Filled with regret, Ibnor's visions turn dark. He is extremely unwilling. He refused to accept the fact that he failed. His willpower is now urging him to open his eyes and get up. After a struggle, he unexpectedly managed to open his eyes. Ibnor quickly raised his body. He remembered that he was stabbed through the heart and quickly checked his body. When his hand touches his chest, he feels something off. When he looks at his hand on the chest, he can clearly see the hand. What made him surprised is the fact that his hand now is thin. As a soldier who went through countless battles, his hands are supposed to be thick and muscular.
However, now his hands are thin. He proceeds to check his chest only to find out that there are no scars. Further examination on his body shows no injuries at all, let alone scars. The confusing part is, not only are his hands thin, his body is too. All the muscles that he gained over the years are now gone. Bewildered, he looks at his surroundings. He noticed that he was on a bed, in a bedroom. The room is awfully familiar.
"Isn't this my sleeping chamber at my mansion?" Ibnor thought to himself.
Sunlight shone through the curtains illuminating the room. Only then Ibnor realizes that he is not alone on the bed. There was a naked young woman next to him. He stares blankly at the young woman. The young woman has a small face, cute lips and fair skin with a tinge of red. Memories begin filling his mind. He remembers the young woman. Her name is Tiffany Chen and she is currently serving as a maid for him. However, she also has another identity.
"Didn't she die nine years ago..?"
Another fragment of memory emerged in his mind. His body and the situation he is in matched the memory. He is 16 years old this year and he is confident that last night was their first night together, an event long before she was killed.
"I owe too many people during my lifetime. Just what the hell is going on? First, I was literally born into this world, now I'm back in time. Seriously?"
He began to analyze his situation. He even punched himself thinking the excessive pain would be an extra assurance that he is not dreaming. Confirming he is not dreaming, another torrent of mixed emotion filled his heart.
"I need to keep my shit together. I had enough of these torrents of mixed emotions in my past life."
Sighing, he pulled the blanket, covering the girl's body. He gets up from the bed and turns to his bedside table, pressing a button. Soon, his door was opened and a middle aged man came in.
"It seems you woke up early today, Your Highness. How can I be of service?" he asked.
The middle aged man is James Tezuka, Ibnor's personal butler. He is in fact a highly skilled butler, proficient in almost everything including martial arts, a Level 77 Battle King. In his previous lifetime, when Ibnor heard the news that James was killed, sacrificing himself in order to hold back the enemies from pursuing him, he steeled his resolve to enter the army and manage to turn a new leaf after four years. Seeing James, Ibnor's heart aches.
"Uncle James, I'm so glad to see you," said Ibnor as he hugs the butler. His heart is filled with sadness.
"Err… I'm glad to see you too, Your Highness". Apparently James was taken aback but he regained his composure. "I'm honored that Your Highness is showing me your appreciation, but it is extremely inappropriate for Your Highness to do so in this current circumstances".
Only then Ibnor realized that he was in fact, not wearing anything. He didn't notice it earlier as he was happy that he went back in time and got the chance to fix all his 'future past' mistakes.
"It's alright. Just prepare breakfast for me," said Ibnor.
He went for a shower and changed into a new set of clothes. Tidying himself up, he walks out the room. James is already waiting for him outside the room.
"I'm going out," said Ibnor.
"What about breakfast, Your Highness?" asked James.
"It was meant for her," Ibnor points to the sleeping girl with his eyes.
Without wasting any time, he walks away. James pushed the breakfast cart into the room only to find that the girl, Tiffany, was already awake. When Tiffany sees James, she jumps out of bed and kneels down, covering herself with only the blankets.
"The prince seems happy. Good job. Have some breakfast, the prince ordered it to be prepared for you. Looks like the prince appreciates you highly," said James.
He turned around and left the room without waiting for Tiffany to reply. Tiffany is still kneeling with her head lowered. Unknown to anyone, her eyes glimmered with hatred.
As soon as Ibnor walked out the front door, four shadows appeared behind him. They are his personal bodyguards, all are Battle King. A carriage is already waiting for him outside the main gate. He got into the carriage, while his bodyguards sat outside, two at the front and two in the back. The carriage itself can accommodate a maximum of six people.
"Where is the destination, Your Highness?" asked one of the bodyguards, being tasked as the driver.
"To the Royal Palace. I wish for an audience with my Royal Father," replied Ibnor.
The bodyguard had an astonished expression but refrained from saying anything. As a bodyguard, he thought that it was none of his business that the prince acted differently today or why has the price suddenly become composed compared to his usual demeanor. The carriage moved smoothly towards the Royal Palace.
"Please hold, Your Highness. His Majesty is currently in the middle of an audience with the noble lords." a guard stops Ibnor before he enters the throne hall. Ibnor looks at the guard.
"Fine. I'll wait right here," said Ibnor as he picked a random seat in the lounge.
He is aware of how notorious his current reputation is. During the previous timeline, he is a typical unbridled prince. Unable to accept his new life, he grew distant from his supposed family and he pushed everyone away. He doesn't care for anyone or relationships and he treats the world as a dream, hoping one day when it's all over, he will return to Earth, to his real friends and family.
He thought that since he will be going home sooner or later, there is no reason to cherish any relationship and that led to his impertinent behaviour. With the royalty status as his backing, he slowly becomes an out of control, rebellious teenager. The royal court becomes disappointed with him and the people hate him for his tyrannical behaviour.
Bored of waiting, he decided to mess with the door guard a little. He didn't do anything much. He simply sat there and stared at the guards. At first the guard ignored him but after a while, the guard lost his calm. His eyes cannot help but stare at the ground to avoid any eye contact with Ibnor. But knowing Ibnor is staring daggers at him made him uncomfortable.
"What bad luck. Why the fuck did this little devil decide to come here today? For fuck sake, what did I ever do to you for you to stare at me like that? What evil plan do you have in your mind for me?" The guard's train of thoughts went wild.
Right now, the guard wishes for nothing more than to rush into the throne hall and tell the nobles to finish whatever they are doing and allow the prince to meet his father. As if knowing his suffering, the throne hall's door opened and the nobles went out. None of them noticed Ibnor who was sitting on the side. Well, even if they noticed him, they would definitely pretend that they didn't. Without wasting any time, the guards walked into the throne hall and made a report to the king.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the second prince is waiting to have an audience with you," said the guard, kneeling.
"My second son is here? Let him in," said the king.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Right away," replied the guard.
After being informed, Ibnor walks into the hall. It has been a while since he last saw the king. He was literally born to this world with his memories intact. His mother in this world died shortly after giving birth to him and being distant to everyone, Ibnor chose to move out from the palace at a very young age. Maybe because of guilt or pity, the king promised Ibnor to grant him any three wishes unconditionally and Ibnor used the first wish to move out from the Royal Palace.
The king is known as Harris Ezad Malik, where Malik is actually a title for the king. He looks like a middle aged man, and there are heroic charms that surround him. Being the king, his every action and words carry a dignified and majestic demeanor. On top of that, he is a Level 89 Battle Emperor.
"Ibnor Ezad, greets Your Majesty Royal Father," said Ibnor while kneeling on one knee. Right hand on left chest, left hand on his lower back and left knee touches the ground. Somehow, seeing Ibnor actually greet him in a proper etiquette amused the king.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Royal Father," Ibnor replied and stood back up.
"Leave us," said the king. All personnel, guards and maids left the room in an orderly fashion, leaving the father and son. When only the two of them left in the room, the king sighs. His majestic and dignified demeanor has all disappeared. Right now, he is only a normal father.
"Whatever it is, you can stop pretending. Why are you here today?" asked Harris.
"What do you mean? Could it be that I can't come just to see you?" asked Ibnor back, grinning.
"Don't give me that nonsense. Out with it," said Harris.
Ibnor was silent for a while. All he does is look at his father. He owes his father a lot. His father truly loved him, but he was ignorant. He only realized it by the time Harris was assassinated. There are so many things he wants to say to his father but the words stuck in his throat.
"How.. are you?" That is all that Ibnor managed to squeeze out.
Harris was taken aback. Then he starts to laugh.
"Am I dreaming? My second son actually asked me how I am doing. Ha ha ha," Harris laughed. "Well, I could be better. Seeing you putting this act, there must be something that you really want. What is it?"
"I want to pay a visit to the High Guardian," said Ibnor after a little hesitation.
Harris' laughs stopped abruptly. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Ibnor.
"What for? You know the High Guardian lives in the Sacred Sanctuary. It is forbidden for anyone to go in there without permission," said Harris.
"Exactly. Thus the reason I wanted to ask for your permission," replied Ibnor.
"No. I could not allow you to go there."
"Then make it my second wish out of three," said Ibnor.