"That's Vethor's child," Xerxez said.

"Isn't Vethor a commoner? Why would a noble associate with a peasant's child?" the people whispered.

"Silence!" Xerxez roared. "Send for Vethor, now."

But a delegate soldier, Phalleon, objected. "That man has no wisdom. He doesn't even know how to write. Why do you value people like that?" he complained. "It's only right to command those without knowledge to learn and become your soldiers."

"A person who does good deeds should be rewarded," Xerxez said. The truth was, Xerxez had seen much goodness in Vethor during his service as a soldier. "From the beginning, I saw him as a good example to his fellow soldiers. So, because his child also treats my child well, I have a special gift for Vethor," the king emphasized.

"Greetings to the king—perhaps there is someone else you should give a special gift to first." The voice came from a man who emerged from the great door. He was Matheros, Xerxez's cousin.

Despite his weakness, he had become Xerxez's temporary administrator. He played a big role, and besides that, he was Xerxez's most trusted confidant.

"I know someone," he said, immediately stepping forward to face the king. "I'm sure you'll be pleased to meet him." The king was puzzled because Matheros's behavior seemed strange.

"What are you talking about?" A hint of impatience crossed Xerxez's mind because of his commander's suggestions. "It's not important who you are; what's important is how you treat your fellow man." They all fell silent. But Xerxez turned back to Matheros. "Can you introduce me to the person you say I will be pleased to meet?" he commanded Matheros.

"You won't be mistaken about him, my king. Because he is a good person and skilled in fighting with a bow."

"Did I hear that correctly? He's good with a bow?" The king shook his head.

When he heard about the bow, it was as if his sad memories of his late wife were returning. The truth was, he had been slowly recovering from his complex sorrow. But upon hearing about the bow, which was what killed his wife, he suddenly felt a burning suspicion again. He thought that anyone with a bow must be connected to his wife's death, which is why he became so suspicious.

"Bring him here at once!" the king roared, his anger seeming to ignite. Everyone was puzzled why the king's demeanor had suddenly changed, as just a moment ago there was no trace of harshness on his face, and now he seemed fiercer than a wild lion.

"Catana!" Matheros called out. The truth was, Catana had been waiting behind the wide door, so when she heard her name called, two guards immediately opened it for her. As she entered, she saw soldiers standing on either side of the path. The moment her foot touched the golden floor, she felt as if she had stepped into paradise. It glistened, especially as the sun's rays shone through the doorway at the same time she entered. She felt a little embarrassed at first because her sandals were dusty. When she came in, the people there were dazzled by the light, so they didn't immediately notice Catana's face.

Before Xerxez could see her fully, he was already hallucinating that he was about to face the man who killed his wife. But when his eyes adjusted from the glare, he saw the beautiful and radiant charm of a woman. He had assumed he would be facing a man, so he was suspicious that this was his enemy, but all that disappeared when he saw the woman's figure. She was beautiful and tall, so she was captivating, and the men there stood with their mouths agape. They gasped and stared. But Matheros broke the spell.

"She already has two children, my king," Matheros said, noticing that the attention of the people was slowly being consumed. The men there swallowed hard upon hearing this. "What a shame," was the last thing Matheros heard during the moment of silence. The king's anger and suspicion also disappeared when he finally saw the woman.

"Why didn't you tell me, Matheros, that you were going to present a woman to us?" Xerxez said, but he was only answered with a short reply: "Surprise!"

"I am delighted to see you, my king," Catana responded, kneeling at that moment. "I ask for your blessing, and I am ready to serve you. I am from the district of Regil, and currently the leader of the female soldiers."

"Your timing is perfect, because I need additional servants. We have many new territories, and with your help, the slowness and stubbornness of our soldiers will be reduced," Xerxez answered directly. He didn't investigate deeply because he knew Matheros had already vetted her.

"I will not fail you, my king," Catana replied happily.

"Well, you better not!" Phalleon added.

"Father. Is there going to be a war in our kingdom? Things seem serious, as if you are really preparing for it. Is this a war that's about to happen?" Pyramus said, his face showing worry.

The two princes were sitting on either side of Xerxez, Maximus on the right and Pyramus on the left. Xerxez's mouth was briefly sealed when he heard the word "war" from his son's own mouth, but he didn't want his children to worry. "This is not an upcoming war, my son, but just a conflict between Ossibus and Thallerion."

"They have the nerve to cause trouble in our country, Father," Pyramus replied.

"I know you are studying politics and leadership, so you know the character of the Ossibians."

"They have the character of a crow, taking advantage of opportunities. So, Father, don't give countries like them a chance."

"Your son Pyramus is a good man now; it seems he inherited your talent," Matheros said. "He is far from the old Pyramus. You have changed too. But I hope you won't return to the days of twilight."

"You can count on it," Xerxez said. Xerxez remembered a memory from the time he was just beginning to rise from his sorrow.

On that day, while Xerxez was thinking about his problems and had nothing to do but sigh, he covered his face with his hands, which meant he was sad about the problems on his mind. He was silent in the room for a while until he heard giggling. He was drawn in and became engrossed in listening to the cheerful laughter of two children. He felt they were playing tag because he could hear their voices getting closer and closer to where he was. He was happy listening to their sounds, so he was overjoyed when he finally saw them.

"My sons! Come to me and give me a hug. I know you have something to tell me," Xerxez greeted his sons with a smile.

"Father, we are happy you are here because we have been looking for you for a while. It's a good thing we saw the kings and asked them where the king of Thallerion was," said Maximus. Maximus was about four years old here, but he was already very talkative even though he had difficulty pronouncing some words. "Why are you looking for the king of Thallerion?" He smiled with a playful grip. He knew his children were being mischievous, so he played along to relieve his fatigue from thinking about the kingdom's problems. "What are you going to do to the king?" he asked playfully. Pyramus immediately followed his question with an answer.

"We will capture him! To imprison him in our love," Pyramus answered.

"In love?" Xerxez said. Maximus immediately continued, but in a pretend old man's voice. "That's what we will do to him, so tell us where the king of Thallerion is hiding."

"What if I tell you, I am the king of Thallerion! Will you capture someone like me?" He pretended to be brave. The three of them were just play-acting.

"We are sorry, but we will not continue with his capture," Pyramus said.

Xerxez immediately asked a question: "Why?"

"Because we didn't expect to face such a brave king. But, if you surrender your life, we will imprison you in a cage of love and happiness," Pyramus's meaningful answer.

"I will surrender. I am ready to accept any punishment you give me—to be imprisoned in that cage," Xerxez quickly agreed. The two were also surprised.

"You surrendered so quickly?" Maximus said. "I thought the king of Thallerion was very, very brave?"

"I would rather be imprisoned in a cage with happiness than be free without joy," Xerxez answered emotionally. He was so happy to watch his children that he couldn't help but hug and kiss them on the forehead. "Come sit next to me," he called to the two. They came to him at once; Pyramus just sat beside his father, while Xerxez sat Maximus on his lap.

"I am so lucky to have you in my life, by my side," Xerxez said happily. "You know, there is no wealth that can ever surpass what I have, as long as you are here, my day is truly joyful." He smiled again. "What use is being a king if you are far from my life? You are my only strength, and my life. Because you are my joy, my love is in the two of you. So, whoever tries to hurt you and take you away from me, I will truly punish them."

"Really, Father?" Maximus said admiringly.

"Of course, my son, I will do everything for you. I will make an example of anyone who dares to hurt you. I will make them suffer and suffer. Even if they cry tears of blood, I will truly not forgive them."

"Wow! You're scary, Father!" he admired.

"You know, Maximus, they are just tiny things to Father," Pyramus added. They just enjoyed their playful banter until sleep finally overtook Xerxez's two children. Xerxez was happy with his children and had no regrets that they were his.