As Nathaniel and Seren walked the streets, they could see the piercing stares of the people. Their gazes were solely fixated on Seren.
"Trash son of the phoenix priestess"
"Like father like son"
"I wonder what the phoenix priestess saw in that hell of a butler"
All these words and thoughts ran through the mouths and minds of the people.
"Pay them no attention" Nathaniel said
"I wasn't, they can continue blabbing for all I care"
"That's good, let's hurry up cuz we're getting it hot from dad" Nathaniel said as he dragged Seren along.
"C'mon, it's not as if he's gonna kill us"
"But you know his speeches are damn boring so we need to hurry up "
**""""""*†************
The Feudal Lord's Palace
"Hey Justin, ready the cutleries. Today's a big day and I won't tolerate any form of laziness " A deep baritone voice echoed in the palace. It belonged to a dark skinned muscular man in his mid fifties who looked younger and stronger than his age.
"Yes sir Xander" Justin, a timid looking guy answered before dashing to the kitchen.
"Is the podium ready?" Xander asked one of the guards.
"Not yet sir"
"So those two brays haven't showed up even after I sent someone to them?" Xander muttered.
"I'm guessing it's Nathaniel and Seren that are handling that" the guard said.
"They'll get it hot from me" Xander said as he clenched his fist..
Xander Fauster, age 56, the Feudal Lord's personal butler. He has been his butler since he was 23. At that time the king was still a prince and they belonged to the same age group. The Feudal lord considers Xander a friend so he confides in Xander.
******"**""""""""****
"We're almost there, hurry" Nathaniel said as he hastened his steps, dragging Seren
"Slow down" Seren pleaded
"We need to get there before----"
"Before I find out you two have been dilly-dallying all day"
Nathaniel looked up to see Xander standing before them.
"D-dad, good morning" Nathaniel greeted with a long smile on his face.
"Keep that fake smile to yourself, and what's good about the morning?"
"U-um the beautiful peach blossoms behind you?" Nathaniel said pointing to the tree behind Xander at the courtyard.
"You know what day it is, right?"
"Um, 3rd year of the 7th month?" Nathaniel said, acting clueless.
"Nath, don't test me!!"
"Alright, we're sorry. It's just that Seren had another nightmare"
"Nathaniel!!" Seren gave him a cold glare
"Seren are you okay?" Xander asked as his angry expression changed to a worrisome one.
"I'm fine dad"
"Tomorrow we'll see Gitara"
"But dad--"
"No buts. Am I understood?"
"Yessir " Seren answered reluctantly.
"Good, now get to work. You two are in charge of setting the podium on which the Feudal lord would stand to address the people" Xander instructed.
"Of all things the podium, that's boring" Nathaniel said, feeling dissatisfied.
"Nathaniel, you're supposed to be feeling honoured setting the podium of the feudal lord"
"Yeah, I used to feel honored setting up the podium but as I realized that brat Abbey is going to ascend there someday, I just lost interest" Nathaniel laid out his view.
"Regardless you'll have to set the podium" Xander insisted.
"So you admit it dad"
"Admit what?"
"That Abbey is a brat"
"Of course, I'm so glad he's not one of my boys" Xander said
"Now you're talking" Seren said, praising his dad and the trio burst in laughter.
"Aren't low lives supposed to be working??" A voice interrupted the moment.
They knew who it was, the arrogant prince Abbey.
"Um, so sorry young master, I was just instructing my boys to set the podium" Xander apologized which angered the boys.
"You better do, you useless butler" Abbey said as he walked past Xander.
He walked up to Seren and Nathaniel and with a wave of his fan he blew them backwards.
"You see, trash shouldn't obstruct royalty when they move " He added as he gave a heinous laughter before walking past them.
"One day I'll kill him" Nathaniel muttered.
"Yeah, me too" Seren added.
"Don't forget I'm still here!!" Xander said from behind. Obviously he could hear their mutterings.
"Dadd!!"
"No worries, just get to work. Tomorrow Seren will visit Gitara" Xander said before leaving them to work.
"Hey, why did you tell dad about the nightmare?" Seren asked. Nathaniel could already sense the anger in the question.
"I'm sorry Seren, I just wanted an excuse for dad not to pester us further" Nathaniel apologized.
"But I made it clear I didn't want to meet Gitara"
"And I'm apologizing"
"It's okay, one more visit wouldn't hurt"
"Are you still angry?" Nathaniel asked.
"A little"
"Thanks bro" Nathaniel hugged him.
"Hey get off me"
"You're the best Seth"
"Seth?"
"Yeah, they call me Nath so I'll call you Seth, after all we're twinsies right?"
"But you're a year older" Seren said
"It's not a big deal anyway" Nathaniel said
"Let's get back to work" Seren said and the duo started working.
********************
Nightfall finally came. Cairhien was finely decorated with red ribbons and apparels and the city was filled with various calibers of people. Even neighboring cities came to witness the coronation.
"The procession is about to begin" Seren whispered into Nathaniel's ears.
"The procession of doom" Nathaniel said with disgust written all over him.
"Why did you say that Nath?" A feminine voice interrupted. A tall slender figure with a charming smile.
"Y-ylva" Nathaniel managed to say. Be has be caged by his live for her. Seren just stared at Nathaniel and shook his head.
"Well Prince Abbey treats us like dogs. If he enters the throne that would be this kingdom's undoing" Seren said.
"I thought you guys were friends?"
"We were friends but since he came back from exploring the outside world he's been cold and bitter"
"Today, he'll be crowned the next feudal lord, if he becomes a thorn I'll forget we used to be friends and exterminate him" Nathaniel said as he clenched his fists.
"Oh, speak of the devil" Ylva said pointing to Abbey who walked the red majestic isle made for him.
He wore a long red apparel that symbolized royalty. His long curly hair was packed like a bun. As the maidservants threw roses on the floor, he walked majestically as if the whole world was under his feet.
"May I bring to the royal podium, our Feudal Lord, Andragonas XI, the 32nd lord of Cairhien!!" The moderator announced. There was a loud standing ovation as the feudal lord ascended the podium where his throne stood.
As he sat down, the crowd cheered and as he raised his right hand, there was absolute silence.
"What authority!!" Seren wondered in his mind.
"Thank you all for gathering here. Today is a great day in Cairhien because today, a new heir would be crowned. I have ruled for over 40 years and those years have been years of bliss all because of you all standing by me. I ascended the throne when I was 25 and now my son is following thus. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your hard work, diligence and dedication to serving Cairhien. Specially I would like to thank Xander Fauster. He wasn't just a butler, he was a brother, a friend and many other things words cannot describe"
The crowd cheered for Xander.
"Can you imagine, earlier today they called him names and now they're praising him. They're the worst" Nathaniel shrugged.
"Leave them, that's humans for you" Ylva commented.
"If I don't like someone, I'll just come plain and tell them I don't like them just I've made it clear to Abbey" Nathaniel defended.
"Everyone's not like you Nath" Seren commented.
"I hereby bring forth my son, Abbey Andragonas XII as the heir apparent to the throne"
Abbey walked forward and knelt before his father. His father picked up the royal dagger and cut the bun on his head, making his hair slid downwards. His once long curly hair became shortened, revealing his beauty.
"As custom demands, I have cut off all the I'll omens from you and I hereby crown you the 33rd Feudal Lord of Cairhien"
The feudal lord removed the crown from his head and placed if on Abbey's head.
"Woah!!!"
There was a standing ovation as celebration and music filled the air.