Chapter 20 The Tyrant’s Eldest Son
When Harkon walked into the workshop, Kalifon frowned slightly without leaving any trace.
She put down the hand holding her cheek, stood up from the small wooden chair Andos made for her, caressed the hem of her skirt casually, and said hello to her eldest brother.
Harkon narrowed his eyes and gave the princess a friendly smile full of artificiality. This caused discordant wrinkles to appear on his face, as if his skin was smiling while the muscles within were contracting with disdain.
The eldest prince’s hypocrisy is like a colorful snake. Callifon didn't like it, never had.
"Andos is working." She said softly, "The time for the competition is coming soon."
Halcon stared at his sister for a few seconds, trying his best to force out the smile from her frozen mask. A little bit of fear.
When he had to accept his failure, Harkon turned his head nonchalantly, waved to Andos, and then strode towards an erected stone statue in the workshop.
"I came to see you, Andos." Harkon said with a smile, "That boy lives in the city, why do you live in the wilderness? Father's palace can no longer Are you satisfied?”
The edge of his silk robe proudly scraped across the countertop of the workshop and caught the porcelain God of War ornament; then, the ornament flew towards the ground.
With quick eyes and quick hands, Kali Feng caught the fallen device and when placing it back on the table, she deliberately controlled her strength and knocked the table with its hard chassis.
Harkon was frightened by the sudden "dong" and stumbled forward.
Califon smiled, touched the helmet of the small ornament with his fingers, and said to the ornament as if comforting a child: "Our God of War is angry."
Harkon pretended not to Hearing this, he walked near the nearly completed stone statue and clapped his hands, "Andos, how are you preparing? Is the carving finished?"
A man who was not in a hurry came out from behind the stone statue's fluttering silk robe hanging to the floor. The slow figure.
The shape of the stone statue is still reflected in Andos's eyes and the sweat on his forehead. Part of his spirit and soul has always been immersed in the long carving process, while the other part has been withdrawn from the vortex of art. It drives the body of reality to fulfill the additional obligations imposed by ethics and etiquette on an independent individual.
"The statue will never be finished." Andos said, "Every touch-up brings more flaws...but I'm almost ready."
He couldn't bear it He went to correct Harkon's words, and then the natural respect for his brother welled up in his heart, causing him to quickly retract his unfinished words guiltily and answer Harkon's question.
"Very good." Harkon clapped his hands, "You have always brought glory to my father. It is a real honor to have you as my brother."
Andor Si thanked him silently and opened his mouth, not knowing what to say more.
"Thank you..."
"You will prevail, my brother." Harkon took Andros' free hand eagerly. His expectations and the anxiety hidden beneath them made Andos, who had been sitting by the stove for a long time, feel unbearably hot.
Califon held the statue of the God of War in the palm of his hand and used his observation of the fine color differences on this work of art to hide his thoughts.
She was so used to Harkon's unreasonable anxiety.
Whether it was forced by the pressure of being the eldest son or driven by natural ambition, what she saw was a man who, after decades of experience, used all the smooth silks, gorgeous crowns and The strengthened majesty overshadowed the eldest son of the tyrant who was born with insufficient talents.
The first time she witnessed with her own eyes how power and honor could destroy a person with good nature was with her eldest brother.
Califon’s thumb brushed against the spear-holding hand of the statue of Ares.
She wouldn't mind assisting Harkon one day in the future, but that would only be out of attachment to Lokos.
Andos's nose wrinkled with nervousness, and his eyes moved up from the grabbed hand to Harkon's face.
He stated honestly: "I don't know, Harkon...I didn't know until I saw Perturabo's work."
"That holy boy made your competition known to the whole city."
The subtle trembling of Harkon's muscles silently revealed his unique uneasiness.
“This month, he searched every stonemason in the capital, and those craftsmen had been eagerly awaiting his visit before his arrival. The child walked into the workshop, empty-handed, and took the craftsmen for free It is a fact known throughout the country that the gift of tools and the praise that will spread throughout the city are about to begin between the son of God and the prince of the tyrant. Can't I lose?" Andos asked, quietly taking his hand away from his elder brother.
His hands were made to hold the tools of creation. "I didn't mean that," Harkon said immediately. He turned to the side of the stone sculpture, very close to the statue.
Andos hesitated for a moment, but still did not follow the first thought that popped up in his mind and persuade his brother to stay away from the things he cherished.
Harkon spoke earnestly, as if he were several generations older than his younger brother and sister: "When a person comes to this world, he will definitely face failure, just like a stone will always fall to the ground. , springs will always flow into rivers and lakes. You must learn to accept losing and losing, just like accepting any inherent truth in this world, not to mention that the one you are about to fight is the descendant of the god descended from the snow-capped mountains to the ground. We are here. Being guided by the glory of the gods, even if you lose to those who are favored by the gods, it is the truth allowed by heaven and earth."
"But," he changed the topic and lowered his head with affected patience. Looking at Callifon: "In addition to being Olympians who serve the gods, we are also the children of Lokos. It is our responsibility to serve the Lokos and lead our people to greater prosperity in this vortex of endless war. If we often expose our failures before gaining the trust of our people, then what shame do we have to be the masters of a country?"
Califon put down the statue of the God of War and said casually. Playing her role: "Then I wish Andos can win, I sincerely think so."
However, her mind was filled with the countless amazing works of art in Morse and Perturabo's workshop, as well as Morse's playful advice.
In recent days, she has actually exchanged some letters with Morse.
She was the first to boldly send greetings, and the response she received was an unexpected surprise.
She couldn't figure out the true character of the man in black through a few pieces of paper, but it didn't matter that she was indeed attracted by his few words.
She knew that if she had the chance to meet those two people alone next time, she would definitely try to call Lord Perturabo first, and then Lord Morse.
Harkon received a satisfactory answer and couldn't wait to show his sincerity to Andos. "My words have not offended you, have I, my brother?"
Andos' eyes no longer linger on his work. His sculpture is smiling compassionately and cheerfully, while Andos is completely Returning to reality, his sad heart no longer allowed him to indulge in creation.
"You are the one who will become the master of a country, brother." Andos said. "How will my losing or winning harm your face? What's more, as you said... people will definitely face failure when they come to this world."
Harkon shook his head. .
“Three days later, both the skilled craftsmen of Lokos, the distinguished guests from foreign countries, and even some of my citizens of Lokos will watch your duel with Perturabo. Andos, You are my cherished brother, and our glory is deeply connected by our blood.”
"Did they come uninvited?" Callifon suddenly asked.
Harkon's pride was shattered by the questioning, his smile turned into pain due to gloom, and an angry shadow enveloped him, making the man look sharp and cold.
"I invited them." he declared stiffly, "I bless you, my brother, and my sister."
After Harkon left, Andros Nor did he return to work. He sat down on the ground and looked at his statue in silence.
Califon asked softly: "Is this the goddess Herphony?"
Andos nodded.
Hefony, who is in charge of life, is the main god of the Olympian renaming ceremony when they come of age.
She gave the child of Olympia a name, embraced the soul that had just arrived in this world, and blessed the child's new life of being welcomed in this vast world.
"I actually really hope Perturabo wins." Andos said.
Califon stared at the mask of the statue. Just being stared at by the stone statue, she felt a sourceless emotion in her heart.
"Can he win?"
"If he's no better than he was a month ago...he can't."
Califon knew her brother was never arrogant. He is humble, gentle, few words, and always honest.
So she smiled and sat down again.
"I bless you both," she said.
(End of this chapter)