Thales walked alone in the long corridor of Renaissance Palace. The Everlasting Lamps flashed past him, illuminating his face and making it flicker between light and dark.
Along the way, the guards and servants all had complicated expressions on their faces when they saw him, and they avoided him.
But Thales did not care.
He only took a step forward, pressed a floor tile under his feet, dragged it behind him, took another step forward, and repeated the process.
It was dark, cold, and narrow in front of him.
And where should he go?
Where should he go?
Where?
"Your Highness?"
A familiar voice traveled into his ears. Thales stopped in his tracks.
He turned around and turned his head back from the darkness and cold. He flashed a gentle smile and nodded slightly.
"Gilbert, I thought you left first."
The Foreign Affairs Minister came in front of Thales with his staff and bowed respectfully to the prince. He was meticulous in his actions.
It was as if they were meeting for the first time.
"You know that I will not leave."
Gilbert stared at him. His words were filled with gratification and absent-mindedness.
"Before you and His Majesty …"
Thales did not speak. He only smiled faintly.
Gilbert and Thales' gazes met in the air. One of them had complicated feelings, while the other had subtle feelings.
They faced each other in silence for a full three seconds.
The person beside Gilbert, the archdeacon of Sunset Church, Guy Stylianides, smiled when he saw this. He tactfully took a few steps back to give them some space.
Gilbert flashed an apologetic smile at his friend. He then turned his head around and hesitated to speak.
"So, His Majesty …"
Thales nodded. There was not a hint of emotion in his voice, "He let me go."
"That's it?"
Gilbert looked surprised for a moment. "Forgive me for being blunt, but His Majesty did not, no, the Royal Guards did not …"
"No."
Thales tried his best to make the hint of mockery in his words less obvious.
"I guess that His Majesty is tolerant and kind, and loves his children like his people."
The two of them were quiet for a while, and both sank into deep thought.
"Is that so?" Gilbert did not care about the small flaw in his words. The Foreign Affairs Minister exhaled and mumbled absentmindedly,
"That's good, that's good …"
Thales did not say anything.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that the Cunning Fox of Constellation had aged a lot.
However, the scene of Gilbert calmly driving the carriage with a lantern and bringing the dirty and pathetic child beggar into Mindis Hall felt like it was only yesterday.
"Right, it's quite a coincidence."
Gilbert snapped out of his daze and smiled again.
"When you were having a heart-to-heart talk with His Majesty, I felt bored, so I went out of the palace for a walk. I happened to wander near Mindis Hall, so I took a look and casually asked around …"
Mindis Hall.
A thought struck Thales, and he said in surprise,
"Gilbert …"
The smile on Gilbert's face grew wider, just like his wrinkles.
"Flag Bearer Gaitan, who was in charge of the investigation, assured me that after a thorough investigation, the unhappiness at the banquet was just an accident. The guards and servants around you are all fine, and they should be released immediately. Mindis Hall should be unsealed immediately as well. Of course, some necessary 'security work' has been strengthened. I hope you do not mind."
Thales stared at him in surprise.
"From here to Mindis Hall, you cannot reach it merely by strolling."
"Oh." Constellation's Cunning Fox's expression did not change.
"Looks like I'm not old yet. My feet are fast enough."
Thales did not speak.
Gilbert suddenly thought of something, and his eyes brightened.
"By the way, I ran into Vanguard Marico in the corridor just now. He was with your subordinates, the ones who followed you into the palace, including Wya. I also asked around. He and them, hmm, got along quite well, and they had a pleasant conversation. "
They had a pleasant conversation.
Thales was silent for a long time. His emotions were complicated.
"Thank you."
Gilbert shook his head. His smile remained the same as before, and he looked behind him.
"Thank Guy. I did not want to say this, but I am thankful that the people still believe in the holiness and majesty of the Sunset Goddess, and that they gave extra respect to the archdeacon."
At that moment, Thales felt a suffocating feeling in his chest.
"Gilbert."
The Foreign Affairs Minister turned his head around and sighed.
"And I hope that this will make you feel more at ease."
Thales took a deep breath and felt his voice tremble.
"I, I …"
However, Gilbert, who had always been good at reading people's expressions, did not seem to see the prince's distress and hesitation. He only clapped his hands and said apologetically,
"Oh, my bad, Your Highness. You must be tired. Coincidentally, I called for a carriage. Why don't we go back together — "
"Gilbert!"
Thales had no choice but to raise his voice and use all his strength to interrupt him.
"Aren't you curious?"
The prince's breathing quickened. He glared at his teacher.
"About why I broke the rules and barged into the palace.
Why I … disobeyed the king. "
Gilbert paused. The smile on his face slowly faded away, and he lowered his head in silence, as if he was avoiding Thales' gaze.
Thales took a deep breath.
"And what I said to His Majesty just now."
— — —
"This is not a joke."
In Ballard Room, Thales quietly listened to King Kessel's words.
"Whether you succeed or fail, if you are not careful and make the slightest mistake, you may be overturned by the warhorse and abandoned by the carriage.
"Not only will you never be able to be crowned, you will also have enemies everywhere. You will be surrounded by enemies, and even your life will be in danger."
'Surrounded by enemies, and in danger …'
The king's warning was clear in his words.
"When that time comes, the nobility of the Jadestar Family will not be able to save you.
"The vastness of Constellation will not be able to accommodate you.
"Even the king …" King Kessel paused for a moment. He looked at the Staff of Constellation leaning against the chair with a complicated expression.
"… will not be able to protect you."
'The king will not be able to protect you.'
Thales' gaze froze, and Asda's words echoed in his mind.
"'What I am looking forward to, Thales, is not your ultimate success … Instead, you will be caught between your own nature and the gazes of others … In the end, you will be torn apart by conflict, destroyed by conflict, and devoured by regret …
"Then what if, I mean, what if …"
After a few seconds, the teenager raised his gaze, and his smile was a little stiff.
"Do you think Dragon Clouds City will accept political asylum?"
King Kessel did not respond to the joke. His gaze was profound, and no one knew what he was thinking.
"Alright."
In the end, the teenager sighed, and the relaxed and joking expression on his face disappeared.
"It seems that you really do not have a sense of humor."
The king stared at him without saying a word.
It was night, and the lights were dim.
Two shadows facing each other were cast on the stone floor, and extended to the walls. They were dark and cold.
Bottomless.
"That is for me, Your Majesty."
The prince snorted softly, and focused his gaze on the spoon in his hand.
"Please, be healthy and live to a ripe old age."
King Kessel's gaze flickered.
"At least finish the show, don't quit halfway, and leave me alone on the stage, unable to defend myself."
At that moment, Thales looked at King Kessel, but he thought of King Nuven.
And his head that rolled in a pool of blood.
"Believe me, the feeling of a person's curtain call," Thales said emotionally with lingering fear in his heart.
"It's not that good."
Kessel did not reply.
Perhaps it was because it was late at night, and the lights in the room became soft.
The light and shadow between the two were no longer as sharp as the edge of a sword, and they were clearly separated.
Instead, they were one, and light and darkness coexisted.
"You know."
King Kessel suddenly said, "You could have not done this."
Thales' gaze shifted.
"You could have behaved yourself, followed the rules, not revealed any attitude, not got involved in any trouble, and not acted impulsively like you did at the banquet and today. Your actions were shocking.
"Then you would have worn the Nine-Starred Crown, and ruled over the entire kingdom …"
The Iron Hand King said softly,
"It was only a matter of time."
The Nine-Starred Crown.
Thales' breathing stopped.
The word seemed to have magical power. It seeped into Thales' brain from the air, and became a constantly growing thought.
"When that time comes, the whole of Constellation will be ruled by you."
The whole of Constellation will be ruled by you …
The king's voice was long and deep, with an indescribable meaning.
The teenager tightened his grip on the spoon in his hand.
"It's too late." Thales shook his head, dispelling the thought that he should not have.
"I openly broke the ban and barged into the palace so that everyone could see it. It's too late to turn back now, and put on a show of family harmony, fatherhood, and filial piety. "
The king did not care.
"That's not important …"
Thales shook his head, "No, besides, if the kingdom falls before I'm crowned …"
But the Iron Hand King's voice drowned him out.
"That's not important!"
Kessel the Fifth leaned forward, and his aura was oppressive.
"What's important is that at that time, you will no longer be held back, and you will have nothing to worry about.
"You can overthrow the old system, set things right, push all the blame onto the Iron Hand King, use my mistakes to strengthen your rule, and use my brutality to set off your benevolence, just like the 'Virtuous King' after the 'Red King'."
Thales found that his breathing was speeding up.
"Then, piece the kingdom together into what you want."
The king's words were tempting.
"Where Constellation goes, it's all up to you.
"Do as you please, and do as you please."
No longer held back, and I will have nothing to worry about …
Do as you please …
Thales gulped.
In a daze, he once again saw the young man with the crown, facing the towering palace wall alone. That familiar yet unfamiliar back.
But this time, the young man stood behind King Kessel, dressed in a luxurious robe and had an extraordinary bearing.
He looked down at the people in the capital outside the window as if he was examining a chessboard. His posture was calm, his expression indifferent.
Thales' heart skipped a beat.
"But, but …" He opened his mouth to speak, but it was difficult for him to speak.
In the dead silence, King Kessel's voice reached his ears faintly.
"When I was young, my mother said this before.
"The blood of the emperor's bloodline can only be as dazzling as gold and endlessly majestic in two places."
Dazzling as gold and endlessly majestic.
King Kessel slowly raised his head and looked at the portraits of famous ministers in Ballard Room.
"Legends."
The light was dim, but the historical figures in the portraits were still vivid, looking at them with burning eyes.
Never faded.
Never moved.
Thales pursed his lips tightly.
The Iron Hand King lowered his head and knocked on his chair in a daze.
"Throne."
The night wind swept past the window. The Everlasting Lamp in the room trembled and leaned in the same direction.
It was neat and uniform.
There were no exceptions.
Thales held his breath.
"Four hundred and fifty years ago, the 'Alien Star' who questioned the Church's scriptures became a legend.
"The King of Ascension ruled over Constellation and sat on his throne."
In the cold wind, the king's gaze met Thales', and his tone was cold.
"Which do you want to choose?"
— — — —
"I, I understand, Your Highness."
Gilbert only closed his eyes gently, but this action seemed to have used up all his strength.
Thales frowned.
"Really? You understand? "
Gilbert let out a long sigh.
"Yes."
When he opened his eyes again, he seemed to have aged a great deal.
"Whether it was during the royal banquet or after the investigation of Mindis Hall, you were young and impetuous. It was only natural that you felt indignant when you were wronged."
'Young and impetuous. It was only natural that you felt indignant when you were wronged.'
Thales listened quietly and subconsciously clenched his fists.
'Is this the meaning of Gilbert's actions today?'
Gilbert tried his best to put on a smile.
"Obviously, during the six years in Dragon Clouds City, you have gotten used to the way Northlanders interact with each other. That is why when you entered the palace, you were so … Ha, I know, I met King Nuven before. The first time I met him, he almost forced me to jump off the fortress wall … Northlanders, the way they express their opinions is always, hmm, very memorable."
Thales did not speak.
But the Foreign Affairs Minister only looked at him lovingly and kindly, as if he could tolerate all of his audacity.
"Gilbert," the prince said faintly, "This morning, I actually managed to attend the Imperial Conference in a dignified manner, even though I caused a huge disaster.
"I heard from my father that it was because of your suggestions and persistence?"
Gilbert was stunned for a moment before he smiled in a sentimental manner.
"You know, when I woke up this morning, I thought that there was nothing worse than a hangover, until I heard the news of you stepping forward bravely during the royal banquet last night."
He sighed and said,
"Your Highness, I just feel that if there is any misunderstanding between you and His Majesty, there is no better way than to clarify it in person.
"And if you want to explain what happened at the banquet to His Majesty, then you should first show your face in front of all the lords during the Imperial Conference. They will more or less be of some help to you."
Thales was silent for a long while before he forced out a sentence with great difficulty.
"Thank you.
"Teacher.
"For … all of this."
Gilbert smiled in a gratified manner. He waved his hand.
"It is my duty. It is not worth mentioning."
Thales felt complicated.
He wanted to end the conversation and leave as soon as possible, but he could not help but blurt out,
"But you know, Gilbert, my actions today have consequences."
Gilbert paused for a moment.
"No, listen to me, Your Highness." The Foreign Affairs Minister took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Prince Thales yearns for freedom.
He rebelled against the engagement and pursued true love, which is why he barged into the forbidden palace and interrupted the Imperial Conference. This is probably a classic love story that people are happy to see. It is romantic and bold, and it echoes with your experiences in Northland. "
He looked at Thales seriously.
"Everyone, everyone will understand."
Thales frowned. "But this is not what I wanted to say —"
Gilbert chuckled and raised his hand to stop him from speaking.
"But I do not suggest using the Lady of Blazing Blood as a cover. Hmm, it will leave a bad impression, especially after she led the Northlanders to a great victory …"
Thales frowned even more.
"Gilbert, you know that my wanton attempt to force the abdication of the throne is tantamount to treason —"
"Your Highness!"
Gilbert, who had always been gentle, suddenly raised his voice and interrupted him.
This surprised Thales a little.
Gilbert took a few deep breaths, and with great difficulty, his twisted face relaxed.
"I must admit that I was negligent just now."
Gilbert forced a smile.
"It has been six years. Regardless of whether it is you, me, Eternal Star City, or even His Majesty, we have to go through a process of getting used to each other again.
We should not be too hasty. "
"But …" Gilbert stared at him with eagerness and anticipation.
"Since you and His Majesty have cleared up the misunderstanding, then the biggest problem is solved, is it not?"
Thales stared back at him in a daze. He did not know how to answer.
"As for everything else, such as getting used to each other, we and the entire kingdom can take our time.
Take our time. "
Unknowingly, there was a hint of a pleading look in Gilbert's eyes.
"Just like … in the past."
'Just like in the past.'
This made Thales feel even more unfamiliar.
He also felt guilty.
"What if it is not?"
Thales heard his own voice echoing in the palace.
"If I barged into the palace, it was not just because I felt wronged."
He could not lie to him.
"What if His Majesty and I did not clear up the misunderstanding?"
He could not pretend that everything was fine as Gilbert wished.
"What if we cannot go back to the past?"
Gilbert became silent, and his eagerness disappeared along with it.
"Your Highness …"
The Foreign Affairs Minister sucked in a deep breath, as if he wanted to use this action to muster up his courage.
"What happened?"
Thales forced a smile.
"Let me put it this way. My conversation with him … did not go well."
Gilbert did not answer immediately. He sized up Thales, and there were a few times when he wanted to say something, but he swallowed his words.
"No, I mean …" After hesitating for a long time, Gilbert's voice trembled a little.
"What happened to you, Your Highness?"
Thales looked back at him and maintained his smile.
"What?
Something is wrong with you. "
Gilbert shook his head and stared at Thales with an incredibly complicated gaze.
"Compared to this morning, you are like a completely different person. If I did not see it with my own eyes, I would even suspect that you have been impersonated. "
'Perhaps you are right.'
Thales thought in his heart.
"What happened to you after you left the palace?"
Thales was silent for a while before he answered truthfully.
"I went to Lower City District."
Gilbert was stunned.
"Lower City District? But that is not where you — "
"Yes."
Gilbert was silent for a while before he said,
"You are rash, Your Highness. You must know that you have a noble status, and your every move is —"
But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Thales' vague and absent-minded answer.
"I am afraid of him."
Gilbert was taken aback.
"What?"
Thales looked at him and smiled. He then turned his head around to look at the end of the long and dark corridor.
"When I was still abroad, even though my life and wealth were in someone else's hands, and I was in a precarious situation, I was never afraid of the sinister vampires, the powerful Born Kings, or the ruthless Chapman Lampard."
'Yes, most of the time, I was not afraid.'
"But when I returned to the kingdom, I saw him."
'Him.'
Thales stared at the darkness at the end of the corridor, and his mind gradually wandered off.
Gilbert furrowed his brows.
"When I was in the same room with him, I always felt like an idiot and a coward. I could not help but try to figure out the meaning behind his actions and guess the meaning behind his words. I was paranoid and uneasy."
The prince snorted softly.
"Yes, I know this sounds ridiculous, but yes, I am afraid of him."
Thales turned his head around and looked straight at Gilbert. His words were pained and sincere.
"But tell me, Gilbert. Why would I be afraid of him?"
Gilbert only stared at Thales in a daze. He did not know what to do. It was completely different from the Cunning Fox of Constellation's usual confidence and composure.
"Yes, he is the Supreme King of Constellation, but is he more cunning than the vampire, more powerful than King Nuven, and more ruthless than King Chapman? Is he more difficult to guard against than Shadow Shield, which he thinks about every day? "
Thales' gaze was sharp, and he spoke faster without realizing it.
"Is he more sinister, ruthless, fatal, and terrifying than the countless jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards who wanted to harm me along the way?"
Gilbert found it difficult to understand this question. His lips opened and closed in disbelief.
"But he, he is your father, Your Highness!"
Thales smiled.
"Did you know?
"In Lower City District, I met a boss who ran a decent business. He was absent-minded and pretended to be polite when he faced a tall, strong, and fierce police officer," Thales said absent-mindedly, "But when he faced a gangster who could not see the light of day, he trembled in fear and panicked.
"In the same place, there was an ordinary girl who resolutely rejected the rich man's promise of a luxurious life. She would rather continue to stay by her mediocre, useless, petty, and cowardly husband. She lived her mediocre life, and there was nothing special about her. It was very puzzling."
Thales' voice drifted.
"And in my hometown, there was a ruthless gangster who was unfortunately disabled. He hid in a small, run-down house and struggled to survive. He gave up on himself, but he rejected the help of his friends in the gang. He would rather die than return to the Brotherhood, which had once given him a glorious and imposing presence."
As he listened to these words, Gilbert became puzzled again.
"Just like you, I do not understand these things."
Thales stared at Gilbert and became determined.
"But in the end, I understood.
The police officer's authority was not small, but the young owner was able to remain safe and sound after doing business on the streets for so long. He did not rely on the lazy police station, but on the relationship and tacit understanding he formed with the gangsters who bullied and dominated the market over a long period of time.
"It is good that the rich man gave her a luxurious life, but if it did not change the girl's fate of belonging to someone else, then I am not much better than her husband. At the very least, she understood her good-for-nothing husband and knew how to deal with him.
"As for the ruthless gangster, even though he sounded full of resentment, he knew better than anyone else that his glory in the past was obtained with a body that could fight and fight. If he lost this body and returned to the gang, he would only be asking to be humiliated."
Thales took a step forward and looked straight into Gilbert's eyes.
"Between what they can do and what they cannot do, they all understand what is truly in control of themselves."
Gilbert subconsciously took a step back.
"So, I think it is about time for me to understand as well."
Thales stood in the deep and cold corridor of Renaissance Palace and spoke airily.
"Just what is controlling me?
And what can I control? "
— — —
"Perhaps you are right, Your Majesty."
In Ballard Room, Thales lowered his head slightly.
"Perhaps I can wait quietly until that day comes. After that, I will no longer have any restraints or worries."
Thales subconsciously tightened his tone and spoke faster.
"At that time, I will sit on the throne and have great power in my hands. Whether I want to grant amnesty to the kingdom or ease conflicts, I can do whatever I want. I can carry out my will and achieve everything you rejected me for today."
King Kessel stared at him quietly.
Thales stared at the darkness outside the window. His gaze was empty.
"Just like what many 'smart people' have said, if you do not like this system, then join it, influence it, build it, and finally, change it from the inside."
In the next second, Thales' gaze refocused.
"But we all know that is just the most despicable and shameless lie."
At the end of the long table, the Iron Hand King's eyebrows twitched.
Thales stared at the king firmly.
"Just like how you are unwilling to compromise with the nobles, no matter what, even the slightest bit, even if it actually helps you in the short term.
"'Join it, change it' — such bullsh * t is how it deceives and bewitches you in the first place. It restricts your freedom, collapses your resistance, takes away your weapons, softens your will, and eventually frustrates all your efforts.
Thales' tone became more resolute and unquestionable.
"If you believe it, you lose.
"Because once you compromise and drift along, the first to be changed will be you, not it."
Thales stared at the king and enunciated each word clearly.
"Because you are just one person, one person."
King Kessel stared at the prince silently. Expressionless, he suddenly spoke.
"It?"
The king snorted coldly.
"Where is it?"
Thales stared at the king as if the most terrifying beast was hidden in the king's eyes.
"Then look around, Your Majesty."
Thales spread his hands and asked with a chuckle,
"Where is it not?"
The lights flickered. The night breeze blew gently.
The two faced each other in silence.
Ballard Room seemed to be the same as usual. Nothing had changed.
King Kessel did not look back, but he frowned deeply.
But Thales did not notice his reaction. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and continued to speak.
"Six years ago at Broken Dragon Fortress, that was the first time I saw the Archduke of Black Sand Region."
Thales gradually became lost in thought, as if he had returned to that winter six years ago.
"As expected of an ambitious and ruthless man of his generation. His vision was broad, his bearing extraordinary, and he could command the loyalty of countless heroes."
The teenager paused and snorted softly.
"To be honest, he was much more charming than you."
King Kessel's expression did not change.
Thales became serious again.
"Half a year ago in Dragon Clouds City, I saw him again — Chapman Lampard."
Thales' expression changed.
"But guess what I saw this time?"
As usual, King Kessel did not respond.
"I saw the common-elected king of Eckstedt, the kinslayer, Chapman the First."
Thales continued to speak, his gaze becoming more and more solemn.
"I saw him sitting in King Nuven's seat, starting to think, play chess, and set up plans like King Nuven.
"He began to enjoy the same pleasure as his uncle, entering the same perspective as him, walking the same path as him, encountering the same troubles as him, and falling into the same vicious cycle as him.
"The chains that once bound King Nuven were also slowly binding him. He was already panting and sweating profusely."
Thales widened his eyes, as if he was watching the most incredible drama.
"King Chapman thought that he had successfully overthrown King Nuven and destroyed the latter completely by staking everything on his king-killing bid."
At this point, Thales' eyes dimmed.
"Physically, yes."
"But spiritually, in terms of values, in a larger sense …"
Thales gritted his teeth.
"He did not."
The teenager looked up abruptly and met the Iron Hand King's eyes.
"Because he had no choice but to be ruled by the values of the Born King. He was imprisoned by his vision, oppressed by his methods and habits, and occupied by his way of thinking. He was haunted by Nuven's soul day and night, thinking what Nuven thought, doing what Nuven did. He was immersed in it, unable to extricate himself."
"Until he became Nuven's slave for all eternity — just like how Nuven became the slave of the kings who preceded him when he was alive."
At that moment, Thales suddenly thought of the Black Prophet in the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department.
He sat on the wheelchair made of those demonic vines, relying on them to sustain his life, but was also firmly bound by them, unable to leave.
"Six years, only six years."
Thales' gaze was filled with rare sorrow and fear.
"I was surprised and saddened. King Nuven, who had been dead for a long time, only used six years to devour his nephew, the former Chapman Lampard, from the inside out, from head to toe.
"Not a single bit left."
King Kessel still did not say a word, but his gaze was extremely serious.
"Among all the people I have met, Chapman is already a top-notch hero."
Thales exhaled and was filled with emotion.
"Ever since the night of Dragon's Blood, he was clear that his enemy was not Nuven, but the things that once held Nuven back and defeated him — enemies that were bigger, higher, and more terrifying.
"He killed King Nuven not for revenge or profit, but to prevent another Nuven from appearing."
Thales' gaze darkened as he recalled the meeting between him and King Chapman in the carriage.
"Thales, you know better than anyone that after six years, the ideal Eckstedt is getting further and further away from me.
"Until he became Nuven's successor, wore the crown, sat on the throne, and replaced him as the second Born King.
"He sensed it and struggled with all his might, but the results were minimal. He was powerless."
King Kessel snorted coldly.
Thales snapped out of his daze and snickered, but his words were sad and helpless.
"Don't misunderstand, Chapman Lampard is still dangerous and terrifying.
"But from what I can see, this man no longer has much that truly belongs to him."
Thales stared at his plate with a complicated expression, watching the spoon sink into the soup.
"Since he had to compromise with reality and the rules, and bow to the Joint Ruling Pledge.
"Since he 'temporarily' gave up on his great idea.
"Then he was collared again."
Thales said faintly,
"And became another Nuven the Seventh."
King Kessel fell into deep thought and did not speak.
On both sides of the long table, the king and the prince stood facing each other quietly.
At this moment, Ballard Room was extremely quiet. Even the wind was no longer noisy, as if this scene could not be disturbed.
Until Thales took a deep breath and looked at the Iron Hand King seriously again.
"In Constellation, I could not stand your methods and did not accept your will. Of course, I could lie low and endure it, plow slowly, seize power, and wait for the ascension.
"This may be a method that is more recognized and praised by others, a method that will be praised by history books and future generations — just like the last two months."
But Thales changed the topic and hesitated.
"But after that scene at the banquet, I am afraid."
King Kessel scoffed.
"Afraid?"
Thales took a deep breath, nodded and said,
"I am afraid that in my repeated acquiescence and concessions, in the silence of 'I actually disagree but I won't say anything', I will gradually get used to it, slowly become numb, and compromise with 'it'."
He said dejectedly,
"I'm afraid that I'll get used to your cruelty in destroying countless families without batting an eyelid. I'll get used to your indifference in the face of despair and pleas for help. I'll pay the price for today's punishment. In the future, when I meet the next Anker Byrael and the next injustice, I'll start to hesitate and hesitate."
Thales' voice trembled.
"I am afraid that one day, I will be unaware of everything, calm, and finally lose myself and accept the status quo."
King Kessel's gaze slowly changed.
"I am afraid that the moment I sit on the throne and wear the crown, I will sit back and watch others die for me without any burden, hesitation, and with a clear conscience.
"And not only will I get used to it, I will feel that it is only right and even worse — as long as someone is unwilling to sacrifice for me, unwilling to die for King Thales, I will be dissatisfied and angry. I will think that they do not love me, do not love their country, that they betray me, or even commit treason."
Thales looked straight into King Kessel's eyes, as if trying to see through all the defenses behind it.
"I am afraid that I will become so weak that I will not even recognize myself.
"I will no longer be Thales Jadestar, but an empty shell occupied by the 'King of Constellation'."
Thales' tone calmed down, leaving only emptiness and exhaustion.
"That scares me more than death, than failure, than being crippled and disgraced."
His voice faded.
Ballard Room returned to its dead silence.
But this time, the surrounding lights seemed brighter.
A few seconds later, King Kessel raised his head slightly and his gaze fell on the portrait of 'Wise Minister' Halva on the wall.
"It seems that you have made your choice a long time ago," he said faintly.
Thales snorted softly.
"I will not play by your rules," he said firmly, "nor will I play by their rules."
Thales raised his head, his gaze solemn and firm.
"I will not become the next Chapman Lampard.
"Or the next Kessel Jadestar."
Thales paused for a moment.
"Just like how my blood has never, and will never, shine with golden light."
Kessel the Fifth lowered his head and looked at the prince seriously and sternly.
"To hell with the legend and the throne."
Thales clenched his teeth, clenched his fist, and hit his chest hard.
"My blood, from the beginning to the end, has always been bright red."
"My red."
King Kessel sneered.
The air in Ballard Room seemed to flow again.
"Thales Jadestar."
He called Thales' name softly.
"Are you really prepared to become the king's enemy?"
Thales laughed when he heard that.
"You are old, Your Majesty.
"I asked this question six years ago."
Kessel's gaze moved slightly.
In the next second, Thales' expression turned serious and he spoke decisively.
"Fate.
"You have long prepared for me."
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