VARIANT (For The First Time, I Don't Mind Losing)

Chapter XI - Serendipity

"..it was during this time, that the second half of the commandments were added, to procured peace to the divided continents and the preceding pantheon in the medietas era."

The elderly priest gently put the scroll he was reading and holding, down at the tall white marble lectern infront of him. Turning to his left, he bowed down a little and held open both hands outward as two priestesses approached him. One placed a long necklace consisting of golden beads on his hands, and the other carries a small basin—which is also made of gold, that has holy water.

The priest dipped and soaked the beads inside the basin. Then, he slowly walked down the few stairs of the exedra they were standing on, and headed to the table of the only student inside the chamber.

"I shall now recite to you the Ode of Eirini, before we proceed on the next part. It is vital for you to remember this your highness, as it is also known as the first Prayer for Peace. The basic core why the commandments were written."

Shoto nodded his head as a confirmation, readying a reed pen in his hand and soaking the tips in the black ink beside it. He then rolled the bottom part of his scroll a little to reveal more blank spaces to write on. 

As soon as the prince looked up again, the priest clasped both his hands—the beads stuck in between and dangling in the open space, and began reciting the said prayer..

"Hodie orationem gratias ago
Usque ad caelum et ad eart
Ad societatem civium maria et spiritus.."

Shoto silently wrote every word that was recited with ease for what seemed like a few minutes.

As the prayer finished, a new priest came in—a little younger than the first, carrying a large stone tablet in one arm. He exchanged a bow to the elderly priest who's about to leave and proceeded to stand on the exedra. He placed the tablet on the lectern with a slight thud because of its weight.

Then looking over at the prince, the new priest declared in a sing-song voice, "Now, we shall begin reciting the half of the commandments added during the medietas era.."

Shoto subtly took a deep breath as he really, really tried hard to keep his focus on the lessons he's being taught at. However, his mind couldn't help but began to wander..

Soon, their morning session will be over, and soon, he'd have to make a decision.

Shall he really take on what Lord Keigo had offered?

Is it wise?

Can they even actually pull it off?

Slightly biting his lower lip, he turn his gaze away from the speaker and focused it to the scroll on his table, words becoming just random symbols in his eyes as he ponders deeper. His father will be leaving at the first crack of dawn tomorrow.

The advisor had told him, that IF the prince does actually agrees, he will launch off his foolproof plan (his words, not mine) and immediately inform the royal court—and even Shoto's personal guards, that he shall be the one to accompany the archangel for the day.

Keigo had said he'll do it by pulling out his ultimate card that he calls: "it's-time-for-the-prince-to-know-the-ins-and-outs-and-how-to-deal-with-important-documents-and-issues-on-his-own-while-his-father-is-away-and-no-one-is-more-capable-of-showing-him-around-to-learn-than-the-king's-own-royal-advisor"...

That was a mouthful to say.

But anyway, that was what he said, and Shoto was also informed that if he indeed agreed within this day, then the advisor will also take care of his schedules with the priests and move it all on the afternoon.