Jacob threw off his bedsheets, stood up and stretched a bit before continuing his talk with Joseph.

"Thank you for worrying about me. Do you know if Maria’s up yet?"

"She should be talking to Miss Lidia right now. Apparently, it’s about something important."

Jacob walked over to Joseph and patted him on the back.

"Thank you, again. I’m going to get ready and head out. I also have an important meeting with the head of the Katra Clan. Whether he knows it or not."

"I’ll be in the palace if you need anything, young lord."

"Please just call me Jacob. We’re practically best friends by now!"

Joseph held a bright smile on his face.

"As you wish, Jacob."

As Jacob started putting on his baggy attire, he remembered the moment he shared with Maria the other day. As he thought about it, he felt his face growing hot.

’What the hell’s gotten into me?! I don’t have time for this!’

After slapping himself a few times in the face, he left his room and started walking toward the Katra Dormitories. Before opening the door, he knocked in it loudly a few times. He heard a low voice coming from inside.

"Who’s there?"

"It’s Jacob. Is Mr. Katra there?"

"Just give us a moment, we’ll be right out."

After waiting patiently for three moments, the door finally opened. Katra was standing in the door holding on to his stomach.

"Hello there Prince Jacob, is there something I can help you with?"

"Is it okay if I come inside and talk? It’s about something serious."

"Certainly, you may have a seat at the dining table."

When Jacob walked in, he could smell pastries being baked in the oven.

"I never took you guys for cooks. Who is baking right now?"

"One of our members got severely injured in the spar yesterday. Her name is Zoey. She is currently stitched up on the couch right now. Doc did everything he could, but she still needs some rest."

"Even so, which one of you is baking?"

"That would be my daughter, Sydney. She likes to bake stuff for her friends."

"I see. That’s very kind of her."

Jacob walked towards the table and sat down. Katra soon followed and did the same.

"So, what’s so important that you came to talk to me personally about it?"

Jacob stifled his fear and told him the honest truth.

"I think my father’s had plenty of time on the throne. I want to see him gone. His corruption has gone on for far too long without retaliation. I want you to join me in trying to take him down."

Katra was utterly shocked to hear these words come from Jacob. Then, he started laughing.

"W-What’s so funny? This is serious."

"I’m sorry, it’s just that everything seems to be falling into place all too well recently. Tell me Jacob, do you believe in destiny or fate?"

Jacob thought about the mark on his right arm.

"I believe in destiny, but fate can be a bit tricky."

"What’s the difference?"

"We can change our destiny."

"Interesting. Anyway, what I meant to tell you is that me and Lidia are already planning to overthrow your father."

Jacob was completely shaken. He never expected his job to be so easy.

"What do you mean you already are planning it? When did this happen?"

"Well, that spar we had yesterday was going to determine if she would help me fight your uncle if I won or overthrow the king if she won. Well... based off of what I told you, you know how that went."

’Lidia beat Katra in combat?! But how?! He’s supposed to be the king’s strongest soldier?!’

"Pardon me for asking, but how did you lose to Lidia? Isn’t she just a farmer?"

Katra scoffed and looked away.

"That woman’s a monster. I knew I was going to lose before we started fighting. It would have been different if I were allowed a weapon, of course."

Jacob was still reeling from this new information. He clearly didn’t know anything about Lidia or her powers at all.

"I should probably fill you in since I know you can be trusted now. My uncle is waiting for a storm to arrive. Once that happens, he is going to start his siege on the palace. That’s going to be our chance to take down my father."

Katra looked at him suspiciously.

"And are we just going to give the throne to your uncle?"

"No. There will be no more thrones. We will have a council hold the power of the kingdom. Every member of every noble clan will get an input in decisions, as well as a peoples vote."

"I see. Does your uncle know this?"

"I will talk to him about it when the deed is done. Besides, I’m planning on making him do all the fighting anyway, so if he refuses, he will be too tired to retaliate."

"Clever. I like this plan. You can count me in."

There was a small knock on the door when they finished their conversation. Without saying anything, Katra walked over to it and opened it. There was a man with an eyepatch waiting at the door holding a bunch of goodies such as flowers and sweets. Despite that, Katra did not seem happy to receive the visitor’s presence. His voice turned cold as he spoke.

"What do you want?"

"I’m sorry about what happened yesterday, sir. My anger got the better of me and I wasn’t thinking straight. I’ve come to apologize to Zoey."

"You’ve done enough damage already. She doesn’t need an apology. Just leave your goodies and never come back here again, unless you want to lose your other eye."

"But-"

"Let him in Mr. Katra."

Zoey’s voice echoed through the halls from where she was laying. Mr. Katra almost didn’t listen but moved to let the man pass to enter. As the man walked towards Zoey, Katra was close behind him in his shadow in case he tried to do anything. When he finally reached Zoey, he bowed his head and put down the goods in front of him.

"I just wanted to say I’m very sorry about what happened yesterday. I totally lost control of myself and I am deeply ashamed."

"It’s okay, I’ll forgive you... if you do something for me."

"Sure, I’ll do anything you need."

"Buy me some new clothes. You got my other ones all bloody!"

"That’s... That’s all?"

"Yup. Do that and I’ll forgive you."

The man sat there dumbstruck for a few moments before turning to walk away.

"I’ll get them to you by tomorrow."

Zoey went back to laying on the couch acting as if nothing just happened. Jacob decided now would be a good time to go in case another guest awkwardly made a visit in their home.