Princess Athine?
The one every noble whispers about? The most beautiful girl of her generation? The one countless lords have sought, only to be refused, by her or by Garius himself, for reasons no one understands?
But before Kayra could dwell further, she noticed the maid escorting her tapping the device on her ear.
"Hmm? Yes, Sir Alf?"
"Mm... Understood. I will inform her."
"Yes... we are already en route."
"Pardon, Sir Alf, but Princess Athine was just here."
"Mm... Very well, Sir Alf. I will relay that now."
The maid turned to Kayra. "Lady Kayra, we must proceed to the throne hall. The prince has indicated that if there is further delay, he will adjourn, and the audience will be postponed."
Kayra’s eyes widened. "The prince? Not King Garius himself?"
"Ah, yes, my lady. You will be received by Prince Javier."
"But... I requested an audience with King Garius."
"Pardon, Lady Kayra. If you wish to see His Majesty, we would need to reschedule. Shall I inform Sir Alf of your preference?"
"No... we can’t. My region doesn’t have that kind of ti. Please...let’s go."
anwhile, Javier was already tapping his foot on the floor.
He glanced at Alf.
"Alf. This is taking too long. If I’d known, I could have been grilling at with Liana and the others. Ugh! They want an audience but they’re making wait like this."
Alf simply smiled. "Prince Javier, pardon , but this is an important mont. This is your first ti receiving a formal petition as the crown’s representative."
Javier exhaled. "It’s weird. It’s supposed to be: they co, wait, and when I arrive, then the audience begins. Not the other way around." He grumbled, resting his chin on the table while both hands lay flat on the surface.
"Prince Javier. Please conduct yourself as befits a prince. You are about to et a noble lady who has traveled far and risked much to seek our aid. How you present yourself will shape her impression of Armand, and of you as its future ruler."
Javier sighed, still resting his chin on the table. "Ugh! Another lecture about manners and etiquette, dignity, authority... I get it. But still... waiting is boring. And this chair is stiff. And the throne hall echoes too much. And I’m pretty sure I saw a spiderweb in the corner over there. Shouldn’t soone clean that?"
"Patience is also part of ruling, Prince Javier," Alf said calmly. "And may I remind you that this is the sa lady whose life you saved last night. The one you stayed up tracking. She is not just another petitioner. She is soone you chose to help. How you answer will define what kind of leader you are becoming."
"Ugh... not another lecture, Alf." He adjusted his posture, sitting up straighter in the chair. "Like this, right?" Javier grinned, mimicking his father’s posture perfectly.
Alf shook his head with a smile.
He really reminds of his father when he was still a child.
"Prince Javier. They should be arriving shortly. Rember, listen first. Understand what she truly needs, not just what she asks for. Then decide."
"Yeah, yeah... Listen and understand." Javier exhaled, lifting his cup and finding it empty.
Heh... can’t believe I drank it all even though Liana didn’t put any sugar in it.
Javier grinned slyly, making himself appear calm.
He glanced at Liana.
"Liana... I’d like so wine."
Liana continued arranging a stack of docunts, not looking up.
Javier turned his gaze to Alf. "Alf... see? She’s refusing to serve her prince."
Alf looked calmly toward Liana. "Liana. Serve Prince Javier as requested."
Liana’s eyes widened slightly. She bit her lower lip, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "As you command, Sir Alf."
She took a wine glass, placed it gracefully on the table, then moved to the nearby rack. With elegant precision, she selected a bottle, uncorked it, and poured.
"Here you are... P.R.I.N.C.E... J.A.V.I.E.R~" she whispered silkily, setting the glass before him. "Your wine."
"Ah~ Thank you, my sweet Liana~" Javier took a deliberate sip, glancing sideways. "Mmm... fine vintage."
Liana straightened, her smile sweet and sharp.
Just you wait, young master...
I’ll get you for this.
The grand doors swung open.
The maid entered first, with Kayra following a step behind.
Javier was leaning back in his chair, elbow propped on the armrest, his cheek resting lightly against his knuckles.
The maid bowed toward the table where he sat, then stepped respectfully aside.
Kayra moved forward slowly, her gaze lowered.
The mont she reached near the table, she was about to kneel, but found herself unable to move. An invisible, gentle force held her upright.
Javier remained leaning, his palm upturned, a faint shimr of mana fading from his fingertips. He leaned forward, laced his fingers together, and rested his chin atop them, his eyes steady on Kayra as she stood frozen.
"You ca to request aid, not to beg," he said, his voice calm but clear. "Besides, this isn’t an audience with my father. You only kneel like that if I were on that throne, not at this table. We’re not like Kimar."
He gestured toward the chair across from him. "Sit. If you try to kneel again, let’s just say our conversation ends before it begins."
He glared at Kayra.
Kayra’s eyes remained lowered as she slowly took the seat across from him.
"The only ti soone should kneel is if they’ve done sothing wrong against us, or if our enemy begs for our rcy. Or when Father or I officially sit on that throne."
Javier leaned back in his chair, resting his cheek on his knuckle while staring at Kayra.
"Now speak. And make it clear."
"Your Highness. I am Lady Kayra von Tybalt, wife of my husband, Varzin von Tybalt. I co here to request help from Armand, to help us driving the invaders from my lands."
"Our forces number fewer than eight thousand during the first attack against both Turka and Garka, and our treasury is..." She was cut off as Javier raised his palm toward her.
"Stop." His voice was calm but carried finality. "Do not recite your struggles to . I am not here to hear about your empty coffers."
He leveled his gaze at her. "Never reveal your weakness to others. So will take pleasure in it."
"As I said earlier. Make it clear."
( End Of Chapter )
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