Part 31- I Am Lacking

"I-I am honored, father..." Simon mumbled, "B-but I am afraid that I still lack a lot of things..."

"Non-sense!" the king replied. "You, defeating the behemoth, was proof enough that you are qualified to rule a kingdom, and now, your humility is telling me that I made the right choice as well! That is why I have decided to name you as a crown prince candidate," the said proudly. "I know that you would do your best to lead the East Kingdom, if given a chance."

"But what about brother Largo?" Simon asked rather innocently, which gained a poisonous glare from his older brother.

"He has already vacated from the palace assigned to him," said the King. "You can move to the 2nd prince's residence this afternoon."

"I-is that so?" Simon cautiously looked at his two brothers.

They didn't seem to mind the news.

Probably because their father had already talked it over with them.

"B-but Father, what if I was only lucky?" he quickly asked the king. "What if what ever power I got that day, had all been exhausted, and that I never get to use the same power again?"

"That may be true," said the king. "There had been cases where people suddenly acquire great power, and just as suddenly lose them, in such cases, they never get to manifest this power again," The king nodded his head thoughtfully. "But that does not change the fact that you are a hero who saved our kingdom."

King Morel reached out to touch his 9th son's hand.

He could feel the callouses on his fingers and saw the scars on his arm and knuckles.

"I know how hard you have trained for that task I gave you, Simon" he told his son.

It was what the servants informed him, after all.

"Your tutors from the princes' dormitory also told me that you have excellent grades as well, particularly in subjects concerning government and politics."

Juno gave Simon a cold glare.

"I-it's just that, I find the history of our Empire quite interesting, Father," Simon confessed while wringing his hands.

"And that is why I have decided to send you to the Royal Maralict Imperial University to study and be a capable leader in the future."

"T-The Royal Academy?" asked Simon who could hardly believe what he heard. "In the Empire's capital?" He suddenly forgot his earlier reluctance.

"You shall be attending university this coming school year with your brother Juno..."

"But father, I don't think Simon is fit for travel yet," Juno interrupted. "Classes will begin in less than a month, thus I need to leave as soon as possible, since it takes three weeks to travel to the nearest city with a warp to the Empire."

"O-oh, it-s okay," said Simon, raising his hand like a child in class, "I hardly feel any pain now."

Upon saying this, Simon pushed his chair back, stood up straight, and jumped several times to prove this.

"My healer Nell is truly remarkable!" he exclaimed. "I guess I am totally healed right now, and could leave for the capital anytime!"

Juno glared at him.

Largos seethed.

He was supposed to be the one joining Juno after all.

Simon was so happy with the prospect of studying in the Imperial University, that he missed their annoyed reactions.

"That is perfect, then!" said the King with a loud laugh.

Juno tried to keep his face straight.

"Actually, Father, a royal summons had just arrived from the empire," he informed the king.

"A letter from the Emperor himself?" King Morel looked surprised.

Juno took a scroll from underneath his cloak and handed it to the king.

"News of our heroic brother's deeds have reached as far as the Emperor's ears," he told King Morel, even before their father could unroll the parchment. "They have requested for the 'Hero' to come to the capital to visit the royal family as soon as he is able."

"T-to the Empire's capital?!" Simon stuttered.

"Yes. Is there a problem?" Juno asked him flatly.

"Since our brother is all well now, then there won't be any problem about traveling immediately, is there?" Largo said with a smile.

"Then I shall prepare for your departure!" the King proclaimed. "You shall leave for the empire's capital tomorrow!"

News of going to University made Simon very excited, even though the prospect of meeting the emperor gave him slight indigestion.

He went straight to his room and asked his attendants to ready his things for their journey.

He helped them with the preparations until Rode fetched him at 3 to meet his noble visitors.

"Are we heading for tea now, Rode?" he asked the butler.

"Yes, your highness, you are to meet Duke Fann, Earl Summers, and Countess Ruby in the North Garden with their families, since you refused to meet them earlier," replied Rode."

Simon felt his face burn as he was ushered to the North Garden which was often used to entertain guests from nobility.

There is a large pergola in the middle, surrounded by flowering bushes, with the main path leading to it, covered in climbing roses.

The sweet scent of the delicate flowers surrounded Simon as he made his way to the pergola, easing his tummy ache.

"This place is so enchanting!" he said with a small childish laugh. "This is the first time I've been here, or anywhere else in the main palace."

Rode kept silent, as a butler was supposed to.

He stepped aside when they reached the covered sitting area and announced Simon's arrival.

"His highness, Prince Simon, 9th prince of the Eastern Twin Kingdom, has arrived."

Simon looked at the people gathered around a large, circular marble table in the middle.

They stood in reverence as he entered and lowered their heads.

"These are Duke Fann and the Duchess Desal, with their children, Princess Tina and Princess Fay," he said, addressing two young princesses who stood at either side of their bulky middle-aged father.

"Earl Summers, with his daughter Lady June," Rode continued, pointing at a sharp looking man and his companion, "and Countess Ruby and her daughter Lady Rose." A plump lady in red bowed low at Simon, accompanied by a very young girl.

Compared to the elderly Duke, the slim looking Earl Summers looked quite the academic with his silver spectacles and sleek black hair, so did his daughter who wore a simple moss green dress with her black hair tied in a neat bun.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness, Prince Simon," they all greeted him.

"P-please... t-the pleasure is all mine," Simon stuttered as he gave a curt bow.

It was a good thing that he haven't forgotten the basic etiquette lessons he was taught as a kid.

Rode pulled out a seat for Simon who sat between Duke Fann's eldest daughter Tina, and Earl Summers' daughter June.

Both looked much older than him, while Fay and the much younger Rose, sat in front of him.

"I had no idea his highness looks so handsome up close!" Duchess Desal cooed. "You look so nice sitting next to our lovely Tina!"

Simon looked at the Duchess, then at her daughter who seemed to be in her mid-twenties. She has straight brown hair and green eyes like her father.

"T-thank you for the compliment, your daughter is lovely as well..." he replied with a shy smile.

"Ah, but don't you think my June suits you better?" Earl Summers piped in, "She just turned seventeen last month, she would make a good conversation partner since she is closer to your age."

"Oh, but wouldn't his highness rather be with someone younger?" said Countess Ruby. "I'm sure he'll find my precious Rose more charming."

"Would you like to play with me, Prince Simon?" the child asked. She looked no older than 10 years old.

The Duke harrumphed.

"Well, if he is looking for someone closer to his age, then he might as well choose our little Fay who just turned thirteen this month! She is being educated in the prestigious Convent of the Blue Dove, where the empress mother graduated herself!"

"Well, my June came from the Convent of the Lilac Rose, which is famous for instructing princesses in the ways of art, beauty, and grace! It would be great if his highness takes her as your future companion!"

"A companion?" Simon couldn't seem to keep up with the conversation. "Well, my father did say that he would send me to the Imperial University tomorrow, Will they be coming with me to the capital, then?"

Simon looked awkwardly at the nobles seated around him.

He noticed that they all looked confused.

It was only June who stared at him with a hint of interest, her deep blue eyes wide open.

"Ah, your highness," Earl Summers cleared his throat. "You seem to have misunderstood us..."

"Your highness, when we say companion, we did not mean someone who would merely 'accompany' you," the Countess laughed.

"We meant someone who would stay by your side," continued Duke Fann. "Both in your work, and in your bed."

"In my bed?" Simon's forehead creased. "Why would I need to work in be–"

The Duke's words finally seeped in.

Simon's face turned all red.

"M-my goodness!" he muttered, covering his face in embarrassment.

The Countess laughed even louder, while the princesses kept their composure, their eyes, low, their lips pursed.

"I-I'm afraid I'm still t-too young to think of m-marriage!" he stuttered. "S-shouldn't you be asking my father about s-stuff like that instead?"

"Your highness, there's no reason to be flustered," said Earl Summers, "this is merely a small meeting for you to be acquainted with our daughters!"

"Please don't mind my husband's straightforwardness," said the Duchess. "We just wish to show our appreciation to your heroic deed of ridding our Twin Kingdoms of the threat of the evil behemoth."

"That is right, your highness," the Earl smiled at Simon. "We are here to show you that we are ready to support you in any way we can. Thus, we wish that you will consider our daughters in the near future."

"Yes, your highness," the duke spoke once again. "But if you wish, we can let you marry our youngest, Fey, right now, you can just consummate your wedding vows when you feel like it!" he said with a loud laugh.

"Ugh, Duke Fann! You and your vulgar thoughts!" Earl Summers said, shaking his head.

"And you, Earl Summers, are still as stiff as the spine of the books you love to read! I'm sure your daughter would make a fine librarian some day!"

Simon watched as the two fathers bickered with each other.

In his lessons in politics, he learned that Duke Fann was a general in the royal army while Earl Summers was the head of finance in the Eastern Twin Kingdom.

They were both quite influential, that's why he couldn't understand why the two were trying to wed their daughters to him.

The two kept bickering until the Butler cleared his throat.

"Your highness, please do think of my June when you choose a companion," Earl Summers told him.

"Why bother, when he can just take them all as his wives!" Countess Ruby said, laughing haughtily.

"Dear Countess, you know well that only the crown prince has the right to have concubines," Duches Desal said with a forced smile.

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if we get a new crown prince in the near future!" Duke Fann announced with a laugh.

He went to Simon's side and clapped him on the back so hard, the young prince went off balanced.

"Why don't you young ones spend some time in this magnificent garden of yours while us old folk stay here to catch up with each other?"

"Then, I shall do just that," replied Simon, glad to have a reason to leave the bickering parents behind.

============

Go to Part 34

============