  &quot;Robert, I know how you feel about me right now but it shouldn t affect your duty when you reach Middle Earth,&quot; he answered. &quot;Always remember in all things that you are the next king of the Western Wind. Everything you do will reflect our kingdom.&quot;
  Everything is always about image and monarchy, isn t it? The very least he could do is wish for our safety during our travel.
  &quot;You don t have to worry about that because I always have that reminder in my mind,&quot; I said in full confidence. &quot;Is there anything else?&quot;
  He sighed, looking like he s preparing something to say. &quot;About the fishing trip--&quot;
  &quot;Please, James, I don t want to talk about this,&quot; I quickly blocked his sentence, turning around to head to the door.
  &quot;Robert, please, let s have a civilized conversation about this,&quot; he quickly replied, making me stop. I

  I continued to stare at him in confusion. He never gave this kind of instruction when it comes to me. For the entirety of my life, it s always been duty and work. It s not that I was forbidden to have a bit of pleasure but my time for leisure is always limited. For him to tell me these things is unlike him. Probably, it was Mother s doing. James would never allow me to do other things outside my duties.
  &quot;I don t want you to promise me to do that because I know you don t like doing anything for me,&quot; he added. &quot;But at the very least, do it for your mother and yourself. Perhaps, that could motivate you to enjoy your life before getting married.&quot;
  I took a deep breath and nodded, just going along with whatever it is he s telling me.
  &quot;Well,&quot; Mother spoke, getting the attention of James and me. &quot;Shall we?&quot; she gestured at the carriage, looking at 

  It was morning, I believe. The rays of the sun entered the windows, giving light to the halls of this castle. I looked at myself from my feet. I was in my usual day clothes: a loose shirt, black pants, and boots.
  But as I was walking through the halls, I noticed that it was different. It looked like our castle but I never remembered the halls having this kind of design and decor. The curtains were still a shade darker than red but it has golden lines embroidered on the edges. Paintings were still hung on the walls but I didn t know who they were. And the carpet wasn t red, it was blue.
  And I could hear a faint sound of a piano, somewhere inside the castle.
  I don t know where I currently am but I just followed the music in hopes that I could somehow figure it out.
  A few moments later, the music was louder, it s as if I m in the same room as the piano. Ahead of me was like a balc

&quot;Robert, I know how you feel about me right now but it shouldn t affect your duty when you reach Middle Earth,&quot; he answered. &quot;Always remember in all things that you are the next king of the Western Wind. Everything you do will reflect our kingdom.&quot;
  Everything is always about image and monarchy, isn t it? The very least he could do is wish for our safety during our travel.
  &quot;You don t have to worry about that because I always have that reminder in my mind,&quot; I said in full confidence. &quot;Is there anything else?&quot;
  He sighed, looking like he s preparing something to say. &quot;About the fishing trip--&quot;
  &quot;Please, James, I don t want to talk about this,&quot; I quickly blocked his sentence, turning around to head to the door.
  &quot;Robert, please, let s have a civilized conversation about this,&quot; he quickly replied, making me stop. I felt him walking towards me, &quot;I know you re angry and I know what I did was wrong.&quot; He

Chapter 23 Voyage (b)