Horace's gaze lingered for several seconds on Godwyn's face, which had nothing whatsoever to do with a "noble prince," then shifted to the ancient dragon Fortissax beside him, before finally returning to his elder brother's boastful expression of "look how wonderful my son is."
Where was that perfect Prince Godwyn I remembered?
Who was this tribal lad dressed like he came straight from the wilds?
Horace felt that sense of things "going off the rails" wash over him again, and this time, what seemed to have gone off the rails was one of the future Lands Between's important figures.
According to the game's backstory, Godwyn only became friends with Fortissax after the war against the ancient dragons.
How was Godwyn already throwing an arm around Fortissax like they were sworn brothers who had faced life and death together? Had the dragon girl introduced them?
And "Fort," at that? That familiar already? Were you into dragons too?
"Haha! Asei, look! This is my son, Godwyn!" Godfrey's booming voice interrupted Horace's thoughts. He thumped Godwyn's sturdy back so hard that the boy swayed, yet only grinned more broadly.
"Well? Doesn't he look like me when I was young? No, he's even better! So young, and already one of the finest warriors in our Golden Dynasty!"
A little embarrassed by his father's praise, Godwyn bowed to Horace and declared in a ringing voice, "Congratulations on your marriage, Uncle!"
Godfrey continued proudly, "This boy spends all his time with the ancient dragons. He's either fighting or on his way to a fight! Those ancient dragons love taking him out to run wild. Casting Dragonbolt comes as easily as breathing to him now!"
Horace: "..."
*So the prince's upbringing had gone from "court etiquette + formal combat training" to "ancient dragon daycare + wilderness survival