Chapter 211: Twenty-fourth Episode: Chapter 3 (2/2)
Oscar thought about it for a while, but at last, he only waved his hands, ”It's alright! Do it this way!”
General Eugene only scratched his head, ”It seems that I am the first General to send an invitation letter to recruit the unit of Andrew's Military Personnel Bureau!”
”That's right!” Oscar said as he looked at the door cheerfully. The Palace Chief of the Serevan Palace once again walked into their sight, the Prince only waved his hands helplessly, ”Tell Sasha. I am about to finish my work!” The Palace Chief shook his head, ”Your Highness, Madam Sasha has fallen asleep. She even locked the bedroom door from within. You have to...” ”Ola...” Oscar groaned. ”I have to find another place to spend the night?”
”No!” The Palace Chief shook his head again, ”I am here for another matter! Someone sent a horse to us. That was an extremely tall pure-bred horse, but it is old and sick!”
Oscar widened his eyes, ”Just now?”
”Yes!”
When he came to the stables at the back of the Palace, Oscar already saw that old pure-bred horse that was sick. His Oslu was very close to the red old horse as if it was consoling its mother.
Its red hooves were soft, its fur knotted together and its tail almost fell off! The once beautiful and tall beauty had entered such a state!
O'Neil Andrew Morisette walked to the stables and stroked Esmeralda's cheek. The beauty was indulged in the happiness of meeting her son. She even forgot to question the young man in front of her. She wanted to know desperately where he had brought her husband to!
”Who sent it here?”
The Palace Chief immediately came forward, ”A worker from the port. He left the name of the dock!”
Oscar did not say anything more. To be frank... Wasn't it clear who sent her here? Recalling his past at University Town many years ago and the things that happened between Rayshure and Esmeralda, O'Neil Andrew Morisette smiled. He felt relaxed like never before; it was as if he had returned to that youthful period when he did not have to worry about anything.
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It was very late at night. The noisy Vielonna also fell silent at this hour. There was no one on the street. Only at the side of the bridge and port, the people would be able to hear the cheerful drooping sound of the Don River. The river presented a rare, dark shade under the night. The light was thin at the port, and even so on the water. For a few centuries, the Don River had always been a loyal teller. It had witnessed Vielonna's silence and noise and nurtured Titan citizens at both sides who loved music.
A large, West Percy-styled boat was parked at the end of the dork. The white sail formed a sharp contrast with the dark shadow of the boat. The boat was lighted, and the light shone upon the statue of Goddess of Victory. At the two sides of the mast, the hardworking sailors were still busy with their work. They held their lamp up high and kept shouting words with their foreign accents.
The Titan Prince's carriage was stopped on the land beside the sailboat. Paul and the Black Devil jumped out of the carriage from both sides. After ensuring that it was safe, they invited the honorable Prince out of the carriage. Oscar stood straight at the port. A breeze that was mixed with the scent of river blew in the night. Oscar flattened his hair, then waved to the human silhouettes on the sailboat.
After a long while, there was still no sign from the sailboat. Just when Oscar was getting impatient, a long stair was finally dropped from the boat. Oscar let Paul climb up first. The King of Assassins had no choice but to be the first.
When the Titan Prince finally jumped onto the deck, the door to the main cabin was opened as well. Light poured from within the room. This bright warmth lighted the whole deck until a shadow with an incredible body took over the light.
”Oscar! It's been a long time!”
”Yes! Catalina, it's been a long time!”
Princess Catalina Don Holmes walked out from the shining light. Her horse was old and ugly, but she was already a mature and beautiful madam. She came to Titan from the faraway West Percy just like her study trip many years ago. She did not have a lot of followers with her, neither did she have the hypocritical courtesy. She only brought her old horse and the sincerest greeting toward her first lover.
”Ola! I can't believe it!” Oscar stood side by side the beautiful madam. The wind at the Don River sent the woman's scent into the man's nose. Titan Prince took a deep breath with an ill intention. He could be sure that this was the body scent he liked. Maybe... During such a night, the thing that even God of Light would be jealous of would happen.
Catalina blinked her eyes. Except for the mature aura in her actions and her amazing body, the West Percy Princess was still the same as before. The scene of the river was reflected in her eyes. Confidence and determination overflowed in her chest. She took hold of her first love's arm and quietly enjoyed the scene.
”Engels Prince is your guest. Is my appearance so unbelievable?”
Oscar smiled awkwardly. This was not something hard to imagine! Titan planned to move their army to Slovenia. The traditional powerful countries on the sea all took note of the matter, much like a bride desperately looking for a partner. As the person-in-charge of West Percy Kingdom's highest Intelligence Unit, Princess Catalina Don Holmes's sudden visit was completely within Oscar's expectation. In other words, if it would not be the Prince, then it would be others. West Percy would definitely give him a reaction for this matter.
The young madam turned around and carefully observed her past love, ”You have changed a lot!”
”Fatter or skinnier?” Oscar excitedly turned around like a child.
”Urgh... I wasn't complimenting you. You still look the same!”
Oscar turned his head away in disappointment, ”I thought you will say... Oscar is more handsome, skinnier, livelier and cuter now. Or something of that sort!”
”Hehehe!” Catalina could not help it but chuckle, but her smiles soon became an icy expression, ”Your Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette. I came to Titan from far away... was not to talk about such nonsense with you!”
Oscar quickly retrieved his smiling face. He took a long glance at his past friend, but his serious face was not maintained for long. Without any reason, Titan Prince suddenly hugged the West Percy Princess in his arms and used one of his hands to tickle her. The young madam, who could not stand this, let out a bell-like chuckling. It seemed as if the night had bloomed under the cheerful laughter.
”Oh... My god...” Catalina held her chest. She chuckled at the game the Titan Prince used to play with her. However... The feeling of being hugged by him was still as exciting as before, just like the first time she fell for him.
”Look! We are still us!” Oscar stared at the woman. He was happy. Seeing her like this was indeed a surprise given by God of light.
Princess Catalina looked away in frustration. She was indeed frustrated. She had a husband, a title, everything a top-tier noble had and a power that the people could not imagine. However, she could not have love. If her Kingdom needed to take advantage of O'Neil Andrew Morisette and everything this name represented, she would not fall in love with this man because she loved him! She did not want him to think of politics and everything related to that when he experienced love.
”Do you want to know why I am here?” West Percy Princess pushed the man's arm away discretely. This way, she could escape his hug.
Oscar shrugged, ”We are old friends! You should visit me!”
Catalina smiled. She was bad at dealing with the excuses of the Prince.
”Stop the excuses! Let me just ask this. Titan or Andrew. Which will you choose in Slovenia?”
Oscar touched his nose. He must admit that he was giving excuses because it was difficult to answer this question. When he was making a decision, he thought of this. Choosing Engels would bring him three benefits. The first was that Engels desperately needed to have a firm stand at the Disin Sea, thus forming an advantageous position where it could attack West Percy and Faran from both sides. This way, Titan could ask for anything it wanted. The Engels did not have a strong position in negotiating over this. Second of all, Engels had the most advanced and fiercest navy strength. Titan could learn many things that could not be learned in a century from a capable tutor that was mature in all of these aspects. This was a rare historical opportunity to the Titan Navy that was not complete just yet. The third point, which was also the most important point for Oscar and his southern friends, was the influence of Engels businessmen in the world! Once they were able to form trade routes between the west and east, Titan's actual meaning of being the end point of the route was up to ten thousand tons of gold! With a strong navy force and businessmen who were all around the world, Prince O'Neil would even get exhausted from counting money in his dream!
”If it was West Percy... Will there be any changes?”
Catalina looked at this man. The Titan Prince had already conveyed the most perfect partner in his heart clearly. However, if it was just about this, Catalina also did not want to hide anything, this was because West Percy and Engel's increase in power was proven by history.
After hundred years of war and the infamous 'invincible sea war', West Percy and its traditional ally, Faran, had always come out at the top. However, this series of wars did not destroy Engel's navy force completely. Instead, their power was wasted and exhausted by the ruler's extreme desire and the huge war expenses. Faran had it slightly better. However, for West Percy that was lacking in land and constantly having conflicts between the tribes and religions...
Just by looking at West Percy's defensive stance towards Engels, anyone could see the problem that lied within! The invincible navy once sailed on the sea cowered at the deepwater port. They kept expanding their defensive forts at both sides of Jebrotoh Strait. On the other hand, this new-rise kingdom, Engels, had invaded the sea and gotten hold of all important trading routes strongly. They could not go near the Mediterranean, this was not because they were afraid of the West Percy's defense forts and the 'invincible navy' that only existed in name now. Instead, it was because the Engels now already had the strength to destroy their enemy. They just did not want to rush things.
With that said... Much like the present! If the Engels could have a nice port at the east of the Mediterranean and place a large amount of navy army there, then West Percy would never sit still and wait! Princess Catalina could almost be sure that her husband would send all of the navies to begin the largest sea-based war in history with the Engels! This was because... This was related to the Kingdom's sea, and that sea was the life of West Percian. Losing this route that governed everything, West Percy would have to exit the stage of the war that only the strong countries could join.
”If... you chose my country! I am saying if...” Catalina glanced at the man, seemingly calm. In truth, her heart was shivering involuntarily, ”If you reach an agreement with us, our country will open Jebrotoh Strait to Titan's navy and business boats. Also, we will allow you to use all infrastructure in our country!”
”Wow!” Oscar exclaimed lightly. This condition was definitely much more attractive than that from Prince William.
”Do you still need to consider?” Catalina already knew the man was interested from his looks.
Oscar nodded. Of course, he needed to consider. His plan towards Slovenia, to be frank, was an illegal invasion of a monarchy country. The more the number of his accomplices, the better! However, the problem was... How should he resolve the relationship between the Engels and West Percy? If he could not reach fair share, once there was a clash of benefits, Engels's navy would invade Jebrotoh Strait. They would place their laughable flag on the port of West Percy!
This way... The Prince of Titan thought about it carefully. He realized that this result must not happen!
If there were only Engels' navy and business boats sailing about on the sea, what would happen to this world?
”I think...” Oscar took her hand and pretended to be serious. ”You have convinced me!”
Catalina finally flashed a smile. Just when the man's lip was about to reach the back of her hand, she suddenly snatched her hand back. Under Oscar's strange stare, she kissed her lover's lip.
”Ola...” Oscar touched his lip in surprise. ”You almost burned me!”
Catalina turned her head away, bright red. She regretted her action slightly, otherwise, she would not let this hateful man say this.
”Oh right!” Titan Prince intentionally changed the topic. He did not want to tease a married madam. ”What's wrong with Esmeralda? Is she sick?”
Catalina smiled bitterly and looked at the river, ”Yes! She's sick. No medicine can save her. Since I brought her away from University Town, I have never seen her run even once. The most normal thing she did is to stare at the horizon. She will stare at it for many hours. I once wanted to... You know... She already lost the courage to keep on living, but I couldn't do it.”
Oscar had no words. He could not imagine that even an animal could be... How should he describe this emotion? The Prince thought about the Saijo Mountain, that deathly assault, and many past events. Even though he never regretted what he did, many people had left him: loyal partners, fierce knights, friends, and hateful traitors... Now that he thought about it again, O'Neil Andrew Morisette only felt refreshed and calm.
”Is it Saijo Mountain?” Catalina suddenly turned around, ”Bury Esmeralda with the hero in her heart! They have gone separate ways for too long!”
Oscar did not say anything. He simply nodded.
”During this period... Please take care of her!”
Titan prince nodded.
The clouds in the sky gathered and went separate ways. The stars decorated the dark sky and the moon only appeared after the cloud floated away. A beam of moonlight splashed onto the Don River. The ripples on the river were immediately covered with a layer of silvery light. The river lightly hit the shore, and the sailboat at the port also swayed in the wind.
After a while of suffocating silence, the foreign Princess's tight grip finally relaxed. She touched the Prince's arms, ”I am a little cold...”
Oscar took off his coat and placed it over her gently.
”You should return to your cabin!”
”Don't you want to... get some drinks?”
Oscar looked at the moon. Late at night, a Princess invited you to drink in a cabin that was neither huge or small... Without even thinking of what this Princess' intention, Oscar was already surprised at the woman's courage and the determination when she invited him.
”Is that necessary?”
Catalina went bright red almost immediately. The invitation she gave just now was the largest extent her pride as a Princess allowed her to do! She had a husband, status, and power. What she lacked was only an answer to her past actions! In other words, she hoped to finish off her wish with her first love. When her wish had been fulfilled, she believed Catalina Don Holmes would still be the Princess of the West Percy Kingdom, Head of Etha and the wife of Navy Marshal of the Kingdom. Also... She believed that she would be able to do better than before because she had fulfilled her wish.
”O'Neil Andrew Morisette! Even an animal has such strong emotions! But what about you? You're heartless! Cruel! Emotionless! Do you know what I am saying? Do you understand what I am hinting at?”
”The same question!” Oscar groaned. ”I have already been asked about this this morning!”
Cataline retrieved her glance in distaste, ”Your doctor?”
Oscar widened his eyes, ”I thought... This is a secret!”
”There is no secret in this world!” Catalina was more distasteful. ”But you really should get someone to look at you. Your illness...”
”I don't have any!” Oscar forcefully held the woman's body. The next moment, he had already fiercely invaded the woman's lips and breathing.
West Percy Princess's resistance only maintained for half a second, then she melted softly under the fierce invasion. She longed to be filled and evaporated. She wiggled in the man's embrace crazily and used her whole body to respond to that lovely kiss. Her dress was pulled up to the waist and her underwear rolled upwards completely by the man. Her bra could no longer encompass her breasts. Her face twisted because of the intense desire.
Oscar felt the women's curve with his lips. His kiss fell on her chest. There were her heartbeats right there and also a nice scent of skin. The man immediately immersed himself in it. He untied her underskirt with his finger, then touched the woman's most private and deepest scent with his palm.
”Don't... No...”
Catalina suddenly pushed the man, who resembled a crazy tiger, away. She did not know why she pulled away. It was just that the image of West Percy Palace and her husband kept popping in her mind.
Oscar took a few deep breaths. He knew he had finished his luck at this point.
”Then... Should we say goodbye with an awkward hug? Or just a proper handshake that fully expresses our friendship will do?”
This time! Catalina did not hesitate. She hugged her past lover in her embrace tightly.
After a long while, the two of them separated!
West Percy Princess changed into a professional smile that was full of a diplomatic aura, ”Your Highness, I hope the next time we meet, we will make the relationship between Titan and West Percy move toward the correct path.”
Titan Prince kissed the back of Princess's hand and simply said, ”I certainly hope so...”
It seemed... Only the Don River witness this scene. It even saw the Princess of West Percy and her lonely shadow standing under the chilly winds the whole night. The woman's tear dripped onto the river. The river water quickly took this water in and understood the endless sadness within it.