With some effort, Apolo managed to climb onto the carriage. Once on top, he struggled to fit himself between the two drivers. Initially, only two drivers could be at the front of the carriage at most. After finding a somewhat tight space, Apolo looked with reddened cheeks as the horses cheerfully swished their tails in front of him. In a hushed tone, as if trying not to be heard, Apolo asked:

—So, what do we do now? How do you drive this thing?

—You take the reins and shake them to make the horses move forward— Mateo began to explain —Then you shake them again to stop the horses.

—What's a rein?— Apolo asked, his face as red as a tomato.

—These cords— Mateo commented, taking two black leather cords tied to a piece of wood protruding from the driver's seat.

—And how do you steer?— Apolo asked in a low voice, uncomfortably holding the cords in Mateo's hands, making sure they didn't brush against his bronze ring.

—How about we do the steering for you?— Mateo asked with some fear that the horses might not understand the command and keep going forward when they were supposed to turn.

—Yes, we could steer together. That's something a servant can do...— Apolo mumbled to himself, completely unaware of whether he was heard by the two people a few inches away.

—Don't you think it would be more comfortable if we drive for you?— Orrin asked, unable to hold back any longer and breaking his funerary silence —While driving a carriage can be fun, other wizards in the ministry might misinterpret your playfulness and see it as something humiliating.

—Humiliating?! Would they see it as humiliating too, or am I the only fool who thinks this is humiliating?!— Apolo asked as if his life depended on it.

Orrin didn't know how to answer this question without offending his lord. Seeing how serious and demanding Apolo was being at the moment, he ended up saying what his heart truly believed:

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— I grew up with your grandfather, lived with your grandfather, and I was always a close friend of your grandfather's. However, many things had to change in our relationship when he was crowned king of the Black Forest. Nevertheless, we both respected each other, and your grandfather has always helped my son. That's why I've been protecting you like my own son for these long six months. So, I beg you to listen to me and understand that this is a bad idea, my lord. The other nobles and wizards would only use this to humiliate you.

— I'm a genius... — Apolo muttered, completely ignoring the two carriage drivers and remembering how his ancestor had warned him that this would be the most humiliating day of his life.

Apolo didn't exactly know what his ancestor was asking of him and how it would benefit him, but he knew that the feeling he was experiencing right now was just as the secret document described. So, if he continued like this until he became a wizard, it was very likely that he would inadvertently fulfill the second piece of advice. And this was crucial because the complete document had a total of 5 pieces of advice: all riddles that Apolo had to solve to learn his ancestor's teachings. The riddle of the first advice had already been solved by Apolo, which was answering the deceased. Now the young noble had to solve the second riddle, and it seemed he was on the right track.

— So, will you let us drive? — Orrin asked again, not understanding why Apolo had muttered that driving the carriage was starting to seem like a smart idea.

— No, we'll follow my plans and drive together to the Ministry of Magic— Apolo replied, looking at the horses' behinds affectionately.

— But, my lord: Many nobles will be offended by this! — Orrin insisted again, losing his patience.

— And their heads will roll for it! — Apolo replied with the confidence he had long lost.

Mateo watched as his father stopped insisting upon hearing Apolo's response. Instead, he quietly got off the carriage and headed towards the one holding the belongings. However, this time Orrin's silence didn't seem to be one of sorrow. It seemed to be one of approval, accompanied by a slight smile. So, it seemed that Apolo's confidence had given Orrin a different perspective on the matter.

— Do as you please, for you're the noble after all... — Orrin murmured as he walked toward his carriage with more confidence. After all, those in power could do whatever they wanted, and what was the problem if the young man wanted to be the driver: "Mock as much as you want, and don't stop mocking when your head is rolling on the ground."