The heavy doors creaked open, and soon footsteps echoed in the room. The prince sauntered in , shoulders loose and a sly smile playing on his lips.
He stopped in front of the king and with an exaggerated bow "You called for me father" He said voice dripping with mischief.
The King's fingers twitched, face twisting. He couldn't believe the insolence and audacity this boy had for keeping him here waiting all this while. Then again what did he expect from this brat, He had spoiled him way too much for his own good.
"Xavian what do you take me for? Some peasant? An idiot?" The king asked through gritted teeth. "I sent for you a long time ago, to be more precise. I sent for you four hours ago. And this is the time you show up?" He spoke with controlled irritation, his voice strained.
The prince bowed again, looking very innocent. "Oh, forgive me, your Highness," he explained. "I was occupied at the time the servants came to fetch me. I never intended to keep you waiting my King... Please forgive me Father." He said sounding genuinely remorseful, but the king knew better than to trust him.
This son of his was a very good actor. The look in his eyes and that sweet voice in which he spoke with the King gave him away. It told the King everything he needed to know, that he did not mean any of the words he just said.
The King scoffed and closed his eyes. He knew all too well what Xavian was just trying to do. He wanted to annoy him, to make him loose his temper just for his amusement, but it won't work.
"Xavian, you should save your acting skills for people who care actually care for it. Like your sister and those brainless fools who think very highly of you." He said and Xavian clicked his tongue and stood upright. "You can't fool me. I am your father. Remember, I know you like the back of my palms" the king continued, though irritated, but a small smile graced his lips.
"Sigh, okay... okay you caught me." Xavian said dropping the good boy act. "His highness is looking rather handsome today..." Xavian said and the king rolled his eyes. "What is it? Did you do something with your hair? Or is it a new skin treatment that's making your skin glow? huh? Mmmh." Xavian continued lifting his brows and raising his chin at his father mischievously. "Or has some young lady caught the king's attention and he is trying to woo her? Mmmh" He teased wiggling his eyebrows with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.
King Othniel could only sigh and robbed his temple. He wanted nothing more than to smack that son of his and remove that arrogant expression from his face. 'Is he forgetting that I'm his father or something? Ah.. I get it. He is trying to avoid the issue by being cocky. Nice try.' He thought.
"Xavian stop trying to butter me up, its not going to work." King Othniel said.
Xavian sighed. "It seems their is no use trying to stall. "He murmured under his breath defeated. "Fine let's begin the scolding I'm ready. And yes Sir Otis deserved what he got for being such a wimp. I have met kittens with more courage than him." Xavian said with all the arrogance in the world.
The king scoffed. 'Yes, I wanted to confront you about the issue with Sir Otis, but I know it is a waste of time. Nothing was going to change. And I wasn't going to scold you anyway you brat, since there was no point.' The king thought to himself and sighed.
"Xavian," he began, "I didn't call you here to talk about Sir Otis, because it's pointless and a complete waste of my precious time." He said, full of resignation.
"Oh uh. That's a first...." Xavian said surprised. This is the first time his father didn't give him an earful over his 'guard' issues so he found it surprising.
"I called you here for something else, something important." The king continued.
"Something else?" Xavian asked, curious. "Like what exactly?."
"I called you here, Xavian, to inform you that you're going to be in charge of this year's annual tournament," the king announced.
"What?!!" Xavian exclaimed "No way! I refuse, I won't do it" he said in disbelief.
"Yes you will....." King Othniel said, as he calmly got up from his throne and approached his son, with the authority and aura that only a king can possess. "You will do it, and not only will you do it but you will report to me everything that happens and you will also attend every gathering with the envoys and ambassadors from the other kingdoms. Do you understand." The king added calmly as he stood with all his glory in front of his son.
Xavian clutched his fist, gritting his teeth he said. "Dear father, aren't there more capable individuals in the king's court who are better suited for this kind of thing? Wouldn't it be troublesome if this naive, incompetent, and unfilial son of yours manages something as important as the Loriennian tournament of power?"
The Loriennian tournament of power is the annual tournament held every year in Valencia. It is held in honor of the ancestors who fought valiantly to ensure peace across the realm. A Veiled Accord disguised as a friendly tournament between nations and only the royal courts, the elites and elders of each nation know the true importance of it.
King Othniel patted his son's shoulders and smiled, clearly satisfied with the expression on Xavian's face. It was more than worth his waiting. He grinned internally. "Don't say that Xavian, you are more than capable. Afterall you're my son." King Othniel said.
Xavian let out an exaggerated eye roll, tilting his head in disbelief. "Father please. I know you are doing this to punish me but please.. anything but this." He begged. He wanted to stay as far away as possible from that tournament. It is practically torture for him. He'd rather be locked up and tortured in the dungeon than spend even a second in that colosseum.
"Father please reconsider..." Xavian pleaded and the King just clicked his tongue and walked away with that smile still plastered on his face. He was silently telling Xavian that his decision was final and there was nothing he could do.
He knew very well how much Xavian hated that tournament. It was more than torture for him but he couldn't care less, Xavian deserved it. It was a well deserved punishment. Besides it was crucial for him to be there this time and watch over everything. No one in the palace is as suitable for this task than Xavian. He is the most capable person for this and nothing would change his mind. Xavian would attend this tournament whether he liked it or not.
Xavian kept calling after him begging him to reconsider, but the king was having non of it, He didn't even spare Xavian a second glance and walked out of the court room.
Xavian could only groan loudly in frustration. He ran a hand through his hair and laughed in disbelief. His father was really doing this to him. He groaned again and stomped angrily to his chambers.
*******
"All of you out!" Xavian growled as soon as he stepped into his room. All the servants scurried away like insects. Non dared to look back afraid of turning into an outlet for the prince's rage.
Xavian threw a vase across the room in a fit of anger. He couldn't believe his father would go through such lengths to punish him! "He planned this the whole time, didn't he?" He asked particularly no one and just slumped on his bed.
He knew his father was going to punish him for what he did to his guards but he never expected it to be like this!!. This was far from what he had imagined. That tournament has been nothing but pure mental and physical torture for him since he could remember.
He sat upright abruptly "Father is definitely plotting something....."
"And what could that possibly be." A voice interrupted him.
Xavian lifted his head to see a beautiful woman standing in his chamber. Her ebony-black hair framed her face perfectly, and her crimson eyes were watching him with quiet amusement.
" Its you..." he muttered, rising to his feet.