CHAPTER 1 - ARTH

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This story is not affiliated with any institutions mentioned in the chapters.

This book contains spoilers for book 1: Reclaim the Ice Crown.

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“Can we take a break?” Arth asked, interrupting Maester Irvine from explaining the history of Stone Glacier Ruins. He had his chin rested on his palm, legs bouncing involuntarily under the table. Then he yawned.

“Pardon, Your Highness?” The old man looked over his glasses, standing in front of Arth while holding a thick book. “We have barely just begun our history session.”

Arth frowned at the ancient books piled on his table. This was too much … too much for him. If only he’d grown up reading and citing passages on lots of books, he could’ve handled what he had in front of him now. But he never liked books … ever. He grew up chopping woods and hunting and training with swords. How could he take every detail, every event that had happened in the past, all forced to get inside his mind every single day? His brain was like a cup, and every session, the Maester had been pouring more water until the cup would spill. He wanted to go out … to hunt … to see the capital and the people.

“Can I skip today’s session?” Arth began. “I have a sick friend to visit.”

Maester Irvine closed his book and put it down on his desk. “You have already skipped twice the previous week, Your Highness. There is still a lot you need to learn as someone who’d never studied in academies before, much more that you hold the highest position in Glacia.”

“I just … don’t understand why you think this is the only way for me to learn things …” Arth said. “You have to consider how every person is different … and books may not be the best option for someone to be educated. Like me, for example, I learn more from experience … by going out and seeing the world and understanding how everything works. I don’t want to get stuck in here, forcing all information—”

“Every member of the Royal Family had gone through thousands of sessions before … it is part of growing up to help them rule the country in the most efficient way,” Maester Irvine explained. “In addition to that, Your Highness, it is much more dangerous for you to go out of the citadel, considering you are the last Aragon.”

“I have Kael to come with me.” Arth jerked his head towards the Divine Knight, standing on guard beside the door. Kael only shrugged. “Besides, I am strong enough to protect myself.”

“Still, we cannot risk it. Someone out there might be planning to assassinate you.”

“I don’t want to do this, Maester Irvine,” Arth said.

“But you must, as you are our leader. You have to perform all the responsibilities necessary as the King.”

A sharp breath pushed out of Arth’s nose. “Leader …” A long momentary silence let Arth turn to glance at the windows, his lips pursed. He never was a leader … and he never would be. He could never become like Lucas, who had been an incredible strategist as the leader of the Forgotten Winter guild.

“I may have the birthright to the throne,” Arth said, still dazing off at the windows, “but I am no leader, because I was never born as one.”

“Your Highness,” Maester Irvine removed his glasses and studied Arth, “A few people are born to be leaders … but most are made … trained … and taught to become one. Leadership is not a talent you are given at birth, it is a skill that everyone has. And it is their choice if they want to develop that skill … your choice it is, Your Highness.”

Arth shook his head, recalling what happened before. Back in Frostwood village, Chief Gregor teamed him up with three other young men, almost having the same age as him. Arth was given the task to lead the group. They traveled on deep through the forest to hunt for the beast the Chief wanted. But at his mistake, it cost them two of his members getting severely injured that they had to retreat from slaying the beast. They blamed Arth for what happened and said he would never be capable of becoming a leader. Arth was left shocked, thinking he could lead and protect his members, but how wrong he was when he witnessed the beast almost killing his members. He never wanted nor tried to lead anyone or any group after that.

“You hear me, My King?” the maester interrupted Arth’s ongoing thoughts. “Leadership is not a talent. It is a skill all of us have.”

“Perhaps I’m not capable enough to develop that skill.”

“You are mistaken, for everyone is capable of developing any skill, only that it all comes down to their choice.”

Arth sighed. “I’m afraid you won’t understand … Anyway, my head is throbbing and I need to rest my brain for a bit. I’ll make it up for our session tomorrow.” He pushed his chair back and stood.

“That’s what you always say every day, Your Highness,” Maester Irvine replied, frowning.

Arth gave a thin smile, saying, “Have a good day, Maester Irvine.”