220 MISHLAS ENTANGLEMEN (1/2)
The quiet atmosphere was suddenly destroyed by the voice of a certain red-haired young man. ”Winter, come on, it's near evening. Stop working and let's go out to have dinner.”
Winter glanced at Mishla. ”I already told you, I'm busy. Unlike you, I'm not that free.”
Mishla rolled his russet colored eyes. ”Yes, yes, of course, I couldn't compare to the busy 'crown prince'.”
”Stop. That hasn't been finalized yet,” Winter said, looking at Mishla with disapproval. ”The walls have ears. If someone hear you speaking like that, they might think that I couldn't wait to be that.”
”Don't be too paranoid. It's almost a foregone conclusion anyway. Who would the king assign as 'that' if not you? That little brother of yours?” There was almost a laugh in Mishla's voice when he said the last sentence.
Winter didn't comment. But he could understand his friend's reaction towards Vale. After all, out of all the five royal children of Albion, his younger brother was the most invisible. If he didn't show himself from time to time, people might actually forget that a third prince still existed. Their own father couldn't even bring himself to pay attention to Vale. That's how much he lacked presence.
Just as Mishla said, now that the eldest prince was exiled, the eldest princess was imprisoned, the second princess was a girl with no influence in court, and the third prince was a timid boy with barely any presence at all, the only heir left to the throne was him. The king giving him his own study in the palace meant that he was giving the second prince an official duty. It was like indirectly telling everyone that he was planning to officially recognize Winter as the crown prince.
Many secretly approved of the King's decision. Especially the common people. After the video of him controlling the crowd in Victoria City trended, the opinion of the common people about him became much higher. He stopped a possible stampede and also showed his strong belief to the goddess, Gaia. The latter one particularly moved the people.
Of course, there were still people who disapproved of the King's decision. It's the faction being led by the Queen. That woman would surely not allow Winter to just inherit the throne. Especially since she still had two remaining children who could fight against him.
That's why what happened at Victoria City was something Winter should be thankful for. It was a huge boost to his image. It probably brought him closer to the hearts of the common people of Albion.
That's why what happened at Victoria City wouldn't be enough to destroy them. As long as their hiding behind the banner of the goddess, Gaia, it would be hard to bring them down. But, at least, with what happened, he believed that it definitely made some cracks in the Temple's perfect image. And that's probably what Argent hoped when he planned that.
Thinking of the Duke of Hanover, a small smile that he didn't even notice suddenly crossed his lips.
”But seriously, you really did a good job in that whole Victoria City fiasco,” Mishla suddenly commented. ”When did you become such a good talker?”
”Why do you assume that I'm not?” Winter simply said, not leaving his eyes on the document he was reading.
Mishla shook his head. Why did he feel like ever since Winter reunited with his mother, this friend of his became more and more loose with his words? But that's a good thing. At least it's better than being a living iceberg that barely spoke.
Seeing that he wouldn't really be able to take Winter out of his study, he decided to just go home. So, he said his goodbye and walked out of the study.
He was no longer in any mood to go somewhere. And since he went there by horseback, once he was out of the palace, he simply rode his horse back to the Wakefield Manor. His travel was unimpeded, so he quickly reached the manor.
He just got off of his horse when his valet came rushing towards him.
”Milord, a message came for you,” the valet said, almost out of breath.
”Message? Was it so important that you couldn't wait for me to enter the manor?” Mishla said, joking.