Date- 7 April 2321
Time- 04:54
Location- Southern Region, Southern Capital, Southern Royal Palace, Guest Palace
"Wyatt, savor your stay at the Southern Palace. If you require any assistance, Aria will be at your service. Once the essential resources for your mission are ready and organized, I'll get in touch with you," Colleen conveyed as she got ready to depart.
I knew that I couldn't expect an apology from her, and had to endure her overprotection for the sake of the silver milk powder project. So, I expressed my frustration to Colleen, "What exactly do I do here till?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWith the supreme leader and Matron hunting me and silver milk powder patent and shares in my hands being eyed by the world, right now I was in such a position that I could only trust my back to the southern royal family thanks to the soul contract Anna and I entered with the world's will as the witness. This was why despite my numerous complaints about their overprotectiveness I continued to stick with them. Because the day Anna and I entered a soul contract with the world's will as a witness, thanks to the terms mentioned in it unknowingly I had chosen a side in this world's struggle. One could also say that the Southern Royal family was the family that I choose or at least that was what it looked like in the eyes of the foreign forces.
Hence, in order to ensure my survival, I must not only rely on the success of the silver milk project for financial gain but also on the support and prosperity of the Southern royal family. To accomplish both objectives, there was only one path I could pursue: creating a dungeon akin to the renowned Silver Beach Gate dungeon. Once this task was accomplished, I planned to relocate to Morningstar University.
"What do I know? Just do what typical youngsters do," Colleen retorted indifferently.
With a straight face, I asked Colleen, "You mean underage drinking, experimenting with drugs, and sexual activities?"
"..." Colleen gave the boy a long hard stare and vanished from the room after saying, "Do as you see fit, as long as you are within the palace grounds I won't care."
Aria's complexion turned into a shade of crimson in response to the boy's words. Even though they were completely uncalled for and discourteous, she couldn't deny the truth behind them. Many of her acquaintances indulged in such activities, and had it not been for her family's strict principles and her aspirations to serve her hometown, Aria may have dabbled in illicit substances and promiscuity as well. But her present standpoint was far removed from such recklessness.
Aria was left astounded upon hearing Colleen grant the boy the freedom to conduct himself as he pleased within the palace grounds - a privilege exclusive only to the members of the royal family. Aria couldn't help but wonder what made the boy so significant that he would be granted such treatment, equivalent to that of a royal family member, especially within the sanctuary of the Royal family.
Aria had heard rumors of the boy's significance in the future development of the southern region, but the specifics of his role remained a mystery to her. However, her envy for the boy had clouded her judgment, causing her to belittle his abilities and underestimate his potential impact.
Even though Aria harbored discontent towards the boy, she chose to maintain her composure and fade into the background of the room. As the boy's appointed bodyguard, she felt it was her duty to make him feel at ease, and she didn't want her presence to cause any discomfort. Aria made a conscious effort to keep her distance, as if she were not even there, while still ensuring the safety and protection of the boy remained her top priority.
"I have come to a decision regarding my stay here," I declared, turning my gaze towards Lorenzo. "As a form of compromise, I request that you grant my people clearance to leave the southern region and relocate to the central academic region." My statement held an air of authority, as I made my demands known without any hesitation. Lorenzo's response would determine the course of action, and I was prepared to stand my ground and negotiate until a mutually beneficial solution was reached.
Lorenzo's gazed at me with a hint of skepticism as if dating that I already knew the answer so why bother with this question?
"So, you still haven't abandoned the notion of enrolling in Morningstar University?" he inquired, his tone implying that my request would not even be considered. Despite his dismissive response, I refused to back down and remained firm in my stance. I was determined to pursue my aspirations, and nothing would deter me from achieving my goals.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLorenzo's response did not sit well with me, and I could feel the frustration building within me. "That is not the question," I retorted firmly, my brows furrowing with displeasure. I refused to let him divert the conversation away from my request, and I made it clear that I would not tolerate any further attempts to dismiss my demands. Despite the tension in the air, I remained composed and resolute in my stance, ready to face any opposition that may come my way.
Lorenzo's response left me feeling more frustrated than before, as it seemed like he was deliberately avoiding the issue at hand. "The Southern watch is not my department," he declared, his tone dismissive. "Perhaps you should direct your concerns to Ann, as she is now the interim Southern Emperor. She may be better equipped to assist you with your troubles." With that, Lorenzo took his leave, leaving me, Ann, and Aria alone in the lavish bedroom. Despite the setback, I remained determined to find a solution to my problem and was ready to explore all possible avenues to achieve my goals.
I turned to Ann with a glimmer of hope in my eyes, but her response dashed any expectations I had. "Wyatt, don't look at me," she said firmly. "I cannot do anything regarding this matter. Just because we know each other does not mean I am willing to bend the rules for you." Her words were straightforward, leaving no room for negotiation or persuasion. It was clear that Ann was not going to compromise her principles, and I respected her for it. However, she did provide some reassurance, stating that if my people had not done anything wrong, they would be granted clearance to move to the central academic region after a proper investigation had been conducted. Yet her words did give me some comfort, knowing that my people's fate was not entirely out of my control.
However, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger at Ann's response. "Ann, you and I both know that all my people had the necessary clearance to move to the central academic region," I retorted, my frustration evident in my tone. "This investigation is nothing but a flimsy excuse your family has conjured up to prevent my people from leaving the Southern region. So why don't you drop the act and preach to someone else?" I knew that my accusations were not unfounded, as Ann's family had a long history of preventing me from leaving the Southern region and putting my life in danger. Despite my growing irritation, I tried to keep my emotions in check and remain civil, knowing that I needed Ann's cooperation to achieve my objectives.
"..." hearing my comment Ann went quiet. Because she knew that what the boy said about her family was true. Her family had indeed made use of their authority to make sure that the boy's people doesn't leave the southern region to move to the central academic city.
Ann was quite ashamed about that but the boy has left no choice for her family, he would not listen to reason and be adamant about his course of action.
The reason I wanted my people to move to the central academic region was that they would do all the heavy lifting there in my place until I arrived at Morningstar University. Why was I in hurry about developing my force in the central academic region? It was because at the start of the year at the university, the freshmen will start pouring in and it will very difficult form to start setting up the groundwork for my business while competing with them.
Not to mention, this way I will get the silver milk project done and also set a foundation in the central academic region simultaneously, saving me time and trouble.
"I am sorry Wyatt, I can't help you with that. I may be the interim southern emperor but my grandma is the general of the southern watch, I did not have the authority to overlook her orders," Ann finally spoke explaining that she really could not do anything about the situation of my people. Now it became clear to me that without Colleen's consent, my people could never leave the southern region. Even if they somehow manage to evade the southern watch at the borders of the southern region and they will not be able to move to the central academic city until they have clearance from the southern region authorities permitting them to move to the central academic city.