“But before retirement…” Rian hinted.
“Before retirement, I’ll eventually move to the Capital. But I definitely need a greenhouse or urban farm space. And we must negotiate how many public appearances I need to make,” Ren Xiyang said.
“Yes, my Lord,” Rian said with a knowing smile.
“And then there’s the coming out plan. We should tell Florence we’re engaged. When do you want to tell King Edric and Queen Mira? And the public? Then we’ll have to plan the marriage. I assume you want something big and to invite many people, including foreign dignitaries. That would require a lot of planning. The venue, the guest list, the menu, the decorations, accommodation, invitations, attire, seating—”
“Maybe we should elope,” Rian suddenly said. “We’ll have two weeks after we get back to the Capital, before the Academy year starts. We can run away and elope, and then return to the Capital.”
“And get hastily married where? Only the Rosewood fief has gay marriage, but it also has a minimum age limit.”
Rian made a face. “You’re the Earl of the Rosewood fief. Can’t you make an exception just for us?”
Ren Xiyang gave him an unimpressed look. “No.” He started to get up.
Rian pouted. “What are you doing?”
“Count Aegean is moving.”
“Do you want to talk with Count Aegean?”
“He might be coming towards us. We still haven’t talked to him about making hover-boats yet.”
Rian sighed and got up. “Very well.” As Ren Xiyang’s lover, he had to support his lover’s dreams of making money. It was a sweet burden to have.
The return trip was smooth.
The Sedaverian ships landed at the main port of the Blewitt fief, rather than the Aegean fief. They took a different route back to the Capital, passing by many fields full of maturing, bountiful crops. They met with nobles, farmers, and various branches of the Royal Healers’ Association. They arrived in time at one fief to be present at the opening of the local healers’ association new public hospital and clinic.
In what felt like a blink of an eye, they were on the final stretch towards the Capital.
After lunch, Count Aegean rested, while Rian entered Ren Xiyang’s carriage carrying several notebooks. It was time for one last planning session.
“I’ve made an agenda,” Rian said.
“I’ve also made an agenda,” Ren Xiyang said.
“You first, dear.”
“No, you first, your Highness.”
Ren Xiyang simply plucked Rian’s notebook out of his hand to check his agenda. “We have the same main remaining item.”
Rian smirked. “Maybe we don’t need those telepathy spells.”
Ren Xiyang didn’t bother to counter him. In fact, they had had several planning meetings already on the trip back, talking about different matters including how to deal with King Edric and Queen Mira, their future life together at the Imperial Magical Academy, the possible purpose of Prince Pollux’s year-long visit, various initiatives, and various products.
After talking about all of them, there was really just one major matter left to debrief upon. And they had both delayed talking about it, in order to wait and see how the situation in Angio progressed.
The underground tower had been discovered, the coup had been enacted, and the new queen had been crowned.
At this point, Queen Aurelia had been ruling for almost a month, which gave Ren Xiyang and Rian some understanding on how the rest of her rule may progress.
“Viscountess Venenum has managed to capture all the key persons involved in the plague-curse from my first life,” Rian said. “As far as my agents could tell, Queen Aurelia is not picking up the plague-curse development work, either.”
“Florence told me that Queen Aurelia contacted her regarding agricultural development,” Ren Xiyang said. “Queen Aurelia seems much more reasonable.”
“Of course, we cannot preclude the possibility that someone else would eventually make a plague or curse, or that a natural disease breaks out,” Rian said.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Your Royal Healers’ Association is very good.”
“Qts atjcx sbe, Sjgi Ebrfkbbv. Qf’nf vbcf bg jgf vblcu fnfgsatlcu kf qgbwlrfv ab vb, ja atf nfgs yfulcclcu.” Eljc mibrfv tlr cbafybbx. “Qf’nf jmtlfnfv rb wemt, jcv kf tjnfc’a fnfc jaafcvfv rmtbbi sfa. Cii lc jii, gjatfg jcalmilwjmalm.”
“Qf tjnf akb wbgf sfjgr yfobgf atf wjlc rabgs fnfc rajgar,” Efc Wlsjcu rjlv. Lf qjerfv. “Qjla, kf obguba jybea Jjrrlbqflj,” tf gfjilrfv.
Rian narrowed his eyes. “We didn’t need her and don’t need her.”
“If we have the opportunity, we should talk to her,” Ren Xiyang said. “—As part of a series of meeting with all the different kids in the association for future leaders.”
Rian lowered his hackles. “Very well.” He leaned in close. “Now that we’ve gotten all of that work out of the way, what should we do now?” he said suggestively.
“I have work, you have work, and we both have school,” Ren Xiyang deadpanned. “If it weren’t for you, I would only have work.”
Rian massaged one of Ren Xiyang’s shoulders. “As a young mage, you are expected to attend the academy.”
Ren Xiyang sighed. “I know.” He himself would be one of the strongest proponents for education, with compulsory education in his grand plan. And he knew that from the outside, others saw him as a young mage in need of education. That didn’t stop him from being annoyed, though. Maybe there would be some classes that weren’t a waste of his time. That was yet to be seen, though.
The convoy stopped outside the Capital. Everyone neatened up and certain persons returned to their proper carriage. The guards in front announced their return as they entered the Capital.
The streets were once again full of people out to watch the procession and catch a glimpse of the smiling and waving Crown Prince Rian.
The procession reached the Palace, where King Edric and Queen Mira welcomed everyone back, thanked the convoy members for their hard work, and invited them for dinner later. Prince Alexius was also there, eyes bright as he saw Earl Rosewood again.
As the convoy began to scatter, King Edric gave Rian a pointed look. “Son, let’s talk.”
“Right now, Imperial Father?” Rian said sweetly.
“Yes.”
Rian nodded obediently and followed his Imperial Father to his office.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Imperial Father.”
Rian sat down by his Imperial Father’s imposing desk. It was not often that he met with his father without his mother. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
King Edric felt as though Rian had changed, more than he expected, since he made him Crown Prince. Rian had become taller, happier, more confident, and more charismatic.
He had also started to suspect Rian.
He was starting to wonder whether Rian had planned everything—from the trip to Angio, to the duel, to their coup—from the very beginning.
King Edric was not innocent in the escalation of turmoil in Angio after the duel and in the lead-up to their coup. His secret agents help spread and boost various rumours to increase unrest. He had purposefully made it harder for King Augustus to get his magic back by setting the handover of contract and gold at the border. He had also secretly, in a round-about way, funded various persons in Angio.
But King Edric wouldn’t have done all this if it weren’t for Rian’s first actions.
Rian’s magical contract had been able to suppress King Augustus’s magic.
Rian made big splashes with his new magical products and kingdom-wide initiatives. But he had quietly developed magical contracts to this extent. A simple looking piece of contract paper hid layers and layers of magical complexity and understated the magical strength and finesse of their creator. With the use of blood magic, King Augustus’s own magic had fuelled the contract’s power and suppression.
Rian had planned to duel with King Augustus.
Rian had planned to make King Augustus sign that contract.
Rian had planned the Angian coup.
And Rian was his son, the person that he had personally bestowed the title of Crown Prince.
It was understood that, barring any mishaps, Rian would eventually take the throne.
But could Rian’s actions in Angio imply that Rian was impatient? If King Edric didn’t step down ‘early enough’, would Rian use his experience in Angio to enact a coup in Sedaveria?
With Rian’s current trajectory, King Edric had no doubt that Rian’s methods would be even better in ten years’ time.
“How was your journey? Are you satisfied with the trip?” King Edric asked.
“Very satisfied,” Rian said with a pleased smile. “I’m satisfied with my both my visits to the various eastern fiefs, and with my stay in the Hraun Nation. I was able to meet with numerous people and develop or strengthen connections. I also invited Prince Haldor of Hraun to come visit, I hope he takes it up.”
A jaded person would see Rian’s actions as building a faction. King Edric proceeded to ask him about his various projects and initiatives. Rian answered easily, describing the current progress and near-future plans for the Royal Healers’ Association and the Royal Agricultural Development and Food Security Program. He also told King Edric about new possible product collaborations with Count Aegean and others.
“—By improving agricultural practices, the people will feel safer and secure. By developing these new products, we can hire more people who can earn more money, which can then be spent, enriching others. This is good, right, Imperial Father?”
“It is admirable.”
Rian smiled brilliantly. “Thank you, Imperial Father!” His smile faded as he put on a tentative expression. “Imperial Father, may I ask you a question now?”
“You may.”
“Has Imperial Mother told you about my law-change proposals yet? Do you agree to endorse them?”
“Your Mother has mentioned them to me. As I understand it, you had some good points, and she is currently revising it to make it suitable for presentation in front of the Imperial Council.”
“Is that so…Imperial Father, allow me to retrieve something, it’ll take less than half a minute.”
“Go.”
Rian walked up over to the door and opened it. He chatted with his Royal Guards who were standing outside, and they handed over a set of papers.
King Edric: “…” Rian had anticipated this.
Rian handed the papers over to King Edric. “Imperial Father, this is a copy of my original proposal. With this proposal, I hope to improve the happiness of the people and to improve protections among the vulnerable….”
—A few minutes later, King Edric was suppressing a frown as he skimmed over the proposal. He could understand why Queen Mira wanted to modify it. The Rosewood fief had set a precedent with these laws, but changing the laws within one fief was not the same as changing the laws of an entire country.
“I’ll read this thoroughly later,” King Edric said.
Rian bowed. “Thank you, Imperial Father. It’s my life’s work to improve the country and I believe this is a crucial step, however small it may be. Now that Queen Aurelia is on the Angian throne, we cannot slow down our progress and improvement. I found her to be smart, hardworking, and responsible for her people.”
King Edric’s eyes deepened. Rian wanted to improve the country. And if certain people were in his way, he’ll deal with matters one way or another.
Rian smiled. “May I be dismissed?”
“You may.”
After Rian left, the air around King Edric became depressed. He rubbed his temples, feeling a proverbial headache coming on.
Little did he know that he was hardly the first person to feel this way about Prince Rian.
After Rian was led away by King Edric, Queen Mira flagged over Earl Rosewood. “Earl Rosewood, are you free at this moment?”
Prince Alexius suppressed his dissatisfaction. He was talking with Earl Rosewood first!
“Your Majesty, I’m available,” Earl Rosewood said.
“Then come with me.”
Earl Rosewood patted Prince Alexius on the head. “We’ll continue after I’m done.”
“Okay,” Alexius smiled sweetly. It looked a lot like Rian’s innocent smile.
Queen Mira: “…” When was the last time she patted Alexius on the head? When she did that, Alexius told her that he was too old for that anymore!
Queen Mira pushed aside Alexius’s clear favouritism for the moment and took Earl Rosewood to her office.
“Earl Rosewood, how was the journey? Did you encounter any troubles along the way?” Queen Mira asked.
“The journey was smooth, Your Majesty.”
In reality, Queen Mira had received regular reports on the convoy’s travel to Sedaveria. She knew that the trip had gone smoothly. She also knew that Rian spent a lot of time with Earl Rosewood, and that Rian wrangled a cooking duel which he called a ‘contest.’
“How did you find the Hraun Nation?”
“The Hraun Nation was good. I learnt a lot of this trip.”
Queen Mira continued to ask numerous questions, about different activities that Earl Rosewood did on the trip, and then about the projects and initiatives that Earl Rosewood was supposedly working on with Rian.
Earl Rosewood answered everything without much fluctuation in his demeanour. Queen Mira had to admit that Earl Rosewood really did work with Rian and was an important player in the development of the Royal Healers’ Association and the new Royal Agricultural Development and Food Security Program, not to mention the various products that they made together and sold. At this point, Queen Mira didn’t need to provide Rian with a monthly stipend: Rian earned that and much more himself. All because of Earl Rosewood.
“—Good. I’ll let you go now,” Queen Mira finally said. “I understand you’ll be returning to the Rosewood fief before the start of the academy.”
Earl Rosewood nodded. “Thank you. Yes, that’s my plan.” He stood up, bowed, and left.
Queen Mira felt tired.
If it weren’t for Earl Rosewood’s highly suspect background. If it weren’t for Earl Rosewood’s gender.
She had accepted Earl Rosewood as Rian’s good friend. But she still couldn’t accept him as Rian’s paramour.
Queen Mira called in one of her ladies-in-waiting. “Find Prince Rian for me and bring him to my office.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Since the problems of the original story are solved, I should end this story here, right? Right?
Joking, joking 😆
I’m also looking forward to some academy antics 🤭🤭🤭🤭
Question: What scenes would you like to see before the story ends? What do you think needs to be resolved?
Answer in the comments below!
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What? End this story here? Lemme jus-🔪🔪🔪🔪(Respected author u r lucky tht u were just kidding.)
Honestly I wanna see a scene where Queen Mira accidentally breaks into the room when our dear couple are busy kissing- (it won’t be too much for her, right?)
I also wanna see a potential love rival~ our MCs are just so attractive, how can there be no bees flocking around our dear flowers~ personally I’d prefer a male rival for Rian. I wanna see the vinegar jar become possesive ahahahahajkgvnjs
Honestly I wanna
real heroes quietly save the world 🤣🤣🤣
given that Ren Xiyang (and Rian) can detect people, it would mean they did it on purpose to let Queen Mira see 🤣🤣
I need academy romance and Aiden making his teachers speechless
I need Cassiopeia growing up as a person I need everyone finding out and count Aegan being like “Aha! I knew it” I need marriage arc and crowning arc and visits of characters like Aurelia and so on at the receptionAnd at least 100 chapters more of course XD
😍😍😍😍 those sound like many fun things! Except the 100 chapters more part 🤣🤣🤣
Loool Alexius’ favoritism is so funny but then again Ren is a good big brother figure.
Rian is very ambitious, but he still respects his father????
I really want to see the scene of Earl Rosewood disliking classes and simply asking for more advanced ones or just testing out of them because he already knows this stuff
Are Rian and Ren the same age I can’t remember
And everyone sees the scene of Rian happily indulging Ayden in his goals and how these two work together up close
maybe some of the kids will change their minds and be less wary of Rian’s goals
Rian’s secret plan to show his love off to his parents, I see 🤣🤣🤣
Hey, Ren Xiyang is nice to Alexius! Rian is annoying 🤣🤣🤣
Hm, Rian and Ren Xiyang’s ages are weird HAHAH, physically, Rian is older; mentally, Ren Xiyang is older. For the purposes of class, they’re in the same grade
I’m pretty sure Ren Xiyang sped up his physical growth with all his hormonal manipulation, seeing as he’s copying the chemical setup from an older target body. His bone age probably reads the same as what he claimed.
yeah, each day, Ren Xiyang’s physical age gets closer to Rian’s!
Thank you for the chapter!!!💚💜
Thank you for reading!
I want to see their mariage of course ! Or at last the reaction of the king and the queen when they will learn that they are already engaged.
I would also like to see Cassiopeia some years later, when she finally live instead of thinking she is in a story.
Marriage, I see 🤣🤣🤣
It’s sweet that people want Cassiopeia to be better ^_^
rian can’t catch a break with his parents lmao
😬😬 when your parents are the rulers the country…
Thanks for the chapter!
Thank you for reading!
I would like to see a rival in love🤭
Jealous Rian ♥
And the interaction of the king and queen with the Ren, something very cute)
Thanks for the chapter, it was very interesting! We are waiting for the continuation
And Aurelia, and other characters at the wedding of Ren and Rian💃🍷
And a dramatic moment with both of them
I’m not sure which one, I just love drama🤭
A rival huh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s a lot of potential drama 🤣🤣
Thank you!
Instead of a love rival how about A prince from a different country (Kingdom?) Who sees how Visionary Ren is and is trying to recruit him to work in his kingdom. 😏
I can see it now! “Work for me Ren and you don’t have to do paperwork!!!!”
🤣👍
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
So there was this mention of a hermit on the map… that loose thread is still making me crazy. Yeah, marriage, Cassie gets better, they figure out cell phones… but what about that hermit…hahahahahaha! Can’t wait for Ren Xiyang to have to go back to school!!!
…also can’t wait for all the visitors…
the hermit 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 okay, okay, I’ll see what backstory I can think up for them!
What visitors are you thinking about?
So far the incoming visitors include Pollux, the Hraun islanders, a certain hermit (?), and many same sex couples taking part in the expanded marriage laws in the Rosewood area… and maybe some visitors from an area not mentioned in the original book…showing the expansion of reality in this new world 🤣❤️
Expansion of the world…that sounds like a lot of chapters for the different side characters 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I wonder if Cassiopeia and Alexius are going to be a couple. Are they even talking right now? It would be fun if they would, for different reasons than in the original timeline. But it would also be reasonable if they wouldn’t.
I would like a fun pairing that’s either bickering between themselves or team up to annoy others (in a different way than the main couple). Like maybe Gunter with someone. Can’t think of a person because I forgot all their ages. 🤣
Thank you for the chapter.
That’s an interesting thought regarding Cassiopeia and Alexius. I haven’t settled either of their pairings 🤔🤔 Thank you!
I suspect Queen Mira to only back off once she finds out that Aiden is Alyssa if she keeps on insisting that his gender is a problem in their relationship. Funny thing with people is that sometimes only the gender assigned at birth matters to them and not the gender post transition. But maybe she’ll be cool about it?
Would his transition process be revealed then? Could be useful as a medical method for fellow trans people. Though it may be major character development if Cassiopeia supported and encouraged this? But that’s probably a long shot.
Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if people were planted in the Academy to seduce Rian or Xiyang away from each other. But this plot of theirs wouldn’t work out at all 😅
Whether or not Ren Xiyang’s trans status is revealed at large is something I haven’t decided on at all. Certainly, it won’t be announced any time soon. But maybe in the future? It’s not clear.
Thank you for your suggestions! 😏
Thank you for the chapter
Thank you for reading 🤗