A Story From Zinnia

Part 4: Nathaniel's Return

4 Years later.

"Note the end of the clip."

"Swipe a little to the right."

"Be careful to put it down."

"Is the food ready?"

A special day has arrived. Today everyone in the palace is busy preparing for Prince Nathaniel's welcoming party, which is none other than the idea of the young prince, Xavier. Hustle and bustle everyone passed by from the kitchen to the dining room. Just a small party, arguably more like a banquet. There were no guests, only the king, Xavier and the court advisers. Time passed so quickly, 4 years had Nathaniel taken up military training of the air force.

"Where's the butler?" Elthon, who now serves as the chief of staff of palace household affairs and personal assistant of King Arthur.

"Here sir." Answer the butler.

"Is all the preparation ready? Soon His Highness Prince Nathaniel arrives."

"Everything is ready, sir. Just a few."

"Well, speed up the work, and don't forget the surprise."

"Good, sir."

Elthon who had been busy to and fro this morning went from the dining room to the office of His Majesty.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty. Preparation for the banquet is almost ready, do you want to prepare to go down?"

"Well, I'll be ready, okay, too."

King Arthur immediately closed the book he was reading, and slightly tidied up his desk. He also wore his suit assisted by Elthon.

The sound of footsteps rang out from outside Xavier's room, before long the door of his room was knocked, "Your Majesty, Prince Nathaniel is about to arrive. Are you ready?"

"I'm coming downstairs soon, Liam." Shouted Xavier from within.

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Not long after, Xavier came out of his room.

"Has my father come down?"

"That's it, Your Majesty."

"Too let's go downstairs." Take Xavier while pulling Liam's arm to make him jerk.

"Be careful, Your Majesty."

"Let's hurry, I can't wait."

Now Xavier stopped in front of the dining room entrance.

"Have my brother come?"

"Not yet, Your Majesty. It will be here soon."

Liam opened the dining room entrance. The king was sitting waiting for his sons to appear.

"Oh Xavier! Come here son."

"Dad is here apparently. When will you arrive?"

"It seems like any minute, after all, it's almost lunchtime. Are you ready to give him a surprise?"

"Of course!"

No one was unhappy that day. Everyone was impatient to see the figure of the crown prince return in the palace. The servants were waiting at the main door. Elthon who was ordered to welcome Nathaniel was standing by. He was unceasingly looking at his watch.

A black limousine car with a Zinnia pride flag in front of it drove past the royal gate. All the servants and guards saluted as the magnificent car passed by. The car stopped at the main door. The main star of today's celebration got out of his car. He still wears his military uniform complete with star pins as a sign of honor.

"Welcome back, Your Highness Prince Nathaniel." Elthon commanded to greet.

"Welcome back, Your Majesty." The servants followed.

The familiar palace air on Nathaniel's nose, coupled with the dazzling sunlight reflected clearly from the palace windows. He sighed and looked around him before his feet stepped in. Unconsciously he missed his home so much, the magnificent Cassania Palace. His feet stepped in through the main door.4 years passed and not much changed according to him, only some furniture looked new, and the rest was only restored.

"Let me help, Your Majesty." Said Elthon while taking a special backpack of soldiers that had been brought by Nathaniel.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the King and Prince Xavier are already waiting in the dining room." Said Elthon while offsetting Nathaniel's steps from behind.

"really? Are they in the dining room?"

"Well let's get there, I can't wait to see them!"

Nathaniel sped up his steps towards the dining room. The servants opened the entrance to the dining room. Just stepping in, how shocked Nathaniel was when he heard the sound of confetti gunfire. Welcome from her two favorite people.

"SURPRISE!" Xavier and King Arthur.

Nathaniel was surprised not to play, he did not expect to be given a surprise like this. Plus a room full of balloons, a banquet at the dinner table, a cake and not to forget a welcome banner hanging on the wall.

"Dad! Xavier!" Nathaniel immediately ran to embrace the two.

"Welcome back, son."

"Sister Ashton welcome!"

A very pleasant sight to the eyes.

"You're all preparing this?" Nathaniel asked.

"It's all your sister's ideas, I'm just following along." King Arthur replied with a smile on his face.

"This is your idea? Nice work!" Nathaniel ruffled Xavier's hair.

"How's brother doing? This palace is very quiet without any big brother?"

"You don't see me fit like this? Look at my muscles." Nathaniel answered while showing off his arm muscles covered in army clothes.

"Gee... Is there a sister should exercise?"

"Of course."

"It's about to let your brother eat first, Xavier. Today I asked the palace chef to cook your favorite meal, let's eat it soon." Sela the king.

"Right, until there's no favorite food here, huff." Grunts Xavier.

"Hey look, isn't this your favorite lemon cream cake, Xavier?"

"There's lemon cake?!"

"The dish's too much so you don't see your favorite snack." Nathaniel chuckled at his sister's behavior. Even though Xavier was about to enter high school, he was still adorable in his eyes.

"Ah I heard Xavier entered the Helling Rose Royal School shortly after I went training, how was your school?" Nathaniel has now opened the conversation.

"Everything's fine, next year I'll be in Junior High."

"really? Whoa... Time passes so fast, you're so big."

"Of course, it's been four birthdays I've missed without brother." Xavier's slightly pouted face.

"Is that so...? From next year you're no longer alone." Nathaniel smiled warmly at his sister.

"How was your training there?" The king spoke up.

"Said very pleasant, well. At first it was quite difficult for me to adjust to the military barracks as well as people who were reluctant to approach me because of my position as crown prince, but over time the atmosphere melted away. I didn't think I'd meet a lot of noble kids there."

"What are your plans for the future?"

"...in the future?" Nathaniel.

"Yes, surely you won't waste your experience there, will you?"

"Of course, dad. But I don't think I've decided on my plan ahead yet."

"You know, the current state of the country is heating up again. Lisbuon is trying to enter by sea, they are still trying to get a cooperation agreement for the export of mining materials."

"Lisbon? The country is shameless?"

"It's true that after what they did to our country they dared to want a deal back."

"Then how is he doing now?"

"The father's forces managed to expel them and make a deal, if they were to illegally re-enter our waters, they would agree that their ship would be blown up."

"Dad.... Can we not discuss such a thing at the dinner table?" Xavier, who is tired of listening.

"All right, eat something. And you're Nathaniel, spend all this, okay? This is all for you." King Arthur said as he placed the turkey chicken on Nathaniel's plate.

"Hahaha okay dad."