Chapter 304

Vorbuk woke up and met Prince Chase and Princess Isis during breakfast to tell them about him leaving with the pirate, Captain Cory, for Drethia Kingdom. The two of them often joined each other for breakfast in the morning since the princess had started staying at the main palace where both the king, Vorbuk, and the crown prince of Theapan, Chase, resided. He did not get to join the two of them every single day but Vorbuk tried to join them when he could. As a king however his daily routine was often busy with affairs of the kingdom.

The times he got to dine with the two of them made him feel at ease. There was something about it that felt as if he really had a family of his own. Prince Leo often joined in as well since he stayed within the palace as well.

If only the rest of them could join... Vorbuk felt like it would be nice to see everyone gathered together. Perhaps one day it would be a sight to behold.

"You are leaving today?" Princess Isis's pupils shook at the news of him leaving right away for Drethia. Dropping her spoon onto her own plate with a loud clank.

Now that he had found the pirate to help guide him into Drethia Kingdom there was no reason for him to delay further. The beast understood the princess's worry for his life. It was a task that could easily result in death if he lost focus and became distracted while out there in Drethia. She was worried about what could happen to him.

Vorbuk was sitting at the table with the two of them. Prince Leo had even joined them this morning and sat beside Vorbuk. The beast was using his human form in order to communicate with the two while Prince Leo silently listened and ate his own breakfast in peace. Leo already knew there was no talking Vorbuk out of going. He also knew that for the sake of their own goals there was no other way besides pressing forward.

Vorbuk tried to reassure her, "I will be back before you realize we've gone. Drethia will be distracted by the news that Brolan is under attack from us."

"Father," Chase called out to him from where he sat at the long table, on the other side of Princess Isis to the king's left, lowering his hands under the table and into his lap, clenching them together where no one could see, "Are you sure I can handle things while you are away?"

Vorbuk smiled as he could see how far Chase had come, he knew he boy had much potential in himself if he only could bring more of that out, "If you have any problems you can go to Isis for help. I am also leaving Aoki behind to look after things at your side."

"Aoki..." Prince Chase glanced over at Ashley standing in a far corner and thought about the other vampire servant. The young prince had noticed Aoki following him around a lot lately. Though he did not mind, he found the vampire strange.

"If it bothers you that much," Vorbuk saw the look on Chase's face and thought he was worried about how well he would be able to handle things on his own, "Would you like to duel with me?"

"Duel against you?" Chase felt his heart thumping hard inside his chest.

A duel against father... Chase was curious while at the same time worried. If he did not live up to Vorbuk's expectations of him,

Would I let father down if I can not fight on par with him? The child's body did not know whether or not to release the sound of soft purring or a feint growl from the thought of it.

"It would make for a good chance to see how far you have come while training with Daryl since arriving at the palace." Vorbuk explained to the young child.

Tap. Tap.

Vorbuk's index finger tapped against the table in front of him as he thought about it. He could see the complex look in Chase's eyes.

"Yes, father!" Chase shouted back at Vorbuk with excitement hidden in his tone. There was a bright expression in the boys eyes as he gazed over into Vorbuk's eyes. Keeping his hands still under the table so that nobody could see how tense he really felt inside.

Prince Leo glanced over at Vorbuk and asked, "How do you think the nobles are going to handle this situation when we leave?"

"Do not worry about them. I have seen the nobles try to pull many tricks over my father. If anything happens I will help the young prince." Princess Isis interjected.

Prince Leo saw the look in Vorbuk's eyes as the princess spoke up, adding on, "I am not worried about whether or not you will help the prince. My worry is in how far the nobles will try to go against Prince Chase since it will be his first time taking charge while Vorbuk is away."

Are you sure that is your only reason to worry? Princess Isis wondered to herself as she took a drink from her cup of morning tea.

"He is the current Crown Prince of Theapan. The nobles will not act carelessly if there are any rebels remaining among them." Vorbuk spoke up in order to silence the both of them about the matter.

"Ashley," Vorbuk called out for his servant.

The vampire quickly stepped out of a dark corner in the room and responded, "Yes, master~?"

Prince Leo flinched at the sudden sound of Ashley's voice.

Vorbuk gave his order without turning to look at Ashley, "Clear the knight's training ground. I will be dueling against Prince Chase there. Once it is finished make sure that you send word for Sebastian to get ready to move out with us as well."

"Yes, master." Ashley gave a respectful bow before exiting the room calmly with a polite smile on his face. He would not need to see Sebastian personally as long as word was sent for him to prepare to leave. That meant he could quickly return to his master's side and watch over the duel himself. If problems arrived during the duel he would take care of them himself.

Vorbuk resumed eating his food in silence as the vampire left the room. He could hear the sound of everyone's dishes lightly making sound in the room as they all ate.

Prince Leo was the first one to break the silence again as he muttered, "Are you sure we can not leave him behind and take the other vampire?"

"Pfft!" Vorbuk nearly choked on his drink. He knew he was not suppose to hear the prince's private grumbling to himself. If it was not for his heightened sense of hearing he would have not heard what the prince said.

"Are you alright?" Prince Leo asked Vorbuk as he watched him cough repeatedly over the drink.

Vorbuk waved off the prince's concern, "I am fine!"

Princess Isis sighed to herself as she heard everything as well.

Humans... She thought to herself as she knew the prince failed to realize that he had been overheard by all three of them due to their difference in mortal races.