You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 628

Zeleskiaz, unbeknownst to his beloved, had been in charge of the search for Paul ever since Marianne departed from the Royal Palace. Although there were more tasks on his shoulders nobody but himself, the Emperor and a few trusted men knew about. Training the men of the Empire was one of those tasks, but the motive behind such hazardous methods was also in his hands to guide along with the Emperor.

’Latrishk’s arrived before expected even with the watch we kept on them from the borders... the reports from Latrishk have also diminished which is not unusual but... I smell the slyness..... His arrival cannot be as innocent as it appears to be.’

With a tad of a headache, Zeleskiaz sighed, pained by the crisis that may come, much more while recalling the calm composure his father carried even while aware.

— We know the purpose of his sudden visit. We have been informed of the unstable order in his country and how it is unreasonable to come here without brazen ideas. And yet..... You want to shake his hand when it wants the crown over your head? —

— Zeleskiaz... perhaps being in love made you forget how to be strategic? —

—... Are you the one wearing a crown Sverre? Otherwise, why would you respond when not required? —

— If you want to end things quickly that’s not the wise path. Yet how would you know, although you are praised, it’s mostly because of your skills on the battlefield that your plans could work out. People are ignorant fools whenever I recall how they admire a beast like you. —

— That may be true, second prince... Nonetheless, the schemes I used did not fail their purpose thanks to the high success these so-called praised skills provide. You have a good head on your shoulders yet it’s a shame you have no sense nor skills to get some profit from it. The true fool is yourself. —

— Tsk. How you enjoy mocking others-! —

— Are the two of you here to bicker around? Or is it to properly cooperate for once? —

—... I am here to do as should be done. —

— Good, Sverre... how about you Zeleskiaz? —

— Cooperation... if the methods appear reasonable given the situation I will not hinder the mission. —

—... what you consider reasonable is what calls for my attention. —

—... As long as you won’t allow the enemy to shamelessly laugh at yourself in the end... Then, I might cooperate. Otherwise, I cannot promise not to play some of my cards in case your schemes fail, your majesty. The crown they want is the one I am to inherit, do recall that. — 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

— Effing children to have! Nevermind! Latrishk is a clever land, and its prince is also cunning. Once he arrives he will need to play a harmless man in order to gather the information he seeks and move his pawns. We won’t place a hand on him until he makes the move. Both of you stay alert and keep the men ready. Sverre should be ready to give instructions if the worst comes around. —

— When his majesty says the worst, is it that they attack successfully? — Sverre asked in confirmation.

— Yes. —

—... We truly differ in contemplations. Your worst-case scenario is truly positive. — Zeleskiaz added, almost nonchalantly.

— Well, son... an Empire is not so easy to conquer as you know. Besides, a successful attack would mean my head rolled yet not yours. Somehow they believe it is enough with myself gone yet little do they know about our blood... don’t you agree with that fact, Zeleskiaz? —

’... annoying. He’s not in the least bothered that their attack has a high possibility of succeeding if we are too passive. Is he actually hoping they achieve his death?’ — Bothered, Zeleskiaz only became frustrated. Displeased to be concerned about his father’s well-being for the first time in his life but also for the apparently imprudent decision it would be for Latrishk to attack the Frotschter Empire. — ’He wont be as easy to kill for the likes of them lack the strength... but the gall they have to try breaches common sense... the current state in their land, the unstable reign and support... their people are divided in political affairs while the other kingdoms supposed to align with their goals have clearly retreated any threat made in the past three years... how they have the confidence to pull any stunt is what surprises me.’

An odd intuition was not leaving Zeleskiaz’s nerves. Certainly, given the information they had collected, it was a risky move to make for Latrishk... although not impossible. The crown prince therefore knew... something they were yet to be aware of must be happening for the bet to be made by a kingdom that knew could disappear if unsuccessful. Nevertheless... no clue was there for him to understand the menace fully.

His awareness only made his concerns shift from one to another. One much more troubling for there was anticipation mixed with fear solely to think that besides winning enormous delight to see his source of warmth soon... There were also matters to discuss... to understand...

"... it is truly unsettling..." — He murmured while feeling shaken by how his heart shrank at the thought of the moment to meet her hues crossed his mind. Rising from the mattress as he materialised the anxiety with a sigh. — "Besides fighting the need to embrace her figure I will also need to gather the courage to ask why there was no reply to any of my letters while she was away... I was informed they were delivered... however... nothing came back."

Refusing to believe he had been ignored by his lovely lady, Zeleskiaz had not remained still while waiting for some notice. Every day, a letter would leave the palace directed to Marianne. As days passed and the busier he became never did he lose track of how much it was taking for a reply to arrive, ultimately deciding on the third day of waiting to go and find out.

The courier was threatened to honestly tell if his job was properly done, he requested Biel to surveil the letters would arrive as well and departing the palace on the third night to see for himself what could be happening on Marianne’s side he reached her home in the dark of the night... going back as soon as he realised such impatience could backfire... for the sole thought of the beauty resting in the chambers that watched her grow could easily be climbed in a blink, the man was sure that once seeing the innocent surprise in her eyes his love would do as a passionate heart dictated. Hungry to love her... just as savagely as he was not supposed to allow himself to do yet.

Even so, that was not the last time impatience moved him looking for answers, yet every single one of the four other times he made his way near her whereabouts he still retreated... for cowardice was now interfering with his resolve to meet her.