"Count Michael, are you awake? His Highness the Crown Prince has invited you to join him for breakfast," came the servant’s cautious voice from beyond the door.
Michael took a moment to compose himself. Breakfast with the crown prince so early in the day was unlikely to be a relaxing occasion.
"Very well. Let him know I’ll prepare and join shortly," Michael replied.
Shaking off his thoughts, Michael rose from his seat and quickly dressed. The need to pay attention to every detail of his attire reminded him of the conveniences of modern times.
As he entered the dining hall, he was greeted by Crown Prince Randolph, who was already dressed in elaborate morning attire. The prince greeted Michael warmly, his bright smile masking an undercurrent of subtle emotion that didn’t escape Michael’s notice.
Michael sat as eggs prepared in varying styles, bread, butter, and jam were brought before him. A servant stood ready to pour tea or coffee at a moment’s notice. Randolph was already eating, his golden-accented plates arranged neatly before him, and a fragrant rose in the centerpiece added a touch of elegance to the meal.
Considering the ongoing war, the lavish breakfast was almost excessive.
"I’ll have coffee, no milk, with a bit of water," Michael requested in a calm tone. He needed to stay alert.
Once his coffee was served, Michael picked up his knife and fork and began eating at a measured pace.
After wiping his mouth with a napkin, Randolph initiated casual conversation. "I originally planned to take a morning walk with Elise today, but after last night’s unfortunate events involving you, Michael, I thought it better to catch up with a peer and discuss the current state of affairs. I hope that’s alright with you?"
Michael smiled politely. "I appreciate Your Highness’s thoughtfulness."
Though unsure of the crown prince’s exact intentions behind the breakfast invitation, Michael maintained his composure, masking his wariness with an amiable smile. He took a bite of the soft, perfectly cooked eggs, savoring their flavor.
As Michael ate, Randolph continued to share his thoughts on the current situation. Without the Duke of Capone to temper him, the prince seemed particularly animated.
Michael nodded and responded lightly, keeping up the conversation. Wasting such a fine breakfast would indeed be a crime.
"Have you seen the noble troops from the central regions? Their discipline is laughable compared to the soldiers you’ve personally trained. They’ve grown fat, gorging themselves on the lifeblood of my people," Randolph said, emotion creeping into his tone.
As the prince’s remarks grew more impassioned, Michael remained careful not to be drawn in. Regional tensions were a sensitive topic in the Kingdom of Lania, especially between the nobles of the borderlands and those of the prosperous central regions.
Michael couldn’t discern if Crown Prince Randolph’s remarks were meant to align with Michael’s identity as a border noble defending the northern regions or if the prince genuinely cared about "his" people. It was puzzling, especially considering that Randolph’s father, Charles V, was still firmly on the throne, making the claim of "his" people seem premature.
To avoid revealing unnecessary emotions, Michael took a quiet sip of his coffee.
"Their discipline is indeed somewhat loose," he replied, his tone carefully neutral and slightly dry. "But we must remember that they are all fighting for the glory of the kingdom."
Randolph leaned forward. "But think about it. Doesn’t it seem strange that their advance was so slow? Even if this place is far from the central regions, such delays shouldn’t happen. Don’t you agree?"
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The prince’s question was laden with a trap. He seemed eager for Michael to echo his frustrations.
Michael took a moment to steady his thoughts before responding. "Even so, they haven’t violated military orders, have they? At a time like this, unity is paramount. We shouldn’t let past grievances cloud our cooperation."
Seeing Michael’s reluctance to engage in criticism, Randolph changed the subject. Michael maintained his role as a measured listener, offering occasional remarks that were bland and inoffensive. It wasn’t out of disinterest or disregard for the prince, but because of the sensitive nature of the topics. Any misstep on Michael’s part could easily be twisted.
Unlike Randolph, whose position allowed for candid opinions and unrestrained discussions, Michael couldn’t afford such liberties. Having gained significant acclaim in the current war, he was in a precarious position. Any poorly chosen words could create unintended consequences.
Still, Michael’s attentive gaze and occasional gestures of acknowledgment seemed to keep Randolph in good spirits as he continued talking.
"...And so, a duel broke out between Count Ava and Viscount Landen," Randolph recounted with a chuckle. "It was utterly ridiculous! Count Ava is over seventy, for goodness’ sake. He had to send his knight as a proxy, leaving the poor fellow in an awkward spot. And it’s not as if Count Ava’s wife is some extraordinary beauty—she’s just fifty years younger and moderately attractive. And Landen…."
Michael couldn’t help but marvel. This is the art of courtly gossip.
Randolph seemed to have an endless reservoir of stories, ranging from recent military developments to the latest scandals in the social sphere. The sheer variety of topics was almost impressive.
However, as the conversation dragged on with little substance, Michael began to feel a twinge of boredom. Still, hiding his emotions was one of his strengths, and he kept his demeanor neutral.
Eventually, Randolph began steering the conversation toward the main topic.
"...In any case, I believe you’re the only noble who truly acts with pride and loyalty befitting your station, Michael. If all nobles were as capable and devoted as you, there’d be no reason to worry about the kingdom."
Michael responded with a light laugh, recognizing the superficiality of the praise. Randolph wasn’t genuinely complimenting him; this was merely the prelude to the real discussion.
Soon, Randolph revealed the crux of the matter.
"I hear that reinforcements from the Radiant Holy Kingdom, the Celeste Empire, and other allied nations will be arriving soon. With their arrival, we’ll be able to expand the frontlines. Thankfully, we secured this key fortress first—otherwise, the credit might have gone to someone else."