The Rightful Queen 42 Meeting Old Friends

He couldn't fathom another day in the Sol Palace. For the most part, the people in it had left him alone. He spent the past two days isolated from the rest and they granted this wish. Unfortunately, it was impossible to keep at it longer. He missed the outdoors.

When dawn broke, he wore his garments composed of a white tunic and brown breeches. His black boots reached up to his knees. He made his bed quickly and grabbed his sword, tying it to a belt. He took a black cloak and wrapped it around his shoulders.

He opened the door, greeting the guards on either side of it. He informed them that he'd be at the palace grounds for some exercise. Then, he left without a second look back.

The air outside was cool. The grass was trimmed accordingly. His feet led him to the familiar stables. He could hear the horses inside of it but he ventured further until he stood next to it. A faction of trees had been planted nearby, marking the path to the garden.

His cobalt eyes swept around the place. From this viewpoint, he searched for the rising sun. He located it through the hues of the sky. It looked farther than it did back home.

How Aurae became the Sun Kingdom was something he had always wondered. He figured that since Teralyn took up the east, it should be their kingdom's title since the sun rose from their side.

He sighed.

He took off his coat and hung it on a nearby tree branch. He also unbuckled his sword, opting to do a few light stretches first. He started with his legs and worked his way up. A group of female servants passed by while they carried baskets of washed laundry. Their eyes flickered in his direction, trying not to stare for too long.

Hayden hadn't noticed the attention.

Once he was satisfied, he unsheathed his sword. The Teralyn's crest was embossed at the base of the hilt. His order of business was basic attacks. Hayden faced a tree. He imagined it as a person, marking where the head would be and down to the feet.

He swung his sword. The tip pointed at either side of the head. Then, it went down to the knees… the torso, the ribs and top of the head.

"Master Hayden."

Hayden's blade stopped in midair. His entire body went rigid. He knitted his brows and, slowly, turned his head at the source of the voice. His eyes widened the slightest bit.

The old man walked up to him, wearing full armor. Aged lines covered his facial muscles but his gray eyes shined in youth. He had a salt and pepper beard that covered his chin and bottom of his cheek, including the top of his lip. His short hair spiked upwards. He wore a pleasant smile on his lips.

"Master Hayden!" He bellowed, spreading his arms, "It has been so long since I last saw you. You've grown so much! And a handsome young lad at that!"

Hayden pulled his arm back and held the hilt of his sword with two hands. The tip of it stabbed the ground. He kept his face composed, blinking his eyes. The scowl on his face deepened.

"Apologies, good sir." He began to say, "But I think you've been mistaken. I'm not Sir Hayden."

The old knight chortled a laugh and slapped Hayden's arm, "Good one, brat! You think this old geezer won't remember ya? My, you were just this scrawny stubborn thing back then. You also didn't like to sit in one place too long."

Hearing those words, Hayden pressed his lips into a thin line. Of course, he remembered the knight before him. During his days in the Sol Palace, Aurae's knights had been the ones who entertained him while Tylen played with Ariene. Their quarters were a bit far among the palace grounds. He thought that there would be minimal chances for encounters.

Not to mention how much he'd change over the years.

He doubted any of them would recognize him.

He should have stayed in his room.

If he wanted to go out, he shouldn't have stepped outside.

"I really am not Sir Hayden that you speak of. He is still in Teralyn, finishing up some business."

"You're persistent, aren't ya?" The old knight snickered. He clasped both of Hayden's shoulders, saying, "It's been what? 12 years? You've grown into such a fine young man. Knighted at the age of 16 too! Always knew you had it in you! How's Tylen, by the way?"

Before Hayden could open his mouth to speak, another voice interrupted the scene.

"Your Highness!" Edmund, the Head Butler, called out from an entrance of the palace.

He walked over at a brisk pace. His tail coat fluttered behind him. His leather shoes grazed the grass, moving away from the winding path. He stopped a few meters away from the knights and bowed to the waist.

"I apologize for the interruption, Prince Tylen and Sir Allen." Edmund said. Then, he straightened his posture, "We haven't been informed that you had woken up, Your Highness. We prepared breakfast at the earliest. Please step into the dining hall once you've freshened up. The Princess shall be joining you."

Hayden stepped back, letting the hands on his shoulders drop. He cleared his throat and nodded at the Head Butler, "It's my fault, Edmund. I left my chambers unannounced—except for my guards. I'll be there shortly. Thank you for the hard work."

"I shall inform the staff and the Princess immediately. Please, excuse me."

Sir Allen frowned at Edmund's retreating. His gray eyes shifted to the right corners, gazing at the young man beside him. It may have been years since he last saw the two boys from Teralyn but he distinctly recalled their differences in features. Even if Tylen managed to train better at swordsmanship, they had key traits that wouldn't be replaceable.

Their hair and their eye colors were the top examples.

He crossed his arms over his chest, the metal plates of the armor scratching one another.

"Do you mind enlightening me on why the Head Butler addressed you as Prince Tylen instead of Sir Hayden?" The old knight questioned with narrowed eyes.

Hayden sighed. He picked up his belt and buckled it around his waist, tucking his blade back in its case. Then, he took the cloak. He rewrapped it around him while meeting Sir Allen's stare.

"That's because I am Prince Tylen. I have already mentioned your mistake twice. Sir Hayden did not come with me on this journey."

Sir Allen shook his head, unconvinced, "No, that's not possible. There is no way those two would be separated. Hayden, you, know this very much. You vowed to be by your prince's side from young. It was the reason you gave us, knights, when you asked to be trained during your stays here previously."

A smile threatened to spread on Hayden's face.The memory replayed in his mind once the old knight spoke about it. He had watched them from afar in the beginning. Then, he tried to mimic them. On the next visit, he brought his wooden training sword and tried to follow alongside their routines.

He thought that he had hidden himself well… but Sir Allen had actually been watching him the whole time.

"Unfortunately, we don't get everything we want in life. We had our own matters to attend to and needed to part ways. As such, I shall bid my farewell to you, Sir Allen." Hayden bowed his head to one side, smiling gratefully, "It has been pleasure seeing you. I shall tell Hayden what you have told me. I'm sure he'd appreciate your enthusiasm."

He didn't wait for a reply and strode back to the Sol Palace.

He was unconvinced that Sir Allen would forget the matter. He could only pray that the old knight would choose to remain silent. It would be a huge amount of trouble if someone believed his claims—even Teralyn hadn't known about the switch. It would be a mess that they couldn't clean up.

Hayden took the same route he used earlier on. He glanced around the corridors and rooms. Most of the design interior matched the ones in his memories. He peeked at a hallway that he passed by and halted in his steps. The color, the lights and the structure looked the same as usual but a wave of sadness washed over him.

It once contained family portraits of several generations.

Now, its walls were barren—save for a couple of still life paintings.

A hazy replica of a young Tylen ran up to him from the end of the corridor. His sapphire eyes gazed at him in accusation. He pulled on Hayden's breeches and pointed to the most recent addition of the collection.

"How come Ariene is not in that picture?" His squeaky voice complained, "Isn't she also a princess? Why doesn't she have a photo here?"

The image faded as soon as it came and Hayden went back to his walk. His worried thoughts flooded his mind again. The idea of Tylen abandoned some woods surfaced at the front. Another scene followed with the Prince out in a dark alley, sitting on the floor and under the freezing rain.

Just like before, he shook the imagery out of his head,

He had no use for them.

At the same time, he had now concluded ('admitted' should be more accurate) that he acted more like a mother than a best friend.

Chapter end