King George study.


    "you majesty," lord Zorander looked at the king. The king had said that he wanted to see him, so lord Zorander had gone to the Palace that morning.


    "seat," King George said. He felt a bit ashamed to face lord Zorander. He had promised this man years ago to protect and take care of his daughter but he failed. If only he was not drowning himself in sorrow when he heard about his son, King George believed he would have found out what was wrong long ago.


    "you already know of Richard''s identity. I plan to name him the crown prince in thirteen-day," king George said. He did not know what was going on in the old man''s mind but he knew that this man would protect Richard with his life.


    Lord Zorander nodded his head, when he saw Richard at his place, he already guess that the king already found out the truth.


    "Okay," lord Zorander said.


    "Richard is already all grown, he knows very little about being royalty. As a king, I am very busy, especially at this time. He needs guidance," king George said. He wanted to ask lord Zorander to be his teacher but the king did not know how to say it.


    It is not that teachers were lacking to serve Richard, but Queen Regina has stayed in the Palace for long and the king was aware that she had some loyal servant. He did not want Richard to suffer the same fate as Ellen.


    Lord Zorander was a well-respected and feared man in the kingdom. He would be able to analyze every situation accurately.


    "Are you asking me to be your son''s teacher?" lord Zorander asked.


    "No, I am asking you to guide your grandson. I do not want him to fall into Regina''s scheme," King George replied.


    "you are the king, your words are enough to destroy her," lord Zorander said.


    "no, It would not be doing him good if I take away every single threat on his part. Richard needs to be a wise king and he needs a little experience which he lacks," king George replied.


    "So you are turning your wife into a puppet for your son?" lord Zorander said. He was really happy with the king''s decision. If Richard was overprotected he would be a weak king. Lord Zorander understands this.


    This was the difference between the training Robert and Lawrence received. Lawrence learn to rise above his challenges while Robert had everything handed over to him.


    Lord Zorander was happy with the king''s decision. The king could not protect him forever.


    "Will you help me teach him?" King George asked with hopeful eyes.


    "I am still the lord of house Zorander," lord Zorander replied.


    "you already named Robert, you do not have to continue to monitor him. You are the only one I can blindly trust with Richard''s safety," king George said.


    Lord Zorander accepted the king''s offer to be his grandson''s adviser. Since the king was already aware of Richard''s existence. Lord Zorander told him about his plans to get Richard engaged to the lady from Yancey''s household.


    "the Yancey and Zorander have been friends for three generations now,  Rose your second granddaughter is engaged to Joe, the heir of the Yancey family. You also handed over power to Robert, whose daughter is engaged to Prince William. Now you want Richard married to the lady from Yancey family. Would this not put everyone involved in a difficult position? " king George asked.


    Unlike lord Yancey who could guess lord Zorander plans, king George was left confused by the man''s actions.


    Lord Zorander had allowed his Jane Robert''s daughter to engage prince William. This just made everything complicated. King George knew first hand that Queen Agatha and Lawrence did not get along but will Robert abandon his daughter to protect his sister''s son.


    "when the time comes, the Yancey will support Richard. I am only giving everyone a fair chance. It is only logical for me as a grandfather to protect Richard more. I already warned Jane and her father," Lord Zorander replied.


    Lord Zorander''s words were not clear but king George guessed that the man already have an elaborate scheme. If the man is convinced that the Yancey will support Richard then the king believes him.


    Who was lord Zorander, the man has fought and won countless numbers of wars. He was wise and like a great leader, he has the ability to see the whole picture. Although King George was a bit uncomfortable with the fact that he could not read lord Zorander''s plans.


    Yet, he did not push to get more answers. More than anything else the king was convinced that lord Zorander would not bring Richard to any harm.


    Out of the two children birthed by late Lady Zorander, this lord has loved Agatha more. They talked about other things before heading to the competition ground.


    When they arrived the first round of the competition was already over, and ten winners from each ring were already gathered. Prince William, Joe, and Richard had won from their rings.


    Rose was standing beside Danny, "I bet your brother is going to be the winner like last year," Danny whispered. Last year Rose had not watched the competition but Joe already told her about it.


    Danny pinned her lips. She did not want her brother to win. She was supporting the handsome man she has been watching since earlier. In Danny''s mind, the man was more outstanding and deserves to win. But she did not dare say it since her mother was not standing too far away.


    Who knows if the peer of mother and lover will scold her to death. Lady Yancey looked at her daughter and shook her head. Her daughter has been acting strange.


    Lady Yancey was aware of the lost prince participating in the tournament but she was not sure what he looked like. Among the ten people that now stood in front to fight only two of them were not familiar to her. The other eight where from noble families.


    She wondered if lord Zorander grandson was one of them. She closely studied their face but neither of these two men has any resembles the king. She sigh and decided to stop thinking too much. It was only a matter of time and she would get to meet him.


    "let go and sit down," Lady Yancey said to the two ladies and lead them to the seats under the shield that was prepared for the nobles. The sun was already shining bright.. It was time for lunch but no one in the kingdom was thinking about food.