Hundreds of maids rushed to their respective jobs. From early morning, all of maids wake up and start preparing for their activities. Starting with washing all kinds of clothes and equipment, or the garden workers who clean the garden.
On that morning, the day before the opera theater opened, Arthur was calling out by Crown Prince Xavier Gladias to accompany him to breakfast. That man said he missed Arthur so much because he had not seen him for a long time.
Although Count Rubel had warned him that Crown Prince Xavier might invite him personally, Arthur did not expect that his uncle would invite him exactly the day before the event. Arthur had to wake up early because of this.
With his eyes still feeling sleepy, Arthur walked after Madam Radia who picked him up personally to have breakfast with Crown Prince Xavier. The two of them didn't say anything as they walked.
Usually, some nobles who were invited to stay in the castle would be invited to dine with the royal family. However, due to an incident in the past, the royal family preferred to make another dining place for each head of household staying overnight.
Arthur thought of behaving like Arthur Rudolf that the royal family knew. He still remembered Daniel's explanation. Arthur Rudolf was a very polite and kind person in the past.
Queen Cosette and the Crown Prince were already in the dining room. King Taylor did not come due to health reasons. The two of them had similar face.
"You have come, Arthur." Crown Prince Xavier greeted Arthur warmly.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Arthur bowed politely.
'I'm actually too lazy to do this kind of etiquette. Damn it, I should just be Sandy if I can choose and join the war.'
Crown Prince Xavier smiled at that reply. Then he looked at his mother, Queen Cosette who was still standing in silence. Queen Cosette just stood beside Crown Prince Xavier without saying anything.
Arthur saw her and greeted, "Good morning, sunshine of the kingdom, Your Royal Majesty Queen Cosette."
Clinch!
Queen Cosette looked startled at the sound of Arthur's voice. The fragile-looking woman seemed to avoid Arthur's gaze.
"Eum, thank you. Good morning to you too." Queen Cosette did not answer by looking at Arthur.
Crown Prince Xavier straightened up. "Queen Mother is not used to seeing handsome people, Arthur. Don't feel discouraged."
Queen Cosette then tried to look at Arthur and smiled. Even if it was brief, it could make Arthur feel less hurt.
'Is this face really that handsome?'
Arthur laughed and felt confident inside.
'Hehehe, I guess I am indeed handsome.'
That man smiled to himself. Crown Prince Xavier invited them to sit down. Then some food was served in turn. They ate silently.
***
'How could I have gotten here so easily.'
Arthur was now asked by Crown Prince Xavier to accompany him to Britney Main Street, where the theater was being built. Crown Prince Xavier reasoned that Arthur should get used to the activities of the upper nobility because he was the successor to the duke's position.
The building had a very large main hallway. Moreover, inside, there was a huge theater stage and quite a lot of bleachers. There were also upstairs, for members of the royal family and upper class nobility.
Crown Prince Xavier showed Arthur the venue. "Since you are our family, you can get closer to the stage and get a good quality of viewing."
Arthur looked at the names already on the bleachers. The front benches were filled with the names of other faction leaders. There was his name there too.
'This Crown Prince is very smart. Maybe the hypnosis can be done when close. However, the conductor is far away.'
There were only a few workers who were cleaning the building. There were some who were mopping the floor, preparing cloths and many more.
Crown Prince Xavier found someone he recognized. That person approached the two of them.
Count Rubel with glasses was carrying a folder. He bowed politely to Crown Prince Xavier. "Good afternoon, His Highness."
Arthur looked at him strangely. It didn't seem like Count Rubel was his usual scoundrel self. He looked very holy in front of Crown Prince Xavier.
"You already know, right? This is Count Rubel who is in charge of this theater and also Arthur Rudolf as the successor of the Rudolf household."
Count Rubel replied, "That's right, Your Highness. It just so happens that lately, Duke Rudolf asked me to mingle with Arthur in order to get used to the world of the upper class nobility."
Crown Prince Xavier nodded. "That's good. Since Duchy Rudolf is an independent region and rarely shows itself, Arthur Rudolf is also very rarely seen at noble banquets. It's a good thing that he was present this time to fulfill his duty."
Count Rubel replied. "That's right, Your Highness. Oh, the theater actors have been arriving since a week ago. Even the script has been distributed. They will be practicing here soon."
Crown Prince Xavier smiled. "That's good. Then let's watch it."
Count Rubel directed the two of them to go upstairs, to the special audience. This was so that the theater actors would not be surprised to have Crown Prince Xavier present to see them.
"What will they show?" Arthur muttered to himself. However, it was heard by Crown Prince Xavier.
"The beginning of how the Marithus Kingdom became the kingdom it is today. The resistance and peace with the Garunam Kingdom and the treaty with the Senova Empire. There will be some heart-wrenching things. The manuscript was made by a descendant of Grand Duke Yemir." Crown Prince Xavier replied so.
'It's obvious that Grand Duke Yemir's descendant is a circle 5 mage and the Marithus Kingdom's Magic Tower Master. Not his other descendants.'
Grand Duke Yemir had passed away decades ago, but his name was always remembered for being a descendant with a lot of history. His region is now managed by Duke Morin. Many of Grand Duke Yemir's descendants worked as court aides. Vine, the aide of the now-deceased King Taylor was also remembered. Marquis Zen Hemlock must have supported them all.
Arthur focused on watching their training. There were many people in the cast. However, he noticed someone wearing a bright white wig there.
It just so happened that Crown Prince Xavier got up from his seat and said, "I'm going to the restroom first. You guys enjoy the show while chatting."
After Crown Prince Xavier left, Arthur immediately said, "That man is the main character?"
Count Rubel looked in the direction Arthur was pointing. "Ah, him? I originally placed him as a side character on the Garunam Kingdom side. However, the previous main actor lacked understanding of the character he was playing. Kalypt modeled and even explained it well. I got goosebumps watching him. That man looked like he had experienced that time and was hundreds of years old. I got goosebumps."
Arthur looked at Kalypt practicing there. It was very strange. He felt he recognized the person even before this.
"It's even stranger that Kalypt turned out to be a resident of the Tryton Kingdom, that's out of our script. However, he lived up to it better than expected. If only you could resemble him and not make useless things." Count Rubel said indifferently.
Arthur was sure that if Dean had been there, he would have refrained from laughing at Count Rubel's comment.
"Dean even has records of traveling Kalypt and he has been to the Asloka Continent several times." Arthur told what he knew.
Gigana Continent and Asloka Continent were the two large continents in that world. Arthur knew it from the book Count Rubel had asked him to memorize. There was a small continent called the Dead Continent because no one lived there.
"An information merchant is scary. I also heard from Dean that Kalypt was the one who was chased by other guilds to get into their guild. That means that punk's ability has indeed been recognized." Count Rubel continued.
Like a ghost, Crown Prince Xavier came in the middle of their conversation. "Hey, what are you guys talking about?"
Count Rubel was surprised and Arthur quickly replied, "The main character who played the previous King Gladius."
"Ah, that person?" Crown Prince Xavier looked at Kalypt over there. "Even backstage, the person in charge of the actors and actresses said he was very helpful. That man was apparently so helpful that he almost changed the musical order used."
Crown Prince Xavier's voice suddenly sounded lower. "Therefore, a nobody should still feel low. We asked him to help the actors only. Those outside affairs are not his business. Do not usurp what should be the duty of others."
The tone was dark. Arthur felt a dark aura emanating from Crown Prince Xavier. He tried to ignore that aura until the training was over.
Even until the next day. The day when everything was decided. Arthur still felt the negative aura.