WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter eighty three - third royalty.

ARIUS STOOD ON THE BALCONY, staring at the crescent moon. The door to the balcony opened and Ijekiel joined him.

"So, you knew Jennette was a royal?" Ijekiel began as he leaned his arms on the balcony.

"Perceptive as always." Arius smiled.

"Since when?"

"Since the beginning."

"So o-our friendship was–"

"Don't misunderstand. My friendship with you was in no way connected to that."

"I see."

"Thank you for the coffee beans. I enjoyed them." Arius spoke regarding the gift Ijekiel had brought him from Arlanta.

"I thought you would." Ijekiel smiled brightly.

Silence reigned over the balcony for a while.

"Kiel, I need your help."

"With the matter with Jennette?"

"Yes. Tell me. Everything you know. There's a sound barrier around the balcony."

Ijekiel took a moment before letting his tongue loose.

Their conversation lasted for a while and to sum up all the information Ijekiel gave Arius, He didn't know Jennette was the previous emperor's daughter and believed her to be Claude's daughter. The rest of the information as to why she was being raised in Alpheus as a political tool to allow his father to have close connections with the royal family.

And now thirdly, the fact that Roger Alpheus intended on revealing her existence as a royal at tonight's banquet.

Ijekiel gave some details of how the Duke was keen to not inflict physical abuse on Jennette, at least he tried not to.

Arius asked whether she had any fresh bruises as of right now, to which Ijekiel hesitantly nodded.

Apparently, yesterday Jennette was excited to finally meet her father and siblings at the Palace, but Roger told her not to approach them unless said so otherwise.

She obviously retaliated and asked why she couldn't. Their argument turned quite serious as Jennette's only wish up till now was to meet her family. And the result was that Roger's orders were beaten into her.

Now that Ijekiel had given up all the information he had, Arius began.

"I can't allow her to go back with you guys. I'm sorry. Do you think my actions will affect you? He wouldn't take his anger out on you will he?"

"Hmph," Ijekiel smirked.

"Don't worry about it, Your Highness, I'm not the same child from back then. I was able to gain some freedom at the Academy so I'm a lot more headstrong now. But Jennette needs help. So please. As her cousin I wish for her safety and happiness. "

"Thank you. She will be safe with us. And I told you to call me Arius if we're just us." Arius puffed his cheeks making Ijekiel laugh.

"I'm sorry You–Arius."

"There, much better."

And their conversation continued, Arius and Ijekiel further discussed how to deal with Roger.

Ijekiel had also turned of age so even if something was to happen to Roger, Ijekiel could become the head of the house.

Arius did want to lock him up for the crime of harming royalty, but before that he had to get Jennette to be accepted as royalty.

The two friends decided to delay the matter for now, and let Roger believe he had succeeded in forming a good connection with the royals.

As Arius opened the door to leave the balcony, Ijekiel finally said, "Congratulations on your debut, Arius. And Happy Birthday."

The two exchanged smiles, Arius bump his fist gently on Ijekiel shoulder and smiled again before leaving.

Ijekeil panicked.

"I didn't ask him for a dance..."

On the other hand, Arius re-entered the banquet hall. He felt glad to see Athanasia standing in a corner with Jennette along with his cousins, the Villareals. They seemed to be getting along, well at least the ladies, Edwin seemed somewhat bored.

Before Arius approached them he noticed Roger standing in a corner opposite to his family, and staring at Jennette. Arius decided to change his course.

Walking across Roger and pretending to accidentally make eye contact resulted in just what he wanted.

Roger tried striking up a conversation. "Ah your Highness! Congratulations on your debut and birthday. It feels just like yesterday when you were but a child."

Wow, look at him talking as if he watched me grow up at every step.

"Thank you, Duke. I'm glad to have finally seen your niece. She's gotten along quite well with my sister and myself."

"Ah yes. I'm glad to see that. I hope you treat her like another Sibling."

Arius blinked with a blank expression.

This man. . . he couldn't be. . .

"Ah, I'm sure if you had any siblings other than her highness you would treasure them all the same?" Roger smiled.

"What a useless question." Arius blurted, more so a whisper, but immediately spoke afterwards.

"Other siblings? Is there a reason you're bringing up that possibility?"

From the look on Roger's face he probably heard what Arius had said initially.

"Yes well, I wished to talk to his Majesty regarding this, but seeing as how he was–"

"Then let's head over to father right away. Follow me."

"Your Highness, there's no hurry, I can discuss this matter later-"

"Duke Alpheus. You seem to be taking your words rather lightly. Bringing up the very possibility of another royal is enough to spread rumours so instead let us get to the bottom of your supposition, in the presence of his Majesty." Arius's eyes glowed a dangerous blue as his feet led him to his father.

Roger seemed pale. He probably hoped to vaguely mention another sibling to Arius so he could see his reaction. And to decide when to reveal Jennette.

After seeing Claude's reaction to his thoughts a while ago he knew the emperor would not be happy with this discovery and especially not by the fact that Roger approached the prince about this matter.

Arius on the other hand was gonna take full advantage of this situation to make Jennette enter the Palace and to make Roger Alpheus know his place.

As he spotted his father and Felix from across the crowd he immediately used his mana to send Athanasia a signal.

It was time to get this drama started and ended. And for that to happen he needed the main characters to be present.

"Father." Arius approached him. Claude was about to engage in a conversation with his son but he noticed the man standing behind him.

Claude's eyes narrowed. "What is it now?"

"Father," Arius held his father's hand, with full acting mode on.

"Duke Alpheus asked me a rather concerning question and when I questioned him regarding it, he stated he would discuss it with you. "

Roger seemed so pale right now and Arius only wished he had a phone to record this scene. Claude's face darkened and he probably knew what Roger had asked his son.

"It seems I have been quiet for too long. Since this was a day of celebration I didn't wish to see bloodshed today. But you seem to be itching to die."

"Your Majesty that was not my–"

"Dad." Arius gripped his father's hand.

"Let us discuss this further with him in the Audience Chamber."

"There's nothing to discuss." Claude remained stubborn.

"Dad." Arius whispered.

"Then I will discuss this with him alone."

Arius turned to face the Duke, but Claude decided to go with his son's wishes. "Fine."

Roger sighed in relief as he bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, let me bring my son and niece as they will participate in the audience as well."

Claude didn't bother responding and Arius simply nodded in approval.

Right before Roger took a single step, Athanasia and Jennette appeared.

"Father, brother!"

Jennette immediately paled after seeing Roger and scurried to his side.

The two parties went their own way, and Arius hoped Jennette would not get scolded in the little time it would take them to reach the audience room.

He saw the two disappear in the crowd.

"Your Highness." Felix called out to him and Arius noticed Claude had made his way out of the Banquet Hall. Athanasia was clinging to his shoulder as if to soak up his anger.

Well, Arius did act stubbornly without telling Claude. He caught up to the two of them.

"Dad–"

"Athanasia, if you wish to attend more time at the ball then you may."

"No! I wanna be with daddy!"

"Then you can go back to Emerald Palace."

"No , I wanna go where daddy is going."

Claude stopped in his footsteps. "I have some work I have to do."

"Dad, Athy already knows." Arius added.

"Know what?" Claude finally talked to Arius.

"Roger approached her before me. He mentioned a third royalty. The reason I'm taking the time to deal with this despite it sounding so absurd is because he sounded too confident and Roger isn't someone who would lie or spread baseless rumours. So let's just get to the bottom of this quickly and return to the banquet hall." Arius smiled.

"Return to the banquet hall?" Athanasia asked teasingly.

"Oh, is your lover waiting for you?" She probably said that to lighten the mood but Claude's mood further worsened after that, as he glared at his son.

"Daddy it's unbelievable right! Brother had a lover all this time! He even danced so perfectly with her! Brother did you practice your steps so diligently so you wouldn't step on her feet?"

Did she want him to die before they reached the Audience hall? Because with the way Claude's glare pierced through him, he didn't think he'd survive.

Ahh! It's just Lucas!