Blake didn’t realize how much his expression had already given away. He adjusted his mindset and withdrew two letters from his breast, presenting them with both hands.
"Your Highness, we have been instructed to bring you the Duke’s reply and... the Princess’s handwritten letter."
"Philia’s letter?"
Herbert’s brow furrowed slightly as he picked up the letter bearing the Frost Crystal royal seal, eager to open it imdiately.
"Your Highness! Please wait a mont!"
Blake hurriedly spoke, anxiously preventing him, "The Princess instructed that you should read it when you are alone..."
"Are you instructing on how to do things?"
Herbert’s voice turned cold, his expression completely emotionless, only indifference remained in his eyes.
"Warrior, rember your status."
"Are you a servant of the Silver Wings or a servant of the Frost Crystal?"
Blake felt uneasy being stared at by those pale gray eyes, instinctively stepping back a pace.
This is!?
"No! Your Highness, I..."
He wanted to explain sothing but ultimately bowed his head compliantly, respectfully saying, "I am a feather of the Silver Wings."
"Hmm."
At this mont, Blake was feeling a little lost, because in his previous impressions, Herbert wasn’t like this at all.
Is this truly Prince Herbert?
Graceful and educated, with a greater fondness for the arts than martial skills, a perfectly elegant noble heir.
Even towards servants like them, he was gentle and friendly, never revealing any noble arrogance on the surface.
But now...
Even without glaring eyes or angry expressions, the aura of intimidation from that glance far exceeded the pressure any peer had ever given him!
He even felt like he had encountered an Earth Dragon!
Why does His Highness have such a terrifying aura?
What on earth has he gone through here!!?
On the other side, Herbert glanced at the opened letter before closing it.
He lowered his eyes in silence for a mont and then instructed Blake, "Alright, I understand the situation."
"You may withdraw now, and rest up well in the guest room for a few days. There’s no rush to head back."
Blake nodded, happily complying, "Yes."
Herbert rembered sothing and added, "Oh, by the way, the monastery’s grass carp soup is quite good. Be sure to have plenty at night, and drink the soup to warm yourselves up."
"Ah?"
Blake blinked, nodding honestly, "Oh, okay, thank you, Your Highness."
"Go ahead."
After Blake left, Herbert stood in place, squinting slightly, tapping the letter paper with his finger, and softly murmured:
"Philia... heh."
Just now, after opening the letter, Herbert skipped over everything and imdiately scanned to the letter’s end.
There was a line in the letter’s conclusion—"Herbert, I hope you can attend my coming-of-age ball."
Regarding this invitation, the only thought repeating in Herbert’s mind was,
"At this point, are you... joking with ?"
.
.
Night fell.
For once, Herbert did not go to the Third Commandnt Hall to chat with the Monster Girls but instead sat quietly at the desk alone.
At this mont, he truly felt a bit emotional, understanding why Nenasha once said that sleeplessness is not a reward but a punishnt.
Staying eternally awake is undoubtedly a gift, allowing extended work and study hours.
However, when you desperately wish to have a ntal break but can’t fall asleep, it indeed becos a tornt.
The night punishes every awake person.
You cannot escape, cannot sink, cannot stop...
This turmoil of pain would amplify under the night’s influence, gradually consuming your entire mind.
This condition is commonly known as—deep night emo.
The alert brain remains intensely thoughtful, relentlessly replaying and scrutinizing every undesirable mory from your life.
Every past mistake, every misspoken word, every misstep...
A word of advice to all: never ever post anything on social dia platforms during such tis!
If you do, chances are you’ll be too embarrassed to face the day for the next morning and might receive nicknas from others like "Deep Feelings Guy" or "Lonely Drunk Guy."
Don’t ask how I know this, I just have a friend like that.
Honestly!
"..."
Herbert finished reading both letters and also unwrapped the package containing the magical artifact.
The Silver Wings’ Duke’s response was quite ordinary, bordering on formulaic.
Simply greeting Herbert as a father, encouraging him to hone his skills at the monastery, advising not to dishonor the Albert na, and so on.
Beyond this... nothing.
No concern for him, no updates on the family.
The entire letter, though not harsh, exuded a cold, distant tone as if written by a stranger.
After reading, Herbert casually tossed it aside, altogether ignoring it.
As for the magical artifact sent over, the [Ring of Suffering], it not only perfectly matched Herbert’s requirents but also carried additional capabilities.
It could ward off and counteract others’ ntal control over him, and in daily life suppress his emotional fluctuations, maintaining calm thinking.
This is a High Tier magical artifact, not far from being a Legendary Item, showing the preparer’s thoughtful considerations.
Yet, the appearance had so issues...
Yes, major issues.
Though it resembled a black silk collar, no matter how Herbert looked at it, he couldn’t shake the feeling it looked more like a... choker.
Uh?
What is the aning of this?
For now, Herbert didn’t delve into the possible intentions behind it and simply attributed it to poor aesthetics...
He didn’t plan to wear it himself, but neither would he discard it, as he had soone perfect in mind who could pair well with it.
Hmm.
A very fitting choice indeed.
Who could it possibly be?
It’s truly hard to guess.
If Blake only brought these, Herbert wouldn’t feel troubled, yet they also brought another handwritten letter.
In this letter, Philia engaged in a conversation with Herbert in a tone he found intimately familiar.
Philia first expressed sympathy and regret for Herbert’s past encounters.
She clarified not being in the Royal City when it all happened, having nothing to do with that "personal maid," and suspected soone had impersonated her...
Then she carefully inquired about Herbert’s life at the monastery, showing concern for his various current circumstances.
Proactively offering help with financial issues, encouraging him to ask for anything he might need.
In the letter’s conclusion, Philia sincerely invited Herbert—to attend her coming-of-age ball two months later.
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