**King Zircon's POV:**
As the King of Dardania, it is my duty to decide what is best for my people. Leading a kingdom during a crisis is incredibly challenging.
To ease the tension, I decided to wander around my castle. The Trojan War weighs heavily on my mind...
On my way to Gema's room, I encountered Nicko.
**King Zircon:** "Heading to Gema?"
I asked. He bowed before me and responded:
**Nicko:** "Yes, Your Majesty."
I was struck by his politeness, which reminded me of my daughter, Gema, and the same courtesy she had shown yesterday.
We walked together toward my daughter's room, with him keeping three steps behind me.
**King Zircon:** "So tell me, Nicko, who taught you to perform with such good manners?"
I stopped walking and tried to make eye contact with him.
**Nicko:** "I was trained by my mother."
I continued to stare, listening intently, sensing he wanted to add more.
**Nicko:** "Even before I was born, my father's only concern was to gain knowledge—knowledge that those around him didn't understand."
I didn't quite grasp his point, but I remained attentive.
**King Zircon:** "And?"
**Nicko:** "With all the time he spent learning, he failed to notice he was aging. My mother was afraid that all his efforts would go to waste."
I continued to listen as I invited him to walk alongside me to Gema's room.
**Nicko:** "She then subjected me to rigorous training so I could carry on my father's legacy."
I was stunned, feeling clueless as I watched him recount his story. Suddenly, I realized I had lost track of time, and he had already concluded his tale.
**Nicko:** "And that's about it, Your Majesty."
I didn't fully understand. While I believed him, everything he said felt odd and strange. From my perspective, it made little sense, and I hesitated to ask him about the connection to my original question—who truly trained him, his mother or his father?
As we arrived at Gema's door, I smiled at Nicko, pretending to have enjoyed his story, and then entered my daughter's room.
I saw Gema sitting by the window, gazing at the beautiful scenery the Hellespont Sea had to offer.
I glanced at Nicko again, making eye contact to establish a connection, then signaled for him to step ahead and join the princess.
**Gema:** "Nicko, what a beautiful view, isn’t it?"
**Nicko:** "One of the finest, Your Highness."
**Gema:** "I wonder... From where does the sun rise? From the sea, and the moon chases after it?"
**Nicko:** "It is the sun god, Apollo, who now carries 'The Chariot of the Sun,' which was once borne by the former sun god, Helios. He rides a ship back to the east by night, Your Royal Highness."
**Gema:** "Nicko?"
**Nicko:** "Yes, Your Highness?"
**Gema:** "Please tell me more about it, Nicko..."
**Nicko:** "Yes, Your Highness."
I slowly approached them, as I am also curious in what Nicko was about to say.
