May Every Wound Be Fatal - Chapter 33.2
“Something tells me this will go very well.”
Martin smiled. It was the same smile he had as a boy, identical to the smiles of his father and brothers.
At the same moment, Noel, Count Briere’s son, Prince Cassian’s knight and cousin raised his arm, and the lead knight waved a huge banner. It was the signal for the horses to begin moving forward one by one. The wheels of the carriage carrying Cassian slowly started to turn.
Elizer laughed freely without resistance. He lightly nudged his horse’s side and said,
“Good luck.”
His heart pounded as strongly as it did the first time he drew his sword. Just like Martin said, he had a very good feeling that everything would go well.
***
“Thank you for traveling such a long distance, Your Highness.”
When Cassian arrived in Elmaril, Leonard personally opened the gates to greet him.
Leonard looked like the master of the castle. Cassian and his knights hesitated for a moment. Leonard seemed unaware of their reaction and asked casually,
“I do not see Vizon here.”
Though it was a trivial question, Cassian, distrustful of the duke and protective of his wife, felt uneasy.
“…Priscilla cannot travel. She is suffering from a severe fever and cannot ride in a carriage.”
The uneasy feeling seemed unnecessary. Leonard appeared calm and unconcerned.
“I see. May the gods watch over her.”
Though his discomfort was not entirely gone, Cassian forced a casual smile.
“Thank you.”
“After you meet with the king, would you like to visit the cathedral?”
Prince Tiberian’s funeral had already taken place. His body had been placed in a corner of the grand cathedral standing in the center of the city.
“…Yes, that will be necessary.”
Cassian felt a sudden sense of doubt as he realized the reality of Tiberian’s death. Leonard whispered as if he could read Cassian’s thoughts,
“You will also need to keep your promise, Your Highness.”
Leonard had promised to remove Prince Tiberian from Elmaril, ensuring his own official position and granting his daughter’s wish. Reyna’s wish was to marry Elizer.
“Ah, there you are.”
Surprisingly, Leonard immediately recognized Elizer, who had been standing far behind the knights.
“Reyna insisted she wanted to see you. I had to persuade her to come to the castle this time.”
Elizer, who had not expected Leonard to address him directly, was taken aback.
All eyes turned to Elizer. Leonard continued speaking to him with a friendly, open smile.
“Soon, you will come to meet your bride. My daughter and I are fully prepared to welcome you.”
The crowd stirred silently.
“Then, Your Highness, I will see you again in the banquet hall.”
Amid the subtle ripple of reactions, only Leonard appeared at ease.
“……”
Cassian gave Leonard a polite nod and a forced smile, passing by without comment.
After visiting his ailing father, Cassian went to the cathedral. Only a few high-ranking priests could access the royal tombs. He descended the marble stairs with them and stood before Prince Tiberian’s sarcophagus for a long while before returning.
On the way back to the castle, Cassian unexpectedly placed Elizer in his carriage. He remained silent, and as the carriage neared the castle, he murmured almost to himself,
“The duke is too dangerous. One day, he will try to kill me and place my child on the throne.”
“That will not happen, Your Highness.”
Elizer gripped the sword sheath tightly without thinking as he spoke.
Cassian gave a faint smile and looked calmly at his valued knight and half-brother.
“Elizer.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I will kill the duke before that happens.”
At that moment, Elizer faced a truth he had long avoided.
He realized that someday, he might have to betray Reyna.
It would be unavoidable. He was a knight who had sworn loyalty to Cassian.
The thought that terrified him most was different. Elizer feared that one day, he might betray Cassian instead of Reyna.
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