Recalling the last ten years wasn't exactly comfortable for the prince, but he was here to look for someone, and he couldn't leave until he found him. Therefore, he explained his situation to the woman before him.
"My reason for being here stems from a long story. Are you willing to listen to it?"
Phoenix looked at the young man with a smile. He couldn't be older than eighteen, so she wondered how long of a story he could have.
Looking at Leon, he nodded at her.
"I believe I don't have pressing matters right now. I am all ears."
Prince Nalafein nodded his head.
"I shall try to spare you the boring details, still, while I explain my presence in your Kingdom."
Phoenix motioned him to proceed.
"The main reason I am here today is because I was banished from my homeland a few years ago. The reason for this is what the long story is.
"Ten years ago, an incident happened in my kingdom that changed my father's mentality, and ever since, he hasn't been in his right mind. Although he was already aggressive in his dealings with other kingdoms, it suddenly got worse.
"My father was already getting ready to expand his kingdom, and ever since that incident, he has been making moves on the nearby smaller kingdoms, slowly expanding. Although he already wanted to go down such a path, I believe the incident made him act sooner than he originally wanted."
"I'm sorry to interrupt you," Phoenix said, raising her hand. "But what incident are you referring to?"
The prince shook his head with a smile.
"Your question is no problem. A certain Abnormal came to the palace, along with people who my father had exiled, and after what I was told was a rough altercation, the spirit of the kingdom defended the abnormal.
"This has incredibly angered my father, and ever since, he has been incredibly volatile, bursting into anger at the slightest confrontation. All the officials in the palace that back him have gone along with this, acceding to his every unreasonable demand.
"This has caused a manhunt to begin in the kingdom, and beyond, which is why he has been invading the nearby nations so vehemently. He is still looking for the Abnormal in question, to this day, of that I'm certain.
"The Abnormal in question had been captured once, but after certain circumstances, he escaped, and this worsened my father's anger. It was also discovered that I aided the escape after a thorough investigation.
"And since my father cannot execute his own son, because the kingdom spirit intervened, he has since pushed me out of the royal family. He brought in one of his bastard sons, and after many shady situations, pinned on my back, I was finally banished.
"I have been looking for the Abnormal ever since. I have a feeling he can aid the situation?."
Phoenix looked at the young man, taking in the information he gave her. She then asked a question again.
"This Abnormal. I assume he is one of your kin?"
Prince Nalafein nodded.
"Yes. He is a man around your age, with ashen hair and deep blue eyes. I believe you know him very well."
An image of Astaroth popped into Phoenix's mind. Was it possible it was that Ash Elf?
"I'm curious about this Abnormal, but I want to know what led to you being banished and why you came all the way here after it. From what I know, the Ash Elf kingdom is very far away from here."
The prince smiled.
"Indeed, it is no small journey from there to here. But, I have been travelling for a few years, braving many dangers, to get here. I was given information that the person I am looking for is here, in this very kingdom.
"As for my banishment, it came about from my half-brother's actions. He is a sly man, with nefarious intentions and thoughts."
The prince paused, clenching his fists a bit, as his eyes became cold momentarily. Then he went back to normal, his smile coming back.
"The moment my father brought him into the light, and proclaimed him as his legitimate son, my half-brother has been trying to push me away from the family. His claim to the throne was weaker than mine, since he was acknowledged after me.
"His age would normally put him before me in the line of succession, but his unknown mother's origins block that. But now that I have been banished, there is no other candidate."
Phoenix understood the politics behind this. She might not have been from a family ever connected to nobility, but this had been a sort of hobby for her, growing up.
She read a lot of books on politics in the middle ages and how lines of succession worked. Nodding her head, she urged him to continue.
"I don't know all the details, but many of his schemes eventually fell on me, and I was branded a traitor to my father and the crown of Tel'narel. This got me banished, and he got his succession lined up for him.
"This happened over the course of five years, and I have been looking for the Abnormal for just as long. I travelled to many kingdoms, talking to many people, and eventually got a trail that led me here.
"But when I got here, I was led to meet with the surrogate king, and he told me I had to wait here if I wanted to speak to him. Something about all the Abnormals being gone for a while.
"I assumed he meant you went on a journey. But with how you appeared directly in the room, I believe it to be a little more complicated than that."
Phoenix chuckled.
"You can say that, yes. We were away from New Eden for ten years. I believe your information should show that."
Prince Nalafein nodded.
"Our situation is a little complicated to explain. Now. About your Abnormal. I think I already know who it is, but could you tell me their name?"
Nodding again, Prince Nalafein opened his mouth. But before he could talk, Violette, who had remained quiet all along, just like the other officers, spoke up.
"He's looking for Astaroth. Astaroth once told me about his misadventure in the Ash Elf capital. It was just before the tournament began."
The prince looked at the little girl, who looked around the age he had been when he met Astaroth.
"That would be correct. Do you know him?"
Phoenix took over.
"We all do. He is the leader of the Paragons guild, as well as the king of the Stellar Woodland's kingdom."
The prince's jaw dropped open.
'He's a king now?!'
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