Brief Summary
The story revolves around Prince Lysander, known for his sharp wit and brutal honesty, who eventually learns the value of tact and listening. His journey begins with alienating those around him with his unfiltered remarks, leading to the departure of his closest advisor, Peragine. Lysander's quest to bring Peragine back makes him realise the impact of his words and the importance of empathy. Ultimately, he transforms into a more thoughtful and understanding ruler, earning the title of the "Listening King."
- Prince Lysander's unfiltered honesty causes hurt and resentment.
- The departure of his advisor, Peragine, serves as a turning point.
- Lysander learns the importance of listening and empathy.
- He transforms into a more thoughtful and understanding ruler.
The Silver Tonged Prince
Once upon a time, there was a Prince Lysander, who was known for his refreshing honesty and quick wit. He always spoke his mind freely, which the people seemed to adore. However, his unfiltered honesty often came across as harsh criticism. For instance, he told Bellamy that his new headwear looked like he had been attacked by an exotic bird and criticised Edmund's garden design, saying it looked like something a child would draw.
Fallout from Honesty
Lysander's comments had consequences. Edmund secretly destroyed his garden design after Lysander's criticism. Lady Rosmond, after singing a ballad, received a critique from the Prince about her high notes being shrill, which led her to decline all future invitations to perform. Prince Leander was dining with his closest friend and advisor Peragine. Peragine seemed immune to Lzander's sharp tongue, accepting it as simply part of his friend's nature.
Growing Tensions
During a discussion about the northern provinces of Caloria, Lysander dismissed Peragine's diplomatic approach, favouring a show of strength instead. He criticised Peragine for lacking backbone and vision, which deeply hurt his friend. This was the final straw for Peragine, who had endured years of such comments.
Peragine's Departure
Laura informed Prince that Peragrin has left the court and resigned from his position. Lysander was shocked and confused by Peragine's sudden departure, especially since they had been friends since childhood. He decided to find Peragine and apologise, believing a simple apology would fix everything.
The Search Begins
Lysander's search led him to Lady Rosment, who was now teaching music to village children. She revealed that she preferred an audience that appreciated her music for what it was, rather than what it wasn't, hinting at the superficial appreciation at court. She implied that his criticism, though intended to help, had discouraged her.
More Reflections
Lysander then encountered Sir Derek, the former captain of the royal guard, who had lost his voice. Derek indicated that he left his post because he felt more useful elsewhere, subtly criticising Lysander's leadership style. Lysander continued his journey, realising that his words had affected more people than he thought.
Encounters Along the Way
At an inn, Lysander met the Bertram family, former palace domestics. Master Bertram revealed that they had left after Lysander pointed out a protocol error before the entire court. Bertram's child stared at Lysander, a reminder that children remember the words of powerful people. This further highlighted the impact of Lysander's words.
Reunion and Revelation
Lysander finally found Peragine, who was working as a translator. Peragine explained that Lysander's words were the final expression of something he had felt for years – a thousand small cuts, jokes, and dismissals. He revealed that he had forgiven Lysander but could not trust him again.
The Weight of Words
Peragine gave Lysander a translated book called "The Weight of Words," which told the story of a king whose crown grew heavier with each careless word. The crown only lightened when the king learned to listen more than he spoke. This story served as a metaphor for Lysander's own journey.
A Transformed Ruler
Lysander returned to his kingdom and began to practice active listening. He encouraged others to speak without fear of mockery. He sought Edmund's expertise on garden design and listened to Cyrus's concerns about tax collection. The crown, metaphorically, grew lighter as he truly listened to his people.
The Listening King
Prince Lysander became known as the "Listening King," a ruler who valued empathy and understanding over sharp wit and unfiltered honesty. He learned that honesty without tact is cruelty and that words, once spoken, cannot be taken back.
