He gazed at the figure while still crying, and due to the extremely foggy afternoon and his poor vision, he almost screamed because he thought he saw a ghost!
She says in a pleasant voice, "Oh my! Just my luck," yet she is irritated. The prince noticed her massaging her damaged shoulder as he quietly watched her from behind a bush, and he finally mustered up the confidence to face the intruder.
He remarked, maintaining his stance straight and plainly towering over her, trying to assert his authority, which he clearly failed to do because he was trembling a lot. "Hello.. there, who.. are y-you?! " he stammered.
The girl made a light introduction.
In order to avoid being discovered, she added, "It's (F/N) , uh...pleasure," but fortunately the boy seems a little naive as she examines him.
But that's a boy's name, said Joseph. She answered bluntly, "Well, that's what my mother named me before she passed away from childbirth so I should be grateful."
Having touched a delicate area of her, the lad was now furious with himself. He glanced to the ground in shame and disappointment in himself, saying, "So-.. Sorry.. I'm not used to talking to other people.. That's-.. That's why."
I'm not going to cry because you apologize, so whatever. Now, would you kindly tell me where in the castle I landed? ", said her.
" The Chrysanthemum garden.."
᯽⊱┈──╌❊ ࿈ ⸔⋌⳻«༺⳹⁌⸕❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱
The little prince, who is seven years old, cries out, "Father! Father!" as he rushes from the garden to the throne room, where he knows his father is engaged in conversation with merchants from other countries and officers of the fleet.
Everyone in the room stopped and stared at the young prince. His father then called for guards to lead Joseph to his room and apologized for the interruption his beloved son had made before continuing the critical conference.
Joseph hadn't left the castle since important people had begun to arrive, so it was late afternoon and he was still in his room. He was entertaining himself with his new "toy," but he was growing bored. Then someone knocked on the door.
Joseph jumped with delight at the deep voice of a man he quickly knew, "Joseph... Are you in your room?" Since going to look into the claims of ongoing sea monster attacks on the adjacent fishing ports of Awa last November, he hadn't seen his uncle Nikolai. "Is that really you? Oh my, where have you been all this month? " His uncle chuckled.
He boasts, "You can say that I went monster hunting, but you won't believe me if I tell you that I just caught the head of an Auslaug."
His eyes light up with curiosity, "Really?! Those things are very enormous and super slippery to grasp onto, and I heard they could tear your head apart with just one bite. How did you accomplish that?"
"Well, if you help me hang the Auslaug Head in the prize chamber, I'll tell you the tale; race me there, haha!" replies Nikolai.
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"There we were, hunting for the sea beast despite the rough, shallow waters that lies ahead of our boats. Then suddenly, all became quiet. The rough waves made not a single sound... But the local fishermen with us warned that it was near and we should be prepared."
his face darkened as he recounts the old memory in his head.
"The shouts and pleading of the people being eaten in the water were the only sounds we could hear as one of the three fishing boats was suddenly dragged beneath the ocean floor.
The true fight began when I clearly saw the Auslaug's fangs as I shone my light under the blood-stained water, the elderly fisherman yelled."THERE!"
Joseph couldn't wait for his uncle to tell him what occurred next.
I'm not sure if you're permitted to know the specifics of what happened down there, kid, but it was undoubtedly a violent battle and thankfully we were able to murder the pact's leader, Carxyl, who is currently hanging in the wall there.
The King recalled that upon unexpectedly entering the prize room, Nikolai and Joseph abruptly stopped conversing. "Ah, well, my lovely brother who I have not seen in months returns home and the first thing he does with my son is name a dead fish on a wall."
"Good afternoon, my dear brother; I apologize for my misbehavior; however, this is only a brief visit; I will be leaving tonight," Nikolai expresses his displeasure.
"What?!?" Joseph couldn't believe his ears.
Nikolai simply grins and follows his brother and nephew up the royal corridor and into the enormous dining room. "Of course, but please remain for dinner before departing; I'm sure Joseph's other siblings are looking forward to seeing you."
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14 years later....
"My Boy! I can't believe your turning 21 this year, oh I think I'm gonna tear up!" Nikolai remarks, with fake tears in his eyes.
He can't believe his favorite nephew is now 21 years old as it seems just yesterday he was still a little boy. Now, there he stood tall and firm but the undoubtedly noticable patch in his left eye, when he got injured by one of his inventions, hidden by his hair covering almost half his face. Nikolai also remarks Joseph's signature hair color, which is phantom white and definitely his most majestic features is his deep blue ocean eyes.
Oh, how did Aersis create such a refined person. "Such a shame he still doesn't have woman in his age" Nikolai accidently blurted out. Joseph's face abruptly looks at him with embarrassment.
"Why-why... Mention that now uncle??" his face looked embarrassed and pissed. "If father hears you he will-" Joseph said in a whisper while looking around for anyone who might have heard, but luckily it was just him and his uncle in his room.
Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard, following a voice that says "My Prince, the King awaits at the Royal Balcony and the people are ready for your speech!"
After exchanging glances, Nikolai finally tells him, "Goodluck out there my boy, show the entire kingdom what you have finally become after all these years," before giving him a pat on the back.
"Yeah, I will"
⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊ ࿈⸔⋌⳻«༺⳹⁌⸕❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱