บท 87: Ch 86. The intricacies of truth and ideal
(Unedited)
Days passed by uneventfully, as both Ares and his pokemon slowly recovered. Members of the royal family often called for him to join them to pass the time, though if he had to put a label on it, they were more likely to win him to their side. News of his arrival had stirred the Beedrill nest, as two factions were clearly making themselves aparant, as nobles from both sides began to visit more often.
As news of his strong pokemon got out, multiple factions supporting one or the other twin began to request his presence. Those occasions were often disguised as invitations to tea parties, hunting as well as requests to escort young ladies to the ball.
Whenever he got such letters, he would look at them with annoyance as he put a lighter to it. If there was one thing he detested, it was to be an object for someone to use.
He was not someone who enjoyed spending time in someone's company, especially if he was treated like a show piece to flaunt with.
Yet the invitations continued to come even after he declined, as some of the ministers began to openly inquire about his stay in the castle. At such occasions, Annebelle would appear out of nowhere, as Kirlia ran up to the ministers to shoo them away.
The amount of displeasure was palpable, as the disregard they showed to the princess was plain to see to all.
"You know you are playing with fire, right?"
Ares muttered, as he and Annebelle were sitting on the railings of one of the watch towers. Down below they could see the noble men searching around, as they had been walking in that street just a minute ago. A pleasant trip to the local market once again ruined. Maybe a change of scenery wasn't such a good idea after all.
"I'm not afraid of fire. I have my pokemon to protect me. But even so, Vahirom asked me to look after you, so I will. I don't care what those stuck up nobles think."
Annebelle giggled, as she stuck out her tongue at the nobles below them.
Finding her sheer disregard amusing, Ares leaned back against the tower wall, watching the bustling streets below. Everything was so peaceful from above. Getting his Rotom phone out of his pocket, he took a picture. Looking at the result, he nodded in satisfaction. At his left, he could see Annebelle staring at him from the corner of his eye.
"You are amusing, to say the least. If it were me, I would surely have avoided them, instead of trying to paint a target on my back. Who did I ask to be rescued by such a bold princess?"
Chuckling softly, Annebelle responded in kind, as her Kirlia sat in between them.
"It is my privilege to be rambunctious and annoying. Being bold is just another nice addition to the mix. I say, let them run off their mouths, trying to make you choose a side. Sooner or later, their tongues won't be so comfortable inside of their mouths, running off like that. Father will surely see to that."
Annebelle made a cutting motion around her neck, once more bursting out in laughter.
"I can't wait to see your face when it does happen. I can already imagine your expression."
Ares responded, the sarcasm dripping from every word.
"Oh please, this whole factions debacle is pointless. Father has already made a decision who will be his heir. It is only a matter of time before he will announce it."
Annebelle stated, filled with confidence. She didn't have a care in the world, not knowing, or caring about the chaos that would surely erupt once the king did announce his heir.
"He may already have a heir in mind, yet there won't be a smooth transition. Surely the possibility of a succession war is there, as both of the twins surely will vie for their spot on the throne."
Ares waved down at the dispersing crowd below.
"The factions are on the move, which also shows that the twins are getting restless. It has only been a few days since my arrival, yet it has put them on edge, even more so when the Guardian dragon showed interest in my presence."
In the distance a group of guards were closing in, surely to break up any straggling groups that were still lingering.
Annebelle just shrugged as she cheered softly as the guards broke up the remaining groups, completely dispersing the crowds that had formed.
"While my brothers are both ambitious, I am sure they will find a middleground, especially if they sit down and discuss the possiblities. Surely there is no such thing as pure ideals and complete truths? An ideal can be tainted by the smallest of things, spinning out of control to damage all that you wanted to accomplish."
Annebelle crossed her legs as she gestured to a particular shop below.
"See that shop there? It's a new establishment that shares their food with the poor, having recently opened to the public by a young woman. Her ideal was spreading joy by sharing food at an affordable price, even making sure those from the slums can survive."
Walking out of the shop, a tired young woman put out a sign, food already stalled out in front for the poor to collect.
"Yet not everything is as it seems. She can share her supplies to all who need it, yet her earnings from the shop itself are small, only barely keeping her establishment running. An ideal might be perfect in your mind, in reality, nothing is perfect. An ideal is great when it works as intended, but it never goes as you imagine it. There are always variables that put kinks in your plan. Maybe a rip-off version of the perfect idea you had in mind is possible, but its never going to be as perfect as what you imagined."
Annebelle looked at Ares, a smile tugging on her face.
"The same can be said about the truth. While it is a virtue to be truthful, is it so bad to tell a white lie? Is it bad of me to lie to someone, even if it is to protect their feelings? How can I tell a small child their parents died, instead of saying they are asleep or are on a trip far away? Isn't it better to sugarcoat something than to slap them in the face when they are already in pain?"
Annebelle stared in the distance, as her face turned grim.
"You know what is even worse?"
Ares listened silently as Annebelle continued soflty, her once bright demeanor becoming somber and desolate.
"Knowing that my mother won't have much longer, while my brothers don't even see the state she is in. Seeing them bickering about a throne while their own mother might pass away without them even caring. My brothers are fools, the both of them. Ideals. Truth. What use is it if you don't care about your family. In the end, all that will be left is just an empty throne."
Sighing, Annebelle became cheerful again, her somber mood from before melting away like snow in the sun.
"On another note, why don't we get back. I'm sure Adrian and William are both waiting for you. If I recall correctly, you were going to spend some time horse riding with them. The stablehand was humming all morning, readying the Zebstrika for a run."
Taking Ares's hand, Annebelle turned to her Kirlia.
"To the castle, if you would."
Kirlia nodded as she grabbed Annebelle's hand and teleported them away.
.
.
.
Arriving at the castle, Annebelle soon parted ways with Ares, going back towards the inner castle, as a tutor had been called for her to continue her studies.
With no one present at the moment, Ares called out Lucario, while Mew popped out her head from beneath his cloak.
[I thought she would never leave. I could have perfectly handled the annoyances myself.]
Mew pouted, pulling softly at Ares's hair.
"I know you could, but I wanted to find out more about her. If I want to figure out more about the royal family, she is our best bet. And it seems she isn't particularly satisfied with the current situation as well. This family is breaking apart as we speak."
Turning his gaze to the stable, he could already spot the two princes, once again bickering softly.
"Let's get on with this. The sooner this is solved, the quicker our peaceful days return and we can focus on our other problems."
[Amen to that.]
Mew concurred, turning invisible to the naked eye as Lucario followed behind them. The latter was on edge, as the disturbing emotions from the two princes could also be sensed by Ares.
"Easy, Lucario."
Patting Lucario on the shoulder, they moved towards the two princes. As soon as they saw him, they stoppped bickering, as they both broke out in smiles.
"It is good to see you accepted my invitation. It would be even better if Adrian didn't come along. I wanted to speak with you, alone."
William said, patting a Zebstrika on the side.
Adrian grimaced a bit, yet kept calm as he began to jest.
"I can't have you keeping him to yourself, brother. What would all the ladies say. I want to have a word with him as well, to get to know him better of course. What better opportunity than on a Zebstrika, riding through the Vale?"
Adrian stepped forward, handing the reigns of one of the Zebstrika to Ares.
His eyes landed on Lucario, as he took the pokemon in with wonder.
"A powerful pokemon partner you have there. I see the two of you are close."
Adrian complimented, as his eyes couldn't help but linger on the pouch Lucario carried.
"He has been with me since he was an egg, so indeed. A close friend and partner."
Ares replied, noticing the princes gaze yet remaining quiet. In a single motion he jumped on Zebstrika's back and gestured for Lucario to hop on as well.
With both of them seated, the twins hopped on the back of their Zebstrika as well, as they gestured for Ares to follow, as they left the palace ground towards the Valley of the Vale.
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