"Creole!"
I blinked my eyes to see my friend running towards me. He stopped, cleared his throat, and adjusted his glasses. He always had those blasted scrolls and his clothes always looked a mess.
"Yes, Dante?"
"Your father wants to see you..."
"... Ha... My father..."
Dante looked at me in shock. He seemed to be trying to use all his knowledge to understand what I just said.
"Your father is dying Creole!"
I rose to my feet and my cloaks trailed the floor. I growled at myself for wearing the blasted things and then, threw them to the ground.
"Those are the symbol of your royalty!"
"My face is the symbol of my royalty. All who see it; fear it and therefore; respect it."
Dante looked at me with hard eyes. I came closer to him and he looked away. It was true that I was Dante's superior, but I'd repeatidly told him never to treat me as such.
"Dante."
He did not look up at me. I grabbed his chin, jerking his head up to look at me, and grinned when I saw his scowl.
"Now, that's the face I love watching you make."
I kissed his forehead and proceeded to my father's chambers, leaving Dante in bewilderment.
I saw the guards outside his door and they parted for me without question. I thrusted open the doors and saw my father, shrivelled and weak on his death bed. It made me smile.
"... Creole."
"Of course. You did call me?"
"Yes...," he wheezed, sitting up, "As you know... Your time is coming to rule..."
I simply nodded, leaning against the wall, and crossed my arms.
"My son... You have changed I last found you..."
"Don't bring up such nonsense."
"It is not nonsense!... You were once pure and collected... A once renowned Prince of Ghannari... But after-"
"After the people chased me out and tried to kill me... All for a crime I never committed..."
"... There is still questioning in how you survived that insident..."
I said nothing.
"... Nevermore," my father wheezed again, "... I'm sending you away for a few days."
"What? You are on your death bed and you're sending the next heir away? Leaving the kingdom leaderless!"
"I will not be dying before you return, my son... I ensure you that. The Great Lord of Brines has given me permission to send you there to... rekindle your old self..."
"All those white-wearing wenches don't deserve my presence."
"That is exactly what I'm talking about!"
He coughed up blood and the maid rushed to his side with a cloth. He flung his hand at me and blood splattered my cheek.
"By... My blood... It shall be done."
I stared at him in shock as the maid eased him back into bed. A guard took my arm and I shoved him aside, storming out. How could he do this to me? The Great Lord of Brines gave him permission... It should be the other way around! ... And it will be; when I am King."
