Fortunately, King Artair stuck his oars in and valiantly defended his dear son from the duo. Vigo was meaner than the two, though. Perhaps envious of his good fortune than him.

The eldest of the offspring of their deceased grandfather is his beloved father, King Artair. He was naturally the legitimate heir. And is undoubtedly the most capable son of the King. He was traditionally the next in line.

Raigon may not be as combatant and as brave as Vigo is. But his n.o.ble heart for the paramount safety and economic prosperity of Terra was genuine and sincere. Just like his devoted father.

"Get a hold of yourself, my child. Don't let those two affect you." King Artair nonchalantly sipped on his chamomile tea.

The royal father and son were presently on the Solar. Queen Rose had intentionally left to retire for the moonlit night. Raigon was still fuming mad from the disparagement of his paternal relatives.

"How could I simmer down? Does he even know anything about me?" Raigon drew in a deep, harsh breath and sat down. His brawny arms were trembling uncontrollably. Merely thinking about the controversial comment made his blood boil.

"Exactly. Do you prefer men?" King Artair merely asked as he flipped on some bureaucratic paperwork. He has a lot to discuss with the royal council tomorrow morning.

Raigon jerked his head to confront his father. "Not you!" He exclaimed indignantly as he swept his brawny arm. "Your majesty," He immediately retorted. He almost forgot who it was he was talking to.

King Artair gently folded the official doc.u.ments and carefully placed it on his lap. "Just acknowledge my question." He put down his gla.s.ses and looked straight at Raigon.

"Definitely not!" He blurted out with his elbows wide away from his body and his chest thrust out.

"Are you incompetent?" King Artair hammered away without withdrawing his experienced eyes on Raigon.

Raigon crossed his arms and contemplated with flared nostrils. He was in fact entertaining doubts about it. Compared to Vigo, who was brutal and violent during their extensive training, he looked like an average.

But he was also excellent in archery, horseback riding, and swordsmans.h.i.+p. He could not say he was incompetent.

"No!" he exhaled with his prominent chin up.

"Well, it's settled then." King Artair put on his eyegla.s.ses and went back on reading the ill.u.s.trated papers on his lap.

Raigon sighed profoundly and conveyed a pinched expression. "Just like that?" He responded in apparent confusion. How could his father be nonchalant about this?

"What do I always tell you when you're caught in a corner?" He glanced up from his reading.

Raigon sat down again and ma.s.saged his temples. "I should focus on the solution and not the problem."

"Now, we're talking." King Artair put away everything he has on his hands and focused on his son.

He leaned forward as he asked, "What do you think is the answer to this mishap?"

Raigon drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. 'I couldn't a.s.sume I can permit this to go on. I won't allow them to be under that impression merely because I know it is not true. The reputation of the Crowned Prince is at stake. The citizens should be compelled to have their faith in their soon beloved King. I have the obligation to win them back.'

"Do you have someone in mind?" King Artair's lips twitched upward as he clasped his hand and set his elbow on his table.

He was hoping to enlighten his son and help him come up with a resolution, but it placed him in a more awkward situation.

Raigon scratched his head and stared at King Artair. Could he trust his father with his heart? Can he really tell him who he desires to be his beloved.  It seemed that he cannot do so with her Queen Mother.

He cleared his throat. "Well, there is this lady…" He was about to reveal to him.

The reason why he was not involving himself with another woman is because of her. But as he was trying to tell him his story, King Artair placed him in cold storage.

"Bring her to me," King Artair replied in a flash.

Raigon was taken aback.

"But…" He wanted to continue on and say, "She was not from Terra. How could I direct her here?"

In a twinkle of an eye, he was reminded of the special favor that the King has granted to him. He accomplished making the cup of tea that the King fancied.

Though he cannot plead for her to be the queen and endanger his father, he could possibly propose to him to give permission to Zoe to stay in their city somehow. If Zoe will agree to it.

He flashed his triumphant smile. "Absolutely!" He beamed in excitement.

*********************************

Focus on the solution. Not the problem.

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