13 A Reason to Go (1/2)

That afternoon, the King summoned Timothy. Timothy was still hurt by the King's words so he was not in the mood to talk to his father. But since it was the King's orders, he had no choice.

” Your Majesty” Timothy knelt and bowed

”Rise Prince Timothy” The King's voice echoed ”You're right” he stood up and went closer to him

”I'm right about what?” Timothy looked at his father

”We can't afford to lose the villages around Solon.” He offered his hand to help Timothy stand ”The aftermath would be irreversible”

Timothy was reluctant at first. That was the first time his father did something like that. But he grabbed the King's hand and stood up.

” So you're sending the garrisons of Castle Thespelae and Castle Munico?” Timothy confusedly asked. His father changed his mind?

” Yes” The King put his hand on Timothy's shoulder. ” and you'll lead them together with a contingent of 2000 militias from Nirvana. You will wait for your reinforcements somewhere in Mercus Plains.”

Timothy was stunned. Him? Why would he lead the army? Timothy trusted his own capability. Defeating the smaller Tulosan invasion force would not be easy, but it would be hard for him to lose either.

But he was to be married to Lucia. What if something bad happened to him? The alliance with Vanadis would be affected. If it was before knowing the importance of his marriage to Lucia, he would have loved to lead the army. Those Tulosans dared to invade Castonia and he will make them pay with his own hands. But Timothy knew that he must be cautious. The alliance with Vanadis was more important. Also, he didn't want to leave Lucia.

” Father I don't understand.” Timothy was still confused. ”It's not that I don't want to go, but our alliance with Vanadis…”

” What? Are you afraid that something would happen to you?” The King interrupted him ”Don't you have trust in yourself? You are my son. I believe in you. You're capable and I'm sure you won't disappoint me.”

Timothy had been waiting for a long time for those words. The King's words were like music to his ears. 'I believe in you' 'my son' 'capable' 'won't disappoint me' . Timothy wanted to cry. If his father believes in him, then he should not disappoint him.

The King's words had hurt Timothy hundreds of times before. But this single conversation between them made up for all those pains. So Timothy agreed.

” Okay father. I'll lead the army and make you proud” he declared

” I'll send messengers to Thespelae and Munico tonight and the day you depart- that's in two days. I'll make the preparations”

Timothy doesn't want to mess this up so he wanted to handpick the militia. He refused his father's help ”No need father. I'll organize the militia myself” he smiled

”Okay then. You have two days to prepare”

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After Timothy left, Leopold was left staring at the door. Was he too much? Timothy was a good kid and never disappointed him before. Timothy was stubborn but he knew that the lad loves him. Timothy was also loyal and capable. It would have been nice if Timothy was his own son and not the spawn of that bastard. If Timothy was his son, then he would make him his heir despite being the third in line. It's a shame, he thought.

In the end, his hatred for the betrayal he suffered 20 years ago prevailed. He can't forget nor forgive that bastard. Furthermore, they really need the alliance with Wismar.

” Farewell, son” Leopold mumbled silently

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Upon hearing that Castonia was preparing the militia and that Timothy would be the one to lead them, Lucia immediately went to see the third prince. She knocked on Timothy's door.

” Who is it?” Timothy's asked from the other side of the door.

” It's me”

After a while, Timothy opened the door . He let Lucia enter his room and then he closed the door. Lucia felt shivers down her spine. Why did she enter his room? She trusts that Timothy wouldn't do anything to her, but for a man and a woman to be in the same room alone and on closed doors… Lucia banished these thoughts. So what? They were getting married anyway. It was just normal for them to trust each other this much. There were books stacked on top of Timothy's chair so Lucia sat on his bed. Timothy sat beside her.

Timothy broke the awkward atmosphere by speaking.

”I don't have a choice” He refused to look her in the eye

So Lucia forced him to look at her. She used her hand to turn his face towards her ”You do”

” Yes, I do” he admitted

” So why?” Lucia demanded a sufficient reason. Why would he endanger himself?

Timothy sighed ”I don't know”

”You don't know?” Lucia raised her eyebrow. 'I don't know' was not a sufficient reason

”Nothing will happen to me” Timothy comforted

”But it's war. You'll be at risk”