Chapter Twenty-six

Alex struggled to get any sleep since he was anxious about his parents' arrival, particularly the surprise the both of them told him.

He was up all night thinking about what the surprise might be, but he could not think of anything.

"If only I could just see the future, especially the outcome of the clash tomorrow between the king and I, at least I would be rest assured. The anxiety is killing me." His body was positioned such that his head and eyes were oriented upward toward the coffered ceiling, which had rectangular panels surrounded by wooden beams, while he lay flat on his bed and rested his head on his hands. The sudden thought diminished his anticipation and made him less excited about his parents' coming.

His door busted open suddenly, which made him flinch and startled, and as a result, he stood up instantly due to the reflective response.

"Who will it be if not the old man? I wonder why he ignores such elementary manners as knocking." He wondered, because adults he had bee