Every breath, action, and inaction is lit by a subconscious but formidable emotion, desire. Desire drives man from birth, subtly determining his destiny, life, or even death and why am I so wallowing in this discourse? Well, Earl Eiji was driven by this fiery desire.
Elsewhere, the estate of Minister Reggie was throbbing with its lively activities. A luxurious golden-plated carriage passed through the tall gates, earning bows and gazes of respect from the masses.
An auburn-haired middle-aged man stepped out of the carriage with elegance. He stared around the estate with concealed disdain.
"Your Lordship, the Minister sent me here to lead you to the hall." He stared at the lad who had bowed his head in front of him and scoffed. Reggie was still impudent, I guess that behavior needs to be shaped.
In the sixteenth century, when the world had no stable ambiance and the ground was wet with blood, the hierarchy of every kingdom was highly valued for it was the one that determined how an infant would live for the rest of his life, and in the kingdom of Elyptis, the hierarchy...was complicated. The founding king entrenched the rights of the commoners which gave them the indisputable rights to compete for a position.
Though it was far lower than any noble title, it was still worthy of being a mere commoner.
Now, the complication arose here, if any of these Ministers managed to catch the eye of any royal- princes or princesses, not Kings- and they managed to lunge for the position of General or Vice Commander then their position had been elevated above the nobles but lower than the royals.
As such, Minister Reggie was supposed to come out and welcome him but he didn't and sent a lowly servant...
Eiji made himself comfortable in the hall of the Minister. His curiosity was piqued and he looked around but soon stopped, disdain or disgust, the reason unknown. A maid served him a cup of tea and he gave her a curt nod.
Taking a sip, Eiji looked around once again, after all, they say that the surroundings shape a person. He raised an eyebrow and his expression turned into one of confusion.
The mansion was too small for a former General, way too improper for the esteemed position and that brought another question, what happened to the fortune he had garnered during his reign? Did he squander it all on whores or wine?
Ah, that was not his problem, he just had to finish with this and get on with the next.
Just as soon as the last thought filled his head, a set of footsteps echoed on the marble floor. A pair of long legs appeared at the rear sight of Eiji and without any pretense of exchanging pleasantries, the figure sat directly opposite the elegant noble.
A moment of silence passed with the duo concentrating on their tea.
"I am sorrowful that Minister Reggie didn't deem it fit to welcome me, personally." The calm voice of the Earl echoed through the halls. His brown eyes stared at the Minister as though he wanted to pierce his very soul.
Reggie set his cup down, his stare calm but fiery."Forgive me if I offended you, Earl, for I was dressing my wounds." His words were sharp and brief.
"General. It is General now." A wide smile hung on Eiji's lips, a mocking one.
Reggie smiled for the first time since his guest arrived, the smile reached his ears and brightened his face considerably, earning a quick scowl on Eiji's face.
"Congratulations are in order, I guess." He said with a warm expression. Eiji rolled his eyes inwardly and scoffed lightly. No matter how hard he tried, Eiji couldn't sense any sarcasm in his words which incensed him the more.
"Thank you. The position is truly luxurious to get a bigger estate and get everything I need. I hope you could shower some knowledge on me, lest I end up as you." From an outsider's perspective, Eiji was merely asking for guidance but Reggie could sense the poorly hidden sarcasm in his words however, Reggie didn't get mad nor did he scowl. He merely sipped his tea.
The calmness of Reggie was one that deeply disturbed the noble. This was not the reaction he was expecting today, he was expecting to be the calm one today but it seems...
If that was the case, he had to end his visit. After all, he had already said all that needed to be said.
" I will take my leave then. I hope you get healed faster but rest well. Rest very well!" He said, a concerned expression on his face.
Reggie narrowed his eyes for a split second before his expression returned to normal. He smiled and responded with an even tone.
" My health is apt, Earl. Thank you for your concern but I pray that you busy yourself with matters concerning the faction. Last I heard, people are favoring the Princess more. And also I am grateful for this visit" This was the longest he had said to the noble since he came here. His parting words induced anger in Eiji but he couldn't retort or anything. Why? Because Reggie's tone was too friendly for him to be at fault.
Not wanting to appear unfriendly, he left not bothering to see if the Minister would accompany him.
As soon as the Earl's figure left the hall, Reggie's green eyes radiated a cold that could freeze a person. The enmity between these two began in the rock ages. He knew that all the sabotages in his plan were linked up to the bastard however, it was his turn to write the next chapter of this story. The position of General had too many eyes fixed on them but not a mere member!
Their conversation may have been short but the exchange told them something and that was; none of them were backing down.
Reggie scoffed and ascended the stairs, contemplating his next move, meanwhile, as the carriage left the estate of the Minister, Earl took one last look at it and his brows furrowed over.
Since he was not backing down it meant that only one of them could remain standing. Irrespective of how big the planet was, it wouldn't be able to contain both of them.
Now the war was not only for who would be General, no, it had not been for a long time. It was a war that would decide the very fate of Elyptis.
Away from the conniving officials, Ely had honored her word and was atop a horse with her brother. She wore a brown jacket and was seated on a beautiful mount with her brother closely following her.
His pale blue eyes were so intensely focused on her that if looks had any power, he would have burrowed holes in her. Slowly, he lost focus in his eyes and his brows furrowed a bit while his hand tapped at the side of his horse incessantly.
His mind wandered a bit and his heart started beating loudly in him...
"Philip! Philip?" Philp tightened his grip on the girth out of being stunned, he turned to look at his sister who had returned to his side, who knows when. Her expression was laced with concern as she stared at him.
"What is wrong, Philip? You've had that gloomy expression since morning? Is anything the matter?"
Philip gazed at her quietly, his expression softened and for a moment there, there was fear in his eyes.
"Nothing sister, I just...just feel sad today which is why I suggested this hunting."
His countenance had returned to normal and he smiled, even though Ely saw that it was a forced one.
Her eyes wandered on his pale face before she smiled somberly.
"Then let's move!"
The horses walked on, carrying them to their destination steadily, the calm wind rustled their hair, and the gentle sun retreated behind the clouds, perhaps it was to give them privacy.
"I have been a bad sister, I am sorry, Philip. I have been so busy doing other things that I eventually stopped making time for you that you even fell into depression. I hope you can forgive me!"
Ely's voice sounded regretful and was heavily laced with self-blame. Philip's mouth opened and closed at immediate intervals, his eyes widening in surprise. His gaze fell on her hand. She had gripped the strap too tight that her horse showed signs of bucking.
Philip rode over to her side and held her hand. She was so lost in her thoughts of self-blame that she didn't hear his horse trod to her side so she seemed a bit stunned when he held her hand.
"It is not your fault sister. You have done so much for me. I think it has to do with the weather." He gestured to the sky with a purse of his lips as though in thought. Ely smiled at his attempt to alleviate her mood so she played along with it.
"Is that so?" Her smile widened a bit. "Then let us move lest the animals sense us and run." She galloped off.
Philip, a bit calm, galloped behind her.