Passionate Youth of Xiongdu

Zhao Xin kept trying to calm Heron down. In his opinion, being captured by the Demon Hunters for no reason would definitely cause resentment... Zhao Xin understood this feeling.

So far, he didn't think the young man had any bad intentions. He also checked Heron's package and found no dangerous items other than a warhammer, and even a hand hammer and anvil that seemed to be used to "make a living".

He looked like an ordinary person who came from Freljord to make a living, but happened to possess magic... Out of sympathy, he wanted to consider his feelings more.

However, Zhao Xin's worries were obviously unfounded. Not only did Herren not show any dissatisfaction, but he also lay comfortably on Zhao Xin's bed, refilling his teacup after cup.

This puzzled Zhao Xin... Was the tea he usually used to quench his thirst really that good?

The two didn't have to wait long; soon, there was a knock on the door.

"Wait here, I just boiled a kettle of water, you can refill your cup."

After giving his instructions, Zhao Xin stood up and walked towards the door.

Zhao Xin's living conditions were indeed simple; even sitting inside, Herren could hear the conversations outside...

"Your Highness? What brings you here? Weren't you training at the Fearless Vanguard's camp?"

"Ha, the whole town has heard about this, how could I not come and see?"

The extra voice was that of a young man, a stark contrast to Zhao Xin's. It lacked composure and was more frivolous, and sounded quite young, probably around twenty years old.

Your Highness? Is that a prince?

Herren continued to listen attentively.

"But... Your Highness, this person might be dangerous."

"Danger? Then why did you stay behind to guard it?"

"If he makes any bad moves, I'm confident I can stop him... but your safety is obviously more important."

"Don't say that, Lord Xin. I'm a warrior too. Don't always treat me like a prince."

The young man's voice was somewhat dissatisfied, but Zhao Xin did not refute it.

"My father already knows about this, and he is willing to receive this distinguished guest."

"Really? Then we need to strengthen the palace guards..."

"Of course, you are the steward, so you can handle this matter. I will take care of this person and take him to see my father."

"What? No... Your Highness, this is too dangerous..."

Then came a long silence.

After a long while, Zhao Xin finally let out a soft sigh.

"Alright, Your Highness... please take care of yourself."

Then, Herren heard footsteps fading away, and then the door to the room opened, and an unfamiliar face walked in.

This young man truly deserves the description of being handsome and dashing, exuding an air of nobility. He wore magnificent armor, but compared to his own demeanor, it seemed somewhat vulgar.

When Jarvan pushed open the door and saw Herren, he was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"What Master Xin said sounded so impressive, I thought he was some kind of scoundrel..."

What Jiawen saw was just a countryman who was roughly the same age as him and was "honest and simple".

Herren intended to stand up, but Jarvan mistakenly thought he was about to bow and quickly stepped forward to press down on his shoulder.

"Hey! No need to be so polite, just treat me like an ordinary soldier."

According to Demacian tradition, the Demacian royal family and many nobles rightfully enjoy privileges. However, they are not inhuman. Although there are scoundrels, their overt moral code requires the nobles to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the common people while enjoying their power.

Regardless of how many people actually abide by it, this prince, being the only son of the royal family, takes it very seriously and is proud of his responsibility.

It even reached a certain fanatical level because of the passion of youth.

Therefore, upon seeing Herren in such a "broken state," Jarvan's "protective instincts" immediately kicked in.

"Are you hungry? You look starving. Do you need me to find you something to eat? Your clothes are a bit worn out... You must have had a long journey. I'll find you some clothes that fit later."

Jarvan's enthusiasm caught Herren somewhat off guard.

This is different from Zhao Xin. Zhao Xin's enthusiasm is considerate and thoughtful, secretly thinking about Helen, but openly he is always on guard.

But Jarvan was the other extreme. He showed no wariness whatsoever, and his concern seemed to be all over the place and superficial... It had a somewhat aristocratic performance feel to it, but it was exceptionally sincere. It was more like an aristocrat who didn't know how to get along with commoners awkwardly expressing goodwill to them.

But... not a buddy? I'm really not a refugee!

"Um, I'm not hungry. My clothes are our traditional attire, though they're a bit dirty... but at least they show my origins, Your Highness. I'm really not a refugee; I'm truly an envoy from Freljord."

"Oh! Is that so..."

Jarvan readily believed Herren's story, but his attitude remained unchanged.

After all, in Jarvan's eyes, Freljord was no different from a backwater...

"By the way, I still don't know your name."

"My name is Heron, and I come from the Winter's Claw tribe."

"That's all?"

"Um……"

Jarvan had an expression that said he had expected this, and Herren finally realized what was going on.

Who is Harren? And what kind of desolate place is Winter's Claw?

He finally realized where the problem lay. He himself wasn't famous, and Winter's Claw wasn't a country. Even if he was respected in Winter's Claw, once he arrived in Demacia, he was no different from a destitute person.

This visit... seems to have been unequal from the very beginning.

Just like when Jarvan heard Heron introduce himself... he probably thought to himself, "He really is a refugee from a small tribe."

Although Jarvan's attitude was not malicious, it made Herren feel a deep sense of unease... the feeling that what he cherished was nothing more than that in the eyes of others.

If Freljord were really like Noxus... or even Piltover, would things be different?

At that moment, Herren's state of mind changed slightly.

But he still maintained a proper demeanor; he no longer sat lazily, but stood up straight.

Herren was not short either; when he stood up straight, he was right in line with the tall Jarvan.

He smiled and said in a deep voice.

"I can sense your goodwill, Your Highness Jarvan. You are clearly a nobleman with a strong sense of honor... but your excessive kindness is somewhat offensive to an envoy. Please take me to see His Majesty the King as soon as possible."

Jarvan was stunned, seemingly not expecting his enthusiasm to be met with such a "cold" response from Herren.

But then, instead of getting angry, his eyes shone even brighter.

He came from a humble background but still has such integrity... I love him to death.

At this moment, Jarvan was dominated by an inexplicable emotion, and he found Herren more and more pleasing to the eye.

He grabbed Herren's arm more enthusiastically and patted his head.

"Oh, this was my oversight, I apologize to you, Herren... Before that, I'll take you to see my father, he'll surely be happy to see you."

"???"