Kingdom's Bloodline, page 634
Six years ago, Archduke Gaddro did not take up King Nuven’s invitation to visit Dragon Clouds City to witness the night that shook the Western Peninsula.
But Thales remembered what Count Lisban referred to him as: the ‘Dignified Goatee’.
However…
Thales looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar northerner Jorge thoughtfully.
‘He is here to attend… my celebratory banquet?’
“It’s a great honor to meet you. Even the moon would be moved!” Jorge spouted a bunch of nonsensical grammar, but laughed heartily as he reached out his arms to Thales. “My Polaris!”
Thales frowned. “Po…Polaris?” he repeated, puzzled.
‘What form of address is this?’
“Yes indeed!” Jorge’s every word seemed to shake the ground under their feet. “You were in Dragon Clouds City for six long years, you of the Jadestar family!”
He clapped his hands vigorously, ignoring the glares of contempt that Glover and Doyle shot at him.
“So when you returned, everyone called you Polaris… Because you were the most courageous—the one that has survived in the North for the longest—” Jorge’s expression was excited, his voice shook the roof, “…King of Constellation!”
In that moment, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
Everyone shifted their attention and stared at this corner.
One second. Two seconds.
Jorge noticed that the sudden silence and was dumbfounded for a second.
He carefully inspected his surroundings.
The administrator from Elaphure City took a deep breath before allowing his gaze to fall back on the sorrowful-looking prince, whose face had stiffened.
He seemed to have sensed something.
“Erm, what I meant was…” Jorge opened his mouth and clumsily rubbed his protruding belly, looking like a big bear in the shower. He then shrugged and awkwardly blurted with a chuckle, “The king in waiting…?”
Chapter 536: Times Have Changed |
The most “out of place” situation in this world was probably the sudden appearance of several Eckstedtians in a Constellatiate banquet.
What’s more, these were ones that did not know when to shut up.
Thales gave Glover and Doyle a prompting look. After much persuasion and physical effort, they managed to drag Mr Big Beard Jorge—who had a befuddled look on his face—to a corner outside the banquet hall, away from the curious and inquisitive gaze of the guests.
“You Southerners really make a big fuss over trivial matters. Everyone’s on edge just ’cause I got some title mixed up…” Jorge complained without holding back. “There was once when I mistakenly addressed King Nuven as ‘the respected king of Dragon Clouds City’ in the Archduke’s request for assistance letter to him. It didn’t bother The Born King even a bit. He still supplied us with funds and troops to deal with the bandits, what a nice guy…”
Doyle curled his lips; Glover shifted his gaze away.
Even though the former was generally quite carefree and easygoing, and the latter quiet and reserved, both found this guest’s casual and rude mannerisms off-putting.
Only Thales was amused as he listened to Jorge speak in his crass and thick northern accent.
It was definitely not the norm to hear such an accent in the orderly Mindis Hall and at this courteous banquet.
It felt as if he was transported back to the North, where people were generous, refreshing, uninhibited and straightforward.
Administrator Jorge laughed. “Haha, you might not remember, Polaris, but we have met before!”
Thales asked doubtfully, “When?”
“Wow, you’re forgetful, aren’t you?”
Jorge’s casual tone, despite it being jarring, invoked in Thales an odd sense of affection. Even though he was only ever a sojourner in Eckstedt.
Here, Constellation, Eternal Star City, this is his home, is it not?
Jorge was in high spirits. “A few years ago, during the eyre of Dragon Clouds City, when the young lady from Walton family held your hand—I must say, you’re a gutsy one—and all the northern lads present turned sour from jealousy, then ganged up and rushed towards you for a good round of martial arts skills exchange and a friendly duel…”
Thales’ expression changed.
Jorge continued enthusiastically, “The entire scene was chaotic so probably everyone else missed it, but I have sharp eyes, me. She hid you under her skirt…”
Thales went pale.
Ignoring the expressions of his guards behind him, he rushed forward and grabbed Jorge’s animated hand. “Ahem! Thank you! Administrator Jorge!” Thales interrupted him warmly. “I am deeply moved by the generosity and well-wishes of Elaphure City!” He shook Jorge’s hand vigorously, sincerely hoping that the latter would stop talking.
Initially stumped, Jorge then narrowed his eyes and lowered his head as if he understood.
This depressed Thales even more.
Both audience to this, Doyle nudged Glover in jest. Unfortunately, the latter merely frowned, showing no interest in participating in the joke.
“Oh yeah, speaking of this…” Jorge naturally put his arm over the duke’s shoulder, as if they were buddies, and whispered, “Archduke Gaddro has a son, Edgar, the heir to Elaphure City. He’s a good lad, that one. Included in the gifts I brought you are the furs from seals and bears that he personally hunted. You have similar statuses and are both prodigies, I’m sure you’ll hit it off with him…”
The Administrator had an encouraging expression as he shook the Prince vigorously, “I’m sure you’ll like him!”
Thales was so flummoxed from the shaking that even his wry smile started to fade. “Edgar, was it? I’m sure I will…”
But Jorge merely grinned. “That’s not all. The archduke has three daughters as well…”
Thales had a bad feeling about what he was going to say next.
“Even though the eldest has been married twice, she’s very fertile. I can guarantee that you’ll have a good number of children before you even turn twenty. You’ll never have to worry about descendants…”
“His second daughter, oh she’s exceptional. Adept at horse-riding and archery with excellent marksmanship, even the veterans acknowledge her prowess. With her in your bed, you wouldn’t even need to hire overnight guards…”
Thales’ smile gradually froze.
“The youngest… the youngest one…” Jorge was stuck for words. After some hesitation, he stammered, “Sh..she’s…she’s alright…”
The administrator patted the duke’s shoulder in a very “northernly” fashion, messing Thales’ perfect hair which had taken him a while to grow back out since he cut it when he was fleeing from calamity.
“I know, you grew up in the North, you must enjoy a good challenge… How about it?” There was a glow in Jorge’s eyes, “Consider it?”
The prince gave a forced smile.
It took Thales a good few minutes before he could escape Jorge’s enthusiasm. He invited the bear-like guest back into the banquet hall and promised to get him a bigger chair.
The guards accompanying the prince had an interesting expression on their faces. Mallos, who had been silent all this while, approached the prince to brief him about the guests that he would be welcoming next. But after he finished briefing the prince…”You know, that incident he just mentioned, the one about you hiding under the skirt…” The guard hesitated.
The normally easy-going Thales looked up instantly.
His expression was fierce, as if he would devour whomever crossed his path.
“Don’t ask.” The Duke of Star Lake gritted his teeth. “And you’ll still be my favorite guard captain.”
Mallos squinted, with a look on his face indicating that he fully understood, and bowed in jest. “In that case, I’ll go ahead and make the other necessary arrangements. Enjoy the banquet.”
Looking at Mallos’ back as he turned to leave, Thales sighed in frustration.
“Your Highness…” Doyle called from behind.
Thales was still on alert. He scowled at Doyle.
“Don’t worry. I… I wasn’t going to ask…” He waved his hand in the air awkwardly. “I was just going to say that I understand it well. I have similarly experienced such a terrible situation…”
“Cough—cough ahem!” Glover, who was standing across from Doyle, kept coughing as if he caught a cold. He interrupted Doyle’s nonsense, “Cough cough cough cough!”
Doyle cut himself short in embarrassment, but Thales’ expression had already worsened.
Alright.
Thales pulled his head back stiffly; he was in a bad mood.
The first thing he will do once he ascends the throne, will be to lead an army north to…
…eliminate Eckstedt.
They headed back in silence.
“Northerners, erm… Are all northerners in Eckstedt like that?” Doyle finally broke the silence with a less annoying topic.
Thales nodded glumly. “Half of them, yes. As for the other half…”
At this moment, a voice filled with surprise and excitement exclaimed, “Thales Jadestar!”
The three of them were startled.
Amidst the bustle of footsteps and shouts, far down the corridor, Jonveled and Procca of the Star Lake Guards were strenuously barring a guest from rushing towards the prince. The latter waved his arms vigorously and seemed determined to approach Thales.
Thales looked at him. His bowl cut seemed oddly familiar to Thales.
Then he saw the glittering sword insignia on the guest’s clothing.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Levi Trentida, son of the Archduke of Reformation Tower.” The guest smiled charmingly. His accent was that same familiar northern accent, even though it was less thick than Jorge’s.
Reformation Tower, Trentida?
This was interesting.
Another person with a bowl cut—a much older, possibly much more cunning person with a more imposing aura and august—appeared in his mind’s eye.
Thales nodded to the guards to release the unruly northerner who had barged in without being escorted for him to approach.
“Levi, was it?”
Thales put on his iconic social smile. “I know your father, Archduke Trentida…”
“What a coincidence.” Levi grinned. “I know him too.”
Thales fell silent upon hearing this terrible joke.
Young Trentida?
He glanced at the smirk on Levi’s face and the glow in his eyes.
Yup, they are definitely father and son.
“Very well. Please send my regards to your father.” Thales sighed, determined to not get caught up in it. “Enjoy the banquet.”
The prince turned around to leave.
“Your Highness!” Levi said anxiously.
Jonveled gripped Levi’s shoulder firmly from behind, evidently warning the latter.
Thales turned around.
“I know you’re busy, so alright, I’ll be direct.” Levi sighed, an all-or-nothing expression on his face.
Thales blinked.
Against the background noise coming from the banquet, Levi squinted and continued, “You know, it hasn’t been an easy journey for me. I was going to buy some souvenirs home, but I ran into some trouble… That darned market bureaucrat and businessman conspired to not only alter weights and raise prices, but also to deliberately cause trouble…”
“Souvenirs?” Thales was stumped.
“You know, I’m traveling after all.” Levi shrugged, like a spoiled rich kid. “I’ll buy this and that, and bring home some regional specialties.”
“Regional specialties?” Thales raised his eyebrows.
Levi smiled awkwardly. “Nothing much. Just some food, clothes and stuff to play with.”
“Food?” Thales asked skeptically. He glared at Levi.
“Yup, I’m a big fan of food.” Levi’s smile was unchanged. “I just need some local officials to turn a blind eye…”
Thales stared at him for a few seconds.
“No can’t do.”
Darned northerners.
Thales continued coldly, “I’m just a novice, principled prince.”
After he spoke, Thales was turning around to leave when Levi hurriedly said, “I know, I know! But don’t worry, Your Highness. You won’t have to do anything! Nothing at all!”
Thales looked at him quizzically.
Levi broke away from Jonveled’s grip and—ignoring the latter’s expression of disgust—continued, “At the banquet later, just allow me to stand beside you for a while, and make it seem like we’re having a jovial chat, that’s it. The bureaucrat that was finding fault with me has attended today. He’s trying really hard to get close to you.”
Levi looked at Thales anxiously.
“Sorry.” Thales shook his head and prepared to leave. “Perhaps you should reveal your official status and see what they can do for you at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“But…” Levi started again. This time, there was a hint of a plea in his voice. “For starters, that would be too high-profile and would attract too much attention, you know… Secondly…” He shrugged embarrassedly, “The exchange rate has been poor recently, I… have limited funds.”
Too high profile…
Poor exchange rate…
Wait a minute.
Reformation Tower.
Trentida.
Bringing regional specialties home?
The prince muttered to himself for a second—a realization dawning upon him.
“Alright. But if I help you…” Thales turned around and groaned softly. “What do I get?”
Levi was stunned for a moment before breaking into an awkward smile. “The… friendship of Reformation Tower and the Trentida family?”
Thales raised his eyebrows.
The friendship of Reformation Tower and the Trentida family.
Sounds good on paper.
But…
Thales chuckled softly.
How much was it really worth?
Levi’s reaction seemed to suggest that he understood perfectly the extent of the value of his family’s reputation.
“Alright, hear me out…” Levi took a deep breath and whispered something in Thales’ ear, disregarding the expression on Glover and Doyle’s faces.
Thales’ expression changed.
Unexpectedly, after a few seconds, Thales nodded solemnly.
“Deal.”
Levi’s eyes glowed as he snapped his fingers. Young Trentida chuckled. “I knew you would be easy to negotiate with. No wonder my father sings your praises every day—Thales of Constellation…”
But the Duke of Star Lake cut him short.
“I remember your father as a cautious man. He would think twice before acting and would never place a bet easily,” the prince said indifferently, “You came here to see me at Constellation, and he’s fine with it?”
Levi paused and stared at Thales intriguingly.
“As a son,” Levi stared at him with a knowing smile and said, “if one is constantly restrained by their father…One can never be a man, is it not so?”
Thales was silent for a moment.
His thoughts turned to the son of another archduke. The Viscount of Dual Wind City in the City of Faraway Prayers—the Nuisance, Ian Roknee.
“Thank you for your frankness. I will repeat this to Archduke Trentida,” Thales said calmly.
“Can’t wait.” Levi was unfazed, instead smiling slyly. “Only then will he know that not all his sons are entitled to be mentioned by the famous Polaris that reversed the fortunes of Eckstedt.”
Upon hearing this title, Thales frowned.
“You northerners… all call me that?”
“Of course there are other nicknames, but this one sounds the most pleasing…” Levi looked at Thales cautiously and grinned. “Or would you rather be called the Archduchess’ Starlet?”
Thales’ face turned gloomy.
The guards around him stared at each other in dread, their expressions started to look strange again.
Thales sighed.
Polaris.
This nickname…
Oh Sunset Goddess, is this not compounding misery upon a prince that has returned from Eckstedt, a prince that has to deal with all the problems in Constellation?
Thanks a lot, northerners.
Just as Levi was about to leave, Thales suddenly said, “What about King Chapman? What does he think about your visit to my banquet?”
Upon hearing that name, Levi’s expression changed.
He kept silent for a few seconds.
“Dear duke, today is a day of celebration for you…” Young Trentida looked around for a moment, then whispered, “Let’s not mention unpleasant matters.”
Thales politely bid him farewell. The contented Levi finally turned and left under the “escort” of Jonveled and Procca.
But the prince’s expression became cold the moment he turned around.
“Glover,” Thales said in a somber tone, “Find out where Gilbert is. Bring him to me.”
Glover frowned slightly.
Doyle, who was beside him, was stunned. “Now? But Your Highness, it is reported that the Guardian Duke of the Eastern Sea, Prime Minister Cullen will be arriving soon. You will need to…”
But Thales suddenly raised his voice. “F*ck the Prime Minister.”
The Duke of Star Lake had a chilling tone in his voice as he paused at every word; it was unnerving. “Now. This instant. Immediately…” Thales glared. “Find. Me. Gilbert. Caso.”
The two that were accustomed to the gentle character of the prince were equally surprised.
Glover did not utter another word as he turned to leave. Only the frightened Doyle was left to accompany Thales; he would throw a worried glance at Thales from time to time.
Gilbert appeared quickly before Thales, looking puzzled.
Thales dismissed Doyle and Glover, and went straight to the point. “What’s going on in Eckstedt?”
Gilbert was immediately taken aback. “What’s going on? Everything should be just fine. After eliminating his rival, Chapman the First has been busy with internal reorganization…”
