"In short … these are all everyday words that start with p. I explained them just now. If you don't remember, there are pictures beside them. As for why the words that start with ph are not pronounced this way … don't ask me, just memorize them …"
Thales' voice echoed in the study room.
"These are all the information that Gilbert prepared for me. But now, it seems that my progress is a little ahead of the others. But it's just right for you to use."
'A little ahead of the others?'
Watching Thales pass the list of words to Ralf, who could not speak, Gilbert, who was watching from the doorway, frowned slightly.
He did not approve of it (or rather, he was firmly against it). At such a crucial moment, Thales still spent time teaching Ralf (although there was indeed no one who could substitute for His Highness' amazing and rich set of sign language) to the extent that he delayed his own studies. But when he thought of the day when the prince would head to Eckstedt was just around the corner, he needed trusted subordinates more than complicated and trivial knowledge. Gilbert sighed and continued to stand outside the door, allowing His Highness to carry out his act of being courteous and buying people's hearts. At least in Gilbert's opinion, this was the right thing to do.
Eckstedt's reply arrived yesterday. However, when the anxious emergency envoy, Baron Lasalle, revealed the contents of the letter, even the old Duke Cullen, who had the best self-restraint, could not help but frown.
Compared to the bloody handprints on the first letter of credence, this letter was simpler and calmer.
The letter was written in King Nuven's own handwriting.
But there were only three words, and they were written with great emphasis.
"Let him come."
There were no conditions, no declaration, no mention of the conflict between the two countries, and no mention of Archduke Lampard's actions. There was no additional content at all.
After Kessel the Fifth read the letter, he was expressionless and did not say anything. He only officially ordered that three days later, the second prince and his diplomat group would head north to Eckstedt and Dragon Clouds City.
Gilbert could not help but feel perturbed.
After Baron Lasalle conveyed King Nuven's message, he bade farewell and returned to the kingdom, drenched in sweat. Gilbert guessed that the meeting with His Majesty that day and Lasalle's performance had probably reached Eckstedt. This time, he might have to make his own choice between King Nuven and Archduke Lampard.
As he pondered, Thales' voice continued.
"Okay, next, let's review the sign language just now — how do you express' I'm sorry '?"
Ralf furrowed his brows and rummaged through a piece of paper that was filled with diagrams. Then, he raised his head, raised his right palm in puzzlement, and circled it gently in front of his chest.
"No, this is' please '. You have to make a fist — yes, that's' I'm sorry. '"
Ralf clumsily clenched his right fist and circled it around his chest.
Opposite the Phantom Wind Follower, Thales nodded slightly without raising his head.
Half of his attention was on Ralf, and the other half was focused on his right hand, on a book under the table: 'From the Final Empire to Constellation'.
Thales realized that ever since he was assassinated, he gained a hidden ability: multitasking.
For example, right now, he could completely teach Ralf sign language while flipping through the books and information he needed under the study table that he could not let Gilbert know, especially about calamities and Mystics.
Thales was too eager to understand these secrets that were related to himself, especially after he was assassinated the last time he was suspected to have used mystic energy. The excruciating pain that almost tore his entire body apart had been bothering him. Would the next time he used mystic energy be the day he died?
However, it was as if he was pushed by fate. From the National Conference to the Eckstedt Envoy's audience, and then to being sent out as an envoy, he had no time to stop and investigate the truth about himself and the Mystics.
Originally, if the matter regarding Eckstedt had not been so urgent, then Ralf's arrival would have given Thales the excuse of taking some time to teach him sign language to reduce his' Gilbert's class time 'every day. He would not be able to look up information that might arouse suspicion during Gilbert's class. He had also thought of publicly expressing his curiosity about Mystics in exchange for a chance to look up information about Mystics in public. However, who knew if the books he flipped through would be recorded by someone specially assigned to record it and pass it to Kessel or even Morat? The ability to multitask allowed him to take time out to search for his own secrets, just like today.
However, this new ability did not make him feel complacent at all. Instead, it made him even more anxious and panicked. 'How many more abnormalities are there in this body? When will these abnormalities expose my secrets? '
Thales had a premonition that all the secrets were related to his birth — his mysterious mother, the High Ritual Master Liscia's secretive and strange attitude, the suspicious conversation between the king and the High Ritual Master during the Bloodline Ceremony, and so on.
'The truth about my mother' was already listed by Thales as the second of his' Five Great Unsolved Mysteries'. It was ranked before the 'Bloody Year', 'Flashback of Memories', and 'Abnormal Body'. It was second only to the most pressing 'Mystery of the Mystics'.
When he thought of this, Thales could not help but sigh.
"Then, how do I sign 'thank you'?" he asked casually.
Ralf found the drawing with great difficulty. He clumsily tapped his chin with the tip of his right palm, then flipped his palm outwards.
Thales' gaze shifted between the book and Ralf. However, at this moment, his vision began to blur again.
Wu Qiren's voice was the first to ring.
"Young Mistress, are you going to the Special School again to volunteer for the disabled?"
"Yes. Sigh, don't use such a derogatory term. They are not handicapped, nor are they sick. Every time you call them that, you are isolating them from normal society. You should use 'physically handicapped' or 'physically handicapped'. "
"Sigh, I always feel that instead of spending your time here, you should go and study for your degree. In the future, you can influence and improve special education from the perspective of the social structure. After all, it doesn't matter if you have one more person. The inconveniences in their lives will not become better because of your occasional actions. That is not how society changes."
"Wu Qiren! It is not their fault that their lives are inconvenienced. It is precisely because we, as people in society, did not fulfill our responsibility — to allow all people to live in society without any obstacles regardless of their conditions. We can be considerate enough to design individual washrooms for children who are less than 1.2 meters tall so that they can live in society without any obstacles. Then, why can't we allow a deaf and mute person to communicate with others without any obstacles and live in society without any obstacles? "
"Huh? Why do you have such a sense of social science morality now?"
"This is not morality — it is basic values! It is your way of thinking that 'promoting social progress from a macroscopic structure is the right way' that is problematic! I do not believe that a person who does not even bother to give sympathy and help to those around him will bring real help to society. I am talking about you, Wu! Qiren! Ren! "
"Stop! Let's stop talking about serious matters. Let's go. "
"Huh? Where are we going? "
"I am sending you to a special school! Aren't you going to be a volunteer?! "
"Ahhh, Qiren, Qiren! Are you going too? You must have been influenced by my full sense of morality, right?! Let me say this first. You have to learn sign language with me! "
"Sigh … I am just sending you there …"
"I don't care! I don't care! You must come with me! Otherwise, you are not allowed to enter my room tonight! "
Thales shook his head hard and chased away the memories that left a deep impression on him but could no longer be touched. He hid them in his mind again.
His attention returned to the present.
"Not bad. Then let us increase the difficulty … 'One more time' … No, no, no, I mean, how are you going to sign 'One more time'?"
While Ralf was sweating profusely as he searched for the blueprint, Thales flipped through two pages of 'From the Final Empire to Constellation'.
The value of this book was not as high as the previous one. It was basically a compilation of imaginary legends and a chronological account of major events. It did not clearly describe the 'calamities' in the Battle of Eradication … Huh?
Thales furrowed his eyebrows.
A piece of paper fell out from between the pages of this thick book.
Thales picked it up gently.
It was a piece of old parchment paper. It looked even older than this' From the Final Empire to Constellation ', which was already quite old but could still be flipped due to excellent maintenance.
On the parchment paper was an erasable black pen. It depicted the side profile of a young girl.
The young girl in the drawing was quiet and graceful. She had a pleasant smile on her face, and her plain face was like a pure lotus flower. There was only an earring on her left ear that looked like a multi-pointed star.
This piece of paper … was obviously older than this book. Could it be that some senior casually used it as a bookmark?
Thales was puzzled. He moved his gaze downwards and saw the inscription.
t.c.k.s
Four letters. They were probably the initials of the painter.
As Ralf clumsily gestured, Thales flipped to the back of the parchment paper and saw a scribbled word.
'Enemy!'
It was accompanied by a huge exclamation mark.
'Enemy?'
Thales shook his head. He did not understand its meaning.
Gilbert's voice suddenly traveled into his ears, "Your Highness, sorry to disturb you!"
Thales calmly stuffed the parchment paper into his bosom, closed the book, and quietly pushed it to an inconspicuous corner at his feet.
The prince raised his head and looked at Gilbert with a smile.
"His Majesty has just sent news." Gilbert tipped his hat at him and bowed slightly. "He hopes that before you depart, you can make a trip to Renaissance Palace and complete the royal family's family gathering."
"Family gathering?" Thales opened his mouth in shock and bewilderment. "What family?"
'Isn't the Jadestar Royal Family …?'
At this moment …
The figure of the first-grade female official appeared behind Gilbert.
"Just follow me."
Jines said flatly.
Her gaze when she looked at Thales was filled with pity and pity.
—
Renaissance Palace.
"Since you have already been acknowledged as a prince," Jines said in a cold voice as she led the dressed Thales up the cold stone stairs in her high-heeled boots. "Then, you must come and meet your nominal mother. Even though she is not your biological mother … at least, before you go to Eckstedt …"
'Mother?'
Thales asked in surprise, "What mother?"
"Naturally, it is your father's only wife." Jines' face showed that she could not bear to look at him. "Queen Keya."
Thales was stunned for a few seconds.
They stopped outside a palace.
Jines looked at the tightly shut door and said softly, "His Majesty is too busy and did not come today."
A wordless disappointment crept into Thales' heart.
But Jines' mind was obviously not on the father and son.
The next moment, the female official said to the puzzled Thales in a serious and stern manner, "Later, no matter what happens, do not be surprised, and do not be afraid."
Before Thales could react, Jines pushed open the door and walked in.
"Keya," Jines said cautiously, "I am here."
Thales followed the female official and slowly walked into the room.
It was a spacious room with simple decorations, but it was quite stylish and filled with elegance.
In front of them was a lady with a fresh and elegant face. She was about forty years old and dressed in a luxurious star-blue gown. She turned around and looked at Jines and Thales.
"Jines, you are here!" The luxurious lady, Queen Keya, revealed a pleasant and sincere smile. "This is great. Recently, Kessel has been extremely busy because of the diplomatic relationship with Eckstedt. I thought that you probably do not have much time …" Thales was a little reserved.
After all, he was considered the king's illegitimate son.
At the same time, he was also surprised by the scene before him. If Jines was the king's lover, then how could the queen, Keya, get along so well with her?
"This is the person I told you that I would come and see you today …" Jines' voice faltered, as though she felt that there was no need to say too much. So, she took a deep breath and pulled Thales forward. She said quietly, "This is Thales, Kessel's second … son."
"So, it is you?" Keya slowly walked to him and squatted down gently. "Kessel's youngest son?"
She looked at Thales with her gentle eyes.
Thales was so embarrassed that he could not even breathe smoothly.
"Do not be afraid, I am also your family." The queen stroked his head and showed a loving expression. "Look at your eyes and nose … they are exactly the same as your charming mother."
Thales' breathing immediately stopped and he widened his eyes.
'Mother?'
Queen Keya said gently and sincerely, "… I hope that you can also inherit your mother's intelligence, erudition, and her ever-successful eloquence. Hehe … After all, there are very few women who are as outstanding as her and Jines."
'Endless charm.
'Intelligent, erudition.
'Ever-Successful eloquence?'
Thales eagerly absorbed this information into his mind. That area called 'mother'.
It was the key to many unsolved mysteries about him.
Jines' expression was a little unpleasant. She only answered hastily, "Alright, Keya, if there is nothing else … I still have to bring him … You know, he is about to go to Eckstedt."
Thales found it very strange. Why was Jines so nervous in front of this gentle and kind queen?
And why was she so anxious to end this meeting?
"Ah, poor child." Queen Keya sighed. "Although I have never been to Eckstedt, I have heard a little about it. It is barbaric, crude, and advocates violence and battle. You are still so young … I am afraid that you will suffer."
"Erm, thank you for your concern …" Even though Thales was slick, it was difficult for him to handle such a harmonious family situation in front of strangers. He answered stiffly, "No, this is His Majesty's order … and also Jadestar's mission."
Queen Keya chuckled. "Jadestar's mission … they always say that."
Jines' voice suddenly rang stiffly again. "Alright, Keya, he has other tasks. We will take our leave first … "
'That's not right.'
Thales furrowed his brows.
'Something must be wrong.
'But.
'What exactly is wrong?
'Let me tell you a secret. I will have two night shifts today. The second night shift will be around six in the evening.
Since I have two night shifts for the first time, should I count the tickets and collect them?
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