In the end, Ariel wouldn't budge. All for the sake of having Henry reciprocate her feelings, she'd be ready to settle as his concubine.
'I estimate around 3 years of my lifespan left before I'll mysteriously drown in a bathtub.'
With a shake of his head, he recovered and reassured himself, 'Well, let it be the problem of the future me. For now, I'll focus on the present.'
As of now, they're already nearing the capital city of Lioncrest Kingdom, Lionheart. Yes, quite a creative name for the capital considering Lioncrest Kingdom is known for its signature as a Lion. Another particular reason is that this city serves as the center or heart of the Lioncrest Kingdom, hence the name Lionheart City.
———
A few hours passed, and the enormous city could already be seen in the distance. As they were atop a hill, they were currently overlooking the entire capital city from above.
The clouds parted, allowing some sunlight to pierce through and illuminate the entire region, followed by a bunch of birds flying overhead. With thick tall walls keeping a tight-leash on the structures inside especially the eye-catching royal castle in the middle that encompasses every single building around it in terms of height, the city was also surrounded by forest and a long trail of river that goes past the high mountains and leads to a wide ocean with a port behind the Kingdom, making the entire scene look like something that came out of a masterpiece painting.
The one who reacted the most was obviously Ariel, whose eyes were sparkling like the ocean basking under the sun's glory. Her mouth was agape and her face was filled with nothing but surprise.
"This is Lioncrest Kingdom? It looks so beautiful!" Hearing those words made Ser Liam and his retinue, including even Henry himself to puff their chests in pride. This is their home of course and whenever people reacted to its enchanting appearance would always make them feel giddy with joy and proud.
"Let's go, Mom probably misses me a lot by now," Henry murmured to himself, snapping the reins of Boy who resumed marching forward.
———
They came across the small settlement outside the walls of the capital city, which most people refer to as the Outer District. The place where some commoners and all those who aren't Lioncrest citizens but aspire to be one lived. Obviously, the place is just as beautiful as the one behind the walls of the capital city.
The outer district not only serves as the place where the non-citizen live but it's also a place where most small-time farms, trades, and businesses are located. Unlike in the other Kingdoms, this district is clean and safe with many knights patrolling around.
It wouldn't be a lie to say that the outer district also serves as the first line of defense in case the Kingdom gets attacked. Some of Lioncrest Kingdom's barracks are located in this place after all.
Though Henry wouldn't expect it to thrive this much and become a strategic location considering he just casually proposed the idea to his father a few years back.
As soon as the people noticed the entrance of Henry and his group, they immediately received gasps and pointed fingers from the people, especially towards Henry.
"It's the Crown Prince! I knew it! The rumors are fake!"
"He's alive! He's alive!"
"Prince Henry please look at me!"
Henry immediately donned a charming smile on his face as he raised his hand and started waving. He found the situation quite similar back in Arendelle but instead of being referred to as a top-notch magician who brought smiles and joy to their faces, this time he's seen as their lovely Prince who is known for a good heart and passion to help them despite being a commoner.
In this world where all nobles and royals were seen as someone higher and superior than the rest of the folks, Henry was quite the opposite.
That's why the common people love him, even some nobles admire him for his uniqueness, while most of the nobles and royalties especially in other Kingdoms despise him. They seem to hate that Henry bears royal blood and sees his actions as something that tarnished their name and status as the superior elites.
Well, Henry would have none of that. Whether they hate his guts or not, that's the most they can do against him. All attempts on his life or to destroy his reputation wouldn't even make a dent.
"They're screaming your name, Henry! They seem to love you so much!" On his side, Ariel felt happy for him.
As they passed through the outer district where a crowd had already formed around them, their faces filled with hope and happiness for their prince, they finally arrived at the famous Lionsgate, a large golden gate that towers over 20 feet in height.
What made the gate famous and earned its nickname as Lionsgate was because of its signature Lion's face carved in the middle of the gate, its eyeballs were made of sharp blue jewels and there were a few scratches here and there.
However, the said scratches didn't diminish its beauty one bit. As a matter of fact, it even adds some sort of courageous charm to it.
"Wow." Once again, Ariel was mesmerized.
They didn't even need to knock or let their presence be known. As soon as they stepped in front of the gates, the Lionsgate immediately made a loud cranking noise, as if several gears and metals were rubbing against one another.
Slowly, the large golden gate was pulled up, revealing a familiar crowd of the royal family, also known as the most charming family, pun intended.
Starting from the left was the smartest Charming, or at least that's what Timothy Charming sees himself as. There was a scowl on Timothy's face that he was trying his best to keep hidden, though he was an open book when it comes Henry's eyes. Next to him is King Maximus Charming III with a wide and relieved smile on his face, to his left is his mother, Queen Olivia Charming with a charming smile on her face.
When their eyes met, she excitedly waved her hand at him like a child seeing their parent after the first day in school. Of course, he reciprocated in return, he can't leave his mom hanging after all.
Then on her arms is Lily Charming, her eyes closed and mouth wide open as she slept. They must've brought her along without telling her of the occasion. If she knew who they were seeing, she wouldn't be asleep like this.
Lastly, beside Queen Olivia was Samantha, looking bored as ever as if Henry's arrival wasn't unusual.
And finally, the three concubines stood behind them, hands in front of their waists, even though their heads were bowed down, Henry could see the surprise on their faces.
'It seems they're also in on the plan.' Henry mentally snorted inside his mind. Nevertheless, he won't be showing mercy this time and uproot the remaining corrupt in this Kingdom. He was merciful to them at first because of their closeness to his father, especially his siblings, with whom he shared his blood with but that was the past.
When Henry finished scanning the crowd, he quickly noticed someone was missing, 'Now where's my shorty brother at? Did he decrease in size that I can no longer see him?'
As if noticing the look on his face, Samantha surprisingly answered him with a lax tone, "Alex's gone, he left a few weeks ago looking for something or someone maybe." Her answer earned her a glare from her mother and Timothy.
"I see." Henry nodded his head in understanding while sliding out of the saddle and feeling the earth beneath his boots before taking a deep breath and looking at his father and mother's eyes.
"I'm back."
Maximus bore a smile on his face as he stepped forward and hugged Henry, "Welcome back, Henry." Following behind him was his mother, who pulled his father out of his embrace and replaced herself.
"I missed you so much!" She cooed, her hands roaming all over his face before settling in on his hair. Henry resisted the urge to chuckle at the sight of his father's shocked face.
But still, Maximus recovered with a soft smile on his face hugged his wife from behind, and his other hand on Henry's shoulder.
This would've been such a good family reunion if it weren't for something squirming between Henry and his mom.
Lily's voice slipped through their ears, "Whaaa! Tis so dark ir! Am I ded?"
Hearing that, the three of them chuckled before finally lifting Lily out from the depths of hell. Coincidentally, she was facing Henry's face just as she was freed.
One blink of her eyes. Two blinks. Three blinks and many more before she finally reacted. The tears immediately pooled in her eyes as she carelessly jumped out of Olivia's arms and into Henry's.
"Woah easy there, little bud!" Henry smiled and caught her in his arms, watching her settle until she was facing him again but this time, there was a curious and excited gaze in her eyes.
"Did you call me little bud? I finally have a nickname from you! Yipeee!" She raised her arms and enacted a victory pose, or at least that's what Henry saw it as. She then continued but this time with a confused tone, "But what's a little bud? You call Alex as Shorty because he's small and Timothy as Smartass which I don't know what it means but what about mine?"
Henry smiled at this, "Well, I just came up with it a few days ago when I saw a budding flower that is just about to be as beautiful as you. Coincidentally, the locals there told me it is also called Lily." What he's referring to was back in Corona Kingdom.
That place is basically a safe haven for nature and especially flowers. Their culture is literally centered around the legend of the fantastic flowers and where to find them.
There was glitter in Lily's eyes as she asked, "Can I go to that place someday?"
Henry ruffled her hair and replied, "We can go there this week if you want."
"Really!?"
"Really."
Thankfully, amidst her excitement, Lily didn't notice that Henry already passed her back to their mother while he shifted his attention to his father, "There are so many things I want to talk to you about."
King Maximus's gaze landed on the people behind Henry, especially towards Ariel and the three carriages, "I was thinking the same. Let's go to my study."
As they turned to the left, where Henry would have to go through another crowd of Lioncrest people, he heard a whisper from Timothy just as he walked past him.
There was a snarl and hidden anger in his tone as he spoke, "Welcome back. Brother."
Henry gave him a condescending look as he replied, "I'm home, Smartass." He then gave a piece of paper to his hands that Timothy would surely find as familiar.
There was a brief sound of grinding teeth from Timothy followed by the sound of crumpling paper.
———
When they got back to the royal castle, Ariel finally realized what Henry was talking about. The royal castle of Lioncrest is indeed a hundred times better and bigger than the one in Corona Kingdom.
Compared to Corona Kingdom's castle, the one on Lioncrest is much tidier and has fewer vines growing all over the place.
Queen Olivia took it upon herself to take Ariel with her, seeing as she was the closest with Henry the most when he first arrived, so she assumed the red-haired girl must be a friend of her son, or perhaps more than a friend, she thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Ser Liam received an instruction from Henry on what to do with Dr. Dolittle, his partner, the animal friends, Flynn, and the captured bandits. The first three would be led to a spacious guest room in the royal castle while Flynn would be brought to the Royal Barracks, the largest barracks, and located in the innermost center near the royal castle.
Unlike other barracks, the Royal Barracks is a home for the elite knights and captain knights. Better facilities, surroundings, and bigger rooms. It's basically the dream place of all the knights in the Kingdom.
Living in the Royal Barracks is the same as a commoner becoming part of the nobility. In layman's terms, a huge upgrade in status and respect.
As for the bandits, they would be brought to prison of course, but a prison that will personally be managed by Ser Liam and his retinue.
On the other hand, Henry arrived at the King's study along with his father. As he said earlier, there's indeed so much to discuss that they probably won't leave the room for the next few hours.
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[Not that I wanted to pick a fight or anything but it's so frustrating to see two certain fanfics written by the same author being boosted by a bunch of bots. It's so fucking obvious if you go to their Top Fans, scroll down and check each profiles. The name and profile picture already speaks for itself. I'm not saying that my fanfic is any better than theirs but I just want the rankings to be fair to everyone. You don't deserve that spot if it's boosted by bots.
I'm not gonna drop its name or anything. I don't want to be seen as a crybaby or a whiner. If you're curious, it's a translated fanfic, that's all the hint I'm gonna drop. The two fanfics are around top 1 to top 20ish.]