Author's Preface
The following morning, Ryan woke up and headed out of his room into the main area of the suite. Before he could say a word, a voice rang out.
"Oh, so that's what you look like. Much younger than I thought you'd be, Mr. Kade." Vaelor sat on the couch eating an apple. "Please, join me. There's an assortment of the best fruits in Aldemere. We can't get half of these in Elyndor."
Ryan rubbed his face. I totally forgot this dickhead was here. He took a seat and reached toward the bowl to grab a few grapes. He threw them into his mouth and looked at the first prince. "Your Highness, I hope you don't mind me asking. Why the fuck are you here? Your brother, the third prince, said you weren't slated to attend."
"Such a foul mouth for such a young man." Vaelor shrugged. "As the soon to be king, I need to be aware of the comings and goings of diplomacy. And I thought it would be appropriate to support my little brother."
"You keep saying soon to be king. Is your father dying? Or are you plotting a coup?"
"Ha! You're hilarious." Vaelor seemed instantly nervous. "Elves live a long time. Fifty years is like five days to you for us elves. So when I say soon, I mean in the next century. I am the crown prince, so naturally I will become the next king."
"What makes you so sure? Samuel seems competent. More so than you."
Vaelor's eyes began to glow a dark green. "Because my father had an extramarital relationship with a woman. He is nothing but a bastard half-elf. There has never been a half-elven ruler of Elyndor, and there never will be."
Vaelor took a deep breath as Samuel walked out of his room, rubbing his eyes. He saw Ryan and smiled. Then he turned and saw Vaelor, and his smile disappeared. He stared at Ryan, then Vaelor, then back at Ryan again.
"Oh shit."
"Oh shit is right, Prince," Ryan said.
Vaelor tilted his head. "Ohhh. The mask. How silly of you. Nothing to be concerned about. I have no need to care about the identity of a child, no matter how exaggerated the rumors may be." Vaelor stood. "Brother, I will be attending the summit with you tomorrow. Until then, I have other business to attend to."
Vaelor bent down, grabbed an apple, and winked at Ryan before walking out the door.
Ryan glared at him as he walked out. "That motherfucker is up to something."
Samuel sat down. "Is everything okay, Kade?"
Ryan turned his head and smiled at Samuel. "Of course. Everything's great. How did you sleep?"
"Good, once I finally fell asleep."
Ryan looked at the prince and leaned forward. "Can I ask you something personal?"
"Sure."
"What kind of man is your father that he can have a son like you and one like Vaelor?"
Auntie walked out as Ryan asked the question. "The king is not your concern, and neither is Vaelor."
"It's a harmless question, Auntie."
"My father is... a good man," Samuel said. "Distant, but a good man. I don't get to see him much. He is always busy with the kingdom or training his talent. He leaves his children to a caretaker. You've met mine." Samuel pointed to Auntie.
She scoffed. "My brother is lazy and became king on a technicality." She sighed. "But he loves his children nonetheless."
"So Vaelor's caretaker must be evil as all get out."
Samuel looked up at Auntie. She sat next to Ryan with a cup of tea in her hand and took a sip. "That's one way to describe my sister. She has no talent for combat, but she is a master of words and has always been jealous of our brother."
"See, now that makes sense. Hey." Ryan looked at Sam. "The first time I met you, you were in Nyx's office. Why?"
"He trains me. Geopolitics, magic, and other things. My father assigned him to me as my instructor when I turned eighteen. Said Nyx could help me become a man worthy of the throne."
"You have always been too timid," Auntie said. "Not that I would admit this thing here is right, but you do need to stand up for yourself, Nephew."
"I know." Samuel hung his head again. "I was hoping this summit would be my chance to prove my worth to Father. Now Vaelor is here. I already know he isn't here to watch, but to take control."
"So don't let him." Ryan looked at Sam firmly.
"Easier said than done."
"It really isn't. Tell him to shut the hell up. You were assigned as the diplomat. Even if he thinks he will be king soon, he isn't the fucking king yet."
Samuel laughed. "Maybe you're onto something there." He grabbed an apple and took a bite. "I do feel more confident with you here. So yeah, I'll tell him to shut up!"
"Attaboy!"
"You're the boy, not me!" Samuel chuckled.
Ryan hung his head. "That was hurtful."
Auntie side-eyed Ryan and took a sip of her tea. "Truthful."
Just then, the door to the suite opened. Thirty-Seven walked in. Ryan looked at her and stood. "Where have you been?"
Thirty-Seven walked toward a bedroom. "Around."
"Where are you going now?"
"To bed."
Thirty-Seven shut the bedroom door, leaving Ryan staring at it. Samuel and Auntie both giggled.
"Seriously, she is the bane of my existence."
The day flew by as Ryan and Sam wandered the streets of Aldemere. The next thing Ryan knew, he was standing behind Samuel and Vaelor with Auntie beside him. Sam sat at a large round table where diplomats from the other kingdoms had gathered, including the diplomat from Isvale, Prince Cedric.
Ryan scoffed under his breath. "Little prick."
Sam turned his head and gave Ryan a look that needed no words. Ryan nodded and adjusted his stance.
The King of Aldemere walked into the room with Prince Al following behind him. Every diplomat stood. The king took his chair at the head of the table, and once he sat, everyone else followed.
Next to Sam sat Haldrek. Beside him was Prince Cedric of Isvale. To Vaelor's left sat Prince Zareth of the Demon Kingdom, a being who looked exactly like the demons from stories back on Earth. He had dark gray skin with runes etched across it, small horns protruding from the sides of his head, and razor-sharp teeth. Next to him sat Nessa, princess of the Water Kingdom of Narethis. Beside her sat a beastkin, a giant man with the mane and fangs of a lion, Prince Raken of the Kingdom of Varek. Finally, next to him sat the King of Aldemere himself.
Seven diplomats stared at one another, and none looked particularly excited to be there. Their guards were sizing each other up from across the room, each seemingly itching for a fight. None of the diplomats appeared particularly friendly toward one another except Haldrek and Sam.
Ryan looked around the table. Of course the kingdom of men is named after the fucking royal family. Such a classic.
The King of Aldemere raised his gavel and struck it against the table.
"Let the Summit of Kingdoms begin."