As Lucas was heading towards his apartments, he passed a maid who announced to him:
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen invites you to join her in her private courtyard."
Lucas, surprised but happy to meet his mother, changed direction and began to head towards his mother's courtyard with a smile on his lips.
Lucas, knowing that the moments spent with his mother were becoming increasingly rare, did not want to miss the opportunity to spend time with her.
Arriving at her private courtyard, Lucas saw Arianne, dressed in a pink dress, sitting on a chair while having her tea, surrounded by several beautiful flowers that contrasted with her outfit and a magnificent fountain that made the beauty of the queen shine.
Seeing Lucas approach, Queen Arianne's face lit up, accompanied by a warm smile.
" Lucas, my dear, come sit with me," she said, motioning for him to join her.
Lucas came over and sat down on a chair next to his mother. A little curious as to why his mother had summoned him so suddenly, he nevertheless kept a serene air with a smile, as usual.
"Mother, did you want to see me?" he asked politely.
Then Arianne put her cup of tea on the table and said:
"Yes, my child. I heard about the incident with the Ray child from the Phillips house."
Lucas shrugged slightly and, with a sly smile, said:
"It was not a big deal, mother, just a little correction for a lack of respect."
Then Arianne began to look at Lucas with a compassionate look and, in a soft voice, she said:
"You know, Lucas, you are still young, but you must understand that you must not always act on impulse.
And that each of your actions has consequences. »
At those words, Lucas looked down for a moment, trying to think about his words, and replied,
"I understand, mother, but as a member of the royal family, I couldn't let Ray's disrespect go."
Then, at those words, Arianne sighed and grabbed Lucas's hands.
While stroking Lucas's hands, she said,
"I understand how you feel.
But with the current unstable diplomatic situation in the kingdom, you should avoid exposing yourself too much in the diplomatic world of the kingdom.
Let your father take care of all those nobles as usual. So, don't worry."
Lucas nodded, taking his mother's words into consideration, and said,
"Okay, mother, I'll be careful in the future, I promise." He said with a smile on his lips.
Arianne smiled, satisfied with his answer.
"I'm glad to hear that. Now, let's talk about other things. How have you been feeling since Layna left?"
Lucas sighed as he lowered his head and said,
"Even though she hasn't been gone a day, I already miss her presence."
Then Arianne let out a small laugh and said,
"Since your childhood, you've stuck close to each other. I can understand that his absence saddens you a little."
Then Arianne stared at Lucas while placing her hands on his chin and said,
"Dayvon just came back. You'll be able to spend time with him. »
Lucas lowered his head, accompanied by a slightly sad look, and said:
"Even if I want to, Dayvon already has plenty of duties waiting for him, as the first prince."
Following Lucas' words, Arianne and Lucas both nodded at the same time.
Then, Queen Arianne and Prince Lucas's eyes met, and they began to laugh at the situation.
Arianne began to look at Lucas with a gentle gaze and said with a smile on her lips:
"You know, my son, I brought you here to tell you two good news as well."
Then Lucas, with an amazed face and an excited smile, said:
"Really, mother?"
"Yes, my son," she said with a smile on her lips, while continuing to drink some of her tea.
"So, the first good news is that your father and I have decided to bring an instructor to help you improve your swordsmanship.
And he should be here as early as next week."
Then Lucas, with an amazed face accompanied by an enthusiastic look, said:
"Really, mother?
Thank you, mother, that's great news!", he said as he left his place and rushed to his mother with joy.
Then Arianne looked at Lucas with a peaceful look and a smile, and said in a soft voice:
"The second good news is that you have to prepare to have a little brother or sister."
Then, following these words, Lucas froze.
Arianne, having seen Lucas frozen, wanted to straighten him up to see what was wrong.
As she straightened Lucas, Arianne saw Lucas' face as he held back tears of joy.
Then Lucas, holding back his tears of joy, said:
"Is it true, mother?"
Arianne looked at Lucas with a tender smile on her lips, then she took Lucas in her arms.
"Yes, my big boy, you will soon be a big brother," she said while stroking Lucas' head.
After Lucas had time to calm down, Arianne got up from her chair and held out her hand to her son.
"Come, let's walk a little. It's been a long time since we spent time together.", she said with a smile on her lips.
Lucas, happy with the offer, got up and grabbed Arianne's outstretched hand.
They began to walk slowly through the paths of the garden, chatting about everything and nothing, while recalling certain memories.
The queen told Lucas about his time when he was still a baby, and Lucas shared his dreams and thoughts with his mother.
As they walked along a field of flowers with a light breeze of wind under the sunset, Arianne stopped, her hair floating in the air thanks to the breeze, and said:
"You know, Lucas, remember that the sword is not only a tool made to kill, but it is also used to defend one's values and protect those one loves.
I hope that you will succeed in finding your way by practicing the sword.
Don't forget that, no matter your worries, I will always be there for you, because you are my son and I love you.", she said while smiling, her face lit by the rays of the sun.
Observing his mother, Lucas forgot the bad behavior of the nobles he had met so far. He began to smile with a peaceful look following his mother's sincere words and said:
"I love you too, mother. Thank you for everything." »
Then Arianne, seeing Lucas' smile, said:
"Jasmine, you can bring it to me."
Then Jasmine, who was behind them all this time, said:
"At your command, Your Majesty. I will take it right away."
Lucas, intrigued by the object that his mother had asked Jasmine for, began to observe the scene and saw Jasmine return with a black scabbard with delicate white patterns that took the shape of lightning.
The scabbard was of perfect elegance and gave off a peaceful and powerful aura.
Jasmine held it carefully and, arriving in front of Arianne, she handed her the scabbard while lowering her head.
Then Arianne grasped the scabbard gracefully, her fingers brushing the patterns of the scabbard with tenderness.
She turned to Lucas and handed him the sword with a smile, saying:
"Here, my son, this is your birthday present from me."
Lucas, surprised again by Arianne, began to have a surprised and amazed look.
"Really, mother, this sword is mine?" he said with an amazed look.
Then Arianne nodded, saying:
"Of course, I searched for the best craftsman in the kingdom to make it for you."
Then Lucas, with a smile, delicately grabbed the sword and, with a slight movement, he began to unsheathe the blade of the sword.
The pommel of the sword was beautifully black with gold patterns, and the blade was beautifully gray, accompanied by patterns in the shape of small lightning bolts.
"Wow, it's beautiful, mother. I love it!" he said, giving his mother a hug.
"I'm glad you like this sword, my son," Arianne said with a smile and a satisfied look.
"I hope you use it well." »
"Yes, mother, don't worry," Lucas said with a smile.
They held each other for a moment longer in a warm embrace, a rare moment of tenderness that they could have in the royal palace.
Then Arianne said:
"Lucas, it's time for you to go back to your apartments.
Don't think that I don't know about your punishment.", she said provocatively.
Then Lucas, a little disappointed, said:
"Already?
Time flies so fast, mother."
Then Arianne said:
"You're right, time has flown by incredibly quickly."
Then Lucas approached Arianne and gave her one last hug, saying:
"Thank you, mother, for this wonderful day, all this good news and this surprise.", he said, looking at the sword that his mother had given him.
Arianne, with a smile, said:
"Go ahead, run. I love you, my son." »
So, following these words, Lucas left the queen's garden with a happy and reassured air and then headed towards his apartments.
After this peaceful moment spent with his mother, Lucas, who was soon to reach his apartments, passed Maya on the way, with a tray of warm milk and some pastries.
"Your Highness, I thought you would be a little hungry after this long day," she said, handing him the tray with a smile.
Lucas, touched by Maya's attention, took the tray and replied:
"Thank you, Maya. You are always so attentive to me."
So Lucas went to sit on an armchair near the window, savoring the warm milk and pastries, while admiring the sunset.
"Your Highness, during your confinement, I will not be allowed to enter your apartments, except to bring you your meals," Maya said with a sad air.
"I hope you won't get bored during your confinement."
Lucas smiled with a slightly mocking look.
"Don't worry, Maya. I'll find something to keep me busy."
"I hope so, because you're a boy full of energy," Maya said, looking at Lucas.
"Oh? I'll do my best not to tire you out too much, Maya." Lucas said with a small laugh.
After finishing his milk and some pastries, Lucas stood up and stretched.
"I think I'll rest a bit. Thank you for this meal, Maya."
Maya nodded and took the tray.
"Alright, Your Highness. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
Once alone, Lucas lay down on his bed, his hands behind his head, and began to think about all the events of the day.
TO BE CONTINUED....…