Magus Tech - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Edward Anglee (3)

“I know what you’re thinking.” Richard wore an understanding smile. “I understand, but I must tell you, Edward… I can put up with a woman’s horrendous features, their haughty arrogance, and their poor behavior. All I ask is for the task to be finished. On the contrary, if they lack intelligence and are with a poor learning ability, then no matter how beautiful the woman, I don’t want her. In the field of science, numerical values matter, not beauty. I’m quite busy, Edward, so busy for the past 10 years, busy to understand the laws of this world, busy to uncover the doubts and questions I have. I don’t want any obstacles and I won’t put up with it. If you pity her, sure, she can stay, but only if you have the means to help her. Do you?” 

“I…” Edward lowered his head, his expression changed rapidly. A moment later, he raised his head and said, “I understand, Your Highness.” Edward turned around and walked toward the maid named Eve. 

Eve watched Edward approach her, eyes twinkling. She whispered, “Your Excellency, has His Highness…”

Edward did not reciprocate. Eve wore a puzzled expression and subconsciously retreated when Edward raised his hand.

“Ah…!’ Cried the maid as Edward pulled on her bun, its force so great tears ran down her cheeks. Threads of her hair strode out of the palace, Edward being the cause of it. He pushed her to the ground and said in an utterly cold voice, “You’ve angered His Highness. I am warning you to never appear before him. Otherwise… be careful with your life…” 

“I…” Fear sat on Eve’s face like a pillow over her mouth and nose. 

Edward flung his sleeves, turned his back on her, and chased after Richard with an innocent smile. “Your Highness, I’ve taken care of her in your stead. I’ll have someone smarter and more obedient to replace her this afternoon. What do you think?”

“Whatever you like,” Richard said noncommittally.

“Matter of fact, Your Highness, I think there are some things that you should put into action. You have a lot of people working under you, Your Highness. You don’t need to do everything yourself. After all, you are a prince. You should be working on important things.” Edward’s voice sounded persuasive, like a good politician versed in linguistics.

“Oh? Like what?”

“Well, Your Highness, for example… His Majesty’s wrought with poor health, bedridden majority of the time. We don’t know when he’ll take his last breath. In the case this happens, the eldest prince will seize the throne. Some unexplainable means might inevitably happen to you. It’s better to be prepared, Your Highness. Ah, right, we should contact those well-to-do aristocrats and win their support. It’d at least ensure your interests won’t be infringed upon. Maybe you’ll end up with a satisfactory territory and crowned with the title of an archduke…” Edward gulped and looked in Richard’s eyes. Richard did not react, so he continued. “I don’t think it’s necessary that you’d have to search for weird things and all sorts of wizard-related research. It’s all right as a hobby, but irrational when all your energy is placed into it…”

“Oh? Do you mean you prefer that I dabble in court politics?” Richard chuckled. “Edward, let me ask you this, what is important to me? The crown and court politics, or wizards and spells?”

“I gather that you place importance to the crown and court politics, Your Highness.” There was an honest look on Edward’s eyes. He seemed to live with his emotions on full blast — like an open book and easy to read.

Richard shook his head gently and smiled. He walked to the front, pushed open the red wooden door the color of a poppy meadow, and walked in

Edward stiffened and stopped at the foot of the door. He knew that inside the door was Richard’s world, an independent laboratory he would typically use when conducting special research. His anger was ready to crawl out during those times. Richard despised being disturbed when amid his research.

Edward sighed and looked at the wooden door complicatedly. Once again, his emotions turned jagged and tightened his insides. He whispered words too soft for others to hear.