For The Glory Of Sitia Empire

Rolling on his extremely comfortable bed, Jennings still couldn't fall asleep. His heart ached for his son that is being punished per his own orders.

' I will just go check if he was doing fine.....just in case '

Making excuses for himself, Jennings kicked the blanket off and exited his quarters. He motioned to his knights not to follow him then headed towards the practice field.

Logic: leave him! He deserves to be punished.

Conscience: no he doesn't!! The boy is already in pain and you know that!

Logic: pain is necessary to learn. If you spoil him too much, what kind of Emperor he will grow to be!

Conscience: oh, so we are having that conversation. Well then, duh! our boy has proven himself ever since YOU STARTED THROWING YOUR DAMN WORK ON HIM!!

Logic: considering the troubles he makes, this is the least he should do to make it up for us!

Conscience: TROUBLES MY ASS!! YOU CALL GOING TO PLAY WITH A LITTLE GIRL AT HIS AGE TROUBLES?!!!!! LET'S NOT FORGET THE FACT THAT MY LITTLE LENNY IS JUST TEN YEARS!! NO MATTER HOW ADULT-LIKE HE SEEM, HE IS STILL A CHILD!!

Logic: CHILDREN DON'T FUCKING KILL PEOPLE!!! YOU ARE MISSING MY POINT HERE!

conscience: FUCK YOU!!

As Jennings had some sort of war going on with his feelings, he has already reached the training ground. As expected, Lennox was kneeling on the ground with a bunch of metal bars, but Jennings was focused on the little shaking arms of his son.

' he can run away if wanted to, but he still obediently receives whatever punishment there is....so young yet keeps facing everything head-on '

With these thoughts in his mind, Jennings heard a familiar tiny voice that sounded like a whining puppy.

" I hate you Lennox "

Right next to Lennox, Everly kneeled holding three heavy metal bars.

' baby Ma? I bet Lenny did something to make the general punish her too '

" Yeah, thanks. That's a pleasure of mine "

Jennings stared at the two children, biting on each other, with a warm gaze. He stepped closer towards the centre of the field, causing the knight to notice his approach.

' haa, they are just kids. My kids '

" Blessings and glory upon the Emperor and Sitia Empire"

As one of the knights shouted that out, everyone at the practice field instantly knelt to him. The moment Everly saw Jennings, she immediately threw the bars on her hands and ran towards him, clinging to his thigh.

However, Lennox stayed expressionless and did not move. He already knows that Jennings came here because his fatherly heart couldn't bear it any longer, but Lennox still had not received the announcement of the end of his punishment.

" this much might be enough. I hope you learned something, Lennox "

" Not at all "

Hearing Jennings's gentle chuckle, Lennox slowly placed down the metal bars and started to stand on his feet. But since he has been kneeling for hours, his legs became too numb causing him to lose his balance.

Thud.

" I see you can't walk for now. Want me to carry you "

Jennings caught the falling Lennox and supported him, but Lennox slightly pushed Jennings away.

" no thank you "

" ow, don't be shy. Used to carry you around everywhere when you were younger "

Jennings ignored the push and held Lennox up on his arms. Although Lennox didn't put a fight as he can't care less, there was Everly who was being chaotic.

"Ah, me too, me too. Everly wants to go with your majesty "

She raised her arms for Jennings to hold her up but was interrupted by Bernard snatching her back.

" no. We are going home "

" what! no. I want to stay longer! "

" it's sleeping time, little one "

" nooooooo- "

And like that, the two weeks passed, then the day of the grand wedding came.

As noon arrived, Kai finally woke up. Thanks to a certain crown prince, the imperial knights were suffering from a seriously messed up sleeping schedule. That includes Kai of course. Since last night, he has been running everywhere around the capital per the crown prince's orders. Collecting suspicious documents, from many suspicious-looking people, that he has no idea what they were until early morning.

And now, the poor man had to wake up after only four hours of sleep, to 'shine brightly' and escort the imperial family to the Welfmore Duke's grand wedding. Serving the Emperor at day then the crown prince at night, being an imperial knight was such a grave-digging job.

Kai slowly crawled out of his bed and headed to his bathroom. Like many youngsters do when they don't want to attend school, Kai stood by the sink, senselessly staring at his reflection in the mirror.

Mind blank

Soul empty

The man was super hungry.

Few minutes passed before Kai finally snapped out of his daze. He brushed back his shimmering black hair while debating whether he really needed this job or he could just run away this instant.

"Huh?"

Kai quickly grabbed a pack of white hair at the back of his head. He frowned as he exclaimed in annoyance.

" DEAR LORD!! This is the third time this month! "

For months now, Kai has suffered from this sudden bleaching. Not just his hair but nails, brows, ears and many random spots on his body would turn as white as snow overnight. Comparing to Lennox's pale blueish skin, Kai's skin is just plain white, people aren't supposed to have such shade!

' ugh, whatever. I will just dye it with magic stone like always '

He said that in his mind then immediately started preparing himself to ' shine brightly '.

An hour later, as Kai was surveying the imperial knights and security preparations, making sure no issues will occur, he suddenly felt a cold breeze brushing on his face.

" Is there something I could help your highness with? "

Since he was at the top of his horse, Kai able to clearly hear what the sleepy and annoyed Lennox mumbled inside the imperial carriage.

" if you would take me back to my bed, I will appreciate it for the rest of my life "

Hearing the crown prince, the reason for Kai's suffering, grumbling over lack of sleep cured Kai's burning thirst a bit. With a wide cunning grin, Kai quickly answered Lennox.

"No can do, my prince. His majesty will arrive shortly. Plus, aren't your highness glad to meet with your friend, young lady Everly?"

" glad my ass. I see you are the one pleased about my misfortune "

Instead of being irritated by Kai's actions that most people would consider to be rude, Lennox was quite amused. Which was why Kai did not deny that fact since Lennox pretty much knew why he was given the cold treatment.

" I petty young lady Everly, she is too pure to see how heartless my prince is "

" perhaps sir Kai, you are the one who is too innocent. That zombie girl is nothing like a white lotus or cute puppy"

That was indeed the case, through the time that Lennox has observed Everly, he noticed something about her.

' she doesn't care...'

Everly never actually cared about being a righteous person nor does she care about those who she harboured no affection toward or those who's death won't influence the human and nonhuman societies. If she wasn't in lose, then it's not a matter to bat an eye on.

'...and she doesn't hesitate '

As long as Everly made her mind on something, she would walk to it no matter what means she needed to use. Being selfish is natural for most living beings, and Everly never was ashamed of her selfishness. The master didn't raise white lotuses.

He raised leaders.

The same thing applies to Bernard, Lennox kept a close eye on him ever since the first time they met. Allowing him to observe how Bernard led many of the underworld organizations, surely Bernard was observing Lennox as well.

With things the way they are, Lennox found that having such people was quite useful to him. Thus, he came to see Everly a bit likeable, if not for her low IQ or her obsession with good-looking people.

That's right.

Everly is a sucker for pretty faces.

" well, milady is very cute and strong, I guess someone like her ain't normal "

Lennox was about to snort at that statement when the door to the fancy carriage opened. Jennings's handsome face appeared from behind. He made eye contact with Kai as he settled on his seat.

" Greetings, sir Montfort "

" May the lord's blessings and glory always be upon the Emperor of Sitia "

Kai bowed his head the moment he met with Jennings's eyes. He then received the unspoken command clearly.

"We will depart immediately, your majesty "

Pulling on his horse's reins, Kai was about to turn and head to deliver the Emperors orders when Lennox mockery comment reached his ears.

" That's right, go and *shine brightly*, Kai Montfort "

Seeing the odd look on Kai's face, Jennings had a very considerate thought in his mind.

' maybe I should change the imperial knights' motto? He looks quite embarrassed '