Prayer Ceremony

"I've tried my best, and you never teach me." Arthas put the sword back on the shelf, clapped his hands, and looked at Nathanos with considerable dissatisfaction.

"You must know, Arthas. You're only just reached the age to wield a sword," Nathanos replied. A year had passed since the Dark Portal closed. During this time, he and Arthas had met almost daily. Terenas wanted Arthas to understand the lives of ordinary people, as this would greatly benefit him when he became King. Therefore, Arthas had frequently left the capital to travel elsewhere during that year. Especially six months ago, when he and Terenas went to Quel'Thalas, Nathanos was also there. It was then that Arthas learned that his friend, a few years his senior, was in a relationship with the Ranger-General of Quel'Thalas, though it seemed they hadn't made it public.

"But I heard from your brother Stephan that you started wielding a sword when you were about five years old!"

Nathanos frowned. He couldn't find a good reason to convince Arthas, and the Prince of Lordaeron was telling the truth.

"Well, you'll understand later," he replied perfunctorily, then reminded Arthas, "By the way, there's a very important ceremony this afternoon, you know that, don't forget."

"Of course I know, don't treat me like a child!" Arthas muttered, his tone implying—I am the Prince, and you'd better remember that—but he could never say that. Terenas had already warned him that before Nathanos, they had no status; they were equals.

"I'm eleven years old now. My caregiver once said that I was all grown up. She hugged me with tears in her eyes and announced that I was 'completely a young person now' and no longer needed care. I want to have a chance to prove myself!"

Nathanos listened to him ramble on. Arthas was now only a head shorter than Nathanos, which was quite tall for a child his age, but his mind wasn't as mature as his physique suggested, as evidenced by what he had just said.

"Arthas, you are still very young. What he needs to do now is not to serve Lordaeron, but to understand the kingdom you will rule in the future, to understand your people, and what responsibilities you will bear."

"I know very well, I..."

"If you really understood, you wouldn't have sneaked off to Banil's house yesterday to ride a foal that wasn't even fully grown yet, your future steed— 'Invincible'!"

Arthas looked at him in surprise. So Nathanos knew about this. This time, he could no longer deny it.

Nathanos turned his head and sighed, "Prince Highness, that horse is only two years old and has just gotten used to being saddled. Although it can carry you for a short distance, it has not been trained at all. Your actions yesterday were very dangerous."

"Invincible wouldn't do that, I've spent a long time with it!"

"It's no more than six months in total," Nathanos pointed out and refuted him. "While I don't have a fixed mount, I know that your father and your mentor Uther's mounts have been with them for at least ten years. Compared to them, you are insignificant compared to Invincible, which shows that you are not ready yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Because of Varian ..." Arthas suddenly roared, then fell silent. Nathanos was startled. The man the Prince was referring to was the King of Stormwind City? No wonder, Varian was only two years older than Arthas and had already become the ruler of a kingdom, while Arthas couldn't even wield a sword properly. However, Nathanos didn't tell the young man the truth— Varian had become King so quickly because he had lost his father.

"I understand, but you are much happier than that King of Stormwind."

These words made Arthas feel much better, and he finally nodded, agreeing with Nathanos's view.

"Should I go change my clothes? After all, my father said that the prayer ceremony this afternoon is very important."

"Yes, we will meet in the chapel."

Arthas didn't even know what he was praying about today. He just felt that the Holy Light was extremely important to his father and Uther, and that they very much wanted Arthas to devote himself to the Holy Light as they did. But he never felt that he needed to meditate for hours on end like Uther, or praise the Holy Light in a pious tone like his father.

As he left, something else occurred to him, "Nathanos, did you...?"

"I did not tell your father or Uther about you stealing the Invincible."

"Thank you!" Arthas was relieved and immediately went back to his room to take a shower. Behind him, he could faintly hear Nathanos saying something about "this being a one-time exception."

An hour later, Arthas washed himself, changed into a simple yet elegant outfit, and hurried toward the family chapel located in the side wing of the palace.

This chapel isn't large, but it's quite beautiful. The wooden benches found in ordinary chapels have been replaced here by comfortable, padded benches.

Nathanos had been waiting for some time in front of the quiet, solemn chapel. He visibly relaxed when he saw Arthas running towards him and told him in sign language: You are the last one to arrive.

Arthas nodded, pointed at Nathanos, then at the church interior, shrugged, and spread his hands, asking Nathanos why he wasn't going in. Nathanos quickly shook his head in response. Those who entered the chapel were all important figures; Nathanos could only wait outside.

Prince of Lordaeron nodded to him again and went inside, the solemn atmosphere making him somewhat nervous. Besides Uther and Muradin, King Sorath Thoradin was also present. Arthas's parents and even his sister were inside. He moved cautiously with each step, only to bump into a bench. He stumbled back, knocking over a plate from a nearby table. Queen Lianne, hearing the noise, turned and gave her son a loving smile. Fourteen-year-old Princess Calia merely glared at Arthas, signaling him to be quiet. Terenas simply nodded to Arthas, then turned his gaze back to the bishop presiding over the prayer. Fortunately, there was no reproach in his father's eyes. Arthas looked around at the others, finding no one paying attention to him.

Nathanos stood outside, motionless like a wooden stake. The sound of the bishop's prayer could be heard from inside the church; it was likely to be a rather long prayer.

"Who's hiding behind the tree? Come out!" Nathanos sensed someone watching him, and the only place he could hide was the tree in front of the church.

Just as he said, a pair of small, delicate hands emerged from behind the tree, followed by a tiny head with flowing golden hair and bright, captivating eyes that curiously observed Nathanos.

'A girl?' Nathanos lowered his guard and said in a gentler tone than before, 'Come out.'

The little girl was clearly a little embarrassed, feeling like a mouse caught in a cat's trap. She took a step to the right— Nathanos noticed that the girl wasn't wearing a dress, but rather a pair of elegant, loose-fitting trousers. Then the girl jumped out and gave Nathanos a lively, cheerful smile.

Her full appearance was no longer so mysterious; her blonde hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, and she wore a white leather blouse with four buttons and some blue fabric accents on the sleeves. She gave off a... naval vibe.

Nathanos frowned. Although he had never seen the girl before, he could tell at a glance that she was the daughter of a nobleman or a high-ranking person, otherwise she wouldn't be here.

"Um..." the girl spoke first, glancing inside the church. "Has the prayer already started? It would be very impolite for me to go in now, so I think I'll pass."

Excuses! Lies! Nathanos could tell from her hesitant manner that she had no intention of participating in the ceremony, even though she had been invited.

"Here we go."

"Really? What a pity."

"If you don't mind, could you tell me if you're waiting for someone inside?"

The girl glanced into the church, seemingly searching for a figure.

"I'm waiting for Sister Jaina; she's inside too."

Nathanos nodded and returned to his previous position, seemingly forgetting to ask the girl's name, but that didn't matter.

After the prayer ceremony concluded, Arthas, who had been sitting near the door, was the first to emerge from the chapel, looking utterly relieved. Following him were Terenas, Uther, Queen Leanne, and Princess Jaina.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Arthas approached his friend, casually wiping the sweat from his brow. It was clear he found the prayer ceremony utterly boring.

"It's alright, it won't be long. We'd better get ready, and if possible, go to Durnholde Keep tomorrow," Nathanos said. The young Prince nodded, but suddenly his gaze fell on his sister and the girl beside her.

"Nathanos, who is that girl?" Arthas looked curiously at the slender girl with long, straight, golden hair.

"She's here to see Princess Calia. Like you, she doesn't want to participate in this boring ceremony."

After Nathanos finished answering, he noticed that Arthas was still staring intently at the two girls not far away. Jaina put her arm around the shoulder of the girl beside her and led her away into the distance.