You can take me

Kakuda was the next to walk in. None of the elders Rose from their seats. They sat on their chairs and only nodded when the prince passed them.

Kakuda didn't mind their actions at all. He walked straight to the place his chair was, and sat next to his mother.

The queen nodded to the son when he sat down, but the prince didn't pay any attention to her. His entire focus was on the princess who was sitting a bit farther from them.

There was a long line drawn between the biological members of the family and the stepfamily.

This is also another reason for the hatred between the Queen and the royal family.

If only the king had gone through with his plans of a blood bond, then the lines between them would have blurred.

"My elders." The prince rose from his throne, and turned to face the people, "I'm beholden to you for your presence today."

"It's our duty to the throne." The eldest of the elders, bowed to the prince before he sat down.