THE PRINCE'S SERVANT

I still can't believe that a mere servant has been given such a large room. I try to organize my belongings as quickly as possible. When I finish, I think about exploring my new room. As I walk toward what I believe to be a bathroom door, I'm interrupted by a few knocks at the door. I hurry to answer it, and there stands Kota:

"The dinner is being served now. We need to go."

Says the prince with his deep yet gentle voice. Haru can barely look into Kota's blue eyes without losing focus. The younger one responds politely:

"Should I wear something from the wardrobe?"

"You look perfect. There's no need to change."

Replies the heir with a slightly gallant tone, making Haru's cheeks burn. The young servant was starting to like the prince more and more, yet he knew it was wrong because a monarch like Kota was to be respected, not desired. Haru is snapped out of his thoughts when Kota says:

"Remember, Haru, you are my servant, so you don't have to follow my father's orders."

Haru doesn't understand the reason for the prince's words but immediately agrees with what he says. The two head to the palace's grand dining hall. Upon arriving, Haru tries to be as polite as possible, wanting to make a good first impression on the king and make his father proud.

The royal dining hall of the Solar Kingdom was breathtakingly regal, with a grand chandelier much like the one in the reception hall. However, Haru's attention was quickly drawn to the large dark wooden table with golden sun-shaped details. A vast assortment of food lay upon it, enough to feed Haru for a year. But the centerpiece of the table was undoubtedly a man sipping something from a teacup.

The man appeared to be around 45 years old, with blue eyes, fair skin, and blond hair slightly darker than Kota's but streaked with gray. His pointed mustache stood out, as did his extravagant attire. His crown was adorned with intricate gold, red, and white details, and his fingers sparkled with an enviable collection of jewels. He wore a yellow robe covering him from neck to ankles, and a heavy cape with thick fur lined its edges—white on the borders and red at the center. It was obvious this man was the king. Upon noticing the two entering, he whispered to a greenish snake slithering over his shoulders:

"You didn't tell me how cute he is, Hayato. He almost looks like a little lady."

The kingdom's ruler said, analyzing the sweet boy standing before him. The king stroked the snake as though Hayato were merely a pet, which made Haru uncomfortable. The young servant had never seen his father treated like this. Meanwhile, the advisor slid down Itoku's body, transformed into a man, and stood before the monarch. Haru bowed deeply and greeted him:

"It is an honor to stand before you, Your Majesty, great Solar King."

The king smiled triumphantly, as if relishing the sight of people bowing to him. He then addressed the servant:

"I see your father taught you to be a submissive boy. That saves us quite a bit of work. Will you be useful and obedient to my son?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Haru responded, feeling uneasy under the king's strange gaze. The ruler continued:

"Years ago, I ordered your father to have a descendant to serve my son. Thanks to me, you exist today. Tell me, are you grateful, boy?"

Haru didn't understand the king's behavior but remained obedient to avoid causing trouble:

"Y-yes, sir."

Hayato kept his head down, trying to conceal his dissatisfaction, but he raised it in shock upon hearing Kota's voice:

"He is my servant, and as your only heir, I demand that you not humiliate him like this."

The prince shouted, slamming a hand on the table, which wobbled slightly. A yellow light enveloped his body as Haru looked on, frightened by the situation. The king concealed his smile behind his teacup, taking another sip, seemingly eager to provoke everyone in the room:

"I'm just joking, son. Come now, don't argue with your old man."

The king mocked his son. Although Hayato knew it was merely a provocation, he appeared sad, perhaps recalling all the things the king had forced him to do against his will. Now it seemed his son would face the same fate. The advisor was pulled from his depressive thoughts when a guard entered the dining hall and rushed to him. The soldier whispered something inaudible to the others in Hayato's ear, prompting a surprised expression before saying to the guard:

"Let him in."

The king observed every detail intently, completely ignoring his irritated son. The dining hall doors opened, revealing a bald, pale-skinned man. The king's right hand raised in a gesture of respect.

The man, dressed in a sort of gray and white *rakusu*, entered the hall courteously, bowing to everyone present. Hayato, however, interrupted him by asking:

"Tell me, what brings you to the Solar King, Brother of Luna?"

Before the man could respond, the king interjected:

"The Lunar Mages must have granted him passage through the barrier under emergency circumstances. But why?"

The great king grabbed his cane—not for support but as a symbol of authority. His quick reasoning impressed Haru, who still felt uneasy about the earlier situation. The young healer moved closer to Kota, who now seemed more concerned than angry about the visitor.

The man answered the king's question with a calm voice and a slight smile:

"I am a messenger of Luna, and I bring a letter for His Majesty, King Solar Itoku, and his court."

"Hayato, read it aloud for me"

Ordered Itoku, clearly intrigued by the letter's contents. Hayato approached the messenger, who handed him the letter with a smile. Haru, curious about Luna, eagerly awaited the letter's content. Hayato opened it, his expression growing more concerned as he read:

"It is with both sorrow and joy that the people of Luna announce that our beloved ruler, Shen, has foreseen his own death tomorrow at noon. Thus, the millennial spirit of the Goddess Luna, who, unlike the other ancient gods, has never left our world, will pass to a new person within our realm. As tradition dictates, whoever receives the goddess's spirit becomes Luna's supreme leader and ruler. The Goddess of Spirits and the Moon asks that all welcome the death of her chosen one with joy, as the passage from life to death is merely a new beginning for her. We invite all nobles and rulers of Niray to attend this event."

Kota, puzzled, asked:

"He foresaw his own death? Are we being invited to a funeral?"

He was answered by his father, who strangely fixed his gaze on Hayato:

"No, we have been invited to a coronation."