Two years Later....
In the sun-drenched gardens of the beautiful Arbutus Palace in the Royal Complex, a scene of serene beauty was unfolding.
A stunning woman sat across from a boy who was—well, if I do say so myself— the pinnacle of eight-year-old perfection. He was cute, handsome, talented, hardworking, brilliant, and possessed a charm that could disarm a battalion.
If you think that description sounds a bit Narcissistic, you're absolutely right! this boy has spent the last 730 days being told that just much of a talent he is by two SSS-rank adventurers.
a little narcissism is only natural, isn't it ?
And yes, the boy is none other than yours Truly.
Tyler Von Regulus, third prince of Regulus Human Nation. I am now at the tender age of eight.
It has been two years since my memories have awakened.
These past two years have been ...nothing special. Nothing. It have been... monotonous, Beautifully and brutally monotonous.
Food, training, lessons, sleep and repeat. This has been my daily routine.
Currently, Mother and I are seated under the shade of an ancient willow. Behind us, Mary, Hilda, and Captain Harry stand like a bunch of silent statues. We are currently engaged in a battlefield.
yes, We are playing chess and with the current score of 3-to-2 in my favor.
FYI, there were previously no board games in this world. So, we had to summon and commission a experienced wood crafter to carve the set from whitewood and ebony. I gave him the blueprint and the result was perfect.
Nick was not a complete Loser in chess but he wasn't a big winner either. This is our second day of playing. And yet my mother has defeated me two times despite being a beginner.
If it was me in my normal state, this outcome would be acceptable but I have my [Hyper Brain] Trait, that increases my brain capacity and thinking ability so that i can see fifteen move ahead and yet.....
So, I gotta admit my mother is a fast learner.
"....And Check," I said, sliding my rook across the board to trap her King behind a wall of its own pawns..
She carefully looked and examined our battlefield with narrowed eyes "Hmmm... Yeah, You win. It was a good game." She leaned back and said.
And that makes it 4 to 2.
Just when i was about to celebrate my win, I sensed someone approaching and I looked toward the garden entrance a full three seconds before the guard appeared. All that training with Boran was not for nothing.
He came and kneeled before us "Your Majesty, Marquis Sterling has come to visit "
Sterling ? Why did he come to this palace of all places ?
My mother turned away her head from the guard and gave harry a glance and Harry nodded with a troubled face.
"Let him in" she said.
The guard returned to his position and a little later a middle aged nobleman with golden hair and golden eyes entered the garden.
He came towards us and bowed "It has been a while, Your Majesty. I hope you are doing well ?"
"It has indeed been a while, Marquis Sterling. But what could possibly force a distinguished man such as yourself to visit my humble, isolated abode?" Mother said.
"Please don't tease me, your majesty." he said, rising from his bow.
That tone of talking.... They are close huh..
"I had come to central palace for some personal reasons and while on my way back, i thought why not visit my nephew once, since i am already within the Royal complex."
Nephew ? I didn't understand. what does his nephew has to do with Arbutus Palace but I realized something and looked at captain Harry.
Marquis Sterling's territory and Captain Harry's Family territory are actually quite close and The two family had a marriage alliance. In other Words, Marquis Andras Sterling is actually Captain Harry's Biological maternal uncle.
My lessons with Vilas were not for nothing, After all.
"But before that, your majesty. If I may dare, can i ask something ?" He asked while glancing at the chess board. He has been stealing glances at it for a while now.
A businessman is still always a businessman, After All.
"Sure, Ask away, Marquis ?" Mother said
"May i know what that black and white board and wooden pieces are used for ? It looks like some kind of game. Forgive me for my ignorance but as far as i am aware of the current trends, the words about such a game has not reached my ears, Your Majesty" Andras asked while pointing at the Chess board.
Mother looked at the board and gave a smile. A smile that I, as a matter of fact, knew very well.
That foxy smile.... she is scheming something, isn't she ?
"Your eyes are as sharp as always, Marquis." She said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. A businessman has to keep his eyes open all the time. To grab any and all opportunities that wanders into his path regardless of whether they are small or big." He said in a proud tone.
"hmm.. indeed. its because of that very attitude that you are considered the greatest genius of your family in the last four generations." she praised him even more. Is it okay for a queen to have flattering giving skills like that ?
"Thank you, thank you, your highness. but can we get back to the topic ? I am dying of curiosity" he said
"This is a game that my son came up with." She said with pride of a mother whose son just now, won a marathon race.
I don't know how that sounds, though. Since Nick never did anything to make his mom proud. He did came in the top ten, Five or even top three but never the first place in anything.
"His highness did ?" He looked at me and asked in a surprised voice.
"Indeed he did," Mother said, standing up gracefully. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Marquis, I've just remembered an urgent matter I must attend to. But since you are so curious, feel free to stay and ask Tyler. He knows the intricacies of the game far better than I do. He is the creator, after all." She said that and just left with Hilda, following behind her, Without even giving me a farewell.
She just looked behind at me and gave me one blink.
Oy! Don't just leave your eight years old son with a stranger! And Can't you at least try to make a better excuse ? Anyone can Look through your lame excuse! No one is buying it, my dear mother.
"Her Majesty must be quite busy." Marquis said while looking at her leaving. Guess he decided not to look through her lame excuse.
Ah, What great Vessels our Royal family has.
He then looked at me " So, Your Highness..."
"Sign... take a seat, Marquis. It seems we have much to discuss."