Unravelling The Rumours

"Your Highness, what were you doing in the city?" a man asked as he nervously kept his head down.

"City? What are you talking about? I haven't been to the city. I have my assignments to complete. The turf war with the Agrestia empire is still ongoing. I've yet the time to spend leisurely. It's such a joke when that so called empire is more similar to a tiny country and yet, they procure so much issues. Sigh... You should know that. It is an assignment from my Father. So, why would I be out prancing about the city?" a voice lightly chuckled dissatisfied as the man who kept his head lowered flinched.

"But... Your Highness... there were rumours because..." the man dared to continue before the young man in front of him slammed his fists onto the desk, dragging his leather bound office chair with a screech as he stood up abruptly.

"Rumours! You came here to talk gibberish! What a waste of my time! Come back once you have reportable news! What a useless... Sighh... Leave my sight." the young man yelled as he scrunched his forehead in frustration, pointing his finger towards the door.

"N-no... Your Highness... I meant to say..." the man exclaimed exasperatedly as he turned his head up to look at the young man.

The young man had a dark, ashen grey shade of hair. In comparison with his father, his silver hair seemed to resemble a light shade of grey instead of silver. It wasn't a secret that he felt ostracised from the royal line due to his hair colour. It made him feel inferior and gave him a complex due to it. His eyes a piercing red just like his mother was the only other feature that symbolises his status as he narrowed it towards the man who spoke out of line.

"You... I did not give you permission to speak..."  the young man said as he gritted his teeth, fists clenching as he glared at the man.

"P-pardon my rudeness, Your Highness, Crown Prince William!" the man exclaimed, his pupils dilated and shaky as he immediately bowed.

"... Sigh... Forget it. Just... leave. I've work to do." William said as he rubbed his creased temple, turning towards his study's window.

"Then... pardon me..." the man said as he quickly left the room, leaving William alone in the silent space.

I can't believe father chose such a man to be counsellor... He is someone who would even listen to rumours... How would he be able to give me sound advice... William thought as he shook his head, disappointment etched on his handsome visage.

Crown Prince William is the only child of the Kingdom of Enoch that was the product of the marriage of both Lilith and Xander. He had been raised as the next ruler of the Kingdom and has always been working to earn his father's appraisal. His father treated him well and always took him with him on visits to estates around their nation, unlike his mother who seldom talks to him. William strives to maintain his relationship with his father and hence, always works hard to accomplish the goals laid out by him, no matter the cost.

His father had managed to maintain a peaceful and stable reign throughout his life. William wanted to do the same, and hence, he had started his training in swordsmanship and rulership ever since the tender age of 4. His smooth palms now coarse with callous whilst his room, filled to the brim with books and paperwork.

William stared at his palm for a short while before turning his gaze back through the window. The vast blue sky filled his view as birds flew in the air, chirping away at the peace as they filled the air with their melodius voice.

From the sky, William redirected his gaze below, towards the city where the people roamed. His view was obscured by the high walls of the palace along with the circle of water encasing the palace.

He then shook his head, clearing it from the useless thoughts as he turned to face his desk. He eyed the loose stack of papers that lined his desk, trailing the lines written on it as he sat in his chair, dragging it closer to his desk.

*knock**knock*

Knocking on the door interrupted William's line of thought as he furrowed his brows in annoyance. He turned his gaze from the paper towards the dark mahogany door and glared at it.

"You may enter." William said as he leaned his chin onto the back of his hand. Eyes cold as he stared at the door which slowly opened.

"Your Highness, I have news to inform you." a man who wore a fitting dark tailcoat with neatly combed white hair, a stern face along with a monocle entered the room. It was the head butler of the caste, Sebastian.

"... What is it, Sebastian?" William asked after clearing his thoughts. It wasn't wise to lash out at someone who had been working with the royal family for decades.

"There is news that the King has been spotted heading towards Vogrant." Sebastian eloquently stated as he kept his head slightly tilted downwards in respect.

"Vogrant? Why? There's nothing there... Its just a small village... Was there any riot or commotion happening there that Father needed to personally attend to it?" William asked as he scrunched his forehead in a thoughtful posture.

"If I may, Your Highness... Prior to the visit today, there was the commotion that occurred in the capital city yesterday." Sebastian stated as he kept his head down.

"Co... commotion? Why wasn't I notified of such a thing?" William asked almost yelling. Did his father not trust him to be able to handle the situation? Was it a huge problem that he thought his son couldn't handle it? Was it a noble's plan to attack his father after creating a commotion?

"Your Highness, it is nothing like what you are thinking. The King just happened to be in the vicinity when the commotion took place. He probably is visiting that village because he hasn't been there for a long time." Sebastian replied with a plausible excuse, almost as if he had sensed William's line of thoughts. 

"... Perhaps... Then... You may leave... And... Thank You..." William replied with a calm voice, the rage from earlier seemingly dissipating into the air.

"Of course. Have a good day, Your Highness." Sebastian replied as he bowed and then turned to leave.

As the room was once again filled with the silence, William let out a sigh he didn't even know he was holding.

There was something about the situation that just didn't feel right. If the commotion was settled, why did his father need to bother heading to that remote village before even returning home?

William dragged the legs of his chair as he stood up. He turned to look out of his window once more, finally making up his mind to go visit the village.

There's no point in brooding over this topic. If I need an answer... I just need to get one. William thought as he walked towards the mahogany door, grabbing his dark blue cape as he pushed the door open and walked out confidently.