Chapter 4: The Adversary And Kingship.

We were in front of the palace's gate, looking back this place was pretty high up, these stair's are no joke our front yard was so big I didn't even bother wanting to play with other kids down there because it's so tiring. The guard on the side who wore a full set of armor dashed in front us and asked for identification. I simply unhood myself and that was enough. He opened the golden gate and gestured us to come through, he did eye Targun quite a bit though but since we were with him all the doubts he had, vanished.

Ahh just walking through this place is like visiting memory lane. I glanced left and right pointing here and there 'Look that's where I injured my knee!' and 'That slide was so hot at day.' I reminisced the good times like a true old man. We arrived at the giant pearly white door, I pushed it open with both of my hand's, it was unexpectedly light. I entered the palace and I was hit immediately with a sense of déjà vu this was my first time visiting this place in 8 years.

"!... What are you doing?" Being thrown out of my daydream, I questioned the maid that had wrapped her arm around mine.

"Please let me take care of this." She put her arms around me and took off my heavy backpack with ease.

"O-ok..." Suprised at the kind gesture I thanked her.

Wait, what am I doing? This is only natural, they're just doing their job so what am I thanking her for? As I contemplated my thought's, another one came forth with a towel this time.

"The bath is ready my lord." Said the maid.

"U-uh..."

"Lunch is finished. Would you like to eat first?" Another popped out of thin air.

"Would you like a massage my lord? I am sure that your muscles are sore." She completed the trio and pushed their heads together. To be honest they were all pretty cute.

"Oh... uhm..." My eyes began spinning in circles. I forgot how doting they are when it comes to royalty.

"Uh you see we're here to console father at the moment. So I'd appreciate it if we were escorted to him." My big brother saves day

The trio whispered to one another and went rushing to him. And the crowd goes crazy. Targun explored on his own and left us. I sighed but I smelled a pretty fragrant smell coming from the left chambers. I walked towards the left path and peeked into the hallway. My jaw dropped. What I saw could only be considered as eye-candy. Her bright red hair swooshed majestically through the wind as she walked with her eyes closed. She wore a white dress while basking in the sunlight and it gave her an elegant afterglow. I didn't recognize her at first because her mannerism's and posture is just simply perfect. Before I said anything she was already infront of me. She opened her eyes and smiled.

"Big brother. Welcome home." She tilted her head and perfomed a curtsy. Her posture remained steady and had no flaw's with how she posed. Im pretty sure she even breathed perfectly.

"...Kimiyu?" I asked.

"Yes. It's me." She held out her palm and winked.

I hugged her and started rubbing the back of her head while tears of joy glided down my face.

"WAAAHHH! How dare they make my little sister such an angel!." I cried while I buried her face in my chest.

"Big brother. Stop." She demanded expressionless.

"O-oh sniff a-alright." I pulled her away while I rubbed my eyes.

"Well. Since you're with elder brother I guess you two are here to console father?." She kept a perfect poker face.

Woah she's so... distant. It's like were just strangers to her just by the way she talk's. No this isn't right. I may have viewed the past with rose-tinted glasses but I know for a fact that siblings don't interact like this.

"Hey. Tell me. What happened?" I put both of my hands on her shoulders.

"What do you mean, big brother?" She shot me a quizzical look.

"It's just that I feel like you're pushing us away. I know that you're practically a princess now. But shouldn't you be nicer to your siblings?."

I knew at the time that she had probably worked really hard to get her status, in this environment artificially made by father, I wonder just how long she can hold up before breaking down. Just as I thought that though. She stared at the floor before coming back up to answer me.

"You're right. I'm sorry." She walked past me, albeit appearing rather disheveled, she fixed it while she walked and disappeared into the chambers.

"Hahh." I sighed and scratched my head before going back to regroup with my brother.

We had somewhere to go too unfortunately. Gone were day's I used to lounge around with her, playing and laughing were gone, I guess it's a bit disheartening and at the same time I'm proud of her, she carved her own shell and would be ready to take on life more seriously.

When we arrived at the hall where the door of my parent's room stood at the end, brought back pretty unpleasant memories. Though I feel content and fuzzy inside, I didn't want to linger on her grave anymore. It's better to leave the dead, well dead. The three maid's followed us while they clung onto big brother. We entered the room and the maid assigned to father scolded the three just outside the door. She gave us the green light as he was ready to talk.

"Father. I've come to take the throne."

"...Ahh... Fugard, my beloved boy."

He laid there as he reached out with his arms. He looked terrible, Black spots dotted his wrinkled skin. I could only look at him with disgust. I didn't have anything against him anymore. I just stared at the pitiful sight of a person feared so much in their prime laying here. Someone that had fallen from so high it's unbelievable.

"Hey. Wipe that smug face off yours before I cut it off." Bellowed from my side.

"!..." I whipped my face to his.

"Tsk. Arrogant much? Coming in here and saying you'll take the throne. Are you mocking me?" He scorned at me.

I didn't even notice his presence. He was practically air before he talked to me. He was a rather puzzling fellow, he had brown hair with slight hints of blonde and it was styled in a bizarre way. He bore gloves and a sword near his waist that had a handle that wrapped around your fist.

"Who are you?" I asked, not lowering my guard one bit.

"You don't even know of me? You don't fit the position of king!" He spat out.

"What do you mean?!" I put my hand in my robe and behind me.

"I am the rightful heir to the throne! I am Yiorgos Achilleos!" He screamed with full confidence

"Hey father, how expensive is this?" I pointed at a vase with a meticulous design.

"HEY!, DONT IGNORE ME!" He revolted.

I forgot what his rambling's held, A few snips and pieces did catch my attention though, he was the prince of the Achilleos family and was a branch of the Zxaron family.

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"You dare spit on my faction! I shall take pride and achieve action!" He unsheathed his sword and rushed towards me, bringing his arms far above his head.

"Hey, hey. What the hell?!" I put my dagger in front of me, barely being able to block it at the right time. If I didn't glance at him with the corner of my eye, I'd been split into two by now.

"Guh... Fine then, I challenge you to a duel to the death!" He dashed back and threw his glove on the floor sealing the duel.

"Hff... Now?" I armed my dagger.

"No, of course not. I could not afford to commit such a sickly act in front of my highness." He bowed to my deathly ill father before adding.

"Therefore, please let this duel serve to be the final test you shall bestow upon us, as the rightful king of the throne." He narrowed his eyes at me before slowly walking to me and approached me to my ear.

"Hey!" I warned.

"Tomorrow afternoon, In front of our halls gate. Bring no one with you, prepare all you want, I'll win this battle." He stepped towards the door before leaving.

What was that for?, I'd been forcibly thrown into a duel all of a sudden. It's not that I didn't accept it, I can see the reasoning behind this, but does he really mean to settle this through the means of leaving as the sole victor? why can't anyone just live a good ending at the end? I guess I was just naive at the time. It was always like this. Prey get eaten by predator's and those above them in the natural order of life distinguish them like it always has been. Being at the top of the food chain has it's up and down's. Being our greatest enemies in the end are us.

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"W-woah... It's sir Zxaron! He's asked for Lord Achilleos!" The guard in front of the gate sent the message through. I stood on the bridge waiting patiently.

He opened the gate and a man in flashy wear almost blinding walked fashionably toward me. Looking at it again, I only wore the same robe since that day. I didn't want to carry anything valuable with me at the time since there's a chance I might actually die. I also kept my promise to not bring anyone else. Targun begged me the day before but I humbly declined.

"Hahaha! You have no sense of fashion do you? You are so bland." He snickered at me.

"Mocking, mocking, mocking and more mocking!. When will just shut up?!" I chided.

"Oh... You are so miserable with your existence. Let me end it." He unsheathed his sword and licked his lips.

"I'd like to see you try you weird bastard." I took a stance with my right hand, and putting my left hand on the handle of my dagger. I plan to end this with one strike.

"This'll end oh so quickly!, Just stay there and be cut to pieces!" He breached forward screaming.

"Agh!..." I closed my eyes while I released pressure from body and gathered adrenaline in my left hand and feet.

He went for my neck, I parried it away with my dagger swiftly pulled from it's sheath. I spun my dagger around, catching it with my right and I aimed for his head.

"Ha!" He blocked it with a swift side step.

"Hm..." With my free left hand I pulled a second dagger from my thigh.

"Huh!..." Shink!... I stabbed him in the stomach.

"HAaaAk!" He spit blood onto my arm.

I pulled it out and stabbed it in his eye next. With my right dagger, I jammed it in his ear before kicking him away. He fell to the ground and grimaced in pain.

"...Y...You...M-...Monster..." He pointed at me.

I lost memory of what happened the next few minutes after that. I gained my senses back, when I was walking on the path, I had my dagger's with me, gripping them tightly they had blood dripping down them. It's not mine that's for sure. I don't remember when I pulled these out of his body but I guess I needed them back. After sleeping at the inn once again, I came back to the capital after a tiring battle. I wondered what'll be their reaction if they found out how I killed him.

"Big brother... You look... Different.

I looked up and I found a princess glaring down at me, I touched my face and it seems like I've got a terrible grin smeared from ear to ear. I put my hand's to mouth to avoid being seen.

"It's okay. I'm not scared of big brother." She hugged me tightly. I reciprocated her hug and I patted her. My expression turned to a warm smile.

"Kimiyu... Thank you." I thanked her for something I don't know myself.

Wow she's all grown up now... She's petite but finely endowed as well. If she wasn't my sister I probably would be tempted.

"It's nice to see you two get along well." A man that look's like on death's door is being accompanied by a maid. She held a stick where he can hold on to. He greeted us.

"Father. I'm ready."

"I see. I guess you've defeated that Achilleos kid." He smiled warmly.

"Yes. Although it was a quick battle. I knew he held back. His movement's were off. He could've killed me at any chance he wanted." I confessed while holding my little sister's body tightly.

I knew that he had the upper hand from the beginning. He was fast, faster than me, His body could contort very flexibly, his sidestep was out of this world, it almost made me dizzy. Yet he admitted defeat when he blocked my dagger, he had a face of fulfillment when I stabbed him with my left dagger, it's like he wanted this to happen.

I clenched my teeth.

"B-big brother...I...cant...breathe..." She cried out from below me.

Oops. I've been dealing with my sour thought's so I squeezed her in the process. I pulled myself away from her and she had tears on her eyes.

"You can't just shove me like that big brother. You have to ask first!" She pouted.

"O-oh... Right." I scratched the back of my head chuckling.

"Well I think this should be a grand celebration!, My son will finally be a ki- GHHA!!" He puked blood after straining his throat. The maid next to him accompanied him to his room after that.

"Please wait on the grand table, the celebratory dishes are on the way." She said before taking him up the stairs.

I satiated my hunger, the royal buffet is truly one-of-a-kind, the meat and vegetable's came from other noble families which own masses of land and are gifts to us in exchange for protection. Speaking of connections, I had to spread my relation's to other countries and notify them of my existence. I cant afford still being belittled by the rest of the world as the kid of the legendary king. I had to make my mark.

In the end. Father had passed away, He had dried tears on his cheeks and on the sheet's below him. I didn't cry nor feel sad at all, I didn't have the right to, I received everything just like he said he would, his map room, ownership of the entire palace, and most importantly the Dardihaldt legion. So I should be feeling glad instead. I watched my little sister the entire time while they cremated his body. She didn't cry, she held a perfectly emotionless face. Tomorrow she'd be just as vibrant. I felt like she lost an important part of her personality, I kinda just wanted to hug her right then and there. Somehow I unconsciously put my left arm over her left shoulder. She didn't budge though. Instead she rested her head on my arm. It was a warm moment.

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Little by little. I made my presence known as the new king of the kingdom. The position was tiring but Targun was a major help in bringing up idea's and critiquing my work. I optimized the farmland's with windmills to fasten flour production. Food wasn't that much of a problem same for water. Our economy was balanced and merchant's can disrupt the flow of it by bringing something rare and introducing it to our market. Of course I'd be notified right away In any case that, that should happen. 3 Years had also passed by then.

"Lord Zxaron!, I've found one of the smugglers sneaking in black powder!" One of my knights threw a person with a sack on their head onto the floor.

"Very well. Take off the sack." I put down my inked feather.

"Hmmf!." A high pitched voice came from the sack.

"Hey! Don't scream in here! You're in the presence of a king!" He scolded the person and took off the sack.

Her disheveled purple hair flew down and emitted intensity.

"Get off me!" She kicked the knight on the shin.

"Ow! You!" He put his hand on his sword.

"Stop." I rested my palm on my cheek.

"Yes!" He straightened up.

"Leave and wait for further commands." I ordered while shooing with my hand.

"Thank you my leader!" He bowed and left swiftly.

I kept my king-like attitude to this point.

"Hey. Are you giving me special treatment?" She asked me while having her hands tied.

"I don't know. Maybe or maybe not? What will you do about it?" I thanked my brother for that line in my head.

"Tsk... If you're just going to throw me in a jail cell, just do it already." She said while clicking her tongue.

"Hmm? Are you in a rush?" I asked before standing up, going around my desk and to her.

"Hey, hey... Don't come any closer." She pleaded.

Upon closer inspection, she's gotten bigger. I crouched and reached my arm out.

"No!" She closed her eyes.

Pat. I patted her head.

"Huh?" She looked up at me with confusion.

"Here's a deal you can't deny." I grinned.

"...W-what is it?" She tilted her head.

"Be my personal maid and quit being a smuggler. What? isn't that a good deal? You'll be receiving more than that job." I rubbed my hand's together

"...F-fine...But if you do anything to me I-Ill quit!" She pouted.

"Noted... Thanks." I wrapped up and called for a maid, they took her in.

The rest of the day occurs, I did some more paperwork. Got scolded by Targun. Consoled my brother and listened to his heartbreaking experiences with women. I guess it's about time I found myself a partner. The type that'll be with me when I'm on my deathbed. I wondered when such a person will enter my life.

"H-hey... How does it look?" I heard a girl behind me while she tugged on my sleeve. I turned and I was stunned.

She wore a maid outfit that wrapped around her figure, Her silky purple hair that occasionally turned blue in the sunlight made her look entrancing.

"Don't... Stare too much..." She covered her face.

"O-oh yeah... You're gorgeous." I smiled.

"Haaa!... Its... embarrassing..." She broke into a fluster, I took both of her hands and pulled it away from her face, revealing her red face.

"I mean it. Illia." I said with a straight face.

"eh...Eh??!!" She broke free and punched me straight in the jaw. I got knocked out and laid limply on the ground.

She sat on my stomach and started strangling me. I heard her faint voice while blood left my brain.

"Idiot! Idiot! Stop remembering my name! Forget it!" she screamed.

'Isn't this just assassination?' the brain asked.

'Yeah but I don't mind' I answered.

"Forget all of it!" Her voice became more distant.

'Where'd your survival instinct go?' The brain looked puzzled.

'Just turn that off for a minute.' I asked.

Welp. Unfortunately this isn't where I die just yet. This was my new job now. Hardship's came my way multiple time's but I powered through every single one of them. I've become a king.

So I should act like one.