Chapter Text
The forest that surrounds the palace grounds has always been a place of solace. When the world seemed to be all too cumbersome, the young lord had often fled to the safety of the canopy as if the weight of the world transferred from his shoulders to the boughs above him as soon as he entered that blessed wood, but that relief was not found. Tears rolled down his face, but he couldn’t cry for long as he had a journey to make east to the Von Karma’s Manor.
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The King as he had visited to receive his dues, which is not uncommon or alarming, and he was expected to at least show face.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, your Highness.” Edgeworth announced, trying to look as presentable as possible as he has just been roused from his studies. “Pray you are in good health.”
The King spoke, smiled wrapped around his beard. “Ah, Duke Gregory, your boy seems to have grown well.”
“Thank you. I would like to say that he is quite sharp for his age, I had to call him from his tutor as he was learning his arithmetic.”
“I’m glad to see it, the kingdom shall need the House of Edgeworth to persist for plenty of years to come, knowing that you have quite the heir, I’m sure your house will provide for it well.”
“I must say that I must ask of you for more on this trip, Duke Gregory. Threats have arisen to the east of here, I must have you ready your troops.”
“Threats?” Miles inquired within his own mind. His father has spoken of no such thing to him.
“I understand, my liege. There have been some whispers of uprise that my advisors had told me. I would wish for you to listen to my judgment on the matter. We know not where or why these words have come onto the population like this. I believe arming ourselves now will be seen as an act of aggression. We mustn’t …”
“Cease your speech, Duke Gregory.” The King firmly asserted. “I know your intentions are pure, but your men surely haven’t heard what mine have if this is the manner you have decided to discuss with me; there is a group decisively involved in those traitorous whispers and, even more troubling, Duke Von Karma had even stopped a plot happening with his own manor. The whole lot were questioned by his men, and he found the root of the unrest and they most certainly lie within the East. We must prepare to stop it if the issue becomes larger than it already is.”
Shocked by what the King declared; Mile’s father went to further plan how the King wished to approach the threat. Miles himself felt as if he need not worry as his father was a skilled tactician and knew that the balance would remain as it will. Mere traitors had not and will never topple the might of the learned and his father was the wisest man he knew. Miles went back to his quarters, almost invigorated, and he asked his tutor to read him books on war strategy.
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The last few months within had been busy, Mile’s father between trying to run his towns that rested in his domain, he had to ready for war. Stragems were discussed, men were trained, generals were chosen, weapons were forged, leads to the greater plot were investigated, and all that was left was to wait.
Miles’ 9th birthday was to be soon to arrive and because of that reason, he was to be painted alongside his father. On that day, he was dressed in clothing his father had made by the one of the best tailors of the kingdom, cloth the color of midnight blue, his father was dressed in iron plated armour, and the two wore two circlets made of silver bearing the emblem of the House of Edgeworth.
With all of that preparation, one would expect that his father employed a renowned artist to depict their image and you wouldn’t be mistaken. The Wright lineage had birthed many of the greatest artists within the history of the kingdom and so one of them was sent to complete the portrait. The man had curiously brought his own son.
“I had decided it was time for him to watch how to produce images true to life.” the boy’s father explained.
The boy, Miles noticed, seemed to be in awe of his surroundings, perhaps it was also his first time in the presence of nobility.
“Hello,” Miles began to introduce himself, “Lord Miles Edgeworth and who might you be?”
“I’m Phoenix, Phoenix Wright.” he said as he lowered his head.
With that introduction, Miles was called to the room where both their father’s waited for the two of them to enter.
One to be painted and one to paint.
Mile’s father was quite close to Phoenix’s, possibly because Duke Edgeworth supported the arts vehemently and had many pieces painted by Phoenix’s father, so they spoke while he was working. Miles said nothing but observed as the boy his age watched each brush stroke hit the canvas with nothing but adoration. His investment in it was truly amusing and it caused Miles to question whether he always had that starry eyed expression on his face when he was invested in something.
After a couple of days, the painting was finished but during those days, Phoenix and Miles were able to talk with one another.
“What do you do here all day?” Phoenix asked.
“I study.” Miles stated matter-of-factly.
“All day?”
“Indeed. I must learn to be the best Duke for my people. My studies are important.”
“Do you do anything for fun?”
“My studies are fun.” Miles huffed.
“Ok, I understand. I guess it's something you enjoy. It would be enjoyable.” Phoenix relented.
“Yes, like how you seem to enjoy painting.”
“I guess so but it’s much better to paint with grand subjects. The ability to put something grand on canvas is the best part.”
“Are me and my father grand subjects?”
“The grandest. I’m glad my father brought me to see him paint you both. I wouldn't believe you were real if I didn’t see you with my own eyes.”
Miles was left stunned with that statement because Phoenix’s look of complete earnestness caught him off guard.
He was sad to see Phoenix and his father go when the painting had been completed.
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It was almost 10 years after that meeting. 10 years after that painting, the last painting Miles would have with father as he was killed by the plot of those traitorous vermin before any battle could have happened. 10 years of Duke Von Karma protecting him and running the Edgeworth Estate until he was ready to do so himself. Now that he was back to the woods that he left all those years ago, standing where he assumed he had shed those tears before he had to leave. He felt that he had come back stronger and better prepared to crush any dissenters. His power would be absolute and unquestionable over his people and the unscrupulous will have nowhere to hide.