Claude was completely out of breath, but he never once stopped chanting spells. “Wow, you’re a stubborn one. Why don’t you head down to a tavern and sing a song like a good little bard?”
“I intend to perform a song about a victorious homecoming,” Leonard replied. “Want to hear it?”
“A victorious homecoming? You sound drunk, but you haven’t even been to the tavern yet.” Claude smiled sympathetically, ignoring the matter of his own drinking habits.
Hayruth had initially thought that Claude was trying to buy time by fighting Leonard, however…
Ah, I might be wrong. I think Lord Claude just wants to get under Leonard’s skin. It was possible Claude simply didn’t like Leonard, though Hayruth didn’t know why that would be. He also got the sense that Leonard hated Claude too.
They were still hurling insults at each other as they exchanged spells.
“You really don’t know when to quit!” Claude shouted.
“I could say the same about you!” Leonard shouted back. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you women hate stubborn men?”
“I don’t need your advice. Letty is suspicious of you because you act like this!” Claude snapped back at him, dodging Leonard’s blade by less than an inch. Hayruth wondered if he was actually extremely angry with Leonard. After all, he answered Leonard’s every last quip despite being out of breath himself.
Leonard sounded irritated about something too, snapping back at Claude. “Haha! I’m still better than a big brother who does nothing but lie to his little sister!” As he said that, Leonard unleashed a slashing attack that was faster than the eye could see.
Claude seemed to perfectly read the timing and dodge the blows, but now, he was out of energy to return the attack.
Still refusing to let his guard down, Hayruth watched their mudslinging contest as he racked his brain. Maybe they just don’t like each other on a fundamental level…but Lord Claude adores his little sister. He probably hates seeing a playboy like Leonard hanging around Queen Laetitia. Then there’s Leonard, who can’t publicly live as King Glenreed’s brother. I’ll bet he doesn’t like how Lord Claude lies to his own little sister and makes her worry, even though they have such a strong sibling relationship.
Sure, it was all silly, but neither of them seemed willing to yield to the other.
Queen Laetitia and King Glenreed, the younger siblings, are both such honest people. It’s the big brothers who are disappointments… Hayruth pictured how hard it must be for Laetitia and Glenreed to live with those strange characters for older brothers.
Hayruth had severed ties with his siblings and was therefore a bit jealous of Claude and Leonard. But for now, he only mentally sent his sympathies to Laetitia and Glenreed.
He considered jumping into the fight, targeting whichever of the two was more vulnerable, but neither man was showing any particular weakness. He determined it was best to watch and wait for the time being.
As Hayruth and Clementine spectated the battle, the once-distant voices of the soldiers started to draw closer.
Leonard and Claude seemed to notice too. The pair silently glared at each other.
“…I guess there’s no choice. I’ll be on my merry way before those rude intruders get here.” Leonard immediately changed gears and slipped into the darkness of the alleyway. His footsteps were inaudible, and Hayruth knew the soldiers would be unable to track him.
“Ah, that was exhausting. I want to get home quickly and read my books too.” Claude sighed. He’d readily given up on the battle too. He was bleeding in a few spots, but didn’t appear to have any serious wounds. Claude definitely wasn’t concerned about it.
His nonchalant attitude was surprising for someone who’d just been viciously fighting with Leon, both with words and actual attacks. Hayruth decided to ask him about it.
“Lord Claude, was insulting Lord Leonard like that just part of the performance?” Hayruth asked.
“I’ll leave it to your imagination.” Claude shrugged, then stuck his left arm out.
“Meow!” Clementine instantly jumped up to his arm and climbed on his shoulder. She returned to her usual spot, her tail swishing calmly behind her.
“See you, Hayruth. I’ll be praying we can drink together next time we meet.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Claude had waved his hand and started to leave with Clementine when Hayruth stopped them.
“What is it?”
“…What’s got you so panicked, Lord Claude?”
This was Hayruth’s intuition.
At first glance, Claude seemed to be acting as aloof as ever. But Hayruth sensed much more urgency in him than before. Even earlier, when Leonard had ambushed him, Claude watched for Hayruth’s reaction before taking countermeasures.
Claude was a very cautious man. But what if he had failed to predict Leonard’s attack until the second it happened?
Well, it’s possible that was all part of the performance, but considering how Lord Claude was acting, it was as if watching for Leonard was only his second priority. Or maybe his guard was down because he’s scared about something.
It was nothing more than instinct. But Hayruth was confident in his ability to read people, and he’d spent plenty of time drinking with Claude.
Those instincts were telling him that Claude was nervous, for some reason.
“What’s this about? I can’t even imagine a person or thing that would make you feel threatened, but if you’d like, I’d be happy to listen to your worries at the tavern. As long as you pay the tab, of course.” He added that last bit as he watched for Claude’s reaction.
The other man cast his eyes down slightly, smiling with Clementine resting on his shoulder. “…No, it’s too soon for that. We only go to taverns after we finish up a job, isn’t that right?”
“You’ve actually decided to work for once? That’s surprising.” Hayruth cracked a joke, but squinted his eyes at him.
It was just a hunch, but it seems like he’s truly wrestling with something that isn’t going well. That must be why he seems uneasy.
Claude had seemingly no interest in his country or his honor. He even told lies to his beloved Laetitia. Hayruth didn’t know what was driving Claude to these ends, and if he wasn’t willing to tell him himself, there was nothing Hayruth could do about it.
Hayruth was curious, as Claude’s friend. But he still had work to do as a spy. He sighed, watching Claude’s back as he left the alleyway. The soldiers would spot him if he stayed there any longer.
Just before he headed out, Hayruth’s lips started to move.
“The king and queen, the sacred beasts and heaven’s wings, the old and new nations, and the sorcerers. …The actors are all settling into place, but I wonder what will happen next?”
His words were too quiet for anyone to hear, like a faint whisper of the wind. Even Hayruth himself didn’t sense them anymore as they faded into the evening sky.