Randor hopped off his transport before it even touched down in the courtyard. It was already late afternoon—the problem in Felis Qadi had fortunately been easy to resolve, but it had still taken far too much of his time.
Marlena met him at the palace door. He greeted her with a quick kiss. "Where's Adam?"
"In the training yard. Mekaneck's with him." Marlena followed her husband, having to almost run to keep up with his quick strides. Randor eyed the darkening sky anxiously. Not for the first time, he cursed the office the Elders had appointed him. All he'd ever wanted was to settle down with Marlena and live in peace, with his family as his top priority. Being king drew him away from the people he loved the most. He'd broken far too many promises to his young son for the sake of serving Eternia.
But not today, he thought determinedly. He still had time; he could play with Adam and teach him to ride his hoverboard and finally, finally be a proper father to his son. Nothing would stop him. Not this time.
He finally reached the courtyard. His son's laughter echoed from inside, along with the sound of…engines? Randor stepped through the doorway. Adam was on his hoverboard, zooming in circles around the courtyard as Mekaneck cheered him on.
"I did it!" He cheered as he pulled to a stop beside the warrior. He stumbled as he dismounted, but Mekaneck caught him before he hit the ground.
"Way to go! You've really got the hang of this." Mekaneck praised him, completely unaware of Randor's presence. "You're a quick learner."
"You're a good teacher." Adam beamed. In the doorway, Randor stood stiff. An ugly feeling roiled in his stomach as he watched Mekaneck standing in what should have been his place. Randor had felt it before. Jealousy. But never often and never as strong as this. It rose in him like bile, hot and bitter and screeching to be released.
He felt a hand on his arm. Marlena met his gaze, brows furrowed in concern. Randor took a deep breath. He turned away from the scene in the courtyard, struggling to compose himself. He should have expected this. This was what happened when you neglected your duties; someone else stepped in to fill them. He couldn't expect Adam to wait indefinitely for his father to make time for him. His jealousy was selfish.
But he still felt it.
Mekaneck rapped on the door to the King's study. "Come in." Came the muffled reply.
Mekaneck slipped inside, saluting his monarch. "you wanted to see me, sir?"
King Randor had his back to him. He took a moment before turning around. He seemed unusually stoic. He was often stoic since becoming king, but still…
"I appreciate you playing with Adam today." The king said.
"My pleasure, sir."
"Do you enjoy spending time with Adam?" Randor asked. Mekaneck hesitated to reply. Not because he doubted his answer, but because it seemed too…personal. Randor was his king and Adam was his prince, and as a soldier he was obligated to maintain a professional separation. Then again…Randor had never been big on professional distance. He treated his subordinates as equals; that's what made him a good king.
"I do enjoy it," he finally said, sincere. "Prince Adam is a good kid. And…it's nice to get to be a big brother." Randor stared at him and for a moment he worried that he'd crossed a line.
The king's lips twitched upward in a smirk. "Big brother, eh?"
"In a manner of speaking." Mekaneck relaxed. Randor leaned back in his chair with a weary sigh.
"Running a kingdom doesn't leave me much time for my family." He said, his tone tinged with sadness. "I can't always be there for Adam. I realize you have your own duties, and your own life, but…would you keep an eye on him? When Marlena and I aren't around?"
Mekaneck's eyebrows raised in surprise. Fortunately, the visor covered most of his expression. "Of…of course I will."
"Good." Randor met his gaze, serious. "I trust you, Mekaneck. Please don't fail me. Or Adam."
"I'd die before I failed you, sir. Either of you."
