I've done the final exams for high school senior year. Waiting for the results (I WANNA GRADUATE!) My left hand (yes the broken one) has healed, but I have to learn to play the violin all over again...I hope that the work I did in 10 years can be done in 2 or 3...Anyways there we go again! We continue from where Max has taken Drew away from the training-field. It will be fun!

I do not own Pokemon or the characters!

Chapter 10 The Royal Family

Drew obediently walked behind Prince Max, preparing himself for the worst. What could he possibly have done to be called by the king himself. Though he knew, the king gave him twice the opportunity to live, he never actually met the man himself.

"Pull yourself together, Drew. My father respect men with fire in their eyes," Max said as he kept his face forward.

Drew cocked a brow, what kind of a king was he? "I thought kings were supposed to keep their men in line?" Drew asked. Honestly, he was getting less from the high court every second. A princess married out to a wrong man. A son of a king, playing messenger boy, and a king that loved to see a man's spirit.

Max snickered, "Usually, he does like people following orders, who doesn't, but he'd rather have people who also speak their mind. He will take time to listen. Did you never wonder why there are hardly any uproars?" he asked.

Drew pondered about this for a bit. Surely, there were enough people poor, but they never looked very unhappy. "You're right, I guess," Drew said.

Max looked over his shoulder at the confused young soldier, with twinkling eyes, "But as I said, you're a special case," Max said. Drew almost bit his tongue, to not to ask why.

"Ah! We're here!" Max said.

Surprised, Drew looked at the small doors, "This isn't the king's throne hall," he said.

Smirking Max opened one of the doors, "But you're not meeting the king, Drew. You're meeting my dad,"he said. To Drew it was all confusing. Max was the prince, so wouldn't his father be the king? It didn't make any sense any more but he followed Max through the doors.

There at the window, looking at the dreary weather even though it was twilight already, stood king Norman. "Here we are dad!" Max said. Surprised Drew looked up. From what he new of noble families, dad wasn't a term used lightly.

Norman turned around, "Ah, Drew Hayden, I'm glad you came," he said, smiling friendly.

Drew quickly bowed, he knew his place, "With all do respect, your Majesty, but I didn't think I had a choice in this matter. I do as I am asked," he said as politely as he could. He still wasn't sure of what he was doing here.

Norman chuckled, "But you could have said no, Drew. It was never quite an order," he said. When Drew didn't show any signs of a smile, he frowned, and shot a look at Max, "Unless..." he said.

Max raised his arms above his head in his defense, "Don't blame the kid," he said with a grin.

Norman let out an exasperated sigh, and rubbed his sleep, "Sometimes I don't know what to do with that kid," he said defeated.

Drew shifted in his stand, "Excuse me, your Majesty, but I am afraid I don't understand this set-up," he said.

Norman smiled faintly again, "Drew, within these four walls, there are not quite any statuses. I am an ordinary man, you an ordinary young man, and Max is just a spoiled little brat," he said, which earned him an indignant 'Hey!' from Max, but Norman waved it off. "Yeah, yeah, You aren't a spoiled brat," he said.

Max still didn't look happy, but kept quiet.

Norman turned to Drew, "Why are you still standing?" he asked. Drew didn't respond. Norman sat down himself, "Don't be so uptight." It caused Drew to flush slightly in shame, and sat down.

"How is it going in the army now, now that you've gone back to work?" Norman asked.

Drew shrugged, "I'm not sure, okay, I guess," he said. He decided against telling about the remarks about the man's daughter and him, or the lewd remarks about that very same daughter, or the staring at his back.

"You might have noticed that I have dismissed commander Gar?" Norman continued to ask.

Drew nodded, "Positive. I have noticed that. Many of the foot-soldiers are really satisfied with that decision," he responded whilst remembering Arden.

Norman nodded, satisfied with the remark, "I thought so already. I was to say not happy with him. I finally received long-overdue reports from lower officers about Gar's campaign. Of course, I only got the unedited versions after asking them directly for it. It seems that Gar has been messing with them." Norman sighed, "He may have won the war, but for what price. Many have died, all brave men."

He sighed heavily again, "I don't know what to do with all those widows and fatherless children. I can't let them starve," he said.

Drew moved uncomfortably in his seat, "Your Majesty...uhm, sir. If I may..." he hesitantly said. Norman's face lit up.

"At this point I'll take any advice I can get," he said.

Drew smiled politely, if not strained, " Well, I thought, those woman are not weak, but there are no possibilities for them, so they are forced to do...dishonorable jobs. Isn't it possible to create jobs, decent jobs for them, so that they can still feed their kids?"

Norman frowned, "I should give those woman more power over themselves?" he murmured.

Drew turned his face away, feeling shame etch on his face. He knew he shouldn't have said anything. Norman thought differently, "That's a great idea!" he exclaimed. Surprised, Drew looked up, and Norman smiled, "Yeah, people always tell me things like: the kids should go working more then, or let them go to poor-people houses, workhouses or church. But meanwhile, crime and shady business increases. This is the first time, someone has pointed out the link between them to me," he said, almost thoughtful.

Almost sweat-dropping, Drew doubted the reign of power in his land a little more. But he nodded, "Thank you, sir, for the compliment, then," he said.

The king looked very pleased. "Well," he said, "In return, I'll give you anything I can provide for you, before opening a new topic," he said.

Drew thought about a big house, some kettle and land, to become a landowner. But that wasn't what he wanted and decided to ask. "I want a decent life for my mother," he said.

Norman raised his brow, "what do you mean?" he asked.

Drew swallowed, it wasn't a topic you usually discuss in front of a king, let alone to be asked for it. "My...my mother is one of those with a so-called...dishonorable life," he said.

Norman leaned back, "You do not seem like the son of one. I have a feeling I know you," he said.

Drew looked away, "My mother used to work here as a nanny, from what I figured," he said.

Norman shook his head, "No, I do not recall your face in a woman's. Who is your father?" he asked.

Drew clenched his teeth, "I'd like to know that too, I have a score to settle. My mother was sent away because of me, because he couldn't keep his hands to himself, while my mother was in no position to fight back," he said restraining himself. It would not do, to snap now.

On Norman's face, a look of recognition dawned, "I seem to remember that occurrence, I'm sorry what happened," he apologised. And then he shook his head, "I assume you want to give this man a piece of your mind?" he asked.

Drew's jaw loosed as his mouth fell open. Did this man know the cause of his mother's misery? "Is that possible, you know the right man?" Drew asked.

Norman smiled sadly, "Sadly enough, I do. I would be a bad king if I didn't," he said. "But I regret to inform you, that you are too late," he said.

Drew blinked, he was so close! "What? How?"

Norman shook his head, "He died five years ago. An illness killed him," he said. "And I will not allow you to confront the family. Let them have peace with the dead too."

Drew slumped back in the chair, "I have no desire of making his wife and children sad or distrustful. But in the end, I can't give my mother the justice she so rightfully deserves," Drew said, defeated.

Norman smiled, "Perhaps not settling the score, but we can give her a little justice. I will make sure that your mother will get a good life, without hardships," he said.

Drew smiled, "Thank you, sir. You have no idea, how much this means to me," he said, honestly happy with his king now.

Norman laughed, seeing the young man's closure of a burden he did not have had to bear, "I think I do, I have a mother as well," he shrugged, "A fury of a woman, but still my mother," he said.

Drew snickered at this, it was easy talking to this man. You'd almost forget he is a king.

"Alright then Drew, something I wanted to speak with you about now," he said. Drew nodded and the king scraped his throat, "I heard you directed the decoy-manoeuvre?" he asked.

Drew nodded slowly, uncertain of the topic, "Positive, it would seem I did that," he responded.

Norman smirked, "I was hoping you would respond like that," he said.

Drew frowned, "Why so, sir?" he asked.

Norman laughed, "Because even if you have been punished severely, I still don't see any regret of your actions in you," he said.

Drew sat up straight, feeling the need to defend himself, he wasn't dragged here, so it wasn't as if he wasn't allowed to do that, "That is because I don't regret anything. I still think I made the right choice, even if a dear friend died," his voice died. He still had a hard time dealing with the death of Roran. It had been the worst when his family had come to him, and told him that they didn't blame him for anything.

Norman nodded, "And that's why I want you to take Gar's place,"

Drew's mouth fell open once again, "What?" he replied.

Norman grinned, "I want someone in charge who knows what he'd doing, and still shows enough compassion to consider the lives of the men serving below him," he said.

Drew couldn't quite believe this, the king was asking him, a normal mercenary who had just been punished for desertion, to become some high-serving officer. "But there are still so many more men, who'd be more suitable for that than me," he protested weakly.

Norman laughed again, he found the situation quite amusing even if he had expected it. As predicted, this young man had no intent to become more than he was. "And yet, they all pointed at you," he said.

Max stepped forward, having watched the word-exchange with a fair amount of amusement, "I asked them Drew," he said. Drew gaped back at him, and Max snickered at this, "I usually have a reason to play messenger-boy. I could inconspicuously ask all your fellow soldiers, in name of the king, about possible replacement of Gar. They pointed at you," he said, his voice lingering with faint humor.

Drew groaned, "Why me?" he asked.

Father and son looked at each other, "You earned their respect by not giving in to Gar as the generations before you, even when beat down in the dirt and saving their lives. That's something men never forget," Max said

Drew sighed, it was clear he wasn't winning this argument, "But..." he tried one more time.

The two royal men rolled their eyes, " What's there to but? Just accept the offer," Max said exasperated.

Drew sighed, "I just think you are making a mistake. I am not a nobleman, I do not have actual experience with command, nor do I own land or have servants," he said, knowing that usually these positions were taken by noble families.

Norman sighed as well and leaned back in his chair. He looked at the fire that was burning gently in the fireplace. It was cold and rainy outside, so the warmth was truly welcome. "I know that, and that's how we've arrived at the second thing I wanted to talk to you about," he said.

Drew suppressed a groan, he should have known there was more than met the eye.

Suddenly Norman stared directly at him, eye to eye, "What do you feel for my daughter?"

Drew chocked, if he had been expecting anything, it wouldn't have been this, "Excuse me?" he brought out between coughs.

Norman smiled faintly, "I'm sorry I brought it up so abruptly," he said.

Drew took a deep breath, calming himself, "Why do you want to know, sir?" he asked stiffly.

Norman sighed, "You see, in the first place, I am a father, the father of May and Max. And about Max I don't have worries anymore. He does no longer do foolish, childish things, and can and does take care of himself.

May, however stays a girl, my oldest daughter. And I can not help but worry if she'll be fine," he said. "I am afraid, I did make wrong decisions concerning her feelings and future."

Drew frowned, "I'm sorry, but what do I have to do with this?" he asked.

Norman just looked at him, "Sadly enough, you have to do everything with this," he said.

Drew shook his head, "I do not understand what you mean, am I afraid," he said, but a strange feeling, a premonition, churned in his stomach.

Max sighed, "I happened a few days ago,"

{Flashback}

"Max!" May called out to her brother.

Max turned around, it was strange to see his sister outside of Drew's room, as he rested, so he was surprised to see her. "What is it, May?" he asked.

May leaned on her knees as she caught her breath, "Answer me honestly, Max" she panted.

Max raised a brow, "Sure," he answered. He never lied before, so why would he start now?

May stood up straight, "Am I a princess?" she asked

Max sweat-dropped, "Yes, you are," he said simply.

May's jaw tightened, "Am I special, from other girls I mean?" she asked.

"Yes, you are," Max said again. He still wasn't seeing where this was going.

May sighed, "Why can't other people treat me like one of them?" she continued her spitfire.

Max cocked his head to the side, "Because they are afraid of what could happen," he said.

May bit her lip, trying to restrain her tears, "So after all, all I can be to Drew is a princess?" she asked, sounding very upset. Max didn't answer, which May took as his response. "I see," she said sadly. When Max looked up, to his shock he saw tears running over May's face. He only saw it for a split second, before she turned around and ran away.

Max frowned, "I don't know what is going on, but something has happened, and it's not right," he mumbled to himself. Then he turned around and walked to his father's chambers. He definitely had something to discuss.

{End flashback}

"And that is what there is to it," Max finished.

Drew had been paying close attention, and shuffled uncomfortably in the chair. He knew very well about which moment Max was talking. Despite the many teasing and remarks from Max, he had not seen this coming, not really.

"I don't know what I can do about it," he admitted.

Norman frowned, tapping his fingers against the table in an impatient manner, "There are a lot of things you can do now," he said. "You can threaten us, even throw the this house off the throne."

Drew shook his head hastily, "I do not wish for that. And I do not intend to hurt the princess either," he said softly.

Norman smiled, "Then, I can do something different though I'm not quite sure it'll work out. I think it can make May happy," he said calmly.

Drew nodded, "You have my interest," he said and cringed at how impolitely it had actually sounded.

Norman snickered, but made no comment on it, and continued. "I can offer you May's hand," he said bluntly.

Drew raised a brow, "Why would I want a hand. I do not need any help," he said.

The two nobles almost fell down in surprise. True, Drew was of no noble family so it was understandable he wasn't quite familiar with the term. "No Drew, he actually said, he is giving you the opportunity to take May as your wife. For short, to marry her," Max explained.

Now it was Drew's turn to fall almost from his chair, "Wh-what?" he spluttered. His voice was not as reserved as it should have been. Nor had his face the right color. First had blood drained from his face, to return at a rapid speed the next moment, leaving him all red.

Well, surely not every day you get suggested to marry someone you...well, like, who is a princess none the less.

Max snickered at the soldier, for he did not know, for the first time, how to give himself posture. "Well, what's it going to be?" he asked.

Drew closed his mouth, which had unconsciously dropped open, as if it wasn't enough yet. He smiled strained, "Is it possible for me to think about it sir?" he asked.

Norman blinked, "Sure, I guess,"

Then the green-haired young men stood up, "Can I leave too, sir?" he asked. Norman, too stunned to reply differently, nodded. The conversation was suddenly over apparently. Drew rapidly turned around , and bowed before closing the door.

Norman groaned, fingers massaging his sleep, "Did I say something wrong?" he asked his son. "Why did he hesitate, and did not decide?"

Max snicked, this time at the expense of his flabbergasted father. "But he didn't hesitate," he commented.

The father looked at the son, "You lost me," he said.

Max now laughed openly. Maybe not the most respectful thing to do, but his father could sometimes be a tad slow, especially for a king. "You really shouldn't forget that Drew is one of the people who realizes there are actually two voices in a marriage. You did take him in mind because of that, didn't you?"

Norman sighed, "Of course. How could I forget."

Yuk, I'm a bit in a writing slum, I'll try to make something of it, but as I said to some of you already: I really need to whip my butt back into writing gear.

Don't forget to review. It'll be boring if you guys say: "I KNEW IT!" though.