A month had passed since the Refugee Camp accident.
There weren't many important events. But somehow, I succeeded in convincing the Emperor to stop the war.
A week after the conference, the Yovanny Kingdom Ambassador came to discuss the peace treaty.
Dariush did ask about the national coat of arms thing and the answer came out as expectedly; it was fake.
The Ambassador of Yovanny Kingdom said that on the back of the emblem there were codes indicating who owns it so that when the owner died, albeit the knight's face couldn't be recognized, the coat of arms would.
And the emblems we found had no such thing as code, they were blank. With that, a few days after the Imperial and the Yovannian Ambassador left for the Yovanny Kingdom.
Likewise, we received news that the peace treaty would be signed after the Princess of Yovanny Kingdom arrived here.
Yes, the treaty would be sealed by the marriage between the two countries. In other words, Dariush would have a new Consort.
And here I was now, back in my old routine.
"Haa…"
I couldn't help but sigh in displeasure. Sometimes I miss my favorite spot on the mountain.
I loved how the pine woody scent wafted into my nostrils, I loved listening to the anthems of the birds, and even just laying on the lawn and gazing at the sky above; it already brought happiness to my life.
'I wonder when my next chance to go outside will come?'
But… this was not the time to dwell in sadness, right?
Although I had accomplished one of my goals and was two steps away from my freedom of the plot, in my opinion, it was way too early for me to celebrate it.
My second objective was to prevent the black-robed man from destroying the watchtower in Aeneas fiefdom, but I had no idea when that day would come.
I just hope it was not too close so I could improve myself in some ways.
The bowstrings bent as I pulled the vanes and eyed the dartboard through the bow's sight window. After calculating everything, I released the fletching and–
–Thud!
The arrow hit the bullseye.
"Well done."
I glanced sideways and Gideon was nodding his head several times. I know he was satisfied but he had to stop it, he looked like a woodpecker right now.
But whatever.
"Thank you."
I wiped my sweaty face with the back of my hand. It had been a month since I learned how to use a bow. Unlike the first day, now I could hit the bullseye without difficulty.
"Here."
He gave me another arrow and I received it without much thought.
"Channeled your mana into it."
"I understand."
I placed the bolt on the arrow rest and put the nock on the string. I gripped the handler tighter and pulled the fletching.
As I aimed the bullseye, I funneled my mana into the arrow as Gideon instructed and I let go of the vanes. The bolt flew, it managed to pierce through the dartboard and–
–Boom!
The tree behind the dartboard fell once the arrow landed on its trunk.
'What the–'
I was surprised. I never thought it would be so powerful and I immediately spun to Gideon.
"Uh, I think I poured too much mana."
"It's okay."
He patted my head.
"You did a good job, well done. And… let's call it a day."
He withdrew his hand and I hastily bowed.
"Thank you for today's lesson, Sir Gideon."
The man nodded and walked toward the exit; he was followed by his aide and knights.
I glanced to the side and my people were seen approaching me, Sir Ulrich spoke.
"As expected, Your Highness never fails to amaze me."
Although I had no idea what he was talking about, I responded anyway.
"Thanks."
"Your Highness."
Fedel offered me a towel. I gave my bow to a maid before taking the towel from my head butler's hands and rolled my feet whilst wiping my sweat to my Palace.
"So, what's the next schedule?"
"The schedule has been cleared. Your Highness is free for today."
I nodded and gave the towel back to Fedel.
"Additionally, I have been informed that the afternoon tea with Her Majesty will be temporarily postponed until further notice."
I furrowed my forehead.
"Why is that?"
"Her Majesty has been quite busy at the moment. Especially in preparing for the new Palace, selecting tutors for the new Consort, and arranging banquets for the signing of the treaty."
With that being said, then I would be alone for quite some while.
"I see. It's alright, she's busy."
Soon, I arrived at my chamber. I took a shower and after that, as always, my maids helped me to put on my garments. Finished with their work, they returned to their respective posts.
And to pass my time reading books over tea in my library.
–Click!
The door opened and revealed Fedel. He approached me, then bowed upon arrival.
"Your Highness, Count Andreas has come to visit and is waiting in the drawing room."
I raised one of my brows. I clearly remembered that our next class was tomorrow.
'Does he have something urgent to tell me?'
I closed the book and put it on the table.
"Alright."
Rising from the chair, I got out of the library and strode to the drawing room. Fedel opened the door for me and I entered.
Chislon immediately stood and bent his back forward after he saw me.
"I greet Your Highness the Second Prince."
I answered whilst walking.
"You may rise and have a seat."
Both of us sat and the maids placed refreshments and poured some tea. We enjoyed our tea before jumping into the conversation.
I put down the teacup and stared at Chislon. For some reason he looked brighter than usual, even his smile was so radiant–it hurt my eyes.
"Your Highness, I bring good news!"
Hmm, no wonder he was in a strange mood.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. His Majesty has signed the entry permit to the Arcanist Tower."
Oh? Well, I had to admit that was a joyous announcement indeed.
"I see. Then, when is our departure?"
"Tomorrow at 8 am."
"Isn't that too soon?"
Chislon shook his head.
"His Majesty has taken care of where Your Highness will be staying in, a restaurant, and literally… everything."
So, all I had to do was just bring some clothes, but I believe that was Fedel's job, and it seemed there was nothing much for me to do.
Since my mother was the one who requested this outing, she must have known about this trip and I eventually nodded.
"Thank you so much for the information, but, doesn't that mean I will be skipping your class?"
Chislon chuckled.
"It's alright to miss a class or two, Your Highness."
He took out his pocket watch before returning his eyes to me.
"I'd like to talk more, but it seems I have to go."
I nodded and Chislon rose.
"Don't get too excited, make sure to get proper rest tonight, Your Highness."
I chuckled.
"I will."
Then he bowed.
"I wish you a nice day, Your Highness. See you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Count Andreas. See you tomorrow."
With that, Chilson left.
.
.
.
A night passed by and the awaited day arrived.
My mother visited me early in the morning and you must have known what she did to me.
Yes, she hugged and kissed me non-stop as if sending her final goodbyes to my dead body in the casket before it was buried in the ground.
Fortunately, Lady Sancus prompted my mother of her abundance of work and finally, she released me, then returned to her Palace.
Soon after Chislon arrived, we headed toward the Supreme Blink Sphere. I was accompanied by Fedel and Sir Ulrich. However, I caught three familiar figures inside the room.
I narrowed my eyes to get a better look and a boy with black hair with golden eyes came into view; doubtlessly, it was Alexander.
'Is he going somewhere?'
Two knights were standing beside him. Well, I recognized them, they were the ones Alexander brought to the Refugee Camp.
"Err… actually–"
I turned to Chislon as he didn't continue his words, he wore an anxious expression.
"What is it?"
"Umm, the Elders asked to put Prince Alexander on the guest list."
I halted my step and faced the blonde man next to me.
"Count Andreas, I can't seem to comprehend what your point is."
I demanded a clear answer.
"Her Majesty is indeed the one that requested to visit the Arcanist Tower, but, when the conference ended, the Elders decided to grant both Princes access to the Arcanist Tower as a reward."
"Reward?"
My forehead furrowed.
"Yes. The Elders were impressed by both Princes in providing information and instructed Prince Alexander to tag along with us."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I'm terribly sorry, Your Highness, the Elders informed me yesterday late at night via Tele-calls."
In the end, I could only massage my temples. As it came to this, there was nothing I could do.
"No, it's alright."
We continued our way and I could see Alexander smile jovially at me. Here I thought I would never see him again after the conference, but out of the blue, the Elders paired us again.
I sighed in disappointment.
'Looks like we are inseparable, huh?! Damn it.'
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