Light from the Shadow

Chapter 3

That night Rishi studied all the test papers Qwentine had marked. He occasionally tapped his pen on the table furiously. This doesn't make sense. Before getting hired as the princess' private tutor, his father was one of the Royal Academy's most experienced instructors. Almost all of his students passed the final national test on their first try, with top scores and many had brilliant careers after graduation. How does this... He went over the test papers that were flooded with red markings again. And then suddenly something struck him.

A smile crossed his face.

From his room's window, he could see the main pavilion of the palace where the royal family resided. Interesting, he thought.

***

"A messenger from Solbaru?" Jyaga asked when his subordinate came to report that a noble man from the east empire had come to ask for an audience with the King. "What does he want?"

"He said he was ordered by the emperor to give a letter directly to His Majesty and no one else." His subordinate replied.

Jyaga considered his options and gave his permission. "Let him in. But check all his belongings beforehand. Thoroughly." The subordinate nodded and left to welcome the guest while Jyaga walked into to the Grand Hall with mixed feelings.

He had not even met the guest but he felt that there was something ominous about the visit.

"What is your name, young man?" King Ekua asked calmly as he folded the letter and slipped it back to the envelope. The man who was standing before him was probably around the same age as his only daughter, Ayna.

The messenger from the empire looked nervous. "Kuan, Your Majesty." He twisted his fingers. In terms of sovereignty, Kingdom of Remblan was far below Solbaru Empire but the young man still felt intimidated by the presence of the King and the sceptical-looking guard standing beside him. He tried to hide his shaking hands.

"Thank you, young man. You can go back now. We will send a messenger to bring the reply." The King chuckled.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Kuan quickly left the room accompanied by some guards.

After he left, King Ekua turned to his royal knight. "What do you think, Jyaga?"

"He is Prince Kuan, isn't he? The second prince from Solbaru Empire." Jyaga remembered the guard showed him the emblem on Kuan's sword.

The King looked like he was lost in thought. "A prince... is it?" He mumbled softly.

***

"Qwentineeeee, please ask the board to just let me pass the test... I don't want to do this anymore..." Ayna begged her teacher.

"Your Highness, you know I can't do that."

Ayna pouted. She rested her head on the table. And then they heard somebody knocked on the door.

"Mr. Qwentine? Your son is looking for you." Aria, the maid, said cheerfully. Ayna noticed her cheeks flushed.

"Rishi came here?" Qwentine got up from his seat and walked to the door. He turned to Ayna before leaving the room. "I apologize, Your Highness. I will come back soon."

Ayna smiled. "Take your time, Qwentine. Take your time."

Rishi was waiting for his father by the fountain near the workers' quarters. His presence attracted many females around the palace and they soon gathered, trying to take a peek at the new Head of Grand Library. Soon he saw his father running to him.

"Hi, Dad." Rishi waved his hand.

"Rishi? Why... are you here?" Qwentine adjusted his breath from running.

"Here. For you." Rishi passed him a bag of cookies. "They are from the staff in the library."

Qwentine took the bag with confused expression. He looked at his son. "You came here... just for this? You can just bring it home later..."

Rishi looked around. "It's been a while since I came here. I was on my break and thought of seeing how you are doing... with that student of yours." He smiled cynically. "Looks like your lesson is going nowhere."

Qwentine blushed.

"I advise you to just drop this and go back to your post at the Royal Academy. It's useless to teach the princess..." Rishi continued but his father quickly pulled his arms. "Shhh! Rishi!"

Rishi shrugged his shoulders. "You won't succeed no matter how hard you try."

"Huh?"

But Rishi did not explain anything further. He just waved his hand and left the place.

Qwentine came home late that night. Rishi who was waiting for him noticed his tired face.

"I told you to just quit that job." He said as he brought out their dinner. It was boar steak. It looked delicious.

Qwentine smiled weakly. "His Majestry trusts me to look after her education. I don't wish to disappoint him, Rishi. You know that."

Rishi sighed. He took the seat across his father and they both ate their dinner in silence.

"Dad." Rishi put his eating utensils down. "Leave her to me."

Qwentine almost choked. He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth. "Wha... what?"

"I'll make her graduate." Rishi crossed his arms and smiled confidently.