Arin and Iria were back to the main palace in the capital. As Queen Lorey's suggested, Morin came with them and he will stay with them for a while.
Queen Athena also left Qalagon the same day Arin and Iria left the Southern Palace and she will reach the capital of Jerivia after a few days.
When the King and Queen along with Prince Morin reached the palace, the sun already set. As such, it was already time for dinner right after they finished taking a bath.
During dinner, the young Prince didn't even talk much which Arin finds really strange. His brother was always very lively and during their time in the Southern Palace, he witnessed that Morin was still the same.
"Morin, what's wrong? You don't even eat much," the King asked his brother who seemed to be just holding his spoon without eating. At this, Iria quickly turned to the young Prince.
There was no response. Was he zoning out?
"Morin," the King called again in a voice a bit louder than before.
Finally, Morin turned to his older brother and his face hinted at lost.
"What are you thinking?" Arin Helev asked in a much calmer voice.
"I'm just worried about Father," Prince Morin muttered. "He will be so lonely."
Arin Helev recalled how his father turned down his suggestion to continue his treatment at the main palace. He really wanted to bring back his ailing father, but... it's not like he can force him.
"Your mother will be with him," he said to his younger brother. "Stay with us for a while and give them some time. Then you can return after that."
"Give them some time?" Morin asked, confused.
Arin nodded and Iria spoke up.
"Your mother and father are also husband and wife, Morin. They will want to spend some time together."
Thinking of his sister-in-law's explanation for a while, Morin finally nodded. "I understand."
"There are many things you can do here in the capital, Morin," Arin Helev said. "You can also meet your friends and continue your lesson. You also learn many things while you stay in the Southern Palace, right?"
Slowly, Morin's face brightened up. "Yes. Mother arranged for someone to teach me sword fighting. Archery and military tactics too." He paused and continued, "She said that I should learn diligently so that one day, you will be able to rely on me. She also said that as the younger brother of the King, it's my duty to assist you in every way I can."
Stunned by the young Prince's words, Arin and Iria exchanged glances with each other, unable to say anything.
Queen Lorey said that?
Really?
She had changed so much.
Morin glanced back and forth between his brother and sister-in-law, confused.
"You don't have to think that way," Arin finally spoke up. "However, learn and master everything. Unlike me, I don't want you to be bounded by duties and all. So, you are free to do whatever you want."
"But I want this," Prince Morin argued. "I always wanted to become a Commander like you and fight for our kingdom. If anyone threatens you or our Qalagon, then I will fight them for you."
Arin Helev almost blinked when he heard his brother while Iria smiled.
"It's only been a year but you've grown up so much, Morin," Iria remarked. "I believe that you will become an even greater warrior than your brother."
"I'm already 13," Morin Helev replied with a frown. However, he promptly smiled again when he said, "I might exceed Arin but I don't think I will exceed you, sister-in-law."
The Queen chuckled at the Prince's words while the King sighed.
"You can't say that, Morin," Arin Helev argued. "That's not fair."
"I'm only speaking the truth, brother. You always tell me to be honest," Morin simply said.
This time, Iria laughed. "Do you want me to teach you military tactics?" she asked Morin.
The young Prince's eyes grew wide in a split second!
"Really?! You will teach me?!"
Iria nodded. "I don't have to exert my strength for that. Besides, I think it's a good chance to become the teacher of a future warrior."
Morin Helev couldn't sit still anymore as he suddenly stood up and started jumping with excitement written all over his face. This scene finally made Arin smile again.
"Are you that excited?" he asked as he shook his head helplessly.
"Of course!" the young Prince exclaimed. "Who else will be lucky enough to have the Masked Commander as his teacher?"
"You will surely regret," the King dryly said. "Your sister-in-law is very strict."
"It's fine," the Prince said as he sat down again. "My mother said it's not easy to build a warrior. I will need to work hard than others, suffer a lot and go through tough and harsh training. I already know."
The young Prince's words stunned the King and Queen once again!
"You've grown up so much," the King finally remarked with a genuine smile.
His younger brother to grow up to become a pillar for him and Qalagon?
Just the thought of it made Arin Helev happy. He also knew that he won't have to wait for long as he believed that everything will become a reality after a few years.
*
Around an hour had passed since they finished dinner and the King and Queen were in their chamber.
Sleeping on the bed, Iria looked at her husband who lay next to her but who kept on smiling all the time. It's rare to see him like this and she ended up flashing a smile too.
"Are you that happy?" she asked him and said, "You're really a fool for Morin."
Arin chuckled and shifted his body towards Iria. "Morin grows up into a good person. He's 13 now and in three years, he will be mature enough to look after the army. Time flies so fast."
"It seems like you can't wait to rely on him," Iria pointed out and Arin laughed.
"As long as he chooses this path himself, I'm okay with it," he said. His smile slipped a bit when he continued, "In the past, I used to worry that his mother will have a bad influence on him but... it seems like she has truly changed. That's great news."
"You held back for all those years," Iria muttered.. "Now, it paid off and you finally see the result."
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