Chapter 5: New territories
The Sun sure is shining bright today.
The King walked over to the large windows to draw the curtains near to each other, so the sun rays wouldn't bother him.
As he was, he saw the Queen from another hall occupied with their son. The Queen was doing her motherly job. After all, it's her duty to make sure the next King was in good care. A maid entered the hall, informing her about something then she nodded.
"Enter", he answered after hearing a quick knock on his enormous office door.
After seconds the door opened, viewing his younger brother, Prince Zen.
"Took you long enough", he said as he realized from the corner of his eyes that the Queen was no more there.
The Prince set his last footsteps then bowed.
"I was interrupted on my way", Zen explained. The King nodded as he was not expecting an explanation, it was just a statement.
"Your report was quite fascinating"
"How so, Your Majesty?" his brother asked.
"Instead of bringing down the Lords, you alternatively did some else that caught my attention".
"It wasn't quite my intention, I just thought there could be other ways, to tell the truth than bringing them down", he explained.
"I understand. I would still want the reports on the rest." The King looked back to the hall.
"Sure", replied the Prince. "What is my next inspection, Lord brother?".
"For now nothing. After all your wedding will be in a week. So, you can take a rest and prepare for your big day."
The Prince nodded.
"Of your wedding, I have yet to declare your territories and your new titles." Lord brother faked a realization. "Come forward."
The Prince took steps forward. He was standing opposite of his elder brother.
"Let's start from the smallest"
Out of nowhere, the King took the map of Clarines.
"Here, here and here will be under your jurisdiction after the wedding", The king pointed out and the Prince nodded.
"These lands all have titles you will use when you are there. On the Eastern it will make you a Count, then to Western, a Duke", the King explained.
His Royal Sire pointed and explained everything except for one place. His younger brother was quick to notice and asked, "And what about that?" The Prince pointed on the Northern part of Clarines.
"This is after years of your marriage when Her Majesty has retired from Wilant", Sire explained.
"And what will it make me after I take full control of the Northern part?" Prince Zen asked.
"It will make you Prince of Wilant, so you will reside there." Sire pulled the map away as he explained and continued, "But for now, you shouldn't worry about anything, because it's in years time. When the time comes we will discuss it."
The Prince nodded and Majesty Izana spoke once more, "You know about my current hunt for second in command in the royal army? I wonder, if you would take the position, it wouldn't be hard to look anymore, would it?"
The Prince eyes widened in shock and asked, "Brother, that's- I- you-" The young Prince stammered.
"Zen, you talk too much, that sometimes it gives me a headache", Lord brother interrupted, playingly putting his hand on his forehead and continued, "Yes, you heard that right. Don't make me repeat myself." He put his hands down, sounding more serious.
Being second in command is a huge amount. The King is always the commander of the royal army, but not all Princes get to be second in command. So this huge indication actually shows how much the King trusts Zen enough for him to give such title.
"That's not all. I will also make you the commander of the whole Northern part, but that will take place after it is under your jurisdiction".
His younger brother felt like he was about to faint to all these huge titles. He was still in shocked. His elder brother smirked lightly.
"Tell me when you are ready to hear the last one. And if you know you're going to die of shock, tell me. I will gladly call your mistress to heal you." King Izana smirked widely.
Prince breathed in and out, after seconds he spoke,
"I'm ready"
"You sure?"
The Prince nodded.
"I'm also going to make you, The Grand Prince of the Clarines Kingdom, after your wedding", His stared straight into his brother's eyes.
Zen heartbeats were louder than before. He was unable to speak or even to ask his brother, What in the world is he think making him the Grand Prince. Is his brother derange?
"Lord brother, such a title is- you do know why you are doing right? I mean- " the Prince panted.
"Zen, for these past years. You haven't just shown your worthiness, but what you're capable of", his brother explained. "You promised me years back that, you'll be by my side. You succeeded. Now that you have reached me, I need to pay for your work, right? So you can take those titles as your wedding gift from me."
His elder brother was really serious about the matter. His younger brother was in shock that he couldn't speak. For some reason tension was built. Prince Zen never knew his brother trusted him enough to give him the ultimate title, Grand Prince.
Suddenly Zen bowed on his one knee, his face down and said still not believing,
"It's such an honor to know that His Majesty, the King, trusts me to give me such high titles. I promise I will do my best and not bring disappointment"
His Majesty smiled. It wasn't a mocking or teasing smile, but a neutral smile. That smile, no one has ever seen it before, except for his Queen. He told his brother to get up and he did. And he spoke surprisingly angry,
"Don't you dare let the waterfalls fall."
Zen chuckled and a blink of an eye the daring water drips vanished.
He suddenly hugged his brother. The elder brother was surprised, but he later lightly gave into the hug.
After minutes of hugging, they released.
"You've got some nerve to be hugging me", elder brother commented.
Younger brother giggled and replied,
"It's not every day I get to hug my own flesh and blood, so whenever I have a chance, I can't just let it slip away."
The King raised his eyebrows.
"So you can go now. I wouldn't need you anymore."
The Prince nodded and started walking until he turned his back asked,
"Your Majesty, I know it's inappropriate to ask about others, but if I may, may I ask about Shirayuki?"
"Don't worry about her, I will tell her myself. Also, I will make her sign those papers."
Zen was shocked that his brother would make Shirayuki sign those papers, but he had no choice but to understand the unexplained reasons of his elder brother's intentions. Zen nodded and left.
The King went back to his seat. After sitting he realized that he had not closed the curtains. He was so irritated, that he wanted to punch his desk. He stood then walked back to the window. This time, he saw a red-haired maiden smiling. He looked at her, then somewhat became a bit sad to know she will be sad after knowing about those papers she is about to sign. If she doesn't sign she can't become a Princess. That's for sure.
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Hope you enjoyed ;)