I sigh and regain my composure.
"I would like to announce something which I was not able to because of the beast attack." The king said and then motioned for me to come to him.
'Why?...'
I went with a deadpan face and stood beside him. He took my right hand firmly.
'Why is your grip so strong?, you old man.'
"As you know that a new war has descended on us and since the capable commander Mabuz is no longer with us and thus can't lead us anymore. After some consideration and recommendation from our hero...," he strengthened his grip on me like I would run away if he didn't and then he continued " I declare that the present young Duke take his place and succeed as the new commander for our Ravial army. This is not a suggestion but a declaration. And if supposed anyone has doubts you can directly come to me."
I turned my head in shock and the garden was also filled with similar emotions. I could see Jasper smiling from the corner of my eyes.
'Damn it, I can't control it any longer.' I thought as a smile escaped my mouth. So I turned a little to my right and then came face to face with Jasper whose smile was gone.
I coughed and then turned back to my audience. I saw my faction standing to my left with Remus and Cardea. I winked at them and turned to the king and took a knee. The hand that was holding me was separated.
I took that hand and put it on my forehead and said "If the king trusts me enough to hand me such a great title then I must have lived up to my fathers standard. And if he were here right now he would have been proud of me."
I took a breath and looked up at the king with a sly smile "I will treat the Ravial army as my family and the kingdom as my treasure and bring victory to this nation."
The expression on the king's face which was happy changed to worry and many other emotions but he took immediate action and returned my smile.
'There, how does it feel being outsmarted, father.' And so in the end the commanding ceremony was dated two days later on 59 of 248 phoenix year. Same day as the harvest festival.
After that I stood up and descended that stage, Jasper was about to come behind me when I turned on my heel, gripped his arms and whispered in his ears "stay with the king." I let go of him, giving him a little vicious smile and returned to my group.
"How could you do that to us? Lying to me and Dea about you staying in the shadows." Remus cried out.
I ruffled his hair and said "Sorry but the king was keeping a close eye on you and if you knew about the plan and had not reacted properly at the given time then it would have blown up into a mess."
"Prince Remus you must also understand our shock when he said that he will take care of both the king and his team on his own. Even we were not prepared after hearing that you will make them topple over their own plan." Lazaro said.
I laughed and said "it was bound to be like that from the point they had met and teamed together. You see I had known this was going to happen from before the villain's defeat. One of Ice king's subordinates had informed me of it all. So it was easy from there."
"Oh only if it was as easy as you make it look, commander." Caleb said, jabbing his elbow in my chest.
We all had a good laugh at the title commander which would now belong to me. My laugh though was half hollow.
'If only you all had behaved yourselves I would not have taken these extreme measures.'
***
I sigh and fall on my bed exhausted. I was in my room in the palace which I had spent quite a few years of my life in. To my surprise it is always the same as I left it everytime I visit.
I straightened and slept properly on my bed with a blanket covering me.
"Jas if you have to say something just come out with it. There is no point in lurking in the window." I say still maintaining some level of calmness because after everything they put me through -whether I knew about it or not- was unfair and straight up annoying.
I heard the window opening and the sound of steps. A shadow covered over me.
"How and why is the only thing I am going to ask Kaan."
I turned on my back and looked up to him before getting up.
"Jasper, I trusted you. With everything." I said with an obvious hint of little anger.
"Oh really it doesn't look like that to me." he said in sarcasm.
"Hmmm then lets reverse the question, tell me, did you trust me? I know Leia lied about her finding the documents. It was you who had sneaked into my office on day 20 of 248 phoenix year, I knew you had broken the seal and took a look at it." I say before grabbing his collar lightly.
"Did you think I would not know? Did you think I was really going to leave you all behind? huh answer me? Did you?" I said in a little raised tone.
"Kaan I-I really do trust you but this-" he was rendered speechless as his words got stuck somewhere. His eyes shaken as if he was blinded by something, probably guilt.
"Great, just great. This is just perfect." I say as I calm down a little knowing he will need some time before we can talk normally.
I let go of his collar, pushing him lightly.
"Maybe you should just leave now. Think about what I said and we can talk after tomorrow's meeting." I said and laid back down, covering myself with a blanket again.
Jasper bowed and left through the window again, closing it in the process.
'I want to burn something damn it.'