Chapter Text
A brunet looked up upon hearing a knock on his bedroom door.
''Sir Valet*, the Queen has required your presence in the family throne room.''
''Thank you. Tell the Queen, I'll be there soon.''
Naib closed the book he was reading and placed it back on his bookshelf. Grabbing his blue cloak, he wore it and check to see if he's presentable. Seeing that he is, he exited his room and stepped into the long hallway. Seeing that the family throne room is a floor above his room, the brunet walked straight for the long, winding staircase. Climbing up the stairs, Naib stopped infront of a room a few doors away from the staircase. He knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty? It's Naib. May I come in?"
Once granted permission, Naib opened the door and stepped inside the family throne room. He was suddenly greeted by a small body crashing into him. Light brown hair and beaming red eyes looked up at him.
"Naib!"
"Your highness! Please, be careful!" The brunet scolded the only prince of Ravaryn Kingdom.
The eight year old pouted at him and Naib merely patted his ward's head to appease him. The young boy brighten up and hug Naib like a koala. A chuckle can be heard and Naib looked up to see the King and Queen staring at them in amusement. Naib bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"Come now, Naib. What did we say about calling us that?"
"Forgive me, Uncle, Auntie. But it is quite rude to call you by your name."
Rowenna smiled at the brunet that she had watched growing up for years under her and her husband's care.
"How is your teaching coming along? Did Robbie cause you any trouble?" Rafeal enquired.
"No, Uncle. It's been a pleasure to teach Robbie. He's quickly absorbing the lesson that I've been giving."
"That's good. Forgive us for interrupting your training. Robbie's old tutor had retired and we are still finding a replacement."
"I'll be happy to take over as his permanent tutor, Uncle. It'll be like a refresher for me as well."
"Thank you for your offer, Naib but I must decline. You still need to focus on your other studies and training. Speaking of which, how's that coming along?"
Naib shook his head.
"Not so well. I've search in every single library Ravaryn had, with your permission, to offer but..."
"I see. Forgive us for not being able to help you. This Kingdom is not that knowledgable about that."
"It's fine. This power of mine is unknown to everyone besides my former village and kingdom."
The King and Queen looked at each other upon noticing the sadden expression on their ward's face. They had made up their mind.
"Sweetheart, can you wait for us in the dining room? We like to speak with Naib privately."
Naib stood up straight while Robbie nodded.
"Yes, mother."
Robbie unlatched himself from Naib and walked out from the room. Naib looked at his King and Queen.
"Naib, I'm sure you are aware of this Kingdom's tradition to send the royal child out to handle some duties on their own once they are of the age of eight years old." Rafeal said.
Naib nodded.
"Since Robbie's eighth birthday had passed, it's decided to send that we would send him on his first duty and we would like you to accompany him as his valet and aide*."
"You do not have to ask, Your Majesty.
I'll be honored too. May I request for my partner to come with us as well?"
"Of Course." Rafeal nodded his consent.
"There is one more thing you need to know."
"Yes,Your Majesty?"
"Robbie will be going to a far-away Kingdom to make our and their's agreement official. That Kingdom is the Alynthi Kingdom..."
".....What?"
//Page Break//
A week had passed since that day. Right now, Naib and Robbie is on a carriage travelling their way to the Alynthi. He silently watched as Robbie talked with his partner, Martha Behamfil. Placing his chin on one of his hand, Naib looked out of the window as he recalled his conversation with his Majesty.
Flashback starts~
"Your Majesty, why are you entering an agreement with that Kingdom?! Didn't we agree not to make any contact with them after what had happened?!"
Rowenna stood up and walked over to calm down the irate valet.
"Forgive us, Naib. One of our members of the royal council has suggested an alliance with the Alynthi Kingdom. Everyone except a certain few including us had voted for it. We have no power if majority of the royal council agreed."
"The alliance for both of our kingdom is quite important. As you know, while we are quite knowledgable and well-known, there are more people joining our Kingdom nowadays. It is quite possible that we may not have enough land for our people in the future. Money is slowly becoming quite tight as well. We had found unclaimed place but the Alynthi had also lay claim to that place. The Alynthi Kingdom has agreed to divide the place with us. Because of that, it will be shared." Rafeal explained.
"And because it is shared, both Kingdom will be sharing each of our profits and knowledge. If our Kingdom is to continue to prosper, we need to agree to this alliance, Naib. We have no other options."
Naib let out a sigh. If there is no other options and his Majesty had made up their mind, he had to concede. Rowenna patted Naib's head.
"Naib, you are entering your former Kingdom as our representive. You are no longer known as a outcast to them. This is your chance, Naib."
"My chance?"
"Yes. You are-"
Flashback Ends~
"-Able to seek knowledge about my powers, huh..." Naib muttered to himself.
Naib had to agree that this will be his only chance to get knowledge about his former village and powers. If this alliance is formed, Naib will be free to enter in and out of the Alynthi Kingdom at any point in time. He will have ample time to learn more about them.
"Naib, Naib! Look! We're here!" Robbie tugged on Naib's sleeve to get his attention.
Naib smiled at Robbie and looked out of the window. His eyes glazed over as he looked at the familiar places he had once went to. Naib closed his eyes as his fingers grasped hold of something he wore underneath his clothes. Feeling its cool, warm surface, his normally blue eyes flickered to the color of orange for a split second as he looked out in determination. It's time to face the bastard who ordered the total annihilation of his former village and family.
//Page Break//
The carriage stopped infront of the entrance of Alynthi Castle. When the coachman opened the door, Martha went out first who stepped to her left side. She is then followed by Naib who had his hood up. He lend out his hand, allowing Robbie to take hold of his hand and climbed out of the carriage.
Waiting for them infront of the entrance is a dark- grey haired man. The man bowed.
"We have been expecting you, Your Highness of the Ravaryn Kingdom. Allow me to escort you to His Highness' office."
(Naib is startled. Before the man had addressed them, he had looked right into Naib's eyes. Naib had sensed a connection for a split second when their eyes met. His silver eyes had glowed red for a split second. It is almost exactly like Naib's.)
They were led into the castle. After climbing a few levels, the man finally stopped infront of a door. He knocked on the door. Hearing a affirmation, the man opened the door and ushered them to come in. Entering the room, they could see a young, man who wore a mask and who looked almost around Naib's and Martha's age, waiting for them. The man smiled at their confounded expression.
"You must be surprised. Please, have a seat and I can explained."
Robbie sat opposite the the man while Martha and Naib stood at attention behind him. The man who escorted them stood behind the seated man as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet His Highness of the Ravaryn Kingdom. I am Eli Clark, the oldest child of this Kingdom. This is," The man pointed at the dark grey haired man who bowed, "Aesop Carl. My valet."
"As to why I'm meeting you instead of my father is because we had heard of the royal tradition that Ravaryn Kingdom had. My father decided to send me in respect of your tradition."
Robbie sat up and politely bow back.
"We thank you of your kind decision. As you know, I am Robbie, the only prince to my Kingdom. Behind me is Martha Behamfil,the Captain of our Army and Naib Subedar, my valet and aide."
Martha and Naib bowed when their name is addressed by Robbie. When Naib looked up, he is startled. Eli is staring right at him. Just like Aesop, Naib had felt a connection. Eli smiled at him before he looked back at Robbie.
"Your Highness, this is written agreement our parents had agreed on. Please, have a look."
Eli had passed a written sheet of paper to Robbie who quickly scanned through. Once he is done, Eli continued.
"Now then before we officially sign the agreement, there is the matter of our exchange."
A shiver ran down Naib's spine. He had a bad feeling about this.
"Is something wrong? I thought we had agreed for both of our Kingdom to work closely with each other."
"Yes. But we would like to add in another exchange. You see, my father wish for someone from your kingdom to stay with us for a year. They are allowed to travel back and forth but they are needed to stay here with us...."
"And who else is better than your beloved valet? I heard that he is quite close to you, Your Highness. He is the pefect person for this."
Naib's blue eyes widen in shock. Robbie immediately stood up and hugged Naib.
"NO! You may picked anyone else beside Naib! He has to be by my side!"
Tears had fallen from Robbie's eyes as he gripped Naib's shirt. Naib had always been in Robbie's side for as long as Robbie can remember. For Naib to be away from his side is unthinkable!
"If that is what you want. You see, my people are quite curious about your Kingdom and people. It will be such a shame for them to hear that the future head of your Kingdom to be quite selfish.."
Naib narrowed at the hidden threat. He sighed as he bend down and tried to calm down his highness.
"Your Highness, it will be alright. I will only be gone for a year. I can come and visit you and your majesty any time I want."
Naib wipe away Robbie's tears. Martha, on the other hand, is not pleased at all.
"Naib, you can't be serious! We did not hear of this exchange at all. We should seek advice from the royal council before agreeing on anything!"
"Martha, please."
Eli stood up, bringing their attention to him.
"It seems that all of you need to think about it. I apologize for suddenly bringing this up. I had assume that all of you should have expected this from the start. After all, your valet was once one of ours."
Naib narrowed his eyes. It seems that Rowenna and Rafeal is wrong. They indeed knew.
"I will send someone to lead you to your temporary room. I very much hope that you agreed to this exchange. It's a small price to pay. After all, your Kingdom depended on it..."
~Chapter End~