"Your highness, the Queen is requesting your presence in the western saloon after you breakfast." Informed Mary, Kai's former nursemaid and caretaker, now his most trusted servant.
"Hmm," replied Kai through a mouthful of strawberry. His slender pale fingers and lips were stained pink by the strawberries, his golden eyes closed, fully enjoying the sweet fruit that was FINALLY in season.
He sighed internally. He was sure it was another marriage proposal from some noble lady's father, trying to make their way to the royal palace and enjoy royal status.
Ever since he had come of age 2 years ago they had been endless. Every lord, duke and knight seemed to have a "beautiful daughter who would make a wonderful wife for the Prince."
Thankfully, the proposals had to be made through either the queen or king and because the king had a country to run, they were usually sent to his mother, Queen Astra.
Kai did not blame them though. He was aware of his family's power and strength and in Beryllia, those two things meant everything.
The matter was much worse because he had never even been attracted to anyone, male or female. Well no one except him...
Kai blushed, shaking his head to chase away the thought as he looked down at the breakfast spread.
He would most likely never see that person again.
Remembering that person made him suddenly lose his appetite and he rose from his seat, causing Mary to raise her eyebrows in surprise. Despite the fact that Kai never seemed to gain weight, that boy ate like no other but Mary was quite used to it. She had after all helped raise all three of his older siblings and they were all the same in that way.
"My Prince, are you feeling well?"
"Yes of course Mary. I am quite well," he smiled, his inky black curls obscuring his eyes.
He walked over to the sink that had been cleverly disguised as a vase and washed his hands his eyes wandering around the room as he did so.
The conservatory where Kai loved to breakfast was small compared to the other rooms in the palace but it was easily one of his favorites.
The room had a garden view which could be seen through the glass wall which provided the room with natural lighting all year round.
The decor was much to Kai's liking. That is to say it was simple and uncluttered giving an airy feel to the room. There was a round table where Kai ate, often joined by his siblings or parents and huge arm chairs could be found throughout the room. And of course the feature present in all the rooms liked spending time in, a bookshelf.
He finished up and shook off the water drops, drying his hands on his dark blue jaydore (A/n: its basically a kimono) which earned a stern glare from Mary but he just smiled sheepishly and gave her an apologetic shrug.
They exited the room together through the large cedar doors which had a guards holding a Beryllian spears flanking each side.
He waved at Obern and Renin, the guards on duty today and they bowed their heads in response.
"Your highness" they said in unison.
The king had made sure that his family knew the names and faces of every servant and worker, from the errand boys to the guard captain. Although he had had difficulty remembering it all as a child, Kai was now shocked at the idea that some nobles really had no idea who was working for them. Knowing everyone's face had saved his family from numerous assassination attempts throughout the years.
Kai greeted everyone he met and didn't think much of his summoning until he began feeling a bit tired of walking.
His mother was not a lazy person but she wouldn't walk all the way to the western saloon just to inform Kai of a wedding proposal, especially when her personal office was so close to the conservatory.
So why was she there now? Wondered Kai silently. He trusted Mary completely so he was sure the reason wasn't bad. In fact Mary's face hadn't stopped twitching around the corner of her mouth since they had left the conservatory. She was obviously hiding something, and Kai was suddenly extremely curious.
And as they stopped in front the saloon's elaborately carved door his suspicions were confirmed. her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Mary, what's going on?" He asked teasingly accusatory tone.
"You'll just have to see my Prince."
And with that she pushed open the double doors. He froze when he saw what was inside the room.
It was definitely not his mother.
"Miss me?"
