"Who is he?" Zerus's surprised voice was heard.
"Brother Zerus, you are the first person to know about it again. But, let my parents meet him first, and then I will introduce him to you." Lily replied.
"How long do I have to wait? I'm more curious about him than what you did behind our backs now," Zerus disgruntled before starting to walk again.
"A little wait is fine, Brother Zerus." Lily smiled at his response. "And I hope Brother Zerus doesn't share this with anyone else. I'll tell them myself."
"Sure, princess Lily. I'm giving my word, I won't tell them." Zerus promised.
"Thank you. Your highness"
"Well, Did he know about you?" Zerus questioned.
"We have a lot of time to know about each other, right?" Lily stated and asked Eli's opinion.
Eli nodded and replied "hum."
Zerus shook his head and sighed.
Lily smiled and said "Brother Zerus, Let's start training Zach from now on."
"What do you mean? He's already training. right?" Zerus replied, but a thought occurred to him and his eyes widened "You want to train to the succession assessment?" Zerus questioned.
"Yes" Lily casually replied.
Even Grandfather Allen who was reading a book also looked at her. (Well, he wasn't eavesdropping. The phone is still on the speaker, he can over hear them)
"Why?" Zerus questioned.
"We've all been trained brother Zerus, now it's time for him to be trained. I'm sure he can handle it and work hard." Lily replied.
"But he's not 19 years old yet to start training." Zerus replied.
"But, I am sure he has the ability." Lily replied.
"Even if he succeed, it doesn't change the fact that you're more suitable." Zerus snapped.
They had a one year training (Royal Succession Preparation) to check their ability to be the next king/queen. When they turned 20, they would have to undergo a succession assessment.
However, Lily stayed in the Hyla country at the age of 16 after her vacation and underwent four months of training and assessment, and she successfully completed it.
Lily wanted to take the assessment early because her older cousin had taken it last year and Zerus was participating this year, when she was 16.
So at that time she was intrigued about the assessment and told her grandfather, Riette Lellen, that she wanted to do it. Her grandfather was also curious and believed she had the ability and permitted her to do it, on the condition that she wouldn't be able to take it again if she failed.
"Let's talk about that another time. First, Start training him for assessment."
"What about Grandpa's permission? He definitely won't allow it." Zerus remarked.
"I'll ask him" Lily responded.
"What about Zach?" Zerus reminded.
"Tell him I believe in him" Lily stated.
"Do you think they will never come here? (Lily's parents)" Zerus suddenly asked.
"Not sure." Lily replied.
"What do you think is the reason?" Zerus questioned skeptically.
"I don't know" Lily stated.
"Well, if they come back here, are you willing to accept the title?" Zerus probed.
"Perhaps, I used to agree but not anymore."
"Why?" Zerus growled.
"Well, I already told you I found my home here." Lily replied.
"Oh, Why? He doesn't love you enough to come here?" Zerus retorted.
"But, I love him too brother Zerus." Lily confessed and looked at Eli.
Eli felt like the world had stopped, He was staring at her without blinking. A girl's voice was resonating within him "In my next life, I will beat you and tell you first"
Lily didn't know why but she saw his tears welled up. Grandfather Allen peeked at them from the corner of his eyes and smiled.
Zerus twitched, he didn't know whether to cry or be happy or be angry. He helplessly shook his head.
Lily closed his eyes with her hand and wrapped an arm around him and patted his back "Shhhh"