Leba watched from atop the Northwing of the palace as his father led the Hundred Legions to the north. He'd tied his blond hair in a bun, something that had earned him a rebuke from his mother who stood beside him. He wore a white tunic and white pants, complete with white sandals, something that had also irked his mother. When his ancestors had raised the hundred banners representing each Legion as they charged with annihilation in mind, the whole of Binoria had worn red in honor of the Legions and the King. Even now from atop the Palace’s, Leba could see a sea of red washed over the entire city. Even beggars sported the color and the Royal Black Guard crowded upon the roof had strands of red cloth tied to the sleeves of their black leather armor. Only Leba wore complete white, a color that matched his smile as he thought of his defiance in the face of tradition.

"He tamed a Telinete Rhino!" Dahli said and turned to face Queen Lamical. "Can you believe that, mother?" Her grey eyes were wide. The shock of what his father had done had faded almost immediately for him yet Dahli clung to the memory like a web upon a wall. She constantly repeated the wonder she'd witnessed as if she'd been the only one present. Leba knew her childlike awe was a front to throw off many, beneath it all was a woman with plans within plans.

"He is truly magnificent dear, a true symbol of Binoria's greatness." Queen Lamical said, her hands pressing her ruby red dress as she spoke. "The King will certainly make the Kolotian pay for what he'd done to us and at the same time avenge Desan's death at the hands of the Talisi."

Dahli nodded vigorously and turned her head back to observe the dust rising in the Legions' wake. They marched in unison, Ranks and columns of foot soldiers behind the cavalry. At the front was King Vayin upon his Telinete, looking majestic in his gold armored suit. He was but a speck in the distance yet Leba could see the confidence his father portrayed, bringing about a certainty that imbued the half a million trailing him with the nonchalant air of one who'd won the battle before it was even fought.

"How did he even manage to do it? Standing still as the Telinete charged! There is no one in the realm capable of such a feat! Abso-"

Leba couldn't take it anymore, he cut off Dahli's rant before she started frothing in the mouth and waving her hands about like a Red priest during a sermon. "The Kolotian did it, somewhat easily if I might add." There were about thirty Royal Black Guards on the roof with them, flanking and standing behind the Royal family. Masutap, the newly appointed, Rank one stood closest to Dahli. At his words everyone turned to him. He shrugged. "I'm just saying. No need to suck the man's cock over it. We all saw the Kolotian do the same thing."

"Leba!" Queen Lamical said, her eyes narrowing at him. "You will hold that wretched tongue of yours, you shall not speak so regarding your father."

"Sorry, mother." Leba said without meeting his mother's eyes. He turned his head to Dahli, she eyed him with contempt. Her red dress was laced low at the back and her shoulder blades slightly protruded beneath pale white skin. "I'm sorry for my thoughtless words, sister, I am just a little bitter that father left you in charge of the Kingdom despite you being younger than me." Dahli blinked at his words, she had not expected sincerity. The joke was on her, it was all a facade. He'd inwardly rejoiced and outwardly raged when the King had called them all and announced that he would leave the Kingdom in his youngest child's hands. Leba had worried about how he'd escape the city under the responsibility of governance but his father's need to spite him was an avenue he hadn't expected.

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"Your absence after the events of the Nula Anyl made you lose favor in father's eyes." Dahli said while turning back to observe the masses of soldiers that seemed to be a never ending trickle towards the horizon. Leba didn't reply, he only nodded. He'd come back from the south and told all who'd asked that he'd been in hiding within the city during the whole time, fearing for his life lest Desan's killers seek him out. His father had branded him a coward and had made his displeasure known. I wonder what he'd think of me if he'd known where I'd truly been.

"Do not envy me Leba, there is not much to being left in charge." Dahli spoke. Her wonder filled tone had subsided, in its place was the voice of one who ponders. Her true self. "It's as if my freedom has been restricted further, having to be tailed by Masutap wherever I go."

"The King has personally charged me with your safety, Princess, I am to always be by your side until his return." Masutap said. She stood with her hands pressed to her sides and her feet facing forward. A true symbol of professionalism. Leba wondered whether her new found position had changed her. Masutap had always been an odd one and hard to figure out, now she played the role of a guardian with ease as if she'd been born to it. Yet. There was something about her Leba couldn't quite put his finger on. Something in the way she sometimes looked at him. At first he'd mistaken it for desire, he was a Vigon after all and such attention from women wasn't unheard of. Now he doubts it was the case, there was something else.

A short silence ensued that was punctuated by Dahli. "I still can't believe the Commander Rehny attempted to assault father then ran off to join the Talisi! I hope the King brings his corpse back, flayed and headless."

Lamical cleared her throat and excused herself, claiming the weather was against her and she could brace the cold gusts of wind upon the roof no more. Ten Royal Black Guards tailed her as she left. Leba managed to catch a glimpse of his mother's face before her departure, she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

Leba's wait was no longer necessary, his mother's departure ensured his own won't stand out. "Well, seeing that you're in charge of the Kingdom, Dahli, I shall retire to my chambers and I shall stay locked within until father's return. I am to be fed by servants through an open window, having them toss me bread as I wallow in a melancholic haze. I will not lift a finger to help you neither will I answer your call seeing that you were deemed more appropriate for the task of leadership, it'd be a shame if father was wrong and I will do my best to ignore you so as to give chance to such a hypothesis." Leba said and turned to depart.

"The blessed of Meena is never wrong." Dahli replied without turning to face him. Leba nodded and departed the roof with several guards tailing him. It'd be difficult to place one of his servants as a decoy within his chambers as he sought to escape the city and head south. It would be difficult to shake off the Royal Black Guard whose vigilance had been heightened since his brother's death. But necessity is the mother of invention, he'd find away. He always did.