The World of Emns 2: Arena

Chapter 10: Secret inheritance

"Alexander von Masterno Vs. Connor Viper."

Alexander got up, stretched, then looked down at all the people around him. His smirk was gross and infuriating. Something Olivia definitely wanted to punch if given the chance.

"Time to show you all what a true mage looks like," he said with a high tone to his voice as he strutted down the stairs.

"You say that as if we haven't seen full magical mastery and people who can seemingly freeze time today," Steven said in a gravely tone as Alexander passed him. The latter scoffed at him.

"As if I should take the opinion of a lowly farmer boy. At least, you don't look like someone who comes from anything high end."

"You have no idea," Kaya replied with a large grin on her face.

Alexander scoffed again and moved forward towards the stage.

"Wait," Olivia looked if Ruhnim was still seated next to Steven. He wasn't. He moved on to Wynn and Kyzer, the latter of which didn't seem very interested. She then spoke in a hushed tone so only Steven, Kaya, and Ariana could hear her. "Steven was technically the prince of Fynlone at some point, wasn't he? Since your dad took over as the king of Fynlone ages ago."

"Technically," Steven took over, "if I announced myself with proof of my identity I could become the king of Fynlone."

Olivia's eyes narrowed. She didn't believe it for a second. Even with how serious Steven usually was about things like this, there was no way, right? She looked over to Kaya, who was looking up and thinking. A few moments later, she looked back down at Steven, then at Olivia, and nodded.

"No, yeah. He's right," she said, with an expression that seemed like she was very surprised by it herself. "Fynlone law states that the throne will always be inherited by the oldest living child, regardless of gender, from the previous king or queen. Even if the king or queen gets killed, assassinated, steps down willingly, or is condemned for atrocious horrors. If no living offspring of the current ruler exist the most qualified family, usually a rich one, will be chosen instead by close advisors of the previous ruler. In rare cases, the citizens are allowed to vote for a new ruler. It's happened before that an unknown son of an old ruler proclaimed himself, and the new family had to step down. This eventually led to that family trying to execute the rightful king by law. Steven, being to oldest known living offspring of an ex king of Fynlone, Manstear Clipium, technically has the biggest claim to the throne of Fynlone."

Olivia's jaw dropped. She stared Steven down, who had been gazing forward the entire time while Kaya dropped her explanation.

"I probably never will though," Steven added. "I have no interest in being king, and right now I especially feel like I can't trust the Fynlone mage squad and whoever is in control of them."

Olivia suddenly aggressively poked Steven's side, which finally made him look at her.

"Uh..."

Olivia pouted. "Why did you never tell me?"

Steven tried to look away again, but as Olivia poked harder and harder he simply couldn't ignore it.

"I just knew it would make you ask me so many questions, okay?! And I was afraid you knew how the Fynlone law works and you'd tell me that 'of course you knew! Anyone could put that together.' I didn't feel like being talked down to over something like this that doesn't matter."

Olivia stopped poking and sighed. "I'm not from Fynlone. I barely know the rules in Chronest. But don't ever be afraid to share something with me, please. I like hearing you talk."

Steven turned away again, clearly not liking the topic. But now, he had a soft blush on his face.

"But then..." Olivia's volume dropped even more, so now only Steven could hear her. "If your brother is still alive, and since he's older than you... Doesn't that mean he has the right to the throne and not you."