21: Prince Jacquiss

We're currently in front of the on-going construction of the school built for commoners.

"I can now understand what our king find admirable with the Queen of Astrae." Lord Brochette said

"Yes, indeed, the Queen has a heart for her people no matter their status." Lord Parish agreed

"Your majesties," Knight Stephen bowed in front of us

"This is Knight Stephen, he is in-charge in building the school." I introduced him

"One of your personal knights, I presume?" Lord Furans asked and I nodded

"Yes, a trustworthy one." I answered

"Thank you for the compliment, your majesty." He said

"The school is built to fulfill the Queen Patrice's vision of making Astrae better in terms of improving the livelihood and lives of every person living in Astrae." Knight Stephen said

"This project serves two purposes. The first one is served through the construction, the people are given jobs that will help them in their everyday lives and will hopefully be the solution to the poverty that makes the people suffer. The second one, like I've said earlier is to improve the livelihood and lives of the people, education will play a big role in improving their knowledge which will then improve their lives and will then reflect to the whole kingdom." He explained

"What a wide vision you have, Queen Avery," Lord Parish said

"I figured that it'll give a long term benefit to the people and the kingdom." I answered

"Isn't it too idealistic, Queen Avery? Not everyone will be able to use the knowledge wisely." Lord Furans asked

"That is indeed true, Lord Furans." Mr. Marco agreed

"Perhaps it is too idealistic, but I trust my people and I'd like to give everyone a fair chance, it is still up to them how and where they'll use the chance I have given them." I replied with a smile

Fortunately, the two, Lord Furans and Mr. Marco, stayed quiet for the rest of the tour at the construction site. I honestly didn't expect that they'll get along as Mr. Marco was really against the idea of forming an alliance with Arcadia and if my hunch is correct, Lord Furans expresses the same opinion as well. Lord Mares and Lord Valdez on the other hand got along quite well with the Lord Parish and Lord Brochette, it's quite delighting to see actually, because at the very least, two of my council members get along two of Arcadia's council members.

"Why don't we stop over for some snacks?" I asked everyone when we reached the town

"That would be a good idea, your majesty." Lord Mares agreed and we entered a café

We sat on a table that was able to accommodate all eight of us, I let the Lord Valdez and Lord Mares order for us, as I don't really know what to order for them, they ordered tea and some small cakes for us to snack on.

"Astrae fits really well with its natural surroundings, the villages and those who live in it seem really acquainted with the way of everyday life." Lord Parish commented while looking around

"I've noticed that those villages by the sea have a statue of a woman surrounded by waves, who is it?" Lord Brochette asked

"The Guardian of the Sea, it's a deity that the elderly had believed in, Lord Brochette." I answered

"A Guardian, you say? I didn't expect that you believe in supernatural beings such as deities." Lord Furans commented and I smiled

"Astrae's history is rich in supernatural characters and beliefs, Lord Furans, it's what makes our history and culture colorful." Lord Valdez said

"Not to mention that Astrae's first queen, the queen Astranaiah was believed to be an off-spring of a goddess and a mortal king." I added

"It seems that the Queen herself is knowledgeable with her kingdom's cultures." Lord Parish said

"A queen definitely should know her kingdom, Lord Parish." Mr. Marco said

"Arcadia also has a deity, the deity of lighting." Zairo suddenly said

"Does Arcadia have the same history about its rulers having blood of the gods?" I asked

"Yes, King Idris, who founded Arcadia, was believed to be the son of the deity of lighting." He answered

'Lightning deity, well that makes sense.' I commented

"It seems that Astrae and Arcadia have a lot of things in common." Lord Mares said delighted

"Yes, it seems like that." Lord Parish agreed

"Well what could be the chances that the goddess who was believed to have mothered Astrae's first Queen and the deity who's the parent of the first King of Arcadia is the same person? It would be a great coincidence, don't you think?" Lord Brochette asked

"That was quite a question, Lord Brochette, but that would give more reason for Astrae and Arcadia to be allies instead of enemies." I said smiling

We started drinking tea and snacking silently. I like this kind of silence. I can feel the stares of the people who could see us, not that it's questionable as I, the queen of Astrae, and the three most influential council members are currently having tea with the King of Arcadia and three of his council members.

After drinking tea, we went back to the palace in a carriage, Zairo and I in one carriage and our council members in the other.

"Well that went unexpectedly well, don't you think?" he broke the silence

"You really can't stay silent with me alone, can you?" I replied and he chuckled

"Can you, Patrice?" he asked and my eyes widened

"The coachman can hear you perfectly." I said

"Oh, that's right, but I doubt that your coachman would spread gossips about the King of Arcadia addressing the Queen of Astrae casually, would he?" he asked and I sighed

"You're unbelievable sometimes." I muttered shaking my head

"Mr. Marco was Queen Katrina's puppet in the council, isn't he?" he asked

"What do you think?" I replied

"Lord Furans is the same, only that he's serving no one." I nodded at his words

I looked at the window when silence enveloped us.

"About your surprise… the one said before…" I said and he looked at me

"Oh, that… I wasn't able to fulfill it, I'm sorry." He apologized and I smiled

"It's alright, I understand, we were preoccupied with our own duties and you're not obligated with me anyway." I replied shaking my head

When we arrived at the palace, I invited them to rest for a while before they return to Arcadia as the tour definitely is quite tiring. Some maids approached us and bowed in front of us when we were about to enter the receiving area.

"Your majesty, a young guest has arrived from Arcadia." The head maid of the crystal castle, the small castle where the princes and princesses reside.

I'm referring to the princes and princesses who is not crowned direct heir to the throne, no one is currently residing in it apart from the maids as I am the sole heir to the throne.

"A young guest from Arcadia?" I asked and looked at Zairo confusedly

"Did you bring another person apart from the agreed number of people King Zachary?" Mr. Marco asked him

"We did not, our majesty only brought the three of us." Lord Parish said confusedly

"Let's not argue, there might be some mistake." I said calmly and opened the gate

"They're back," the knight announced as he opened the doors

"Greetings to the glistening moonlight of Astrae and the shining sun of Arcadia." A young boy wearing a white prince outfit greeted and bowed in front of us

"Rise," I said and that's when I saw his face clearly

I looked at Zairo confusedly when I realized who the kid is.

"What is the young prince Jacquiss doing here?" Lord Brochette asked

"I apologize for my sudden arrival." He apologized and bowed his head

"The King Zachary's younger brother?" Lord Mares asked and the young prince raised his head

"He has the hereditary eye color of the Arcadian Royal family." Lord Valdez commented

"However, look at those radiating golden streaks in his hair." He added and the young prince smiled

"I understand that I do have quite the peculiar hair color, I failed to inherit the pure black as raven hair color of the Arcadian family." He said with a smile

"Reagan, why are you here?" Zairo asked

"You did not tell me that you're heading to Astrae and you did not keep your word, I waited until the Pisces month's end but to no avail." He replied seriously radiating a cold aura

"Isn't this a family issue that should be settled in Arcadia?" Mr. Marco asked

"I apologize for this imprudence, Mr. Marco, I did not think it through." The young prince stared blankly at Mr. Marco

"You are still young, aren't you?" I said and he looked at me

I walked up to him and caressed his hair, because of his black as night hair, the golden streaks in his hair are evident and attention taking.

"He's merely four years old, Queen Avery, we apologize about his behavior." Lord Brochette said

"I see, young children do have tendencies to act on impulse." I said

"We'll be taking our leave then." Zairo said seriously

My eyes followed the young prince, I find him interesting. He looks young and yet his eyes speak so much already.

"I did not know that the former king and queen of Arcadia had a younger child other than the Prince Dike." Lord Mares commented after they had left

"Neither did I, Lord Mares, it is indeed a surprise." Lord Valdez said

"What are the chances that that child is not even their child? An illegitimate child perhaps?" Mr. Marco asked joining the conversation

"Even if he is an illegitimate child, if he is the former king's child, he is still a possible heir to the throne." I said

"You mean like the Lady Trinity, your majesty?" Mr. Marco asked and I looked at him seriously

"No," I answered

"Lady Trinity is my mother, the dowager queen's daughter. The dowager Queen Katrina was a queen consort, not a queen regent so illegitimate or not, Lady Trinity is illegible for the throne. Even if the Duchess Elizabeth had adopted her legally, you know the rules." I said seriously

"We'll be taking our leave then, your majesty." He said and stood up

"Glory to the glistening moonlight of Astrae," they greeted and stood up

I stood up as well and they left.