CHAPTER 39: GUARDIANS

The way he snucked out of the White Jade Castle, he was snucked back into his chamber.

But this time, Alyssa carried him.

Back then, after seeing that Caden was preparing for a bigger attack. She was also preparing herself.

But to her suprise, Caden collapsed, his face fell flat as he laid on the ground. It didn’t take Alyssa much to realize the problem.

Caden was suffering from the after effects of his SSS-Ranked Swordmanship Skill: Dragon-Resonance.

This was an ultimate skill after all.

The after effects has to be a severe one.

Before she was summoned by Caden, Caden had given her some money to rent an apartment outside the White Jade Castle.

But she would be on high alert in case he was in any form of danger.

This was because Alyssa’s current identity Mona is a mercenary hired by Prince Caden Ryder.

She’s not a knight or a military officer.

She could not live in the White Jade Castle. This is the home of House Ryder, it doesn’t just permits anyone, regardless of the circumstances.

Caden could summon Alyssa anytime with his mind and she would rush towards his direction.

This time, she had to sneak into the White Jade Castle, to return Caden, at the moment Caden is unable to move.

The after effects was a dire one.

**

Alyssa dropped Caden on the bed, this caused Caden to groan "Fuck this hurts" He could be seen biting the pillow.

Watching this, Alyssa’s lips curled faintly.

"You look like a baby who wants to take a look" She joked, hearing that, Caden glared at her.

"Repeat that and I’ll make you twerk right now" He threatened. Alyssa who had no idea what twerking meant stayed quite.

If it came as a threat from her master. Then it should be something she doubt she would like.

Caden was moaning while rolling on the bed "Relax master, it’s this painful because it’s your first time experiencing it"

"I doubt it will be painful after the fifth time of experiencing it, I believe it should only last tonight" She said.

**

"She lied" Caden groaned, it’s morning already. Alyssa is now back in her apartment.

Leaving Caden alone to experience this pain.

His eyes blurred, he wasn’t able to sleep because of the series of heart attacks he had been receiving.

"Tch" He growled "My other ultimate skill, SSS-Ranked Summoning Skill: Call to Glory never had such after effect"

"It could only be activated once a month, I would even prefer that to this damn heart attack" Caden punched the pillow he grasped onto.

He was sitted on the bed, still putting on his night gown when a knock was heard on his door.

"Who’s there?" Caden angrily asked, the door creaked open, Caden could see Candy’s head peeping into his bedroom.

Their eyes met, Candy’s cheeks reddened as she forcefully stared at another direction "Uhmm youn...youn.... young master Caden"

"How....how....how was your night?" She stammered.

Seeing this relieved him of the pain he felt, mentally "I slept well of course" He lied.

His night was the worst!

She slowly entered the chamber, standing before Prince Caden, she played with her fingers while staring at the ground.

"ehm...the King has asked for you to be present in the dinning hall for the morning breakfast" She informed.

Caden nodded "Lets go" Caden said, standing up from his bed. Even though he was suffering from the heart attack.

He showed no signs of pain, Candy’s eyes widened in shock "Eh? Young master Caden, are you going like this?" She asked.

"You haven’t changed yet" She added.

Caden’s smiles broadened even more "Well I just woke up and I’m quite hungry, I’m not in the mood to be formal"

With that, they both left the prince’s chamber. Heading towards the dinning hall.

Naturally a Prince’s personal maid should only follow him from behind but because it’s Caden.

Candy was permitted to freely walk beside him, this made other maids in the Castle jealous of her.

She was known to be the only personal maid to be treated better by the prince she serves.

The second they arrived at the entrance of the dinning hall, Candy who was forbidden to step into the hall had to return to the prince’s chamber.

While he’s away, it’s her duty as his personal maid to tidy up his room.

Caden yawned as he stepped into the dining hall, everyone’s attention drifted towards him.

To his suprise, both the chief advisor Benjamin Ortega and the Imperial General Storey Langston were present.

Both standing behind the throne like chair of King Alex.

Just like before, Prince Kane by the left hand side of the King and Caden’s seat was empty.

He was meant to sit by the right hand side of his father.

Everyone was suprised to see Caden approaching the dinning table while dressed informally.

While the rest of the princes were dressed as bonifide royalties, Caden was still putting on his night gown.

Seeing this, instead of King Alex to be furious. He was more curious to know why Caden would be dressed like this.

Caden’s movements came to a halt, he stood before his father with his hands cupped "Good morning father, your son greets you" Caden bowed his head.

King Alex nodded "Have your seat Caden, but I’m curious to know why you are dressed like that?"

"Don’t you know it’s a tradition to be dressed formally for the dinning hall?" King Alex asked.

Caden nodded, he yawned once again "I apologize for my unruly behavior father, I was just waking up from my sleep"

"I didn’t have time to dress properly and I didn’t want to keep the king waiting so I had to hurry"

Caden explained, hiding the fact that he’s suffering from back to back heart attack.

The after effects of his SSS-Ranked Swordmanship Skill: Dragon-Resonance.

Hearing his explanation, King Alex nodded "I’ll forgive you for today but this should not repeat itself again" He warned.

"Now that all direct members of House Ryder are gathered. I should begin"

"In a few days, all you boys will be leaving for your seperate royal academies, but before you leave"

"As a father...I prepared something for you guys, since my fifth son Caden was nearly assasinated"

"the Supreme Council has made the decision that every successor must take a guardian"

"Even though this guardians won’t be with you in your day to day school activities. This guardian will be linked to your life force so if you are in any form of danger"

"They will rush to protect you with their lives"

"Chief Advisor Benjamin had suggested some noble knights to act as your guardians" King Alex while pointing to the chief advisor.

Caden slightly tilted his head, he locked eyes with Benjamin for a few seconds before looking away.

He decided to interject "Father, I understand the situation since I was the one who nearly got assasinated"

"But I’ll reject any knight suggested to be my Guardian" Caden said.

Prince Kane glared at Caden "Such guts, who the hell do you think you are?" He growled.

But Caden ignored him like he never existed, King Alex raised his hand, stopping Kane from pursuing it any further.

He turned to face his son "If I may ask Caden, why?" King Alex asked calmly asked.

Caden breathed in deeply "Father" He paused for a second "The reason is simple, I have someone perfect enough to be my Guardian" He answered.

King Alex’s shone with brilliant light "Are you talking about that mercenary Mona?" King Alex asked.

Cade nodded "That’s correct father, although I cannot go deeper on our deal but she will be protecting me for a few years"

"And she’s quite stronger than any guardian that would be suggested to me and I trust her"

King Alex breathed deeply "Well I don’t have any reason to stand against your wish, that Mona may be a Sword Level, Sword Grandmaster but she doesn’t seem bad to me"

"She may be just a lone cultivator so if you’re able to recruit her and make her join Morningstar"

"We’ll have yet another superpower in Morningstar, since it’s what you want...."

"She’ll be leaving with you for Valor Academy, as your guardian" Upon hearing King Alex’s decision.

Chief advisor Benjamin Ortega’s clenched his fist, hiding his anger behind the innocent smile he wore.

His plans to secretly assasinate Alyssa while Caden is away had failed.