Recruits

"Six months have passed quickly," remarked Richard to himself.

At that moment, he heard someone approaching, and he turned to the King, whom he had not seen since the morning. Richard had been in the King's private chambers earlier in the morning and possibly returned to the room multiple times, but the King was not inside.

"Your Highness?" Richard called to the King.

"Yes?" the King responded.

As the King entered the room, Richard hurriedly followed, making it before the door could shut up on him. He had already prepared his bath and laid out his clothes.

Richard, gasping for air as he held on to his knees, reported, "The recruits are already at the training ground, Your Highness." he watched as the King turn to the bathroom door knob.' This job is even worse than being trained,' he thought, he had been up and down for a while nonstop.

Drey strode into the bathroom without a glance at the boy, "He didn't even bother to listen!" Richard exclaimed, collapsing on the floor from exhaustion. He felt like his head was spinning, "I think I'm turning mad," he muttered.

The King, wiping his hair, asked, "Is the ground more comfortable, Chard? I've heard what you said." Surprised to see the King out so soon from the bath. Richard asked, still surprised,

"Ah! You have heard it?"

The King nodded and asked back, "What do you think, Chard?"

'Obviously, you have assumed my report,' Richard screamed in his head.

"Oooh, I'll go and inform them you're coming now," he said, almost reaching for the door handle before the King stopped him.

"I'll be having breakfast with them," the King informed, surprising Richard. Nevertheless, Richard bowed and rushed out.

Richard had chosen his clothes for the day, considering black pants and a gray robe. It seems he had learned to select the right attire. He recalled the earlier days when Chard would always select the most regal clothes, which would make the King appear royalty, which he disliked. This once had led Richard to be punished.

As he combed his hair back, he considered trimming it. With its current shoulder length, it took time to dry and style it. After he tied it at the back, he left the room.

In the dining room, he found the soldier already present. They all bowed in respect as soon as they saw the King.

"Here comes our dear King! Good morning, King Drey of Rivea?" Jerome exclaimed, acknowledging Drey's presence when he had assumed him.

"Good morning commander," Drey replied, reciprocating the greeting with the same tone, he let them in their usual routine of exchanging pleasantries to start their day.

These are our recruits, what do you think?" Jerome proudly presented the men, eagerly waiting for the King's feedback.

Sipping his tea, Jerome watched the man who didn't bother to spare him a glance. After a moment of consideration, Drey responded, "I see," giving a terse reply.

Jerome was taken aback by Drey's brevity, and almost screamed, "Won't you say anything?!"

"Lower your voice young man," Drey whispered, reprimanding him for his outburst, Jerome hissed in response but remained quiet.

Drey scanned the room, observing the nearly one-hundred men gathered around the table. They were all sharp and skilled trained soldiers who didn't engage in many small talks. It was evident that they had undergone rigorous training.

Most of the soldiers were the ones he and Rico brought back from Vinita, just as Jerome had described them. Sharp and intelligent.

Drey couldn't help but recall one lazy recruit who used to cry at every minor injury. He glanced at Chard, who was eating next to him, and chuckled.

This boy would often return to Kira crying, and at times, Kira found herself crying with him.

He had to be the boy to the castle, so he could grow stronger and face challenges head-on. These children were always interesting, which forced him to keep an eye on them from time to time.

Finishing his breakfast, they all headed to the training ground and see what the soldiers were in store for him when it comes to swordsmanship since their training.

The challenge presented by the soldiers was far more fascinating than what he had imagined. They had improved beyond his expectations, since the day he went to pick Chard. Drey was relieved that he now had fewer worries on his mind, and he could focus on the upcoming wars.

***

Kira awoke to find the space beside her empty, and a wave of sadness washed over her. But then she noticed a note resting beside her bed. "Good morning, my Queen," she read aloud, her heart lifting."Your serene slumber made it all the more difficult to rouse you, but I couldn't resist stealing a kiss. Don't say I didn't bid you farewell. A smile spread across Kira's face as it savored the sweet message.

As Kira read the note, she couldn't help but feel a sense of playfully teasing in the words. She tucked the note in her little purse with a smile, then quickly tidied her bed and took a refreshing shower.

Afterward, she made herself a cup of tea and settled down at the table, wandering as she thought about Drey. She remembered he had arrived late last night and left before dawn.

Kira knew she had to help out on the farm due to the ongoing famine. For the past few weeks, the farmers had been struggling to make ends meet and had been surviving on meager rations.

Kira set out from her home toward the corn plantation, where she knew she would have to work hard to make a leaving. Along the way, she spotted, Lia a young girl who was always known for her playful mischievousness.

"Good morning, Ira!" Lia called out to Kira, running to her arms.

Kira hugged the small girl and said, "It's, Kira, Lia not Ira." She playfully pinched Lia's nose, causing the girl to burst into giggling. Lia's laugh caused her to nearly lose her balance, but Kira steadied her. It was a heartwarming moment that made Kira laugh along with her.

"I like Ira better," Lia said as she hugged Kira.

Kira smiled at the young girls' antics and asked, "What have you borrowed from your mother this time, Lia?" The small girl had a habit of taking her mother's small trinkets and treasure.

"I picked flowers for us. Can you put it in my hair, and I'll help you?" Lia said, producing a flower from her pocket. Kira could resist the enthusiasm, so she helped Lia put the flower in her hair.

Lia signaled for Kira to bend down a little so that she could reach up the rose in her hair. Without waiting for a response, Lia ran off, calling out, "Goodbye, Ira! You look beautiful." Kira waved goodbye, watching as the little girl disappeared around the corner.

As Markus walked towards her, he couldn't help but comment on how beautiful Kira looked, "Someone looks pretty today, care to share the little secret?" he said with a smile.

"Sir Markus!" Kira said, bowing and stepping from the alley. She was surprised to see him walking towards her.

"Can you stop being formal with me, Kira?" Markus said, reaching out to take her hands. But Kara put it behind her back.

"Markus would just be fine," he said, noticing her reluctance to hold her hands.

Kira had never had an easy time with Markus. He was a strict supervisor who always picks on her for being late. She wondered what caused him to have a spot for her.

Markus wore a regretful smile as Kira bowed and walked away. He had to take this route, hoping to strike up a conversation with her to make amends for his past behavior.

At the castle; As they walk away from the arena, Jerome asked Drey, "Where have you been, Drey? I went to your room this morning, but it looked like you hadn't slept in your bed. Did you sleep in someone else's bed last night?"

Drey's eyebrows raised at Jerome, "What do you think it's cold? If you went touching my wedding?"

"You…" Jerome hesitated for a moment before continuing. "You have been disappearing at night and showing up late every morning. Is there someplace in Rivea where they offer bedding to the royals I should know?"

Drey felt a wave of irritation wave over him, "Does the King need to explain to the Kingdom's commander?"