A Royal Obligation
Chapter 33: How Disappointing

Chapter 33: How Disappointing

Prince Kaelix stood at the edge of the training field, his expression sharp and unyielding as he observed the figure approaching. Prince Eirik of Valeidio was making his entrance, and it was anything but ordinary.

Instead of the standard training uniform that Kaelix had meticulously provided, Eirik had chosen to don a deep purple tunic that shimmered under the morning sun, each movement catching the light and drawing every eye to him.

The tunic was an opulent choice, one that made Eirik’s already striking features all the more captivating. His violet eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire, a stark contrast to the cool demeanor he displayed.

A flicker of irritation sparked within Kaelix, but it was quickly joined by something more disconcerting. He felt a pull, a magnetic draw toward the Valeidio prince that he couldn’t quite shake off. It was a sensation he hadn’t expected, and it unsettled him.

This was supposed to be a day where he would assert his dominance, where he would test and undoubtedly embarrass the fourth prince of Valeidio. Yet, instead of feeling confident in his plans, Kaelix found himself distracted by Eirik’s appearance, a distraction he resented deeply.

The irritation only grew when Kaelix noticed that Eirik was not wearing his signature veil. It had become something Kaelix had grown used to, a barrier that kept Eirik at a distance, shrouded in mystery.

But today, that veil was gone, and Kaelix was forced to confront the full impact of Eirik’s presence. The absence of the veil was jarring, and Kaelix couldn’t help but wonder if this was a deliberate choice. Was Eirik trying to make a statement? Or worse, was he trying to draw him in with his undeniable good looks?

Kaelix scoffed internally. Oh! The Valeidio prince thought he could win him over with good looks? How absurd, he concluded.

"Prince Eirik," Kaelix greeted, his tone as icy as the morning air. "I see you’ve chosen to make quite an entrance."

Eirik merely shrugged, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "What can I say, it’s a gift."

Kaelix’s eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto Eirik’s. There was a challenge in those violet eyes, a silent dare that piqued Kaelix’s curiosity. This wasn’t the timid, reserved prince he had been expecting. No, this was someone who was ready to push boundaries, to defy expectations. It was both intriguing and infuriating. The thought crossed his mind that perhaps this was all an act, a façade to hide the true Eirik beneath. But even so, it was an act that Kaelix found himself reluctantly drawn to.

Eirik could feel the eyes of the Zephyros soldiers on him, their curiosity and skepticism almost tangible. This was not going to be easy, but then again, nothing in his life had ever been.

Still, he wasn’t here to play by their rules or to meet their expectations. He had learned long ago that it was better to unsettle your opponent before they had a chance to unsettle you. And if that meant dressing as if he were about to attend a grand ball instead of a sparring session, so be it.

Kaelix’s eyes flicked over Eirik’s attire again, the annoyance clear in his voice as he asked, "Is there a reason you chose to dress like someone attending a show instead of preparing for combat?"

Eirik offered him a calm, almost bored look. "Perhaps because life is a show, Prince Kaelix. And every moment is a performance."

Kaelix raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the response. Before he could retort, Eirik continued, his tone light but with an edge that hinted at something more. "But if you must know, I find the standard training attire rather uninspiring. And I prefer to be inspired."

A ripple of barely contained laughter passed through the soldiers surrounding them, their amusement clear. Captain Drystan, standing nearby, raised his eyebrows in amusement, finding the exchange interesting.

Sadiki, Eirik’s ever-present personal guard, remained stoic, though internally, he was struggling not to burst out laughing. He knew better than anyone how sharp Eirik’s tongue could be. The prince rarely spoke, but when he did, it was always worth listening to.

"Very well," Kaelix replied, a slow, almost predatory smile curving his lips. "Let’s see what you’re made of, then."

Eirik didn’t flinch under the scrutiny, his expression remaining calm and composed. "You don’t have to see what I’m made of, Prince Kaelix. I’ll tell you," he said, his tone light, almost playful.

Kaelix raised an eyebrow, curiosity overtaking his irritation. "And what, pray tell, are you made of, Prince Eirik?"

The soldiers around them shifted, barely containing their amusement, but Eirik remained unperturbed. "Water, flesh, and blood. Just like any other human," he answered with a straight face.

The response was so unexpected, so simple, that a ripple of laughter escaped from the gathered soldiers. Captain Drystan, couldn’t concealed his amusement, as a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. Even Sadiki, ever the loyal guard, was struggling to maintain his stoic expression, though Eirik’s deadpan delivery was nearly his undoing.

Kaelix, however, was less amused. He stared at Eirik as if the prince had just grown a second head. "Are you being serious right now?"

Eirik’s indifference only seemed to infuriate Kaelix further. The Zephyros prince had come here to see Eirik spar, to test his mettle, not to engage in pointless banter. "You are here to spar with one of my soldiers," Kaelix said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I want to see how well you can handle yourself in a fight."

Eirik’s gaze didn’t waver. "Sadiki will spar on my behalf."

Kaelix’s eyes flashed with anger. He had no intention of letting Eirik escape from the challenge. "So, you’re going to hide behind your personal guard like a weakling?" he taunted, his voice laced with venom.

Eirik’s response was as unruffled as ever. "Isn’t that what personal guards are for? As a royal prince, it is my duty to let them protect me in the face of danger. And currently, this sparring session is a danger to my peaceful morning. Sadiki here will handle it. Right Sadiki?"

The soldiers couldn’t hold back any longer. Laughter broke out in waves, some struggling to stifle it while others let it out in full. Even those who had been skeptical of Eirik were beginning to see him in a new light. It wasn’t every day someone dared to speak to Prince Kaelix in such a manner, and it was clear that Eirik was more than capable of holding his own, at least verbally.

Sadiki, always quick to support his prince, nodded. "Of course, my prince. I’m here to protect you from any kind of danger," he said, though his eyes twinkled with barely suppressed laughter.

Sadiki knew better than anyone just how sharp Eirik’s wits were, it’s as if he already knew what the other person was going to say and had prepared a comeback beforehand. It was one of the many reasons why Sadiki respected him so much.

Kaelix, on the other hand, was seething internally, his fists clenched at his sides. How could someone be so shameless? He glared at Eirik, who stared back with a look of serene indifference, as if he were completely unaffected by the hostility directed at him.

"Exactly what I’d expect from a Valeidio, Kaelix continues his taunts with a sneer. "Weaklings, hiding away, when in face of danger. " His voice full of contempt.

Eirik’s eyes flicked with mild amusement as he sighed theatrically.

"Yes, you’re right. Are you just realizing now, that we Valeidios are weaklings? If we’re not, there wouldn’t be a need for this marriage alliance in the first place. And here I thought the heir of Zephyros was smart. How disappointing."

The way Eirik said it, like a disappointed mother scolding a child, made Kaelix’s jaw tighten in frustration. He couldn’t believe how the tables had turned so quickly. His attempt to disgrace the Valeidio prince had failed miserably, and now he was the one standing there, looking foolish.

Unable to bear it any longer, Kaelix turned on his heel and stormed away, as he muttered "pathetic" under his breath.

Captain Drystan, followed closely behind, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. He had enjoyed the entire than he would ever admit. It wasn’t every day that someone managed to put Prince Kaelix in his place, and it was certainly a sight to behold.

As Kaelix disappeared from view, Eirik watched him go, his expression still calm and indifferent. Internally, however, he was rolling in laughter. He had to admit, there was a certain satisfaction in seeing Kaelix so thoroughly ruffled. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

The soldiers who had been watching the exchange now looked at Eirik with newfound respect. They couldn’t believe that he had been bold enough to provoke Kaelix like that, and if that wasn’t bravery, they weren’t sure what was.

With a deep breath, Eirik turned to Sadiki, who was still standing by his side, and gave him a small nod. "Let’s go, Sadiki."

"Yes, my prince," Sadiki replied, his voice as steady as ever.

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