Chapter 7:Lesson 1

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The Next Day – Continuing Royal Education

Reishel sat in the same seat, at the large table, with Silas standing behind him

This time, his hands weren't hesitant; they were calmly placed on the polished wooden surface

He waited...

The three men entered again, followed by Minister Michael, who carried an elegant leather-bound notebook

Everyone took their seats, and then Harlow spoke with his warm voice:

Harlow: "Today, Your Majesty, we will discuss the structure of the kingdom — from the nobles to the commoners, from the War Council to the Council of Shadows. You will learn how this land is governed"

He pulled out an old file and opened it carefully, then said, "Did you know, my lord, that every noble in the kingdom holds a title — but that doesn't mean they truly deserve it?"

Reishel raised an eyebrow, and Harlow continued with a smile, "A title means nothing without action. There's one called the 'Duke of the North,' who's never stepped foot on the frontlines. And then there's one who holds no title at all… yet has guarded our borders silently for years"

Krin interjected, saying: "Ruling, my lord, is not just a position — it's a responsibility. There's a difference between the one who rules… and the one who is ruled"

Then he leaned forward slightly and added in a quieter tone, "Do you know how a soldier feels in the winter when no provisions reach him? Or how a farmer feels when his taxes are doubled?"

Reishel shook his head, so Krin said: "You will know. We'll show you in our records… and on field visits. Because a king who doesn't hear the voice of his people... wakes up to the sound of revolution"

Michael smiled at that comment and opened his notebook

Michael: "And from here begin my lessons. Diplomacy isn't just soft words — it's a sword wrapped in silk"

He stepped forward and spoke more softly, "If a messenger from the Kingdom of Skarmoth came with an offer of alliance, smiling politely… what would you see?"

Reishel replied after thinking, "I'd see a potential ally?"

Michael gently shook his head, "You'd see a hidden question: 'What do you want from us? And what are you willing to give up?'"

Then he pulled out a paper sealed with red wax and placed it on the table

Michael: "This is a copy of a real diplomatic letter sent years ago. Read it and tell me... what lies between the lines"

Reishel read the words — the letter was full of compliments, but he noticed something

Reishel: "They seem to offer peace… but they mention 'mutual stability' too often, as if hinting at fear... or a threat"

Michael gave a calm smile — the kind that doesn't tell you if you're right or wrong

Michael: "Very good, for a first lesson. Here it is: 'Don't just read what is written... read what is hidden between the lines'"

Then Warner spoke: "And with all these lessons… there's one thing that can't be taught in books"

Reishel looked at him curiously, and he smiled

Warner: "Instinct. The sense of people. Of the man who lies, the lady who hides a tear, the leader who fears losing face. We won't teach you that — you'll learn it yourself, from experience"

Reishel: "I feel like I'm living someone else's life… but I'm forced to learn it quickly"

Harlow replied gently: "It is your life, my lord — but written in a language you haven't yet mastered. We are here to teach you that language"

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As the days passed, Reishel began distinguishing between the types of nobles. He memorized the names of the vassal cities, connected the dates of old battles, and read political letters with greater caution

In one of the sessions, as Reishel sat on his chair, Silas behind him and the four mentors around him, his father suddenly entered the hall and approached him. Everyone bowed to him. Reishel rose from his seat and stood before him. With a swift movement, his father embraced him and said:

Daivord: "I'm sorry for being harsh with you, but it was for your own good. Look at yourself now… someone worthy of being called king. From today, I will leave the palace with a peaceful heart"

Reishel: "You're leaving today?!"

Daivord: "Yes, but I'll stay in touch and visit you whenever I can"

Reishel: "But father… you didn't tell me where you're going?"

Daivord: "To a place without titles… where people don't know I'm the king's father. Where I can watch you from afar, without influencing your decisions or your shadow. There… I will reclaim a piece of myself, and let you carve your destiny, Reishel"

Reishel didn't fully understand what his father said, but he felt something mysterious… or sad… hidden in his words

Daivord: "From this day forward, you are the master of this place — the palace, the kingdom, everything. You must care for the smallest details and meet your people's needs. You will continue in my place, and these four men will stand by you until the end… and Silas"

He looked at Silas and said:

Daivord: "He is your responsibility. Protect him with your blood and soul. Let nothing harm him. Be his shadow — never leave him as long as you live"

Silas placed his hand on his chest and bowed, saying: "Your command is my honor, my lord. It is the greatest privilege to be entrusted with this duty — I will guard him with my blood and soul"

And from that day on, the former king Daivord departed, and Reishel became the new king who would forge his own path to the throne

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Time: Two months after his education began

Location: The Eastern Hall – Kingdom of Arcadius

The sun touched the tips of the tall windows when Reishel entered the hall with measured steps. The four mentors awaited him, but this time there were no books or maps

Michael stood from his seat and said: "My lord, the time has come for your first real test"

Harlow looked up from the documents before him: "A delegation from the Kingdom of Skarmoth has suddenly arrived at our borders. They request an urgent diplomatic meeting. Their leader isn't just an ambassador, but one of the city's princes — Prince Sever. A man skilled in words… and slippery"

Krin stepped closer to the table and said: "We wanted to handle it ourselves — but a true king doesn't learn only from the shadows of the palace… but from the arena of real challenges"

Reishel looked at each of them, then asked, his voice slightly tense: "And what do they want?"

Warner looked at him and answered: "Perhaps an alliance offer. Perhaps a subtle threat. We don't know — but we do know this: they are testing us… and testing you"

Reishel felt a bit nervous — it would be his first diplomatic meeting, and he had to act like a true king...

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In the Grand Reception Hall

Sunlight filtered through the high stained-glass windows, scattering colors across the vast hall floor. This space was reserved for major diplomatic meetings. On the far end of the long table sat Sever, a prince of the Kingdom of Skarmoth — a tall man with ink-black hair, fine clothes, and a small entourage behind him

Reishel entered with confident steps. Michael Lucius followed him, while Silas stood silently in the background, like the shadows of the hall — watching every move, every glance

Sever stood and placed his hand on his chest, bowing with polite formality, and said in a calm voice:

Sever: "Your Majesty, it is a great honor to be the first to congratulate you on your reign… and the first to offer you an opportunity… not to be missed"

Reishel sat and replied in a steady voice: "Every opportunity has two sides, Lord Sever. Before I smile at one… I'd like to see the other"

Sever smiled — but his eyes did not

Reishel: "What a lovely smile. We hope your visit is peaceful… as your smile suggests"

Sever chuckled quietly and said: "Indeed, Your Majesty. We carry not swords, but words — though, as you know, words can sometimes be far sharper"

Reishel gestured toward the seats.

"Then let them be kind words"

Sever sat down and pulled out an elegant scroll, placing it carefully before Reishel

Sever: "Your Majesty, I know you seek stability for your kingdom. Skarmoth offers you a valuable opportunity — full protection, abundant resources, and powerful mages at your service… All we ask in return is just a little: a few lands and some trade privileges"

Reishel raised an eyebrow. He remembered Michael's lessons well — "Quick help often wears a noble disguise, but hides a trap"

Reishel: "What kind of land? And where?"

Sever (calmly): "The southwest region — the lands still without central governance. We would simply… manage them on your behalf"

At that moment, Michael slowly stepped forward and spoke in a calm, steady tone: "Strange. Aren't these the same lands that Darmonia once coveted years ago? And now, the name 'Skarmoth' appears again in our reports… same lands, same timing!"

Sever froze for a moment, but Reishel seized the opportunity

Reishel: "You speak of support, yet what you seek is a foothold within my kingdom. This isn't an alliance… it's a Trojan horse"

Sever (visibly flustered): "No, Your Majesty, it's merely coincidence, nothing more"

Michael (chuckling softly): "Coincidences, Prince Sever… are rare in politics. And let me remind you: Arcadius opens its gates to friends — but shuts them tightly against the greedy"

A heavy silence settled over the hall. Then Reishel's tone sharpened

Reishel: "Don't worry, Sever. I won't reject your offer. I'll give it the consideration it deserves — and I may even accept all your terms… under one condition: that royal defense observers be stationed at the borders of the land you request. If your intentions are truly sincere, you shouldn't mind"

From a distance, Michael smiled gently — a quiet expression of reassurance

As for Sever… his eyes narrowed slightly. Then he replied with a smile:

Sever: "Your Majesty… it seems you're not as young as I assumed"

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After the Meeting – In the Education Wing

Reishel entered the room quickly and closed the door behind him. Michael followed silently, then asked: "How do you feel?"

Reishel (deep breath): "Like I stood on the edge of a blade"

Michael: "And you survived that edge. Well done, Your Majesty"

Harlow approached with calm steps and said with a faint smile: "I liked your final line — it carried the voice of a king, not a student"

Reishel sat down and smiled for the first time that day

Then Crain, flipping open another file, added: "But don't celebrate too soon. Sever will return… with another test. He may offer a treaty, or demand influence. What you said today will be remembered — and it will be used"

Michael lifted his gaze slowly and said: "And this… is where the real game begins — where every word shapes a destiny"

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