Late at night, Heroic Spirit Palace, Thales' bedroom door.
Speechless, Thales looked at the people in front of him awkwardly.
"How old are you? How old are you?! "A hurried and displeased female voice came from in front of him.
Aida, the elf guard, looked at the helpless Thales and the timid Little Rascal behind him. Under the cloak, she said bitterly, "On the first night we arrived here, you started bringing girls into your bedroom?" Thales looked at the helpless Thales and the shy Little Rascal behind him.
"She's very …" Thales said, feeling wronged.
"So she needs your company?!" Aida interrupted him with an unpleasant expression.
Beside her, Ralf and Wya exchanged glances and looked at Thales strangely.
"Aida, listen to me …" Thales instinctively felt that something was wrong.
"How old is she?! Is she even nine? "Aida shouted angrily. Habitually, she raised her right fist and stuck out a knuckle.
Thales shuddered. He raised his hands as fast as he could and protected his forehead with all his might.
* Thud! *
Thales clutched the right side of his forehead in pain. 'Foul!'
Aida's violent strike came from the side!
Ralf and Wya looked at each other, pretending that they did not see the prince being violently assaulted.
Little Rascal looked worriedly at Thales, who was groaning with his hands over his head.
"Mindis only touched a woman for the first time when he got married at the age of twenty-seven! Even the most lecherous and playboy Kayla is only thirteen years old! "the angry elven guard yelled," That's right.
The furious elven guard said loudly, "At your age … you can't even reach the bed!"
Thales smiled awkwardly.
'This is a little exaggerated, sister.'
Aida wanted to continue lecturing but was stopped by Putray, who was behind her.
"I think His Highness has other reasons, right?" The vice diplomat of Constellation said flatly, "Go back. I will communicate with His Highness about the rest."
Under Putray's repeated insistence, Aida finally left indignantly and angrily. Before she left, she still had that 'you little bastard' look on her face. Ralf and Wya, on the other hand, still had that strange, thought-provoking look on their faces.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief and sent Little Rascal to her bedroom.
"Looks like a lot happened?" Putray sighed and looked at Thales, who had closed the door.
Thales' expression darkened.
"It's like this." Thales scratched his head. "That is … erm, that is …"
The second prince's words were on the tip of his tongue when he suddenly recalled Little Rascal's helpless gaze and Alex's pained expression.
Both girls had met him in the library, but each had experienced a fate that he did not know was misfortune or fortune.
Thales' gaze darkened.
No.
The truth about Little Rascal's identity …
I shouldn't have said it.
In the end, the prince sighed in his heart and continued.
"That is Saroma Walton, King Nuven's granddaughter."
Putray's gaze shifted, and he said thoughtfully,
"I remember you told me that the king's granddaughter you met in the library was called Alex Walton?"
"Yes, Alex." Thales exhaled slowly. "That's her middle name."
From meeting the Black Prophet to scaring Ramon, he was getting better at telling lies.
His expression did not change at all.
"I have a good relationship with her." Thales shrugged. "So she came with me …"
At this point, Thales paused.
He suddenly realized that it was four or five in the morning!
To hide what happened earlier and come up with an excuse to let the Walton noblewoman spend the night in his bedroom …
It was so difficult!
"That … she, she came." Under Putray's suspicious gaze, Thales revealed a smile that was uglier than a crying face. "Erm, she came with me …"
Thales smiled along with him. He stuttered and painfully squeezed out a sentence.
"Together …
"Discussing a history topic?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Thales had the urge to slap himself to death.
Faced with Putray's puzzled expression, Thales put on a long face and smiled awkwardly. "You know … we met in the library …"
Thales felt that his face was hurting from smiling so much. He rubbed his hands guiltily.
"She … is very good at history …"
Putray raised his eyebrows slightly. His gaze was filled with a strange meaning. Thales felt that it could be translated into one sentence.
'Keep making up stories.'
Thales looked at him awkwardly and guiltily.
After a few seconds, Putray slowly sighed.
"Alright, I won't delve into why you abducted the king's granddaughter into your bedroom in the middle of the night with King Nuven's permission." Putray flashed a meaningful smile.
Thales' face twitched. He forced a smile to show his gratitude and understanding.
Then, Thales heaved a sigh of relief and began to talk about King Nuven's suggestion.
After listening to the prince's story, Putray frowned deeply.
"So, King Nuven has made up his mind to tie us to his chariot?
"To continue the Walton Family's rule for him?"
Thales nodded gloomily.
"I will report this to the kingdom," Putray muttered. "From interests to standpoints, this matter involves too many …
"Also, 'Shadow Shield', if they were one of the people who tried to assassinate me under the fortress …" Thales recalled Poffret during the duel and was deeply worried. "Although I know that they will not rest until one of us is dead because of the Bloody Year, according to Poffret, could it be that they have other motives, or were entrusted by someone else?"
Putray's expression darkened.
The scenes from twelve years ago appeared before his eyes.
"It is indeed not that simple." In the end, Putray shook his head slowly in front of Thales. "According to what that archduke said, they wanted to kill you to 'enter Renaissance Palace'. I am afraid that it is not just to hire assassins or to seek revenge …
"Especially after the Bloody Year, Shadow Shield suffered heavy blows and disappeared from the sphere of influence of Constellation and its allies for many years.
"But they still did not give up. They chose to assassinate the last of the Jadestar bloodline in Eckstedt …
"Renaissance Palace … So, it's about seizing the throne again?" Thales scratched his head in annoyance. "Do we have to look for the mastermind behind those assassins again?"
Putray stared at Thales' expression.
"No, let your father and the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department worry about this. We just have to protect your safety." The vice diplomat of Constellation, who was good at reading people's expressions, flashed a reassuring smile. "You have done enough tonight, and you have done well enough.
"The risk of war between Constellation and Eckstedt … has disappeared. Constellation is safe."
Thales thought of something. He looked at Putray.
"This is the result of your hard work." The latter nodded slightly at him, his eyes filled with encouragement and approval. "I won't say much about this … Even though I was prejudiced against you before, you are indeed a competent prince."
With a complicated and sorrowful expression, Putray slowly said, "Not every prince can travel far beyond the country's borders at this age and avert an unavoidable war disaster for the country and its subjects."
Thales inhaled and slowly lowered his head.
'Yes.
At least.
'The mission of this diplomatic mission is completed.
Although the process was full of twists and turns, it was still daunting but not dangerous. '
"Thank you, Putray." The prince raised his head, flashed a smile, and said sincerely, "Thank you, all of you.
"Without you, Aida, Ralf, Wya, and the others … My journey might have ended in Constellation's birch tree forest.
"Moreover, there is still everything after arriving in Eckstedt and Dragon Clouds City."
Putray chuckled.
"That was our mission in the first place.
"And you made this mission even smoother, and the ending was perfect." He nodded calmly and twitched his eyebrows. "Gilbert will be very pleased to see you now. Back then, the young Crown Prince Midier went on a diplomatic mission to the north, but he was no better than this."
The corners of Thales' lips curled up. He thought of the elegant middle-aged man, then the valiant and heroic Madam Jines, and … the taciturn Yodel.
And the bits and pieces in Mindis Hall.
"Rest early." Putray pointed at the door. "If all goes well, we will be able to return to our country in a few weeks."
Thales nodded and pushed the door open.
"Also, the first batch of messenger crows from Constellation has arrived," Putray said with a smile. "One of them is for you from Gilbert. I put it on the desk."
Thales thought of something.
"Thank you." After experiencing the ups and downs in the Hall of Heroes, his heart was now much more at ease. He smiled and said, "A letter from the Cunning Fox of Constellation. I really look forward to it!"
Putray shrugged and raised his eyebrows.
"There is one more thing …"
Thales turned his head around, puzzled.
Putray said hesitantly, "You know, your father was very dissolute when he was young … He … became sensible at an early age …"
Thales narrowed his eyes, revealing a puzzled look.
Putray opened his mouth and looked at Thales, then at the door. In the end, he revealed a worried expression and said in a low voice,
"But …
"After all, you are still too young. Your body has not even matured …"
Thales' smile froze on his face.
Putray blinked awkwardly. "Maybe I should wait a few more years?"
Thales answered him by slamming the door with great force and without mercy.
— — —
"Don't be afraid." Thales looked at Little Rascal, who was still in a state of shock. Sympathy rose in his heart. "They can't hurt you here."
Little Rascal hugged her knees as if she did not feel anything. She curled up on the floor beside the bed and leaned against it without saying a word.
Her eyes were fixed on the floor, and her hands were clutching the coarse dress.
This helpless scene reminded Thales of his past in Abandoned House, as well as those unfortunate child beggars.
He could not help but sigh softly.
"I have to become Miss Walton, don't I?" Little Rascal noticed his arrival and said dejectedly, "It's like a dream …"
"Perhaps," Thales said in a low voice, "No one can change King Nuven's will."
Little Rascal shuddered. Her eyes reddened and she hugged her shoulders helplessly.
In that instant, Thales only felt a deep sadness.
This girl was dragged into their dangerous game by the tides of fate.
He hesitated for a moment and said,
"But this is not necessarily a bad thing …"
But Little Rascal only lowered her head and began to mutter.
"In the year 1090 of the Empire Calendar, the heir of Duke Farrett of the Tatorius Minges Province was suspected of having an improper bloodline. The Empire's law enforcers burned him to death in the City of Triumph … In the year 552 of the Calendar of Eradication, the Marquis of Libra City in Camus Union, Grenfell was found to be an impostor. He was hung in the middle of the city square with four carriages …"
Thales' scalp tingled as he listened.
"Stop!" he said loudly, "Now is not the time for you to use your memory!"
Little Rascal stopped talking and looked at him pitifully and aggrievedly. She was on the verge of tears.
"Do you want to hear a secret?" Thales sighed. "A secret that no one knows."
Little Rascal's expression slowly changed. She blinked and looked at him in surprise.
"You won't find out about the secret history of the Prince of Constellation in any book." Thales sat down in front of her and shrugged.
Little Rascal's eyes brightened. She adjusted her glasses and nodded.
"Do you know?" Thales recalled the past a month or so ago and chuckled. "When I first became a prince, I was just like you. I was always on tenterhooks."
"Became a prince?" Little Rascal asked curiously, "Weren't you born a prince?"
"No, I was born a …" Thales hesitated for a moment and said, "An illegitimate child who wandered about outside until I was brought back to the palace."
Little Rascal showed a look of realization.
"When they brought me back," Thales smiled helplessly, "I wasn't used to everything.
"Food felt strange in my mouth because I was used to eating black bread. In winter, that thing was so hard that it could be used to kill people …" Thales raised his eyebrows.
"Also, it was the first time I drank a liquid with a taste … Erm, except for the stench. Do you know how stinky water feels?"
Little Rascal burst into laughter.
"The clothes I wore were too slippery and too soft. It always made me feel like I was naked, so I added three more buttons to my belt. Even though it hurt when I walked, it felt safer and more practical. Oh, that's right, on the first night, I didn't even know how to wear pants …" Thales recalled this ridiculous history and could not help but shake his head and sigh.
Little Rascal listened attentively and gradually forgot the tear stains on her face.
"I've never walked on such a flat, smooth black stone floor. In the past, it was either muddy, dirt, or brick roads … When I saw that the floor in the study was actually made of wood …
"Every night, lying on such a soft bed was a form of torture. I felt suffocated under the blanket, so I could only run underground, hide in a corner, and sleep with my clothes on …"
Thales shook his head.
Little Rascal looked at him sympathetically. She blinked and nodded.
"But I couldn't sleep well. On the contrary, I slept better when I was camping in the wild on a diplomatic mission to Eckstedt …
"Gilbert was very strict, and the classes were very intense. He wanted me to write two hundred words a day … On the twentieth day, he actually went overboard and forced me to compose a poem in the ancient language of the Empire …
"The first time I sat in a carriage, I had to hold onto the handles on both sides of the carriage door to avoid falling …"
As he spoke, Thales became absorbed in his own story. Little Rascal also listened attentively and occasionally chimed in with him.
When he told the story of how he was thrown off by the same pony fifty-eight times, Thales suddenly realized something.
Little Rascal was already leaning against the side of the bed. Her head was tilted to her right shoulder and she had fallen asleep.
Her glasses were tilted to one side, and her head was resting on the soft edge of the bed.
Her small hands were pressed against her chest by her bent knees. Her entire body rose and fell heavily as she breathed.
The little girl's long platinum hair fell softly. A few strands of hair fell into her mouth, causing her to smack her lips from time to time in her sleep.
Thales looked at her sleeping face and revealed a smile. He shook his head slowly.
He carefully pushed aside her long hair and pulled the few strands of hair out of Little Rascal's mouth.
Then, he forcefully pulled down a corner of the cup and covered Little Rascal's body.
Thales stood up and sighed softly.
'Hopefully, she can sleep peacefully again.
Before she truly becomes a Walton. '
When he thought of this, Thales turned around in low spirits.
He went to the study table and climbed onto the chair with great effort. He picked up Gilbert's letter on the table.
Thales looked at the familiar handwriting on the letter and shook his head in nostalgia. He then unfolded the letter.
It was a short letter.
[Your Highness,
I hope you have safely arrived at Dragon Clouds City.
We have learned of your encounter on the road. Lady Jines is very worried about your safety and repeatedly asked me to ask about your health.
Please allow me to express my concern and worry for you.
His Majesty has already notified the suzerains along the road in the Northern Territory and Central Territory. He has also notified the two commanders of Broken Dragon Fortress. They will send out patrols and troops to ensure your safety on the road to the birch tree forest when you return.
Information and affairs regarding the Blood Mystic have been handed over to the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department. Lord Morat has personally assured me that they will handle it well.
His Majesty has officially sent a letter across the sea to the Night Kingdom in the name of the kingdom. As of now, he has yet to receive a reply from the Night Queen.
In addition, after a deep conversation with His Majesty, Duke Zayen Covendier has generously donated a high-yield Crystal Drop mine to the royal family and increased the amount of Eternal Oil transported to Central Territory. He has also agreed to transfer the jurisdiction of the three baronies to the north of South Coast Hill to the royal family. His Majesty has often told me that this is all thanks to Your Highness (Thales pursed his lips when he read this).
His Majesty has already rewarded Baron Arracca Murkh and Lady Sonia Sasere. He has also sent more troops to Broken Dragon Fortress to urge the nobles in the Northern Territory to give Black Sand Region the pressure it deserves. He has also instructed the two commanders to give Black Sand Region the pressure it deserves as a show of solidarity with you and as a protest against Archduke Lampard's rude actions.
Please allow me to once again express my concern for the accident that happened to you in front of the fortress, as well as my relief and happiness after learning that you are safe and sound.
Even so, I know that it has not been easy for Your Highness to enter Eckstedt. The real test and difficulty is just about to come.
In this regard, as the former Foreign Affairs Minister, I must remind you of three important points:
First, Eckstedt's political system is completely different from ours. Apart from being the king, King Nuven is also the Archduke of Dragon Clouds City and the master of the Walton Family. The interests of Eckstedt and the Walton Family are completely different to him. Please pay special attention to this point.
Second, although the archdukes of Eckstedt are powerful and have an abundant military force, the relationship between the archdukes is rather complicated. From current interests to past history, they are entangled. The division between them is greater than between the territories of Constellation. I believe that this is something that you can take advantage of. For example, when it comes to Constellation and Dragon Clouds City, the three archdukes in the South have completely different interests. Their attitudes and interests are also different. There is no harm in humbly asking Lord Putray Nemain for advice.
Third, no matter what kind of predicament you face, please always believe that you are the only heir to the throne of Constellation. You are the descendant of Tormond and even the Imperial Family. Please do not worry about your safety. At the same time, please believe that King Nuven's current interests and position are similar to ours. No one in Northland can compare to him in terms of reputation or strength. That is why it is our best strategy to rope him in and make use of him. Directing his hatred towards Lampard is the best way. To quell the war, there is no harm in turning the conflict between Constellation and the Dragon into a conflict between the king and the archdukes in Eckstedt. This is my suggestion.
These are some of my experiences for your reference so that you can discuss a response plan with Putray. But I know that real politics and diplomacy always swing back and forth between plans and accidents. Hence, grasping the essence of things and adapting to circumstances is the truly brilliant way to do things. Just like how you behaved in the Hall of Stars. I am very confident in you.
There is one more thing. The owner of Sunset Pub that you asked me to send someone to search Black Street in Lower City District has changed. The female bartender and the children you mentioned are nowhere to be found. I suspect that they have fled to a faraway place to avoid trouble.
We may need to rely on the manpower of the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department to find out the specifics. After all, it is not suitable for us to brazenly search Lower City District in the name of the royal family. This will allow many people with ulterior motives to guess your past, which is disadvantageous to them.
But please do not worry. Our people have received information that a girl who is very similar to the female bartender you mentioned visited the police station in Western City District not long ago. I believe that we will be able to find their traces very soon.
When you are in Eckstedt, please do not fall behind in your studies. When you return, I will test your method of writing sonnets.
Also, Madam Jines said that you must continue to practice your sword and must not slack off. She wants to train you with a real sword when you return (Thales exhaled in resignation).
As a Royal Protector, Lady Aida's loyalty and strength are unquestionable. However, she is not a perfect person. There are still areas where she does not think things through (When Thales read this, he could not help but roll his eyes. He was also impressed by Gilbert's tactful tone). I hope that with the other attendants filling in the gaps, you can take good care of yourself.
Allow me to express my concern and longing for you once again. I wish you all the best in the future.
His Majesty is very concerned about your safety and the success of your journey. During the days you were away, he missed you very much (Thales was sure that Gilbert added this sentence later on).
Calendar of Eradication, Year 672, 27th of December, 27th, Eternal Star City.
P.S. Yodel seems to have asked me to send his regards to you in this letter. I hope I did not misunderstand him.]
Thales put down the letter. The image of Gilbert holding a cane and wearing a top hat as he bowed appeared before his eyes. He also saw Gilbert's lively and respectful manner as he lectured Thales in a proper manner. Thales could not help but grin.
He reread Gilbert's three suggestions regarding Eckstedt in the letter and shook his head slightly. Gilbert probably did not know that they had completed their mission on the first day they arrived in Dragon Clouds City.
At the same time, Thales could not help but feel worried about the disappearance of the people in Sunset Pub — Jala, Sinti, Ryan, and Coria. However, Gilbert did mention that Jala had appeared before. Since Jala was safe, then the child beggars should be fine as well.
Moreover, the Brotherhood had gone through such a huge incident as the Battle of Red Street Market. They should not have the energy to care about a few child beggars.
He exhaled and thought of his past as a child beggar. He thought of everyone in the sixth house and was filled with emotions.
'Fate is unpredictable, is it not?
Just like Little Rascal who was sound asleep behind him. '
When he thought of this, Thales could not help but stretch his body and let out a satisfied moan. This trip to Eckstedt, aside from the strange things that happened, was actually quite smooth.
Little Rascal's murmurs and mumbles in her sleep came from behind him.
'The remaining days in Eckstedt should be much easier.'
As he thought of this, Thales happily rolled up the letter.
At this moment, Thales was stunned.
He found a second letter where the original letter was. He did not notice it earlier, probably because his attention was attracted by Gilbert's letter.
'No.' Thales picked up the thin, dark blue double-layered paper and furrowed his brows. 'This is not a letter.
It's an invitation. '
'Strange.'
Thales looked at the blue invitation in puzzlement and scratched his head.
There were only four words written on the cover of the invitation: 'To my dear friend'. It was written in beautiful, classical cursive. It reminded him of the treaty between Tormond and Raikaru in Raikaru's library. The cursive on it was equally beautiful.
Thales furrowed his eyebrows slightly. He looked at the strange invitation and was a little hesitant.
'But.
What else do I need to be afraid of when I've already overcome a difficult situation like tonight? '
Thales shook his head in a self-deprecating manner and opened the invitation without hesitation.
What entered his eyes was another beautiful cursive in the common language.
[Dear Thales,
It has been a long time since we last met. I miss you very much.
Especially after I went through so much trouble to find your whereabouts and learned that you have found your identity, I missed you and was sincerely happy for you. I hope that you can learn enough, good enough, broad enough, and profound knowledge during your time as a prince.
After all, both Jadestar and Carlose are great names.
Our last meeting was too hurried and too short, so much so that I did not have the time to tell you many things I wanted to tell you. There are simply no words that can express how regretful I am about this.
This also reminds me of our mutual friend who is agile and wears a mask. I am very happy that he did not follow you to Northland. That is why I can send you this invitation. Of course, I miss him very much too.
As I write this, I really can't wait to see you again. I am taking the liberty to send you an invitation for our next meeting.
The location is up to you.
As for the time, why don't we set it to be fifteen minutes after you open the invitation?
I wish you a happy mood.
I look forward to our upcoming meeting.
P.S.: With reference to your complaint at Red Street Market, I have specially prepared an invitation this time. I've used a starry blue cover design that matches your family's colors. I hope it's to your liking.
Yours faithfully and truly,
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