Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 77 Queen, Princess, and Fate (Part 1)
"Anyway... this row is full of everyday words that start with P, which I just explained. If you don't remember them, there are pictures next to them. As for why words starting with ph aren't pronounced this way... don't ask me, just memorize them..."

Thales' voice echoed in the study.

“These are all materials that Gilbert prepared for me to use—but now it seems that my progress is a tiny bit ahead of schedule, but it just so happens that you can use them.”

A tiny bit ahead of its time?

As Thales handed the vocabulary list to the mute Rolf, Gilbert, who was peering out from the doorway, frowned slightly.

He didn't quite approve (or rather, he strongly opposed it). At such a crucial moment, Thales was spending time teaching Rolf (although no one could substitute for His Highness's magical and profound sign language), thus neglecting his own studies. But considering that His Highness's departure for Exter was imminent, and that he needed trustworthy subordinates rather than complicated and trivial knowledge, Gilbert sighed and continued to stand outside the door, letting His Highness carry on with his act of courteousness and winning people's hearts—at least that's how Gilbert saw it.

Exter's reply arrived yesterday, but when the anxious and anxious Baron Russell revealed its contents, even the most composed old Duke of Cullen couldn't help but frown.

Compared to the first letter, which had a bloody handprint on it, this letter was more concise and "calm".

The letter was written in King Nuen's own handwriting.

But there were only three words, each with extremely strong impact.

Let him come.

There were no conditions, no declaration, no mention of the conflict between the two countries, no discussion of the measures taken against the Grand Duke of Lombardy—there was absolutely no additional content.

After reading the letter, King Catherine V remained expressionless and made no comment. He simply issued a formal order: three days later, the Second Prince and his delegation would travel north to Ext to reach Dragonhill.

This made Gilbert feel uneasy.

After conveying King Nunn's message, Baron Russell took his leave, sweating profusely, and returned home. Gilbert guessed that news of his meeting with His Majesty that day, as well as Russell's performance, had probably reached Exeter. Upon returning home, he might have to make a choice between King Nunn and Grand Duke Lombard.

As he pondered, Thales' voice continued:

"Okay, next let's review the sign language we just learned—how do we say 'sorry'?"

Rolf frowned, rummaging through a pair of papers covered in drawings, then looked up, raised his right palm in confusion, and gently circled it in front of his chest.

"No, this is 'please'. You should make a fist with your hand—yes, that's 'sorry'."

Rolf clumsily clenched his right fist and circled it around his chest.

Opposite the Ghost of the Wind, Thales nodded slightly without even raising his head.

Half of his attention was on Rolf, and the other half was focused on his right hand, on a book under the table: "From the Final Empire to the Star Kingdom".

Indeed, while Thales was teaching Rolf sign language, he was also rummaging under his desk for books and materials that he needed but couldn't let Gilbert know about—especially about calamities and magicians.

Thales was eager to learn about these personally relevant secrets—especially after the last assassination attempt, when he was suspected of using magic power, the excruciating pain that almost tore his entire body apart still haunted him: would the next time he used magic power be his death?

But it was as if he was being pushed along by fate. From the national conference to the audience with the Exter envoy, and then to being dispatched as an envoy, he had no time to stop and investigate the truth about himself and the magicians.

Originally, if Exter's matter hadn't been so urgent, Rolf's arrival would have given Thales an excuse to teach him sign language, thus reducing his daily "Gilbert class time"—he couldn't possibly use Gilbert's class to look up potentially suspicious materials. He had also considered publicly expressing his curiosity about magic users in exchange for the opportunity to openly search for information on magic users, but who knew if the books he read would be recorded by someone and passed on to Kessel, or even Morat?
Therefore, he can only disguise his purpose in his daily life and take time out to pursue his secret, just like today.

The excruciating pain after the assassination attempt and loss of control at the palace gates made Thales even more anxious and panicked: How many more abnormalities were there in this body? When would these abnormalities expose its secrets?

Thales had a premonition that all the secrets lay in his own origins—in his mysterious mother, including the high priestess Lissia's strangely enigmatic attitude, the suspicious conversation between the king and the high priestess during the bloodline ceremony, and so on.

"The truth about my mother"—this matter has been listed by Thales as the second of "My Five Unsolved Mysteries," ranking ahead of "The Year of Blood," "Memory Flashbacks," and "The Abnormal Body," second only to the most pressing "Mystery of the Magician."

In this dangerous world, he must save himself.

Thinking of this, Thales couldn't help but sigh.

"So, how do you gesture 'thank you'?" he asked casually.

Rolf painstakingly found the drawing, awkwardly tapped his chin with the tip of his right palm, and then turned his palm outwards.

Thales's gaze shifted between the book and Rolf, but just then, his vision began to blur again.

Wu Qiren's voice rang out first:

[Young lady, are you going to the special education school again to volunteer for disabled people?]

Yes. Hey, don't use such derogatory terms. They're neither disabled nor ill. Every time you call them that, you're isolating them from normal society—you should use "people with physical disabilities" or "people with physical limitations."

Sigh, I always feel that instead of wasting your time here, you should focus on getting your degree and using that time to influence and improve special education from a societal perspective. After all, one more person won't make a difference; their difficult circumstances won't improve because of your occasional actions—that's not how society changes.

[Wu Qiren! Their inconvenience is not their own fault, but rather a consequence of our failure as members of society to fulfill our responsibility—to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can live without barriers. We can thoughtfully design individual toilet stalls for children under 1.2 meters tall, allowing them to live in society without obstacles. So why can't we enable a deaf-mute person to communicate and live in society without barriers?]

[Wow, how come you've suddenly developed such a strong sense of social science ethics?]

This isn't about morality—it's about fundamental values! It's your idea that "promoting social progress through macro-structure is the right path" that's problematic! I don't believe someone who's too lazy to offer compassion and help to those around them can truly contribute to society—I'm talking about you, Wu Qiren!

[Stop! Let's leave the serious topics here and get going.]

【Huh? Where are we headed?】

[I'll send you to a special education school! Aren't you going to volunteer?]

【Ahhh, Qiren! Qiren! You're going too? You must have been infected by my overflowing integrity, right?! Just so you know, you have to learn sign language with me!】

【Hey—I'm just taking you there…】

【I don't care! You have to come with me! Otherwise, you're not allowed in my room tonight!】

Thales shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel the deep impressions of the past that he could no longer touch, and bury them back in his mind.

His attention returned to what was in front of him.

“Okay, let’s make it a little more difficult… ‘One more time’… no, no, I mean, how are you going to sign ‘one more time’?”

While Rolf was sweating profusely as he searched for blueprints, Thales turned to two more pages of "From the Final Empire to the Star Kingdom".

This book is not as valuable as the previous one. It is basically a collection of imagined legends and a chronological account of major events. It does not clearly describe the figure of "calamity" in the final war. Just like ordinary people have always regarded the final war as a boring drama in the Temple of the Night, many people even think that the world was originally two continents - huh?

Thales frowned.

A piece of paper fell out from between the pages of this thick book.

Thales picked it up gently.

This is an old parchment, its color faded and worn. It looks even older than the book, "From the Final Empire to the Star Kingdom," which is quite old but still manages to be turned thanks to excellent preservation.

On the parchment, there is an erasable black pen. A simple sketch of a young girl's profile.

The girl in the painting is serene and graceful, with a lovely smile. Her pure face is like a pure lotus flower, except for a multi-pointed star-like earring on her left ear.

This piece of paper—clearly predates this book—was it perhaps casually picked up by some senior writer and used as a bookmark?

Thales looked puzzled, his gaze shifting downwards to the signature:

TCKS
The four letters are probably the initials of the artist's name.

With Rolf's clumsy gestures, Thales turned the parchment over and saw a hastily written word:

The enemy! (With a large exclamation mark.)

enemy?

Thales shook his head, unable to grasp its meaning.

Gilbert's voice suddenly came: "Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing you!"

Thales quietly tucked the parchment into his pocket, closed the book, and discreetly pushed it into an inconspicuous corner at his feet.

The prince looked up and smiled at Gilbert.

“His Majesty has just sent word,” Gilbert said, adjusting his hat and bowing slightly, “that he wishes you to visit the Palace of Restoration before you depart to attend a family gathering of the royal family.”

"A family gathering?" Thales asked in surprise and disbelief. "What family?"

The royal family of Shining Star, isn't that...?
And at this time.

The figure of a first-class lady-in-waiting appeared behind Gilbert.

"Just follow me."

"Gini said calmly."

The look in her eyes as she looked at Thales was filled with pity and sorrow.

----------

Fuxing Palace.

“Now that you’ve been recognized as a prince,” Ginny said in her high-heeled boots, leading the dressed-up Thales up the cold stone steps, her voice icy, “you must come to see your nominal mother, though she’s not her biological mother… at least before you go to Exter…”

Mother?

Thales asked in surprise, "What mother?"

“Naturally, she was your father’s only wife,” Ginny said, her face showing reluctance and sorrow. “Queen Koya.”

Thales was stunned for a few seconds.

They stopped outside a palace.

"His Majesty was too busy and didn't come today," Ginny said softly, looking at the closed door.

A deep sense of doubt crept into Thales's mind.

Can't even attend family gatherings?

To send one's newly found son to meet one's queen?

But Ginny's mind was clearly not on the father and son.

The next moment, the lady-in-waiting said to the puzzled Thales with a serious and earnest expression, "In a little while, whatever happens, do not be surprised or afraid."

Before Thales could react in his daze, Ginny pushed open the door and went inside.

“Koya,” Ginny said cautiously, “I’m here.”

Thales followed the court lady and slowly entered the room.

This is a spacious room that is simply furnished but stylish and filled with an elegant atmosphere.

Ahead of them, a woman with a fresh and gentle face, probably in her forties, dressed in an elegant star-blue dress, turned around and looked at Ginny and Thales.

"Ginny, you've arrived!" The elegant lady—Queen Koya—smiled with a pleasant and genuine smile. "That's wonderful! Kessel has been incredibly busy lately with diplomatic relations with Exter, and I figured you probably wouldn't have much free time either..."

Thales was somewhat reserved, after all, he was the king's illegitimate son.

At the same time, he was also surprised by the current scene: if Ginny was the king's lover, then how could Queen Koya get along with her so well?

“This is the person I told you would come to see you today…” Ginny paused, as if she felt there was no need to say more, so she took a deep breath, pulled Thales forward, and said quietly, “This is Thales, Kessel’s second… son.”

"So, it's you?" Koya slowly walked up to him and gently squatted down: "Kaiser's youngest son?"

Her gentle eyes looked at Thales.

Thales was so embarrassed he could hardly breathe.

“Don’t be afraid, I am your family too,” Her Majesty the Queen stroked his head, her expression loving. “Look at your eyes and nose… they are exactly like your charming mother’s.”

Thales' breath hitched, and his eyes widened.

Mother?

Queen Koya said gently and sincerely, "...I hope you can inherit your mother's intelligence, erudition, and her invincible eloquence, haha—after all, few women are as outstanding as her and Ginny."

It has endless charm.

Intelligent and learned.

A silver tongue that never fails?
Thales eagerly absorbed this information into the area of ​​his mind called "Mother".

The key to many unsolved mysteries surrounding him.

Ginny's expression was somewhat unpleasant, and she replied hastily, "Alright—Koya, if there's nothing else... I still need to take him... You know, he's about to go to Exter."

Thales found it strange that Ginny was so nervous in front of this gentle and kind queen.
And why are they in such a hurry to end this meeting?
“Alas, poor child,” Queen Koya sighed. “Although I have never been to Exeter, I have heard that it is barbaric, rude, and glorifies violence and fighting. You are so young—you are going to suffer.”

“Um, thank you for your concern…” Even though Thales was very tactful, he found it hard to handle such a harmonious family scene in front of strangers. He replied stiffly, “No, this is all His Majesty the King’s order… and it is also the mission of the Star.”

Queen Koya chuckled softly: "The mission of the Stars... that's what they always say."

Ginny's voice suddenly rang out stiffly again: "Alright, Koya, he has other tasks. We'll take our leave now..."

wrong.

Thales frowned.

Something must be wrong.

but.

What exactly is wrong?
Let me tell you a secret: I will be updating twice today, the second update will be around 6 pm.

Considering this is the first time I've ever updated two chapters in a row, how about giving me some votes and adding it to your favorites?

By Wujian, who looked completely serious.

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(End of this chapter)