Two days later, back in the capital of the Kran Kingdom with Adea, Ruel smiled as he looked at the scene unfolding at the entrance of the castle. Leo, peering out from a window, puzzled at Ganien’s presence outside.
—Is that Ganien? How strange. Why is he being kept out? Wasn’t he with us earlier?
Unbeknownst to Leo, Huswen had sent Ganien away for a second reason. Ganien had removed his disguise and now stood confidently as the captain of the Cyronian Blue Knights.
“I wonder where he disappeared to this morning. I didn’t expect to see him here. Quite a spectacle,” remarked Cassion with a grin.
“Well, let’s have so fun with Ganien later. Before rumors spread that the Blue Knights’ captain was turned away at the gate, Cassion, go and handle the situation,” Ruel suggested.
“That rumor could be quite entertaining,” Cassion replied, hesitating to leave but eventually complying at Ruel’s prompting.
As a soldier approached their carriage, Cassion glanced towards Adea’s carriage, noting a soldier stationed there as well. It seed they were explaining the situation there.
“What’s going on?” Cassion asked the soldier as if he didn’t know.
“I apologize for the confusion. There was a minor incident causing a delay. We’ll resolve it swiftly,” the soldier explained.
“My Lord would like to be inford. May I have a look?” Cassion requested.
“Of course.” The soldier, thinking it best for Cassion to see for himself, led him towards the commotion.
*
“I’ve said this multiple tis, but I am Ganien Croft, captain of the Blue Knights from Cyronian.”
“No, how many tis do I have to tell you that there is no official docunt of your arrival at the castle yet?”
The soldier arguing with Ganien pounded his chest in frustration.
“How many tis must I say that the docunt has been sent and we ca because we never received any word! Stop talking about docunts and can’t you see the insignia of the Blue Knights right here?” Ganien’s voice raised in frustration as he argued with a soldier.
Cassion couldn’t help but chuckle at the genuine display of emotion. The tensions between Cyronian and Kran were deeply rooted and not easily forgotten.
Besides, who would have thought that the soldier guarding the gates of the Kran Kingdom would ignore him after he had presented the insignia of the Blue Knights? Moreover, his subordinates were watching from behind him. It was only natural that his anger felt genuine.
“Sir Croft, is that you?” Cassion interjected innocently, noticing the tension.
Ganien greeted Cassion warmly, seeming genuinely pleased. “Oh, Cassion, is that you?”
“Do you know him?” When Ruel Setiria’s butler stepped forward, the soldier’s rude tone changed.
Ganien then fixed a bold stare on the soldier. “Why don’t you tell him who I am?”
For a mont, Cassion’s brow twitched. Could it be that he would have to defend Ganien on this day? An unpleasant sense of annoyance crept into his thoughts.
“This is Sir Ganien Croft, the captain of the Blue Knights from Cyronian,” Cassion managed to say firmly, despite his feelings. In the background, Ruel’s laughter could be faintly heard from the carriage.
“I apologize for not recognizing the captain of the Blue Knights!” The soldier panicked and promptly bowed to Ganien.
“I won’t forget today’s events.” Ganien shot the soldier a sharp glare, still perturbed by being overlooked.
“I think it would be wise to inform His Highness, Prince Adea Kran, about this. I will relay the situation to my Lord.”
After speaking to the soldier who had brought him there, Cassion returned to Ruel. As soon as Cassion got back into the carriage, Ruel burst into laughter again.
“Your acting skills have truly improved. It’s a pity we can’t hear it!”
“You seem to be enjoying this a lot,” Cassion remarked with a sharp tone.
Ruel, smiling as he stroked Leo, replied, “Ah, today has been quite enjoyable. Perhaps it’s because we’ll soon depart from Kran?”
Ruel continued in a playful manner, gesturing towards the carriage door. “Now, go outside and call Ganien back.”
“Understood.” Cassion struggled to contain his rising frustration. Just as he was about to open the carriage door and step out, Ruel waved his hand, creating an absurd sight. Leo even extended his paw in mimicry, causing Cassion to narrow his eyes.
“You two really look alike.” Cassion remarked before handing a at pie to Ruel and stepping outside.
‘Should I take this as an insult?’
Unsure how to interpret it, Ruel took a bite of the at pie instead.
Crunch.
Crunch, crunch.
Only the sound of at pie being eaten filled the carriage.
***
“It is a great honor to et the esteed Majesty of the Kran Kingdom. I am Ganien Croft, captain of the Blue Knights from Cyronian,” Ganien stated, bowing as his blue cloak fluttered lightly behind him.
Ruel and Adea also greeted the King of Kran. The King had been conspicuously absent from recent events, including the welcoming ceremony and the incident involving Jayel. Ruel felt a surge of disgust, questioning whether the King was once again under the influence of the Great Man, now that the issue of the wall containing death had been resolved, or if he was being manipulated to forge an alliance with Cyronian to maintain balance.
“It’s a pleasure to et you. I’ve heard much about the accomplishnts of your Blue Knights. It’s truly an honor to make your acquaintance,” the King dryly acknowledged Ganien.
“The honor is mine as well,” Ganien replied respectfully.
The king then spoke, his voice tinged with remorse, “Will you forgive the rudeness that occurred at the castle gates? I will certainly hold that soldier accountable for his actions.”
“I, too, ask for forgiveness for any impoliteness toward Your Majesty,” Ganien humbly responded, bowing once more.
“I had confird before our departure that His Majesty Huswen had sent a letter to the Kran Kingdom. However, for reasons unknown, I received no response, nor was I made aware of the unfortunate incident involving the Duke of Setiria, which hastened our journey here. I beg Your Majesty’s pardon,” Ganien explained smoothly, impressing Ruel with his adeptness at deception.
In reality, Huswen likely hadn’t dispatched any letter to the King of Kran, as there would have been no purpose if rejection was anticipated. Just as the Kran Kingdom had used peace as leverage for an alliance, Huswen had manipulated the situation in a similar fashion.
“It appears that a letter has gone missing. I will thoroughly investigate this matter, so I hope you will not take offense,” the King assured.
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s understanding,” Ganien responded, concluding his statent.
Suddenly, the King shifted his gaze to Ruel, his eyes piercing. When their eyes t, Ruel involuntarily flinched. The King’s gaze was devoid of life, resembling that of a doll.
“Did Sir Croft co to escort Lord Setiria upon the orders of the King of Cyronian?”
“Yes, that is correct. The Duke of Setiria had a prior agreent with His Majesty Huswen. It was unavoidable for to journey to the Kran Kingdom to accompany the Duke, and for that, I apologize,” Ganien clarified.
“No, no. How could I have been unaware of such an agreent, Lord Setiria?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“I have no comnt on my daughter’s actions. I should have apologized earlier, but I take this chance to do so now,” the King stated.
Ruel bowed his head, anticipating that he would instinctively frown if he t the King’s gaze.
“I am relieved, Your Majesty. Prince Adea is handling the situation adeptly,” Ruel assured.
“Thank you, Adea.” The king looked at Adea. The indifferent gaze he was accustod to seeing now clearly resembled the eyes of a lifeless corpse.
“No, Your Majesty. I am simply fulfilling my duty, regardless of my status,” Adea replied, bowing slightly, his stomach uneasy.
Ruel observed the king, unable to discern his thoughts from his expression.
“I am curious to hear Lord Setiria’s perspective on this issue,” the king interjected, breaking the silence.
‘Is he trying to see what I have to say? Fine.’
Ruel deliberately hesitated, feigning difficulty as he began to act, “Your Majesty, while I am unsure of Princess Jayel’s motives in offering the poisoned cup, I am here as a delegate to convey news of an alliance from Leponia.”
He proceeded with a carefully constructed narrative, beginning with a prolonged preamble. “I am aware that my presence has stirred division within the royal family,” he stated, weaving in factual details like subtle seasoning. “It appears that much of the recent turmoil can be attributed to my actions, a responsibility I deeply regret,” he added, infusing his words with a calculated emotional appeal, stopping short of overt displays of sentint.
“As Your Majesty is aware, my original intent was to et with King Huswen of Cyronian. However, circumstances led to assu the role of the delegation’s ssenger, prioritizing the delivery of King Brans’s ssage to you,” he explained, noting the King of Kran’s prior knowledge of this arrangent.
“Therefore, Your Majesty, I believe it is imperative for to travel to Cyronian to assure them of my safety, aiming to quell the internal discord brewing within the Kran Kingdom,” he concluded, speaking at length to obscure his true intentions. Finally, Ruel feigned seriousness, biting his lip and clenching his fist for added effect.
The king then turned to Adea, seeking his opinion on the matter, “What does the prince think?”
It seed the king suspected that so information had passed between Adea and Ruel. However, Ruel had previously provided Adea with a guideline on how to slip away like an eel.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, I view this move by the Cyronian Kingdom as a sign of disrespect,” Adea declared, casting a pointed glare in Ganien’s direction. “Yet, as a prince and more significantly as Jayel’s elder brother, I believe it is not a bad choice for Lord Setiria to go to the Cyronian Kingdom.”
Adea’s tone softened as he continued, taking a mont to compose himself. “If pressed to choose a stance, Your Majesty, I would align myself with the latter option,” he confessed.
Blood is blood, even if they were only half blood related. Adea looked at the king as an older brother who thought of his younger sibling.
After a mont, the king agreed, “I understand the prince’s thoughts well,” and went on. “Lord Setiria.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You may leave whenever you wish.”
The king’s voice gained strength, as if he had made a great resolution.
‘Is that your choice, Great Man?’
Ruel couldn’t tell whether the king had decided that it was dangerous for Ruel to remain in the Kran Kingdom due to Jayel’s actions, or if he was aware of the sche but was letting it slide.
Regardless, the king had made his decision.
“I extend my sincerest apologies for this occurrence. Please convey my regards to the King of Leponia,” the king added.
“Understood, Your Majesty,” Ruel responded with a respectful bow, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
Whether it was the Great Man or himself, it was impossible to see into each other’s minds. He planned to use this ti to cut out all the roots that the Great Man had planted.
‘Just wait, Great Man.’
***
“When do you plan to depart? Today? Tomorrow?” Ganien, now not rely a servant but the captain of the Blue Knights, sat confidently at the table, sipping tea provided by Cassion. Despite Cassion’s pointed stares, Ganien’s deanor remained cheerful.
Crunch.
Ruel, contemplating his departure while enjoying a at pie, wiped the crumbs from his mouth before inquiring, “Did His Majesty Huswen say anything?”
“Not particularly. He just said he would be ready at any ti, so just let him know the date and ti you want to leave.”
“Has His Majesty Huswen told you what I’m going to do?”
“Of course. I agreed to it, which is why I’m here.”
“Sounds like it would tarnish your honor, yet here you are, fully supporting .”
Ganien fiddled with his teacup.
“Reputation can be restored later. If the Blue Knights fall now, the situation will beco more serious. Don’t you think so, Ruel?”
It was true, but it wasn’t that simple. While Ruel, as a modern person, could think that reputation was sothing that could co and go, Ganien couldn’t. He was a noble as well as a knight, and in particular, he couldn’t just disregard the importance of honor.
“Ruel.”
Seeing Ruel’s slightly stiffened expression, Ganien called out to him.
“Yeah?”
“I am a knight before I am a noble. What’s important for a knight is not , but us.”
“Okay, fine.” Ruel chuckled at Ganien’s earnest gaze.
Indeed, a knight was a knight after all.
“By the way, Ruel,” Ganien lowered his voice, gesturing towards Aris.
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