Wendell
Kana and Wendell awkwardly stand beside the well behind the schoolhouse. It's sorta become their usual spot when wishing to chat privately at dawn. Fumbling with the small wrapped gift in hand, all he has to do is pass it over to her. A bit of nervousness stirs in him about how she will react, though prolonging this won't change the girl's response.
"Uh, I just wanted to finally give ya your present since there was no school yesterday. Could've let Saelufu bring it to your party but I preferred to deliver this myself. Kana, happy belated birthday."
She slowly accepts the object from him and then tears away the thin paper. Inside is a single long cherry red ribbon that's decorated with a unique pattern. Something sweet but cheap which is the perfect accessory for Frederick to buy her.
"See, I picked up a neat ribbon I ran across at the shopping plaza here the other day. I noticed you always have them in your hair, and I don't recall ya ever wearin this one before. I really hope ya like it," he adds, but the brunette doesn't seem too pleased, instead looking disappointed by his simple gift.
"...Y-Yeah, it's great. Thanks, Frederick," Kana mumbles, and no sooner than she gives her forced gratitude, the bell rings. "Well, we should get moving before Ms. Grumphan makes us stay after."
Not waiting for him to follow, Kana takes off ahead as the prince's body is left numb. He truly hoped she would have some type of positive reply, but this was contrary to receiving that expensive locket. None of the facts add up, him more uncertain with every little test or perhaps he's just in denial.
At certain times, Kana acts like she does have mutual feelings for myself. Although each trial I pull with Frederick, she always seems to fail. Is she that good of an actress towards me, or is the fault in Saelufu's experiment as a whole?
...
At twilight, the sun dimly lights the hallways as Wendell makes his way back to his bedroom. Still lost in thought about the poor results this morning, he nearly bumps into someone coming around the corner. It's none other than the castle bishop who currently appears more troubled than himself.
The man is of average height, brown-skinned, and wearing his usual robes. Theodore has been working as their bishop since the prince was just a young boy. He's always full of wisdom and compassion although it seems the righteous servant could possibly need a listening ear.
"Good evening. Is it a stressful workload today?" he greets, and the older man gives a tired smile.
"Evening to you, Your Highness. I wouldn't say my work is to blame for these wrinkles... I just got done speaking with your mother, and I'm afraid her wrath has clouded her sense of judgment." Theodore releases a heavy sigh, the prince rarely witnessing him quite like this.
"What happened?" Wendell further questions, being a good distraction from his current dilemma.
"It was about our planned attack fast approaching. Yesterday, two men came forward and revealed how this war truly began. Lorenzo is the mastermind, even deceiving the leader he serves from the beginning."
"You're saying their court alchemist is the one at fault for all of this? Regardless of what those men claim, he is still the one who took my father's life. Besides, why wait so late before coming clean? Their whole testimony could very well be a lie," he grumbles, unable to accept some sorry gamble to save that cruel king from meeting his fate.
"...Do you know what your father's last wish was before his passing? After voicing how dearly he loved his family, he whispered one final note. That he wanted our kingdoms to have unity with each other spilling no more bloodshed," Theodore informs, and Wendell's nails dig so deep into his curled hands that his own blood threatens to spill. "Your father believed there was a reason why a noble king like Henry would drastically change. Despite the fact that King Gus didn't live long enough to discover the root of it for himself. Given a new light shown on the issue, we can make reality-"
"This is one wish we shouldn't grant. My father was often too kind for his own good; that wicked king deserves no such mercy."
Wendell firmly cuts him off, making clear his input on the matter. After the terrible atrocities he has committed, there is not a hint of remorse for his future demise. The boy can't fandom why the archbishop would try to convince anybody to spare Henry's life.
"You must feel a strong bitterness toward that man for what he did to your father. It's only natural to still hold a grudge, but acting off malice is not how we march into battle. We raise our swords when no alternatives remain and proceed to fight to rescue and protect. King Gus followed these principles since his youth as to be a ruler whose ways were pleasing to God."
He remains silent, the prince's bawled fists slowly loosening as his gaze drops to the hard tile floor. Theodore does speak the truth, but he's incapable of shoving his hatred away with the fault Henry's above anyone else. The archbishop sets a firm but comforting hand on Wendell's head, forcing the young royal to look up.
"I know you have a gentle soul because I can see your father in you. Very soon, you'll be taking over the throne and must learn to make a proper judgment. Not based on the queen's standing or going off emotions but choosing what is right for yourself. The men that confessed are being held in the second to last cell on the left-handed side. Learn the true origin of this conflict and determine if Henry deserves your vengeance or your mercy."
Stating that final piece, Theodore continues down the corridor out of sight. He has far heavier issues weighing on his mind now than before their conversation. Wendell ponders what exactly to do with this unexpected information as he enters his bedroom.
...
After a long debate, the prince finally decides to hear their piece. The moon is high in the sky, given the chilly hour, and he heads to the castle dungeon alongside his guard dog. Max joins him for whatever purpose but does feel more at ease not going by himself.
Wendell reaches the bottom of the stairway, and this area is just like he remembers it. Damp, dark, and slightly eerie as he refuses to make eye contact with any of the prisoners. The prince's trips there are very few in number still giving him goosebumps upon entering. He'd been better off to have simply come at sunrise but it's a tad late to turn tail now.
His feet come to a sharp stop when reaching the instructed cell. Indeed, two men are inside though one of them has already turned in for the night. The red-headed fellow is wide awake and surely surprised when seeing his guest.
"Prince Wendell, aren't you? I never imagined the soon-to-be heir would mark my first visitor. What business could you have with me at this dead hour?"
"I want to know the full story from your mouth that brought about this war. Why do you claim Lorenzo is the one pulling the strings? T-Take all the time you need but I'm not leaving without answers," he declares, trying to keep his voice steady, and Max barks as if ordering him the same.
"So your mother didn't tell you anything? Well for starters, my name is Crispin. Myself, August here, and another homeless guy with us begged on the streets daily for copper to purchase food." The man closes the distance between them as he flops down in the dirt leaning against the cold iron railing. "However, one day we had a rather unusual traveler approach us. He said if we wanna make tons of gold and leave this pathetic life behind, we'd meet him in the valleys tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, this rare opportunity would be offered elsewhere, and not giving a detail more he vanished fast as he came."
"Was that suspicious person Lorenzo?" he asks, but Crispin shakes his head.
"Actually we weren't even aware he was from Khisenfire until meeting with him the next day. The man led us to the village of Linbridge and that is where we met Lorenzo. He wanted three people to pose as noblemen from Calestra and trick King Henry to believe King Gus was after his kingdom. He also promised a great sum of gold, if we did carry out his bidding..."
Wendell examines his appearance, and since this is still under investigation to reach a proper sentence, he doesn't yet have his clothes exchanged for prison rags. Crispin is no longer dressed like someone who slept in filthy alleys with all the expensive garments that decorates his healthy frame. This strikes a nerve at the thought of their own citizens accepting such a vile deal thus betraying Calestra.
"So out of greed you went through with his scheme which ultimately cost my father's life?"
Wendell's disgusted tone has the man grimace as if rethinking his actions over time and time again.
"All of us knew too much at that point to escape there alive, if we had refused him. Despite that, I'm not gonna use this as some pathetic excuse to undermine what we did. We were starving, scared, and it was selfish," Crispin hoarsely retorts, causing his original anger to dissipate.
The prince has never once gone hungry wondering where his meals would come from the next day. Though watching Kana hard at work every week gives him a slight idea of how difficult that lifestyle must be. Therefore, he shouldn't fault his moment of weakness in agreeing to such a proposal.
"Lorenzo transformed us from head to toe so we would really look like noblemen. Afterward, he coached on what to say, and when fully prepared we had an audience with the King. Henry did seem a bit skeptical of our claims, but war broke out between the kingdoms a few weeks later. Neither myself, August, nor Jerome was allowed to ever come back home to Calestra. I guess Lorenzo feared we might have a change of heart and tell everything to King Gus. Instead, we had to build a new life with our earnings in Khisenfire."
Wendell anxiously pets his dog as the story further unfolds connecting loose ends. The declaration of war letter that is in his father's study said of men who insisted they were plotting against his kingdom. Although paying no mind to the wronged king's response, Henry launched his first attack against Calestra.
"I figured the old man just held a grievance against your father, and now that he was dead it would all be over. It revealed how false my assumption had been when Henry later announced alive was still in pursuit of the Chestna family. Learning such horrible news, August and I just couldn't take the guilt any longer..." Crispin looks at the tiny barred window that separated himself from the outside world. "Jerome met someone there and gained a decent life during his short stay in Linbridge. He had no intention of throwing away his freedom and thus refused to do the right thing. We confess our sin hoping this feud we helped create could get resolved peacefully."
The prince is rendered speechless with everything coming together, and he doesn't believe nor would it make sense for him to spread senseless lies. Just one little act is what it took for numerous soldiers to be lost and many homes destroyed.
"...Thank you for sharing this with me, Crispin. Be careful not to speak of my coming here to anyone. I'll leave you to get your rest for the night."
With that, Wendell swiftly turns on his feet to the dungeon's stairway as Max scampers behind. He came feeling indifferent about their cover story and is leaving there with his thoughts a scattered mess. The bishop's earlier words resurface though he doesn't have a sure answer like before. King Henry might've dealt the finishing blow, but must he die for an evil plan his alchemist had devised?
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Another strum releases a painful noise, his dreadful playing is opposite of the sweet melody that should come from this instrument. His harp instructor's displeased expression doesn't waver, gesturing for him to stop for the fourth time. This is far from the first lesson Wendell has failed at, but he just can't seem to focus considering what he learned last night.
"What is with you, Your Highness? Usually, you nail this piece with flying colors, however, my ears are screaming in agony."
The man rubs at his temples, the prince fiddling with his harp strings.
"My apologies, I'm just a bit distracted..."
"There is your coronation ceremony as well as your wedding right around the corner. I suppose that would have anyone a tad out of sorts, but you cannot slack off for these next two weeks... Given my lessons aren't as large of importance, you can relax this once until your mathematics educator arrives."
The suggestion is a pleasing one indeed; perhaps fresh air will do him some good. Although he barely moves a muscle when a rather loud knock pounds from the other side of his door. They exchange glances and his instructor's hand doesn't reach the knob before it suddenly swings open.
"Forgive for the intrusion, Your Highness, but the situation is urgent! King Henry's forces have been spotted in the distance, and our own is currently assembling to meet him in battle," he anxiously informs, and Wendell second-guesses what was just said.
"T-They're advancing this very moment?! Our attack was supposed to be launched in two mere days! Based on his serious injuries, shouldn't Henry still be recovering?" his instructor notes, and the butler's face falls.
"Yes, but his court alchemist is skilled in the medical field better than any normal doctor..."
The butler turns to the ash-blonde behind him with a sharp gaze, unlike his previous panic moments ago. Though prehaps it's only masked composure not to worry the young royal any further.
"Our men are moving quickly to try and reach them before his army passes the kingdom's gate. The rest of your lessons have been canceled for today, and you've been strictly ordered by your mother not to step foot from this castle."
"Yes, I understand," Wendell mumbles in response, still trying to wrap his head around the shocking report. Both men continue to discuss this, rushing out of the room which leaves the torn prince alone. Flopping down on his bed, he needs a second to calmly analyze their predicament.
His mother informed him their army is much too limited in number to face them. With the soldiers from Quincy absent this situation is already dire, and even if luck is somehow on their side, does that end with Henry's death? Would that truly be the moral call?
No, the man that deserves a sentence is the one who orchestrated this from the start.
With this thought in mind, the prince makes sure the two men who just exited are long gone and tiptoes for the treasury. Inside it among the valuable antiques and dazzling jewels stands a shining sword he retrieves. This originally belonged to fallen king and was to first have been welded upon obtaining the throne. Unfortunately, he'll have to make an exception, and the boy's best bet not to get caught sneaking out is doing so through his trusted window. Wendell promptly returns to his bedroom fetching a letter off his desk before quietly inching open the closed glass. Though just as his fingertips grasp the branch, a sudden voice causes the prince's body to freeze up.
"Where do you think you're sneaking off, Your Highness?! It's far too dangerous to venture outside when a war is brewing." Margaret places hands on her hips with a rare stern gaze, and he must gain her favor if he wishes to leave now.
"I need to speak with Henry before this battle commences. There's a possibility we can end this without any lives lost."
"Absolutely not! Who's telling what will happen to you?! I know going into this at such a disadvantage is unnerving... Despite the odds, I'm positive your mother and the royal army can handle them on their own," she assures, but he won't simply take no for an answer.
"Nevertheless, another war isn't what my father wanted. I'll be taking over the throne in exactly fourteen days--just two short weeks. You can't expect me to keep hiding away, and there's no better time to step up than the present. If I can open Henry's eyes to the truth, it will cease all this pointless fighting. Please, Margaret."
One last desperate plea finishes off the prince's persuasive defense. He's yearning for his aid to only turn a blind eye when her arms pull him into a warm hug. Instances like these make the caring woman feel like a second mother figure in his heart.
"...Okay, you've successfully won me over. Just swear no matter what transpires that'll you will come home safe."
"I promise," he softly answers, and after holding on a minute more, she releases the boy. To his surprise, Margaret even volunteers to stall the soldiers for time. Something the prince could so desperately use as he then climbs out of the window. Once the perimeter is clear, Wendell leaps from the tree sprinting fast as his legs will allow him for the kingdom's gate.
...
It would've been ideal for him to have ridden horseback, but he risked getting caught thus ruining the chance Margaret has provided. Luckily to save his stamina for the possible fight ahead, he stops a carriage carrying goods through the kingdom. Making his request as the crowned prince, the man doesn't refuse him and he hops in the back for a free ride to cover some distance. This will help the ash-blonde gain more time, and him hiding under the heavy cloth is a way to avoid knights aiding with emergency protocol.
The prince only uses this trip to the middle of Opal Forten before ordering to be let off. It can be dangerous for the peasant to get too close to the incoming threat, and thanking him, he makes sure the coast is clear before exiting the carriage. Needing to hurry before their armies cross blades, Wendell goes to sprint again when colliding into someone he didn't expect.
"I'm always running into you at the most convenient times," Oliver mumbles, and the prince's gaze drops to the smaller sword he is carrying.
"Why are you armed?"
"If you must know, I was heading to Rainswood to assist with the evacuation. A messenger passed by warning that Henry's army was advancing right toward the kingdom. Taking precautions, men are gathering residents in case this pushes back like the previous battle. Soldiers' main priority should be reaching the battlefield, so any help can have the process go through much smoother. I borrowed this from the weaponry shop if I stumble across trouble," he replies, Oliver's scarlet eyes glued to his own blade. "And what's the reason for your sword while questioning me? Plan to join the fray or something since you're sneaking from the castle?"
"...I'm confronting King Henry to strive and end this war by exposing his court alchemist's true colors."
He answers directly, finding no purpose in lying to him nor does he have the energy to think up a sensible excuse. Naturally, the boy is left indignant at his claim and he can predict what mocking remarks will surely follow. Regardless of how dangerous his plan might be, there aren't other options with both armies marching forth.
"You can't be serious?! Blindly charging toward the enemy frontlines will get you killed! This is the same evil man that spilled King Gus's blood without an ounce of pity!" Oliver snaps, but he isn't aware of the details that brought about his demise.
"It is because of my father's dying wish that I must release my malice! There's a deceiver amongst the Schneider ranks and Lorenzo has to be punished for what he committed. I realize how reckless it is to do this meetup alone, but I cannot persuade the queen to forget her revenge..." He sets a firm hand on his weapon's handle, no longer wishing to cut down the blinded king but make peace with him. "In case of my failure, you should get to a secure place once finished with the evacuation."
Stating his goals, Wendell maneuvers around him not trying to waste valuable minutes. He hopes Oliver doesn't babble to authorities before the two of them can have a chance to talk. However, his next response causes the prince's feet to come to an abrupt halt.
"I'll accompany you then."
The ash-blonde studies his face and it doesn't appear this is some cruel joke but he's serious about cooperation.
"Why? This will be nothing like our swordsmanship classes or going on patrol. On the battlefield, I can't guarantee your safety..."
"You needn't give me a lecture on the dangers which lie ahead. I have family and friends I want to protect, including tired citizens who have suffered enough. The best outcome is no war altogether, and you have an idea to make that possible. Besides..." Oliver's voice trails, and the prince's head tilts in confusion at his flustered gaze. "I-It's irrelevant now! Are you really in any position to turn down my assistance?"
Quite honestly, if this scenario had taken place a couple of weeks ago, he would've immediately rejected such a partnership. Attempts to fight alongside his one-sided rival could only produce results of more harm than good. Nonetheless, since creating Frederick he has begun to see admirable qualities hidden under his narcissistic facade. Even working well on patrol with minor issues, Oliver might be a great asset in this face-off.
With his support, I can wager a duel that will make Henry listen.
"I'll accept your noble offer. There's a clever tactic I could use which can only be executed with an ally. We can discuss it while moving as plenty of time has already been lost."
Wendell taking the lead, the two boys hurry for
the kingdom gate together.

A/N End of the first part of the war chapter. Will Wendell be able to reason with King Henry? The next update is coming very shortly!