86 Lessons From the King (1/2)

Timothy took the leather canteen from his side and popped it open. He poured the contents into his mouth.

Wine. Cheap wine, but wine nonetheless. Even though the taste was nothing compared to the aromatic Hadean wines, it will do.

He swirled the liquid inside his mouth and savored the strong taste. He grunted and felt warm in his belly. He was about to put the lid back when he felt that the Prince riding beside him was staring at the canteen.

Timothy extended his arm and handed the canteen to Prince Arthur. The Prince just looked at it with suspicion written all over his face.

”I assure you, this is not poison. You just saw me drink from it. I know you want to have a sip.”

The Prince continued his stare. He then slowly took the canteen from Timothy's hand and drank from it.

Timothy saw the moment Arthur grimaced. His facial muscles contracted and he spitted the wine out from his mouth. He brushed the remaining liquid from his tongue using the cloth of his coat.

”This is not wine!”

Timothy frowned and grabbed the canteen from Arthur's hand. He again took a mouthful of the liquid.

”What are you talking about. It is wine.” Timothy refuted. And then it occurred to him that Prince Arthur was the son of the King Edmund. Cheap wines must have been unfamiliar to him.

Timothy closed the lid of the canteen and put the thing aside. ”My bad. I may have desecrated your divine tongue with cheap liquor. We just ran out of Hadean yesterday so you have no choice but to fill your palate with the taste of good ol' cheap wine.”

Arthur did not say anything and just looked ahead. Even though the Prince had stopped being discourteous, it would still be a long time before they become close. Timothy wanted to be friends with Arthur despite their earlier sour encounter. He is still Lucia's brother and the future King of Vanadis.

”It seems you have some left-over resentment towards me, Arthur. Want to share your burdens with your future brother-in-law?” Timothy nudged his horse towards the Prince and the distance between them became shorter.

”Nothing of that sort Your Majesty. I'm just tired, that's all.”

”Tired.” He shook his head and smiled. ”You are lying Arthur”

Timothy looked up to the twinkling stars and savored the fresh country air. ”Well, if you don't want to share your thoughts then I'll just guess. You are grumpy because you don't want to be here. You want to be with your father but instead I dragged you here. Isn't that right?”

Arthur finally looked him in the eye. And just as Timothy thought, there was resentment in those eyes.

”Yes” Arthur said. ”I don't get it. I did what you told me to do. I zipped my mouth and did nothing. I let you make the decisions and didn't challenge your authority. Also, I have been nice to Lucia ever since that day. But why are you punishing me? This is dangerous. I could die. I am a prince you know.”

”And I am a King. Yet here I am, leading a small force of cavalry.”

”Then don't..” Arthur was about to say something when he stopped. Timothy could see that the Prince was being careful with his words, afraid that he will suffer Timothy's wrath.

”You may speak freely” Timothy smiled. ”I won't hold it against you”

Arthur was silent as if considering Timothy's offer. But with the prince's mouth, Timothy believed that Arthur wouldn't pass on the offer to finally reveal his bottled resentment.

”Then don't include me in your madness. If you are what they say you are, then you don't need me anyway.” Arthur's voice had no trace of friendliness in it.

But Timothy was a little relieved that the two of them are conversing. Even though Arthur was just venting his feelings, at least they are talking with each other. Conversation is the first step in forging bonds.

”Because I want to teach you Arthur. I already told your father about this and he agreed. You are the next King of Vanadis. If I win this war, then our two Kingdoms will become allies in the future. This may be blunt but I don't want a weak ally.”

Arthur grunted after Timothy said the word, weak. Timothy understood him. Being called weak was an insult. It damages one's pride. But Arthur needed guidance more than his petty pride. Being a leader sometimes requires sacrifices. In the case of Arthur, the prince must accept that he is weak and learn from Timothy's guidance.