Chapter 2368: Flora, Do You Have Any Other Requests? (2)

Agares looked somewhat agitated as he spoke, his face flushed: “But! I hope to be respected as a person, not treated as a stud!”

As soon as his words were out, Agares paused, his eyes slightly widened, clearly realizing he had stepped into a minefield.

Agares hurriedly defended himself: “Sir Arthur, I-I didn’t mean it like that! I just, just…”

“I understand you.”

Agares was stunned, slowly turning his head to look at Arthur, who still had that gentle smile on his face.

“You… really understand?”

“Of course.” Arthur exhaled deeply, slowly leaning back in his chair: “You want to be seen as a man with thoughts, emotions, and judgment, not to be controlled by others, used as a political pawn. This feeling, I understand better than anyone.”

Upon hearing this, Agares seemed to finally release the long-standing depression in his chest.

He looked at Arthur, his eyes full of sincere confusion: “You… Have you also been seen as a stud?”

The emotion Arthur had just built up was utterly dispelled by this remark, he opened his mouth as if forgetting what should be said next.

It took him several seconds before he managed to say: “I… haven’t been regarded as a stud. However, I have similar friends, and more than one.”

Agares apparently mulled over the phrase “more than one” for a long time, unable to resist asking, “Then, how do your friends view this fate?”

Arthur burst out laughing: “Your Highness, probing into others’ privacy isn’t good, is it?”

Agares blushed but still earnestly said: “I genuinely want to know, you don’t have to disclose names.”

Arthur saw him being serious and gathered in his smile: “How do they think? Naturally, there’s pain, resentment, even thoughts of turning away completely. But in the end, they all calmly accepted their fate, and afterward, they were thankful they made the right choice.”

Agares gently frowned, seemingly digesting these words: “How… did they manage to do it?”

Arthur gazed towards the depths of the garden: “Your Highness, every fate has gains and losses. Yes, being used in marriage, politics, even as a stud, these things are humiliating and angering. But have you ever thought that precisely because this position is unbearable, it offers an unprecedented opportunity for you?”

“Opportunity?”

“Your Highness, how many great figures in history were initially considered mere ornaments, minions, even puppets? Humiliation isn’t a mark of failure but a prelude to a great life. Frederick the Great was viewed as worthless by his father during his youth, his poetry laughed at, he nearly beheaded for trying to flee him. Yet once he endured, all of Prussia fell under his feet. The Duke of Wellington was also considered useless by his family in his youth, his mother always thought this youngest son could achieve nothing. But what happened? He destroyed the Empire Napoleon built and became a hero of the entire country, of all Europe.”

Arthur turned his head to look into Agares’s eyes: “Your mission is indeed heavy, for your family, for Europe, and I know these weigh heavily on you. A great man can rise to the occasion, this is what is said in China, but the principle is universally applicable. Those who can endure humiliation qualify to enjoy the fruits of victory. When everyone regards you as a stud, don’t you want to prove they’re wrong?”

Agares paused at these words, even straightening his back a bit: “I, I…”

Arthur intended to seize this moment, but before he could speak, that ever-nauseating laugh reached his ears.

“Arthur, what are you doing? Seducing the young? Doing indoctrination work for the Coburg family? Standing tough, a great man can bend and stretch? Oh, my dear Arthur, the other day when Phillips stomped you, you were far from this composed.”

Arthur’s brow twitched; he had no time to pay attention to Agares’s taunts.

Because he hadn’t accomplished the KPI he’d set for himself today.

Arthur took a deep breath, forcibly filtering out the irritating devil’s laughter at his ear.

“Your Highness,” he suddenly asked, “do you know why I spoke to you like this today?”

“Because… you want to encourage me?”

Arthur shook his head softly: “No, it’s because there happens to be something right now that allows you to prove yourself.”

“What is it?” Agares showed eager anticipation: “Speak freely.”

“This time…” Arthur slowly began: “The opponent you face is Russia’s…”

Before he finished, a voice with surprise and a touch of joy suddenly called from behind.

“Arthur? Is that you?”

Arthur’s shoulders slightly tensed.

Agares stood and politely greeted: “Good afternoon, Miss Hastings.”

Flora had already walked around the shadows of the trees to approach, but unlike the previous energetic, light steps, her pace now was noticeably slow, even her heavy skirt seemed feeble in the wind.

She tried to conjure a polite smile, but her lip color appeared unnaturally pale.

“Your Highness,” she lightly curtsied to Agares.

Agares, concerned, said: “I heard from my aunt that you weren’t feeling well recently?”

Flora smiled: “Thank you for your concern, but I’ve already been much better these past couple of days.”

“Flora,” Arthur, politely taking off his hat in greeting, said: “I’ll send someone to return you to Lauton Castle another day; the fresh country air should be good for your health.”