Free Web NovelChapter 591: 591:The Crown Prince
"So..What do you think about the Emperor?"
"Pretty weary...He was looking at me in distrust."
"Distrust...Why?"
"What did he say?" Rathlos asked while looking at Ethan with a grin on his face.
Ethan leaned back slightly while sipping his coffee before answering.
"He seems to have agreed on the surface," he muttered calmly.
"However, who knows what he is actually going to do."
Rathlos clicked his tongue slightly before crossing his arms.
"They are not going to imprison us, right?" he asked.
The moment Ethan heard that, a strange sense of déjà vu hit him immediately.He looked at Rathlos helplessly.
"Stop planting red flags," he said.
Rathlos frowned deeply.
"Red flags? What is that?" he asked in confusion.
"Nothing," Ethan replied while rubbing his forehead slightly.
"I mean stop saying ominous things."
Rathlos snorted softly and leaned back without replying further.
The next few days passed rather peacefully for Ethan and Rathlos while they stayed inside the Imperial Capital.
Since the Emperor had specifically asked them to remain in the city for several days, neither of them had much to do.
So naturally...
They treated it like a vacation.
Both of them had worked hard continuously for years, and after everything that had happened recently, they desperately needed time to relax.
For once, Ethan wanted to stop thinking about war, politics, schemes, and bloodshed.
And surprisingly...The capital turned out to be far more lively than he expected.
The streets remained crowded day and night while opera houses, theatres, restaurants, and markets constantly bustled with activity despite the war.
One evening, Ethan and Rathlos visited an opera performance hosted by Global Symphony.
And the moment Ethan sat there watching the performance...
His expression became strange.Because the opera being performed was written by him.
Or more accurately...
By his past ideas.
Ethan quietly watched the stage while feeling slightly speechless inside.
Out of everything he had done over the years...The operas were the only thing people still did not know he was secretly behind.And surprisingly, they had become absurdly popular throughout the Empire.
Especially among young maidens.
The craze was honestly terrifying.
In fact, after people learned Ethan was currently staying in the capital, he received countless invitations from noble ladies asking to meet him.
Every single one was rejected.
Until a royal invitation arrived.
The moment Ethan saw the letter bearing the royal seal, all his relaxed mood disappeared instantly.
He slowly looked toward Rathlos while holding the invitation.
"Rathlos..." he muttered carefully.
"What are the chances that I might fuck up?"
Rathlos sighed deeply while grabbing his own head.
"Haaa..."
"I am sure it is just another bratty noble bullshit," he replied lazily.
Ethan’s face twitched slightly.
"Bratty?" he repeated.
"He is over half a century older than me."
Rathlos shrugged carelessly.
"That still counts as bratty to me."
Ethan could not help but sigh helplessly.
Honestly, he was very reluctant to attend this meeting.
But this was not some ordinary prince.
This was the First Prince of Arcadia.
The Crown Prince.
And since the man was already confirmed as the next ruler of the Empire, Ethan had no choice but to give him proper respect.
Soon, a meeting was arranged inside one of the noble suites reserved specifically for high-ranking nobles and royals.
The room itself was luxurious while golden decorations lined the walls, and expensive paintings and magical lamps illuminated the surroundings softly. freewebnoveℓ.com
Ethan quietly sat inside while servants respectfully served snacks and coffee.
He calmly waited.
Several moments later the door opened.
A pale blonde-haired man with crimson eyes slowly walked inside.
The moment the man stepped forward, Ethan immediately felt a subtle sense of danger coming from him.
It wasn’t obvious or overwhelming but dangerous nonetheless.
The man smiled faintly.
"Hello, Marquise Ethan. It is quite pleasant to meet you," he spoke calmly.
Ethan immediately stood up respectfully.
"The honor is mine, Your Highness," he replied politely.
"This noble servant greets the First Son of the Empire."
The Crown Prince.
Haster Aurelius Arcadia.
Haster quietly observed Ethan for a moment before calmly taking his seat.
Soon, a servant stepped forward and prepared fresh coffee for both of them.
For several moments, an awkward silence lingered between them while neither side spoke immediately.
Then finally—
The coffee was served.
Haster slowly took a sip before smiling faintly.
"I have heard quite a lot about your deeds, Marquise Ethan," he said calmly.
"And I am very pleased to have such a pillar of support among us."
His crimson eyes remained fixed on Ethan.
"So young, yet already so accomplished."
Ethan immediately replied humbly.
"You are praising me in vain, Your Highness," he said while lifting his coffee cup calmly.
"My achievements pale in comparison to yours."
Haster smiled slightly after hearing that.
For a few moments, he quietly observed Ethan before speaking again.
"I am sure you are curious why I invited you here."
Ethan simply gave a subtle nod.
Haster rested one arm against the chair before speaking leisurely.
"The first reason is simple," he said.
"My Crown Princess is a great admirer of your clothes and designs, and she wishes for you to personally create a dress for her."
Ethan immediately nodded politely.
"Of course," he replied calmly.
"It would be an honor."
Haster smiled faintly.
"And the second thing is..." ƒreewebɳovel.com
The moment those words came out, Ethan immediately felt danger bells ringing inside his head.
’Damn... Here it comes...’ he thought silently.
Then Haster looked directly at Ethan before smiling.
"I want you to become my friend."
Ethan froze slightly.
"Pardon?"
Ethan froze slightly after hearing those words, and the hand holding his coffee cup paused midway for a brief moment while his mind processed what the Crown Prince had just said.
Become friends?
With the future Emperor of Arcadia?
That was not something simple at all.
Ethan slowly placed the cup back onto the table while maintaining a calm expression, but inwardly his thoughts had already become restless.
Haster quietly observed Ethan’s reaction before letting out a faint chuckle.
"You look surprised," he said calmly.
"I am," Ethan admitted honestly after a brief pause.
