"Whoah," Prince Regwallis said as he tried to balance himself when Zeph rushed past him at full speed.
Zeph paid no attention to Prince Regwallis' remark as he ran past the boy to his room. His heart beat fast, a part of him not accepting this could be reality. He opened up his suitcase and retrieved some old tattered letters. The paper he wanted had tinged yellow through time. He shuffled through the worn letters. He used to read the letters for comfort. They were written to him from the Cattral's, a caring family who treated him as one of their own. He had been a young non-official Guard, carrying out his duty by serving the family. It was more than shelter though as he became close friends with the children. He was no more than a child himself back then, and whether he would admit it or not, he had never found that close relationship with anyone since then.
He kept track of them by writing letters back and forth, but as with all things, the letters slowed down and eventually stopped coming. He continued to shuffle through until he found the the very last letter written to him. He held it closer to his eyes as he read.
5675
Dear Zeph,
Hi! It's been a long time. It's too bad we can't write more often, but at least we can write. So far, things are looking up! Remember, Iri ,the girl I told you about in the last letter? I took your advice and I didn't do anything reckless; I just gave her a flower and told her she was pretty. Her parents didn't like it, but we started to hit it off!
I've finally graduated from school and have my Certificate of Excellence in Cuisine. Zella, Muin and Iri were really happy for me and they're going to help me open up my first restaurant. I hope you get to see it one day. I think I'll name it Cattral's.
I do have a new problem though. Muin! Her pheromones aren't half as bad as Zella's, but she keeps having this same male named Zaria come over for her! The thing is, I can't do much because Muiny actually likes him back. Should I just let it continue?
Hope you get this letter soon. The way everything works though, I'll be lucky if it reaches you in a year.
Signed,
Xiam.
Zeph read the letter again. That was the last one Xiamipoc Cattral ever sent. He never received another with the new address which would have allowed him to write back.
A lost letter that would explain what happened. He wished he still needed that letter.
Zeph sat down on the floor, staring at the pile of worn letters while thoughts of what happened raced through his mind. Why? King Sheward would do all this for a small chance of a pure warno lineage?
With what Zeph had in mind, he wouldn't be able to push King Sheward far away. He didn't know what was up his sleeve, but it would have to stay there to get the chance he had to take. Standing up, he made his way back to the throne room.
King Sheward looked back as Zeph came near him again. "Guard."
Zeph nodded with steel eyes. No matter what the circumstances, or what cruel trick had been played, he had to be respectful to King Sheward. His words would be kept short and to the point as much as possible so that his true sentiments did not emerge. "I want to be her Guard." He watched King Sheward shake his head. "You owe me that much."
"Halt," a royal guard moved in front of King Sheward. "No one speaks to King Sheward in that manner."
Zeph held his eyes on the guard. A simple maneuver and he could have taken him out, but he need King Sheward on his side. He reached into his vest and pulled out his official Guardian license. He held it out in front of King Sheward briefly before letting go. It hit the ground with a soft thud at King Sheward's feet. "Appoint me or I leave anyhow."
Zeph watched King Sheward breathe out slow and deep. One way or another, he was getting back to his friends. King Sheward had something planned, and not knowing the extent of it, he couldn't risk them getting hurt.
"Guardian Zephyr Smilliat, you are a rare class, an A Guard. I don't want to lose you, which is why I told you," King Sheward insisted as he folded his hands on his scepter. "With your skill you would have figured it out at some point. Hate me as you wish, but don't do this to your kingdom. It is more fragile than you know."
Zeph made no response to his speech. Either King Sheward appointed him or he walked. He kept silent, not moving at all as he continued to stare.
" If it means so much to you, I may appoint you her Guardian again," King Sheward muttered. "It takes time though, remember that."
"I'll help," Zeph insisted. "I'll wait in offices to sign papers and I'll take them back myself."
King Sheward mumbled something undetectable then held up his index finger. "She will be suspicious that you came right when this happened."
"Well gee, I wonder why," Zeph said sarcastically. He noticed the guard eyeing him again. "Majesty."
"I warn you." King Sheward leaned further upon his scepter, his crown tilting forward. "I am being lenient. Do not say anything about the kingdom's involvement. Disobey this order and I will pass judgment." King Sheward's eyes hardened and his posture became rigid. He stood in a manner Zeph had only seen used in front of his enemies. "One day, you will understand." His eyebrows lowered as he tapped his scepter. "You will be guilty of treason if you implicate our kingdom into this matter."
Zeph shifted his right leg and jerked his index finger involuntarily as he considered the decision. "I'm not supposed to tell her you're directly responsible? So what are you saying, if I tell her-"
"- you cannot implicate the kingdom in the plot," King Sheward finished for him as he placed his hands behind his back. "You say anything and you will be guilty of treason."
Zeph glanced at the ground. If he told her anything, all he could tell her was he was the guy that night? He couldn't explain why?
"Agree, and I will appoint you. I understand you want to see this through. Disagree though and leave, and I will make sure you never find her or her family again." King Sheward's words were rough and raw, a tone never used with Zeph before. "The Warno Kingdom cannot be seen as the bad guy in this situation."
Zeph's throat felt dry. No one lived after being recognized as a traitor to the kingdom. Many times the killings were merciful and fast injections, no one wanted to prolong suffering. In some instances though, the act was considered so heinous, the traitor's death involved viruses. Thoughts of a past traitor in particular filled his head. The kingdom had been so furious; he had been injected with five of the worst viruses known to their species. He hollered in agony for six days.
Zeph took one more moment for himself. King Sheward would not punish him that far, he would never use such a threat. Zeph gazed into his expression searching for a sign of weakness, a sign that would point it out as a joke.
Had the kingdom's position become so weak that they would stoop so low? Zeph rubbed the bridge of his nose. There was more King Sheward was hiding, he could sense it. No matter what King Sheward's plans were, he couldn't forget about his promise. He would just have to be extremely careful. To blame or not to blame, he had to protect them.