WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter forty nine - deep thoughts.

"SHIRO!" Arius stood up from his seat.

Shiro flew over to Arius and kept hovering above his head.

"I thought you were with Raven, where is he?" Arius asked. Shiro kept going in a certain direction and looking back at Arius.

"Did something happen to Raven?" Athanasia stood up as well.

"I guess it's trying to lead us." Arius concluded.

"We should hurry then!" Athanasia exclaimed as she was worried about her divine beast.

"Countess, Dad." Arius turned towards them, "If you would excuse us, please enjoy your time." Arius bowed slightly and so did Athanasia.

Afterwards the two left the room.

"HAAAAAH! THAT WAS SUFFOCATING!" Arius exclaimed as he was now outside.

"Tell me about it!" Athanasia agreed.

"Your Highness!" Cadell and Gunther greeted them outside.

"I'm so happy to see you guys!" Arius spoke.

"Huh why?" Cadell asked as he was confused. Gunther had the same look.

"We should really make a way for us to communicate without talking and at far distances." Arius suggested.

"I know right!" Athanasia agreed.

The knights stood there confused as to what the royals were discussing.

"We'll explain when we get back. We need to get back first." Arius sighed and began going back to his Palace.

ARIUS RELAXED AS HE SOAKED in his nice warm bath. It was a bubble bath, filled with flower oil, Jasmine oil.

He got a moment of distraction from the stressful thoughts he was having moments before.

Shiro was in the bath as well. He was jumping up and down in the bath, causing the bubbles to scatter in the whole room.

Arius played with Shiro and cleaned him up as well. It was a fun and relaxing time. He enjoyed his bath a lot despite him not usually wanting to take it.

After bathing, he came to his bed and lazily layed on it. Shiro jumping on the bed as well and then licking Arius's face.

"Mmhah Shiro!" Arius giggled at the cute animal and picked him up. "You're so cute!" Arius began petting Shiro.

Creak!

In came Athanasia along with Raven, followed by Cadell and Gunther with plates filled with cookies.

The four of them sat down on the carpet and engaged in a deep talk. All four of them had been thinking deeply about something. Starting with, Arius.

"Vivia Lennox, used to be Dad's friend during his school time. They seemed close. And dad doesn't just invite anyone for lunch. Do you think she'll be here for dinner as well?" Arius began asking them.

"I was patrolling around the area and I did seem to look at a pair of lilac heads. The chances of her being there during dinner is high." Gunther answered.

Arius and Athanasia both sighed.

"I'm not going for dinner." The siblings replied in unison.

They looked at each other and once again replied in sync, "We're not feeling well."

The siblings had decided.

"Is there a reason your highnesses don't like her?" Cadell asked.

"Daddy's being too nice to her. He was even smiling while talking to her. What if she seduces him and we get a third mom? " Athanasia complained.

"And an annoying step brother." Arius added.

"I don't think His Majesty would do that, your highness. He really loves you too, from what I've observed. Lennox County manages the territory in the east and it doesn't come to the capital often, so if they're visiting ,I'm sure His Majesty simply wishes to spend time with an old friend." Gunther reasoned.

Arius and Athanasia looked at each other and began viewing things differently.

'...Why do I love overthinking?' Arius asked himself.

Their moods shifted slightly when they talked about what was bothering them. And now, it was their knight's turn.

"Speaking of which, Vincent is Vivia Lennox's son. He's the successor of the county. You met him in the morning right?" Arius brought it up.

"Your highness! You knew about that and didn't tell us?!" Cadell voiced his anger.

"Hey calm down, I'm sure his highness has his reasons. " Gunther hushed him, but he too seemed a bit hurt.

'Woah, what, they seem way too shocked. ' Arius thought and looked at Athanasia who avoided his gaze.

"I only found out recently. A few days ago, but I wasn't completely sure either. After he visited my Palace yesterday , my suspicions were confirmed. I sent him to meet you both today. I was shocked as well yesterday and I forgot to tell you." Arius explained.

'I am lying, but most of it is true.'

"Tch" Cadell made a sound before staying quiet.

Silence emerged as all four of them quietly nibbled on the cookies.

"Sorry, I took my anger out on you." Cadell apologized.

"It's just– Vincent– he– we–"

Gunther smacked Cadell from the back and told him, "Stop. Breathe. And Relax you idiot."

"Ughhhh, I'm going for sword practice. I need to cool my head!" Cadell stood up and looked at Athanasia for permission, which she gave him.

Thud!

Gunther sighed as the door closed.

"I apologize for his rude behaviour."

"No need, I can understand how you must feel."

"We've known Vincent since years, and we just...didn't see this coming. After what happened with the slave auction, we really hate the nobility. And I know it's not Vincent's fault but! If he was a noble, a count's son at that, he could've helped us. He– He could've done something! But it was you... who helped us."

Gunther became silent and Arius was thinking about their situation. He had received the file containing information on all the children, but he didn't have time to completely read everything.

But from what he had read, Gunther Soliva Deferim. Him and Mia come from a travelling tribe well-known for their swordsmanship. The tribe, Deferim.

Their green hair is an identifying feature of the Deferims.

The tribesmen were all strong people, but they were killed after rejecting a kingdom's request of becoming their knights.

The kingdom's pride couldn't accept the rejection and thus ambushed them in the middle of the knight with magicians.

The only survivors were the two siblings who were found by Vivia Lennox.

For Gunther, Vincent and his mother were probably like angels who helped him and his sister when they needed it most.

Lennox gave him shelter, food, clothes and taught him how to survive. He never doubted them. He blindly followed and trusted them, thinking it was all goodwill.

And now, he finds out Vincent is a noble. Him being a noble doesn't change much, but the slave auction.

Mia getting kidnapped. Gunther sent several letters to Vincent asking for advice and help.

Yet, no reply came. Gunther at first thought that since Vincent is also just a commoner and not to mention he lives in the Eastern borders of the empire it would take long for him to either come to the capital or even advise him.

But he was a noble.

He had money for carriages. He could've made it to the capital in two days' time.

He could've.

Plainly spoken, finding out he was a noble simply made him realize things. It made him come out of the blind trust he had been giving Vincent. It made him think, and question things.

Him and Mia were orphan children with nothing to offer. So then why did Vincent and his mother help them?

At first he thought it's because they were extremely kind people. But now his thoughts are changing.

There were several other orphans and beggars he had seen wandering in Obelia's darker areas. And yet he never did wonder, why , why is he being given such a treatment?

Arius could tell by the expression of Gunther that he had finally started to become more wary of his surroundings.

That he had begun to realize what the twins had already known.

The Lennox county has other aims. Hidden Aims.

"I know I sound selfish, I should just be grateful to them. But-"

"No, you have every right to feel the way you do. I personally don't like Vincent so telling you he's the villain here would just be my own opinions. But Gunther, as far as we've talked Vincent says he only intended to help orphans because you had talent which the county was seeking."

Gunther looked at him a bit confused.

"According to the County, a war with the empire to the north, Merika Empire is approaching. The county is trying to gather talents that will help the empire in that time. Your and Cadells sword skills, Lifa and Jaspers fast movements, the twins information gathering, Elio and Ruby's culinary skills will probably play a part as well in their plan. And Mia might have a role as well." Arius elaborated.

Gunther gritted his teeth and lowered his head.

They're being used.

He knows that.

But,

Even so, they saved them.

Does that mean their lives are now in the County's hands?