THE TRASH PRINCE'S BLUEPRINTS

CHAPTER 20: THE SECOND PRINCE'S PERSPECTIVE

In Caelora Province, atop the Vale of Caelora, the Second Prince Theron Valeheart Thaloria is accompanied by his wife, Lady Octavia Caeloria-Thaloria, the Lady Protectress of Caelora Province, Second Princess Consort of the Second Prince, as the Second Prince is in Vesperia Port, talking with Lord Howard Vesperia, Lord Protector of Vesperia, lord bannerman to House Caelora, and his wife who also happens to be Lady Octavia’s 4th degree cousin, Lady Freya Caelora-Vesperia, regarding shipping matters of Caelora Province.

While Lady Octavia and Lady Freya goes down to the docks to see how matters stood with the seamen unloading their cargo, offloading their passengers, and those who are prepared to embark on yet another trip into the busy seas of Thaloria and beyond to trade and ferry their passengers, Lord Howard Vesperia, and Second Prince Theron Valeheart Thaloria remain inside Vesperia Fortress, to read the reports regarding trade and industry of the bustling port town, and the plight of the commoners and the mages who resides in Vesperia Port.

“ Our sea trade with the rest of the Provinces in Thaloria, and even in Thaloria City is as strong as ever, Your Highness. “

“ That's good to hear, Lord Howard. It seems that the delegate I sent to my third brother is back faster than I expected, carrying another cargo full of the… basic luxuries exclusively made in Frostmark Province. “

“ Aye, Your Highness. It is said my wife's uncle, Sir Tobias, tried but failed to charm, flatter and bribe his way into a trade and alliance agreement containing better terms and expanded benefits, with Dame Adelia Topwells. “

“ It's quite a pity he couldn't snag an alliance, and a deal to sell us the Third Prince’s Blueprints for machinery needed to make medicines, clothes, electricity, foods and drinks, and weapons. But there's no point crying over spilled milk, my lord. “

“ Speaking of Frostmark Province, we made more money collecting taxes from the merchant guilds who sold goods they imported from Frostmark Province, than from the finest goods the merchant guilds sold from other provinces, Your Highness. “

“ Those merchant guilds can even sell pirated goods stolen from The Maritime Compact across the narrow sea, for all I care, so long as they pay us taxes, and our coffers remain full to keep the residents happy and satisfied, my lord. “

“ Don’t make dangerous jests, Your Highness. Spies from the Maritime Compact could be listening in on our conversation. Most of the wealthy lords and ladies, and even the wealthy commoners of the Vale flock here every time ships from the merchant guilds trading in Frostmark dock here, and a rowdy bidding war begins in the docks every time it happens. “

“ Oh? Have they no patience and class enough to buy in an elegant dignified manner, my lord? Let them punch each other senseless for luxury goods in a bidding war, then, my lord. I have more pressing matters to attend to than a bunch of rich people with more money than sense making fools of themselves when buying luxuries. “

“ Such as knowing the latest actions of the Crown Prince, and keeping the Holy Church and House Blackmoor in check, mayhaps, Your Highness? “

“ Aye, and my father the King seems to be playing a dangerous game by doing nothing. Enough of that chitchat, my lord. How fares the ordinary mages, and the commoners of this town? “

“ The ordinary mages are thriving here, thanks to your royal protection, and thanks to both of our combined efforts to keep the nefarious influence of the Holy Church at bay. Their magical services are in demand here, ever since you became the Lord Protector of Caelora Province, to help keep our advanced magical tools, and advanced magical equipment in proper working condition. Oh, and they are also in demand amongst the security forces here, to help fight against the Holy Mages, and Inquisitor Mages of the Holy Church who come sniffing like hunting dogs after a prize from time to time, Your Highness. “

“ That's good to know, Lord Howard. And I trust the commoners are also thriving, with no discontent amongst their ranks? “

“ Aye, Your Highness. Ever since I seized the properties, and riches of the Holy Church, and declared the taxes imposed by the deceased Bishop of Vesperia as illegal, and lowered the taxes, the commoners are more contented than ever. “

“ Keep up the good work, Lord Howard. Be watchful and vigilant, for the situation in the royal capital is tense right now. “

“ Have no fear, Your Highness. I may be a Lord Bannerman from a port town, but my forces aren't to be trifled with. I can hire sellsails, and sellswords if need be. Oh, and I also have some friends… and spies inside the royal capital, so I know what's going on in there. “

“ I have a mind to check the updates regarding the Anti-Holy Magic Shield Barrier defense against Holy Mages in this port town is progressing, Lord Howard. I shall see myself out. “

As Prince Theron strolls to the town barracks where the military mages are stationed, memories of his past flashed unbidden before his mind.

I was close with the Third Prince since childhood, and I shared his interest in becoming a very powerful mage. The only difference is that while I eventually became a multi-elemental attack mage, he became a trash wayward Prince along the way. The reason why I decided to become a mage, is to protect the ordinary mages from the persecution of the Holy Church, who fancy themselves a bunch of clean, saintly Holy Mages, even if their crimes are plain for all to see. Mayhaps they should call themselves The Soiled Magicians instead. Oh, and it is also to protect the commoners, and keep the flame of learning and magic alive, even with the Holy Church breathing angrily down my neck. I eventually became the Lord Protector of Caelora Province, so I can say my aims are at the very least fulfilled, even if the implementation was focused on Caelora Province.

The Second Prince grew up surrounded with ordinary mages from noble families, and wealthy commoner families who can afford to protect themselves from the Inquisitor Mages of the Holy Church. He spent much of his time growing up engaged in fierce fights against the Holy Mages, and fierce debates with priests and bishops of the Holy Church right in public, for all of Thaloria to see during his free time. He excelled in his studies of the arts of war, multi-elemental magics, Thalorian Royal Law, The Holy Church's Canon, the ways of business and trade, and diplomacy. He spoke up about the mistreatment of the ordinary mages, and the damage and crimes done by the Holy Church every time he was pressed upon by the King to make a speech during their royal tours. He also spoke up about the importance of keeping the flames of learning and magic alive, when all the Holy Church taught the citizens of Thaloria is how to pray and pray, while their living conditions worsened under the influence of the Holy Church. When he reached the legal age of 18, he was conferred the title of Lord Protector of Caelora Province, with an arranged marriage with Lady Caelora, which was arranged beforehand by Lady Octavia's father, and his father King Alexander. The moment he became the Lord Protector of Caelora Province, the Second Prince wasted no time, and sprang into action eradicating the influence of the Holy Church left and right in Caelora Province, while making sure the province became a wealthy hub of trade, commerce, magic and learning, free from the grasping hands of The Holy Church.