Chapter 22: White Canvas

The clacking heels of the three royals sounded on the hallway, one dragged a step, so heavy and strong, while the other feet walked in a normal, yet soft pace. The last pair of feet, well, walked a bit jumpy and enthusiastic.

The King, and the two Prince's in their childhood walked along the gigantic gallery of the royals, where each of the reigned royals have their portraits hung against the red walls. Dozens of such grand canvasses were gold-bordered by the artisan's soul that was deeply engraved by a ridiculously detailed artwork filled with a lifelong dedication on each of the passionately carved frames. Every Jian descendants and rulers were all painted to life inside this humongous and golden hall. Their presence were so powerful that even if only their images was present, it was enough to believe that they were all inside the room which was very surreal.

As a mere servant, to stand inside this room was so fearful and intimidating, and existing after it felt so little and yet also amazing having the privilege to be inside with these sacred masterpieces. To stand after all the royal majesties who gave the reason of building the kingdom, was too honorable, a commoner would surely die in pleasure.

They, who gave off a very high and divine air, are the whole lineage, this room is only fitted for those who bore the name of Jian, only those in the kin of the highest are worthy to step inside that room. These are all only for the royal family. This room is only befitting for the royal bloodline, the Jian elites.

The strong and pressuring atmosphere inside the Royal Room was entirely different from any other room's ambience. It was thick and being in there and as a commoner felt unfitting, to the point that it would feel as if disobeying the biggest law and stepping inside where the elites gather feels like one have commited the most terrible sin to ever exist.

As this room was highly valuable to the kingdom, the guards on duty were always assigned with double numbers and the servants occasionally come up and clean the dusts trying to form on the portraits.

The new generation of Jian's had arrived.

The servants knelt in one knee and bowed their heads for the three passing elites, wearing their impressive crowns. "Your Highnesses." Greeted all of the attendants in one low, and formal voice.

The youngest of the Jian's, maybe around seven years old, yelled brightly to the servants and waved his hand. "Heya!!" Morfram laughed in a jolly manner. The Royal trainer, Lady Anwir sighed at the back, embarrassed for the Prince's recklessness.

After they have entered the doors, the three were welcomed by the red room's bright and wide chandelier, pinned up at the ceiling.

Hakan Deverus, the Royal Adviser, also serving as His closest attendant, came beside His Highness's side. "Your Excellency. Sir." He bowed to the King.

"Ease." King Hongwu demanded to his friend, gazing at the beautifully painted faces of his proud predecessors. "Is the royal painter here yet?" Asked the King while walking with his two arms behind his back.

"Of course! Your Highness." Just before the adviser could answer, a cheerful and high pitched voice replied to the King, the people standing inside taking notice of this loud-spoken man.

The bright-faced man paced to the King's direction and immediately did his courtesy in front of Him. "I am called Horem Faehel, sir. I was invited here to be your painter for the royal family's portrait." Informed Horem, who the King recognized almost immediately as he was the one who personally sent the letter to this common folk.

Hongwu smiled and gestured him to stand up. "I see. I thank you for your efforts to get here after such a long way, Horem."

Horem was smiling politely, with little flowers hanging around his background, bowing at the King's kind manners. "Not that of a big deal sir."

After the kind greetings that have been made, the eight year old Jian Li carefully watched this person behind his light pink veil, tattooing the face of the new person who visited them who came past the palace walls.

'He looks very pale, that is given. But generally, he's oddly brave to stand up in front of father without batting an eye.' The young crown prince thought, standing straight from his spot.

As the equipments were prepared beforehand; Horem, the painter sat on his seat, studying carefully what he will put in the canvas, picking up the thin and long graphite, he smiles excitedly. "Now, now! please take your seats both My Anubis!* Please! My King.. Also dears, remove the veils and face that way." Ordered the painter, and boldly pointed at the wall across the room. The servants in standby around them plentifully harvesting anxiety for the painter.

*A term for Princes.

Automatically, as one would find it a disrespect to order the royals, Deverus grew a vein on his forehead, stomping and ready to give the painter an earful. But the King raised his hand, making the tension inside the room somewhat stable. The King spoke to the adviser with a volume that he, alone, can hear. "Leave it, Deverus."

Horem looked at his surroundings, sensing eyes at him. "Is something wrong?" Asked the smiley man. When Horem saw the expression of the person who wore all black, he completely understood what the issue was. He placed down the tool he was using and clasped his hands together, speaking in a normal, yet unbothered tone. "Oh. Pardon but i am the artist and i own this large scale canvas. I have seen most of the faces of the past princes, kings, and queens. I have painted the most important faces around this kingdom, and i will arrange these highnesses as i wish. Punish me if you would prefer, but i will not accept requests of my service for this kingdom again." Jian Li raised both of his brows, a thumping sensation in his heart from the amazement of the man. Astonishment and bewilderment overcame his face under the veil.

The King smiled and chuckled. "I admire your courage."

"Thank you my King." Answered back the painter who seem to pick up the brush and started to mix up the colors on his pallet.

The King, who was sitting on the red throne, motioned Jian Li who was standing beside the chair, and to the small Morfran who was also sitting at the chair's arm by his father's right elbow. "Go on Li, Morfran. Obey the painter's request."

"Yes. Father."

"Yes! Father!"

Immediately, two white cladded servants came beside Jian Li and Morfran. Softly asking their permission to assist them on removing the veil.

Jian Li smiled and insisted, signing that he is fine, well and able to remove it on his own. This servant of him bowed and went back to where he was standing. When Morfran saw what his admirable older brother did, he also shoo-d away his servant and recklessly tried to take off his own veil by himself too.

The Crown Prince unclipped the tie behind his head, the locks clacking. White pearls that was sewed at the hem clicked with each other when he pulled down the cover off his small and pretty face. The servant coming up again beside Jian Li to fetch the veil on his hold.

In this moment, for the first time, the servant who was holding the veil of the Prince, Aren, saw his master's face, witnessing the face of one of the royal princes.

Morfran on the other side, was struggling and groaning because he couldn't reach the lock that was keeping his veil on his face. Jian Li sighed and chuckled at his cute little brother, walking to his side and personally taking off the veil of his brother.

"Such kind deeds Jian Li." Praised the King to his son's actions.

Morfran laughed and flushed pink at his highly idolized brother's actions towards him, enjoying how caring he is for him. Handing Aren another veil, they went back to their positions and looked at the painter.

"Excellent! Oh how beautiful! This must be the most visually appealing generation of nobles ive painted... How wonderful.."

Horem now madly started to paint the beautiful faces in front of him, the passion inside his eyes burned, so full of inspiration and motivation, just like the spirit of art possessing each of the skillful strokes of his brush. Although how he held the brush was also strange, he was definitely a genius on techniques.

'How long is this gonna take...'' thought Jian Li. 'hmm, about four, five hours? My lessons with Lady Anwir will be skipped. It'll be twice efforts to work harder tomorrow then.' he added.

Sighed Jian Li mentally, 'lets just bear with it, just for a few hours Jian Li. Keep standing, im sure father and Morfran would like the outcome of the painting.'

*

The little glittery eyes of the small boy sparkled brightly at the huge portrait, layered in thick oil paint, admiring the three faces in it with his big doe eyes. "As one would expect of my older brother!" Bragged him, almost sniffing the canvas due to his face being too close on his brother's beautiful face.

"to be appreciated by the King! I want to be prestigious like my brother too!" Looked up Morfran to the three blue clothed figures painted in a life-size on the canvas.

Morfran even looked closer and squealed at his father and brother's powerful aura, adding more praises to his deeply respected brother with his heart racing in adoration and excitement. "Just watching brother's back tremendously inspires me!"

"Would you simply sit and watch his back forever?" A low voice of a man startled the little elite who stood in front of the freshly painted portrait. "To always chase after your brother?"

This black clothed man walked across the room and halted, standing in front of the freshly hung painting of the three Jian elites, staring straight at it. "To always come in second for all achievements?"

"Deverus?" Called out Morfran innocently.

He blankly mumbled, still staring at the artwork in front of him. "You were inspired.. to improve i see..." He continued. "You wish to be better... to be acknowledged as well, you want to surpass him.. You wish to outdo, your elder brother, correct?"

Morfran took a step back, looking up to the man's face since he was too small to see it. "You, my little Morfran, are not inspired." Crouched down the man, eyeing the little boy.

"Huh?" Morfran, who was confused only jolted and furrowed his brows. What is this man saying that he is not inspired?

Deverus leaned to the prince's ear, corrupting his head. "You merely are just... envious of your brother."

*

Two years later, Morfran still stood in front of the painting, gazing over it as the dawn broke from the sky.

"...Brother. How can i be like you? How can i be as excellent as you?" Spoke the young Morfran to the still painting of his eight year old brother, Jian Li, now ten.

"You are excellent just the way you are Morfran." Jian Li walked inside the room, dragging a blue cloak behind him and held his brother's cheeks, proudly smiling to him.

"..." Morfran turned his head and saw his brother's face then kept staring at his brother's blue eyes, his brows were slowly drawing together as he feels the anger and jealousy swarming inside his heart.

"Morfran?" Called Jian Li.

"Is something wrong?—" asked the older brother, analyzing why his brother's face look very pained. He held his hand. "Does something hurt brother?"

Morfran quickly pushed away his hand, the long collected hate towards his brother finally breaking out of his heart.

He faced to the hallway, and walked away, mumbling; "Always talking so high. I hate it."

Jian Li was shocked at his little brother's actions yet he still regained composure, feeling his heart calm his system down to respond on Morfran's question. "Walk on a path which you will make no mistakes. And assure confidence on each of your steps, for when you know truly what is kind, true power is absolute." Jian Li spoke aloud to his brother, his voice echoing inside the room where Morfran felt all of the Jian elites's presence within the voice of his idolized brother.

His body shivered.

"...." With his back facing Jian Li, he looked at the red carpeted floor and gritted his teeth, continuing to rebel away from the light and be consumed by the looming jealousy inside his heart.

*

[Present]

"Is everything set?" Aren fastly walked, entering the scene and checked on to the busy working attendants.

All the attendants gathered in a line in front of Aren and bowed to him respectfully. "Sir."

Aren looked around. The venue of the coronation was outside the palace, right in the middle of the capital of the city where the crowd now started to also check on them. Aren checked around the platform, stomping if they built it sturdy, once authorized he would go tapping and checking other equipments and decorations that will be used for tomorrow's coronation. Fully making sure that this big event tomorrow will perfectly commence with no faults since his dear prince and his personal music student is ascending to claim the very honorable position of King tomorrow.

"Very good. Half of you come with me back to the palace to assist on the Prince personally. The other half stays here and are to work with the other servants to double check for mistakes. Report to me if anything occurs. Dispatched." Aren turned around, facing a long way of tasks written on his scroll. "Sir." Nodded the servants and went back to their duties, while the other half separated and followed Aren's back.

As tomorrow is the coronation of the new Prince, people are starting to gather from every corner of the kingdom to the capital only to attend and witness the face of the new king.

As excitement rose each day, dangers are also to be monitored. There will be surely assasinations commencing in the day of the coronation in attempt to kill the crown prince, and so knights ranging from members to commander rank from the two knights division are requested to be ready for their service anytime.

In the Kingdom of Jian, there are two division of knight training grounds with also different objectives. One, the Knights of the Temple. They are those few knights who are guided and trained by the holy laws and virtues from the four god's temples. They work under the requests of the temple priests and priestesses to maintain peace, righteousness and order around the kingdom. The second knights division, the major order of Jian Kingdom were the Military Knights Division, a division exclusively for militia services, and the rest of their purpose are already known.

Holy Knights from the temple division are known for the safety and wellness of the kingdom. Elite Knights under direct orders of the King are to protect the kingdom and also widen the land property and invade smaller villages.

The dusk of the day before the coronation finally came, people inside the palace were so busy arranging, and working on the last minute, preparing everything that is needed for tomorrow. Aren watched the white clothed people fastly pacing, wiping, lifting, and lighting around the palace, sighing as he finally felt at least at ease that the decorations, the venue, the clothes, and the things needed for tomorrow was already set. He leaned on the wall wiping his sweat, watching the people execute their duties before finally walking again towards to the office of the King to report.

Aren frowned down while busily double checking his list of tasks while going down the hallway in purpose of meeting with the King.

A figure passed him, noticing the familiar scent coming from the shadow. "General Aren??" Called a man from behind that made Aren halt from his fast paced walk. He turned his head trying to figure out who called him general again after years of relieving himself from the duty. Recognizing who it was, he sighed after seeing the Grand Knight's face.

"Oh.. its you General Abercon.." Aren bowed his head, then straightening his back after. "And please, i am former." His imaginative sweat broke on his forehead.

"But you are a better swordsman than i am." Abercon tapped the hilt of his impressive sword, allowing Aren to take a good look at the tall gentlemen in front of him.

He was at least maybe five centimeters taller than Aren, he looked very confident and flashy, wearing the uniform of a general of the four elite knights. He stood tall with a heavy sword around his waist, sheathed inside its own scabbard. Aren also took notice of the multiple badges and ribbons fastened on his red and gold sash, indeed a very honorable man in one look.

This man was the former leader of the Knight's third generation's Four Grand Knights of Jian Kingdom where Aren was also a former member. Now he is the kingdom's highest ranking general. The Elite Military Knights Commander, Abercon Abbier.

Aren remembered flashes of memories from his days of performing as a knight. "A break, sir. That was from decades ago." He shook his head and chuckled.

Then Aren asked the General; "When have you come back from duty?"

"Just today, the King summoned us. For the Prince will take his first day out in the crowd tomorrow. All of the generals have assembled for service of the Crown Prince." Replied Abercon.

Aren chuckled at himself for forgetting this information. As habit, he played the watch inside his pockets as he nodded. "I see."

Abercon noticed the nostalgic chain hanging that was shining from Aren's pockets, smiling, "Still carrying that watch?"

Aren took notice of the other's eyes travelling down to his pockets. "Is there something wrong?" He took out the ticking watch and read it. " Ah, i am very sorry, General Abercon, i am in need of the Prince's service by this time, i still have reports to make. You see, tomorrow is a very busy day." He shoved the watch deeper inside his pocket and held his chest, bowing at the knight deeply as the sign of apology.

The knight smiled and waved. "I understand."

"Well then, please excuse me." Aren bid his goodbye courtesy to his friend quickly and turned around to go back on walking to the king's quarters.

General Abercon shook his head and chuckled while facing the floor, rubbing the identical silver watch inside his pockets. "You're really good at this aren't you?"

*

Several years ago, at the Knights Division.

While the students downhill was holding their wooden swords and was hitting each other with it, a blonde teenage boy was resting under the shade of an orange colored tree. With three battered wooden sword resting beside his body.

In his surprise, a voice poked his attention. "Why do you always look at the sky, my junior?" A body climbed the hill, a brown haired boy who was a year older than the blonde boy sat beside him.

The boy looked beside him, bowing at the stranger. "Oh, Sir." He addressed him formally by seeing the type of badge he was wearing on his shirt.

"Oh come on, im only a year older than you, Aren." Replied the young knight while laughing.

The young Aren shifted his head up towards the sky, admiring the birds. "You've looked me up?"

The boy gasped and sweated. "Oh no, no, your name's everywhere. I didn't mean to overhear your age as well."

There had been so much whisperings about the first year trainee being extremely skilled at sword fighting, a blonde freshman who is a genius at handling multiple swords while sparring.

"I see.." Aren paid no mind, trying his short blonde hair up, and enjoyed the refreshing feeling from the wind, soothing his tiredness from all the muscle training he had.

Abercon stared at this lonely yet confusing soul. "You.. why are you always alone? Shouldn't you be training with the other juniors by now?" He leaned back to the tree; two boys dressed in a white-caramel shirt, black fitted trousers and leather boots stared up the skies.

"They wouldn't talk to me. They say i am a egoistic-acting-high student, they won't let me join them on training. Which in any way doesn't bother me that much. The knight in charge of lessons separated me to have advance classes, training right on par with him. Right now i just finished all of the pains so im taking my leisure rest here." Explained Aren absentmindedly, more like just blabbering to himself and not to the presence beside him.

"Wow.. you're really something.."

Aren snapped back to reality, remembering that he should be careful not to endanger his family's surname. "Im sorry, did i somehow insulted you or something?"

The boy laughed. "What- no- you're simply amazing at it. Im pretty sure you'll graduate with high marks."

"Oh. Thank you."

Energy bursted from the person sitting beside Aren's shoulders, envying how he could also get those energy while training. "Can't you be more enthusiastic?! Hello! You're gonna be a terrific knight!"

Aren, is well, a very awkward, simpleton. "Im sorry if I can't be more joyous—"

A vein appeared on the other's forehead. "One more sorry I'll crack your head."

"I want to be a musician." Blurted out Aren suddenly.

Abercon's eyes looked at the other's face, gasping out; "What? A musician? Then why are you at the military division?!"

"I was ordered by my father. You see, his dream is to be a general of this kingdom. But, he somehow couldn't. So he wants me, as his son to be a general carrying our surname. I said i didn't wanted to, that i have no passion for it, and that i liked music. And then when he saw my instruments, he destroyed and thrashed them all."

The boy sitting yelled out, "What?!" Then he leaned over Aren, something like scolding him in a very loud tone. "That's so messed up! Why did you still obey?! You should've fought for it!"

Aren chuckled. "Fought whom? My father who was a former knight?"

"...then—"

The blonde sighed. "I only do well in this training because i am ordered to. There are orders that needs to be fulfilled."

"I..." The other only stared at him.

"Feel sorry? No need. Just get back to training, senior Abercon." Said Aren, caressing the wooden sword.

The brown haired boy blinked. "Eh? You know me?"

He nodded in response. "You're an outstanding trainee, many people look up to you."

Abercon slapped his shoulder one- two- three- five times, flushing beet red. "Haha, don't flutter me. How embarrassing."

Aren didn't change his expression. "Im not really—"

Sulking, the other yelled at him playfully. "You know! its really hard to talk to you!"

"What?"

Abercon so tired of dealing with the low energy boy, he sighed and laid at the green healthy grass. "Why do you always look up to the sky, Aren?"

For the first time he smiled. "I've always dreamt of playing my instruments for the gods." Abercon stared to the other's face, stunned.

"Each time i play the melodies, i pray for the future of this kingdom."

"..hmm.."

"Why are you training to be a knight, senior Abercon?" Asked Aren, trying to befriend someone else for once.

The other chuckled. "Please, drop the formalities."

"Then why, Aeber?"

Abercon coughed inside his head, 'Fast!'

"Well! Nothing much! Just in a whim! If ever i have a goal though, it'll be the youngest knighted soldier!" Then he laughed loudly, flustered for his own skin.

*

"Congratulations! Sir Aren Cananeo, our youngest ace knight!" A woman's voice announced cheerfully followed by the enthusiastic claps of every attending knights, congratulating the fully knighted blonde boy for graduating the training stage, ready to accept missions anytime at the age of seventeen.

"Woah! That little boy is literally years younger than us!

"How did he do it?!"

"He's awesome! He might just get the title of the youngest general! What a promising knight!"

Yet, his best friend, who in the corner only stood and stared at his friend's shining figure up in the podium, not even moving a muscle to clap nor walking over to congratulate the youngest knight, the newest member of the elite squad.

A man looked over Abercon, grinning under his breath. 'Ah-ah. What do we do?.. I like the look in his eyes.'

He closed the carriage door, inhaling through his long pipe and blew it on the air. "How promising.."

*

[Present.]

Just when Aren was about to reach the King's quarters to report, he was stopped by none other than the second Prince, Jian Morfran.

"You are the servant of Jian Li yes?" Asked the Prince, looming over Aren with his tall physique.

Why does everyone keep showing up?

"Did you know about the fact that this elder brother of mine, Jian Li was adopted and fostered by the King? Mmh?"

Pardon? Adopted? What is this again Your Highness? A prank?

"Your Highness?" Aren tried to answer, but he was already met by the strong familiar feeling of hatred. He already knew those eyes, those similar eyes that he once already saw, those eyes consumed by hatred and envy.

He couldn't speak back.

"How long have this palace been deceiving me?"

"Answer me, my very darling Aren."