Kingdom's Bloodline, page 156
Feeling frustrated, Thales rolled his eyes.
"To be able to maintain a foothold in the Royal Court of Eckstedt as a woman, and to have others know her as an evil witch… Your Highness, you must be vigilant, she is definitely not just here to spectate."
He stared from afar at two Northlanders fighting intensely barehanded among the crowd, then said dispiritedly, "Both of you might not believe this, but after seeing that lady, I find myself missing Morat very much right now." Thales chewed on his bread dejectedly
"By the way, who is Yodel?" Putray looked at Thales in curiosity. "He serves the royal family?"
"About that… Erm, it's a secret that is kept within the royal family." Thales picked up a metal fork and stabbed an onion, hard.
'The secret protector of the Supreme King of Constellation is actually the son of Eckstedt's Head of Intelligence… Haih, another bottomless pit of gossip.'
In this banquet specially held to celebrate the Prince of Constellation's arrival and the gathering of the five archdukes, even though Thales was nominally the person that was to be welcomed, he was undoubtedly treated quite coldly. Fortunately, there was not much trouble either. Occasionally, some of the Northland nobles who might have been gawking came forward to greet Thales. On Putray's advice, Thales managed to properly return their greetings.
There were also some who drank too much and came forward to provoke Thales, but Lord Mirk was always able to allocate people in the nick of time to drag away wave after wave of drunkards.
Thales got to enjoy the grand banquet in peace, even though a seven or eight-year-old child could not eat much anyway.
A few hours later, while watching the still lively hall, Thales asked Wya in a bored tone, "How much longer will this go on? I feel as if I'm becoming a Northlander."
Just now, a few drunk nobles who were in a family feud sparked a group fight taking place in three different locations, causing more excitement in the already noisy hall. It continued on until members of the White Blade Guards and the palace guards went forward in unison to stop them with their fists.
"A very long time. It is only eleven at night right now." With furrowed brows, Wya looked into the distance in disbelief. A guest with a battered face and a swollen nose was helped back into his seat, he then drank another goblet of wine while swearing and proceeded to hurl the goblet at another person's face.
The prince's attendant shook his head and said, "I heard from my friends in Northland that Eckstedt's banquets usually last until morning. Moreover, this is the king's banquet that signifies Dragon Clouds City's reputation. It is also the gathering of the five archdukes."
Thales shook his head with glassy eyes.
The order of the banquet, which was already barely non-existent since it was held so wilfully, began to break down, there were even drunkards who staggered around. Some nobles put their arms around servant girls and left the hall, strange noises were then subsequently heard coming from outside the hall.
Even the vassals and followers around the five archdukes left their original seats and joined those who were drunk and excited.
King Nuven and Nicholas had left the hall a long time ago, leaving Mirk behind to calmly supervise the banquet.
As for Putray… Thales narrowed his eyes and stared at the gaunt man. Putray put his arms around countless Northlanders, often bursting into laughter. Thales could not help but criticize him internally.
'Why is this person blending in so well?'
Thales pressed his face against the table and exhaled painfully. "Please tell me that the banquets in Constellation are not this insane."
"They are probably not." Wya smiled awkwardly.
"Of course not!"
Thales raised his head. Putray held a barrel of rye wine—Heroic Spirit Palace's specialty. He staggered over with his eyes shut and muttered, "Constellation's banquets are more civilized and appropriate to the occasions. All the insanities are covered up. For example, the host of the banquet would prepare special rooms for trysts. Then, there are the bushes in the gardens, and the quiet and secluded basements.
"From what I know, your father, King Kessel was an expert at all of these secret meetings during banquets when he was younger."
Thales rolled his eyes. But Putray opened his eyes, and his expression changed slightly.
The vice diplomat of Constellation said in a low voice, "I have received Shiles' signal."
Thales perked up.
"The king has already left, and the people around the five archdukes are very drunk." Putray nodded solemnly. "I reckon that it's time to seek them out for a chat."
As the banquet continued until close to twelve in the morning, the Archduke of Prestige Orchid, Reybien Olsius, left the hall. He was escorted by two attendants. Standing beside a secluded window outside the banquet hall, he gazed at the moon outside. He seemed to be waiting for someone.
Two pairs of footsteps came up behind him, one was louder than the other. Archduke Olsius turned…
He immediately creased his brows.
"You are the one who asked to meet with me?"
Holding the slip of paper he just received, the archduke stared in disbelief at the person before him—the Prince of Constellation, Thales Jadestar.
Accompanied by Wya, Thales stared at the archduke's full beard and flashed a bright smile. "Yes."
Olsius stared at Thales, and then at the slip of paper in his hand. His expression slowly changed.
Thales inhaled deeply. 'It's time. It's starting.'
He slowly said, "Your Grace—"
Right then, Archduke Olsius suddenly snorted coldly, cutting him off. Thales was only half-way through his sentence before he was stunned.
"Boring."
Olsius glanced at him with disdain and shook his head. Then he then turned and left.
Thales widened his eyes. 'Am I that despicable?'
"I took great pains to find an opportunity to meet you privately, Your Grace." Thales took a step forward. He said with a frown, "At least listen to what I have to say!"
"There is nothing to talk about with a seven-year-old child." Olsius did not even intend to turn his head.
Thales clenched his teeth. 'There's no other way.'
Then, the Second Prince of Constellation yelled at the Archduke of Prestige Orchid's retreating figure.
"Reybien Olsius! Do you know who is going to be the next King of Eckstedt?"
Archduke Olsius immediately halted in his step. He slowly turned his head and stared at Thales with a strange expression.
Thales panted and said agitatedly, "Lampard…"
Olsius' expression changed slightly.
Thales calmed his breathing a little. He then raised his head and looked at the full-bearded man with a firm expression.
"The Archduke of Black Sand, Chapman Lampard!"
Chapter 141: Reunion |
Dragon Clouds City, Armor District, alley.
"Don't you at least have the intention to explain yourself?" Bathed in the light of the setting sun, Kohen's breathing quickened, his grip on his sword hilt tightened.
Raphael stood before him dressed in white, and gave him a light smile. "For old time's sake, Kohen, leave this city immediately—a word of advice from one old comrade to another."
Kohen sucked in a deep breath, suppressing his anger and curiosity. At this moment, he did not even know what to say or how to face his old friend from the Tower of Eradication.
"Miranda is here, she's nearby." Kohen was adjusting his breath, trying to appear calm. "Did you know that?"
"Never mind, the city gate should be closed by now." Raphael entirely ignored what he said, looked up at the dimming sky, and sighed. "Both of you should find a place to hide. Do not come out at night no matter what happens. When the sun rises the next dawn, leave the city. The sooner the better."
"She doesn't know yet." Kohen lowered his head. His face was enveloped in shadows. "Miranda still doesn't know about you… whatever happened to you… the Tower sent us to—"
Raphael slipped his sword into its sheath. "Whatever you came here for, just forget about it. It's going to be a rough couple of days for you two. In fact, you shouldn't even be here."
"Goddammit! Raphael Lindberg!"
Kohen could not stand it anymore. He raised his head, his whole face indignant as he roared, "Keep your smartass attitude to yourself! Don't you get it? We came for the Disaster Sword!"
Raphael's gaze sharpened.
"I met a Disaster Swordsman in Red Street Market and experienced his power. I have also seen what your power could do back in the Hall of Stars—" Kohen growled, clenching his teeth. "Do you know what the Tower ordered us to do with the Disaster Swordsmen? Investigate them thoroughly, trace their roots. No live captives allowed. Kill on sight!
"You really don't plan to explain yourself?"
Raphael stared at him with a cryptic expression for a few seconds. Eventually, he let out a chuckle, and looked at Kohen with amusement. "So? You suspect that I've joined Disaster Sword? Are you going to arrest me? Or kill me right here?"
The two men glared at each other for a while, until Kohen lifted his fist and waved it indignantly.
"No!" Kohen panted heavily, looking down again. "I don't care about Disaster Sword, or the century-old blood feud between us and them."
The police officer bowed down, picked up his sheath from the ground, and put away his saber. He stammered, "But I care about my friends; I want to know what happened to you.
"I want to help."
Raphael gazed at him and gave a light-hearted laugh. "You haven't changed a bit, Kohen."
"Tell me what happened from the beginning to the end. Everything that happened in the past three years—your interaction with Disaster Sword, how you got into the Black Prophet's Secret Intelligence Department. Tell me everything." Kohen heaved a sigh and took a step forward. "Whatever it is, we can figure this out together. Everyone at the Inner Tower, like Master Shao or Zedi, they don't know that you… As for Miranda, if it's for her sake, I can keep it from her as well," he said grimly.
Raphael inhaled deeply, clenching his fists.
"As for Disaster Swordsmen, they are not just the archenemies of the Tower of Eradication." Kohen peered at Raphael. "Their intentions are not that simple. They are somehow involved in the attack on the Eckstedt Diplomat Group, and the assassination attempt on the Prince of Constellation in front of the Fortress!"
The smile on Raphael's face vanished and was replaced with a frown.
Kohen sighed, gazing straight into Raphael's eyes, "These incidents… I'm not sure whether you know about them, or about the people you are dealing with, but I'm willing to trust you. I believe that you have a reasonable explanation!
"So, before a horrible mistake is made, before you reach the point of no return—"
"This is the reason you came to Dragon Clouds City?" The young man in white interrupted him. "The Disaster Swordsmen plotted two consecutive assassinations on two princes?"
"Allegedly they are in cahoots with an Archduke of Eckstedt," Kohen said sternly, nodding. "So the feud is no longer just between the Tower of Eradication and Disaster Sword, but between Constellation and Eckstedt! It's a matter of war and peace!"
"Why send you?" Raphael looked up at him, his gaze as calm as a lake. "Why send you two to investigate this?"
"Because we both have experience dealing with Disaster Swordsmen!" Kohen pounded his chest. "Because we have been on the battlefield, because we are the Seeds!"
"Hmph, Seeds." Raphael snorted, shaking his head. "I am a Seed, too, so is Misadun, Kroesch, and Ecklyn from Alumbia, Edgar and Beckham from Eastern Peninsular… why didn't they send us? Why send you two aristocrats of all people?"
"Speaking of which, gosh, I thought the debate about aristocrats and commoners was settled after the fight between you and Misadun." Kohen sighed. "Kroesch… her right hand was disabled when she was hunting a Disaster Swordsman… I believe that's one of the reasons why they sent Miranda."
The last rays of sunlight shone on Raphael's face. He did not respond but appeared to be in deep thought.
At the mention of the tragedy that befell his old comrade, Kohen looked down at his feet. With a heavy heart, he said, "Yes, the girl who always soldiered on when she was punished to jog with a sword between her teeth, the girl who hoped to be a swordswoman, the girl who was supposed become the next 'Heart of the Rain'… can no longer lift a sword.
"I don't want to see you end up like that. So let me help you, just like before!" Kohen inhaled. He took a huge stride forward and placed his hands on Raphael's shoulders. "If you are doing something unforgivable or are currently doing something unforgivable, let me be your accomplice!
"Whatever it is, we can resolve it! You are not alone!"
Raphael remained silent for two seconds. Then, his expression changed.
"You need to get out of here, now! Either climb through the city wall or dig a tunnel." A smile crept back onto Raphael's face. His gaze became cold. "Something is off, and it's not something you can deal with…"
Raphael shrugged, but found that he could not free himself from the police officer's arms.
"You know me, Raphael." Kohen lowered his head. He spoke with much difficulty, "If you refuse to explain yourself…"
The police officer lifted his head, and his gaze was determined. "... Then you're not going anywhere."
Kohen was much taller than Raphael, but the young man in white robes did not lift his chin. Instead, his gaze shifted upwards to meet his, which made it seem gloomier.
"Last warning, Kohen Karabeyan, future Count of Walla Hill." Contrary to his gaze and tone of voice, Raphael's smile was bright and gleeful. "Some things are not what they used to be. Leave it… especially regarding matters involving the Secret Intelligence."
His arms shot out swiftly and clutched Kohen's arms which held on to his shoulders tightly.
*Dong!* A loud sound of collision.
The two men jolted, but they did not separate.
Kohen still kept a tight grip over Raphael, he did not let go.
"Really, Officer Karabeyan?" Raphael felt the growing pressure exerted from Kohen's hands. His voice was grim. "You think I was joking about eliminating you?"
Kohen's face darkened.
"You behaved like this back in the Hall of Stars, and now in Dragon Clouds City." Kohen clenched his teeth and tightened his grip on Raphael's shoulders. "Just randomly popping up with a cryptic expression, telling me to 'leave it'?
"Becoming a Disaster Swordsman, joining the Secret Intelligence… have these things really changed you completely?" The police officer was getting more and more frustrated. "You can't even give a simple explanation to me, your old friend!"
In the alley, the two men's bare-handed contest of strength became increasingly terrifying as they exerted more pressure on each other's arms.
"Like you said, we are 'old friends'." With his smile still intact, he narrowed his eyes and said cheerfully, "We each merely chose a different path."
Looking at Raphael, a wave of dejection he could not put into words washed over Kohen.
'What on earth turned my dear friend into this?'
Kohen's breathing became heavy. "If it's because something bad had happened to you… I never experience what you yourself have; I might not fully understand how you must feel. But if you are willing to confide in me, we can still—"
Raphael shouted coldly, "Kohen Karabeyan, future Count of Walla Hill, do I look like I have been through 'something bad'?"
"Not at all," said a strange yet familiar female voice.
The two men were startled. Kohen turned his head. Raphael smiled a perfect smile.
The two of them were staring at a pretty silhouette under the moonlight which had risen at some unknown period of time.
The Head of the Eight Seeds of the Tower of Eradication, Miranda Arunde, sauntered into the alleyway under the silver moonlight.
A sword in hand, she gazed at the two hugging men with a frosty look.
"Is there anything you would like to explain?"
'Explain?' Kohen thought. He turned his head and looked at Raphael who stood only inches from him.
Only then did he realize that the pose he shared with Raphael...
The police officer let go of Raphael's shoulders abruptly, and shoved him away.
"Miranda, let me explain." Kohen forced an embarrassed grin, scratching his head. "Don't be mad. We're not…"
Miranda cut him off coldly. "Shut up, Kohen." The face of the swordswoman of the Arunde Family was frigid. "I was not asking you."
Both Kohen's expression and words froze.
Miranda stared at the young man in white, the man who had vanished for three years.
Being on the receiving end of Miranda's death glare, Raphael lowered his head and… gave a laugh.
"It has been a long time, Mira." The young man in white shook his head slowly. "You are… cold as usual? So cold it's heart-breaking."
At that very moment, Officer Kohen Karabeyan who was scratching his head, suddenly realized that his presence was a little unnecessary.
Miranda ambled towards Kohen and stood by his side. Her tone of voice was emotionless, as though this person she was talking to was not her former flame. "Mira? Stop calling me that, Raphael Lindberg."
Kohen gave a sigh.
"Hey," he looked at the couple awkwardly, "we should find a place to sit down. There are things we need to discuss…"
"Yeah, by the way, Miranda." Kohen winked at Raphael in desperation, hoping the latter would get the hint. "You haven't known that… Raphael is a high-level operative in the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department… have you?"
He was interrupted again, this time, by Raphael.
"You are not angry." The young man in white ignored Kohen. He looked steadily at Miranda's petite face and said with a smile, "That's surprising. You know, I expect you to be a little more agitated…"
Once again, Kohen felt that his presence was a little unnecessary.
