The most incongruous thing in the world was the sudden appearance of an Eckstedtian in a Constellatiate banquet.
And one who had no idea what to say.
Under the reminder from Thales' eyes, Glover and Doyle hurried and invited Jorge to a corner outside the hall with great difficulty. They managed to get rid of the curious and probing gazes of the guests around them.
"I say, you Southerners are just looking for trouble. Just saying the wrong name and you become crazy …"
Jorge grumbled without holding back.
"In the past, I even mistakenly wrote the title of the archduke's letter to King Nuven asking for help as' The Honorable King of Dragon Clouds City ', but the Born King didn't do anything to me. He still provided money and manpower to help us exterminate the mountain bandits.
Doyle pursed his lips, while Glover averted his gaze.
Even though the former was lively and carefree, and the latter was quiet and introverted, they were not used to this guest's casualness and rudeness.
Only Thales listened to the other party's rough and thick northern accent and smiled without saying a word.
It was indeed rare to hear such an accent in the orderly Mindis Hall and banquets where etiquette was everywhere.
It was as if he had returned to the heroic, cheerful, and straightforward North.
Administrator Jorge laughed out loud and said,
"Haha, perhaps you have forgotten, North Star, but we have met before!"
Thales asked suspiciously.
"When?"
"Wow, you are really forgetful, aren't you?"
Listening to the other party's careless tone, other than being abrupt, Thales actually felt a strange sense of familiarity.
But he was just a passerby in Eckstedt.
This place, Constellation, Eternal Star City, this was his home, was it not?
Jorge was in high spirits.
"A few years ago, during the hunting ceremony in Dragon Clouds City, the young lady from the Walton Family held your hand. Heh, if you ask me, you are really bold. All the Northland lads present were jealous and rushed forward in groups, wanting to have a friendly duel with you and learn from each other …"
Thales' expression changed abruptly.
Jorge was very happy, and his saliva flew everywhere.
"The scene was very chaotic and noisy. Perhaps others did not see it, but I have sharp eyes. She hid you under her skirt …"
Thales' face turned pale.
He ignored the expressions of his personal guards behind him and rushed forward to hold Jorge's waving hand.
"Cough! Thank you! Administrator Jorge! "
Thales interrupted her passionately, feeling touched.
"I have truly felt the generosity and hospitality of Elaphure City!"
He shook Jorge's hand vigorously, wishing with all his heart that he would stop.
Jorge was stunned at first, then he narrowed his eyes and lowered his head, a look of understanding on his face.
This made Thales even more depressed.
As a listener, Doyle nudged Glover with a playful expression. Unfortunately, the latter only furrowed his eyebrows and did not show any intention to share his interest.
"Hehe, that's right, speaking of this."
Jorge naturally put his arm around the Duke's shoulder and whispered to him like a good friend.
"Grand Duke Gaddro has a son — Igor, the heir of Buffaloes City. He's a good lad. Among the gifts I brought are the seal and bear skins he hunted. Both of you are of equal status, and both of you are talented, so you should be able to get along well …"
The administrator had an encouraging look on his face as he shook the prince vigorously.
"You'll love him!"
Thales was so shaken that even his fake smile became unreal.
"Igor, right? I guess I will … "
But Jorge only smiled with his eyes squinted.
"But that's not all. You should know that the Grand Duke has three daughters …"
Thales had a bad feeling.
"Although the first one has been married twice, she's good at bearing children. I guarantee that you'll have many children before you're twenty, and you won't have to worry about descendants …"
"The second one is amazing. She's adept at archery and horsemanship. Even the veterans have to give her a thumbs up. With her in bed, you don't even have to arrange for guards to be on duty at night …"
Thales' smile gradually froze.
"The third one, the third one …"
Jorge was stuck for a while, hesitated for a moment, then stuttered.
"Yes, yes, she's alright …"
The administrator then patted the Duke of Star Lake's shoulder in a "northern" manner, messing up the perfect hairstyle that Thales had cut when he was fleeing and grew back after he returned to the country.
"I know, you grew up with the northern wind, you must prefer the hard one …"
"What do you think?"
Jorge's eyes lit up.
"Consider it?"
The prince forced a smile with difficulty.
Thales spent a few minutes before he managed to escape from Jorge's enthusiasm. He invited the bear-like guest back to the banquet hall and promised to give him a bigger seat.
The personal guards who accompanied the prince had amused expressions.
Mallos, who had been silent all this while, came forward and reminded the prince of the guest list he was going to personally welcome next. But after he finished speaking …
"Right, about the story he told, you know, the one where you hid under your skirt …" The watchman was a little hesitant.
Thales, who had always been easygoing, looked up instantly.
His expression was fierce, as if he was about to devour someone.
"Don't ask." The Duke of Star Lake gritted his teeth.
"You'll still be my favorite personal guard captain."
Mallos narrowed his eyes, and with a look of understanding, he bowed in a contemplative manner.
"Then, I'll go and arrange other matters. I hope you enjoy the banquet."
Thales sighed in annoyance as he watched the man turn and leave.
"Your Highness …" Doyle's voice came from behind him.
Thales was still wary. He scowled at him coldly.
"Don't worry, I-I won't ask …"
Doyle shook his hand awkwardly.
"I just want to say that I understand. I've been through that terrible situation too …"
"Ahem — Ahem!"
On the other side, Glover seemed to have caught a cold. He coughed repeatedly and interrupted Doyle's nonsense.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"
Doyle stopped talking in embarrassment, but Thales' expression became even worse.
'Alright.'
Thales pulled his head back stiffly. His mood was gloomy.
'When I become king, the first thing I'll do is to lead the army north …
'Destroy Eckstedt.'
They walked back in silence.
"Northlanders, ahem … Are all Northlanders in Eckstedt like this?" Doyle finally brought up a topic that was not so annoying.
Thales nodded gloomily.
"Half of it.
"As for the other half …"
At this moment, a voice filled with surprise and excitement came from the side.
"Thales Jadestar!"
The three of them were all shocked.
Amidst the footsteps and shouts, Jonveled and Procca from the Star Lake Guards blocked a guest who wanted to rush to the prince in the corridor far away. The latter waved his hands and tried to get close to Thales, but he could not.
Thales looked at the other person's appearance — he had a bowl cut that reached his ears — and felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Until he saw the emblem of a shining blade on the guest's clothes.
"Nice to meet you. I am Lev Trentida, the son of the Archduke of Reformation Tower." The guest smiled obsequiously and spoke with the same familiar Northland accent, but it was much lighter than Jorge's.
Reformation Tower, Trentida?
'That's interesting.'
Another Bowl Cut Man, who was much more mature and cunning, appeared in his memory. He had an even more imposing aura and majestic aura.
Thales nodded and asked the guards to let go of the Northlander who broke the rules and came to him without guidance.
"Lev, right?"
Thales squeezed out his signature social smile. "I know your father, Archduke Trentida …"
"What a coincidence." Lev smiled with his eyes narrowed.
"I know him too."
Thales was silent for a moment over this terrible joke.
'Young Trentida?'
He looked at the fake smile on Lev's face and the sparkle in his eyes.
'Yes, he's my biological son.'
"Very well, please send my regards to your father."
Thales sighed and decided not to pester him any further.
"I hope you enjoy the banquet."
The prince turned and left.
"Your Highness!"
Lev said anxiously.
But Jonveled, who was behind him, pressed down on Lev's shoulder, his warning obvious.
Thales turned around.
"I know you're busy, so, alright, I'll get straight to the point." Lev sighed, looking like he was ready to go all out.
Thales blinked.
Against the background noise of the banquet, Lev narrowed his eyes.
"You know, it wasn't easy for me to make this trip. I was going to buy some souvenirs to bring back, but I ran into some trouble … Damn market bureaucrats and merchants conspired to not only suppress the quantity and raise the price, but also deliberately cause trouble …"
"Souvenirs?" Thales was stunned.
"You know, traveling." Lev shrugged like a spoiled young master.
"Buy some of this, buy some of that, and bring some local specialties."
"Local specialties?" Thales raised his eyebrows.
Lev smiled awkwardly.
"Nothing much, just some food, clothes, and toys."
"Food?" Thales' tone grew more doubtful.
He stared at Lev.
"Yes, my favorite food." Lev's smile remained.
"I just need some local officials to make things easier for me …"
Thales looked at him for a few seconds.
"I can't do that."
Damn Northlanders.
Thales said coldly.
"I'm just a prince who has just arrived and is cultivating."
Thales was about to turn around again when Lev hurriedly spoke again.
"I know, I know!"
"But don't worry, Your Highness, you don't have to do anything! You don't have to do anything! "
Thales looked at him questioningly.
Lev broke free from Jonveled's grip and ignored the other's disgusted expression.
"At the banquet later, just let me stand by your side for a while and look like I'm talking and laughing. The official who caused trouble for me is also present today, and he's trying his best to get close to you."
Lev looked at Thales with an eager expression.
"Sorry." Thales shook his head and prepared to leave.
"Maybe you should take out your official identity and go to the Department of Foreign Affairs to see how they can help."
"But …"
Lev spoke again. This time, he sounded like he was pleading.
"First of all, it's too high-profile and eye-catching, you know …"
"Second of all …"
He shrugged in embarrassment.
"The exchange rate hasn't been good recently, and my … funds are limited."
Too high-profile …
The exchange rate isn't good …
Wait a minute.
Reformation Tower.
Trentida.
Bring specialties?
The prince pondered for a while and came to a realization.
"Alright, but if I help you …" Thales turned his head around and snorted softly.
"What do I get?"
Lev froze for a moment, then let out an awkward smile.
"A … friendship from Reformation Tower and the Trentida family?"
Thales raised his eyebrows.
A friendship between Reformation Tower and Trentida.
Sounds good.
But …
Thales chuckled.
How much is it worth?
Looking at the other's reaction, Lev seemed to know how famous his family was.
"Alright, listen to me …"
Lev took a deep breath and, ignoring Glover and Doyle's expressions, leaned close to Thales' ear and whispered something.
Thales' expression changed.
Unexpectedly, a few seconds later, Thales nodded solemnly.
"Deal."
Lev's eyes lit up and he snapped his fingers.
Young Trentida grinned and said,
"I knew you were easy to talk to. My father didn't praise Constellation for having a Thales in vain …"
But the Duke of Star Lake interrupted him.
"I remember that your father is a cautious man who thinks twice before making a bet," the prince said faintly.
"Does he have any objections to you coming to Constellation to look for me at this time?"
Lev paused for a moment, but looked at the prince thoughtfully.
"As a son," Lev stared at him with a meaningful smile, "if I'm always controlled by my father …
"I'll never be able to become an adult, right?"
Thales was silent for a moment.
He suddenly thought of another archduke's son, the Viscount of Dual Wind City in the City of Faraway Prayers, 'Nuisance' Ian Roknee.
"Thank you for your frankness. I'll tell Archduke Trentida about this," Thales said faintly.
"That's exactly what I want." Lev did not panic, but instead smiled slyly.
"Then he'll know that not every son is qualified to be mentioned by the famous' North Star 'who reversed Eckstedt's fate."
Hearing this form of address, Thales frowned.
"Do you … Northlanders call me that?"
"Of course there are others, but this is the best …"
Lev looked at Thales cautiously and grinned.
"Or would you rather be called the 'Archduchess's Little Star'?"
Thales' small face darkened.
The surrounding guards looked at each other, their expressions turning strange again.
Thales sighed.
'North Star.
'This nickname …
'Oh Sunset, do you think that a prince who just returned from Eckstedt doesn't have enough trouble in Constellation?
'Thank you so much, Northlanders.'
Just as Lev was about to leave, Thales suddenly spoke.
"So, King Chapman doesn't have any objections to you attending my banquet?"
Hearing that name, Lev's expression changed.
He was silent for a few seconds.
"Duke, today is your wedding day …"
Young Trentida looked around and said softly, "That's right.
"Let's not talk about unlucky things."
Thales politely bade him farewell. Satisfied, Lev turned around and left under the 'escort' of Jonveled and Procca.
But the moment the prince turned around, his expression turned cold.
"Glover," Thales said gloomily.
"Go and find out where Gilbert is, and bring him to me."
Glover frowned slightly.
Doyle, who was beside him, was stunned.
"Now? But Your Highness, according to reports, the Guardian Duke of the Eastern Sea, who is also Prime Minister Cullen, will be arriving soon.
But Thales suddenly shouted,
"Screw the prime minister."
The Duke of Star Lake spoke coldly, enunciating each word in an unsettling manner.
"Now, immediately, immediately …"
Thales glared at him coldly.
"Find him, Gilbert Caso."
The two men, who were used to the prince's gentle personality, were shocked.
Glover said nothing more and immediately turned to leave, leaving the uneasy Doyle by Thales' side, casting worried glances at him from time to time.
Gilbert soon appeared in front of him with a puzzled expression.
But Thales dismissed Doyle and Glover, and went straight to the point.
"What happened in Eckstedt?"
Gilbert was instantly stunned.
"What happened? Everything should be normal … After eliminating the dissidents, Chapman the First has been busy pacifying the internal affairs … "
But Thales interrupted him impatiently.
"Gilbert!"
Just now, two Northlanders rudely stopped me, and one of them even called me the 'King of Constellation' in front of everyone. "
Gilbert's expression changed.
Thales took a step forward, and his gaze was sharp.
"Do you understand now?"
Gilbert and the prince looked at each other for a second before he sighed softly.
"You must know that today is your big day. After today, you will officially enter the social circle of Eternal Star City and step onto the stage of the kingdom. If something really happens, it cannot compare to …"
But Thales only stared at the man.
"Gilbert, six years ago, you were the one who brought me to Mindis Hall.
That is why I believe in you.
More so than the others. "
As he looked at the prince's expression, Gilbert wanted to say something, but he hesitated. His expression was complicated.
A few seconds later, Count Caso sighed slowly.
"A few days ago, Eckstedt's battle report came."
Thales' expression tensed.
'As expected.'
Gilbert's cheerful and relaxed mood during the banquet was swept away. His expression was solemn as he entered full working mode.
"Dragon Clouds, Faraway Prayers, and Defense City joined forces. Nearly twenty thousand Northland warriors marched out of the border from the west in an aggressive manner. Their advance was like a hot knife cutting through butter. The Alliance of Freedom retreated step by step, and the entire Golden Passage trembled.
"Not long ago, Eckstedt finally sent a large army to besiege Fort Liberté."
Thales nodded.
As one of the participants in the incident, he clearly remembered the internal and external causes of the war, the forces involved, and the dramatic twists and turns.
"I know that Eckstedt wants to reassert their hegemony and status in the Golden Passage …"
The small Alliance of Freedom affected the political situation in the Western Peninsula. Be it the Sixteen Cities of Camus Union, the White Elves of White Mountain, or the other countries in the Golden Passage, ever since they overestimated their own abilities and rashly intervened twenty years ago, they were easily dealt a heavy blow by King Nuven.
In the face of this crisis, in the face of the alliance of the three northern cities, all the forces would rather watch from the sidelines and protect themselves. No one dared to touch the dragon's reverse scale.
That included Constellation, who took the opportunity to trick the Alliance of Freedom.
But Thales realized something.
"Your expression, Gilbert."
"What happened?"
The Foreign Affairs Minister looked at Thales' reaction and sighed.
"You know, a few months ago, the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department's intelligence base in Eckstedt was severely damaged, and it is still being rebuilt …
"The information we received is very messy, and we are still verifying it one by one. The Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department has been extremely busy over the past few days …"
Thales directly skipped these pleasantries.
"Then what do you know?"
Gilbert was silent for a while.
Thales fixed his gaze on him.
"Although it has not been completely verified, in general …"
Gilbert's tone was very calm.
"The Eckstedtians could not attack the city and suffered heavy losses.
"Within a few days, they suffered consecutive defeats and suffered heavy losses.
"Their supplies were also cut off, and their rear was attacked.
"They were forced to give up on their target …
"The entire army retreated."
Thales froze.
"That's right, Your Highness."
At this moment, Gilbert sighed slowly. Between the lines, there was a sorrowful sentiment that only a person who was familiar with history could understand.
"Since the era of Nuven the Sixth, they rose to power with great momentum, and they were invincible …
"Under the rule of the Born King, their hegemony flourished, and their might shook the Western Peninsula …
"The Eckstedt Kingdom that fought countless battles and was invincible in the world …"
Gilbert sighed.
"Lost."
Thales was dazed for a moment.
Eckstedt.
Northlanders.
Kingdom of the Dragon.
Children of the Northern Wind and the Dragon.
Descendants of the Hero Raikaru.
'Lost?'
Gilbert was still talking, but Thales seemed to be listening to him through a curtain. He nodded absentmindedly.
Throughout his long life, he had always put in a lot of effort to protect his own life, and he had to work hard to move through the endless political games and the whirlpool of the times …
But for the first time, for the first time, he felt it so vividly.
'Times have changed.'
Thales sucked in a deep breath.
"So, I believe that this makes your appearance today even more important …" Gilbert's words echoed in his ears again.
But Thales was no longer in the mood to listen.
"Se … se …"
Thales opened his mouth subconsciously, but he could only utter a few words.
Gilbert furrowed his brows.
Until the second prince raised his head indifferently.
"Where's … the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City?"
Gilbert remained silent for a while. He seemed to have expected this, but he also seemed to be hesitant to speak.
But the Duke of Star Lake's gaze was too intense.
It was hard to resist.
"According to the current information …"
Gilbert spoke with great difficulty, "After the great victory, the Alliance of Freedom claimed …"
"They've captured the enemy commander."
"I don't know if he's dead or alive."
At that moment, Thales heard silence.
It was as if the entire Mindis Hall had been silenced.
()
Stealing Fragrance
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