It was no secret many adored Count Miguel Rothschild. This young heir had proved himself time and time again ever since he was a young boy. Miguel Rothschild was exceptional and impressive in every aspect. Even the king himself was impressed by this young Lord.
Miguel Rothschild wasn't even trying. He liked what he did; his love for his motherland was inborn. He always wanted to become like his father, aiming to serve the king and their people.
However, being born into one of the founding families and earning fame from his achievements had its downsides. One of those was the constant comparison between the young lords and ladies and the young princes and princesses.
In this case, everyone in Miguel's generation was compared to him. The reason many men around his age disliked him. Maximus IV was first on the list.
Perhaps that was the reason why Maximus IV set his eyes on the land of Rikhill. It was all because he wanted Miguel to fail; he wanted the king to stop taking Miguel's side and start looking in his direction.
*** YEARS LATER ***
Miguel was permitted to go on a voyage. The time on the Mainland passed by in a blink of an eye. Twenty years since his last expedition felt only like a year. Still, he was hopeful.
The kingdom of Rikhill was not one of his set destinations for he was tasked to venture into the undiscovered part of the outside world. However, it wouldn't hurt if he dropped by for a moment.
No one would know.
Meeting his friend once again elated Miguel. But what truly delighted him was the news he wanted to relay to his dearest friend Alexander.
"Count." Miguel's hurried steps halted in the hallways when someone called him from behind. "I heard you will set sail tomorrow."
Miguel slowly looked back, only to confirm his guess. "Greetings, Your Highness." He bowed politely while Maximus IV approached.
"It seemed you are excited," remarked Maximus IV as soon as he stopped a step away from Miguel. "It's been a while since your last expedition. The last time, I didn't get to send you off properly. Therefore, as a good luck wish, will you accept my invitation for a glass of wine?"
Miguel assessed the kind smile dominating Maximus IV. The prince looked as harmless as ever. Even though the two of them knew each other for years, meeting in gatherings occasionally, and regularly in the royal court, Maximus IV was hard to read.
But one thing was for sure. No matter how harmless this prince appeared, Miguel could never trust his looks. Not that Maximus IV did something to him in the past. It was just that Maximus IV was still a part of the royal family.
"You wouldn't turn me down, would you?" Maximus IV cocked his head to the side after a minute of silence.
"How dare I turn down Your Highness's kind offer?" Miguel smiled, throwing all suspicion at the back of his head. "It's my pleasure."
"Great!"
With that being said, Miguel followed Maximus IV to the Prince's Quarter. Maximus IV might appear weak and sickly, but one shouldn't judge him by his appearance. This also applied to his harmless and kind gestures.
After all, the King had yet to announce his heir. Although it was already obvious who it would be since Maximus IV was the best candidate to be the next monarch, the King's reluctance still put a lot of uncertainty in it.
But all those thoughts were kept at the back of Miguel's head. Perhaps Maximus IV wasn't that bad. The prince might truly bear pure intention; how rude of Miguel to allow all these negative thoughts to cloud his mind.
Soon, Miguel found himself in the prince's drawing room.
"The wine you brought from your last voyage had become one of my favorites," said Maximus IV as he slid a glass of wine to the man sitting on the long settee. "I've been saving up the last bottle for an important occasion."
Miguel glanced at the wineglass before lifting his eyes to Maximus IV. "Thank you, Your Highness. I feel honored to have you serve me this precious wine."
"You are this kingdom's beloved Count. You are worthy to share what's mine."
"Compared to Your Highness, I am simply a young Lord of a small county," Miguel humbled. "I might be a Rothschild, but my father's accomplishments were his, not mine."
Maximus IV maintained his subtle smile. "Count Miguel, no wonder many admire you. You are capable and yet, you do not gloat about it."
"You speak highly of me, Your Highness."
"Even the king adored you." Maximus IV propped his elbow against the armrest, swirling the wine with his other hand. "His Majesty adored you even more than his own son. Deny it all you want, but I, the prince, know that very well."
ƥandasnovel·ƈom The humbled smile on Miguel's lips faded. He assessed the prince's countenance, but to no avail. Maximus IV's tone and countenance didn't reveal any bitterness or sort of like that.
"Do not worry, Count Miguel. I had accepted that my father did not favor me a long time ago. It was also the reason he hadn't announced an heir for he didn't trust me." Maximus IV chuckled as he guided the wineglass to his lips. "Acceptance will give you peace. Therefore, I do not mind the reality."
Miguel watched Maximus IV take a sip leisurely. He pressed his lips into a thin line, lowering his eyes to his drink.
Just how would he drink this wine without feeling bad about it? It was true the King often took Miguel's side, especially in the royal court, but he believed the king had done so because Miguel's perspective of things aligned with the king's. The Rothschild had been the most loyal retainers of the royal family, after all.
"Do not pity me, Lord Miguel. That would be rude and very unpleasant to feel." Maximus IV chuckled upon sensing Miguel's gloomy aura. "There's no room for pity here since acceptance comes with resolution."
Maximus IV smirked as he added under his breath, "And my resolve had given me peace." — a peace that would surely bring the opposite to everyone else.
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