Kitanna
Chapter 55: MEMORIES

Chapter 55: MEMORIES

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: ONLY ~ KIM MARIE]

Nix walked out of the room, his steps taking him outside of the main palace. As he got to the East gate, he walked to the pillar, which was where he first saw the former king.

It was an old memory, but every bit of the event was still fresh in Nix’s memory. It was the very first day his grandfather brought him to visit the palace, a sunny day when he was just a boy.

’Boy, when you see the king, you should bow, but don’t grovel, boy... don’t,’ Nix heard his grandfather’s stern and hard voice in his memory.

That day while they’d waited at the pillar, a man in his early forties walked through the palace’s main gate. His robe was decorated with a golden phoenix. Nix didn’t have to be told that it was the king, but the problem was that this man walked in alone without his guards. Nix had always imagined that kings walked with legions of armies to show their strength. Nix turned his young head; his grandfather looked at the king straight in the eyes. Nix did the same and refused to bow.

’Lord Hieron, welcome to the palace. I did not know you would accept my invitation on short notice,’ the former king said with a respectful bow. His voice was so polite and calm.

’King Dunstan, you are my friend’s only child. For the sake of old times, why wouldn’t I come to see you, boy,’ Lord Hieron said with a straight face, his heavy Wahel accent still present. He never smiled, but his grandson enjoyed every bit of his company despite his strict nature.

The former king, Dunstan, looked at the young boy who was with the elderly man. He asked, ’Is this your grandson? The one you told me about in the letter.’

King Dunstan looked at the boy with so much interest. Despite his young age, the boy had this powerful aura that made people question his origin. His blue eyes shone with so much knowledge, and his peculiar white hair was just like that of his grandfather, but the difference was that the young boy’s hair looked more vibrant.

’Go on, boy, tell the king your name,’ Lord Hieron moved to the side, pushing young Nix forward to introduce himself.

’Greetings, King Dunstan. I am Nix Zeno of the great Wahel, the only descendant of the last White Lord, Hieron Zeno,’ the young boy said with so much authority and wisdom. His blue eyes still fixed on the king fearlessly.

King Dunstan let out a small laugh. He was so impressed with the way the boy spoke despite his young age. Hieron too, was proud of his grandchild. His chest puffed up in pride, but his face was still looking straight and lacked emotions.

’I like him already. Even at his young age, he is so charismatic. I can’t wait to see the kind of man he will be when he grows up,’ King Dunstan said in a low voice.

’Please, let us sit and have tea. You barely ever stepped foot into the palace again after the death of my father, your best friend,’ The King said with a sad face.

’Dunstan, boy,’ Lord Hieron dropped all formalities. ’The palace in its entirety reminds me of my best friend. And I see a bad seed sprouting within this place. If you don’t cut it down soon, it’ll eat up the good seeds,’ the old man said without moving to sit.

’I know very well, that is why I have asked for you to give me your grandson to be my daughter’s husband. Once she becomes the crown princess, I want them to rule side by side,’ King Dunstan said in a hushed voice.

’Nix here is the last of our lineage. His father died while fighting beside you. I cannot send him back to where he will perish,’ Hieron spoke sternly, his sharp eyes gazing at his grandson.

’You know what happened to your son. It was an ambush, and they already knew that the one with blood of poison was fighting with us. They only targeted to kill him,’ Dunstan said sadly.

’That is why I have to protect this last one. I cannot arrange a marriage for him in the royal family. Nix will grow to be a man of himself and choose what he wants. He is the last of my lineage and the next in line to lead the Wahel. What do you think the people of Morado will do if they find out that the one with poisoned blood rules beside the princess? It will cause controversy, just like it did many years ago,’ Hieron replied sternly.

"We were next in line to rule Morado until someone found out that our blood was mixed with poison. They tagged it a curse and said if we carry the crown, then the kingdom will be cursed. Not like it bothers us, but the same people who will curse the land fight with their lives on the line during war to bring home victory. My grandson won’t stay in the palace. I honored your invitation, Dunstan, because of my old friend. I will take my leave now," Nix’s grandfather completed and turned to leave.

Then something happened, something Nix never believed could happen.

The great King Dunstan knelt down with his forehead touching the ground. This act caused Nix to widen his eyes in shock, but he looked at his grandfather’s expression. It was still mundane, like it happened always. Young Nix immediately schooled his expression.

"Please, White Lord Hieron Zeno, help me. It was the dying wish of your friend that our family one day joins together. This friendship has run deeply for generations. Let us not allow it to end. My queen just put to bed a girl. I plan on abolishing the era of the Black Rose so that my daughter can be next in line to the throne. She cannot do it without someone stronger as her husband. Accept us as your in-laws," King Dunstan said with so much emotion.

Hieron cleared his throat and moved forward to help the king stand back on his feet.

"I am not the one to get married; let Nix see his bride. If he accepts, fine. But just know that Nix will be trained under my care until I’m sure he can handle the affairs of the palace. I won’t train my grandson in the palace to wear robes and drink tea. He is the next White Lord," Hieron said to the king. This time, his voice was not very hard, and he gently patted the king’s shoulder.

"Thank you, Lord Hieron, thank you. Let us go to where the baby is. She is a fine one. Her brown eyes are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," Dunstan quickly made his way to the main palace. He did not want the old man to change his mind again and was followed behind by Nix and his grandfather.

Lord Hieron stopped midway in his steps, moved his hand to hold his grandson’s shoulder. "Don’t be surprised when kings bow to you. It is our right; we were created special. Now, inside the palace, do not speak; here, use this to cover your hair and face. Make sure you keep your eyes down so no one sees it." Nix did what his grandfather had ordered.

They entered into the palace, where the young baby lay close to her mother.

"Go on, go and see the baby," Hieron pushed his grandson forward.

Nix, whose hair was covered with a hood and a mask on his face, walked slowly until he got to where the baby was. Just like the father had praised her, her brown eyes were beautiful, and her midnight hair was glowing. The baby reached out her tiny hand to his, and Nix held it gently. This caused the baby to coo.

"Her name is Kitanna, Princess Kitanna Morgair, Crown Princess of Morado," King Dunstan said proudly.

Young Nix let go of the baby. Before he moved back, he noticed that in the room were three women. The one lying beside the baby was sleeping, and it was the queen.

Nix looked at the other two women who were attending to the queen and the princess. Nix immediately recognized them in his memory; Lady Deonisia and the Queen Dowager, Almaria.

Before they could look at his face, Nix looked away.

Nix smiled at the distant memory, even till now the princess still had the most beautiful eyes. He turned and left the east gate going back to the main palace.