chapter 4 The heirloom

She smiled and paid her respects. "Your Highness," she said, acknowledging the prince.

"Stop doing that; you're already mine," the prince replied, his tone playful.

"Without you having paid my dowry?" she retorted, and they both shared a laugh.

"My brave prince, how is the battlefield? I've been praying for your safe return," she inquired.

"Your prayers have been answered. I'm well and healthy, thanks to the Sky Ruler and the Goddess of War," he replied, and their laughter filled the night.

"We didn't go to the battlefield; we were pursuing Akijon, the Beast's Tribe. We went on a hunt for them," he said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Did you capture them?" she asked, concern evident in her tone.

"No, we lost them. They committed suicide immediately upon being caught. We only returned with one of our soldiers, who was in captivity with the tribe," he explained.

"Did he attack you?" she inquired, her worry deepening.

"No, I don't think he's manipulated. He looked at us as if we were the ones guilty of hunting the tribe. It's as if he knows more about them than we do. But he remained silent, only calling me a sinner and a betrayer. According to custom, any soldier who returns from Akijon, the Beast's Tribe, should be killed because they might be manipulated. He is scheduled for execution tomorrow morning," the prince said with a troubled expression.

"Don't dwell on why he didn't attack you after calling you names. Perhaps he's not manipulated and knows exactly what he's saying," she offered.

"I'm starting to think the same. It does seem strange," the prince admitted, his confusion evident.

"Greetings to the youngest lady of the Ida clan," a well-built man in an army uniform interjected.

"Greetings to the special bodyguard of the Royal Highness," she replied politely.

"Your Highness, I'm here to remind you that it's time to leave," the guard stated before moving a distance away. The prince cleared his throat.

"It's time to go, my dear," he said, a warm smile gracing his lips.

"Bye," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Why were you so scared? Why did you whisper my name earlier?" he asked, attempting to lighten her mood.

"I thought it might be some strange being, because I had just taught the children about the history of the Beast's Tribe. I was worried that something might be amiss," she explained with a smile.

"Don't be afraid. I can see many soldiers around your residence, and I'm with you at all times. Wherever I go, my heart remains with you. It beats only for you. I'm always with you," the prince assured her with affection.

"That's so sweet of you," she said, her smile widening.

"I love you," she confessed shyly before running back inside.

"So shy," the prince chuckled to himself.

....

.....

**In the Palace**

"Long live, father. May the crown of your forefathers endure on your head, and may your authority resonate far and wide," the prince paid his respects to the king.

"Greetings to you, my elder son," the king replied.

"You summoned me, Father?" the prince inquired.

"Yes, my son. I've heard some news about you. You are my eldest son and the heir to the throne, yet you are unlike the rest. I want you to step away from leading the soldiers. Rogba, I don't want you to be just a warrior; I want you to become a wise and just ruler," the king's voice held a certain sternness.

"Father, I, your son Rogba, wish to be a protector, not a ruler. While I hold the throne in high regard, my desire is to defend it and its people. I want to fight for the kingdom's freedom from the tyranny of the Beast's Tribe and rebuild it into a new, prosperous era," the prince explained his aspirations.

"But a royal prince should not engage in warfare as a common soldier would. You are born with the privilege and responsibility of royalty. Come closer," the king beckoned, reaching out to touch the prince's necklace. "Do you know the meaning of this necklace? It's our family's heirloom—a promise from our ancestors," the king explained, a warm smile on his lips.

"Ancestor's promise?" the prince inquired.

"Yes, my dear. It's a promise made by the first king who ruled alongside the Beast's Prince. However, while our ancestors kept their promise, the other side did not. This necklace symbolizes that pact," the king clarified.

"Why have we held onto it for generations? Father, it seems futile, especially when the gods choose the king, not the commoners or kingmakers," the prince expressed his doubts.

"Ah, my son, let me enlighten you further. Thousands of years ago, our method of selecting a king differed from our neighboring kingdoms. This heirloom passed to the rightful heir. Yet, during the reign of the fifth king, who had nine sons, chaos erupted. As tradition dictated, the heirloom was to be passed to the eldest prince. However, a war of succession erupted, leading to violence and bloodshed. The kingdom nearly collapsed. In response, the subjects requested a change to the system used by neighboring kingdoms—choosing the king through divine guidance. They also advocated for the destruction of the heirloom and records of that period. Despite this, kings following that era continued to pass down the heirloom to their chosen heirs, including myself, the ninth king," the king narrated with a smile.

"You were chosen by the gods, son . After my birth, I consulted the gods. But why did you choose to be a protector over a ruler?" the king questioned.

"Father, please don't restrict me from leading the army. Fighting and defeating the Beast's Tribe have been our mission for thousands of years. Their existence must remain hidden from the world. If the wider world were to discover their presence, the Great Kingdom and its palace would undoubtedly become involved. The Beast's Tribe would be eradicated, but our kingdom would also suffer destruction, as we've severed ties with our neighboring kingdom's cult law," the prince expressed his concerns.

"Son, you must understand, no king should lead a war, and a warrior or soldier cannot ascend to this throne. It's against our customs and traditions," the king said sadly, rising from his seat.

"I'm aware, my king. Success often demands sacrifices," the prince acknowledged, his gaze unwavering.

"Your Majesty, the Great General approaches," the palace attendant announced, and the king nodded in acknowledgment.

"Greetings to the crown, greetings to the throne, greetings to the king, and greetings to the brave prince," the general greeted respectfully.

"Greetings to you, old friend, the great warlord," the king replied with a wave of his hand, inviting the general to speak.

"I'm here to inform you about the soldier who was in captivity with the Beast's Tribe. He has returned safely. Would you like to hear more about it? Also, since the king isn't allowed to view the executed bodies, I will request the presence of the prince to witness the execution and provide you with a report," the general explained, addressing the king.

The king approved with a nod, and the prince bowed before leaving the palace.

**Dear Reader,**

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[End Note.]