Prince's Revenge

Zein opened his eyes. The white ceiling was immediately visible, adorned with a series of gold-colored ornaments. He looked at his hands, trying to understand the situation.

"What is this?"

Zein then put his feet out of bed. It felt strange but familiar when his feet touched the shiny white marble tiles. He stood and looked towards the mirror beside his bed. The reflection of a teenage boy with black hair and blue eyes was reflected in the mirror. His face was smooth again, the wounds around his face disappeared. His rough hands now looked soft and weak. He saw his current very thin shadow.

"Is that me? But I look younger. What really happened? The teacher cast his last magic on me. Time magic? But...whatever it is, I really look weak now."

In his confusion, Zein walked towards the still-closed window. He opened the window. Instantly, the cool breeze hit his face, and the warm rays of the morning sun seemed to greet him gently. Imagining the recent events he had experienced was like a nightmare he didn't want to experience again. The flashes of memories of his last fight and the death of his sister felt like stabbing his head.

Knock... knock... knock...

"Excuse me, Prince Zein, I have brought your breakfast."

This voice...

"Come in," Zein answered shortly.

The door opened, and a woman dressed in a maid's outfit came in with a trolley with food on top. The woman had short brown hair, round brown irises, and a small mouth. The aura of gentleness could be felt by everyone who saw her.

Zein turned to look at the maid and then smiled.

"Long time no see, Marina."

The maid called Marina was puzzled.

"I don't understand, Prince. Don't we always meet because I am your personal maid?" Marina looked confused when she replied to Zein's words.

Marina was one of the people who was always by Zein's side. Until she was finally expelled from the kingdom, since then Zein did not know her whereabouts.

Zein walked towards the chair in his bedroom. The food was prepared in front of him. He took his first bite and smiled satisfied. Delicious food like this... he remembered the days of his exile, the times when it was very difficult to find food. Plants, animals, anything he could find in the wilderness he had tried.

"Prince, you must be present in the throne room today," Marina said hesitantly.

"What date is it today?" Zein asked.

"In the Arthuria calendar, it is August 23, 1970."

This is two months after my mother's death, as it would have happened before. So, it's true that I am 15 years old now.

Zein finished his breakfast and hurried to the bathroom to wash himself.

Why did Prince Zein's attitude suddenly change? Since yesterday, he looked gloomy and didn't want to be approached by anyone. But today his aura is different, he looks more mature, Marina thought to herself.

Marina walked towards the table and tidied up the used utensils. A few moments later, Zein appeared very neat, wearing a green short vest over a long brown pants and black shoes with unique carvings on each side, and a gold-colored royal pin attached to his shirt collar adding to the elegant value.

"You look good wearing it, Your Highness," Marina said.

"This feels really strange, wearing noble clothes again," Zein replied.

"Ah...thank you, Marina. Today started off so pleasant because of you," Zein praised.

"You should enjoy it, Your Highness," Marina bowed. The 20-year-old woman's face was very satisfied to hear Zein say that to her.

"When is my schedule to meet the queen?"

"This afternoon, Your Highness, after lunch."

"I'll be free until then...." Zein sat in his relaxed chair, resting one foot on the other. His index finger kept moving on his chin.

Before the expedition with his mother, Albert, the head butler, was the one who took care of everything. But suddenly Linda offered to take care of the expedition, which was very rare for her to act kindly towards them. Her mother's death made her rise in an instant to become the queen. Zein had to be calm and not rush.

"Haah...." Zein sighed. "Marina, please call Albert to come and see me now."

"As you command, Your Highness." Marina bowed and went out.

Zein looked at both of his palms. Small blue sparks floated like a patterned line. It was magic, apparently it still flowed within Zein.

"This body...is very weak, I have to train it. My sword fighting skills before were able to defeat a main captain, but look now...I'm just a skinny 15-year-old. The flow of my mana is also very small. Small training like hunting can surely help. Besides, if my opponent in the future is the same as before...I have to prepare myself."

A few minutes later.

Knock...knock...knock...

"Excuse me, Your Highness, I am Albert..."

"Come in."

A man in his forties entered, dressed in dark clothes and a shirt. His whitening hair was neatly combed with a bangs to the right side. He wore thin white glasses.

"What's the matter, Your Highness, that you called me?" Albert asked.

"I...want to ask something about the day when I went on my expedition with my mother..."

Albert looked a little uneasy hearing Zein's sudden words. He diverted his gaze to another direction for a moment. But eventually, Albert nodded and was ready to explain anything Zein would ask.

Zein smiled a little. "Thank you."

***

Zein walked through the corridors of the royal palace. On either side of the walls hung photos of his predecessors standing tall while holding swords. Multicolored gemstones were hung on the ceiling of the corridor, along with carvings and paintings by royal artists.

Marina and Albert followed Zein from behind. Albert whispered to Marina, "Isn't Prince Zein a bit different?" Marina replied, "Yes, I thought I was the only one who felt that way. He seems very mature now." "Yes, he looks very mature. I feel like I'm seeing our king right now," Albert replied.

They looked at Zein's upright back, exuding a high level of confidence. They arrived in front of a large white door adorned with gold ornaments on its surface. Two guards dressed in dark blue opened the door.

The large hall was dominated by white colors. The gray marble tiled floor, large glass decorated with various artistic shapes, and several hanging fabrics made the hall even more magnificent.

"The first Prince Zein Cloid, son of Queen Valerin Cloid, enters the room," a guard said.

All the attendees in the hall immediately turned their attention to Zein. He ignored all those stares and continued to walk forward until he reached the throne of the king. The whispers of the royal officials and the nobility were heard.

"Prince Zein, your actions of poisoning my son, the fourth prince, are a criminal offense. I understand the grief that befalls you. I considered your mother Valerin as my own sister, but why did you have the heart to poison your own brother?" Linda asked, looking down at Zein from her throne.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty, how can you be so sure? Not to doubt, but we need to have evidence," one of the attending nobles asked.

Linda clapped her hands once. Two guards and a female maid entered the throne room. They stood in the middle of the room on the red carpet. All the attendees focused on the maid.

"This person will provide her testimony."

Zein, who had experienced this before, already knew what he was going to do this time.