"General Gardner, you've always been able to read what's inside my brain," Xylan replied quietly.The corners of James' lips lifted slightly to form a faint smile."Say it, Your Majesty! I am at your disposal," James said casually.Xylan nodded his head, "It's about you.""About me?" James repeated with a surprised expression.The young man had not expected the king's answer to be about him. He thought Xylan meant his concern for the government. In a confused tone he asked, "Does anything I do bother you, Your Majesty?" Xylan shook his head emphatically, "No. You've helped me more than anything. You've actually helped me more than I expected."That certainly made James even more clueless, "So what do you think of me?""It's about our agreement before I was appointed," Xylan replied.James' broad forehead wrinkled, but he quickly realized what Xylan was referring to.As he had expected, Xylan was actually saying, "So, when are you going to start looking for my brother-in-law again?"J
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I ... will stop talking and listen to you," Gary Davis said, who after saying that immediately closed his mouth tightly. The young man also bowed his head as if afraid that he would anger the viceroy.Xylan sighed softly at the compliance of his personal assistant and then responded, "Gary, I ... have broken my promise. I can't make you occupy an important position in this palace."He observed Gary's facial expression which was unfortunately invisible to him as his head was bowed rather deeply.But, looking at Gary who didn't move an inch Xylan was sure Gary was listening to everything he said carefully."But ... that doesn't mean I can't do it forever," Xylan continued.Xylan's words managed to make Gary move his head slightly but still remained in a downcast position.Xylan smiled faintly and added, "Yes, Gary. You didn't hear wrong. I only delayed your appointment. This means that my decision has not changed."Slowly Gary raised his head until Xyla
The 23-year-old loosened the collar of his shirt and then sat down comfortably. His face was bright with a smile. In fact, one of the other passengers sitting in the same compartment with him felt that the young man carrying a backpack with the emblem of the Ans De Lou Kingdom was a very cheerful young man."Excuse me, where are you getting off?" Gary asked to make small talk with his compartment mate.The man who looked about the same age as him replied, "Vues Hill."Gary nodded, "Oh, you mean getting off before me.""Where do you get off?" the man asked back. "Uh, I'll get off at the last station, Wenderstein," Gary replied.The man frowned, "Wenderstein? You're from an area ... that once belonged to the Sealand Kingdom apparently."Gary smiled kindly and nodded, "You seem to know my area."The man immediately nodded, "Of course. I've been there a few times."Gary was reluctant to respond, but the young man sitting in front of him still seemed interested in the topic and asked agai
Tired of hearing Nick Collins' questions, the chatty guy, Gary Davis finally replied, "Nothing. I just want to sleep. Do you mind if I close my eyes now, buddy?"Nick Collins winked, looking visibly disappointed.But, Gary didn't care and added, "I'm so tired. Today is King Xylan's coronation. I have so many things to do."Gary sighed tiredly and made a pitiable facial expression that Nick felt sorry for.He immediately responded, "Oh, I'm so sorry. It's because of me that you can't rest. Well, please take your time, Gary."Gary Davis smiled gratefully and closed his eyes."Have a good rest, buddy!" Nick said when he saw that Gary's eyes were closed.Not forgetting to add, "We can chat later. Okay?"No, there's no need, Gary thought while still closing his eyes.He certainly didn't bother replying to Nick and kept pretending to sleep. He actually couldn't sleep. Even on long journeys, Nick could never sleep sitting up. Basically, he had such a habit of having trouble sleeping that he
Being treated like a child by Rowena, of course Xylan would not accept it. He was a king. He didn't want his prestige to fall before everyone just because he was still treated like a child by his older sister.He quickly looked around to see if anyone had seen his sister touching the hair on the back of his head. However, he breathed a sigh of relief when no one saw him.Uh, I've become a king. No one will dare to look at me if I don't give them permission, Xylan said to himself. The young man shook his head, feeling like he was worrying too much about something that didn't really matter."No, no. It's not that I don't trust you, Rowena. The thing is ... it's ...."Oh, Xylan was at a loss for words. He had trouble stringing words together, afraid that his words might offend his sister.However, he noticed Rowena's silence, as if she was waiting for him to say more so he said, "Look, sis. Riley is married to you and you have a child. How could Riley have disappeared on purpose?"Rowen
With limp shoulders Rowena nodded slowly, agreeing to Xylan's words which were true according to her.Xylan was dumbfounded, disbelieving. There really was such a person? War general is not an arbitrary position. How could anyone willingly give such an important position to someone else? It doesn't make sense, Xylan thought with his forehead folded.Rowena watched her younger brother's reaction and then she too sighed softly. The young woman said, "Yes, I know people won't easily believe that there's someone like Riley. However ... everyone who knows Riley very well would think that the things Riley does are no big deal for him." "He's not a person who's crazy about important positions and he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice himself, including his position and even his life for others," Rowena added, reinforcing the argument she believed to be true.Xylan still looked unconvinced and instead completely doubted his sister's thoughts. Hm, she could have temporarily let James Gardner ta
Rowena's blunt statement was right on target. Xylan Wellington was rendered helpless. The young king of the Ans De Lou Kingdom was not even able to reply even a few words.Meanwhile, Rowena, who felt that her brother was beginning to understand her explanation, finally breathed a sigh of relief.Rowena said softly, "I don't think I'm better than you in terms of government. Of course you're much smarter than me. You're the king. However, I know how to judge people. And I don't think ... you should just trust Gary Davis until you're absolutely sure and find out a lot about him."Xylan remained silent.The young man was not unwilling to reply to his older sister's words. He just didn't know how to do it.At that moment he just felt very careless. Hearing his sister's words, he was really very embarrassed."Well, I have to go see Kharel. I've left him alone too much," Rowena finally said after looking at the large clock above the wall.The young woman hurriedly walked away without another
Not knowing how to answer, he thought for a while."I-I dare not give my opinion, Your Majesty," Ronald said in the end.Suddenly, Xylan was dissatisfied. The young man exhaled harshly, seemingly displeased with Ronald's answer. Xylan coldly said, "Your king is asking you a question and you refuse to answer?""You want to defy me, Ronald?" Xylan continued.Ronald hurriedly knelt before Xylan with his head bowed deeply. He swallowed hard, realizing that the viceroy was angry with him. He immediately regretted having made the foolish mistake of not answering the king's question.The young squire stammered, "I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty."Xylan remained silent, reluctant to reply to Ronald as his temper was rising."Your Majesty, I didn't mean to upset you. I-""Then answer!" Xylan commanded through gritted teeth.Ronald caught his breath and then said quietly, "I think he's good, Your Majesty."Xylan raised an eyebrow, looking at Ronald who was still kneeling."So what? What el
"Yes, Mr. Chesnut," Camelia replied, almost gnashing her teeth in annoyance."Y-you're sure? Is it really my name? Did the king say my name?" Jim asked as he pointed at himself with his right index finger.Uh, it looks like Camelia will have to practice her patience even more. Because, the main soldiers standing nearby were apparently not as smart as they should be.Perhaps, they were only physically strong. But, when it comes to thinking, it seems to be very, very slow, Camelia thought with a frown. "Yes, Mr. Chesnut. You have been asked to appear before the king," Camelia replied.Jim was stunned. "Is that for real? This feels like ...."Before Camelia Hart could answer Jim Chesnut's question, Ludor Flee, who couldn't contain his curiosity, asked, "What orders, Miss?""Special orders? How is that possible?" Dylan Chick also wanted to know.Camelia, who didn't want to be in that area for long, immediately replied, "Of course it's out of my control. I mean ... what the order was onl
The young maid whose full name was Camelia Hart immediately lowered her head and replied timidly, "No, Your Majesty.""Yes, Your Majesty. I ... go first," Camelia said.The young girl turned to her companions, giving a code which was an invitation to leave the king's residence.The servants nodded and were about to follow Camelia. However, before they could take a step they heard Xylan's voice saying, "You stay here."They immediately turned around and with confused expressions stood silently. Meanwhile, the astonished Camelia Hart opened her mouth, "Your Majesty, I-""The one I ordered to meet Jim Chesnut was you, Camelia. As for them ... well, I still need them here," Xylan explained.Xylan's words seemed odd because he usually didn't want to be served without Camelia, but as if to reassure that there was nothing strange there Xylan hurriedly said, "I have something I want to do and I think they can help me. You ... just do the job f
Xylan Wellington did not immediately answer Ronald Wings' question. The viceroy looked thoughtful with furrowed brows."I ... can't confirm that yet," Xylan said, sounding hesitant.Ronald bit his lower lip. Uh, his words were actually the same as accusing one of the servants of betraying the king. Because, only the servant who was around at the time of his conversation with the king. However, all of the king's servants who were close to them at that time were women. Ronald felt that he had spoken wrongly.But, just as he was about to open his mouth to correct his words, Xylan said, "I will do something to check."Ronald widened his eyes, looking shocked. "Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness. What I said earlier-""What you said could have happened. Well, I think I have to consider many things. So, it's not a big deal if I have to check on the maids," Xylan cut off Ronald's words.The twenty-seven-year-old soldier blinked, looking surprised that Xylan could read what he was thinkin
James shook his head, "I can't say right now."Reiner immediately let out a disappointed sigh. "You are ... making us curious.""Right, why can't you say it now?" Ben asked with a curious expression."Can't you give us just a little ... bright spot?" Shin tried to persuade hopefully.James chuckled softly, "Sorry, I really can't tell you guys right now, but ... I'm sure it won't be long before we know everything."Diego gave him an unsure look, "Will it be us or will it be you?"James flashed a bright smile, "Of course we all will.""I don't believe it," Alen said quickly.The war general blinked repeatedly and looked at each of his good friends with a puzzled look.He then pointed at himself with his right index finger and said, "You think I'm lying? Since when did I lie or break my promise?"Ben frowned and looked thoughtful. He looked up as if he was considering something.An exasperated James said, "Damn it! Do you have to think just to answer a simple question?"Diego held back a
Ben immediately grimaced. Meanwhile, Alen and Shin laughed crisply together. Then, Diego pretended to look up.However, Reiner boldly replied, "It's not about feeling sorry for you. I ... just think Riley is too much."James clucked his tongue and took the empty seat next to Diego who immediately turned to him with the same look."That's his right," James replied, sounding casual."Rights? What right do you mean, the right to put his best friend in trouble?" Reiner replied cluelessly.James shrugged, "I've been causing him trouble for the past few years as well."Shin widened his eyes, "Hey, what are you talking about? What trouble? He-""I left this palace and let Riley handle all the problems in this kingdom by herself. I mean ... I know you guys have always been there for him and so many great warriors have helped him, but ... yeah it's still hard for him," James explained after cutting off Shin's words that he hadn't finished yet.
Reiner frowned when he saw James' expression which he found very strange. Moreover, he also saw how James' lips suddenly formed a smile."What's wrong with you?" Reiner finally chose to ask.James once again smiled at Reiner, making Reiner wink.Reiner also got goosebumps instantly. "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you're going crazy, James!"A sigh was immediately heard from James. He snorted in exasperation, "Damn it! I still have hopes of meeting Riley, even if it's not now. Why should I go crazy?"Hearing that, Reiner let out a sigh of relief. Because, James' nagging was one of the ways that showed that his good friend was really just fine. "Then, why are you being like that? Smiling horribly. Very strange, just so you know! Not like your usual self," Reiner explained, who still looked a bit horrified.James grinned again, revealing his row of clean teeth. He then said, "Oh, it's about Gary Davis. You ... just made me realize something, Rei.""Realized? About what?" Reiner a
Instead of answering James Gardner's question, Xylan Wellington said, "I ... I know what you're trying to say, General Gardner."Great, so what's the answer? Reiner thought, starting to feel lazy.James raised an eyebrow, "Yes, Your Majesty?"Xylan sighed softly, then closed his eyes for a few seconds. After regaining control of himself he replied, "It was my negligence, General Gardner.""Negligence? About what, Your Majesty?" James asked, sounding like he wanted a clearer answer."My sister. I ... know she has done wrong," Xylan said quietly.The viceroy bowed his head for a few seconds, while James remained silent, waiting for him to speak again.And without James pressing him, Xylan said, "I've actually noticed something strange about her. This ... even, before you set out to find my brother-in-law again, General Gardner."James' eyes widened instantly, but he still refrained from commenting.Xylan cleared his throat softly before continuing, "But ... even when I felt something wa
Hearing the new war general's question, Xylan Wellington laughed awkwardly.It was a laugh that didn't really come off, in fact, it sounded so strange that it made anyone who heard the viceroy's laughter confused.Reiner also looked at Xylan with a strange gaze while James did not even blink. The look in his eyes showed a demand.A demand for an explanation from Xylan regarding what he had just said.When he saw that urgent questioning look, Xylan finally stopped laughing. He cleared his throat softly before saying, "Hm ... I know from the main soldier.""The main soldier?" James repeated as he frowned.Xylan gulped and smiled clumsily, "The king's court soldiers, General Gardner."Oh, that wasn't really what James meant. He knew without even asking that the main soldiers were the palace soldiers specifically assigned to escort and guard him.There were usually five of them and one of them was required to stay by his side
James Gardner remained silent, giving no clear answer to Reiner's question.An immediate anxiety struck the ground war commander. Not wanting to be ignored by James, Reiner asked again, "James, tell me. Are you going to stay in the palace? You're not going to leave, right?"He looked anxiously at James who was staring out the car window. However, after he waited patiently enough he finally heard James answer, "I don't know."Reiner's heart was like being hit by a rock instantly."So ... are you leaving?" the man asked in a tone that sounded disappointed."It depends."Reiner, who was still staring at James, raised an eyebrow, looking confused, "Depends on what?"James sighed softly, "It depends on King Xylan's answer."Reiner was getting more and more confused. However, he did not have time to ask further as the car they were in had already entered the main gate of the Ans De Lou Royal palace. Even so, Reiner still did not want to give up so easily so he continued to stick to James e