In the end, Zaos couldn't even go to see Ameria. Not going to have the opportunity to go was something. Not having permission to go was something else. Most likely, Dalyor would also order his daughter to keep her distance. That was only natural since Zaos did the same, but in the end, that was just another tactic to keep the honor of the royal family intact. As if that wasn't enough, by forbidding Zaos from entering the castle during Ameria's party, many people will notice Zaos's missing, and many of them will think that he was a sore loser or that he didn't accept the result of the fight. Boosting Drannor's reputation even further and creating some rumors about Zaos. Bad rumors…

"You know… I really tried not to hate you," Zaos said. "Despite everything, I thought you were an honorable soldier, even if you were a failure as the husband of my mother. Still, to be honest, I am not disappointed. I am glad that I don't feel anything after deciding on all this. You, the king and all the other leaders of the country, don't deserve anyone's loyalty… you are just a bunch of schemers who use the naivety of the population to solidify your positions."

Laiex had a hard time controlling his anger when he heard that. Those were the words of someone who was basically a kid, someone at Zaos's age would be extremely naïve, but his words cut so deep that Laiex saw himself glaring at his son. It has been a long time since he felt like striking someone down, and he couldn't believe that his own son made him feel like that.

"You should try to accomplish something first before complaining about people's choices," Laiex said. "You don't have to worry about the safety of millions, and that is why you feel so eager to criticize the king. You enjoyed his peace and now question his choices."

"Yep, I really enjoyed, I enjoyed so much that I had to see ten-year-old boys die in the first month they began their training to become soldiers," Zaos said. "You and your close friends are really good at keeping the peace of the kingdom."

"You…" Laiex glared at Zaos murderously.

Before he could make a mistake, Laiex decided to leave. If he tries to talk any further, he will only get madder and unable to control himself. Besides, he didn't have words to contest with his son. Despite noticing all that, Zaos didn't feel anything.

"Pathetic… the leaders of this kingdom are just a group of disappointment," Zaos said and then sighed. "It seems this kingdom won't last for long."

Despite that, Zaos could only feel disappointment because he won't be able to stay close to Ameria one last time on her birthday. He never had the chance to dance with her either in one of those parties, but now that he thought about it, it would be inappropriate.

---- ----

  During the first hour of her party, Ameria greeted as many people as she could. At the same time, she looked for Zaos, but she didn't find him. She looked more beautiful than usual with her yellow dress and tied-up hair. Thanks to that, I feel people noticed her troubled expression.

"It seems he didn't come," Drannor said. "His father looks pissed for some reason today."

"He has been like that since he returned to his home. He only went to change his clothes, but…" Ameria said.

"I guess Zaos, and he argued about something," Drannor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Did you notice if His Majesty was angry as well?"

"No, I didn't notice that," Ameria said.

"If that is the case, then…" Drannor hesitated.

"Then father said to Laiex to tell Zaos that he shouldn't come to the party…" Ameria said and then sighed in disappointment. "I never thought the leaders of this country could disappoint me so much in a single week."

"Well, we can always learn from the mistakes of our predecessors," Drannor said. "We aren't bound to repeat them."

"Yeah, but I wonder if things will be as simple as we grow older," Ameria looked down and then said.

"Hi Ameria," Noemi suddenly approached and then said. "I didn't find Zaos anywhere. Do you know if something happened?"

"… I don't think he would feel comfortable coming to the party," Ameria forced a smile. "He is pretty competitive, so he probably thinks some kind of nonsense like the loser can't see the winner after a duel. Besides, he tried to look fine, but he got wounded quite a lot."

"Well, I am wounded too," Drannor said. "I still can feel that punch in my jaw."

"Is that so…" Noemi forced a smile as well. "It is a pity, and I wanted to say goodbye before leaving since we are leaving tomorrow, and his father kinds of scares me."

"Already?" Ameria asked. "But you didn't stay even for a week!"

"Well, it can't be helped," Noemi said. "We still are solving the problems caused by Ferdinand. Besides, many people died, and some families lost their heads. So, we are having a hard time trying to recover our normal pace. I won't be able for a year or two, but I will find a way if I receive the invitation to your wedding."

"Marriage, huh…" Ameria said. "I really don't feel like thinking about that right now."

Those three were already at that age, so it was only natural that they had to consider that. Although she didn't know the details, Noemi could tell that something was happening in the capital regarding the royal family and the two families who are sworn to protect them. Still, he couldn't openly ask about it.

It took a while, but their festive mood was eventually restored. Drannor met soldier friends who were soldiers and congratulated him for the duel, and Ameria and Noemi talked with some other noble girls about their adventures in Vezar. They looked really excited in hearing the stories of a war in a tropical country for some reason. As for Zaos, he spent the entire night snoring.