In the castle’s largest guest bedroom, Cale reclined on the comfortable bed and faced a communication sphere.
‹I connected it!›
Thrummm. When the magical display lit up, Raon flew to the corner where Ohn and Hong sat. There was a pile of food in front of the three children. Cale watched Raon gnaw quietly on some meat for a moment before shifting his gaze back to the sphere.
“Lord Cale.”
Cale was speaking with none other than Crown Prince Albert. His final task was to bring the prince up to speed; it was his duty to report in after making a mess.
Albert’s nose wrinkled. Cale knew full well that Albert would find his lounging posture disrespectful. Recently, the crown prince had been working frantically without a moment’s rest. No wonder he was irked to see the count’s son lazing around in bed, warm and cozy with a belly full of good food.
Taking pity on Albert, Cale began, “Your Highness—”
Albert cut him off, scowling deeply. “You truly are Rowoon’s star,” he said, tone almost thoughtful. “No, its shining light.”
What? Cale stiffened. Albert paid him no mind, putting his glib tongue to use for the first time in a while.
“You’re more than just a star. You’re the brightest star in our kingdom. With you to light our way, Rowoon needn’t fear even the darkness.”
What’s wrong with him? Cale’s satisfaction ebbed away, and displeasure took its place. “Shall I sit up, Your Highness?” Cale suggested, about to prop himself up.
“No need. I heard all about it.” His strange musings apparently over with, Albert smiled—so brilliantly, he might as well have been cherishing a field of beautiful flowers. Then again, a gorgeous meadow paled in comparison to Albert’s current position.
“You coughed up blood and almost fainted while trying to capture human traffickers in Guiller territory?”
“That’s partly true…” But Cale hadn’t actually hacked up blood, nor had he grown faint.
“You exhibited amazing charisma to entrap those human traffickers, destroyed their buildings with your silver shield, and rescued the imprisoned citizens?”
“…I suppose so?” That had happened, to be sure, but Albert’s description was a tad exaggerated.
“Pretending to be drunk, you observed the criminals through a restaurant window before boldly confronting them with just a single knight by your side?”
“Could you please stop?”
This time, Cale was the one scowling while Albert smirked. The crown prince was in high spirits despite the fatigue etched on his face. It then occurred to Cale that he wouldn’t need to give Albert a detailed account of the day’s events.
“It sounds like you’ve already heard about most of it, Your Highness.”
Albert was nothing if not thorough. While Cale had expected the crown to have an informant in the Duchy of Guiller, he was surprised that so much information had reached Albert so quickly.
“Indeed. My informant told me of the rumors making the rounds in Guiller territory.”
The sensationalized version he’d relayed was spreading like wildfire, and the Guillers were powerless to stop it.
After hearing the gossip for himself, Albert had come to a conclusion: “What an upstanding crazy bastard.” He took no pleasure in Cale’s resulting grin.
The other information Albert had received indicated that while Cale hadn’t coughed up a lot of blood, he had bled a little—hence his lying down to recover. He could’ve rested and reported to Albert in the morning, but he was needlessly diligent, waiting to call in just past midnight. This was why Albert found Cale easier to work with than anyone else, even if he didn’t personally like the bastard: Cale reminded him of himself.
“What is it you need to report?” Albert wasn’t so cruel that he’d detain a convalescent. Plus, the redheaded rascal would soon be headed to Karo’s auction house in Albert’s stead.
“It’s just a brief update. I’ll send you the documents soon, but the merchant guild that traded with House Krish is from the Mogor Empire. There’s also evidence that the Krishes previously hired an assassins’ guild to kidnap a child.”
Albert felt a rapid headache coming on. “That’s the short version?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The Guillers will contact you soon. I’ve got them collared and leashed. You can use them however you wish.”
“…Suddenly, I feel exhausted.”
Contrary to his own words, Albert was brimming with energy. Cale noted that the crown prince seemed happiest when he could manipulate people to his advantage.
“I’ll keep a tight grip on that leash.”
“Naturally. I’m sure our kingdom’s wisest star can see to any issues that may arise.”
No sooner had Cale finished his sentence than he sensed something was off. He quickly realized the reason for his unease: Albert hadn’t cut the call short, not even after Cale finished his report and started flattering him. Cale went still, wondering if Albert had something else to say.
Is he going to put me to work? The fulfillment Cale had experienced at tossing the Guiller territory issue into the crown prince’s lap slowly disappeared.
With the look of a man who’d been forced to eat something unpalatable, Albert said, “Sleep well.” Then came a click as he hung up.
Nope, something’s still not right. Cale hurriedly shoved the communication sphere away.
Before lying back down, he called out for the black dragon. “Raon.”
“What is it, human? You should sleep well like the crown prince told you to!”
“I will,” Cale said. As Raon tugged the blanket up to his neck, he decided he’d screen Albert’s calls for the time being. “Ignore any calls from him for a while.”
“All right!”
That done, Cale steeled his resolve once more. Within this year—no, by the end of next year—I’ll deal with the north and the Empire so I can relax in the villa.
Cale fell asleep to this simple desire. The children let him be and whispered among themselves.
“We only got to see the desert last time we went to Karo, but this time we’ll be able to see all of it!”
“I really like traveling!”
Raon and Hong couldn’t contain their excitement about their next destination. Ohn wordlessly polished off a slice of cake, listening to her younger siblings chat.
“Our house is great, but traveling is nice too!”
“I agree. It’s fun going on adventures together!”
“Yeah! I’m also curious about the Eastern Continent. Let’s travel everywhere! We’re great and mighty, so we can do it!”
The things they said would’ve made Cale faint. Glancing over at the sleeping Cale, Ohn shook her head. But she wanted her younger siblings’ wishes to come true, so she kept her mouth shut. As Hong and Raon discussed their plans to travel the world, Ohn simply sat there in silence.
That night, Cale had an awful nightmare about traveling the world with living, breathing baggage.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You’re not looking too well, Lord Cale.”
“I had a nightmare.”
Cale shivered as he recalled his terrible dream. The Energy of the Heart couldn’t heal psychological damage, so he was pale for the first time in a long while.
His visitor, Bilose, took in Cale’s pallid complexion. “Speaking of nightmares, I’d say Bago fits the bill.”
A smile flitted across Cale’s face, gone as quickly as it came. The Lake of God’s Tears was burning in Bago even now. Faern’s citizens said this was their god’s will, or perhaps a manifestation of his rage. Though the fire hadn’t harmed anyone or damaged any property, it had sparked fear and uncertainty among the populace.
Bilose was half convinced that Cale’s group had been responsible for it.
“The fire still isn’t out?”
Cale’s response confirmed Bilose’s suspicions: Cale Henituse had caused trouble again.
“Lord Cale, what exactly did you do?”
“Why do you ask?”
Bilose started getting frustrated with Cale’s blasé attitude. “The north is a mess. A disaster. A total catastrophe!”
“Good.”
At that, Bilose heaved a rare sigh in front of Cale. “My goodness.”
Paying him no mind, Cale climbed into the nearby carriage. “Let’s head to Karo right away, Bilose.” He was bound for the auction house, but not to bid on any item. He meant to hook a person in the auction—and earn some money in the process.