Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: Visit to the Royal palace

The services of the hotel were top tier for this world's standards. My only complaint is that they divulged my identity which resulted in lack of privacy time for me. Various important individuals I presume from the way they were dressed came to meet me. Nothing in this world is truly free I garnered, you will be expected to pay in some form of way. I finally went to bed exhausted after answering a plethora of questions asked. It was honestly mentally and emotionally draining having to deal with people who almost physically fought over my attention. I guess I am a bigger deal than I previously thought.The next day, a carriage arrived to pick us up from the inn at around mid-morning. It was too flashy for my liking lined at the edges with gold fake or real I could not tell. I really had no choice in the matter so I shut my mouth and went inside. The interior was nicely done, enough leg room and seats are reclined for comfort. Listen to me rambling on about carriages. Perhaps because I was looking for a design inspiration that is why I seem to be very excited. The carriage ride however was anything but smooth. The reason was due to lack of suspension and improved wheel axles. Then again I may be making an unfair comparison with the family carriage that I am used to. The only saving grace was that most of the road was smooth and paved otherwise the journey would have been less comfortable.Wow the royal palace is a very grandiose structure, don't even get me started on the grounds work, truly marvelous. Man I should get enough money to build something as spectacular as this. No, more spectacular with my common and physics knowledge from my previous work. "Wow, this is marvelous." I said. "Yes quite the structure I am also in awe." Mother said. "Wait, didn't you used to live here? How can you be surprised?" I asked. "Ha-ha my adorable genius son. Come to think of it, I never did tell you how we met with your father." Mother said while pinching my cheeks lightly. "Yes. I never really did ask. I always thought that the two of us were really enough." I said. "I will tell you later. If you are lucky he might even be the one to tell you the story." Mother said. We were ushered inside by a royal guard who kneeled on the spot once he approached me. "White Eagle sir. It is an honor to meet you, please follow me." He stated. "That was a bit too excessive don't you think. A firm handshake is more than enough, no need to bother with all those formalities." I answered him with a smile. My response calmed a lot of the tension that was present. He led us inside the castle while stopping randomly to explain the various paintings and sculptures that both me and mother were curious about. The interior of the palace was not very impressive to be honest. Apart from the paintings and sculptures present to break the boring monotonous color nothing really stood out. This seems to put into perspective how much of an artistic genius mother really is because our home has a far more impressive interior than this.We finally reached the throne room and from the sitting position I could easily identify the king, queen and the prince. As soon as we were in front of the king, mother took a bow. I was about to do the same thing before Nathan stopped me. "The White Eagles bows to no man." He murmured to my ear. Come to think of it, why is he not bowing? "Hey. Why are you not bowing?" I asked Nathan. "The military only bows to who they are loyal that is either to a Talon or a White Eagle." He answered. "Can you guys keep quiet. Now is not the time." Mother said. It's possible that all our murmuring back and forth must have agitated her. "Ha-ha. Ruby it is so nice to see you." King Silva said hugging my mother. When did he even move from the throne? Yeah this is awkward, the queen is right there dude. Mother did not look phased at all, maybe this is the kind of thing to expect from him. "You must be Chrono, you have your mother's eyes." King Silva said while lifting me with my armpits. I am so confused right now it's not even funny. "Yes my name is Chrono sir." I answered. "Ooh come on. Is that how you say hi to your old man?" He asked while laughing. "Cough cough your highness." Mother interrupted. The king composed himself and dropped me gently to the ground. "Nathan my friend. Have you been well?" King Silva said as he shook his hnd and gave him a side hug. Wow he seems like a very chill dude how the hell did he end up marrying the witch I wonder.Although not as lively, both the queen and the prince followed the king's direction and offered as warm hand shake. I was planning on snubbing the queen but at the last minute decided not to go forward with it. "So are you my brother that father has told me about? Do you want to come with me? I can show you around the castle." The five year old prince asked. Before I could even answer I heard a loud voice. "Yes take him around the castle. He may even start living here." The King said. Wait what? For the first time in a long while I feel extremely overwhelmed. Things seems to me moving faster than my ability to analyze them. "Chrono, follow the prince around I will be here don't worry." Mother said. She could fool a lot of people but not me, I have known her for my whole life well second life to be clear. She was about to lose her marbles. So I followed the prince around the castle walls.I was then called inside a room that I presumed was the lounging area. Before even taking 2 steps inside, I was met with a question. "Hey how would you like to live here?" The king asked. What the hell is up with this guy? "I appreciate the thoughtfulness but this place would only act as a cage for me. I intend on starting new business ventures and practicing everything I learn from the Talons freely. As such I would prefer a more flexible environment." I answered. The faces of the queen and mother were emotionless, it seems my accommodations was really the only topic they had talked about in the past half hour. "Ha look at our little politician Ruby. In any case I have a spare house within the capital that more than meets your requirement." The king added. Why are they piling all the responsibility on me to answer the questions? "Chrono. I have no problem with you accepting this offer. In fact you staying closer to your father will solve my security concerns with you in the capital." Mother added. I am not trying to stay on the same roof as that witch, what if she poisons me? "I apologize, I am not ready to commit to anything before me and mother see the house" I said. "Ha-ha of course. I understand. We should go then." The king answered. Ah what? He really seems to want me to stay near him.The house was too good not to be suspicious. The compound even had a research building outside. Just how much does this guy know me? We walked to a particular corner with other where no one could hear us. "Are you okay with this? The house looks great honestly but I would much rather avoid dealing with the queen." I asked. "Don't worry about that. Nathan will be here with other guards to guard you. Besides, this is the perfect neighborhood to ensure your safety and the house was offered to us for free. It has been transferred to my name so think of this as our second house." Mother added. "By the way, how did you and father meet?" I asked. "We met when I was a senior in the academy. Nobody really knew he was a prince. We then started living together after we finished school. That's how we got you." She said. I felt like she was leaving out major details because what happened to us I mean we were living in a very terrible condition just a little while ago. She must have seen my dissatisfied look and continued. "Well after I found out he was a prince I knew that it would not work out so I left." She added. Yeah well that's like her. I didn't pry any farther and accepted living there.My training was going to start after one week so preparations were being made for me to settle in the new house.