Eryth opened his eyes to a strange looking surrounding. The roof which he stared at was decorated with red and blue floral designs with a drawing of a Phoenix at the centre. He quickly sat up straight, fully taken in the beauty before him: the fluffy comfortable bedding he was on, the silky sleepwear that hugged his body, the large well and richly decorated room he was in, the walls which were designed similarly to the wall but with mostly arboreal creatures, the ridiculously much adorned with diamonds furniture and a beautiful young girl in a maid outfit cleaning the room.
The dark brown haired man opened his mouth to speak but it took a few seconds before he could make out any word.
"Hello?" The moment he did make out the words, he felt more comfortable in the surroundings and all the shock and surprise he previously felt, drained away.
The maid veered around and smiled widely as she met Eryth's brown eyes. "Young master, you're awake, oh thank the gods." She dropped what she was doing and rushed over to Eryth's side, slowly placing her hand on his forehead.
"Are you okay?" She questioned.
The dark brown-haired man furrowed. "What's going on, Sakri?" He said, calling out her name unconsciously but with the feeling of familiarity.
"At least you remembered who I am," she said before planting a kiss on the back of his palm.
"Could you explain what happened?"
"Right," she paused for a second before speaking again. "Uncle Dibo took you out for horse riding with Prince Ijar," she started.
"During the ride, a ghoul rose upon your arrival at the bottom of the Polinometia mountain… you fell and hit your head hard, but luckily you aren't hurt that badly."
Eryth groaned and held his head, feeling the cloth wrapped around his head as the moments mentioned by the maid suddenly flushed back to him. "Oh, right… I remember it."
She smiled. "I'll get the King and Queen now," she added before rushing out of the room.
Eryth stood up and walked towards a nearby mirror. His brows moved closer out of confusion as he saw himself looking much younger than the first second he glanced into the mirror. He had long dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was light-skinned with a less visible ghostly figure tattooed on his neck right above his left collarbone. He raised his hand to reach for the tattoo but the door opened, causing him to turn to it.
A woman in a rich ethereal gown and much makeup on her face with multiple diamonds and golden pieces of jewellery rushed into the room. "Oh, Theron my dear child, you are awake." She pulled him in for a hug, holding him tightly.
Moments later, she pulled back and cupped his face with her palm. "Do you remember? Do you know who I am?" She questioned, almost too eager for him to reply to her.
"Yes, Mother, I know who you are."
The dark red-haired woman smiled and hugged him again. "Oh, I was so scared… you've been unconscious for two days, I thought you'd never wake up."
Eryth smiled back. "Where's father?"
"The King has other 'important' matters to take care of." The three turned to see an older, slightly puffy man with brown eyes and light brown hair. He had full brown beard but it didn't hide the wide smile he had on his face.
"Dibo, shouldn't you be at the Royal meeting as well?" The Queen questioned while Sakri bowed.
"Ayh," he hissed. "I should be, but when I heard that my favourite nephew has woken up I just couldn't attend, I had to see him."
"Uncle Dibo," Eryth said with a smile. As the dark brown-haired man conversed with the individuals that were supposed to be his family, he felt as though an important part of him was fleeing his body and a very important task which he was supposed to complete was fading.
"My dear Eryth, I apologize for not being able to protect you from the ghouls, I should have done better."
Eryth shook his head no. "No, uncle, it's my fault for not being able to use my Act."
The brown-haired man laughed and curbed in front of Eryth. "Oh Eryth, as wise with your words as ever."
"Could you stop calling him that already?"
The man laughed even harder. "When will you let it go, my Queen? Even the King has… and the name isn't that bad."
The Queen rolled her eyes and moved to the young master's closest. She browsed through it and picked out a set of outfits for him. "Put this one," she said, "Your uncle shall take you to the meeting with himself."
"I am?" Dibo turned to the Queen who gave him a stank eye. "I am." He smiled.
"Quick, Sakri, help him into his dress," the Queen said before dragging her brother out of the room.
"Are you sure you are okay?" The maid asked. "You don't seem fine."
Eryth forced up a smile. "I'm fine."
"Hmm," she mumbled before helping him into the clothes. "Remember when I said I was going to find out why the Queen and Lord Dibo always bicker about your name?"
"Yeah?"
"I did," she replied, tightening his belt.
"I heard from the Queen's maid that, before you were born, when the Queen was pregnant with you, Lord Dibo and the King were in a competition and made a bet that whoever won, get to the name of the loser's first child."
Eryth furrowed. "Really? So father lost and Uncle Dibo was the one that named me?"
The maid nodded. "Yes, but that's not it," she continued. "Lord Dibo named you after the minor god of sex, Eryth, extracted from the original name; Erysignoi. And the god Erysignoi was only ever mentioned in the tales of the High War during which he had a very disappointing coitus with the goddess of lust, love, and sex."
Eryth chuckled. "The god and goddess of sex came together and couldn't make it happen? Wow."
"Oh no, it was disappointing because she stole his life essence in the process and gave it to Dun in return for wisdom, hence why not many know of him."
"That's cruel."
"I know."
Eryth stayed quiet as he let the information sink in before speaking again. "What bet the father lost?"
"I'm not sure, I think it was fencing."
A small smile crawled up the young Prince's lips as he repeated the word. "Fencing."
————
Eryth walked by Dibo's side as they entered the Royal courtroom. He felt a massive amount of energy circulating the room and the most coming from the King. The energy the ministers around exuded was nothing compared to what the King did.
The King sat majestically on his throne, wearing his Royal outfit which draped down his body. He had light skin light brown hair and brown lazy eyes. He had an emotionless expression lingering on his face and his head rested on his fist which rested on the throne.
Eryth stood back while his uncle took a few more steps forward before stopping. "I apologize for arriving late, your Majesty, I had to see my nephew who just woke up from a state of unconsciousness.
"You chose to visit the kid over fulfilling your duty?" One of the ministers called out. "Pretty bold act for someone who aspires to become the Minister of Affairs."
Dibo moved his eyes from the minister to the king who continued to remain in his position not uttering a single word.
"That is because I care about the well-being of my nephew as much as I do this Kingdom."
The ministers burst into laughter but all stopped as they realized the King wasn't laughing along.
"If I may," Eryth walked forward to stand by his uncle's side. He looked into his father's eyes for a few seconds before bowing his head slightly. He stayed quiet, glancing from the Ministers to his uncle before finally levelling his head on the King. "Father, no… your Majesty. A week before my accident, you scolded me and told me to— once in a while, attempt things that individuals my age would never dare as you have during your younger years…"
"You said that I would never sit on the throne if I continue to cower from fights and responsibilities," he continued. "You also said that I am an embarrassment to the Whitmore because of my Blue-colored Rune Act."
"Prince Eryth do not utter those words in…" Eryth raised his hand to stop the minister. He inhaled and exhaled softly before walking closer to the throne. Though part of him felt as though he doesn't belong there, the other part agrees with it and fueled the memories which he needed to speak the words he does.
The dark brown haired boy pulled out his small sword which was strapped in his belt and tossed it at the King's feet, causing everyone in the room including his Uncle and the Queen who previously sat in her seat quietly to gasp loudly.
The king finally dropped his hand and sat up straight, glaring at the sword lying by his feet and then up at Eryth.
"I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL-- FENCING!"
….
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