After a few more minutes of walking while chatting with Theadon, Solarien arrived at the entrance into the dinning hall. It was here that Theadon came to a halt.
" Your highness, the Consort awaits," he said, bowing slightly and gesturing to the door.
" Alright then, I shall see you later Theadon," Sol smiled warmly, as he pushed open the door to the dinning hall and walked in.
As the prince went in, an evil snicker soon appeared on Theadon's face, as he stared at the back of the crown prince, thinking quietly to himself: * it is here that you shall die. And the best part, you didn't even put up resistance,*
•••••••
" Alzuras, I was a bit curious as to when you would arrive," Micheal said, his voice carrying the weight of divine, as he spoke confidently and unafraid to his patron god descending from the heavens.
" Hahaha! Michael, you seem to have grown wings from the last time that I had seen you, little boy. Back then you would cower in fear of just the slightest mention of my name," Alzuras said, his feet finally leaving the clouds and touching the sand on the mortal world.
It should not be forgotten that Alzuras was a god millions of years old, and to him, Michael, who was barely even fifty, was nothing more than a baby trying to act like an adult.
He stretched his toes a bit, reeling in the feeling of sand in between his toes," I see you've become more stronger now, you've probably surpassed the Ascendant rank, haven't you?" Alzuras said, a mocking smile crossing his face.
A frown grew on Micheal and Nivea's face. Even if he was a god, he shouldn't have the power to see the rank of an individual above the Adept rank.
But now he was saying that Micheal had surpassed the Ascendant rank, an information only known to him and his wife. So how come Alzuras knew about Micheal's breakthrough to the next vein realm.
" Don't be suprised, even an ascendant of the highest caliber shouldn't be able to swat away so many adept as easily as you did. Meaning, you've awakened more than 8 veins, and you're probably already in your 9th vein, that means you're already a Vessel! Congratulations!" Alzuras said with a light clap of his hands as he grinned from ear to ear.
Micheal's brows furrowed at what Alzuras's words, but, not because he was wrong, instead, it was because he was spot on.
Though, the weird thing was Michael hadn't ever heard of someone breaking past the limit of an Ascendant in the mortal realm, the highest was 8 awoken vein, meaning an Ascendant at the top of the rank.
Micheal and Nivea were considered only second in strength to the gods, so when Micheal broke past that limit, he believed that he was either only a step away, or already on par with the gods.
He didn't need to fear them anymore, not did he need to worship them. But now seeing the carefree expression on Alzuras's face suddenly made him frown.
If Alzuras was so calm about his breakthrough, then that can only mean three things:
One, he was just feigning calm, but deep down he was a bit suprised and hesitant.
Two, he believed he was stronger than Michael because Michael had only just recently arrived at the Vessel rank or so.
And three, the one he silently prayed was not the answer: There were ranks higher than the Ascendant rank, and Alzuras has far gone beyond those ranks.
Out of the three, the first one was the most unlikely, and the second one was the most likely. and the third one, was something he wished does not exist.
" What do you want," he asked, staring deeply into the golden eyes of the sun god.
Alzuras smiled as he heard Micheal's question. He knew he had succeeded in making Micheal think twice, even though he actually didn't need to, as yes, he was a thousand times still stronger than Micheal.
Alzuras gaze moved towards the rusty sword in Micheal's hands, his eyes revealing greed and evil," that sword, I want the sword in your hand. If you can give me that, then I shall kill you, but let your son live. But if you refuse, I shall kill you, take it, and then kill your son,"
•••••••
The dining hall stretched wide and cold, the chandelier's golden light bathing polished floors in a muted glow. At its far end sat Henry, draped in formal black, a silver goblet in his pale hand.
Solarien stepped in with grace, doors whispering shut behind him.
"Uncle," he said, nodding. "You called for me?"
"Indeed." Henry rose, bowing politely. "Come. Sit. It's not often we dine like this—just you and I."
Sol took his place across the table. The silence between them was gilded and sharp, like eating beside a statue that might breathe at any moment.
"No attendants?" he asked lightly.
"Not tonight. I wanted this to feel... intimate." Henry smiled. It didn't reach his eyes.
Sol's hands folded in his lap. "It's just strange. You've never seemed fond of family meals. Besides, Mother and Father return in a few days, why not wait till they return, then hold this light feast?"
Henry's gaze lingered too long. "Sometimes, a man eats alone for so long that even a single chair filled beside him feels like salvation."
Sol's heart beat faster. Something was different about his words. Since when did he care about intimacy, and truly, as strange as it may sound, Henry had never bowed in front of him before, but he did when he entered into the Hall.
Very strange.
But he smiled. "I received something peculiar today."
Henry lifted his goblet. "Oh? What would trouble the Crown Prince?"
"A symbol." Sol's voice was calm. Measured. "Death. On my windowpane."
Henry's hand stilled mid-air.
A moment. Then:
"How... dreadful." He said it with just the right touch of shock. Almost convincing.
"Indeed. I hope it was just a prank." Sol sipped calmly. "But until my parents return, I thought... perhaps you might protect me. Since honourably, you are still a servant of the Royal family, and you must obey, so yes, you must protect me." Sol said, changing his tone of voice to superiority. What Lora had told him a few minutes ago still lingered in his mind, and the strange act of Henry along with the death symbol, was starting to make him suspicious.
Now with his words spoken, he would be able to see Henry's reaction. Hopefully, he acts in character, or else... maybe Lora was right.
Henry didn't answer.
Sol turned his head slightly. "What is it, Uncle? Did I say something beneath me? Or did you forget what you truly are?" he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he swallowed a small chunk of meat.
The Consort's voice lowered, velvet over glass.
"You forget what happens to dogs when they're told to fetch, boy."
Sol's smile froze.
"What did you say?"
"You really thought you'd sit across from me, throw around your bloodline, and live?"Henry's voice broke free of its polish, now dripping cold. Hate. Death.
A sound like thunder rolled from behind.
Armored knights burst in—fifty at least—blades drawn, boots hammering marble.
"You dare insult the king?!" one barked.
Sol stood slowly, gaze locked with the man he once called uncle.
"I only asked for protection," he said quietly. "But now I see I'm not the one who needed it." Sol continued, not moving an inch out of fear, but his heart. His heart was pounding.
The man who he called uncle, wanted him dead!