"What a surprise!," King Artair exclaimed as he identified Raigon at the Castle Chapel, praying in silence at the cross. He waited for him to finish before approaching him. Raigon closed his prayers and as he turned his back and recognized his patriarch, he beamed his squeaky-clean teeth and crinkled his eyes.
"Good morning, Father!" he greeted with a warm and energetic voice after he inclined his head in front of His Majesty.
"It"s a miracle you woke up early today!," King Artair chuckled while stroking his beard. "Come and have breakfast with me."
"Your generosity is boundless, sire." Raigon acknowledged him while placing his hand on his chest and bowing again.
Both King Artair and Raigon went to the Solar, a separate pavilion away from the ground-floor atrium and the Great Hall. It is what the ruling household often used as a place for privacy and comfort.
They seated themselves at the regal table, King Artair first, and then Raigon.
The maidservant was just about to blend their tea when King Artair stopped him. He faced Raigon.
"All right, let"s see if you are indeed my son. Can you prepare this drink for us?" King Artair dared Raigon while winking at their servant.
Anyone, who was in close acquaintance with the royal family, was knowledgeable that King Artair has very sensitive tastebuds, especially with teas. He took a sip when others brew it for him out of a kind gesture. However, he won"t consummate the whole cup if it"s not according to the flavor that he likes.
"What will I get in return, your Majesty?" Raigon challenged him back as he rolled up his long sleeve garment showing that he accepted the challenge of his father.
"Ask for anything you want." King Artair declared without hesitation. He knows Raigon. He might be naïve and inexperienced yet in other areas, but he was not greedy and materialistic, unlike other w.a.n.gs.
"I shall hold on to your word, your Majesty. I will lay down my life for this," Raigon responded with exuberance as he wiped his hands so he could perform well.
Raigon put double teaspoons of tea leaves in a teapot corresponding to their two cups. Since it"s an Earl Grey tea, he heated the water to 100 degrees Celsius. He knew King Artair expects a different temperature on each type of tea.
King Artair kept on observing him like a hawk as he poured out the boiling drink to each cup. He then put one teaspoon of organic honey and two teaspoons of milk to each one. For the last step, he arranged the cups with a teaspoon under the handle.
He offered a cup to King Artair and let him have the initial sip. King Artair tasted it and paused for a moment, his face blank of expression. Raigon gulped in antic.i.p.ation.
King Artair put the cup of tea down at the table and clapped his hands three times in approval. Their maidservant who had been serving King Artair"s tea for a long time clapped her hand proudly as well.
Raigon burst out a breath of relief. "Aah! I almost die from a heart attack!"
King Artair dissolved into laughter. "How did you know my secret recipe?" he curiously asked Raigon as he put Manchet bread on his plate.
"I must really be your son," Raigon responded with wiggling eyebrows.
"No doubt you are!" King Artair laughed. "So what is your request now that you have proven yourself, my son?" he added as he put his knife and fork down and clasped his hand.
Raigon smiled. "Please eat well, Father. We can talk about it some other time."
"You have my word," King Artair nodded to the royal historian who was also with them.
As soon as they finished their breakfast, King Artair stood up. "How about I make a request for you?"
Raigon lifted his head and looked at his father.
"Why don"t you accompany me with my duties today?" King Artair invited him as he placed his hand on Raigon"s shoulder.
Raigon asked in a disbelieving voice. "Can you say that again, Your Majesty?"
King Artair always asked him to stay at the Castle whenever he leaves so he could protect the ladies of the house since the incident happened fifteen years ago. This was the first time he requested him to leave with him.
Seeing his puzzled look, King Artair explained to him. "Taia, your younger sister, is already a grown-up. And besides, I"m not getting any younger. It"s time for you to step up."
"It"s a pleasure, your Majesty." Raigon accepted his father. He was glad that he and his father had the same thought in mind.
They went out of the Castle and into the Great Chapel where the citizens of Terra near the Capital gather to have their morning prayers.
"It"s the Crown Prince!" the people murmured to each other as King Artair and Raigon pa.s.sed through them. Raigon smiled at them revealing his dimples at both his cheeks. The ladies giggled in delight.
As the minister preached the morning sermon, the people were gawking at Raigon, especially the women both old and young alike.
"Or maybe this wasn"t a good idea. The people were distracted from listening to G.o.d," King Artair nudged on Raigon, who was intently listening to the preacher, and pointed at his fans with his eyes.
"Ehem. Amen!" Raigon exclaimed, loud enough for the ladies near them to overhear. The ladies fixed themselves and returned to pay attention to the minister. But they caught glimpses of the prince every once in a while.
Just as King Artair came out of the chapel, different people approached him and pa.s.sed their pet.i.tions to him. He paused and listened to them, responding with goodwill to those that were rational or distressful.
After that, he met with his Royal Council, the most high-ranking men of Terra"s government. Fortunately, the businesses today were not lengthy, and they concluded them before noon.
"Are you ready to visit the Capital?" he asked Raigon, who was exercising his foot from prolonged standing.
"Is that the final session we were required to go, sire?" Raigon"s heart was shrinking.
The capital is where foreign and local n.o.blemen reported the news. The King arranged proposals, made promises to solve matters in council, sign letters, give gifts, or answer legitimate requests.
"No, we must still speak with the ladies on the court at 4 pm." King Artair retorted in a commonsensical tone. "And dine with the w.a.n.gs at 7 pm," he carried on.
Raigon sank to the ground. With activities being that way on a day-to-day basis, he felt compa.s.sionate toward his father.
"Don"t worry. Who knows you might see the future queen along the road?" King Artair comforted his son as he saw the gloom on his face.
"I already have one in mind," Raigon thought to himself as he remembered Zoe. Raigon looked beyond the City. "I wonder how she is?"
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