"Uncle Hesnia, you called me." I said.
"Agnis, my nephew, come sit with me." he said as he gestured for me to sit at the chair adjacent to him.
We were at the receiving areas of the castle, just me and my Uncle and a few guards.
"You've grown up yet again!" He said when I got near him.
I laughed at hsi remark. Uncle Hesnia has a tkwering stature, a very tall man. When I was still a kid, I used to be frightened just being near him.
"So is your beard, Uncle." The next few moments was followed by silence in which I took the liberty to sit down. Then, I heard a deafening laughter, more like a roar, came from Uncle Hesnia.
"Listen, today's your coronation, yes?" he said.
I nodded.
Uncle Hesnia, grabbed something from the side and then presented it in front of me.
"Then this gift is for you, your father want you to have it."
This was the same gift that he gave me before I was crowned. I already knew the contents of it as I always carry it with me in my previous life.
I opened the wooden box and there I saw an ordinary looking gem the size of an apple. The gem was riddled with many lines and runes which made it mysterious.
I touched it and felt the cold surface of the gem which was a lot colder than it used to.
"This is your family's heirloom, it name is"
"The Moonstone" I blurted out.
Uncle Hesnia was a bit startled when he knew that I know the name of the relic.
He laughed for a bit then continued.
"Why yes, its called the moonstone. I am surprised that you knew of its name."
"Father told me about it on his deathbed." He did not.
"Really? That hard-headed idiot." He cursed. "It is forbidden to tell about this relic to anyone save us." He sighed.
"Well," He stood up from his seat and once again, his towering existence overshadowed mine. "He's dead, so who can I punish?"
"I have to go now Prince Agnis. Keep the relic with you which won't be a problem and don't say anything about it to anyone."
"You there!" His loud voice said as he pointed to a stationed guard by the door. "Get Lithos in here."
"He needs not to know anything that happened here but he knows what to do after." Uncle Hesnia told me.
A few moments later, a young boy walked in. He wore a nobility robe, a belt strapped on his waist, sandals, and a sword by his waist.
"I see you Father." he said
He touched his forehead and then gestured the same hand towards the direction of his father.
"Prince Agnis" He bowed low as a form of greeting. "Its been a while since we met." Lithos never bows to me.
"We just chatted by the door before we met." I laughed. I treated Lithos like a brother.
We were inseparable from childhood until now. He idolizes his father so much that he acts so refined whenever his father is around.
He shot an "annoyed look" at me which meant, "Couldn't you shut your mouth even for once?"
I laughed even more. I knew why Lithos is here. The moment I saw him at that door I was surprised and memories upon memories started to surface from when we were kids.
Lithos became my most loyal brother when I became king until that one unfortunate night. I would never let that happen again.
The council thinks I am still a child when I was crowned and indeed I was still but a child back then. None would bow down to a power which was weaker than them.
"As you know, the Lancelot family has been the Curia regis of the king. Lithos, here, is a direct descent of the Lancelot family and from now here on, he will be the new royal advisor."
I never asked before why Uncle Hesnia won't remain as the royal advisor. I know how to run a kingdom but only to a superficial degree. It never came across me the importance of advisors and what must one observe when inheriting a crown.
The loyalty of the council as well as the city guards for example.
"What about you Uncle Hesnia? You're my father's royal adviser." I asked.
"Your father's, not yours. After every king is a new advisor that is how its meant to be. You'll know along the way." he replied.
"What will you be doing, since you're not the royal adviser anymore?"
"To where all the Curia regis goes to." he said. He stood up and then bowed low, acknowledging my superior position.
"Well I bid you farewell, I need to head off to a place?" Uncle Hesnia said.
"Wait, what? Like right now? It Agnis' coronation, shouldn't you go see him get crowned father?" Lithos chimed in. I almost forgot he's in the room. He doesn't sleak a lot when hi father is around. Again, he's playing mysterious and all.
"Nah, I don't think I have much of that time." he smiled and then left.
"Don't trust anyone" I silently muttered.
Uncle Agnis turned around and then said.
"Remember this Agnis, when you became King, don't trust anyone." Uncle Hesnia resolutely said and then left.
Being able to anticipate what happens next gives an exhilarating feeling. It feels like you could peer into the future at will.
Uncle Agnis left the room, leaving me and Lithos. Lithos looked at me with his foolish smile as usual but I know hidden in this foolish boy was a cunning and smart young lad.
A pity that he didn't have the time to grow in the past life. We chatted for a little while like we used to which lead to some sparring then and there.
"So what are we gonna do, my royal adviser?" I teased.
"Shut up, I felt bad that I snatched my father's job."
"Given not snatched, he appointed you remember." I said.
"I guess you're right."
I stood up and acted like the King I was.
"Let's head to the throne room."
"Should I always lead the way from now on?" Lithos asked feeling annoyed.
"Its your job. So, I guess yes." I helplessly said.
"To the throne room then." he said as he walked slowly then ran for the throne room.
"You hoodlum!" I ran after him as fast as I could but seeing that I could not catch up, I stopped and took a lungful of breath.
"I guess I have to train my body." I said to myself.
I saw Lithos ran fast, the throne room just a distance ahead. I smirked at that running figure and got a lungful of air.
When you can't reach your goals, ask for help.
"Guards! Seize that hoodlum!" I shouted.
Almost immediately, a number of guards heed my calling and tried to seize the running figure, while I watch him dodging guards after guards. I walked leisurely towards the throne room.
By the time, I was at the door of the throne room, the guards had my royal adviser.
"Walk slowly and gratefully, your father told you that right?"
"No fair! I have clearly won if you didn't use the guards." he angrily said.
I laughed at his sorry face. Then entered the throne room - with my royal advisor who is released this time.
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