The Seeds of Hope are Sprouting and Spreading
“Ah… Your Highness Prince Abel.”
The middle-aged officer panicked and took two steps back.
“This is that… uhmm… this woman here. She wasn’t looking…”
“I told YOU to pick it up… this will be the last time.”
Abel said again in a tone that now sounds like a growl. At the same time, he took a step forward the officer.
“Or do you think that I am such a weak Prince that my commands are not worth listening?”
“No, no… of course not.”
The civilian hurriedly picked up the papers then held them out to Monica. He impatiently shook them a few times towards her. When she finally received them, he glared at her.
“I won’t say this again. If you ever do any more rudeness to her, I’ll consider it as a personal affront.”
Abel glared at the civilian with a look that is similar to that of knights on the battlefield. It was definitely a look that could kill.
Oh my. The prince can now make such a face. He really has grown.
Monica is deeply moved by Abel’s expression. Since she came here, her reputation for Abel Remno hasn’t been bad. She sees him as a kind-hearted boy who is kind not just to her, but also to his mother and sisters. This kindness even extends to the maids who served him.
Monica was looking at Abel with a smile. She almost sees him as her younger brother.
But at the same time, Monica thought that Abel was unfit to be a ruler. He was indecisive and lacking in discipline. She thought that he would struggle to make hard decisions that is often required to those who wield power. But that all changed now…
If it was him from before, in this current situation, he would give a smile and laugh it off to smooth things over. He might have helped me, but he would never reprimand anyone. And yet… He clearly has changed.
Now Abel was starting to resemble like Prince Sion from her home country. The change was very profound that she began to feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps he was the one who could break Remno’s tradition of misogyny. At the same time, she wondered what caused this great change in him.
“Are you okay?”
Abel’s voice brought her away from her thoughts and back to reality.
“Oh, my apologies, Your Highness, Prince Abel.”
“No, it is me who should apologize. I know it is hard for all of you to work here. I know I need to do something about it, but it’s not easy.”
With a bitter smile, Abel scratched his cheek.
“Uhmmm… it might be rude to say something like this, but you really have changed, Your Royal Highness Abel.”
“Hmm? Is that so?”
“Yes, you have grown… stronger. You matured.”
“Haha, well. I can’t show the pitiful part to ‘her’.”
Her…
Monica knew exactly who Abel was referring to. She was the Tearmoon Imperial Princess, Mia Luna Tearmoon. Hailed as the Wisdom of the Empire, and Graham’s natural enemy. She was the girl who made the kind Abel into a heroic young lion. Gone was the cute and tender cub, through Mia’s hands, that cub has now grown into a full lion with teeth and claw. Monica has always heard rumors about this Wisdom of the Empire. She was deeply curious about her.
“What kind of person is Princess Mia …”
“Hmm, that’s a good question…”
Abel was lost in thoughts for a while. Then he properly faced Monica and answered with a slightly shy smile.
“She’s like the moon. Breath-taking, but beyond my reach. Her greatness is such that I’ll never be worthy of her. But she still wholeheartedly believes that I will be her match one day. That is the kind of person Princess Mia is… She is the one who has full faith in me and continues to encourage me to better myself.”
Abel said in the tone of a man who is full of love and reverence. He continued…
“That’s why I have to live up to her faith. I should do my best… But…”
Suddenly, Abel’s face became cloudy. It was then that Monica notices something. Abel was wearing armor.
“Your Highness. It can’t be…”
“Hmm? Oh, that’s right. The frontlines seem to be stuck in a stalemate. So, I have to head there to boost the morale of the soldiers. Actually, my brother is more suitable for this kind of job… ”
Abel shrugged and continued…
“But it seems that there was a certain someone who slammed a piece of metal down on his shoulder at the academy. So, I am going to do my duty as part of the royal family. Lest the monarchy collapse and chaos engulf the land.”
Abel straightens his back, but his expression is still dull.
“Are you concerned about something?”
“Oh no… nothing. Just…”
Abel looks up but his gaze was further into the distance.
“… I think she would never forgive me for taking part in suppressing my own people.”
With a lonely face, he muttered.
“Your Highness…”
“Well, excuse me. I’m off”
After seeing Abel depart with escorts, Monica released a messenger bird. A white crow with news to her home country and another one. A black crow with the truth. The black bird flies into the skies. There is no guarantee that the black bird will reach the intended person. Nevertheless…
If it reaches… it means that fate willed it…
She watched it go. The figure of the black bird was slowly disappearing into the horizon as it heads to a secret destination.
Thus, the seeds that Mia sowed are sprouting and spreading like weeds one after another. And these seeds are filled with hope.
