CHAPTER 34: BACK TO MORNINGSTAR (2)

As the royal home of House Ryder and the headquarters of the 90th supreme kingdom, the Morningstar Kingdom.

The White Jade Castle could be considered an impregnable domain.

The castle loomed above, its stone walls rising like a fortress from the surrounding landscape.

Knights and nobles, resplendent in their finest attire, milled the courtyard, their voices and laughter carried on the breeze.

At the entrance of the castle, King Alex stood on the top step of the grand stairway, his regal presence commanding attention.

Dressed in a long purple royal gown, with a crown on his head and a scepter in his hand.

He surveyed the scene below with an air of authority.

At the bottom of the stairway, Caden knelt, his head bowed in submission.

He was dressed in simple, unadorned clothing, and his hands clasped together in a gesture of supplication.

The contrast between the two figures was striking, the king in all his glory, and his prince kneeling in humility.

The atmosphere was tense, with all eyes fixed on the two figures. King Alex’s expression was unreadable, but the kneeling prince seemed to be awaiting a response.

Suddenly King Alex burst into an uproar of laughter. His chuckle echoed through the courtyard.

King Alex gently stroked his beard as he slowly descended down the stairway, approaching his prince "My son, how have you been?" King Alex asked.

Caden softly exhaled, he stayed on his knees as he answered "Your son has been very good"

"Red Crescent Kingdom treated me very well, and even King Arthur and Prince Aeros Stark were very good to me," Caden stated.

He needed to put House Stark in a good light before his father. King Alex nodded "That’s very good to hear"

"Although the assassination attempt occurred in the Inner-Sector of Red-Pool City, a land owned by the Red Crescent Kingdom"

"But I do not blame them for what just occurred" King Alex paused for a second, "The Reds are becoming audacious these days"

"But I’m glad you were able to pull through and save your life, House Ryder would have lost such a fine successor." King Alex’s white teeth shone.

His movements came to a halt as he stood before Caden, "Tell me son, how are you feeling now?" He asked.

Caden sighed "Although this assassination attempt really affected me mentally but I’m glad I’m still alive"

"Even though I awakened an S-Ranked Innate Skill, the assassin also possessed an S-Ranked Skill"

"A blackfire perfect against mine" Caden answered, King Alex nodded "Well they were really prepared to take you out, I’ll give them that"

"I know you’re strong...I can vouch for that, but how were you able to survive such an assassination?" King Alex was curious.

"Can I stand?" Caden asked, King Alex nodded "Of course you may rise my child"

Caden obeyed and he rose up from his knees. There was reticence in the entirety of the courtyard.

Caden cleared his throat with a cough "I’m sure you must have met here when she emerged from my royal carriage"

Caden spoke as he turned his gaze towards the unfazed Alyssa Silversword.

Thanks to Caden’s effects. Her long, silk purple hair radiated with the sunlight; she was draped in white armor.

With her sheathed scabbard hung on her waist. Despite everyone’s attention being fixed on her.

She didn’t budge; she quickly bowed her head before King Alex, who had also faced her.

"I must confess my son," King Alex continued to stroke his beard, "Even I am curious about this lady. Who is she?" He asked.

Caden’s lips curled into a faint smile, "This is Mona Helous, she’s a mercenary I hired to be my private bodyguard"

"And there’s no need to be worried, Father, she’s extremely loyal to me," Caden added.

King Alex softly exhaled, "A mercenary, huh?" His eyes flickered, "Why would a Sword Level, Grand Master choose to be a mercenary?"

"What was her price?" King Alex curiously asked.

Of course, Caden was prepared for that question. His father, King Alex is a Sword Level, Great Grand Master and a Mana Convergence Stage, Arch Mage.

There is no way she could hide her level from him.

Caden bowed his head before his father. "I’m afraid, Father, this is something private that even I can’t reveal," Caden answered respectfully.

"How dare you speak to the King like that? Who do you think you are, you useless runt?" Catherine, the second queen, chided Caden.

But Caden’s expression remained indifferent. King Alex raised his right hand, and seeing his hand, Catherine stepped back.

King Alex softly exhaled "Since it’s a private matter, I won’t dive into it any further"

King Alex still had a worrisome look in his eyes; this is a Sword Level, Sword Grandmaster after all.

What deal could Caden have struck with such a being?

He turned to face his son, "Since she’s the one who saved you from the assassin, I’ll surely appreciate her"

"My son, both you and Kane did well in this Emerald Awakening Ceremony, Prince Kane awakened an A-Ranked Innate Skill which was great"

"But you broke two records hahahaha"

"You made a name for not only yourself but for Morningstar as well." He paused; he could see the happiness on the faces of his executives.

"Back then, before I became the King..... Morningstar was the 100th-ranked supreme kingdom"

"It was too low and it’s been like that for three hundred years. I changed it and made it the 98th-ranked supreme kingdom"

"Now you’ve even brought us lower than I expected. We’re now ranked 90th in the supreme kingdom rankings"

"And if you were to take over.....I wonder how low our rank will be. This is good. He-he-he-he-he." King Alex laughed heartily.

But upon hearing this, many expressions turned grim. Just by those few words, everyone understood who King Alex would be supporting during the succession race.

This was terrible news for both the faction under the first queen and the second queen.

Many who wanted Prince Kane to be the heir apparent were shaken by the words of their king.

King Alex understood the underlying meaning within his words, but he couldn’t care less about it.

He has already revealed his support for Prince Caden.

Now a faction supporting the fifth prince Caden Ryder will surely rise soon.

King Alex placed his hand on his son’s shoulder, "My dear son, I’m aware that you will soon be leaving for a royal academy, correct?" King Alex asked.

Caden nodded "That’s correct Father, I’ve received enrollment letters from all thirty royal academies"

King Alex’s eyes shone with brilliant light, "Oh? This is a very, very incredible feat, my boy," King Alex chuckled.

The four princes’ hearts stiffened by this revelation. Not many could even enter their dream royal academy.

And yet Caden received enrollment letters from all thirty royal academies?

Their envy and hatred of Caden heightened even more.

"And have you picked the Royal Academy you will be attending?" King Alex asked, still stroking his beard.

Caden nodded with a warm smile, "That’s correct, Father, I’ve chosen the Valor Royal Academy," Caden answered.

Upon hearing this, Chief Advisor Benjamin Ortega’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Valor Royal Academy, huh?"

"It seems I was getting worried for nothing" He hid his joyful expression as he muttered "If it’s the Valor Royal Academy, killing you will be a piece of cake"