" Do you understand the impact that this will have on our eco-political strata? "
" No, Alexandar, I don't want to imagine the eco-political consequences of the emperor flashing a young duke in the making. "
" I am talking about accidental flashing. But it becomes national news, and then the emperor is surrounded by allegations of being a pervert and being heterosexual. Wouldn't that threaten the position of the emperor? "
" Alex, I am not playing what-if scenarios with you. "
" Well, it's not like you can win when I talk about real stuff. The best I can give you is a perverted emperor. "
" I don't want any of it, Alex. "
" You need to have some sort of skill aside from being a bundle of muscles. "
" You want to see what this bundle of muscles can do to you? "
" Kenneth, this headstrong attitude won't help you get through the world. "
" It will be enough for you to leave me alone. "
" Why are you soo moody today ? "
' I wish I could tell you, Alexander. ' It is something that Lucian can share with nobody.
' My little sister used to tell me about this story with soo much excitement, I wish I had listened to her. ' It fills him up with sadness and regret.
Kenneth might be the youngest of the ducal family, but Lucian was the eldest of all his siblings, and, like a parent, he had to always be responsible for them. His parents are now old, so he was supporting his family while going through college and taking care of his siblings' expenses.
Who is taking care of them if he is not there anymore? Who is paying the bills ? Waking up all his little siblings ? Who is helping them with their homework ? Who is doing the budgeting for the house ? All these things worried him. But, most importantly, he missed them. Lucian is used to living in a chaotic household where there is not even a moment of silence. This huge mansion is full of chaos and people, yet Lucian has never felt more isolated. To say he is homesick is an understatement.
' I used to always make fun of my little sister for reading childish romance comics. ' Kenneth's thoughts drifted into the realm of sadness again. ' Now I would give anything to hear her again. ' He dearly misses his people. Combined with the time pressure of the dangerous future that awaits him, Kenneth can't help but succumb to stress.
" Kenneth, I have been meaning to ask you. Are you alright? " Alexander, the third eldest son of the Vlezerk family asked Kenneth in a concerned voice. Lucian could not just start imitating Keneth with perfection just when he got there. He tried his best, but there were some inconsistencies in his act, and the people around him could see that.
Alexander was the prettiest of the 4 brothers. And the most academically gifted. And the only one who was closest to Kenneth in age. Sebastian and Kenneth are close, but since Sebastain had a tight schedule, the only time that they could be together was the morning practice. The rest of the day Kenneth and Alexander spent it together.
" What do you mean Alex ? "
" You look pale and stressed out. It's as if you ate 4-month-old yogurt. " Alexander always knows the perfect metaphor for any situation.
" It is all in your head Alex, I am perfectly fine. " Kenneth playfully bumps his fist on Alexander's shoulders. He needs to know what is going on in his head.
' Is it because of the upcoming royal ball ? The crown prince, he is a prick after all. ' What is up with the crown prince ?
As far as Lucian remembers, the crown prince was originally constantly competing with his elder brother Sebastian instead of Kenneth. Nowhere was it mentioned that Kenneth and the crown prince had any serious interactions.
" You can keep repeating that lie for however long you want. But, right now, I want to hear what it that is bothering you soo much Kenn- "
" MY LORD! MY LORD! MY LORDDDDDD! " Alexander was cut off by the butler who burst into the room. The butlers face looked as if he had seen a ghost. You could see his hair turn grey in real time.
" What is this impudence?! You open the door without knocking and dare to cut into our conversation with that tone of yours?! " Alexander could obviously see that whatever was making the butler act this way was a very important matter. But, he had to reprimand his behaviour at that very moment to inhibit its occurrence in the future.
" I am extremely sorry for my behaviour, my lord! But, the estate is in the state of an emergency right now!! " The butler said as sweat balls rolled down his big forehead.
" What emergency ? "
" His majesty the crown prince just arrived at our estate. " The butler took a moment of hesitation to continue the sentence. " And he requests a private audience with young lord Kenneth. "