The Royal Command

Ch 7

Background of Zeke (inspired by his original background but not entirely)

This is from a narrator's point of view.

—
On August the first, the year 1825— it was the day that the duchy rejoiced.

The commoner's applause and cheers replenished the once quiet area of the ample streets of Yeager's great land. The royal family and the aristocratic faction congratulated dearly through delivering stacks of lavish presents ranging from luxury goods to holy-sacred items for the ducal couple. Princess Dina, who was now known as Duchess Dina, and the almighty Lord of Yeager, Duke Grisha, were celebrating in utter joy and affection for another and their new added variable as the news of the newborn, blonde Yeager baby spread through the ears of every citizen of the Paradis Island like a contagious disease.

But just what did this baby do to deserve the spotlight of the nation? Well, before and during years that seemed never to end, the lovely ducal couple extorted much effort into conceiving a child. Whether it be a son or a daughter, it needn't matter much. They'd still love their child unconditionally. However, at some times, it appears they've been over-confident. Too naive to believe that they would receive their desired grace after intermittency of their worship to God— even the high priest, the most regarded man in this nation spoke: "Your highnesses, why haven't you relied upon the holy hands of Our Father? He is our savior, the..." And so, the priest continued with his babbles that some may arguably believe to be true.

Indeed, the couple did take note of Priest Nick's lengthy chatter, and they must've been much obliged to Priest Nick and the Gods above as, after a triannual, Grisha successfully impregnated his beloved wife. At the same time, she thankfully gave birth to their newborn, Zeke, with much safety.

"My son!" Grisha screamed with glee and proudness. "He's my son!" He flaunts around his infant child, momentarily, though gently, grabbing away Zeke from her mother's maternal care. Grisha's usual dull eyes were truly blessed by the sight that beholds. His son, his Zeke , resembled much of his mother through the matching color of their eyes, while his face structure matches Grisha's.

But Grisha has not forgotten about his precious wife. Quickly with the baby in his hands, he sat next to her wife's fatigue body as her back laid upon the silky headboard. "Congratulations, my wife. You have done well." He kissed the sweaty forehead of his duchess while exchanging smiles and laughter at the baby's adorable antics.

***

That same baby everyone gloried grew to become a charming, charismatic, intelligent spoiled brat who'd skip mandatory classes and spend the sunny days playing hopscotch with servants whose age was similar to his. And despite the many warnings from the patrons of the Yeager land, Dina nor the duke himself could not bear to scream or scare the little boy with their anger. "Your majesty, I mean no harm. However, Young Master Zeke will be the future heir of this dukedom! He mustn't take for granted his classes!" The older man of the Arlet Family reminded as he and Grisha stared at the free-spirited Zeke, who had played in the gardens, with disappointment from the insides of Grisha's glass office.

The duke sighed, a frown reappearing. "I know." He confesses with embarrassment, eyes lowering to the textiles of the ground. He couldn't even come to continue to look at his hyper child. "He wouldn't listen to me."

"My apologies, your grace, but based on my perspective, your grace has been too soft on him! Perhaps you should-"

"You know I could never do that." Grisha knew the man beside him was correct, no matter how much he looked at it. As the duke of Yeager's powerful and influential land, of course, it is becoming for him to produce high-quality heirs that qualify onto society's ideal standard for a leader. But yet, here he was, with his son prancing around the playgrounds instead of attending to his obligations. A slight embarrassment had tinted his immense love for the kid. "I know you are concerned, Lord Arlet. And I thank you very much for the consistent support you have shown to my family. However, this boy has been born stubborn, just like my father." Currently, it seems like Grisha was running out of ideas for excuses for his son's unflattering behavior. From claiming that Zeke was diagnosed with some unknown mental illness that caused him to often hyperventilate to saying that this was Zeke's way of releasing his stress towards his unwanted subjects, and now, blaming it on the prestigious blood of his own family. "Moreover, can the duchess persuade that cunning head of his? Of course not."