Chapter 012
“Who is this?”
A voice so soft it was nearly inaudible brushed past Rosalyn’s ear.
She barely managed to restrain herself from whipping around. Turning back now would be as good as a confession.
Does the Prince recognize me?
She was well-known in certain circles, certainly. But for the Prince to recognize her at a single glance?
…I’m not in some kind of trouble, am I?
If he were a client, she would have welcomed him with open arms. A connection within the Imperial Palace was invaluable, and Mikhail was the heir to the throne. If the future Emperor of the Aleon Empire became her client…
I can already hear the gold coins piling up!
The mere thought was exhilarating. As long as the scenario didn’t end with her being dragged to the gallows atop a pile of money, of course.
Pushing aside her growing unease, Rosalyn followed Cassius toward the gazebo. Erich greeted them with a practiced, artificial smile.
“You have come a long way, Cassius.”
“What is the matter?”
“Sit, let us speak. I do not make it a habit to keep weary travelers standing.”
At Erich’s invitation, Cassius took a seat in silence. Erich’s silver eyes flickered toward Rosalyn.
“Will you not introduce her? This is the first time I have seen you with a woman by your side.”
Erich spoke to Cassius not as a fellow commander, but with a tone of casual familiarity. Cassius, however, remained as stiff as a board.
“She is merely an aide. There is no need to pay her any mind.”
“An aide?”
“It is an internal matter of the Knights.”
“You cannot even tell me?”
“No.”
In contrast to Erich’s playful grin, Cassius remained strictly formal. Observing the exchange, Rosalyn realized the truth.
Of course, he’s teasing him.
Erich and Rosalyn were already acquainted. There was no actual need for an introduction; his insistence was born of pure mischief because he found Cassius’s reactions amusing.
The Commander of the Black Iron Knights, Cassius Eindehart.
The Grim Reaper of the Battlefield, the War Demon. True to his fearsome monikers, he was a cold and rigid man. It seemed Erich’s daily entertainment consisted of poking at such a man.
Talk about terrible taste…
Still, Cassius’s ability to remain utterly unfazed was impressive in its own right.
“What is it that required discussion?”
His tone implied: Get to the point.
Staring at Cassius’s dull response, Erich casually dropped a piece of information.
“I heard Duke Eindehart is arriving in the capital soon for the Council.”
“Is that so?”
“You did not receive word? Even as the Young Duke?”
“No.”
Cassius did not waver in the slightest. Erich seemed to be prodding him, pointing out the fact that the Duke had not even informed his own heir of his arrival.
“Is that all?”
“I thought you would wish to know, since he did not tell you himself.”
Rosalyn was momentarily speechless.
Really?
What a pointless errand.
He brought us all the way to the palace just to say the Duke is coming?
A simple letter would have sufficed.
“It does not seem worth a formal discussion. Next time, send such trivial matters in writing.”
Cassius stood up, his voice devoid of emotion. Then, Erich threw out a cryptic remark.
“You should pay attention.”
“…”
When Cassius did not immediately depart, Erich continued.
“It is your first reunion since returning from the war with Beimar, is it not?”
The war had ended earlier this year, and Cassius had remained in the capital ever since. Rosalyn, who had been keeping close tabs on the Black Iron Knights’ commander, knew this better than anyone.
He was always on the verge of catching us for the past six months…
She had even complained that he should visit his own duchy once in a while. Thus, he likely hadn’t seen the Duke in quite some time. But Cassius’s demeanor felt strangely off.
“…It is not your concern.”
Rosalyn snapped her head toward him in surprise, then had to jerk it back just as quickly.
“If your older brother does not care, who will?”
Right.
They are brothers.
The fragmented pieces of information finally clicked together in her mind.
Erich
Commander of the Silver Knights; hails from the Eindehart Ducal Family.
Cassius Eindehart
Commander of the Black Iron Knights; Young Duke of Eindehart.
Recalling their ages, Erich was indeed the elder. She hadn’t immediately connected them because their personalities and appearances were so vastly different, and because of Erich’s unique status.
Erich’s circumstances made me overlook it…
Cassius responded in an emotionless tone, “I have no brother.”
It wasn’t out of a lack of loyalty. It was due to the strict regulations of the Silver Knights. Upon joining the Emperor’s elite guard—the highest honor a knight could achieve—a Silver Knight must sever all ties with their family. This ensures they remain unswayed by outside influence, loyal only to the Emperor.
In simple terms, they are struck from the family registry.
Thus, Erich calling himself Cassius’s brother was technically incorrect. Officially, they were strangers.
Breaking the unspoken rules, Erich sighed dramatically. “That stiff attitude has not changed since you were a child.”
He spoke as if dealing with an incorrigible younger brother. Shaking his head, he waved them away dismissively. “Fine, go.”
Cassius gave a curt nod and turned away without a single glance back, as if they truly were strangers.
I knew the facts, but their relationship is truly peculiar…
Duke Eindehart had three children. First, Isabella. Second, Erich. Third, Cassius. All were famous throughout the Empire. While the two younger brothers led the Empire’s top knight orders, the eldest’s fame was no less significant.
Isabella was the mistress of the palace—the Empress.
Isabella had married into the Imperial family. Erich had joined the Silver Knights, cutting his family ties. This left Cassius, the third child, as the Young Duke and heir. Even as the commanders of the Empire’s two greatest knight orders, they were…
Strangers.
That was surprising enough. But with a more pressing matter at hand, Rosalyn stared at Erich, utterly dumbfounded.
Seriously? You’re just sending us off like this? That’s it?
Meeting her gaze, Erich grinned. With Cassius already walking away, Rosalyn signaled desperately with her eyes.
Did you call him here because of my message?
But Erich just kept smiling, flicking his finger toward Cassius, who was nearly out of the garden.
Aren’t you going to follow him?
Rosalyn cursed him with her eyes.
You…! You knew I’d be dying of curiosity!
Wasn’t this supposed to be their meeting? His intent was clearly to leave her hanging.
I’ll deal with you later.
She would give him a piece of her mind then. For now, catching up with Cassius was the priority.
“Let’s go!”
She hurried after him. When she finally caught up, panting for breath, Cassius asked her abruptly:
“What did he want from you?”
