expression, he asked – Is there something I don't know, Ikalles?
The King was faced again by his Guardian. Ikalles seemed to hesitate a lot in what he wanted to say. Rairin narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to use his gift on him because he trusted Ikalles a lot. He didn't think that his Guardian would hide something from him. Ikalles, not wanting to disappoint him or cause distrust in their relationship, muttered in response to the King's question – We… slept together – Ikalles watched Rairin's expression change from shock to frustration in a few seconds.
Rairin asked incredulously – You slept with Alba?
This time, without any hesitation, Ikalles said – Yes.
The King rubbed his temples in frustration, remembering Ikalles' concern about Alba being Izrun's tutor. He looked at Ikalles, asking with a severe expression – Did she get pregnant?
Ikales nodded. With the confirmation, Rairin looked at him irritably – Ikalles, how could you? Do you know the punishment for the crime of marital betrayal?
Ikalles spoke quickly, with a dismayed expression – It was an accident. I bitterly regret what I did! But, Rairin, I hid this from you for fear of your judgment. Therefore, I ask you to consider this my friend, not my King.
Rairin stared at Ikalles in silence for a while. Seeing his expression, he sensed that Ikalles was genuinely sorry, thinking Alba had not lodged any complaints or even demanded to become the Guardian's wife or concubine during her pregnancy. Rairin sighed. He had believed that Ikalles had never hidden anything from him, unlike himself, who had everything in his mind completely exposed to his Guardian. There was nothing about him that Ikalles didn't already know, for that reason, they had promised that they would not hide anything from each other.
Rairin averted his eyes, irritated – Is there anything else you're hiding from me?
Ikalles bowed quickly. Rairin was very angry, he knew that one day this subject would come up, but he really thought that Rairin wouldn't speak that way. Ikalles understood in his mind at that moment, Rairin wasn't just his friend. He was his King, as his Guardian. So he should not have concealed such a serious matter from him, respectfully speaking – There is nothing else.
Rairin nodded, thinking for a while, and finally making a decision, huffing – Well, it doesn't matter now. Does anyone else know about this?
Ikalles shook his head – Besides your majesty, only Miss Alba.
Rairin nodded, speaking expressionlessly – Right, Lira will continue to be the next Guardian. Izrun and Alira are also suitable for that title. The three will work together for the future of our empire.
Ikalles looked at him stunned – My King, there has never been more than one Guardian per race, that...
The King raised his hand, a request that Ikalles not speak – No law prevents this, write my orders. As soon as my son takes the throne, Lira will be the Guardian, Izrun will be the Adviser, and Alira, the Retainer.