Chapter 09: Third Crown

At the time when Kael was unconscious, Valerius had a talk with Cassandra about what she wanted to do with him.

“So, what do you think? Are you going to execute him or let him leave?” he asked, while Cassandra conflicted with herself.

“I am not going to execute him after knowing that the person who is a threat to us is not him, but something that possessed him. So, I am going to—”

She was interrupted by Valerius, who knew exactly what she was about to say.

“Cassandra, if you are thinking of imprisoning him for the rest of his life, then by law you must prove in court that he is guilty of treason or murder. But if you lie and manage to falsely prove that he did that, then if we add up everything he has done, the result will be the same one you wanted to avoid: he will be executed.”

“Then I…” Cassandra remained calm but paused, unable to think of anything else.

Valerius smiled as he offered a suggestion.

“How about you keep a close eye on him? That way, you will be able to stop him when that something possesses him.”

Cassandra looked into Valerius's eyes, which shone with confidence. Her eyes narrowed as she said, “I hate your shiny eyes full of confidence, Captain Valerius.” She smiled before continuing, “I think I lost here. I will follow your suggestion. And so the people do not suspect anything, he will operate as my temporary shadow.”

She started to walk away, but Valerius called after her.

“If you are working as a team, then there is something I need to assign to you…”

She turned and looked at him with troubled eyes.

“I will just say this: we are currently on a mission, and you will support me by acting as my shadow for now,” Cassandra told Kael, whose eyes widened in disbelief.

“Wait? Did I hear that correctly? Me, helping a Kingdom's dog? How do you assume that I will help you with something so stupid?”

“You don't have a choice, do you? You have to help us, or else…” She began pulling out her sword.

Kael felt fear for a moment, but then calmed down.

Those cursed words do not echo to me. That means she has no intention of doing it; she is just trying to threaten me with my life.

“Haha…” Kael chuckled before adding, “Threatening me with my life will not convince me. And if you want to kill me, then go ahead. I am already tired of your drama and lies.”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes in suspicion, noticing no fear in his gaze.

He is not afraid. That means he really isn't afraid to die... then I have no other choice.

She sheathed her sword and sighed.

“You are a persistent one. I will not threaten you any further.”

She used a key to unlock his handcuffs.

He checked his wrists as she continued calmly, “By the way, your friend is quite enjoying her stay in the castle. I hope she will—”

Before Cassandra could finish, Kael grabbed her by the collar and pulled her close to his face. His furious eyes met her cold ones.

Unsettled, Kael released his grip and sat back down. He sighed.

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“That is quite the response I was hoping for,” she said, straightening her collar.

Just then, a small window on the side of the carriage opened, and someone said, “Lady Cassandra, we have arrived at the location.”

“Very well, then…”

She opened the door and gestured for Kael to follow.

As they exited the carriage, he found himself in a clearing surrounded by trees. His eyes grew suspicious as several guards walked up to them and bowed to Cassandra.

“It is nice to see you, Lady Cassandra. Sir Rudoff is waiting for your arrival.”

“Hm…”

She walked with Kael. The entire dirt path was guarded by armed soldiers, and torches attached to wooden pillars lit the dark trail. They continued walking until they reached a gate. After a brief knock, the gate opened, and the guards led them inside a building and into a large room.

As the door opened, they saw a massive, muscular man wearing heavy brown leather armor. He had a brown beard, brown hair, dark eyes, and was pointing at a massive map. The room was filled with veteran knights, while a timid little girl was drinking milk in the corner.

The man noticed them, and a wide smile spread across his face.

“Ahh… Cassandra, you have finally arrived! Everyone, thank you, but we will discuss everything tomorrow. For now, please get some rest.”

He looked at the others as he spoke, and everyone left after greeting Cassandra, leaving only the little girl behind.

“Heh… so, how was the journey? I hope it was a smooth one!” his voice boomed loudly.

“Something like that…” Cassandra averted her eyes, feeling overwhelmed by his volume.

“Haha… still the same as before! You never change, no matter how much time passes, huh? Well, I love that about you! Bwahaha!”

She ground her teeth while Kael remained quiet.

The man noticed him, walked over, and extended his hand for a handshake. Kael's eyes remained sharp as he simply stared at him, ignoring him completely. The man waited, but seeing no response, he pulled his hand back and laughed.

“I see. So, Cassandra, you finally found yourself a partner. He gives me quite the same vibes you did when you joined the Crown.”

He paused and puffed out his chest.

“I am the Third Crown, named Rudoff Stonewall. And the girl over there in the corner is my shadow and partner. Her name is Milian. I hope you will take care of her. Bwahaha!”

As everyone's gaze fell on her, she hid her face behind the book she was reading. Her fluffy violet hair covered one of her eyes as she muttered softly, “H-Hello…”

“You are too loud,” Kael muttered to himself.

Cassandra raised her voice. “You are still too annoying. Anyway, what is the—”

Before she could finish, Rudoff patted Cassandra on the back and said, “Don't be too tense, Cassandra. You might not be exhausted, but our little friend might need some rest. So for today, just go. We have prepared a room for you. And Milian, could you show her shadow to his room?”

“Why me…?” she muttered, but then nodded. “I will do it.”

She stood up and exited the room, with Kael following behind, leaving Cassandra and Rudoff alone.

Looking at the doorway Kael had just passed through, Rudoff said, “Well, I never thought you could move on after what happened to the last shadow you had, but I feel relieved knowing that you chose someone.”

Cassandra's bangs covered her eyes in a dark shadow as she whispered, “No one can replace her.”

Her voice was so low that Rudoff was unable to hear it.