Prince Morin who was inside his chamber studying was startled when he heard bells merrily ringing nonstop. He glanced around his chamber before he rushed to the window and looked at the outdoors. Then Elian entered the chamber.
"Did you finish studying, Your Highness?" the guard asked and halted a few steps away from the young Prince.
"What is that sound, Elian?" Prince Morin asked without even responding to the question. He kept on glancing around, trying to see where the sound of the bells come from.
"Are you talking about the bells ringing, Your Highness? It's from the top of the palace. They do that to celebrate the victory gained by our Qalagon," Elian responded.
"Victory?" Morin Helev asked and quickly turned around. "Do you mean that my sister-in-law won the war?!"
"Yes, Your Highness," Elian said with a smile. "She defeated both the armies of Jerivia and Nardodia. Even Alora and Azamet won't disturb us again."
Hearing the good news, excitement was written all over Morin's face. "Do you mean that she will return soon with my brother?"
Elian nodded. "They will be here with the soldiers tomorrow, Your Highness."
Much to Elian's surprise, Prince Morin rushed to his study table and quickly closed his books. Then the young Prince turned to him. "Practice with me today. My brother and my sister-in-law will be returning tomorrow and I want to show them that I have improved a lot."
Before Elian could say anything, Prince Morin ran out of his chamber. Letting out a sigh, Elian shook his head with a little smile and went after the Prince.
* * *
In the royal palace of Jerivia, Athena was sitting in her chamber, quietly staring at the outdoors through the door of the balcony that was kept open. It's been days since the mourning of her husband was over but apart from dealing with urgent matters of the kingdom, all she did was spend time alone.
Did she have regret?
Maybe. Her last conversation with Zaro Aventine couldn't leave her mind and it kept on torturing her. She was so cold and inattentive towards him in his last days and she couldn't forget that.
She was lost in her own pain and she refused to see how hard it was for him too. How will she forgive herself for that?
Why can't she be more patient with him?
The young Queen was snapped out of her thoughts when someone pushed open the door without even knocking. She darted her eyes to the door and when she saw the person entering, she abruptly rose from her seat.
She also saw how Aziel anxiously followed the person in.
"Please calm down, Your Majesty," Aziel begged the King of Nathania who stormed inside his daughter's chamber with rage written all over his face.
"Shut up, Aziel!" the King snapped. "Do you expect me to be still while my daughter is doing some crazy things?!"
When Aziel lowered his gaze without saying anything...
"Father," Athena called out in a tired voice. "You don't even inform me that you will be coming here."
"What I hear makes me so angry and I don't have time for that, Athena," the Nathanian King grunted. "You will step down from your position? What nonsense is this, Athena?!"
"It's not like I have a child to succeed my late husband," Athena said in her usual calm voice. "Why must I hold on to the throne? Besides, I'm not interested in administrating a kingdom."
"That's a lie," the King argued. "Ever since you were young, you always wish to succeed me and become the ruler. Do you take me as a fool?"
"That's just a childhood wish, Father. You have my younger brother to succeed you. Why would you bring that up?"
"I won't take this nonsense, Athena," the Nathanian King said in a firm voice. "You went here to fulfill the alliance marriage and stepping down is not something you can decide on your own. I will never agree to this. You will stay here and continue your duty as the Queen of Jerivia! That's my decision!"
Already stressed out due to the passing of her husband, Athena felt her patience running dry.
"I will not do that," she told her father in a surprisingly firm voice. "Once a new King is elected, I will leave this palace and Jerivia."
"Will you defy me, Athena?" the King asked his daughter in a cold tone. "No matter how powerful you have become, you're still my daughter but you dare to stand against me?"
"Father - "
"Enough!" the King howled. "You will do as I say! That's final!"
The young Queen stood still and narrowed her eyes while Aziel looked at her, wondering if she would give in like she always did.
After what felt like hours, Athena looked at her father again. "I can't do that, Father. Please forgive me."
The rage that the Nathanian King bottled up in the past days finally forced its way out and he lifted his hand to slap his daughter! However... it was Aziel who caught the King's hand and stopped him. At the sight of this, both Athena and the King's eyes grew wide in shock!
"How dare you, Aziel!" the Nathanian King grunted and tried to free his hand but the grip of the young guard was so firm!
"Please, Your Majesty -"
"Let go!" the King demanded with anger more than evident in his face and his piercing gaze was on the young guard.
Since when did he become so daring?!
Despite knowing what will be next for him, Aziel let loose his grip. Once he did that, the King hardly punched him in the face and he fell to the ground!
"Aziel," Athena uttered and quickly crouched down beside him. Then she looked up at her father with rage. "Stop this, Father! You won't change my mind no matter what!"
"If you won't listen to me, then you aren't my daughter anymore," the Nathanian King firmly declared as he glanced down at his daughter. Briefly glancing at Aziel, he spat, "What a disgrace!"
Athena clenched her fists but without saying anything, she helped Aziel up first. Then finally, she looked at her father with a surprisingly calm face. "Fine. Disown me.. I'm also tired of being your daughter."
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