Chapter 92: Something is REALLY Off.

“He’s still asleep,” Fizzy said quietly as he pushed aside the tent flap. It hung more like a curtain than an actual door. “Poor little guy probably isn’t used to waking up this early, eh?”

Ezra stepped inside and looked down at the small figure resting on the cot.

Lior’s face was peaceful, his breathing slow and even.

“Yep,” Ezra murmured. “He’s used to sleeping in. He’ll probably wake up in four hours.”

Fizzy glanced between them.

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem if you’re gone for a while.”

Ezra nodded, though his eyes never left Lior.

“Yes. I trust he’ll be safe with you, Fizzy.” His voice lowered slightly. “And remember. Besides Captain Aamon, no knight goes near him.”

Fizzy straightened a little.

“Yes, Captain.”

“Lior can walk around if he wants,” Ezra continued. “But only within the camp. Stay with him the whole time. If anything happens, anything at all, go straight to Captain Aamon.”

Fizzy nodded firmly.

“Don’t worry, Captain Ezra. I’ll keep him happy and away from the others.”

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“I even brought a few toys and snacks for him. Though… I do hope this doesn’t last days.”

Ezra exhaled quietly.

“I hope so too.”

Outside the tent, the sounds of preparation were growing louder. Knights were mounting their horses, armor shifting, voices calling to one another.

Ezra glanced toward the entrance.

It was time.

“I’ll be going now.”

Fizzy nodded again and gave him a small wave.

Ezra looked back at Lior one last time.

’Just one moment…’

He wished he could lean down.

Pull the blanket up.

Brush the boy’s hair back.

Maybe even press a kiss to his head.

But not here.

Not with so many eyes outside.

Ezra turned and stepped out of the tent.

His horse waited where he had left her.

He grabbed the reins and pulled himself up into the saddle.

Butterfly shifted beneath him, snorting softly.

“Stay safe, Captain,” Fizzy said from the tent entrance, giving a salute.

Ezra nodded once.

Then he nudged the horse forward.

“Come on, Butterfly,” he muttered.

The horse began moving across the camp.

Ezra looked ahead, already feeling irritation creeping back into his chest.

’Time to meet Prince Kaelis.’

Whether he liked it or not.

And he certainly did not like it.

’So where is the primpy prince?’

Ezra guided Butterfly slowly through the shifting crowd of knights.

Men were mounting their horses, tightening straps on their armor, checking the weight of their swords. The quiet tension that always came before battle settled over the camp like a heavy fog.

There were others who were not preparing to ride out.

The ones assigned to the rear guard.

The punished teams.

They stood off to the side, watching the frontliners with expressions that ranged from resentment to open jealousy.

Some did not even bother hiding it.

’Yes, keep glaring,’ Ezra thought dryly. ’Maybe the Dark Ones will feel intimidated.’

Ahead of him, Ezra spotted Helios speaking with several knights.

Helios was giving instructions, pointing toward the distant ridge while the knights around him listened closely. His posture was firm, his expression focused.

’Helios should’ve been the one leading,’ Ezra thought, irritation rising again. ’What was Aamon thinking? Helios obviously—’

Then Helios looked up.

Their eyes met.

Ezra’s heart jumped slightly.

The reaction caught him off guard.

Helios’ brows pulled together.

Concern.

Ezra frowned faintly.

’Why are you looking at me like that?’

Helios had never looked at him like that before a battle.

Never.

Was it because of Kaelis?

Ezra didn’t understand it.

And he didn’t have time to think about it.

Off to the side, Aurien stood beside his squad.

Aurien noticed him immediately.

A wide grin spread across his face as he lifted a hand and gave a small wave.

Then Aurien mouthed the words.

“Good luck to us.”

Ezra’s lips twitched.

For a brief moment, it looked like he might actually smile back.

’Idiot.’

But before he could—

“Are you ready?”

Ezra’s eye twitched.

The voice alone was enough to ruin his mood.

’Ah, fuck.’

Ezra slowly turned his head.

Prince Kaelis sat atop his horse a short distance away, already mounted and waiting.

His posture was relaxed.

Too relaxed for someone who was supposed to be leading the largest mission this kingdom had ever seen.

The sight of him alone irritated Ezra.

So instead of answering the question, Ezra asked one of his own.

“Why me?”

Kaelis blinked once.

He actually looked surprised.

“What?”

Ezra’s gaze hardened.

“Why choose me?”

His voice stayed calm, but the irritation underneath it was impossible to miss.

’Out of everyone here.’

Kaelis hadn’t even chosen his own captain.

So why him?

Ezra expected the usual reaction.

A smirk.

Some mocking remarks.

Something teasing.

That was how Kaelis normally spoke to him.

But Kaelis didn’t laugh.

He didn’t smirk.

He simply looked at Ezra.

Completely unbothered.

For a moment, Kaelis said nothing. His eyes drifted briefly toward the dark horizon before he finally spoke.

“The answer is simple, Ezra,” he said. “You’re the best one here. You have more experience than anyone else present. Even more than my captain.”

It was a logical answer.

Which was exactly why Ezra didn’t believe it for a second.

He could smell the bullshit from a mile away.

“That’s a lie, Your Highness.”

Kaelis didn’t react.

Instead, he nudged his horse forward.

Ezra had no choice but to follow.

“Mhm. Indeed,” Kaelis replied casually.

His tone made Ezra’s brows knit together.

“But you don’t really have a choice, do you?” Kaelis continued. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

His voice stayed calm.

“I am a prince. And the prince in charge of this operation.”

He glanced at Ezra briefly.

“That means you will listen to me either way.”

His gaze shifted forward again.

“My order to you is simple. Follow my lead.”

Ezra blinked.

Once.

Then again.

He was genuinely taken aback.

Kaelis had irritated him before. Many times.

But this?

Using rank like that?

Speaking without a trace of that usual teasing arrogance?

There was no mockery in his tone now.

Just seriousness.

Ezra found himself staying silent.

’He’s… acting weird.’

And not the usual kind of weird.

Earlier, Kaelis had been staring at him.

Now he was speaking like a completely different person.

Nothing about this felt normal.

’Something’s off.’

Ezra’s eyes narrowed slightly as he rode behind him.

’And I’m going to find out what.’

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