Kings and Heirs (A Da-iCE Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

"Is he here? The man I had requested?"

"Yes, he was very difficult to locate sir but we have-"

King Yudai Ohno of Celeste cut off the guard with a wave of his hand. "Please, just bring him in." After waiting an entire day, his patience was wearing dangerously thin. He glanced around his almost empty throne room, save a few paintings of his family and a single throne. He looked up at his father's colorless eyes and sighed to himself. "I will do whatever it takes to keep this kingdom safe."

A memory of his father materialized before his eyes. One that often showed its face when doubt crept around his heart. "Yudai... my little prince," his father said fondly and knelt down to his level. "Do you see all this land? It's beautiful, is it not? Someday, this will be your kingdom. When you become of age, my crown will become yours. This land will become yours as will the people. You have to be a good king. Even better than me. Do not fail me, Yudai. Do not fail them." The memory would fade to another, less serene memory, but just as vivid. His hand ached, a shadow of the pain his father inflicted upon him. He looked down at his hand, almost seeing the red marks left by the whip which was used against him whenever he was anything less of a prince of Celeste. If he spoke out of line, came to formal meetings with a speck of dirt or messy hair or if he even suggested a career which strayed from his princely duties, the whip would be brought down. "The best lessons are often learned through pain, my little one."

After his father passed, he did whatever he could to meet his father's expectations. He closed off his heart and kept his focus on one thing only, his kingdom. There was no time, or room, for love in his life. His only duty was his kingdom and he would stop at nothing to achieve eternal peace for the citizens of Celeste. He thought he had been doing a good job of it as well, however the vision he had caused doubt within his mind.

Fire, war, death and famine... all at the hands of the kingdom of Silverwind. The king of Silverwind broke the peace treaty held in place so long ago. Yudai's meal had been poisoned and Silverwind claimed responsibility of the action. He knew if he did not stop this king, than all hope would be lost.

"You had requested my audience, my lord?" A man, who appeared in the door way said respectfully and bowed his head down, his light blonde hair covering his face.

The king pushed away the ghosts of the past and the shadow of doubt before nodding at the man. "Yes, thank you for coming so quickly," he replied and gestured for him to rise. Although he knew this man by name, he had never met him before. Despite the age he was given, this man seemed much much younger. This man of 23 years looked as if he was just a young teen. However he would not be fooled by his looks, his sources told him he could kill just as efficiently as any man twice his age.

"Anything to serve my king." The man smiled and stood tall with his hands behind his back.

"Not just me, the entire kingdom, Hayate." The king replied with a smile before pacing a bit. "You know both the kingdom of Celeste and the kingdom of Silverwind have been at peace for many years now. However I feel as if this peace will not last forever. You see, I was granted a dream like vision, one where the king of Silverwind poisoned my food, plunging this kingdom into chaos. So I am appointing you to... watch the king."

Hayate's eyes widened, the only sign of distress in the man's body. "I... Watch the king, sir?" He asked hesitantly.

"Watch, spy, babysit, whatever you want to call it," the king waved off. "My point is, I want you to make sure the king isn't up to any funny business. Can you handle it?"

"Y-Yes, of course. They do say I am the best after all."

The king let out a smile and nodded, he was not wrong in trusting this one. "Is there anything you will require before your journey. If you need anything, please inform my head guard. He will take care of anything you should require."

Hayate Wada bowed his head, "of course. I will not fail you, your majesty."

"Not only me. But the entire kingdom," the King reminded gently and dismissed the man.

Once he left, the king say back down on his throne. He would do whatever it takes to keep this peace between the two kingdoms.

"Are you proud of me now father?"