🐅 🐅 🐅
WORRY plagued Kyril as he looked over the letter and old map from the Bai Ze. Aside from him, Prime Minister Tomi, Yuen, and Junshi had gathered in one of the North Star Sanctuary’s rooms.
The news of Feilong’s transformation still hadn’t been made public. Ostensibly, he was taking an extended rest. That said, Feilong had protected the empire with his overwhelming might for many years. If news of his transformation into a powerless child became public knowledge, nearby and vassal nations wouldn’t remain quiet. Rumors were already circulating. People had started pressuring Kyril and probing into his affairs. Chaos in the empire seemed all but inevitable, and in the worst-case scenario, enemy nations would begin launching invasions.
Despite being the crown prince, Kyril had no strong backers, and he still wasn’t powerful enough to govern Jinlong. Returning Feilong to normal as quickly as possible would prove best for the empire’s stability. They would have to visit the Yulan castle and retrieve the sheet music in order to do so. Unfortunately, the previous emperor had submerged that castle underwater, and it had an enchantment cast upon it. According to the Bai Ze’s letter, they wouldn’t be able to enter the castle without Angelina—the final Princess of Yule.
Kyril looked at Tomi with a troubled expression. “What’s more, he’s even encouraging us to bring Hisame.”
“The Andan prince?” Tomi asked.
“Apparently, we need an ice mage to freeze the lake where the castle is submerged.”
“Prince Hisame is a one-in-a-million ice mage,” Yuen said. “He’s probably the only one who could freeze such a vast lake.”
Junshi cast Yuen an anxious glance. “But he’s an Andan prince. Is there not some other solution? Building a bridge or removing the water, for instance?”
Yuen shook his head. “I’ve seen the lake, and neither of those solutions is possible. The monstrous fish swimming in the water would prevent us from building a bridge. Naturally, we can’t cross by boat either. The previous emperor made sure that no one could enter the castle. Furthermore, the lake has become a dam that collects snowmelt from Mt. Jinlong. Thawing the ice would harm the city downstream.”
Junshi’s head shot up. “Then let’s ask the Golden Dragon for help! He’ll definitely agree if the request comes from Angelina.”
“Strange magic guards the area surrounding Yule Castle,” Yuen replied. “The castle only allows those it has recognized to approach. Even migratory birds avoid the air above the castle.”
“But—” Junshi began.
“Not a single imperial sorcerer could strike the castle with an arrow,” Yuen interrupted. “That’s why the previous emperor had no choice but to submerge it underwater.”
Tomi nodded. “We’ll still face a multitude of problems even if Prince Hisame decides to help us. Firstly, how much information should we share with Anda? If Anda learns of His Majesty’s situation, they’ll see this as a perfect opportunity to gain the upper hand. And if any harm comes to Prince Hisame, it will give them a pretext to launch an invasion.”
Everyone knew of Hisame’s affection for Angelina. Accepting an Andan prince into the canopy had raised more than a few eyebrows, as people often called them fiends. Even so, Hisame behaved well in the canopy, cultivating a good reputation at the academy. Jinlong and Anda had even brokered an armistice because of Hisame’s request to study abroad. In any case, Hisame valued Angelina dearly. He wouldn’t choose a path that would cause her misfortune.
“What if we convince Anda that we’re performing a reconnaissance mission?” Junshi suggested. “Hisame will be scouting out Yule Castle with a Prince of Nanran. Many nearby countries are interested in the Yulan Secret Arts. If we claim to be showing Hisame where those secret arts are hidden, then they might look upon this proposal favorably.”
Yuen nodded. “We’ll position troops around the castle to guarantee the children’s safety. That will be our highest priority.”
Tomi sighed. “Either way, we’ll have to request Prince Hisame’s cooperation.”
“Should we ask Princess Angelina to persuade him?” Junshi inquired.
Kyril stared at the three conversing men absentmindedly.
“Is something wrong, Prince Kyril?” Junshi asked.
Kyril suddenly came back to himself. “Well, I was wondering…” he mumbled, hanging his head. “I was wondering if Father would be happy returning to normal.”
Junshi responded with a sharp intake of breath.
“Father is living in blissful ignorance right now,” Kyril said. “He laughs so often that I mistake him for a different person. Would he be happier to continue living as my little brother without remembering anything?” When silence fell over the room, Kyril continued, “Returning to normal would mean regaining all his memories, right? His father alienating him, the murders of his mother and grandfather, losing his wife. Perhaps he doesn’t want to remember all those past tragedies.” Here, Kyril balled his hand into a fist. “Being forgotten by my father is sad. And it’ll be difficult to govern Jinlong without the cruel emperor’s might. We probably won’t be able to avoid war or civil insurrection. But if I take Father’s happiness into account…”
“I think you’re mistaken, Prince Kyril,” Tomi answered with a smile, speaking in a relaxed manner. “If I were in the same position, I wouldn’t want to forget Yuen or Junshi in exchange for numbing the pain of Ryoui’s death. My pain and suffering are both part of who I am. I’m happy now because I have a past.” When Kyril lifted his head, Tomi continued, “I’m fond of how His Majesty smiles right now as well. However, I also loved his expression when he looked at you and Princess Angelina as a father. If we don’t restore his memories, that would equate to stealing two precious treasures from His Majesty… from Feilong. Please, Kyril, return Feilong to being your father.”
When he finished speaking, Tomi bowed his head quietly.
“Prince Kyril,” Junshi said. “His Majesty cares for you and Angelina more than you could ever know.”
Gasping, Kyril recalled the Yulan lullaby that Feilong had sung to them.
My children are more precious to me than any gemstone, be it silver, gold, or pearls.
That had been Feilong’s translation of the lyrics.
Yuen smiled. “Children are irreplaceable to their parents.”
Junshi hung his head awkwardly.
“Understood,” Kyril said. “I won’t hesitate any longer. I’ll do everything in my power to return Father to normal. We have no choice but to trust the Bai Ze when it comes to Hisame.”
“I don’t think we’ll have anything to worry about with Ryuho present,” Yuen replied.
Junshi chuckled at that. “Let’s hope their bickering doesn’t cause Angelina too much grief.”
“Indeed,” Tomi agreed.
Thus, warm laughter enveloped the room.