Always, For You

Chapter 4

The north is cold. Colder than many from the capital are used to. Thick layer of snow covers the land. It feels magical yet deadly.

Kaizen breaths out as he maneuvers through the snowy mountain. The sounds of the galloping horses being the only thing they could hear. Otherwise it was such a quiet place.

"Second prince we should take a break." One of the knight says. "No. The northern mountains are dangerous. Let's push ourselves a little bit. We will reach the estate soon." Kaizen says. No one argues and they all continue forward.

When they do reach the settlement of the north, Kaizen is awed. At one look of the region you would think the northerners would be suffering but as they pass the village all Kaizen could see were kids dressed warmly as they play around. Adults working in stalls, some talking with each other and many other buying certain things.

Various nothern knights guard the gates and guard the common people. None of them stops them as they pass through. They were most probably informed in advance about their arrival. As they approach the large estate, the gates opens letting them inside.

The horses come to a screeching halt. Kaizen gets off his horse. So does the others.

"Kaizen." Fenric, the Duke of Stormvale, appears. "Uncle." Kaizen greets with a bow.

Fenric eyes the knights who had followed Kaizen. Eyes full of doubts.

"Henry, please a living area for all the knights. Follow me Kaizen." Fenric said to one of his knight in a stern voice as he turns around and walks inside with confident strides.

Once they are in a quieter room Fenric breaks the silence. "You wrote to me saying you want to stay here and learn. But what is the real reason?" He questioned.

"I need help." Kaizen answers after a while. "Help? What help? Why would you think I would agree to help you?" Fenric asked, a venomous aura surrounding him. Kaizen have been warned again and again by his mother that Fenric was so a big fan of the royal. But now, he thinks it might have been understatement.

Kaizen gets on his knees on the floor. "I plan to descend the throne. I need support. I need help. And for my plans, I need your help specifically. I plan to bring down the royal. Once and for all." He says. Fenric snorts mockingly.

"Who knew I would live to see the day a royal blood would want to commit treason." He says. "What you are planning is treason. You are planning to steal a crown that does not belong to you. Do you understand what that hints to? You are asking for a war within the empire."

Kaizen falls silent. Of course he knows what may happen. Especially if he were to fail in his quest. "Yes I am aware. But I need the throne to get what I want." He says.

"What you want?" Fenric asked with a raised brow amused. His expression turns into one of disbelief.

"I do not want the crown. What I want is... Someone. I refuse to lose her to the crown prince. I never envied him but he has the person I want." Kaizen says, a look full of hatred and amger crossing his face.

"Is this about young lady who is going to be the crown prince?" Fenric asked to which Kaizen nods. The duke laughs mockingly. "Royal blood never betrays any of its descendants. Selfish to the core at the end." He says as he stands up.

"But fine. I will help you. I have no reason to support the king. I will train you but keep in mind that you are to be treated like just any knight. You do not have a privilege just because you are the second prince." He adds in a warning tone.

"That is more than fine with me." Kaizen answered immediately. With a little bit of hesitance, Fenric asked him, "How is Milenna?"

"Mother is fine. She dearly misses you." Kaizen said. A soft look passes over Fenric's face but it is gone as soon as it appeared.

He calls for a butler inside. "This is Omar. The main butler. It will be good for you to get acquainted with the main workers of this estate. Omar has been working here even before your mother's marriage." Fenric says. Kaizen greets the butler quickly.

"Omar escort Kaizen to the room you have prepared for him. Let him know the ins and outs." He commanded. "Yes your grace." Omar says with a bow. He leads Kaizen out of the room leaving Fenric alone.

Fenric sits back down leaning back. One of his arm over his eyes. Deep in thought.

"Darling." A voice calls out breaking him away from his thoughts. He looks up to see his beloved wife walking inside. He stands up greeting his wife with a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"I thought you were taking some rest Ari." He says, his voice softer. "I was. But I heard Kaizen is here." Arianne says. Fenric nods. "I have asked Omar to show him around. You can meet him later at dinner time." Fenric says.

"How is it? Meeting Kaizen again." Arianne asked. Fenric sighs at the question. "It is uncanny just how much he looks like his father. Every bits of him scream royalty. But he is as stubborn as my little sister. I don't know how to feel." He expresses his feeling sincerely.

Arianne smiles sadly at his words. She knows how hard it must be. "But treat him nicely dear. He is all but a boy ignored and left alone with only his mother to support him." She says.

"I will try." Fenric mumbles leaning down to rest his head on her shoulder. Arianne lets him melt into her arms. She knows how hard it is for Fenric to see Kaizen. To remember the things of the past.

Milenna was the beloved sister. The beloved daughter of the Stormvale Duchy. The royals knew that and they were using her as a leash to keep Stormvale down.

"Things are going to be okay. I know it." Arianne says in a comforting voice. She really did hope so.