Chapter 22

After storming out of the room, I let out a frustrated shout, unable to contain my irritation. Spotting a nearby guard, I ordered, “Take me to the Queen. Now.”

The guard, clearly intimidated by my tone, nodded meekly and led the way toward her chambers. My footsteps echoed down the grand hallway, each step fueled by frustration.

Upon reaching her door, I didn’t hesitate—I pounded on it loudly, my impatience evident.

“Come in, son,” came my mother’s calm yet authoritative voice from within.

I pushed the door open forcefully, stepping inside to find her seated elegantly in a plush chair while a maid carefully arranged her hair. She looked entirely unbothered, as if she had anticipated my arrival.

I barely contained my anger as I nearly shouted, “Did you give those orders to Mina?”

She met my gaze without flinching. “Yes, I did.”

I clenched my fists. “I am not a child, Mother.”

A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. “Yes, you are,” she countered smoothly. “You proved that quite clearly the other day at the arena.”

“That was different! This is completely unrelated!” I protested, my frustration mounting.

She waved a dismissive hand. “So what? You need proper instruction in etiquette and the way of the court. You are not a commoner anymore, Asher. You are a prince. It is time you started living like one, and that is final.”

Her tone was resolute, leaving no room for argument, but I refused to back down.

“I don’t need body warmers, nor a toilet girl and neither the bath girls. Everything else is acceptable.”

“The girls are there for a reason,” my mother said firmly. “They are just the beginning. As I told you before, you need to start living like a prince, and these traditions are an essential part of royal life. Due to your complaining and outbursts, you will receive the full experience starting now.”

With that, she signaled to a nearby attendant. “Summon Cassie,” she commanded without hesitation.

Frustration surged through me. “Mother, stop this madness now, or I will go to Father and have him personally put an end to it!”

I turned sharply, fully prepared to storm out in search of him—only to be stopped in my tracks by an unexpected sight.

“Son, please,” came my father’s weary voice. “Do not involve me in this. I cannot go against your mother—I value my life too much.”

My head whipped toward the sound, and I found him lounging in a chair, looking far too comfortable for someone whose son was in the middle of a crisis. My outrage froze for a moment as I registered the scene: a young slave girl was kneeling between his legs, her head bobbing as she serviced him. He barely spared me a glance, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

I felt my stomach churn. This was my father, the King, a man I had once admired. And yet, here he was, utterly indifferent to the absurdity unfolding before me.

Was this truly what it meant to be royalty?

A girl entered the room from somewhere within, her presence as poised as the situation was frustrating. I barely had time to process her arrival before my mother’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“This is Cassie,” she announced with a satisfied tone. “I personally purchased her from a trusted friend. She is trained in the ways of royal etiquette and will teach you how to conduct yourself as a prince when required.”

My mother leaned back in her chair, watching my reaction closely. “She is not a fool, Asher. She will stay with you for your entire life, observing you, learning how you think and speak. She will strive to meet your expectations—but do not think for a second that she will listen to your childish whims. Just as you saw this morning, there are things beyond your control.”

I clenched my fists at her words, but she wasn’t finished.

“Cassie, be strict with him. Punish him if necessary,” my mother commanded. “He is stubborn and unruly, but you are the best fighter in the kingdom. Your magic is the strongest in the entire world—perfect for taming a foolish boy like him.”

She turned back to me, her eyes glinting with something between amusement and challenge. “Her magic is Nullify—a divine gift from Goddess Eterna herself. She can suppress any magic, any skill, making her the perfect guardian for a wayward prince.”

My mother’s smirk deepened as she delivered the final blow. “Oh, and one more thing—Cassie is also your first concubine. You will need to collect nineteen more before your marriage is confirmed, and I will personally choose them. I don’t trust you to make wise decisions in such matters.”

My jaw nearly dropped. “Marriage?” It was the only word I could manage.

I turned to my father, hoping for some support, but he simply raised his hands in surrender. Completely useless.

“Yes, marriage,” my mother said, unfazed. “Your eldest brother is already betrothed, and his wedding is in twenty-eight days. On that same day, we will accept the crown, and you, my dear son, will officially take your first wife.”

“This is ridiculous!” I turned back to my father, desperation creeping into my voice. “Dad, this isn’t fair!”

He sighed, looking at me with sympathy but no real willingness to intervene. “Son, I may be the king of this kingdom, but she rules the castle. If I go against her, I won’t live long enough to rule anything.”

I could feel my blood boiling. My mother’s smirk made it even worse. She was enjoying this. She thought she had won.

Then, an idea struck me.

“You’re wrong, Mother,” I said, letting my lips curl into a smirk of my own. “Cassie isn’t my first concubine. She’s my second.”

For the first time, my mother’s victorious expression vanished. The look of shock that replaced it sent a wave of satisfaction through me. Without another word, I spun on my heel and marched out of the room, leaving her in stunned silence.

Outside, I spotted the same soldier who had guided me earlier, standing at attention, awaiting further orders. Without hesitation, I instructed him, “Take me to the Royal Training Grounds.”

He nodded and led the way.

The moment we arrived, I yanked off my shirt, tossing it to the ground carelessly, and strode straight into the combat pits. The air smelled of sweat, dust, and raw determination—the perfect place to unleash my frustration.