A/N- people this novel has been rebooted by me, the link is in the novel description, if you want to feel free to read it, but i suggest you just read the reboot, i have done a much better job with that one.THIS NOVEL WILL PROBABLY BE HIDDEN IN A WEEK.
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Knock knock knock
"Young master, are you awake?" Albert's voice called out.
"Come in, Alfred," John replied, his voice muffled as he stretched out on his bed.
The door opened, and Alfred stepped into the room. "Pardon the intrusion, young master," he said, bowing slightly.
"Is everything prepared for today?" John asked, swinging his legs off the bed and standing up. He reached for a white robe, slipping it on as he prepared to head to the bath.
"Yes, your highness. Your meeting with the high king is set for an hour from now. I suggest you get ready," Alfred replied, nodding his head.
"Is that so? Well, if you say so, I'd better get ready then," John said, opening the door to the bath.
"As you wish, your highness," Alfred replied, bowing deeply.
30 minutes later, John emerged from the bath, to find Alfred waiting for him with a panicked expression on his face.
"What's wrong, Alfred? What has you in such a state?" John asked, a sly smile crossing his face.
"Your highness, why didn't you inform me that when you referred to training, you meant being trained by Sir Joseph?" Alfred asked, his voice shaking slightly.
"Because I didn't feel the need to. But that's not important right now. How did you find out about it?" John asked, his voice dripping with nonchalance as he walked past the trembling butler.
"I overheard a few of the maids talking about it. When I asked them, they told me," Alfred replied, his nerves getting the best of him.
"I see. So you went ahead and told Julius about it. And since he knew about it before you could inform him, you must be in a difficult position right now. He wants to see where your loyalty lies," John said, fixing Alfred with a stern gaze.
"Your highness, please forgive me. I was foolish and let greed cloud my judgment. I never meant to betray you," Alfred begged, falling to his knees.
"Tell me, Alfred, why shouldn't I just kick you out right now?" John asked, bending down slightly and bringing his face close to Alfred's.
"Your highness, you don't have just cause that you can prove to others to fire me," Alfred managed to stammer out.
John listened to Alfred's reasoning and nodded slightly. He stood up straight and started walking, speaking as he went. "That would be true if I were to fire several members of the staff. But if I just fire one, no one - not even your master who has a tight leash around your neck - would care. So give me another reason."
"I-I-I-I can act as your double agent against the first prince. Yes, I can do that," Alfred stuttered, standing up and trying to follow John, but stumbling and falling behind him.
"But how can I trust you? How do I know that you won't betray me, just like you were ready to betray my brother?" John asked, turning around and looking down at Alfred.
"Your majesty, I swear an oath on my mana that I will never have such thoughts again," Alfred said, looking up at John imploringly.
"Hmmm, okay. But Alfred, always remember this: a dog that bites its owner isn't wanted by anyone," John said, nodding and lightly slapping Alfred's cheeks. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get dressed and meet my grandfather," John spoke nonchalantly, as if the previous conversation had never happened, and walked off.
"Ah-ah, yes your highness," Alfred replied, bowing his head as the prince left.
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About 30 minutes later, in the garden west of John's palace, the young prince sat in a chair, looking at the flower bed before him as he sipped on a cup of tea prepared by Merry.
"It's pleasant to just sit down and relax sometimes, isn't it?" John said to himself, taking in the beautiful scenery around him.
"It certainly is. But life isn't so easy that one gets a lot of time to do that, so savor it while you can," a voice came from behind John.
"GRANDFATHER!" John exclaimed, turning around to see an old man with long white hair and a face that resembled his own, dressed in a black suit.
"Hohoho, come here, young child hug your grandpa. How have you been?" Galen said, opening his arms to embrace his grandson, who happily complied.
"I've been great, Grandfather. I've recently even started training with Sir Joseph," John said, breaking away from his grandfather's embrace.
"Is that so? Well, that's good for you. Now sit down, let's talk, shall we? I'm sure we have much to discuss," Galen said, pulling out a chair and sitting at the table as the maid filled his cup.
"Yes, Grandfather," John said, signaling for all the maids in the area to leave.
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"Well, your trial is a week from now. Are you prepared to take it?" the high king asked, sipping his tea.
"I am as prepared as I can be right now. But I still have a week until then, so I'm doing my best," John replied, looking at his grandfather.
"I see, I see," the high king said, nodding.
"But Grandfather, why have you decided to visit during my trial? If I'm correct, you weren't here for the trials of my older brothers," John asked, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"There are several reasons, some more political than others. But you only need to know of one: I will be taking you to live with me after your trials are over," the high king said, putting down his cup.
"Why?" John asked, confused. This was something that never happened in his last life - he was abandoned by the family after the test of the gods and ended up serving in the military, eventually rising through the ranks.
"I intend to raise you to be the next emperor. Your two fool of brothers cannot be trusted to take care of the kingdom once your father and I pass," the high king said, his expression resolute as he leaned forward and looked John straight in the eyes.
"But how can you be so sure that I can take their place?" John asked, unsure of his grandfather's motives.
"Well, it's simple. I'm not sure. Your father and I are taking a gamble on this," the high king responded.
"We intend to form a separate third faction, one separate from the current two with the Duke of Thorne and the Empress as their heads. This faction will be completely hidden until you come of age and start attending the academy," he continued.
"Why all of a sudden? I don't quite get it. If you wanted to, you could have done it earlier. So why now?" John shouted, his fury fueled by memories of his mother's brutal murder by the Empress and how he had begged for their help back then, but it was never given.
"John, my child, I don't have any excuse to give you… I'm simply doing it for my benefit and the benefit of the nation. This is the best option I have right now, and my emotions don't play a part in this," Galen said, his face cold and expressionless.
"I see." John responded coldly
"Well, I think I should leave now. You must have a lot to think about, and I need to talk to your father as well," the high king said, standing up from the table.
"Then Grandfather, I hope to see you soon," John said, his expression just as cold.
"Ah, John, before I go, I'll leave you with two pieces of advice," Galen said, stopping midway and looking at John.
"Never, ever fully trust anyone - not me, not your father, not your lover. And two, never think emotionally. A ruler is not someone who is afforded the luxury of emotion. You must rule a country with an iron heart because if not, everyone around you will walk all over you," he said, patting John on the back before walking away.
"I'll take your words to heart, Grandfather," John said, slightly bowing his head.