Naell's mind raced, "Winning over the people" meant Enitma was trying to revive the monarchy, and even further, the prince wanted his involvement to boost the process.
Luckily so far, none of the leaders and nobles Naell had gotten acquainted with would have any qualms with him supporting the Royal Family against the Republic.
He was fairly certain that only a few nobles outside the Republic had distaste towards the bloodline of Summer, and their reason was mostly due to their seemingly weak will to give away their power to rule.
Regardless, the prince's negotiation had caught Naell off guard as a guy who had been trying to avoid the spotlight since he arrived in Mundo. In any other circumstance, he would have been fine being a normal companion of the prince, much like how he'd been the friend of both princesses Utua and Namiku.
However now, if he were to agree, he had to calculate his every move while being judged by the citizens of the Republic, deemed a hero, and labeled as a friend of the Prince. As he felt the fear of increasing involvement slowly get the best of him, the ball of fluff by his side saved him from the silence.
"How's your relationship with Nonau, HOOT?"
Enitma, Arawa, and Sanbu all eyed the fluffy owl in surprise. They knew that Naell's companion owl was no ordinary beast, in fact he was a pupil himself. Nevertheless, that was the first time they had heard him speak.
"We are a favored trading partner." Replied Sanbu.
"Good, good. Can you help us get there, HOOT?"
Sanbu eyed Owly with a gleam of interest before responding, "It's certainly possible, I've traveled there myself. But may I ask why you wish to go there?"
As Naell watched his friend fold his wings and look at him, he heard the young owl telepathically convey,
Can I say Nonau-ne ya' business, HOOT? -
"..."
"We have a message to convey from Awdita regarding the war." Naell interjected with a serious gaze.
Owly nodded profusely, holding back his praise from hearing Naell's bluff.
It was a well-known fact all across Mundo that the deep rivalry between elves and dwarves should not be met with interference. Further, Enitma had no reason to be interested in their diplomacy. They had no role to play in such matters for as long as the monarchy had not revived.
Yet this was good news to the prince as this was a good chance to reel the duo in. Enitma then said, ''Very well, it shall be done.''
.
.
.
By then, since neither the war nor the rivalry of elves and dwarves concerned the revival of the Royal Family of Summer, the conversation progressed.
"Naell, you are a guest in the Republic before anything. I will make arrangements to get you to Nonau when you wish but for now enjoy your stay here."
"Thank you. Before we agree, what exactly would I be doing?"
Enitma proceeded to explain that Naell only needed to be seen having a lovely time within the country and with the locals so that crier scrolls could be made presenting him as a beloved guest to the public.
He would then have several appearances with Enitma, Sanbu, and Arawa in various subjugation quests to further increase the public's opinion of them.
"Frankly, your icy abilities stand out as it is. In such a heated country, it would take little to no effort!"
Despite Sanbu's offered reassurance, Naell found himself cringing at the thought of pretending to have a good time for the press.
But given how he and Owly already admired the scenery the very moment they stepped foot in the Republic, he partially thought he would just have to act normally and things would fall in place.
Further, they were receiving free lodging away from the busy capital. And above all, their problem in reaching Nonau would be remedied with the Prince's help, thus they could travel much earlier than expected.
It was then when Naell looked at Owly who appeared to be deep in thought.
"So, what's your verdict?" Asked Enitma who seemed to have guessed that the duo was contemplating telepathically.
Don't answer yet noob, HOOT. -
I was about to agree… -
With a scrutinizing gaze, Owly then turned to Enitma, Sanbu, and Arawa. He stopped chewing on snacks, and it was then that Naell realized how serious his friend was.
"How can we be sure you will arrange our travel to Nonau after we have already helped you, HOOT?"
"I could write up an agreement that we will indeed travel to Nonau on your preferred date, with details of the coachman, my signature, and the stamp of the republic." Enitma confidently replied.
"Snacks in the carriage, HOOT?"
Arawa nodded. "Snacks in the carriage."
"HOOT!"
A happy chirp left Owly's beak as he danced slightly. It was an adorable sight for Enitma, Arawa, and Sanbu to behold.
Yet without warning Owly turned stoic once as again, his sharp eyes meeting Enitma's hopeful gaze.
"Enitma…you will not involve us with your supporters underground right, HOOT?"
The question made Naell anxious as if he was the one being asked. Thankfully Enitma then replied, not letting the silence linger for more than a second.
"Please my owl friend—"
"Owly, HOOT!"
"Owly, rest assured. I did not even think to."
A faint sigh of relief left Naell's lips, yet he was once again tense as the prince now turned to him.
"Let me be honest."
Oh no. -
"Truthfully, I know some of the charitable deeds you both did. In most of them I heard that you, Naell, specifically requested to hide your involvement in all of them."
Both Naell and Owly tensed up while silently listening, unsure of where the prince was going with his reveal.
Enitma then added, "I'm not certain if it is purely out of humility or fear, but if I had to guess…you don't want attention on you."
Arawa and Sanbu leaned back in their seats and remained silent.
"You don't wish for the added burden of people watching what you'll do, treating you differently, and having to expect someone will use you for their own gain. Knowing that, I'm sorry, because I know what I ask of you opposes your character…"
The prince's gaze was something the duo was certain of. It was a look of pleading and determination. Enitma then said, "...But this is the Republic now and I'm helpless to its current state."
Naell eyed the prince, slowly realizing he was overcome with sympathy. Owly saw this as his friend's tensed shoulders suddenly fell to their normal state.
Naell then spoke, "...We really are similar, Enitma."
His words caught the prince's attention. It was something in all his life he had never heard anyone say to him.
Thinking back at the things he said, Enitma realized he was honestly stating what he himself was also frustrated about. Given the option to just serve his kingdom without the extra bells and whistles of being revered, he would take it in a heartbeat.
And it seemed now infront of him was someone who finally understood.
The prince's genuinely comforted smile put both Naell and Owly at ease. Their detection told them not once was Enitma being insincere and that at that moment he was even grateful to have them around. With that, the two finally came to a decision.