Reincarnated Prince just wants a quiet life

Part 14 : Two Lions

Leaving the stage and the cheers of the people behind I followed my parents in silence as we returned to the palace. As we entered the palace Darica, Luna, Millim and a small escort of guards were waiting for us and silently joined us as we proceeded deeper into the palace. It wasn't until we were in my fathers study that my mother spoke and asked the guards to stand outside.

Once the doors closed I could almost feel the air pressure change and get heavier. As my father took a seat behind a large desk he looked at me with a cold stare that would make most men shrink with fear. All traces of the mans' smile and easy going nature were gone and all that was left was a stern and rugged look that could make boulders bend the knee. "Sit" was all he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Taking a seat on one of the sofas that littered the room I met my fathers gaze and waited for him to speak. After a moment everyone had settled into a sofa except my mother who stood at my fathers side. Pinching the bridge of his nose my father let out a sigh before speaking, "Ivan... do you have any idea what you've done?"

"I do not understand Father, I merely gave a speech that the people seemed to love" I replied.

"Do not play dumb boy!" My mother shouted, "How many times have I told you that your words and actions affect not just yourself but the nation on a whole!"

"I am very aware of that Mother, I took that into consideration as well before I delivered that speech." I said flatly.

"You fool of a boy!" She shouted, "I ought to take you over my knee right here and now!" She moved as if she meant to carry that threat out but was stopped by my fathers outstretched hand.

"Calm yourself Catlin." he said in a low voice devoid of emotion, "Ivan do you understand the ramifications that your speech will have? News of this will spread to other nations, nations far more powerful than Whilhelmin. They will see this as taunt and many will start thinking they will like to test our resolve. Your actions could very well bring about our ruin. Do you understand that Ivan?"

"The lion can not protect himself from traps, and the fox can not frighten the wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps and a lion to frighten the wolves." I said in a cold tone, "You said so yourself Mother, we are surrounded by enemies, the world wants to see us perish and be erased from the history books. To see our peoples enslaved or killed. We are surrounded by hungry wolves chopping at the bit to swallow us up. I mean to remind these 'wolves' that we are not a fox that they can scare into submission, but a lion that should be feared."

There was a stunned look on my parents' faces as well as Luna and Millim. They looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. After a long silence I coughed before speaking again, "Mother, Father, word of our victory will spread that is unavoidable. But whether or not we use that to our advantage is entirely up to us. With my speech the nations of the world will know that we are not some easy prey, they will think twice before moving against us. With the time afforded to us by this we can focus on other matters closer to home and strengthen ourselves so that when the time comes and we must defend ourselves once more we will be ready."

"Ivan... I must offer you an apology." my mother said in a soft tone, "I had not thought that you would have contemplated so much about this."

"That you would consider the interests of the nation and look so far ahead." my father started then looked at me with a softer expression, "You never cease to amaze me, son."

With that my father dismissed us and after saying our goodbyes to each other we all went our separate ways, save my mother who stayed behind with my father. As we walked the halls of the palace I felt Darcia intertwine her arm with mine and walk alongside me with her head on my arm. We went on like this for some time in silence before she finally spoke up "Ivan, all you alright?"