What's more, these were ones that did not know when to shut up.
Thales gave Glover and Doyle a prompting look. After much persuasion and physical effort, they managed to drag Mr Big Beard Jorge—who had a befuddled look on his face—to a corner outside the banquet hall, away from the curious and inquisitive gaze of the guests.
"You Southerners really make a big fuss over trivial matters. Everyone's on edge just 'cause I got some t.i.tle mixed up…" Jorge complained without holding back. "There was once when I mistakenly addressed King Nuven as 'the respected king of Dragon Clouds City' in the Archduke's request for a.s.sistance letter to him. It didn't bother The Born King even a bit. He still supplied us with funds and troops to deal with the bandits, what a nice guy…"
Doyle curled his lips; Glover s.h.i.+fted his gaze away.
Even though the former was generally quite carefree and easygoing, and the latter quiet and reserved, both found this guest's casual and rude mannerisms off-putting.
Only Thales was amused as he listened to Jorge speak in his cra.s.s and thick northern accent.
It was definitely not the norm to hear such an accent in the orderly Mindis Hall and at this courteous banquet.
It felt as if he was transported back to the North, where people were generous, refres.h.i.+ng, uninhibited and straightforward.
Administrator Jorge laughed. "Haha, you might not remember, Polaris, but we have met before!"
Thales asked doubtfully, "When?"
"Wow, you're forgetful, aren't you?"
Jorge's casual tone, despite it being jarring, invoked in Thales an odd sense of affection. Even though he was only ever a sojourner in Eckstedt.
Here, Constellation, Eternal Star City, this is his home, is it not?
Jorge was in high spirits. "A few years ago, during the eyre of Dragon Clouds City, when the young lady from Walton family held your hand—I must say, you're a gutsy one—and all the northern lads present turned sour from jealousy, then ganged up and rushed towards you for a good round of martial arts skills exchange and a friendly duel…"
Thales' expression changed.
Jorge continued enthusiastically, "The entire scene was chaotic so probably everyone else missed it, but I have sharp eyes, me. She hid you under her skirt…"
Thales went pale.
Ignoring the expressions of his guards behind him, he rushed forward and grabbed Jorge's animated hand. "Ahem! Thank you! Administrator Jorge!" Thales interrupted him warmly. "I am deeply moved by the generosity and well-wishes of Elaphure City!" He shook Jorge's hand vigorously, sincerely hoping that the latter would stop talking.
Initially stumped, Jorge then narrowed his eyes and lowered his head as if he understood.
This depressed Thales even more.
Both audience to this, Doyle nudged Glover in jest. Unfortunately, the latter merely frowned, showing no interest in partic.i.p.ating in the joke.
"Oh yeah, speaking of this…" Jorge naturally put his arm over the duke's shoulder, as if they were buddies, and whispered, "Archduke Gaddro has a son, Edgar, the heir to Elaphure City. He's a good lad, that one. Included in the gifts I brought you are the furs from seals and bears that he personally hunted. You have similar statuses and are both prodigies, I'm sure you'll hit it off with him…"
The Administrator had an encouraging expression as he shook the Prince vigorously, "I'm sure you'll like him!"
Thales was so flummoxed from the shaking that even his wry smile started to fade. "Edgar, was it? I'm sure I will…"
But Jorge merely grinned. "That's not all. The archduke has three daughters as well…"
Thales had a bad feeling about what he was going to say next.
"Even though the eldest has been married twice, she's very fertile. I can guarantee that you'll have a good number of children before you even turn twenty. You'll never have to worry about descendants…"
"His second daughter, oh she's exceptional. Adept at horse-riding and archery with excellent marksmans.h.i.+p, even the veterans acknowledge her prowess. With her in your bed, you wouldn't even need to hire overnight guards…"
Thales' smile gradually froze.
"The youngest… the youngest one…" Jorge was stuck for words. After some hesitation, he stammered, "Sh..she's…she's alright..."
The administrator patted the duke's shoulder in a very "northernly" fas.h.i.+on, messing Thales' perfect hair which had taken him a while to grow back out since he cut it when he was fleeing from calamity.
"I know, you grew up in the North, you must enjoy a good challenge… How about it?" There was a glow in Jorge's eyes, "Consider it?"
The prince gave a forced smile.
It took Thales a good few minutes before he could escape Jorge's enthusiasm. He invited the bear-like guest back into the banquet hall and promised to get him a bigger chair.
The guards accompanying the prince had an interesting expression on their faces. Mallos, who had been silent all this while, approached the prince to brief him about the guests that he would be welcoming next. But after he finished briefing the prince…"You know, that incident he just mentioned, the one about you hiding under the skirt…" The guard hesitated.
The normally easy-going Thales looked up instantly.
His expression was fierce, as if he would devour whomever crossed his path.
"Don't ask." The Duke of Star Lake gritted his teeth. "And you'll still be my favorite guard captain."
Mallos squinted, with a look on his face indicating that he fully understood, and bowed in jest. "In that case, I'll go ahead and make the other necessary arrangements. Enjoy the banquet."
Looking at Mallos' back as he turned to leave, Thales sighed in frustration.
"Your Highness…" Doyle called from behind.
Thales was still on alert. He scowled at Doyle.
"Don't worry. I… I wasn't going to ask…" He waved his hand in the air awkwardly. "I was just going to say that I understand it well. I have similarly experienced such a terrible situation…"
"Cough—cough ahem!" Glover, who was standing across from Doyle, kept coughing as if he caught a cold. He interrupted Doyle's nonsense, "Cough cough cough cough!"
Doyle cut himself short in embarra.s.sment, but Thales' expression had already worsened.
Alright.
Thales pulled his head back stiffly; he was in a bad mood.
The first thing he will do once he ascends the throne, will be to lead an army north to…
…eliminate Eckstedt.
They headed back in silence.
"Northerners, erm… Are all northerners in Eckstedt like that?" Doyle finally broke the silence with a less annoying topic.
Thales nodded glumly. "Half of them, yes. As for the other half…"
At this moment, a voice filled with surprise and excitement exclaimed, "Thales Jadestar!"
The three of them were startled.
Amidst the bustle of footsteps and shouts, far down the corridor, Jonveled and Procca of the Star Lake Guards were strenuously barring a guest from rus.h.i.+ng towards the prince. The latter waved his arms vigorously and seemed determined to approach Thales.
Thales looked at him. His bowl cut seemed oddly familiar to Thales.
Then he saw the glittering sword insignia on the guest's clothing.
"It's an honor to meet you. I am Levi Trentida, son of the Archduke of Reformation Tower." The guest smiled charmingly. His accent was that same familiar northern accent, even though it was less thick than Jorge's.
Reformation Tower, Trentida?
This was interesting.
Another person with a bowl cut—a much older, possibly much more cunning person with a more imposing aura and august—appeared in his mind's eye.
Thales nodded to the guards to release the unruly northerner who had barged in without being escorted for him to approach.
"Levi, was it?"
Thales put on his iconic social smile. "I know your father, Archduke Trentida…"
"What a coincidence." Levi grinned. "I know him too."
Thales fell silent upon hearing this terrible joke.
Young Trentida?
He glanced at the smirk on Levi's face and the glow in his eyes.
Yup, they are definitely father and son.
"Very well. Please send my regards to your father." Thales sighed, determined to not get caught up in it. "Enjoy the banquet."
The prince turned around to leave.
"Your Highness!" Levi said anxiously.
Jonveled gripped Levi's shoulder firmly from behind, evidently warning the latter.
Thales turned around.
"I know you're busy, so alright, I'll be direct." Levi sighed, an all-or-nothing expression on his face.
Thales blinked.
Against the background noise coming from the banquet, Levi squinted and continued, "You know, it hasn't been an easy journey for me. I was going to buy some souvenirs home, but I ran into some trouble… That darned market bureaucrat and businessman conspired to not only alter weights and raise prices, but also to deliberately cause trouble…"
"Souvenirs?" Thales was stumped.
"You know, I'm traveling after all." Levi shrugged, like a spoiled rich kid. "I'll buy this and that, and bring home some regional specialties."
"Regional specialties?" Thales raised his eyebrows.
Levi smiled awkwardly. "Nothing much. Just some food, clothes and stuff to play with."
"Food?" Thales asked skeptically. He glared at Levi.
"Yup, I'm a big fan of food." Levi's smile was unchanged. "I just need some local officials to turn a blind eye…"
Thales stared at him for a few seconds.
"No can't do."
Darned northerners.
Thales continued coldly, "I'm just a novice, principled prince."
After he spoke, Thales was turning around to leave when Levi hurriedly said, "I know, I know! But don't worry, Your Highness. You won't have to do anything! Nothing at all!"
Thales looked at him quizzically.
Levi broke away from Jonveled's grip and—ignoring the latter's expression of disgust—continued, "At the banquet later, just allow me to stand beside you for a while, and make it seem like we're having a jovial chat, that's it. The bureaucrat that was finding fault with me has attended today. He's trying really hard to get close to you."
Levi looked at Thales anxiously.
"Sorry." Thales shook his head and prepared to leave. "Perhaps you should reveal your official status and see what they can do for you at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
"But…" Levi started again. This time, there was a hint of a plea in his voice. "For starters, that would be too high-profile and would attract too much attention, you know… Secondly…" He shrugged embarra.s.sedly, "The exchange rate has been poor recently, I… have limited funds."
Too high profile…
Poor exchange rate…
Wait a minute.
Reformation Tower.
Trentida.
Bringing regional specialties home?
The prince muttered to himself for a second—a realization dawning upon him.
"Alright. But if I help you..." Thales turned around and groaned softly. "What do I get?"
Levi was stunned for a moment before breaking into an awkward smile. "The… friends.h.i.+p of Reformation Tower and the Trentida family?"
Thales raised his eyebrows.
The friends.h.i.+p of Reformation Tower and the Trentida family.
Sounds good on paper.
But…
Thales chuckled softly.
How much was it really worth?
Levi's reaction seemed to suggest that he understood perfectly the extent of the value of his family's reputation.
"Alright, hear me out…" Levi took a deep breath and whispered something in Thales' ear, disregarding the expression on Glover and Doyle's faces.
Thales' expression changed.
Unexpectedly, after a few seconds, Thales nodded solemnly.
"Deal."
Levi's eyes glowed as he snapped his fingers. Young Trentida chuckled. "I knew you would be easy to negotiate with. No wonder my father sings your praises every day—Thales of Constellation…"
But the Duke of Star Lake cut him short.
"I remember your father as a cautious man. He would think twice before acting and would never place a bet easily," the prince said indifferently, "You came here to see me at Constellation, and he's fine with it?"
Levi paused and stared at Thales intriguingly.
"As a son," Levi stared at him with a knowing smile and said, "if one is constantly restrained by their father…One can never be a man, is it not so?"
Thales was silent for a moment.
His thoughts turned to the son of another archduke. The Viscount of Dual Wind City in the City of Faraway Prayers—the Nuisance, Ian Roknee.
"Thank you for your frankness. I will repeat this to Archduke Trentida," Thales said calmly.
"Can't wait." Levi was unfazed, instead smiling slyly. "Only then will he know that not all his sons are ent.i.tled to be mentioned by the famous Polaris that reversed the fortunes of Eckstedt."
Upon hearing this t.i.tle, Thales frowned.
"You northerners… all call me that?"
"Of course there are other nicknames, but this one sounds the most pleasing…" Levi looked at Thales cautiously and grinned. "Or would you rather be called the Archd.u.c.h.ess' Starlet?"
Thales' face turned gloomy.
The guards around him stared at each other in dread, their expressions started to look strange again.
Thales sighed.
Polaris.
This nickname…
Oh Sunset G.o.ddess, is this not compounding misery upon a prince that has returned from Eckstedt, a prince that has to deal with all the problems in Constellation?
Thanks a lot, northerners.
Just as Levi was about to leave, Thales suddenly said, "What about King Chapman? What does he think about your visit to my banquet?"
Upon hearing that name, Levi's expression changed.
He kept silent for a few seconds.
"Dear duke, today is a day of celebration for you…" Young Trentida looked around for a moment, then whispered, "Let's not mention unpleasant matters."
Thales politely bid him farewell. The contented Levi finally turned and left under the "escort" of Jonveled and Procca.
But the prince's expression became cold the moment he turned around.
"Glover," Thales said in a somber tone, "Find out where Gilbert is. Bring him to me."
Glover frowned slightly.
Doyle, who was beside him, was stunned. "Now? But Your Highness, it is reported that the Guardian Duke of the Eastern Sea, Prime Minister Cullen will be arriving soon. You will need to…"
But Thales suddenly raised his voice. "F*ck the Prime Minister."
The Duke of Star Lake had a chilling tone in his voice as he paused at every word; it was unnerving. "Now. This instant. Immediately…" Thales glared. "Find. Me. Gilbert. Caso."
The two that were accustomed to the gentle character of the prince were equally surprised.
Glover did not utter another word as he turned to leave. Only the frightened Doyle was left to accompany Thales; he would throw a worried glance at Thales from time to time.
Gilbert appeared quickly before Thales, looking puzzled.
Thales dismissed Doyle and Glover, and went straight to the point. "What's going on in Eckstedt?"
Gilbert was immediately taken aback. "What's going on? Everything should be just fine. After eliminating his rival, Chapman the First has been busy with internal reorganization…"
But Thales interrupted him impatiently, "Gilbert! Earlier, two northerners halted me disrespectfully. One even called me 'King of Constellation' in public."
Gilbert's expression changed.
Thales stepped forward, his eyes blazing. "Do you understand now?"
Gilbert met Thales' gaze for a moment before sighing softly. "You know, today is your big day. After today, you will officially have stepped into the social circle of Eternal Star City, stepped into the spotlight of the kingdom. Even if there was something else going on, it shouldn't compare…"
But Thales merely stared at Gilbert. "Gilbert, six years ago, it was you who brought me to Mindis Hall. So I trust you. More than anyone."
Looking at the prince, Gilbert seemed to have something to say but hesitated, his expression complex.
After a few seconds, Count Caso sighed. "A few days ago, a battle report came from Eckstedt."
Thales tensed up.
Sure enough.
Gilbert swept away the joyful and relaxed mood of banquet day; his expression turned solemn as he entered full work mode. "The troops of Dragon Clouds City, City of Faraway Prayers and Defence City have joined forces to form an army of 20,000 northern soldiers. They marched aggressively across the western border like a hot knife through b.u.t.ter. The Alliance of Freedom has been retreating in defeat, the entire Golden Pa.s.sage is shuddering in fear."
"Not long ago, the Eckstedtians finally stormed the city and besieged Fort Liberté."
Thales nodded.
As one of the partic.i.p.ants, he remembers clearly the internal and external causes of the war, its forces, and the dramatic twists and turns.
"I know, Eckstedt wants to reaffirm their supremacy and status along the Golden Pa.s.sage..."
The Alliance of Freedom, tiny as it was, affected the entire political situation in the Western Peninsula. Whether it was the Sixteen City States of Camus, the White Elves of White Mountain or other kingdoms along the Golden Pa.s.sage, ever since they overestimated themselves and intervened 20 years ago, incurring the wrath of King Nuven who quelled the Alliance with a snap of his fingers, leaving them in a sorry state…
In face of the current crisis, in face of the joined forces of the three cities, all the other powers have chosen to self-preserve and be bystanders; no one dared anger the giant dragon.
Including Constellation that used the opportunity to kick the Alliance of Freedom while they were down.
But something dawned on Thales. "Your expression, Gilbert. What happened?"
The Foreign Affairs Minister saw Thales' reaction and sighed. "As you know, a few months ago, the intelligence center built by Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department was badly hit. It's still being rebuilt… The information coming in is cluttered and confusing, everything is still being verified. The Secret Intelligence Department has been at it for days…"
Thales ignored Gilbert's attempt to beat about the bush. "So what have you found out so far?"
Gilbert was silent for a moment.
Thales did not s.h.i.+ft his gaze away.
"Even though it hasn't been confirmed, but the general idea was that…" Gilbert's tone was calm. "The Eckstedtians failed to conquer the city and sustained heavy losses. They lost battle after battle in the span of days and suffered a huge blow. What's more, their supplies have been cut off and they are being attacked on their escape route. They have been forced to abandon their goal… The entire army has retreated."
Thales stood frozen.
"That's right, Your Highness." Gilbert sighed deeply. There was a discernable melancholy in his voice, the type that could only be comprehended by someone who was well-acquainted with history. "Since the rise of Nuven the Sixth, there have not been failed conquests, nor lost battles… Under the rule of The Born King, hegemony was law and his authority spread across the Western Peninsula…" Gilbert sighed again. "Lost."
Thales was lost in thought for a moment.
Eckstedt.
Northerners.
The Kingdom of the Great Dragon.
The children of Northern Wind and Dragon.
The kin and descendants of Raikaru the Hero.
Lost?
Gilbert was still speaking, but Thales seemed to be listening behind a curtain, nodding distractedly.
In his long life, he has racked his brains to preserve his own life, exhausted himself to escape unscathed, and traversed the endless political games and the whirlpool of the times…
But this was the first time, the first time that he sincerely felt that—
Times had changed.
Thales took a deep breath.
"So I thought, your debut today has become more important now…" Gilbert's voice became clear again.
But Thales was not paying attention anymore.
"Sa.. roma…" Thales muttered subconsciously, but only managed a few syllables.
Gilbert frowned.
Until the second prince looked up indifferently. "What about... the Archd.u.c.h.ess of Dragon Clouds City?"
Gilbert was silent for a while, as if he was expecting the question, yet seemed to hesitate in giving an answer.
But the fiery glare of the Duke of Star Lake was too much to bear.
"According to the current intel…" Gilbert continued with much difficulty, "After the victory, the Alliance of Freedom claimed… that they have captured the enemy commander-in-chief. It's unclear whether she is alive or dead."
At that moment, Thales could only hear silence.
It was as if the entire Mindis Hall had been muted.
