However, Mike was not as calm or relaxed. He kept switching channels and was unable to finish a complete news report or TV episode.
Ross noticed it and said, “Hey, take it easy.”
“I wanted to be like you and enjoy the afternoon tea, Your Highness,” Mike let out a bitter smile, “But I just couldn’t.”
“I know the situation is tough, but you can’t let it take a toll on you.” He pondered and pushed a plate of snacks toward Mike. “At least things aren’t entirely out of our control, right?”
Having no appetite to eat, Mike hesitated whether or not to say something.
“Do you have something to tell me?” Ross cocked his head.
Although the TV was on, he noticed Mike had kept looking at him.
“I do.” Nodding, Mike interlocked his fingers. He hesitated for a long while before asking, “Have you seen a little boy in the palace, Your Highness?”
“A little boy?” Ross frowned, puzzled.
“Yes, he’s around ten. A smart and well-behaved Hylander…” Mike gestured hopefully.
As Ross lived in the palace and might have seen Nick, Mike wanted to ask the prince about Nick as soon as the two adults met. However, Mike hesitated because it would sound like he was interrogating the prince.
Mike felt like he had lost his final hope. He mumbled in disbelief, “How can that be? The intel can’t be wrong. Nicky must be in the Yudonian palace. How come you’ve never seen him?”
Ross wanted to console Mike, but the latter thought of something and looked up, asking, “Are there secret passages or chambers in the palace you don’t know about?”
Since the palace was massive, Mike thought his son might be in such places.
Ross frowned and said, “That’s absurd.”
Having grown up in the palace, he would have known if there were secret passages or chambers.
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