Even though everything else was failing him, Reis was grateful for one thing: the luxurious, soft bed at the palace. It was like it had the ability to make anyone fall asleep and make them forget about all their worries.
So, by default, he wasn't the slightest bit happy about being forced to leave the warmth of the bed, which, for otherworldly reasons, was really hard to achieve. And the displeasure showed on his face, so much so that almost everyone in the room avoided meeting his eyes.
He wasn't the only one, though. The younger three were much more disheveled and still in their sleepwear. Technically, they all were, but his shirt didn't have childish bows and prints, thank goodness. He was too old for that kind of embarrassment.
The nobles sitting at the table, on the other hand, could not have been more prim and proper. They were here to make the royal heirs stand before judgment; of course, they had to dress for the occasion.
"Your Majesty, this is a serious issue. How could you let this be?"
The king was leisurely sipping his morning tea as if he couldn't care less about whatever was going on, but had to speak in the end, "What do you mean?"
"This selection! It cannot be, Your Majesty!"
"And why do you think that?"
The noble hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Not all are suitable to become rulers of the kingdom." Reis was sure he saw the guy looking at him from the corner of his eye.
"The succession battle should only be within those who are worthy of the crown to begin with!"
It wasn't a secret that most of the nobility didn't like the third prince. Which wasn't really their fault, since 'Ann' hadn't done anything to make himself likable. If anything, he only did things to make people want to despise him. From insulting nobles in public to denying them favors, he checked every mark.
"And look at them," another noble gestured towards the ones in floral sleepwear, "They are clearly not mature enough for such a role!"
King Aldric didn't interrupt them even once.
They were here to complain, so they did. Why this was wrong, how this should be fixed, and so on, while Ann couldn't help yawning every few minutes, earning subtle glares from the crowd. They didn't attack him directly, but it was obvious how many of their complaints originated from him.
Their worries were actually valid, to be frank. Reis scoffed, seeing Adonis nod pitifully like a bullied child when one of them pointed out he was too young for outer palace politics. If only they knew what lived inside the minds of these children. All of them.
"I don't mean to be rude, but if someone doesn't even know how to dress appropriately for a meeting, how would they take responsibility for the kingdom? You can't put the kingdom in danger, your majesty!"
This time, the ruler had to look back at his children. Inappropriately? Who was dressed inappropriately? He had ordered his children to stay at the palace for the night and leave after meeting him in the morning. The queen had personally picked every outfit so they'd be comfortable. Who could still look inappropriate?
Who else other than the creature who had left the silk ribbons hanging cause he couldn't bother with it this early in the morning?
Of course, Aldric first looked at his eldest daughter, who was in a soft sleeping gown that could not be considered inappropriate from any angle. Informal? Sure. Childish? Well, the queen liked her children looking like children.
But it wasn't inappropriate considering they were summoned right out of bed.
Only after making sure of it did he look at Reis. Untucked shirt, loose pants, untied laces barely holding the shirt in place. But it was in place. Messy hair and an annoyed expression, he was the prime example of disheveled, as always. Always being the keyword.
The eldest, Ceron, had draped a long coat over himself. The rest were in their childish attire, as they called it. None of his children were morning people; that much was obvious. They tried, when they needed to, most of them at least. But that didn't change the fact that they'd rather be in bed.
"I don't follow. What do you mean?" He didn't realize his words would send some of the nobles into shock. Visible, wide-eyed, shock.
"Your Majesty, His Highness didn't even find it appropriate to put the shirt on properly for a council meeting. He doesn't even care about propriety!" One of them pointed towards Reis without even looking at him.
'Now they're directly attacking me…what is their problem?'
|They find your attire inappropriate.|
'What am I? A young lady being presented to in-laws?' Never had he imagined being called out for how he dressed to bed. Ok, this was a old fasioned society and all, but nothing other than his neck and collarbones showed, and he was a man.
'They are picking fights on purpose.' That was Reis's conclusion.
He was half right. They didn't like him being in the trials. More than that, they didn't like how their younger generation turned red if they looked at the third prince for a second too long, which they did.
Aldric, on the other hand, couldn't care less about the tomatoes at the council. "They aren't dressed for the occasion, but I see nothing inappropriate. The children aren't the most fond of mornings, so there's nothing I can possibly do to fix my immature children."
"But it's clearly wrong for a prince to present himself like that in a meeting!"
This time, Reis snapped, "Do I look like something put on a presentation to you? How dare you raise questions after disturbing my rest!?"
Perks of having a bad personality…you can act without consideration. And 'Ann' happened to have that kind of tenacity where he went all in to destroy those who hit a nerve.
The nobles wanted to argue, say that it had to be done and whatnot, but his majesty the King didn't give them the chance. "Regarding the selection, are you all not aware of the customs of our land? Was it I who made the selection that you asked me to reconsider? Tell me, by what right did you call for a meeting at dawn without even knowing the customs of the kingdom?"
The immature children in question stifled their laughter. It was common knowledge in high society that the official palace meetings didn't start until the sun was high enough in the sky.
Otherwise, every discussion was a failed discussion.
"Your Majesty, we know we cannot question heaven's decision," an elderly noble who remained silent so far spoke up, "But it is also true that the heirs must be worthy of the position."
'I'm unworthy, disqualify me!'
|Achievement: Match your thinking with at least half of your family.|
"Isn't that what the council is supposed to do? To make them worthy?" Silence followed the question. "I know it has been more than a century since the last trials, but I'm sure there's no lack of information."
"I've handed the task over. Shaping them is the council's duty, don't force your tasks on me."
Read: I've raised my children and sent them to school. Now they are your problem. Train them, fail them. If the winner isn't good enough to rule, that's on you.
A virtual guilt trap. Price: zero.
Effectiveness? Immediate. Vidalians, by nature, didn't like taking the blame.
The rest of the conversation entailed a series of rules, regulations, and plans that sent Reis into a system failure. The members in the room were observing them like seasonal hunters, and he was a target that needed the most arrows…as in most reformation.
And at that moment, Reis knew, this couldn't go on. He couldn't go on without a power that would let him run away. These old people were looking at him like a delinquent who needed to be trained just in case heaven chooses him in the end, which, by the way, was impossible.
—
And that brought him to the embarrassing act of asking for help. From someone he denied help from less than a day ago.
|The Guardian was offended by your refusal. It will be difficult.|
'Great…now I'm totally screwed…"
|But you can still try asking. The Guardian is most generous; you may be lucky.|
'Lucky my ass.'
|Ask like a devout believer, you won't know until you try.|
'A devout believer? Of what? Injustice? '
But he had to. For a peaceful life without people who were offended by his collarbone showing. Yeah no.
"Great Guardian, I ask for your guidance. Please shine over this pitiful subject and grant me peace. You are the only one who can help me. So please forgive my misgivings and grant me your aid."
Reis did his best to say it as the religious leaders show on TV. Expression reverent, hands clasped together. There was no gap in sincerity.
"Did I not mention I can hear your thoughts?"
Thoughts. Someone could hear his thoughts. And that someone was talking to him in his thoughts.
'Well, shit.'