Chapter 10: The Rotten Knight (3)

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Trine Diego, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Knights, heard from the Third Prince Raion that Jade had gone to him.

Although several dozen days had already passed, he hadn’t been able to visit in person due to his duties guarding the royal castle.

Today, however, the opportunity finally came, and he took the liberty of visiting Taron’s Palace, where the Third Prince was residing.

The knights of the Black Deer Order, who stood guard at the main gate, failed to recognize Trine as he approached.

It was because, being his day off, he wore casual clothes instead of armor.

“Stop right there! This is royal property!”

At the knights’ wary shout, Trine took out a metal badge from his chest pocket—one that was given only to members of the Royal Knights.

Unlike the usual knight’s badge, this one was engraved with the image of a lion and lightning.

It was the insignia that marked the Commander-in-Chief above all other captains.

“Th-this is…!”

“Th-the Black Deer Order’s Commander! Be-Bel—!”

As the knights hurried to salute, Trine quickly raised his hand to stop them.

“That’s quite enough. I came only to pay my respects to His Highness the Third Prince. Would you open the gate for me?”

A visit from the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Knights was an extraordinary occurrence.

Naturally, they didn’t dare act otherwise and opened the gate for him at once.

“Much appreciated. Carry on with your duties.”

As Trine made his way toward the palace, the knights exchanged confused glances.

Until now, rumors had it that the Third Prince had fled the royal castle and was living in seclusion at the palace.

No one paid him any attention, thinking he would soon be pushed out of the line of succession.

But now, Trine Diego himself had come to visit him.

A man with real power and military might within the palace.

“We’d better report this to our superiors, right?”

“Why even ask? If we don’t, we’ll lose our heads.”

“Ugh! Everything’s been quiet until now, and suddenly this? What a headache.”

In truth, the Black Deer Order was already under the command of Duke Alito, Queen Elina’s father.

Of course, they had been planted there to ensure regular reports flowed to the duke through the captain and a few others.

However, this latest development would be the most troublesome report they had ever made.

By then, Trine had arrived in front of the palace and stood dumbfounded at the desolate sight.

He had heard that Prince Raion had brought only a few attendants, but he hadn’t expected it to be this empty.

“Where am I supposed to go?”

Muttering to himself, Trine entered through the main gate of the palace.

The lobby and first-floor hallway were equally silent.

Then, he heard a sound coming from the back courtyard.

“Is it that way?”

Finding a door midway down the hall, he stepped outside.

He soon arrived at the training ground, where he saw two people sparring atop it.

The prince and a knight were entangled, repeating strange movements over and over.

Whoosh—! Huff, huff! Huff—!

The movements themselves were unusual, but what startled Trine more was something else—the Prince Raion before him was nothing like the hesitant figure he’d seen during their last meeting in the Grand Hall.

His once shoulder-length red hair had been cut short, and his face radiated confidence.

Had it not been for the distinctive hair color of the Canel royal family, Trine might not have even recognized him.

“What brings you here?”

A voice sounded from behind—Patrick’s.

Startled, Trine turned around to see him.

“Ah, Patrick. I just came to check on His Highness Raion, to see how he’s doing.”

“I see. I thought you might’ve come to check on how Sir Jade was faring.”

It was a sharp remark that hit home.

Trine could only give a bitter smile.

“Hardly. But… what exactly are they doing?”

The repetitive, bizarre movements still puzzled him.

“I heard it’s a form of training to control the direction of one’s strength. I’ve only heard of it myself, so I don’t really know the principle.”

“I see… Is that so? His Highness seems to have changed quite a lot.”

“He has changed a bit. It should be over soon, so please wait a little longer. I must go prepare the meal.”

After Patrick left, Trine watched the training session in silence.

Near the end of the training, Monica appeared from somewhere, holding a towel.

“I greet Commander Trine Diego. I am Monica, His Highness’s handmaiden.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Raion and Jade’s training session came to an end.

When both collapsed onto the ground, Monica skillfully handed them towels.

“Phew∼!”

Rising to his feet, Raion spotted Trine standing there.

“It’s been a while, Commander. How have you been?”

As he drew closer, Trine noticed that even Raion’s build seemed different from before.

He looked taller, stronger than he had during their last meeting.

“I’ve been the same as always. But Your Highness… you seem to have changed quite a lot.”

By then, Jade too approached and greeted him.

“What brings the Commander-in-Chief here?”

Stepping forward so casually, Jade drew a frown from Trine.

“Jade! The training is over—show some respect! Why do you stand so close beside His Highness like that?”

The atmosphere instantly cooled.

Indeed, Jade’s attitude toward the prince was improper.

But Raion waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“How can you say that, Your Highness? To treat you in such a manner—this is unacceptable.”

Trine couldn’t comprehend the situation.

Yet Raion truly seemed unbothered.

“There’s no need for formality here. There are no nobles or other knights around. I dislike stiff manners, so I told him to be at ease.”

After wiping the remaining sweat, Raion looked at Trine.

The commander still wore a displeased expression.

Then Jade asked,

“So what brings you here, Commander? Did you have business with His Highness?”

At his question, Trine turned to Raion.

“His Majesty the King made a request. He asked me to see how His Highness Raion is faring.”

As the Commander of the Royal Knights, Trine wasn’t someone who could move freely without orders.

It was clear that he’d come under royal command.

Raion had anticipated as much.

“So you intend to report my current state directly to His Majesty?”

There was a curious tone in Raion’s voice that made Trine tilt his head.

“If His Majesty learns of this, he will surely be pleased. Yet it seems Your Highness does not wish for it to be known.”

“You’re exactly right. But rather than that, I’m hungry. Let’s talk over a meal.”

“I’m fine.”

“Please, try some. Patrick learned a new recipe this time, so it should taste pretty good.”

Raion entered the palace with Trine, Jade, and Monica following behind him.

Only two servings of food had been prepared in the dining hall.

Patrick, who had cooked the meal, had already anticipated Raion’s intentions.

“I’m sorry, but could you and Monica dine in another room?”

“Of course, Your Highness. We’ll take our leave.”

Since Trine was present, Jade and Monica stepped back courteously and withdrew.

Now, only Raion and Trine remained.

“It looks like it’s been cooked well. Please, have a seat and try it.”

The dish Patrick had prepared that day was made from a bird called a Rickbird.

The Rickbird was a large bird similar to a chicken commonly used for food in the Republic of Korea, except it was the size of an adult man.

“Well then, let’s eat.”

Trine finally picked up the knife and fork placed before him and began to cut.

A thick layer of sauce coated the Rickbird meat.

It was, in essence, like a large boneless spicy chicken made into a steak.

“This is quite a unique dish.”

Even in the famous restaurants within the royal castle, he had never seen a recipe like this.

Still, believing the prince wouldn’t serve something unpalatable, Trine cut off a piece and put it into his mouth.

“…Hm!?”

Normally, Rickbird meat was extremely greasy—no matter how well it was grilled, it retained an oily taste that was hard to remove.

But the piece in his mouth was astonishingly lean, with an unfamiliar spiciness that struck at the same time.

“It turned out better than I expected. Does it suit your taste, Sir Trine?”

Even when Raion asked the question, Trine didn’t respond—he just kept shoveling the meat into his mouth.

It wasn’t greasy at all, so he could eat piece after piece without getting tired of it.

In fact, the more he ate, the more the Rickbird’s natural flavor harmonized with the spice.

Before long, the plate of roasted Rickbird had completely vanished.

“I’m glad to see you enjoyed it, Sir Trine.”

“Ah…! My deepest apologies, Your Highness. I must’ve shown quite the unsightly behavior before you.”

He had been so entranced by the incredible dish that he’d momentarily lost his composure.

“Think nothing of it. A guest who eats well is always welcome. Now, shall we continue our earlier conversation?”

Raion, too, had nearly finished his meal.

And since what they were about to discuss was important, he looked at Trine with a serious expression.

Trine quickly wiped his mouth with the napkin before answering.

“You asked me earlier whether you truly did not wish His Majesty to know your current state.”

At that, Raion interlocked his fingers and tapped them lightly.

“You don’t actually believe that I collapsed because my health was failing, do you, Sir Trine?”

His tone was far too composed and mature for a twelve-year-old.

Trine’s face stiffened.

To be honest, though everyone in the royal castle had kept quiet, there had been various rumors about the incident when Raion had collapsed.

Of course, since the center of those rumors involved Queen Elina and Chancellor Alito, no one dared to speak of them openly.

“That is…”

Trine, too, was in the same position.

If he were to recklessly spread gossip about the queen or the chancellor of the realm, his head would not remain on his shoulders.

“After seeing my training earlier, do you still think I’m weak? Weak enough to have been unconscious for fifteen days, even? Well, I’ll admit I was weaker then compared to now.”

Even as the prince continued, Trine could not bring himself to answer.

“…”

“There’s no need to feel awkward. I have no desire to stir up unnecessary trouble in the palace, either.”

“I… I’m grateful for your understanding, Your Highness.”

The seriousness Raion exuded at that moment was even more overwhelming than that of King Laskan himself.

Trine couldn’t believe that the young man sitting before him was truly the same Prince Raion he’d once known.

“So, I’d appreciate it if you could keep this a secret from His Majesty.”

“But I came here under His Majesty’s direct order to check on you. If he were to see how well you’re doing now, he would surely be delighted.”

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