"His Majesty's warrant has been officially issued."
Gilbert, who sat opposite him, was full of smiles. He raised his teacup and took a sip.
"Now, the news of your return and title has spread throughout Eternal Star City. In a few days, the entire Central Territory and even the entire country will know about it."
While in the living room, Thales smiled helplessly as the host and not a guest.
With the laziness of waking up in the morning, the teenager stood up and slowly walked to the window.
The morning light shone through the curtains and illuminated the low-key but tidy guest hall.
Thales pulled the window open and was greeted by fresh air.
There was also a sudden, piercing noise.
"Yes." The new Duke of Star Lake leaned against the window and yawned. He pressed his waist.
"I can feel it from here."
Mindis Hall was not peaceful under the window.
The garden and the road outside the iron gate were filled with all kinds of carriages, and this was not counting the many visitors who came on foot or on horseback. Some of them were dressed in luxurious clothes and had obvious emblems.
Outside the iron gate, the Royal Guards and Jadestar Private Army were doing their best to explain and dissuade the visitors.
Thales leaned close to the window. The Sin of Hell's River surged into his ears, and he managed to catch some scattered words.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace, Mindis Hall does not receive guests this month." Vanguard Glover's stiff and stern voice came from behind the iron gate.
"Only His Majesty's special warrant can pass …"
Then, another slightly agitated voice drowned out Glover's words.
"No, no, no, Luke, I've been your classmate for four years, but I've never been close to you. So, unrelated people are all … What? You're just here to look at the scenery? That's enough! Looking at the scenery for two days in a row for eight hours? Do you think I'm an idiot? "
It was Doyle.
At that moment, he stood in front of an innocent-looking noble and waved at Mindis Hall behind him in exasperation.
"It's so noisy every day. It's so noisy every day. I don't need to … Doesn't the prince need to rest?"
Thales could not help but raise his eyebrows.
Another voice, appropriate and gentle, intruded upon his ears.
"… Then, Honorary Viscount Kemar …" It was Mallos, who had a faint smile on his face but was actually aloof. He was facing another noble who was not easy to deal with.
"Why don't you go to the heir of the Karabeyan family and ask him what's the secret to making an exception and meeting the duke?"
"Oh, so your family is a royal merchant, and you have three beautiful daughters ranging from nine to nineteen years old, who are likely to become the prince's concubines! My apologies. Perhaps, as the future royal relative, you will definitely be able to obtain His Majesty's grace? If you come to visit at that time, I will definitely line up to welcome you. "
"Yes, the Mallos Family is very grateful for your care. It's really sad that we can't buy your family's goods …"
"Thank you for asking about my parents and family, although they are no longer alive …"
"Well, then on behalf of all my female relatives who are still alive, I thank you and your organ for the greetings …"
"Yes, Sir Viscount. I will definitely bring your words to my ancestral grave and let my ancestors know …"
"But before that, for the safety of the Duke of Star Lake, I will temporarily detain you at the police station …"
"Why? Because I suspect that you have hidden a weapon and that you intend to harm the Duke. Where is the weapon? Look, the jewel on your ring is too bright. It is harmful to the Duke's eyes … "
"Then I suggest that you directly complain to His Majesty or Lord Adrian about my service attitude …"
"How long will you be detained for? Don't worry, there are only two and a half months left until the duke's welcome banquet. After that, your plan will fail, and the Royal Guards will officially file a lawsuit against you for 'plotting to assassinate the Royal Family' … "
When he heard this, Thales sighed and pulled down the window. He no longer listened to the pot-bellied Viscount Kyle's panicked self-defense. He also no longer cared about how he fled back to his carriage with a terrified expression on his face.
This was the third day since he returned to the capital and entered Mindis Hall.
From the second day onwards, Mindis Hall was crowded with visitors. There was an endless stream of visitors.
It was so noisy that the Star Lake Guards could not rest.
"A few days ago, you should not have met the heir of Karabeyan, even if he is your old friend." Gilbert put down his teacup and sighed.
"Now, many of the nobles, officials, and influential people in the capital are following suit. They want to use their connections to get in."
"Yes, yes, I understand now." Thales sat back in his seat and said absentmindedly,
"This is the price."
He underestimated the influence and impact of his return to the kingdom.
The prince did not just attract visitors.
Obviously, the Duke of Star Lake's residence had not only awakened the usually quiet Mindis Hall, in the past three days, the mansion's standard had been upgraded, and it affected the entire Eternal Star City.
The City Hall issued six emergency orders to repair the greenery, change the lights, clean all the streets in Twilight District that the prince could see, and decorate them magnificently. Not a single refugee was allowed to enter, and not a single beggar could be seen. The city's appearance was greatly improved, and to a certain extent, it was even better than Eastern City District, where the nobles gathered.
The police station rearranged their patrol schedule and manpower arrangements. The three police stations in Twilight District and the two adjacent districts (who were originally at odds with each other) became united, friendly, and worked together sincerely. Countless police officers fought to be the first to work conscientiously. Batches of public security teams went back and forth, patrolling day and night, turning this awkward and almost forgotten area into a paradise on earth where no one would pick up anything that was left on the road, and the doors would not be closed at night.
The Chief Garrison Officer of Eternal Star City hastily increased the number of city defense teams on the city wall of Twilight District (even though Twilight District was thousands of miles away from the city wall) to ensure that "no thieves or rascals can get past us and threaten the prince". He also specially requested for a warrant to mobilize the regular army from outside the city and set up a special route to clear the path for Mindis Hall's supply and logistics transportation. According to a certain soldier, "Even the prince's poop that is transported out is not allowed to be tainted by others!"
Thales pressed his forehead listlessly.
Gilbert smiled in resignation.
"I can already imagine when I return home … I have probably never been so 'popular' in my life."
"As His Majesty's most trusted vassal, you have always been popular." Thales exhaled.
"And believe me, compared to the Constellatiates, the Eckstedtians will welcome you more."
Gilbert nodded in realization.
Over the past few days, other than the large group of speculators who had stretched their necks and were waiting outside the wall, eager to try their luck to meet the prince, life in Mindis Hall was rather peaceful.
He slept until he woke up, had breakfast, moved around freely, had lunch, slept until he woke up, moved around freely, had dinner, moved around freely, and slept until he woke up.
'Oh, right. Basically, I can't go outside when I move around freely, because I have to avoid the paparazzi. Ahem, I mean, avoid the fanatical speculators who wish to meet the prince but are unable to.
Even though the pace of life was similar to when he was in Dragon Clouds City, but …
There was no scheming and plotting against each other, no uneasiness because the enemy was in the dark while he was in the light, no constant high-pressure feeling like an arrow was nocked on a bowstring, no nervousness and excitement from surviving in a desperate situation, and no crazy journey of fleeing for thousands of miles.
No one bothered, no one interfered, and no one questioned him.
He was really a little …
'Not used to it.'
Thales picked up the teacup and moistened his throat in satisfaction.
Compared to six years ago when he lived here as a guest and had to go through Gilbert for everything, there were still benefits to him becoming the owner of this place six years later.
At least he could directly give orders to the people around him, such as "get me a harder mattress", and his words would be obeyed, at least on the surface.
'These days, they are indeed …'
Thales slowly leaned back and let out a heartfelt sigh that was unique to a worm.
'It's so depressing.'
He had almost forgotten about the person in Renaissance Palace …
'That person.'
"So, Gilbert, what are our plans for today?"
Thales pointed at the table gloomily.
"Why did you bring a pile of … paper?"
Gilbert, who was looking at the duke lovingly, turned his head around as if he had suddenly remembered something. He moved the stack of paper on the table to his knees and took out a pair of spectacles at the same time.
"Please forgive me. I am old, and my eyes are not as good as before …"
The Foreign Affairs Minister, who was past his middle age, said in embarrassment.
His spectacles were very special. They were a pair of hand-held folding glasses. There was no frame, but a handle was specially made on the right side of the frame.
"By the way, the gift you requested for the archduchess was ordered from the same handmade spectacles workshop …"
As Gilbert spoke, he lifted the spectacles to cover his eyes and began to flip through the papers on his knees.
"I do not know what you are thinking, but they are, after all, custom-made spectacles for scholars and old men like me. The color design is not fancy, nor is it trendy. I reckon that it will not please young ladies. Did you not think of giving something else in the first place …" There was an underlying meaning in the Foreign Affairs Minister's words, but Thales, who had been through many battles, remained calm. He pretended that he did not hear anything.
"Then, first of all …"
Gilbert did not know whether it was because he saw that the prince had no reaction, or because he had finally found the target on the paper, but he still sighed softly and said,
"Your welcome banquet is initially set to be held two months later.
The new Duke of Star Lake will be officially introduced to the entire kingdom, or at least all of Eternal Star City. "
The Foreign Affairs Minister still had his head lowered, but he glanced at Thales from the top of his spectacles.
'Introduced to … the entire kingdom.'
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
He took a deep breath and sat up straight in his chair.
The laziness and comfort he had felt over the past few days were instantly swept away.
'It's about time.'
He sighed and told himself.
'Wake up, Thales.
'Other than the noble master of shit-shoveling …
'How can there be a happy worm in the world?'
Thales pulled himself together.
"And what about the past two months?"
Gilbert lifted his eyes from the paper.
"It is time for you to rest, adapt, and adjust."
"That long?"
Gilbert shook his head and denied it.
"No, it is not long at all. In fact, it is a little too short.
"After all, you have stayed in Northland for six years." The Foreign Affairs Minister sized Thales up. He looked at Thales' habitual posture, which made him seem undisciplined, but in reality, he was sitting with his elbows propped up, and he could roll to the ground at any moment. His gaze was sharp and direct, and he did not avoid Thales' gaze at all. He also wore casual clothes that were convenient for him to move around, but were not very dignified. He frowned in a barely noticeable manner.
"From the way of speech, mannerisms, habits, etiquette, and knowledge, there are too many things we need to correct …"
This time, it was Thales' turn to frown.
"Correct?
Speech, mannerisms, habits? "
Gilbert noticed that he had made a slip of the tongue.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to be disrespectful, but what I meant was that there are too many things we need to prepare …"
The Foreign Affairs Minister glanced at Thales. His tone was respectful and cautious.
"Forgive me for being straightforward. Even though you made a stunning appearance during the National Conference, that was six years ago.
"During these six years, aside from bits and pieces of news, no one understands you.
"Now, they only know that Prince Thales has just returned from the boorish, barbaric, dangerous, and bitter Northland. He grew up under the influence and education of those unreasonable boorish Northlanders."
Gilbert performed a standard salute and said sincerely,
"And what we need to show them is …"
Thales leaned against the back of his chair and pressed his head in resignation.
"I understand now."
"You could have told me directly." The young Duke of Star Lake sighed deeply.
"Everyone from the top to the bottom of the kingdom is suspecting whether the second prince's thoughts have been distorted by the barbaric and perverted Northland barbarians. His personality has been corrupted, his brain has been beaten silly, and his sexual orientation has been changed …
"After all, in their eyes, all Eckstedtians are illiterate. So, they might even suspect whether the heir who returned to the kingdom is only a Prince of Constellation on the outside, but a boorish illiterate from Northland on the inside."
After he finished speaking, Thales exhaled in annoyance.
'Trapped me for six years. Six years.
'Are you satisfied?
'Alright, Chapman.
You've won a chess piece, I guess. '
Thales thought in a bored manner.
"I did not say that." Gilbert smiled cheerfully, but his expression immediately became stern.
"But sexual orientation … You're joking, right?"
Thales could not be bothered to end this small tease.
He continued, "And what all of you need to do is to make me more local, more dignified, more acceptable, and more … 'Constellation' before I show my face?"
"Not entirely, Your Highness."
On the surface, Gilbert let go of the 'joke' that did not make Thales feel at ease.
He smiled again and said, "In fact, your trip to Northland is one of the most eye-catching things you have done. It is like the legendary journey of a mercenary: unfamiliar and mysterious, and it attracts awe and amazement from those who do not know about it."
'Those who do not know about it …'
Thales mocked himself in his heart.
But when Gilbert mentioned mercenaries, he suddenly thought of Quick Rope, and then the mysterious and terrifying Ricky.
"So, we might as well keep some of the marks that Dragon Clouds City left for you …"
Thales snapped out of his daze.
"Marks?"
Gilbert smiled and nodded.
"Let the others know the advantage of being on both sides of the border, Duke Thales. You are the only one in this era who has received the inheritance of the Empire and Constellation, and has also been honed by the northern wind and the Great Dragon. You can debate with the officials in Renaissance Palace, and you can also survive in a desperate situation in Heroic Spirit Palace …
"God's favored one."
The air was quiet for a second.
Thales lowered his head and subconsciously rubbed his face in front of the Foreign Affairs Minister, whose eyes shone brightly.
'Damn it.
As expected of someone in the field of diplomacy. '
Compared to "packaging the country bumpkin Thales", these words were rather …
'Pretty?
'The Cunning Fox of Constellation's power has not diminished,' Thales thought with a sigh.
Just a few appropriate and harmless words were enough to dispel the unhappiness in his heart.
In this regard, he was as different as the clouds and mud from Putray, that gloomy little old man who spoiled his mood.
Perhaps this was the reason why one of the two people who worked together in the Foreign Affairs Department could rise to become the king's trusted aide and become famous in the Western Peninsula.
The other person was constantly on the move and worked hard every day. No matter how many merits he had, no one knew about it.
Thales thought to himself quietly.
"Alright, if I am really illiterate, Gilbert …"
A few seconds later, Thales adjusted his emotions and replied with a smile as well.
"Then, isn't it a little too late for you to start eliminating illiteracy at the age of fourteen?"
"Others may not understand, Your Highness, but I am your full-time teacher." When he talked about the past, Gilbert could not help but feel sentimental.
"I have only gone through six years of breaks between classes."
He winked at Thales.
"So, do you still remember how to compose a sonnet?"
Thales and Gilbert chuckled at the same time.
But unexpectedly, as they laughed, Gilbert suddenly spoke.
"So, it is only six years of breaks."
His voice became deeper.
"Your Highness.
Six years. "
Thales stopped smiling and looked at the Foreign Affairs Minister strangely.
"Do not be discouraged, child." Gilbert did not look at him. He only spoke slowly.
"You have to know.
Sometimes, fathers make mistakes. "
Thales was stunned.
"Give him time, Your Highness," Gilbert said airily.
"Give him time."
He choked a little.
The temperature and light in the reception room seemed to have sunk at that moment.
Thales was silent as he pondered deeply.
Gilbert did not speak either.
The two of them just sat opposite each other in silence.
After a long while …
Finally, Thales took a deep breath and smiled.
"Gilbert." The prince looked at the middle-aged man who once taught him how to read, who was once in the prime of his life, but now had gray hair and looked exhausted.
"Thank you."
Gilbert forced himself to smile and reined in his emotions.
"For what?"
Thales lowered his head. After a while, the corners of his lips curled up.
"For … everything."
There was silence.
For a moment, there was only the faint noise outside the window.
"No, Your Highness.
"Everything …"
Gilbert sighed.
"It is all for you."
Thales did not speak.
"Your Highness." Gilbert swept his gaze over the familiar Mindis Hall before him. He finally revealed a haggard but relaxed smile.
"Welcome home."
At that moment, the prince's heart surged with a warmth that originated from six years ago.
The gloom of the past was swept away.
It was like the estrangement when he first returned to Constellation.
It was just a fleeting moment.
It was not worth mentioning.
"." :
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