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Chapter 46 - In the Dead of Night (6)

"And why would I trust a turncoat like you...?"

Matthias spoke behind his guards, his tone cautious and ready to sprint at a moment's notice.

Elberich was one thing, but he knew he could control him; as for Fenrix, he was a wildcard, one that would only spell doom for Snowkeep if Matthias accepted his offer without thinking.

He placed a hand on his pocket, one that hid a bell, a bell to signal other guards in the forest to stay on high alert.

A last choice scenario, if things had gone to hell during the meeting.

"Relax... I'll show you that I can be trusted in the future."

Fenrix bowed before Matthias, before leaving from where he entered, into the forest and disappearing.

"Let's head back to the palace... I'll tell the guards to heighten security for a while."

Matthias shivered; he didn't want someone like Fenrix snooping around Snowkeep.

***

Justinian's Camp - Outskirts of Bridgeton

***

The rest of the men slept in their tents, recovering their energy as they waited for Vesuvian reinforcements to arrive.

This time, this wasn't a gamble from Justinian; he knew the personality of Bjorn, and he knew that he would come to his aid, even if the exact details of how Bjorn would reason it out were unknown.

"Will you not sleep, Justinian?"

Cassia approached from behind Justinian as he stood watch.

"No, I'm not the type to fall asleep again once woken up."

Justinian replied, a small smile on his lips as he returned to gaze at the fields illuminated by the setting moon.

"I see..."

"You know, Cassia, I was thinking about something."

Cassia tilted her head, intrigued.

"What is it?"

"Are you betrothed to someone?"

Cassia flustered at his question, looking away for a quick second to gather her thoughts, clearing her throat.

"T-that's... I didn't expect you to ask that..."

"I apologize, I'm just curious, that is all."

Justinian chuckled, lowering himself as he sat on the grass. Compared to Snowkeep's snowy area, it was a good change of pace to rest on green pastures finally.

Justinian let out an exhale, thinking about more about his new life, exploring the horizons beyond ruling the duchy; he already had plans in advance after he defeated Rhyne.

'I wonder how marrying here would feel like... political marriages and all that.'

Justinian looked at the sky, with eyes that could only spell out fatigue and annoyance.

'It would be nice to marry a down-to-earth commoner, but my reputation would go down the drain if I did that.'

Cassia observed Justinian's small ministrations before sitting beside him, looking at the field.

"To answer your question... no, I am not."

"I'm surprised, I thought a lady like yourself would have hundreds of suitors from all across the kingdom."

"None of them caught my eye, and even more didn't pass father's trials for them."

Cassia chuckled, wrapping her arms around her legs.

"Come to think of it, you're not betrothed as well, aren't you, Justinian?"

Justinian just shook his head.

"I feel like you'd be the type to pass father's trials."

"Really?" Justinian replied casually.

Cassia laughed, resting her head on Justinian's shoulders.

She knows Justinian was dense; even her earlier hint was met with casualness from Justinian, and even though she didn't have the right to choose who Justinian chooses in the future.

Cassia knew that Justinian would be one out of a million, the only person to treat her normally despite her status and condition.

It would be a waste just to let him wander out of her hands.

"Take the hint already..."

She teased, looking straight at Justinian now.

As soon as Justinian heard her words, he immediately choked on nothing, coughing up a storm as he stood up immediately.

"Ack... I'm sorry, I may have misheard you..."

Justinian knew he was getting close to Cassia, but not to this degree; he was a historian in terms of kingdoms, not in romance.

So what he thought was casual talking and teasing actually came across as very unique and kind to Cassia.

"Ignorance can only go so far, you know?"

She spoke, still sitting on the grass as she looked amusingly at Justinian's fumbling form.

"M-message received... I'll think about it... especially with your father."

A faint red reached his ears as he looked in the distance, trying his best to hide it from Cassia, but it was pointless; she already knew the effect she had.

"Oh, how the tables have turned..."

Cassia laughed, the silent early morning now filled with her laughter and Justinian's messy recovery.

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