Grand Epic Elemental

Chapter 19: Xenon

They lay on the bed, with the king holding Izel in a protective embrace.

"Do you think about your family often?" he asked as he caressed Izel's face.

"Sometimes. I try not to think about them too much, since it brings up a lot of bittersweet memories. My parents were decent people, but life was hard and we often didn't have enough to eat. Some of my siblings didn't even make it past childhood."

The king had noticed that Izel was rather thin and not that tall and figured it was due to malnourishment in his younger days.

"My life is here now, Your Majesty."

The king ran his fingers through Izel's hair. "When did you enter the palace?"

"About...thirteen years ago. I was eighteen then. Only several years older than His Highness the Crown Prince is now."

"Oh..."

"At first I was just a regular servant, doing things like cooking and cleaning. The Palace Elder oversaw the rest of us eunuchs. He taught me to read."

"Oh? I'm impressed. You read so well that I didn't think you learned it later in life."

Izel smiled. "He did say that I picked it up fast. None of us had any formal schooling in the village I used to live in, so when I had the opportunity to learn to read, I just went for it. After our daily duties were done, I was allowed to look at the books in the Palace Library. As I became literate, the Palace Elder started assigning me to duties that involved reading and writing. He also taught me to play music."

The king smiled.

"At some point," Izel continued, "he started letting me accompany him to His Highness the Crown Prince's lessons. Eventually, he just let me teach His Highness myself."

"You've come a long way."

"Your Majesty..."

The king kissed him.

***

As the days went on, Izel spent his mornings instructing Prince Thallios in barbat playing, calligraphy, and painting, and his afternoons accompanying King Xenon to High Council meetings. They would retreat to the king's chamber to dine in private.

"That son of mine has become more diligent it seems," remarked the king.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. He is becoming more patient and asks a lot of questions. He seems very curious about the outside world."

The king smiled, although it seemed to be tinged with sadness. "He's growing up so fast. Sometimes I feel like I am missing out on key parts of his life."

"Your Majesty...forgive me if this is too forward of a question, but..."

"Go on..."

"Why do you not interact with His Highness the Crown Prince more often? You often watch him from a distance and ask me about his progress, but you do not actually speak with him."

The king frowned pensively and turned away.

Izel began to fret. "Your Majesty? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked...please forgive me..."

The king turned back to him. "No it's fine, it's a fair question. I wish I could say it was because I myself did not interact much with my own parents when I was the same age...but that would not be the whole story..." He sighed.

"Is something wrong, Your Majesty?"

"..."

Izel looked at him with worried eyes.