Chapter 97

"It's about you and Olivia," Philip said as he leaned forward.

"I figured," A knowing smirk broke from my lips.

"You should already know her well enough," He said as his voice grew lower and deeper. "She can be… unpredictable at times,"

"That might be an understatement," I kept my composure. "She's unpredictable very often,"

"I would like to deny it, but it's true," He admitted shamefully. "I apologize for her sudden arrival at your estate,"

"There's no need for an apology," I reassured him. "Perhaps it was for the better she came and visited me,"

"True," He nods slowly. "I'm glad you came along with her even though you should be spending time with your family,"

"It's fine. Spending time here isn't such a bad trade-off,"

I managed to get a soft chuckle out of him. Windsom stood a few meters away from us, still able to hear everything we were saying.

"Do spend time with your family though," He said as a piece of advice. "A man who spares no time for his family is not a real man."

"Couldn't have said it any better, your majesty,"

"Now, I don't want to make speculations. But, she's trying to marry you, isn't she?" He said, without beating around any longer.

I felt my face slowly turn red. Though I was getting used to it, coming from him it was quite a surprise.

"Well, it's not a secret, is it?" I admitted within a heartbeat.

"I'm glad you seem nonchalant about it," Philip laid back, unwinding from the tension we built up. "But I must warn you, she has done it more than a few times,"

"How many times are we speaking?"

"I can't give figures as that is classified, I can say it's near double-digit now,"

"How far does she take this whole marriage ordeal?" I asked out of my own curiosity.

"She's been quite relaxed about it. She doesn't get too clingy or too serious with it. Though I'm not sure if she has any modesty when left alone with a partner.."

"Well… She's been quite clingy with me…" I admit to him, hoping he would understand.

"I can tell," He smiled and gave me a sweet stare.

"Should I be worried?"

"Not at all. Not of her at least…" He said as his face turned sour.

"Who should I fear then…?" I asked him, afraid of his answer.

"You should know by now. It's her mother you should fear,"

My blood went cold and a shiver ran down my spine. I knew of the answer, but even thinking about it made me afraid.

"It hasn't happened only once, has it?"

"Trust me, boy," His hazel pupils shrunk. "I've done my best to make her understand that a perfect man does not exist. She would not listen to me even if I tried,"

"I see…"

Even her husband seemed afraid of her. Lady Iris had a lot of authority over the kingdom and counties. Even her family cannot escape her wrath.

"Alexander, I wish you the best of luck in trying to get her approval," Philip broke the silence. "You have my blessings to marry my daughter. In my eyes, you're the best partner for her. Do not falter when you see her,"

"I promise, your majesty," I told him with a determined look. "I'll try my best."

"Here is some advice you might like to know," Philip leaned forward and checked around us, making sure no one was around except for Windson.

"I'm all ears for advice," I said, bringing my ears closer.

He began whispering to me all the advice he had. He told me of the type of husband she wants Olivia to have, the status he must have, the looks and the powers. To me, it sounded like I met her requirements with ease.

He finished telling me all about it. I listened to all he had to say, feeling satisfied to know the requirements and that I met most of them.

"Just a little bit of extra advice," He said as I leaned back.

"Oh, what is it?"

"Treat her right. This is more of advice to keep me more satisfied than her mother," He said while giving me a condescending stare.

"Do not mistreat her. Even if you end up as my son-in-law, remember we are still the ruling family that controls your county. If you mistreat the princess, consequences will follow,"

It added an extra burden on me. But his advice, which sounded more like a threat, is justified. A father only wants the best for his daughter, and the mother does too. But a father is much more likely to be protective of his daughter over his son.

"That's all I wanted to talk to you about," He said as he got up.

"I'm glad to have spent this time talking to you, your majesty!" I said with a jolly tone, getting up from my seat as well.

"Would you care to take a walk around here?" He asked me as he fixed his shirt. "I don't have any official work till later into the afternoon when I have a meeting,"

"It'd be my pleasure to walk with you," I said, shooting a glance at Windson.

The two of us began to walk. I followed behind him while Windsom followed behind me. He kept his distance from me while I was nearly shoulder to shoulder to Philip.

"I forgot to ask, Alexander," He turned his head to me. "What do you like about my daughter?"

"O-oh, surprised you ask," I cumulate a response. "I… can't really explain it,"

Truth is, I don't have any intimate feelings for her. I just want to marry her for status.

"I understand, love is a difficult feeling to explain," He laughed loudly.

"It's her behaviour and the way she acts," I gave him an answer to satisfy him. "I'm not sure if she treats everyone this way but she treats me as if we've known each other for years. I feel an odd connection to her. I've never experienced love before, but perhaps this is what love is,"

"Interesting…" Philip scratched his well-kept beard and nodded. "That's a much better answer than whatever the other nobles were spewing,"

"What were the answers?" I asked out of curiosity.

"One said it's her body. The other talked about her status. One even went as far as to describe it in a poem! It sounds like a good idea but he executed it poorly!"

"Haha! I see!" I couldn't help but laugh. "These seem like the most common responses, no?"

"Right out of books and fairytales, I must say," He sounded frustrated. "The concept of love is easily impressionable by such mediums,"

We continued to walk along the path, walking aimlessly around the garden. Philip continued to talk about his experience with Olivia and his wife, including a few stories that aren't usually public.

I listened along, talking only when I needed to. He didn't mind that I was mostly quiet, saying he actually appreciated that someone would listen to him with such interest.

I'm beginning to think it won't be so awkward after all.

FELIX'S POV

Since Artorius was gone, I decided to take all the paperwork into my own hands. Sure I won't be as quick and efficient as a man who is aided by a dragon, but it's honest work nonetheless.

He's been gone for two days now. Counting down the days of his absence is showing how much this kingdom needs him to function. Without him, this kingdom would not be functioning as it is right now. He's set us on the right path

Though he has made a mistake along the way. Which is what I am fixing now.

I've taken the initiative to plan the sewage project myself. It will save us a lot of money and the due date is near the end of summer. But it is better than having our water source become contaminated with waste.

Luckily, I have just the plan for the sewage system.

It involves digging up an underground layer where all the waste would go. There will be a colossal room that burns the waste that comes in from the waters.

Whatever comes in will turn into steam from the heat, thus turning it into gas that escapes through multiple chimneys into the air, far away from the city or any civilization.

Though something feels off about this. It's a massive project which includes digging tunnels in tight spaces and making an underground lair, it feels too dangerous.

We might not be advanced enough for this.

But, luckily I have the help of many intelligent engineers and architects that will help me with it.

With all that in mind, I sketched what I imagined the lair to look like. In my eyes, it was perfect.

Ten kilometers away and hidden underground, only a few chimneys sticking out from underneath to clear the smoke.

Everything will work with the help of massive pipes. These will carry the waste to the chamber. After which, everything will be handled by a heating system that involves heating the pipes with fire till it's hot enough to evaporate all the water.

I imagine Artorius would applaud me for my ingenuity if he was here.

I take a look at my sketch–for the first time, I have done something incredible. I'm working on a project that will aid the empire in much more sanitary and cleaner methods of living!

It filled me with the motivation to see my detailed sketch of the chamber. It turned out exactly how I imagined it would in my head!

But, I was beginning to grow tired. I hadn't slept much last night and it was slowly taking a toll on me. It made me feel lethargic and tired, draining me of the energy I should have had this early.

It was nearly noon, or is it noon? With doubt, I take out my watch and check for the time.

"It's past lunch!?" I gasp in shock.

I was so lost at work that I had forgotten about the existence of time. No one had come in to remind me, nor did I remind myself.

Wait, I have no one to remind me of lunch. It's my job.

Vincent is away as well. Working with Wilkins for the special brew Artorius requested.

His family is still here. His wife should be in the palace, waiting for her kins to come back.

Wait, whose job was it to bring them from the academy today…

Before I could dwell on my mistakes any longer, I picked up my blazer and bolted out of the room.

It was nearly two, meaning I will reach the academy in just the nick of time. If there are no unwanted stops along the way.

As I ran down the stairs, Lady Emma caught me. She was shocked to see me still in the palace, let alone not with her two kids.

"Felix! Where are the children!?" Her voice thundered as I dashed out of the door.

"Give me ten minutes!" I shouted back to her as I nearly tumbled down the steps outside. "They will be with you shortly!"

Panicked to see me rushing towards them, the guards hurriedly opened the gates as I reached them. I made sure to thank them before leaving the vicinity of the palace.

The city was packed as usual. It would be difficult to go the normal route. Especially with all the stalls and horses cramping together.

I weaved and threaded the needle through the dense crowds, trying to not be overwhelmed by the hoards of shoppers and stores. Traffic has been piling into the city the past few days

A lot of it is due to the boost in tourism. The locomotive has boosted it past beyond what we expected. Not that it's a bad thing.

The only bad thing that came from it is the influx in traffic. During such times, I can barely walk through the pathways without being squeezed out of air!

After struggling for what seemed like hours, I managed to find my way on the right road. It was much more empty than the main road, it would be smooth sailing from here on out.