Chapter 45. New Beginnings

The warm summer breeze and cheerful morning, makes me snuggle deeper to my mother's side. I look to her face as I take in her features, to remember her until I return.

I look around her room as I snuggle to her side, I chose to use my last night here to stay with her, knowing that it'll take some time for me to see her again.

I shake my head of such depressing thoughts, after all, I'm just glad I get to see her again. The magic sustaining her healthy complexion is a god sent gift.

I hear a knock as I hug mother one last time, I hear the door open and look to see Faye smiling softly as she holds luggage, she softly spoke "Charles, it's time to leave."

I nod at her as I stood back up, she walks to me as she helps me dress. As we do, she asks me a question, "Are you sure, you wish for me to stay here?"

I look her eye to eye as I spoke, "You are the only one I trust to take care of her." I shake my head, "We'll never be sure of what may happen next,"

I look back to the mirror as I fix my clothes "And unfortunately, my family cant keep their eye on her as much as I would want."

I smile at her as I run back to the bed and take out a belt under it. She looks at me curiously as I give it to her, "Faye, wear this on your waist,"

After she does, she jolts in shock. "My prince, this." I interrupt her before she could talk about the weapon I hurriedly made yesterday. "It's a weapon, Faye." She stays silent.

I smile at her, knowing I could trust her with everything. "Please take care of Mother." I bow at her deeply, only for her to hug me back as she whispers in my ear. "That was never a question, Prince Charles."

I smile into her hug as we stood back up and started walking in the hallway. I look to take the scenery one last time as we stop in front of the carriage. But before I could enter I hear shouts behind me.

"Charles!" I turn my back to see my brothers, Julius dejected expression as he callously drags me into his embrace, "Take care." He shouts into my ear, as I hug him back just as hard.

I look to Aron, hands occupied with a suitcase. He shoves it into me as he looks sideways trying to hide the tears, "Use it, so that next time, you'll be able to call yourself my intellectual equal."

Julius laughs with his tearful expression, engulfing the two of us in a hug. I sigh as I smile, I spoke with enthusiasm. "Then next time we meet then."

Father exits the door along with his wives, he walks to me in a smile his arms open. I run up to him in a hug as Queen Jane rubs my head with a giggle and Queen Ariel whispers to me, "Take care."

I nod to them as Father lets me go, and I continue to walk to the carriage. I look back a bit.

To see Faye as she tearfully wiping tears off her eyes, I smile at her. and at the same, I wave to all of them as I enter the carriage, they wave back, bidding our goodbyes.

I settle inside the carriage, the loneliness consuming my thoughts. I guess coming to the capital wasn't all that bad, despite my current lack of company.

The carriage leaves the castle as the gates open, I look out to the city rumination. The coming days giving me the time to properly assess my situation.

The first of which should be the regency council filled with advisors to which I am unfamiliar.

Then again, I haven't exactly met anyone, the ceremony should have helped with that. Unfortunately, the nightmare occurred, making me unable to act upon such inadequacy.

The carriage continues to move, only to stop in front of a palace. I knock to the coachman and asked "Why have we stopped?"

A reply shocks me "Well, that is perhaps because of me." I look towards it to see Adelaide, her white flowing hair as she timidly waves at me.

I immediately went to open the door for her and inquisitively spoke, "You're going with me?" I look outside to see a line of germanian diplomats.

Adelaide smiles slyly as she sat next to me, "Well, I asked for permission," She giggles to her hand, as she went closer "I'll be bored waiting for you there."

I nod curtly, a bit embarrassed of her closeness. I cough into my hand as she settled back to her side. "I see, so how have you been?"

She looks to the window, "I've been making preparations," She glares at me, "Ive also been visitng your mother. My shoulder stiffens, knowing the days before my departure was spent in research and isolation.

I look away from her glare, afraid of meeting it head-on "I've been spending my time on...things." Her face moving closer along with the intensifying glare, "And what exactly are these things?"

I move away to try and speak before we are interrupted, "That'll be a secret Ms Carlze." The voice freezes Adelaide in her tracks as she hesitantly looks at the voice.

As the realization sets in, she hurriedly bows I guess she isn't used to the sadist, the thought is followed with a shock making me grit my teeth. "DAMMIT!"

He tutted "Language, my little apprentice." He looks to Adelaide, "Now, now Ms Carlze, such formalities are unnecessary."

Adelaide immediately stood straight as she hurriedly spoke, "I'm just honoured to meet you, Lord Viktor," He shakes his head, "No lord, please. I'm more of a sir."

Adelaide nods, as I compose myself, ignoring the electrifying experience. I ignore Viktor and his eerie smile as I look at Adelaide once more.

I wave dismissively to Viktor, "Don't mind the creepy sadist." His smile turns malicious as the shock intensifies, I realized I shouldn't have said that.

Through clenched teeth, I asked Adelaide, "Anyways, why are you going to do at Caehal?" Before she could reply, Viktor spoke.

"How about you tell a story?"