In Time And Memories

Chapter Nine

The knights are wandering around the training ground in the Imperial Palace. It's a normal routine for them to train every day no matter what season it is.

"I'm tired, Urus. I'm also busy with paper works, you know." Urus raised his eyebrow at Xiel. Both of them are panting for air while standing idly by. They just finished their sparring with knights around them.

Urus threw his sword on the ground and went to the near table to get his towel. "I didn't even ask you to come here," he said indifferently.

Xiel looked at his cousin with a done expression. His lips formed into a thin line while watching Urus wipe off his sweat.

Only a few weeks before Urus' coming-of-age ceremony. It's been a peaceful time for them; no issues from the nobles yet which is a quite strange event. Xiel can't help but wonder what the nobles are up to now?

They're strangely quiet.

Aside from usual rumors and reactions from the people to Urus, there's nothing new.

Urus glanced at Xiel when he suddenly fell silent; serious expression and glaring eyes. He grabbed the glass of water and splashed it on Xiel's face- Making him scream.

"Don't make that face, it scares me," Urus teased the puffing Xiel.

The water went down on Xiel's upper body and its coldness is making him tremble. Now, he looked like a poor wet cat.

"Bastard!" Xiel exclaimed but Urus only smirked at him.

They are used to each other's mischievous actions and despite their constant teasing and bickering, they still get along well with each other. Urus would rather choose Xiel than his half-brother, Prince Pierre.

Xiel is the only person who can treat Urus informally.

"It seems like your brother has a girl now," Xiel muttered. On the pathway outside of the prince's palace, a girl and Prince Pierre are walking side by side. It's quite a distance between their location but Xiel can see it clearly.

The girl with long red hair- That reaches her buttocks and is paired with yellow eyes. It's Lady Azelaine of house Laurenze.

It seems like they're having a serious conversation due to the projection of their expression. The prince and Azelaine stopped walking; Prince Pierre faced her and caressed her face.

Xiel's mouth formed into an oh shape while looking at them. It's rude to stare but he just couldn't help it, he's too curious to see.

He smirked. "Someone might take the throne from you, crown prince."

"What?" Urus' forehead are already creased when he looked at him. Xiel motioned his head towards the prince's direction; gesturing him to look and Urus obliged.

"Who's that?" Urus asked.

He abruptly turned his head on Urus with a contorted face. "You don't know her?!" He just couldn't believe that Urus doesn't know Azelaine- Who is famous because of her beauty, talent, and intelligence.

"Do you think I'll ask you who is she if I know her?" Urus' words are like an arrow shot through Xiel's chest. Sometimes, he couldn't help but pity himself because of his cousin's brute personality.

"Well, that's Lady Azelaine of house Laurenze. Probably the heir of Laurenze dukedom since his brother is not interested in power," Xiel explained later on. "And I know that you're aware of the influence their family holds."

Laurenze dukedom may have a wide influence but they still can't oppose the emperor- Only if they convinced him to strip Urus' title as the crown prince.

"If they happen to get wed in the future, just imagine the power Pierre will hold. Maybe they could kick you out."

As much as Urus wants to keep his position as the crown prince, he doesn't want to meddle in his brother's relationship. If they'll marry each other in the near future then it's none of his business. He can still find so many ways to protect his title.

Urus has sworn to his mother that he'll keep it.

"You're right, maybe they can but it won't be easy. As long as the emperor lives, there are a lot of ways for me to stay as the crown prince." Urus paused and took a deep breath. "House of Arthoion still stands strong to back me up."

Xiel couldn't help but smirk at Urus' last statement. Their dukedom may not be as strong as the Laurenze but it's still the family and dukedom of the late empress.

"Your highness." The head butler suddenly appeared in front of them. He bowed his head to Urus before he continue his statement. "The emperor wants you to meet him in his office," the head butler said then bowed his head again.

Xiel and Urus looked at each other. No one dared to say a word until Urus glared at Xiel. "W-What?" Xiel asked him; something weird is creeping in him because of that look.

"Open it," Urus commanded.

Just as I thought.

Xiel figured out that Urus wants him to open a portal and in the end, he has no choice but to oblige. He opened a portal for Urus inside the emperor's office.

With just one step, Urus is already there along with the head butler. The emperor is sitting in front of his table- Filled with papers and other important things.

"Your Imperial Highness, the crown prince is here," the head butler announced then the emperor gestured his hand to acknowledge it. The head butler stepped away from them to leave the room. While Urus stood there with his head slightly hanging down.

"Have you already decided which lady will you choose on your birthday?" The emperor asked straight to the point.

Somehow, Urus already expected that this is the reason why the emperor called him. It's a royal law that a prince or princess has to choose their future consort on the day of their coming-of-age.

"Not yet. I doubt that someone is willing to be my consort."

The emperor laughed at his bluntness. It's no secret that most nobles hate him- Even the emperor is well aware of it. People even tend to exaggerate things about him or they're intentionally spreading rumors about him.

It's slander against a member of the Imperial Family but... Most rumors are also true.

"Here's the candidate for your future consort." Urus accepted the file from the emperor. "Choose someone wise and not greedy for power." Urus knows it well- What the emperor is trying to say to him.

He gave respect first before he left the room. While walking in the hallway, Urus passed a room with a slightly opened door.

Some murmurs are coming inside from the room; making him stop in his tracks. Without peaking inside it, he recognized those voices. It's Queen Frizella and her son, Prince Pierre.

Perhaps, he heard something he shouldn't have.

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