With this reaction, it was clear that Lyonel forgot about it. "Your highness, your magic has gone berserk. Your powers had been considered unconventional by many and after this incident, we do not want the nobles poking their nose into your business and question your legitimacy as the heir to Ingracia's throne."
[Dark magic is forbidden in the Ingracia Kingdom and anyone using it would be sentenced to death, without exception while unconventional magic such as yours, would definitely raise questions.]
Lyonel could only remain silent as the system showed him a recording of the night of the assassination. As it turned out, when the prince was on the verge of death, his soul took that chance to enter the prince's body and triggered a reaction which reinforced his already potent mana and in the process awakening the dark magic influenced by Chaos.
"You do not have to worry, your highness, I've already assembled my elite team to conduct the investigation. It may take a long time but I hope that the prince exercises patience and self-control."
Knowing the prince's crazy streaks, although he looked timid all the time, he hoped that he could calm himself and let them do the investigation. The kingdom may seem calm on the surface but the power balance behind it is in a delicate balance. One wrong move would definitely plunge the kingdom into chaos.
**Don't disappoint me then, Grand Marshall, because if I can't see any results then forget about self-control, I'll destroy those arrogant aristocrats myself.**
The Grand Marshall bowed and assured the prince one more time. He gave the man one last glance before he left. As the doors closed, he couldn't help but think that something was different with the prince. It was a bit difficult to point it out but he was sure that the crown prince had changed.
After days of resting, Lyonel is finally allowed to get out of bed and walk around. During this time, he did not stay idle either and continued to study whatever he could through the help of the system and by visiting the library.
The king also took this chance to send two of his trusted aids to accompany and protect him. It is their first time in the crown prince's palace with only hearsays and information written on a piece of paper as their reference as to what he was like. They've got a lot of reservations but they are still under the king's order and they need to obey. Before they are given this mission, they were also briefed of the recent incident excluding the part about his magic.
Two men appeared at the crown prince's private residence at the king's order and the butler personally met them. One of the men was wearing a soldier's uniform with a sword hanging on his waist while the other one was wearing an all-black formal clothing.
After greeting them, the butler walked them through the winding hallways of the crown prince's palace until they reached the back garden where a gazebo was built in the middle of a patch of colorful flowers. The butler stopped and moved to the side while gesturing for them to continue without him.
Lyonel was lying on a slightly inclined chair with his eyes closed. A cup of fresh juice to his side with a half eaten piece of cake. Zhione Leizbyne and Ghester Aizel made their way to the gazebo and quietly stood behind the chair waiting for the prince to acknowledge them.
In the silence, Zhione's mind wandered. He had only seen the crown prince from afar and didn't really pay him any attention because he was the kind of man that he least wanted to associate himself with. And yet, there he was standing and waiting for that very man to acknowledge their presence.
With Alfyon's mechanical voice, Lyonel woke up and finally noticed the presence behind him. He slightly tilted his body towards them before transmitting his words. **Who are you?**
Both men heard him loud and clear even without him opening his mouth. This must be what the Grand Marshall was talking about. They were also briefly briefed by Grand Marshall Craine before they were dispatched to the prince's side. Although he couldn't see and speak, the prince still had his way of communicating with them.
"Zhione Leizbyne, at your service your highness. From today onwards, I will be your adviser."
"Ghester Aizel, at your service your highness. I will be your personal bodyguard and will be your captain of the guards."
**Is that all?**
"The king sent us to help you with anything you'll need, especially now that the kingdom's foundation celebration is near and that you will be in-charge of overseeing this event." Zhione answered remembering what the Grand Marshall told them. It was pointless to lie to the prince because he was very perceptive and sensitive.
**Isn't it more like to monitor me, right? And besides, my father never informed me of this arrangement.**
"Your highness, that's not the case at all." This time it was Ghester who answered as he did not want the prince to misunderstand the king's intentions.
**Leave.** The two guests watched as the prince returned to ignoring the both of them.
"I'm afraid that we cannot do that without the king's order." Zhione once again answered with both of them not moving a muscle.
**Without my father's command, I can't let you stay either.** He tilted his head, showing his side profile before commanding them once again. **Leave.**
Zhione was already losing his temper and was about to talk back but the man beside him spoke up before he did. "We will be leaving from this space only, your highness. Once the king's edict comes, we will meet again."
Ghester Aizhel has been listening to the exchange in silence while carefully observing the prince. His every gesture and expression did not escape his gaze. He could see how his brows furrowed and how his mouth frowned while Zhione was talking. After their short exchange, he finally decided to step back before the prince decided to lash out at them. He could already feel the mana reacting around them and at any moment, they could end up like that one guard from the report they received from the king.