Chapter 68 Birthday: The Only Choice [VIP]
The night gradually faded away, and the dawn of Gaola was shrouded in silent silence.
Xiao Yun stood in front of the windowsill, feeling depressed and heavy inside.
(Why...why did this happen...)
(If this accident hadn't happened, Alfonso could have married Freya and steadily ascended to the throne, uniting the various small coastal states and achieving the legendary rise from mercenary to king...making the people of the Western Continent, who consciously abide by the class system, begin to realize that "kings, princes, generals, and ministers are not born with the same kind of blood"...)
(Result, result now...)
Xiao Yun couldn't help but whisper as he recalled the days when he and Alfonso fought side by side in Kucukia, and the passionate night when he and Yaris talked about state affairs with students in the lower town.
"I'm gradually understanding why you're always so sad... Seeing through the past and the future, you knew from the beginning that Alfonso's dream of becoming king would turn into an endless sea of blood. Yet, you still hoped that this humble boy could break the curse of his birth and fate..."
"Those who don't know you are drawn to your looks, your status, and your talent, while at the same time accusing you of being arrogant, fickle, and prone to schemes and intrigues... But I know you are a poet with a transparent soul... You have always been an innocent child, fragile yet resolute, filled with the most genuine curiosity about everything in the world... Even when faced with the despair of a future where the universe is annihilated, you still hold out hope for tomorrow..."
Silently, tears flowed down the corners of my eyes.
"You should already know what happened in Barakanya... or perhaps you knew this would happen from the beginning... You laugh at Alfonso, lost in his teenage dreams, unwilling to wake up, but you yourself are constantly dreaming... Because, having been imprisoned in a golden birdcage by the gods, the only thing you've never been restricted in since childhood is dreaming..."
…
John Deere walked up behind Xiao Yun, who was standing alone in front of the window, and whispered, "Young Master—"
"What's up?"
Xiao Yun didn't look back, but watched the rising sun slowly rising into the sky along the mountains outside the window.
"—I just received a message from Barakhania."
"Um."
John Deere's unexpectedly calm response made him realize that his master had learned the details of the Red Wedding through other means. He sighed sadly, "In the end, I still couldn't help him..."
"Do you need a few days off?"
"——No, I just recalled some past events and felt a little emotional."
After saying this, John Deere turned around and prepared to leave.
"Wait a moment--"
Xiao Yun stopped him and said, "He is the most important person to you, right?"
"Yes... He is my most important relative..."
John Deere looked at Xiao Yun, as if he saw something that could not be described in words.
"I still remember the morning we left our hometown... The sea fog was thick. We walked together through the harbor, reeking of fish, along the 'Road of the Gods' towards the Capital of Light. Along the way were unfamiliar forests and towering mountains... We were poor, often going hungry for one meal and then another... Sometimes we encountered adults with ill intentions, and we had to support each other and struggle to escape... But that time was the happiest of my youth..."
"I understand how you feel. Alfonso is a very good person..."
While muttering, Xiao Yun unconsciously reached out and grasped the crystal amulet on his chest.
"By the way—why didn't Alfonso stay in the capital with you?"
"He doesn't want to stay."
"Um?"
"He said that he was such a rude and undisciplined person, and that staying would affect my future... Of course, he insisted on leaving for other reasons, but since he didn't tell me, I could only pretend not to know..."
"What's the reason?"
"...Alfonso has no mother, and he doesn't know who his father is. He was raised by a woman who made a living in a bar, along with the gamblers, thieves, and mercenaries who frequented it... To avoid being bullied, he's always tried to be more aggressive than his peers... But... even if a child without parents is more ferocious than a wolf and more formidable than a wolf, their good looks can still lead to bad things..."
John Deere hesitated.
"Are you referring to Louis when you say bad things?"
“…”
John Deere was stunned, a wry smile on his face: "Young Master really knows everything."
"You asked me to properly place those people I brought back from Kukuchia to prevent them from suffering secondary harm due to the attitudes of the people around them, because you accidentally hurt Alfonso before, right?"
"I... I'm actually still not sure if I hurt him unintentionally..."
John Deere said with a distressed look.
"—He lied to me, saying he got the money for the trip by disguising himself as a woman from a young man named Louis. He treated the foolish young nobleman like an idiot, giving him whatever he wanted. But... I was also a child from the Lower City, and I knew that the money came from selling his body... I also knew that he was a proud man and didn't want my sympathy... I could only pretend I knew nothing, not daring him to discover that I had discovered the truth..."
"After arriving in the capital of the Kingdom of Light, he said he wanted the land and insisted on leaving. I told him I could work in the academic district while attending school, and put the remaining travel expenses in his purse and put it under my pillow. He said he knew how to steal and gamble, and he had plenty of ways to make money. He told me to focus on my studies and not worry about anything..."
"Three years ago, he came to visit me in the capital of the Kingdom of Light. I brought him to the Silver Moon Palace. I liked him so much that I invited him to dinner there. I recognized his dream of becoming king. At that moment, I was happier than he was... I believed he would become king, a legend among the Western Kings..."
Having said that, John Deere bit his lips again, and his cheeks turned red.
"It's a shame... Even after becoming the 'Mercenary King', he still draws criticism and ridicule from the nobles. The Red Wedding incident attacked and blamed him. In my eyes, he will always be the same guy who got into fights in the alleys back then. What's the difference? There's no point discussing this now. We can't go back to the past..."
"Once Gaola is on the right track, will you quit your staff position and join him?"
Xiao Yun asked John Deere.
"Won't."
John Dill said slowly, "I did agree with His Highness that after Alfonso successfully established his country, I would resign from my position as a staff officer and go to assist him. However, after so many things, my thoughts have long since changed..."
"Alfonso is my most important brother, and you are the monarch I have chosen for this life. You are attempting something, something no one has ever considered before. It's an almost impossible dream, but I want to believe in yours, to give my all for it, and to work with you to create a new world where not just Alfonso, but everyone in the world, can enjoy fairness and justice. This is the most fulfilling, ideal, and romantic way of life I can imagine, more appealing to me than being remembered as a scholar or being recorded in history books as a famous prime minister..."
"After His Highness passes away, I will take three days off every month to pay my respects and tell his story to visitors... If you leave this world before me, I think the only place I'll yearn for is underground..."
John Deere's calm words left Xiao Yun silent.
A long time later——
"I see……"
"Well?"
"As for Alfonso, my brother and I will help you explain to him. Well, when the day of your death comes, I will arrange a good place for myself next to my brother's tomb in advance. Then I will assign you a bunch of tasks that are impossible to complete. I ask that you never consider going to the underworld to accompany him until you complete these tasks..."
Xiao Yun spoke softly, as if talking to himself.
"I will do my best to complete all the tasks you entrust me with."
John Deere sighed and walked out of the room.
…
…
"So--"
Prime Minister Ulysses, nicknamed "Mr. Bat" by the court sparrows, stood up, holding the documents in both hands, and reported humbly.
"Your Majesty, regarding Barakanya, the current discussion has concluded that the Empire will issue a formal statement in the name of Emperor Edmund III, expressing deep sympathy for the recent tragedy at the Barakanya Palace and formally recognizing the newly crowned Queen Flora and her regent husband, Duke Alfonso. Is this acceptable, Your Majesty?"
"Um."
Edmund on the throne looked a little dazed, as if he had just woken up from a dream.
"Let's handle the Barakhania matter according to the results of your discussion. I have no objection."
"Thank you very much for your trust in us."
Ulysses sighed wearily and closed the folder. "Your Majesty, I will deliver the drafted document to you before noon tomorrow."
"With your ability, there won't be any problem sending the document directly to Barakhania without my confirmation."
"Your Majesty, you really trust me too much."
Ulysses bowed his head in a gesture of humility.
Edmund raised his hand and tapped the armrest of the throne.
Upon receiving the signal, the important officials in the imperial court stood up and bowed to the emperor.
"Everyone, go down! I'm tired too."
Edmund yawned impatiently.
"I thank you very much for your kindness, Your Majesty."
The important officials spoke cautiously and prepared to leave the conference hall.
At this time——
"Ulysses."
"Yes, Your Majesty—"
Ulysses stopped.
"As the Prime Minister of the Empire, you are very busy every day, but I still hope you can stay and chat with me for a while. Don't worry, it's just a few words, it won't take up too much of your time..."
Edmund squinted at Ulysses.
His tone and expression were no different from usual, but Ulysses, a high-level magician, felt something inexplicably strange, and his thin body trembled slightly.
"I am your servant, and I am always willing to serve you."
"Really? Are you really my servant? I heard that you visit Maga at least four times a month, and each time you stay for a long time."
"I am going to the Little Love Palace to deliver documents that require your Highness' signature, Your Majesty."
"oh?"
Edmund smiled strangely: "Ulysses, a proud and beautiful princess will never fall in love with an ugly dwarf. She only kisses handsome princes and sleeps in the arms of the eternal emperor."
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