CHAPTER 18

I walked out of Kaval's room like I was floating. This event couldn't have come at a better time, it had to be now when I'm just like a fish in the ocean filled with sharks. My head is still aching from that much of information and I feel like drowning in a tub of worries right now. I placed my hand in the side of my head as the hurting was getting so bad that it was pulsing. I closed my eyes momentarily and walked in a faster pace towards my room which is thankfully not that far. I opened the gigantic door as soon as I got to the front door and practically threw myself in bed. I tried to tell myself that everything will be fine but I would be a fool to believe in such lie. I sighed and grasp the comforter.

"Alexander, someone is here to meet you." I screamed when a voice suddenly popped out of the room. I turned to where it came from and sighed when I found out that it was Nate. I glared at him but he only looked away. I nodded in approval to whoever it is that is going to meet me. I probably shouldn't be meeting some people right now as I have a bigger problem in my hands but it's too late to just say no after I said yes. I got out of the bed and fixed it immediately before telling Nate to open the door.

The door opened and I saw a boy around my age or maybe he's a few years older than me but what caught my attention was the royal badge on his uniform. I stood up properly while looking at him. He looked at me straight in the eye before he knelt down. I now know that he is from my kingdom as he has the same uniform as those of who came from our domain and he has our seal on his badge.

"Arise." I said in a formal tone. He stood up swiftly before looking back at me. I observed him for a while and I can say that he came from an elite family in my kingdom judging from how he moved and how proper he was. He had a dark hair which is slicked back. His face was the opposite of mine. It was sculpted in the most masculine way that it could be. He had a chiseled jawline and a strong nose line. His eyes looked very domineering and strong. He looked edgy all in all. He also was a lot more buff more than anyone else I've met. The only question is, who is he and what is he doing here.

"This is Jean Aslivaldi, the current winner of last year's Grand Clash." I looked back at this boy named Jean and nodded. I motioned him to follow me to the other side of the room where there was a table intended for private meetings such as these.

"To, what do I owe this sudden visit of you Jean?" Although I already know the reason of why he's here but I just want him to say it for himself or else I'd look like an assuming brat. He sat on the chair in a proper manner, just as how anyone should do when meeting a royalty. He looked at me before grabbing something from under his overcoat. He placed a booklet on the desk. The booklet was rather very familiar that it brought the aching of my head in an instant.

"It is a huge pleasure to have met you, Prince Alexander." His voice came out very strong that if we walked together and he spoke, many would assume that he is the prince and not me. Nonetheless, I just smiled at him and motioned him to speak further.

"His majesty, King Archemidius. Has given me a very important task within the years that you were not here in the academia. I am the one who battled your fights for you and I am honored of such. But now that you are here, I can't help but also feel joy as the rightful warrior has come to the battlefield to show how powerful our kingdom is thus I came here to meet you. I have the booklet where everything that you need to know in the clash is written. I assume that you don't know about this yet." I looked at him and smiled. I told Nate to go and make something to drink and eat to which he immediately complied as he retreated back to the kitchen. I looked at Jean before I spoke.

"I have already had the crash-course from Kaval, Jean." He looked at me and he looked very much stoked for a few seconds before he spoke.

"I apologize for assuming that you haven't learned the customs of the event yet your majesty." He said and bowed his head.

"You do not need to apologize Jean. I appreciate the thought. Thank you. Although, Kaval has recommended that I get in-battle advices from you. Can you advice me instead?"

"It would be an honor your majesty. Can I know as to when can we start?" I looked at Jean confused.

"By that you mean?"

"Ah, I think that it would be better if we get into the advising in the actual. I can discuss it now but it would be much better if you see it with your eyes. But if you want me to discuss it now then we can proceed with that." I looked at him impressed as to how is he so formal with these things. Well now that I have mentioned it, no wonder why my father chose him to be my substitute. He is simply a leader and a fighter, something that I struggle with.

"I see. Well we can start by tomorrow immediately. Your idea about me seeing these advice of yours in the eyes is a much better way as I can also obtain battle knowledge." I looked at Jean and I could see how his eyes glimmered at the praise. Well would you look at that, he's happy that I acknowledged his idea. He is one of my people after all so an acknowledgement from a royalty is sure an achievement that not anyone can achieve. Now I sound so cocky but it's true.

Nate came back with the things that I have asked for him to prepare. The three of us sat down in comfortable peace as we started to tend to the food on the table.

"Thank you for the food your majesty. It is an honor to be able to eat with you in the same table."

"It's no problem Jean. This is only a small gesture of thanks for what you have done during my absence." I spoke with a faint smile.

"I am beyond excited to see what you can do with your powers, your majesty."

My smile immediately vanished as I looked at Nate immediately. His face was left unchanged but I could feel him sighing mentally. I looked at Jean who was looking at us with a questioning look.

"Did I say something wrong your majesty? I apologize!" Jean said as he immediately bowed his head on the table. I sighed and looked away from him. So father hasn't told him yet. Somehow, I felt a surge of faint anger in me as to why father did not tell him anything and left me with this. But I think it's also right. It's my duty to reveal my real identity to those who are essential.

"No you didn't say something offensive Jean. It's just that, my father has seemed to have left you in the dark all this time." The other raised his head and looked at me with a confused stare.

"You see Jean, whatever reason that my father told you. They were all lies as the reason of my absence and my despise to enter the academia is far more serious." I spoke every word with a heavy heart. I was disappointed at myself as I am yet to disappoint another person with my stupid real identity.

"I am confused your majesty. Why would his highness lie about you?" Jean queried even more. I looked at Nate and he gave a nod. I sighed and looked at Jean.

"Jean, you see, the reason for all of this, the things and the lies that my father has constructed is because, I do not have my powers." As soon as the last word came out from my mouth, Jean's face completely dissipated. I expected him to flip out but then I was wrong as he only showed me a smile of sadness and comfort.

"Your majesty. I know." Jean said with a comforting stare. Nate and I looked at him with a questioning look. He smiled at us before speaking.

"Your majesty, his highness would never lie about you when it comes to important matter and for the secureness of the kingdom. I was not talking about magical ability, I was speaking about your power to be able to conquer this tyrant with all of what you have. With or without powers."