Chapter 3

"To my brother, the dreary ambience of the house is beginning to make a move on mother's joy. The Radcliffes had been very quiet lately which I think is something much grateful for. Although that is only for the case in our home. In my family, it is a whole different story. My two sons are very keen on joining society already despite rhem being young as seventeen, although in light of that, I hope they get to see how amazing their uncle is."

Lord Radcliffe to William Radcliffe

(In the carriage)

The ride to the Lockharts was nothing short of an interrogation. Felix started to clarify these bizarre assumptions about the capital he had heard to William. Although, William was glad Felix seemed he was excited, he still worried for him. Leaving the house, Felix looked so devastated and quiet, and now that they were talking much about the world beyond the valley, Felix became ecstatic.

"Could I attend social season this year?" Felix asked.

"Well...not now. As you know the season ks only meant for people who seeks to strenrtheir political networks...ou as sovereign has not formally made an introduction yet to society so fortunately, you will not be making an attendance...I hope." William explained.

"Right...sovereignty. I am not entirely sure that reading the catalogues at home would be enough to make me a ruler." Felix said looking outside the carriage window.

Indeed, that was certainly an obvious case although that did not mean that he wasn't aware about the kingdom's laws and customs. He knew much as the average juvenile law scholar but in the hope of Lockhart's finest tutors and aid, his governance will amount to that of the current regent, hopefully. William believed in him, and he never forgets to remind him of the fact ever since the sovereign was a mere schoolboy.

"I am certain the Lockhart family will help you in any way they can. The head of the faction is generous and although she might not be the most amiable lady in society, she certainly makes up for it with her wisdom."

"Do you know her?" Felix asked his brows raised as his gaze returned to William.

Ah yes, the illustrious head of the Lockhart Faction, one Eleana Wisteria. Word has it that Lady Wisteria was once a Marquis that led the northern front of the kingdom quelling arduous rebellions and invaders. Victorious as she fought, the country owes a great deal of gratitude for the territory they've gained in her triumph. Eleana, now a Duchess, has been living a quiet life, unmarried yet with all the luxury a commoner could ever hope for.

"You could say that, she knows our family well enough to consider her a friend," A little bit of knightly pride allowed him to raise his chin making Felix cackle softly.

"I am so curious what is your family like, brother."

Ah yes...the Radcliffes, William's familial line and ultimately the brood of very attractive yet drawn to the benevolent success of warfare. William, like all men in their family are opted to serve the crown through knighthood and refusing that "desriny" ordained by the stars to them is perhaps the most dishonorable deed one could imagine. Granted, they are influential...just not in the friendliest method an outsider of society might imagine.

"You will certainly meet them. My sister will absolutely adore you but in the thought that she hadn't changed, it is best not to tell her qbout our exploits in the valley." Ah indeed, the thought of the old days made William's heart and being soften.

Oh and his mother...time may have soured her dreams and frankly, consider finding successful marriages for five—well four stalwart bucks and chits, one could only imagine back-breaking effort to hoist them in the cutthroat marriage mart. Hopefully, William would be her only exception.

"Where would you be whilst my stay in Cornelius hall?" Felix asked with genuine concern laid on his face.

"I shall be paying my family a visit. However, I ought to return to you in a few day's time." Felix looked down his hands clenching on his thighs.

He had never been seperated from his brother in such distance, granted the valley was vast but at least Felix knew the Valley, just having the thought of William not being with him made him feel even more nervous and uncertain.

"Felix...I-I mean Leon...I owe my family a deserved return for they have not seen me for how many years. This is merely an ephemeral farewell..." William then sat beside the sovereign, where he placed his head on his shoulder kissing his forehead before looking at his eyes with a gentle stare.

"If you need me, I shall be one letter away. I shall write down the address for you." Felix though in great sadness, smiled and hugged his 'brother' as tight as his hands could.

"I shall miss you a great deal." Felix says with faint pain behind his voice.

One can indeed be subject to a bounty of heart wrenching events in life and surely one can put a toll on their soul and mind, for the young sovereign, it is more than just the soul that the world had harmed but his life and his freedom, in those two items he will likely retrieve it in one gruesome way or another.

(Hours after)

"L...e..n"

"Le...on"

"Leon"

"B-Brother? Why...h-had the carriage stopped...Oh god, how long was I asleep?" Says Felix moving from his brother's lap stretching as he yawned.

"Enough to cover the entirety of the trip, We are here..."

"R-Really?!" Immediately, Felix looked out the window, hitting William's jaw.

"Oh f—Ouch! Leon..." William groaned.

"Hehe...Sorry."

It was barely before the sun has set did they arrive at the towering glory of Cornelius hall, one of the Lockhart's most opulent residences and shockingly a house rarely intruded by its owners. However, slowly arriving at the gate, the home seemed like it had been built a day prior to this moment. It was, for a commoners eye, an astonishingly beautiful home but to Felix, it was an extraordinarily intimidating sight to see.

Once they had stopped at the front of the doors, Felix felt a rush of nerves on his chest. He gulped as William opened the door and descended from the carriage. Following his brother, Felix remained at the back of him. Clinging on to his sleeves.

"I'll just leave the luggage where you stand," said the coachman as he went and drive the carriage where he could tie the horse. William nodded before looking at the very anxious Felix.

"Frightened?" William asked.

"I am. I do not believe I have one bone in my body that is capable of ruling an entire kingdom. One day I was a mere commoner running around the square with your wallet...now I'm here a space beyond one can put words on." Felix said his grip tightening.

"It is frightening indeed. To have a life you knew entirely stripped from you, then to craft something new and see to it that it is a life we live wisely..."

"...Ah, an old wound—A scar now. Once you learn how to live a new life fruitfully, I am certain that you will find a different kind of joy. One distinct from everyone else's. It is a beautiful thing to hope for is it not?" William said giving Felix a comforting smile. Felix, smiled back once again giving his brother a hug.

"Since when did you become a poet? Is it because of that one—"

"Please knock."

His poetry was indeed a courtesy from Miss Clara's beauty but more than that, it was due to his pain. One cannot deny that William's grief over her former life as an eloquent dashing young man is heart wenching. His duty came first to his heart and above else, his country. Though curing that pain, was how Felix knocked on the door, it was far from what nobilities are accustomed with for a "knock"— tantamount to that of a thunder but proven an efficient in calling the household's attention.

"Good evening—"

"Good evening Sir Lucas. You must be the esteemed guest Lady Eleana has been referring to and this presumably is...your cousin?" The servant then looked over their shoulders.

Ah yes...in order to protect one's identity from the very very keen ears of society, the duchess told the entire household that a commoner from the countryside—an old friend was opting for a stay due to dome unfinished business. Although a cover such as that would be easily breached by the hunger of the maids for gossip, Eleana made sure not a word would escape from their sour lips.

"O-Oh...Good Evening, I am Le—Felix!" William's smile meant he was sure to find humor in this afterwards.

"He is my brother," William added, the servant looked curiously at Felix as if she was trying to recognize something but of course, in honor of the duchess, she must deliver these guests to meet her company.

"He looks oddly familiar, well I have had my fair share of meetings with noblemen, you do wuite resemble one." The servant said smiling.

"That's very kind of you,"

Although William was well-versed in society, he wasn't with women. Especially gossipmongers such as this one. Though what seemed like a compliment alluded to one such very common controversial consequence of noble debauchery and illicit affairs. One might think, she meant the young sovereign was handsome, when really, she was assuming that Felix might be a nobleman's bastard.

"Please follow me, I shall take you to our Mistress."

(In the drawing room)

"William is that you? Oh heavens! It has been far too long! You devil, for all these years!"

Lady Eleana jumped from her seat with hands covering her mouth. The joy she felt when she laid her eyes on William was just rantamount when she heard that he was still alive.

"Indeed it has been, your grace. Wonderful to see you again old friend." William says as he approached.

Eleana, escaping the indignant effects of the fray had kindness written all over her being. One might say the duchess, ironically, exudes a very ambient maternal grace. Though of course she has raised many soldiers, she had of course, learned how to behave more than merely a leader—she meant to be caring, to be beloved and have no one recognize her from the days of fire and strife. Felix could certainly feel a sense of safety from her. From it, Felix's nerves simmered down.

She was beautiful. In her time, she is who many people would call a diamond but now she is what society might draw as a fine glass of exotic wine. Her chestnut hair did not amount to her age and her skin has barely dwindled since she last laid her dazzling blue eyes on William. It had been so long yet, she still resembled the days of her prime as the season's most beloved diamond.

"Oh and this must be—I never thought I'd live to see this day." She said as she curtsied lowly infront of Felix.

"O-Oh p-please, there's no need—"

"Come now, your grace you're scaring the boy. He only learned that he was a monarch this morning." Eleana raised herself slowly then fixing her eyes on Felix.

"Well then William?"

"Oh of course! Felix, this is Eleana Wisteria, Duchess of Campbell and the faction head of the Lockharts. Eleana, this is Felix—"

"It is a pleasure to finally neet our long lost sovereign. Oh...and look at you darling, you look just like your mother. Doesn't he William?" William smiled and looked at Felix who seemed at ease knowing that the host was nothing short of an amiable character.

"He is..." William said joyfully.

"Hmmm~ I am sure that both of you are exhausted from the trip. The chambers have already been prepared. Your highness, if you'd like, you can indulge yourself in the king's private chambers." Eleana teased as she took the young Sovereign's hand.

"I-I cou—I shouldn't, your grace." He says smiling nervously at the duchess.

"Oh nonsense! This shall be your home until we are prepared to reintroduce you to grand society!" Felix looked at William with a stare that meant "Should I?". William sighed and smiled as he watched the Duchess pamper the young lad.

"Your kindess is appreciated, your grace. However, he is still juvenile to the lifestyle of royalty. I best believe a normal chamber would do for the rest of his stay here." William said.

"Oh I see..."

"F-Forgive me b-but our lugg—"

"Oh you have nothing to think about, your highness. The maids will deliver it to your chambers as soon as they're able!~ Now allow me to guide you to your chambers! William?" Still holding Felix's hand, the duchess gently pulled as he gestured William to follow them.

(At the Chambers)

"T-This is where I shall be staying?" Felix awed at the sight of it.

"Indeed! It is beautiful is it not? The maids have been such a dear and made quite the dinner! I do apologize but the dining hall ks unavailable at the moment..." Eleana looked at William. It was a small innuendo that William assumed that will be where they'll have their "strategic" conversation.

"Thank you, your grace." Felx said looking at the duchess with such a gentle gratified expression etched on his face.

"Mhm~ Of course. Now if I may borrow William for a while and show him his room. I shall bid you good night, your highness..."

"Good night, your grace!" Felix said joyfully as Lady Eleana closed the door behind her.

In a sudden shift of wind, the calm ambience became far more strained than it was. William knew what that meant though. Eleana is a very ambitious woman and though already nearing her twilight years, she still yearned for the politics of the kingdom to calm down to let the nation breathe.

"I see he has not grown to be a country bumpkin. Well done old friend." The duchess said almost condescendingly.

"He is an exceptional young man, I am certain he will make a great prince." William replied.

"Oh I do love a spirited soul, it brings a new flavor to the all so boorish talk of these noble hounds. All you can bear is painful howling and an endless orchestra of furious barks."

The duchess halts then she turns to William behind her affectionate demeanor dimmed, but curiously, she smiled. For whatever reason, she smiled.

"Oh old friend it is wondeous to see you well an alive, leaving that wrerched night with merely few burnt scars on your hands and face..."

Her smile then soured slowly as she walked closer.

"...I weep for our country. There are far greater things that lurk in the shadows of society...I hope this prince of ours will escape such fate..."

"I do not understand" William said his eyes furrowed and clenches tight.

The duchess then walked away from William, her eyes fixated on the country's flag on the wall. William followed his gaze confused and then he looked at her and curiously, there was not a particle of pessimism on every fiber of her body as if...she suddenly went back to normal...

"We shall talk about it over dinner! Oh and I could not wait for such a treat...!"

"Huh?"