章 16: Intrigue at the Royal Dinner

[William's POV]

I am William Richmond, the 1st Prince of the Otheonate Kingdom. Ever since I was born, I've heard people saying that I'm a blessing to the kingdom because I'm the firstborn prince. They always said I would become the ruler of this country. Being the first prince, all eyes were on me, and I had to follow all the rules and etiquette that came with my noble status.

That's when I met him, Marquess Mathias Augustus Aldridge, a close advisor to my father. They had been friends since childhood, or so they said.

I was only 9 years old when he became my mentor. We played chess, he taught me about history, and much more about politics. But as time went on, I started to see something different about him. Marquess Mathias was an unpredictable man.

I lost to him so many times, and I began to lose interest in everything I had been doing in my life. I started questioning if I was truly happy with what I was doing. You see, as the first male born in this royal family, the idea was always ingrained in my mind that I should be the next king on the throne.

But during that time, I finally realized what was right for me. That's when I began to distance myself from my own family. I decided to learn on my own, step by step, how to live and survive. I ventured outside the kingdom to understand how the real world worked.

*chewing*

The long, beautiful table was set for dinner, and I found myself seated with my father at the center. He was already enjoying his favorite beef steak, it's delicious juices oozing from the tender meat. I couldn't help but feel my stomach grumble with hunger.

"Son, why don't you start eating?" my father said, looking at me with a warm smile.

"I was waiting for everyone to be here, Father," I replied politely.

I glanced over at my mother, the queen, who was sitting gracefully beside my father, her black elegant dress shimmering in the candlelight.

"Father," I asked, "Why did you begin eating without waiting for everyone to be here?"

King Alexander, still savoring a mouthful of his meal, let out a hearty chuckle. "Well, my boy," he replied between bites, "I was quite hungry, and I couldn't resist the aroma of this delicious steak.

My mother, the queen, joined in with a laugh. "He's always been like this," she added, her affectionate smile directed at my father, "food is his weakness."

As he continued to eat, the topic shifted to more serious matters. Marquess Mathias, who was expected to join us, was running late.

"Mathias is rarely late," my father remarked, concern flickering in his eyes. "I hope nothing has happened."

Before anyone could respond, the door to the dining hall swung open, and Mathias entered with an apologetic smile.

"I apologize for my tardiness, "His presence always brought an air of mystery, and his arrival was met with a nod of acknowledgment from my father.

"Ah, Mathias, you're just in time for dinner," the king said, gesturing for him to take a seat.

My father, his appetite momentarily forgotten, got straight to the point. "Mathias, we have a pressing matter to discuss."

Mathias, who had started to fill his plate, looked up with genuine interest. "Of course, Your Majesty. What is it?"

I reached under the table and retrieved the glass bottle filled with the mysterious liquid, its shimmering contents capturing the candlelight. Placing it on the table, I began to explain how I had come across it during my time outside the palace and the events that had transpired.

I look at my father, "As you probably know, I've always been drawn to life outside the palace. Socializing with our people, understanding their worries, as well as receiving firsthand knowledge of our kingdom have been my way of connecting with our people. So, when I learned about the recent execution and the participation of one of our very own knight, I couldn't ignore it."

I inhaled deeply as I met my father's gaze. "I know I'm not the most suitable heir to the throne, and I've made a lot of mistakes, but in this case, I look into it on my own,"

My parents listened attentively, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Fortunately," I continued, "the knight you execute was also close to one of the knights I've come to know. That connection allowed me to locate him and confront him."

I paused, the weight of my words hanging in the air. "I had to make a decision, and I... I chose to eliminate the threat he posed."

Silence enveloped the dining hall as my parents processed what I had just revealed. It was clear that my actions had ramifications, and I had taken matters into my own hands to protect our kingdom.

"So, you see, I believe this bottle may hold some importance within this investigation, Father," I emphasized, trying to convey the gravity of the situation. "And we need a real professional here."

Marquess Mathias, always with that irritating smirk, nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, it seems peculiar. William, maybe you've encountered something like this before?"

I couldn't hide my disdain for this man, but I maintained my composure. "No, Mathias, I haven't. This is entirely new to me." The urge to confront him directly was strong, but I needed to keep my focus on the matter at hand.

The Queen examined the bottle closely, her expression growing more puzzled by the second. After a thorough examination, she shook her head. "No, Your Highness. This is quite unusual. I haven't seen anything like this in my whole life. Perhaps we should seek the expertise of the magic tower."

"We need to find out more about this bottle and what it may represent," my father declared, his tone resolute. "We cannot afford to underestimate any potential threat to our kingdom."

My mother nodded in agreement. "Our people rely on us to protect them, and we must do so diligently."

After a prolonged silence, my father, the king, finally spoke, his voice carrying a tone of resolution. "Very well, then. We shall consult the Magic Tower for their insights on this matter. This bottle's contents may hold answers we cannot fathom. Mathias, I trust you can arrange a meeting with the tower's experts?"

Mathias nodded in agreement, his expression remaining unreadable. "Of course, Your Highness. I shall make the necessary arrangements."

I couldn't shake the feeling that Mathias might know something about this glass bottle, given his extensive connections and shrewd demeanor. However, I chose not to voice my suspicions at that moment, not wanting to reveal my cards prematurely.

I cleared my throat, catching my parents' attention as I raised my hand to speak. Their eyes turned towards me, curiosity evident in their expressions.

"Father, Mother," I began.

"I know I've always been a free spirit among your children, and I've been allowed to make my own choices. But in this matter, I'd like to cooperate with Mathias' operation."