Five days later, Thales sat listlessly in the archduchess' study room in Heroic Spirit Palace. Saroma sat at the desk opposite him, engrossed in reading a book called "Cahill Yarrow's Selected Poems".
The Prince of Constellation lowered his head slightly and exhaled.
The shock brought about by the library did not last long. The sketch in the book did not give Thales any more information.
He could only guess that the Blade of Purification, as a weapon that might have drunk the Great Dragon's blood, had formed a connection and resonance with his unique physique.
And the bridge in the middle of this connection was becoming clearer.
That Draconic name.
But this was not the thing that bothered Thales the most at the moment.
"I've gone to Count Lisban."
Thales' light words attracted Saroma's attention.
The archduchess raised her head and her eyes lit up. "What did Ciel say?"
Thales scratched his head.
"Lisban said that regarding the Alliance of Freedom, we have to wait for the City of Faraway Prayers' official letter before we can decide how to deal with it.
"But don't worry." The Prince of Constellation grinned. "Lisban is very confident that the archduchess will continue to maintain her independence and autonomy. He already has a plan. As King Nuven's Prime Minister, he is not an ordinary person."
The corners of Saroma's mouth curled up slightly, showing that the archduchess was in a good mood at the moment.
"Thales, thank you."
Thales shrugged.
He recalled the scene of him privately talking to Lisban the day before yesterday and could not help but sigh.
"Thank you for your concern, Prince Thales. We will naturally deal with the archduchess' affairs. Please do not forget that we are the vassals of Dragon Clouds City. You are, after all, just a guest, not the 'master'. Not in the past, not now, and not in the future.
"Of course, as the archduchess' most sincere 'friend', please do not have any unnecessary thoughts or thoughts, let alone actions. No matter what they are, it is very disadvantageous to you, to the Lady, to Dragon Clouds City, and to Eternal Star City." "Of course, as the archduchess' most sincere 'friend', please do not have any unnecessary thoughts or thoughts.
"I admire your reputation for being intelligent and mature, and I do not wish to see you degenerate into a mediocre person who is addicted to desires. I hope you take care of yourself. You must know that your situation is not very safe."
'Really.'
Thales closed his eyes and hammered his head hard.
'What do you mean by' unnecessary thoughts and thoughts'?
And "mediocre people addicted to lust"?
Charles Lisban, an old man in his sixties or seventies, what was going on in his head all day long?
After this incident, Thales realized that his unpopularity in Dragon Clouds City had reached a new breakthrough. Not only Lisban and Nicholas, even Madam Ginghes and the two maidservants looked at him strangely for the past few days, causing Thales to be cautious even when he greeted the servants. He was afraid that a masked man with a knife would suddenly jump out from a corner and charge at him while shouting "For Eckstedt".
Unexpectedly, Putray did not seem to be in a hurry when it came to the prince taking the initiative to get involved in Dragon Clouds City's political struggle, as well as his "determination to help his friend break away from an unfortunate marriage for the sake of friendship". However, the way he smoked his pipe and smiled with a crooked face that said "I understand" really made Thales worried.
Even Wya and Ralf's gazes gave Thales the illusion that he had a guilty conscience.
"We're not surprised at all. You know, teenagers always have to experience some 'special events' before they can grow up." This was what the lord, who was puffing out smoke rings, answered with a smirk when Thales could not help but ask when he was learning bardic poetry from Putray one day.
Because of this sentence, Thales deducted all the bounty that was supposed to be given to the lord on the day of reward.
In the study, Thales shook his head and tried to chase the memories out of his mind.
"By the way, do you know anything about the new teacher who will be coming later?" Saroma put down her book and asked doubtfully, "I heard that he was introduced by your interesting vice diplomat."
"Putray?" Immersed in his memories, Thales said with a straight face, "He's not my vice diplomat. I'm not familiar with him."
Selma looked at him strangely, snorted soundlessly through her nose, and returned her attention to her book.
At the same time, the sound of two people's footsteps suddenly came from outside the study.
* Thud, thud, thud … *
To be precise, it was the sound of one person's footsteps and another person's …
* Thud, thud, thud … *
Thales frowned. 'This is the sound of wood hitting the ground. The rhythm is chaotic, unorganized, and careless, as if it's just knocked on the ground.
But it's also very heavy.
'Just like …'
The door to the study opened.
The female official, Ginghes, walked in and bowed slightly to the archduchess and the prince. Then, she left politely and discreetly.
Behind the female official, a thin and frail figure appeared.
The newcomer's body was slightly hunched, and he was leaning on a rather old and heavy walking stick. He put all his weight on the stick, and the tip of the stick was firmly planted on the ground.
* Thud, thud, thud … *
Ginghes closed the door to the study.
The prince and the archduchess immediately sat up straight and looked at the newcomer. He walked step by step towards Thales and Saroma, who were sitting beside the study table.
"My apologies, Sirs and Madams. I'm old — ahem — these broken bones of mine can't withstand the torment." Following the guest was an old, weak, and shriveled voice, accompanied by a clear throat. It was as if he would not be able to continue speaking if he did not do so.
"The carriage I took from Anlenzo to Eckstedt almost threw my butt off. The lads were afraid that I would die on the way, so they had to slow down.
"After I arrived at Dragon Clouds City, I had to rest for four days."
Thales first glanced at the walking stick. He remembered the Black Prophet, whom he had met a few times a long time ago, and it made him feel uncomfortable.
The prince got rid of the unnecessary impression. He narrowed his eyes and sized up the newcomer.
It was a thin and short old man. The top of his head was sparse with white hair, and his face was lined with wrinkles. He seemed to have gone through a lot.
The old man was wrapped from head to toe — he used this term because his body was so thin that it looked like his clothes were hung on overly small hangers. He wore a normal dark coat with a white undershirt and a red scarf. He looked no different from an ordinary merchant who did business in a shop.
He did not seem to be in good spirits. His eyes were misty and turbid. Only his left eye was wearing a pince-nez monocle, which made his left eye look especially big from the front. The old man forced a calm and gentle smile. His wrinkles moved up and down his chapped lips, giving others a feeling of desolation in his old age.
'He looks even older than Lisban and Nuven from six years ago.' Thales was secretly shocked. 'He's at least seventy years old.'
'How did Putray and Gilbert manage to invite such an old man, who looks like he's in a bad condition and is about to die, to travel thousands of miles to Dragon Clouds City?'
"Good day, sir," Thales said rather worriedly. "I … heard Putray mention something about a new teacher, but he refused to say who it was."
Saroma stared blankly at the new teacher. She seemed to be stunned by his age and condition as well.
"Maybe he's right. That way, you won't be too disappointed when you see an old man who's about to die." The old man laughed dryly. He seemed to be straining to take another step forward. His right hand, which was holding onto his walking stick, trembled slightly.
"You don't mind if I sit down, do you?" The thin old man looked at his trembling right arm. He scrunched up his nose in disdain and shook his head.
"My legs aren't good."
Obviously, he did not ask for their opinion, or at least, the archduchess' opinion. Instead, he picked the most comfortable leather chair and sat down.
The thin old man sank into the leather chair. He closed his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief. He rested for a few seconds.
Thales and Saroma looked at each other. There was surprise on their faces, and they did not know how to react.
'This is … the teacher whom Gilbert and Putray hold in high regard?'
The old man seemed to have recovered some of his strength. He then opened his eyes and flashed a weak smile.
"Don't worry. I've been weak and sickly since I was young. I may look terrible, but in truth, I've lived longer than too many strong and healthy people."
Thales curled up the corners of his mouth and forced a smile. "I heard that you're Gilbert Caso and Putray Nemain, and they're indebted to your teachings?"
The thin old man tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes, as though he was reminiscing.
"Oh, yes, those two interesting boys, the little adult and the troublemaker." The old man paused for a moment, as though he had just remembered. He curled up the corners of his mouth. "A long time ago, when I was still a home tutor, the students I taught … Hmm, they seem to be among them?"
Thales raised his eyebrows and exchanged glances with Saroma again, puzzled.
"Oh, yes!" The old man's eyelid twitched. His left eye behind the lens widened abruptly, and it looked rather frightening.
He drew out the walking stick in his right hand and placed it between his knees. Then, he held it with both hands and smiled faintly.
"As an opening remark, we should indeed introduce ourselves first." The old man looked at the two embarrassed students with a gentle gaze. The wrinkles on his face curled up like waves. "Let's start with me."
"Meryl Hicks." The thin old man cleared his throat. "I'm from Dragon Kiss Basin, Anlenzo Dukedom, Longchant City.
But most of the people who know me like to call me 'Old Crow'. Of course, the students usually like to call me that behind my back. "
Thales' heart stirred a little.
'Dragon Kiss Basin.
'That's …'
"You're from Dragon Kiss Academy? You're a scholar? " Saroma's eyes brightened. She leaned forward in high spirits and looked at her new teacher, Hicks, curiously. "I heard from Ciel that you're very famous, and that many outstanding people have been in your —"
Hicks laughed at first, then shook his head with a slight sigh and interrupted the archduchess.
"Although I do hold a post in Dragon Kiss Academy." Hicks' left eye behind the lens blinked once. "But I have to say, I'm ashamed to say that I've never obtained a scholar's qualification. When I traveled to other countries, I relied on the proof of a scholar's qualification from my classmate to barely get a job as a home tutor in a noble's castle."
His tone was casual and normal. Even though that was how he used his words, it was clear that he was not ashamed at all. It was as if he was talking about a trivial matter like "forgetting to bring my wallet when I went out".
Thales and Saroma stared at each other in astonishment for the third time. Both of them blinked.
'What?'
"Old Crow" Hicks nodded at them in a friendly and mischievous manner.
"Then, it's your turn to introduce yourselves.
"Ladies first. How about that?"
Saroma's small mouth opened slightly. She could not quite react.
Thales was also a little confused.
Over the past six years, the boys and girls of Dragon Clouds City had experienced countless Northland home tutors. They were rigid, flexible, serious, stubborn, apathetic, kind, humorous, pretentious, and extremely fierce …
But every tutor knew what kind of students they were going to face before they came here. Their reactions when they saw the archduchess and the prince were not like the old man who called himself the 'Old Crow'. At least, he did not tell them in such a nonchalant tone that he had once forged a certificate to deceive them. He also did not casually ask the two nobles to "introduce themselves" the moment he opened his mouth.
'Also, the way he addressed them …
'Sir, Madam?'
This made Thales remember that six years ago, in Mindis Hall, Gilbert had also addressed him as' Sir 'before he was acknowledged as a prince.
When he thought of this, nostalgia surged in his heart.
"Relax, don't be nervous … I'm not here to be your enemy, unlike most of the tutors in this world." Hicks noticed the archduchess' reaction. He opened his mouth wide, revealing a mouthful of teeth that were well-maintained despite his old age. He laughed casually.
"Dragon Clouds City pays me a salary, but it is not for me to bother you. In fact, I just want to chat with you. If I'm not welcome, then I'll just treat it as a stroll in Northland."
The Old Crow exhaled and nodded with a smile.
He looked at Saroma with a gentle gaze. He rested his right hand on his walking stick and patted the back of his right hand with his left hand. "Although I have heard many things about the two of you before, it is obvious that I would like to hear your own voices."
Obviously, the old man's attitude made Saroma feel much more at ease. The young girl glanced at Thales, and the latter gave her an encouraging nod.
"Good day, Mister Hicks. I am Saroma Walton from Dragon Clouds City … Ahem, the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City," Saroma said carefully. "In fact, I am very stupid. I don't know anything. I only know how to read …"
Hicks chuckled.
"Ah, Archduchess, it's so kind to see you. Haha, at least we have something in common that is obvious." Hicks blinked, smiled, and poked the monocle on the bridge of his nose.
Saroma adjusted her pince-nez, raised her eyebrows slightly, and curled up the corners of her mouth. Thales knew that this was an expression that she wanted to laugh but was holding back.
The Old Crow shook his head and turned to the other person. His left eye widened slightly behind his monocle. "Why don't you sit closer, Thales?"
The Prince of Constellation, who was observing the interaction between the two, paused for a moment.
"You don't have to act like a hedgehog. You may always be in trouble, but not today, not here." Hicks tapped his walking stick and looked at Thales with a profound gaze.
Thales widened his eyes and stared at the strange new teacher. His Adam's apple bobbed a little.
"Good day, Mister." In the end, he politely moved his chair forward a little, lowered his scrutinizing gaze a little, and nodded. "I am Thales Jadestar, and I look forward to your teaching. Thank you for accepting Putray's invitation and coming all the way here to teach us."
"Yes, Thales." Hicks took a deep breath and stared at Thales with his left eye behind his monocle. His voice was a little weak. "Jadestar, very good. Jadestar, as expected. "
Thales was slightly startled.
"Oh, right, teaching!" The Old Crow did not waste any more time. He patted the back of his hand and sighed.
"Both of you must be very curious. What exactly does such a strange and terrible old man want to teach you? What can he teach you?"
Under the curious and scrutinizing gazes of the two students, the thin old man sitting in the leather chair lifted his back from the back of the chair and raised his head.
"I have thought about this question before. Even among the many students I have taught, both of you can't be said to be the most ordinary ones."
Thales and Saroma stared at their teacher seriously.
Truth be told, whether it was Gilbert's highly praising comment of "he is the second most respected person in my life" in his letter, or Putray's introduction, which seemed to be careless but was actually trying to keep them guessing, all of them made Thales look forward to meeting this rather strange 'Old Crow' for the first time.
* Slap! *
Hicks slapped the back of his hand and laughed.
"Truth be told, I can't think of anything to teach you either.
So, in the end, I've decided, to hell with teaching and whatnot! "
'Huh?'
Under the two students' astonished gazes, the thin old man said in a casual and relaxed manner, "Let's just have a chat today."
'Chat … chat?'
For the fourth time, Thales and Saroma cast each other a shocked and puzzled glance.
'What is this …?'
"It's very interesting, isn't it? One of you is the supreme ruler of Dragon Clouds City," Hicks said with a sigh. "The other is the heir of an ancient kingdom.
"A man and a woman coincidentally sitting in the same room and facing the same terrible old man.
"Then, how about we talk about a topic that is related to both of you?"
The prince raised his eyebrows. He looked at his notebook, closed it silently, and pushed it away from his hand.
The Old Crow furrowed his eyebrows, as though he was deep in thought. His gaze kept moving between the boy and the young lady, who were at a loss. "Hmm, a topic that is related to both Northlanders and Constellatiates … Let me think."
Hicks' eyebrows twitched, and the wrinkles on his face fluctuated again.
"Oh, I've got it." The old man looked at Saroma amiably. "Madam?"
Saroma immediately nodded politely in response. "Mister Hicks?"
The old man nicknamed the Old Crow nodded in satisfaction, then extended his hand to Thales, who was beside him.
The prince was slightly startled.
"This is Thales," Hicks said solemnly. "Thales Jadestar."
"Ah, I know." Saroma was a little puzzled.
Hicks sighed.
"The calm, calm, vigilant, handsome, and sharp-eyed Prince of Constellation. He has a pair of interesting gray eyes, but he carries the rise and fall of an ancient kingdom on his shoulders.
"He struggles and strives in an invisible, dark vortex."
Thales' eyebrows quivered.
'This teacher, his choice of words is a little …'
Saroma could not help but glance at the second prince. There was worry and pity in her gaze.
He said faintly, "So, Saroma Walton, as the unprecedented Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, a Northland girl who is youthful, young, restless, has a delicate status, and exudes vitality, you …"
In the next second, their gentle new teacher, Meryl Hicks from Dragon-Kissed Land, smiled at the confused archduchess and asked,
"Do you like him?"
* Thud! *
At that moment, the book in the young lady's hand fell to the ground.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
