A Royal Obligation
Chapter 104: Tough Crowd

Chapter 104: Tough Crowd

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as the royals of Valeidio arrived in Zephyros. The large palace courtyard brimmed with energy, though beneath the pleasant greetings and polite exchanges, there was an unmistakable tension.

Eirik smiled as he greeted his family, but a pang of disappointment hit him when he noticed someone was missing.

"Where’s Uncle Cedric?" Eirik asked, glancing around as if expecting his uncle to appear from behind one of the carriages.

His father, King Xavian, rested a hand on his shoulder, giving him a knowing look. "Cedric stayed back to handle the kingdom’s affairs, son. He wanted to ensure everything was running smoothly while we’re here."

Eirik’s expression faltered, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I understand," he murmured, though his disappointment was clear.

His mother, Queen Morgana, stepped forward, her smile bittersweet as she gently caressed Eirik’s cheek. "The truth is, Cedric didn’t trust himself not to drag you back to Valeidio if he came with us. You know how protective he is."

Eirik chuckled softly, a flicker of warmth returning to his eyes. "That sounds like Uncle Cedric." He knew how much his uncle cared for him, but his absence still left an ache in Eirik’s heart.

Before the conversation could turn too sentimental, Amarok, the twins’ loyal servant, and much more,approached.

His movements were meek, his presence quiet but filled with reverence. Bowing his head slightly, he greeted Eirik. "Your Highness, it’s good to see you again. I’ve missed you."

Eirik’s face brightened instantly, the gloom from Cedric’s absence momentarily forgotten. "Amarok!" he exclaimed with a beaming smile. "I’ve missed you too." His eyes gleamed playfully as he added, "I hope the twins haven’t been giving you too hard a time while I was away. My offer still stands, you know."

Amarok flushed slightly, but his smile was genuine as he shook his head. "No, Your Highness. They’ve been treating me just fine."

"Don’t you trust us, brother?" Julian’s voice cut in from nearby, the familiar mischievous tone drawing a smirk from Eirik.

"Never," Eirik retorted quickly, his eyes narrowing playfully at his sibling.

Lucian chuckled deeply, crossing his arms over his chest. "You should have a little more faith in us, Eirik."

Their banter earned warm smiles from their parents, while Theo, Ella, and Theron exchanged amused glances. Even amidst the political turmoil and diplomatic pressures, moments like this reminded them of their familial bond.

Sadiki, who had been standing to the side, still sweating from his earlier training session with Drystan, made his way over to greet the royal family. He bowed respectfully. "Your Majesties, Your Highnesses," he said, his voice formal but edged with the easy confidence he always carried.

King Xavian and Queen Morgana accepted his greeting with nods, while Eirik offered a casual wave. "Still sweating, Sadiki?" Eirik teased. "Must have been a tough session."

"Drystan doesn’t go easy," Sadiki replied, casting a glance over his shoulder where Drystan stood, wiping sweat from his brow with a grin.

The warm familial atmosphere was briefly interrupted when the royals of Zephyros, led by King Reagan and Queen Elena, approached to formally greet their Valeidios in-laws. The air shifted slightly, tension creeping in under the weight of courtly expectations.

"King Xavian, Queen Morgana," Reagan said, his voice filled with warmth. "It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Zephyros."

Queen Elena stepped forward, gently clasping Morgana’s hands in hers. "It’s good to have you all here."

Prince Kaelix followed closely behind his parents, his expression poised as he greeted his future in-laws. "King Xavian, Queen Morgana," Kaelix said, bowing respectfully.

King Xavian acknowledged him with a nod, his expression neutral. Queen Morgana smiled politely, but Theron, who stood just behind his parents, only offered a curt nod, his eyes assessing Kaelix coldly, like one might inspect an opponent before a duel.

The twins and Eirik’s cousins, however, were less subtle in their distaste. They practically ignored Kaelix, pointedly turning away to speak amongst themselves as though he wasn’t even there.

Kaelix, for his part, kept his composure. He was no stranger to the disapproval of his future in-laws. The disinterest and thinly veiled dislike were things he had anticipated from the moment this alliance had been proposed. Still, it stung more than he’d like to admit.

Amarok, ever the dutiful servant, stepped forward to greet Kaelix as well. "Prince Kaelix," he said softly, bowing as he had to the other royals.

Kaelix gave him a brief nod in return, though he couldn’t help but wonder why a servant, however well-liked, was riding with the royals of Valeidio. "Welcome," he said coolly, his mind already drifting to other concerns.

With the formalities exchanged, King Reagan gestured for the Valeidio king and queen to follow. "Shall we? We’ve prepared a more private space for us to properly welcome you. Let the children mingle while we catch up."

Queen Morgana smiled, nodding in agreement. "That sounds lovely."

As their parents departed with the Zephyrian king and queen, the younger royals were left to their own devices, the atmosphere instantly shifting.

Kaelix was about to move closer to Eirik, hoping to walk alongside him and maybe share a few words, but Julian and Ella moved in like twin shadows, each taking one of Eirik’s arms and pulling him along.

Eirik managed to give Kaelix an apologetic smile over his shoulder before he was practically dragged away by his siblings. "Sorry!" his smile seemed to say, but the twins weren’t about to let him linger with his fiancé.

Kaelix watched them walk away, feeling the sting of being left behind.

Theron, who had been observing the scene with quiet amusement, smirked as he walked past Kaelix. "Better get used to it," he said, his tone edged with barely hidden derision.

Lucian and Theo exchanged smirks, following behind their siblings as if this were a game they’d played countless times before. Amarok, ever the silent observer, trailed behind the group, his presence quiet but constant.

Kaelix let out a slow breath. "This is going to be harder than I thought," he muttered under his breath.

Behind him, Drystan, Kaelix’s personal guard, watched the interaction with raised eyebrows. He glanced at Sadiki, Eirik’s guard, who was standing nearby, arms crossed as he observed the unfolding drama with a wry smile.

"Looks like you’re in for a rough time," Drystan remarked casually, nudging Kaelix with his elbow.

Sadiki grinned, shaking his head. "Tough crowd, that one," he said, gesturing toward the departing royals. "But don’t take it personally. They do that to everyone who gets too close to Prince Eirik."

Drystan chuckled softly. "Good to know." He slung an arm over Sadiki’s shoulder, pulling him along. "Come on, let’s go clean up. If I’m going to be guarding him through all this, I might as well look the part."

Sadiki followed with a nod, and the two of them started to walk off, clearly comfortable in each other’s presence.

Julian, who happened to glance back at that moment, spotted the friendly exchange between Sadiki and Drystan. His brows lifted in surprise. "Who’s that guy Sadiki is all buddy-buddy with?" he asked Eirik.

"That’s Kaelix’s personal guard," Eirik replied casually, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Julian’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Your guard and his guard are friends now?"

"Yep," Eirik replied, popping the ’p’ playfully.

"How the hell did that happen?" Ella chimed in, clearly as surprised as her cousin. "Sadiki doesn’t even talk to his fellow guards back in Valeidio."

Eirik’s smile was tight as he replied, "It’s a long story. Come on, let me show you to your quarters." He was trying to change the subject, but the curiosity in his families eyes hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Lucian, Theron, and Theo had been listening quietly, glancing back occasionally to watch Kaelix trail behind them, looking increasingly out of place. The dynamic was clear: Kaelix was the outsider here, no matter what titles or future promises were involved.