Dawn had arrived.
In Mindis Hall, the most important and awkward meeting between father and son in the entire kingdom was taking place.
Thales stared blankly at the robust noble in front of him, his own father.
He turned towards Gilbert and Yodel with slight fear and helplessness, but both of them lowered their heads in silence.
He then looked at the guards around the corridor, but the well-equipped soldiers hid their gazes behind their helmets and remained motionless.
Then, he heard Kessel the Fifth's deep voice.
"He looks like a skinny mud monkey."
Thales' current condition was indeed not too good. His short black hair was cut into holes (Sinti's handiwork) and covered in dust. His small face was covered in mud and hand marks. Although the Mystic Asda had used a mysterious method to stop the bleeding from his wounds of various sizes, the abrasions, scratches, and bruises left behind in the Abandoned House and Red Street Market still hung sparsely on his body. His body was also covered in dust. The hemp clothes that he wore as a child beggar were also tattered. There was a large tear on his chest, almost exposing the burn on his chest. Before entering Mindis Hall, he would even shiver in the cold wind.
"I believe that you are not mistaken." Kessel's voice echoed in the corridor.
Thales raised his head again and looked at Kessel.
His king, his father.
But Kessel had already turned his head away and was no longer looking at him.
Thales felt a faint sense of uneasiness in his heart, but he immediately suppressed this discomfort.
Kessel's deep voice continued to echo.
"All of you know how important this matter is. Right now, only the three of us know. Of course, I will send Jines over. He needs qualified care, so the only ones who know are the four of us. When Morat comes back, I will personally tell him.
"From now on, Mindis Hall will be completely sealed off. Tell the outside world that a secret treasure of the royal family has been lost. I am extremely furious.
"According to the previous preparations, the fifty Swordsmen of Eradication, all private soldiers of the Jadestar Family, will guard here for a whole month. They can all keep the secret. As for Yodel, for the sake of caution, you will also guard here. Aida and the royal guards will be responsible for my safety for this month. "
Yodel did not speak. He only nodded his masked head slightly.
"Gilbert." Kessel still did not spare Thales a glance. He caressed the crystal on his scepter and muttered to himself, his tone filled with dignity.
"Have you thought of a reason for visiting Mindis Hall in the wee hours of the morning?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. The excuse is ready-made. There was a fight between the gangs at the border of the Western District and the Western District, and there were countless casualties. I rushed through the night to the temporary imperial residence of the Royal Family, where Your Majesty is temporarily resting, to report this matter," Gilbert answered respectfully.
"That's not enough. I'll return to Renaissance Palace tomorrow, but you still have to visit here frequently for the next month. You need a better reason." King Kessel shook his head.
"In that case, the disappearance of the royal family's secret treasure was too mysterious, so Your Majesty specifically ordered me to investigate this matter?"
"It's a little stiff, but a month's time is enough." King Kessel thought for a while and nodded.
Then, the King of Constellation finally turned his gaze towards the bewildered Thales.
His gaze was so sharp that Thales subconsciously took a step back.
It didn't feel like a father looking at his son.
However, the king did not seem to care about Thales at all.
"A month's time, Gilbert. A month.
Before his identity is officially recognized, Gilbert, you will be his private tutor and be responsible for all matters related to his education. "
"Yes, Your Majesty. As you wish, I will do my best, "Gilbert replied respectfully.
Thales' heart sank.
King Kessel tapped his scepter in relief and muttered to himself for a while.
"You must prepare him well. He cannot appear in front of the entire kingdom, the Six Great Clans, and the envoys from other countries like this.
"From etiquette to temperament, from knowledge to appearance, he must have a passable appearance. What we need is a respectable heir to the kingdom, not a destitute beggar on the streets. "
'Beggar on the streets?'
After hearing this, Thales clenched his fists slightly.
"Based on the welcoming banquet of the Eckstedt Diplomat Group, I hope that he can appear at that time. It won't be easy, but I believe that you can do it well."
Thales' heart trembled slightly, but he still listened to King Kessel's unquestionable orders in silence, planning his future step by step.
However, Thales' future did not seem to have a place for his own will.
How could this be?
He had just escaped from the place of suffering that he had once gritted his teeth and persevered.
He still had many questions and doubts in his mind.
However, the King Kessel before him did not seem to care about his thoughts at all. He only issued his own orders and stated his wishes.
"No one needs to know what his past is like, but there must be an explanation. Gilbert, make up a story about his origins.
"As long as his bloodline can be confirmed — I will discuss this with Liscia, it is not impossible to trade with the gods — we will not be afraid of gossip.
"Choose his peers from the list of nobles, as well as the successor's instructors and attendants. After he is recognized, these will be the focus of attention. You must make a record in advance. I want to see the list before next week."
"To be on the safe side, Gilbert, you must reconfirm the provisions of the royal inheritance in the 'Sacred Constellation Covenant', as well as the precedents like him in the Jadestar Family. If there is any dispute, it is not too late for us to remedy it now."
Thales furrowed his brows as he listened to them continue to plan his future and his life.
It was like manipulating a marionette.
"As for his marriage contract, I have an idea. We will discuss it later. Eckstedt —"
At this moment, Gilbert interrupted the king with a respectful expression.
"Your Majesty, there is still time." The gray-haired middle-aged noble seemed to have sensed that something was wrong, but he still tried his best to express his opinion. "If you need to be alone with this child, we can —"
But Kessel waved his hand abruptly and stopped Gilbert's words.
At that moment, Thales saw the king's deep eyes tremble. He …
He sensed a strange emotion emerging from Kessel's expression.
Thales wanted to say something, but when the words were at the tip of his tongue, he swallowed them back.
'I … What should I say?
What can I say?
What should a seven-year-old child who is meeting his father for the first time say?
Hey, father whom I'm meeting for the first time, can I say something?
Perhaps you should listen to my thoughts instead of talking to yourself?
This is too strange. '
Kessel seemed to want to turn his head towards Thales, but he suddenly turned his head back halfway. He rested his hands on his scepter and stared at the portraits of the three former kings on the wall. He did not speak for a long time.
It seemed like it was only at this moment that he seemed more like a person.
After a while, Kessel turned around. He did not look at anyone, but the majestic voice that belonged only to the King of Constellation, Kessel the Fifth, rang out once more.
"In short, the task on your shoulders is very heavy. Constellation has not had an heir for twelve years. And just last week, Koshder mentioned Eckstedt's king selection system in his letter, intentionally or otherwise. You know how the Six Great Clans will react.
"His appearance is a variable, but it is also an unexpected bargaining chip and advantage for us … It is time to modify the plan and ensure that we are one step ahead of our opponents.
"Ensure that he can be used to the fullest extent."
Thales was stunned.
'This is … his father?
Variable.
Bargaining chip.
Advantage.
'Be used to the fullest extent …?
'Is this what a father should say in front of a son whom he has never met?'
Thales sighed in his heart and lowered his head.
'I see …
'This feeling of being out of place …
'This is not like a reunion between father and son at all. It is more like a chess player moving a chess piece as if nothing has happened.'
Thales was obviously not the only one who felt this strange feeling.
Gilbert's expression changed, as if he wanted to say something.
But in the end, he only lowered his head and sighed softly in the king's field of vision.
But there was still someone who disregarded the atmosphere and interrupted the king.
"Your Majesty."
Thales turned around in surprise. It was the silent Yodel who spoke.
This secret protector's expression behind the mask was unknown, but his hoarse voice was extremely firm.
"First and foremost, he is your bloodline, your son!
"Last but not least, your successor."
And you cannot turn a blind eye to this. "
Thales raised his head and saw Kessel the Fifth let out a long sigh.
Then, he closed his eyes.
"Yes, he is my son." The king closed his eyes and held his scepter tightly. He said in a dull voice, "That is why I am here today.
"I hand him over to you. Remember, one month. "
Kessel the Fifth did not say much in the end.
The lenses on Yodel's mask paused for a moment. In the end, he still lowered his head and did not speak.
A faint sense of doubt and surprise crept into Thales' heart.
The king nodded and looked at Gilbert and Yodel, who were kneeling on one knee. He then glanced at the dazed Thales with an indescribable and complicated gaze. Without hesitation, he turned around and left.
Gilbert and Yodel stood up slowly.
The robust figure slowly walked down the stairs.
His footsteps were heavy, but they were dignified.
The majesty of a king.
'What?
It's … over? '
Thales was shocked. He stared in disbelief at his departing 'father'.
'This is not right.
'This so-called father … He is the father of this body, isn't he?
'But why?
Why does he seem so … emotionless?
'Also.
'This is related to my future …
'It's decided just like that?
'I don't even have the chance to speak …'
"Wait a minute!"
Thales finally could not hold it in anymore and shouted.
He had enough of being a powerless chess piece.
The robust figure paused for a moment and turned around.
Gilbert looked at Thales in surprise. Yodel's expression was still hidden behind the mask.
As he watched the king gradually turn around and endured his sharp gaze, Thales actually felt the back of his teeth become a little heavy.
But he still spoke with great difficulty.
"I, although we have never met …" Thales stuttered. He stretched out his hands and waved them in front of him helplessly. He deliberated over his words, "But since you are mine … I mean, since we are …"
The king held onto the railing of the stairs and looked at Thales with an indescribably complicated gaze.
Thales shut his eyes tightly before he opened them again and exhaled.
"I think …" He gritted his words laboriously. His usual eloquence disappeared without a trace.
'Damn it …
'What kind of attitude and words should I use to face this person who is both my father and the king?
'Admiration?
Indifference?
Stupefaction?
Surprise?
None of them are right. '
Beside him, Gilbert extended his hand towards Thales as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he chose to remain silent.
Thales' breathing quickened. He frowned and said, "I actually have some doubts. Perhaps as my … you can help me answer them.
"After all, we are … blood relatives. And you said so much about the heir, the kingdom, and the engagement, but I do not know anything.
"This may not be important to you, and you do not really care …"
Kessel the Fifth held his scepter tightly, but he did not reply. He only slowly furrowed his eyebrows.
Thales bit his lip. He felt the burn on his chest start to ache again.
'Damn it.
Even the most failed thesis was not as awkward as this. '
He waved his hands gently and organized his words.
"But this is my future. If you have already decided … you should at least let me understand a little.
"Besides, you said that no one needs to know about my past … but at least I want to know. I mean …
"At least I need to know about my past.
"I really want to know what's going on."
"And the path I will take."
Kessel's gaze on Thales changed.
It was no longer a gaze that was sizing him up, scrutinizing him, and examining him.
It was as if he had realized for the first time that Thales was a person.
And he was his son.
Thales sighed.
'Forget it.'
He opened his eyes and looked straight at his "father".
"Yes, I want to know everything about me.
"I want to know my origins, such as … who my mother is, where I was born, and how I became like this.
"And my identity, my future, the choices I can have …
"An answer like this …
"Instead of being an outsider, a chess piece, an item …
"If I am really your … son."
Thales gritted his teeth and said that word.
'Although your behavior … is really not like a normal father.
'Even if you are the king.'
Thales felt a little dizzy. The exhaustion tonight was already a little too much for this seven-year-old body to handle.
The king finally looked straight at him. The sky-blue pupils in his deep eye sockets shone brilliantly.
At that moment, Kessel the Fifth's gaze was rather complicated and indecipherable. Thales could not read any more.
"Child, what is your name?"
The supreme ruler of Constellation asked in his deep voice.
Thales stared at Kessel.
"Thales," he heard himself say, "My name is Thales."
'You only remembered to ask for your son's name now?
My God. '
Thales shook his head slightly in his heart.
"Thales, listen carefully." Kessel narrowed his eyes and said in a cold tone.
"There are many things you do not need to know.
"And you do not need to care.
"Your path has already been decided."
"Just follow it."
'What?'
At that moment, Thales felt a chill in his heart.
"If you still have doubts …
"Go ask Gilbert."
Then, Kessel the Fifth, the thirty-ninth supreme king of Constellation, the Southern Islands, and the Western Desert.
Just like that, he left Mindis Hall without turning his head back.
His cloak disappeared from the boy's sight.
'Damn it.'
Thales lowered his head and stared at the expensive black floor tiles. He frowned deeply.
'Is this the father of this body? Is he really not an enemy?'
Behind him, Gilbert could not help but pat his shoulder quietly. "Child, Thales."
"Do not worry and do not think too much. His Majesty has too many matters to attend to. In fact, he —"
Before Gilbert could finish speaking, Yodel suddenly walked forward and crouched down in front of Thales. He gently shoved Thales' JC dagger into Thales' hand (Gilbert's expression changed. He touched his waist and furrowed his eyebrows), which had fallen into Thales' hand at some point in time.
Thales snapped out of his daze and was slightly shocked.
The dark purple mask nodded slightly, and a hoarse voice slowly traveled into his ears.
"Relax.
You are his son. You are connected by blood, and your fates are connected. No one and nothing can change this. "
Thales took a deep breath.
'They probably misunderstood.
'Do they think that I am disappointed because of my "father's" neglect?'
He put away the dagger, clenched his fists, and forced a smile.
"Do not worry." He suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart and said faintly, "Thank you."
Looking at Yodel who interrupted him, Gilbert exhaled discontentedly. He also squatted down in front of Thales and said gently, "Thales, my young Sir, you have experienced enough tonight.
"Thales, my young Sir, you have been through enough tonight."
"Thales, my young Sir, you have experienced enough tonight.
"Thales, please come with me. Yodel, I will come to you later. We need to talk. "
Thales nodded and followed Gilbert obediently.
Only Yodel raised his head and looked at a vase in the distant corridor.
With his sharp and terrifying gaze, he observed that there were fine cracks that could not be seen on the vase.
Behind the mask, Yodel furrowed his brows slightly.
He knew that before Thales roared in anger …
The vase was still in perfect condition.
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