Chapter 3：New Life: Part 2

I stared at my father blankly without moving. I was really curious to know what is inside the box. I wish that the butler had not come at all. Why did he choose this time in particular to see my father?!

I pressed my hands against my head, took a deep breath and then went out from his office.

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"What did you come here for?" the king asked.

"I already informed you yesterday during the banquet that I will be coming today." remind him Duke William.

"If it was about that topic, we did talk about it and reach into a conclusion."

"You mean your conclusion, not mine, Your Majesty." the Duke said firmly.

"What is your suggestion then?"

The Duke replied to him "I want to make the engagement as soon as possible."

"I can not make the engagement within this month. I did tell you the reason before."

"I did not convince with your reasoning. I mean he can overcome his shock sooner or later." The Duke paused for a moment then he said looking directly at the king.

"Listen, Your Majesty. I need to go for some important matter, but before I go, I need to tell you something. I am fully aware that your son needs to recover, but he should not ignore the fact that he needs to get engaged with my daughter. Please reconsider this matter, Your Majesty. Now, if you may, I will go."

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It was time to go to the Knights' training. According to my tutor, it was essential for a crown prince to see at least twice a week the knights' training. The purpose of it is to see their process in combat and later to see which category they are fit in, such as working as a bodyguards, going to the battle field, etc.

"Umm ... Edward?"

"Yes." He replied after he looked at me.

"You did not tell me what should I do when I go to the training ground."

"If necessary, you need train them." He said it thoughtlessly.

"WHAT?!" I said it surprisingly to him while facing him directly.

"Why are you so surprised??" He asked me, then he continued "I said 'if', which means it does not necessary happened unless the conditions is required to train them."

"But ... I really do not want to train them ... at least for now." I said it nervously.

I stopped walking and stared into the ground. I started thinking about too many things. Like what should I do if I train them and if they told me to carry a sword, what should I do? From the start I did not carry a sword at all. What if they laughed at me? No ... of course they will not laugh at me. I shake my head getting rid of the bad thoughts.

"Crown Prince."

I heard Edward calling me and I involuntarily raised my head, seeing his face close to mine. I spontaneously went back.

"What?!" I asked him after I took a deep breath.

"If you do not want to train them, don't do it if that what makes you relaxed."

I said impulsively "Yes. I do not want to."

He smiled at me then said "Fine."

We reached the training ground. It was really big. I can see the knights train hardly. Some of them were training by themselves while the rest of them were combating. I noticed that they are not real swords, they are made of woods. I continued following my tutor until we reach wooden platform and went upstairs. The knights started noticing us. They suddenly stopped what were they doing and started to form lines. I stared in front of them and I was amazed at how quickly they form lines once they noticed me.

My tutor took the initiative to greet them "Good evening knights. As you can see the crown prince is here today to see your process of your hard training."

He looked at me and murmured "say something, crown prince."

I was looking at the knights. I became slightly nervous because they were all looking at me; they were waiting for me to say something. I said to myself "Relax! I already speak in front of many people during my depute as a crown prince yesterday, so this will be nothing." I took a deep breath and said in a clear voice "Good evening knights, as my tutor said, today I will be looking at your performances. I hope you perform well. Now, please show me how you train."

"Yes, Sir." the knights replied in sync with a clear voice.

My tutor and I went downstairs to see the knights' performance. I can see that they worked well in front of me. They were sweating and breathing hardly.

After looking at their training, my tutor and I went back to the platform to give them feedback.

I said "today's training was very well. I hope you continue training and never stop. Good luck everyone." I said what I have to say. I really do not know about sword training at all, but looking at how they train, I can see that they are skilled. I went back to reach the stairs.

"You did very well. See, it is not a problem at all." Edwards said it behind my back.

I moved my head to the left to look at him directly "I hope it is not only for today, but also for the rest of my .. AHHH!"

I did not notice that I already reached the stairs and without notice, I skipped it. For a moment, I saw myself falling down reaching the ground. "Huh .. what is happening! Did I fall? No. I am still in the air." I closed my eyes instantly. I was certain that I will reach the ground in no time.

I opened my eyes in surprise that the fall was not painful. However, my position was weird! I did feel something touching my waist! I moved my head a little bit to see my tutor is below me. Not only that, he was TOUCHING MY WAIST! I stood up in panic. My whole body is hot and my heart is beating so fast! I was certain that he did notice something about me. About my real identity!

"Uhhh .." Edward groaned.

"Edward! are you okay!" I reached him to hold his hand, but I saw one of the knights helping him to stand.

He said "Crown prince, we need to see a doctor in case if he has some broken ribs. You should also come with us for a checkup."

Another knight reached me, but I impulsively went backward and said in a restless voice.

"I am fine. N ... No need to he ... help me. Thank you."