Travel

The stars in the sky could still be seen as the sun was yet to rise. However, in a certain chamber, a man was already preparing for his work.

Droplets of water were still falling from the tips of his silvery-white hair that seems to glow along with the faint light from the moon and candle lights.

The man was indeed Cedar. It was already two days since he renewed his vow to the Prince and today was the day that he's finally allowed to resume his duty.

Alexander didn't really want Cedar to do work though, if not for the fact that they shouldn't part from each other for a few months and that he is the Crown Prince and he needed to go out from the palace from time to time, he wouldn't allow his knight to work just yet.

Like today, since a problem arose from the eastern region, Timbreford, the emperor had specifically given him a decree to investigate the matters there.

Coincidentally, that was also the place where Isabella's body was found and where it was also lost two days ago.

A group of soldiers and mages were almost wiped out when a powerful man attacked them in their journey. They lost half their numbers and Isabella's body was taken as well.

The news that came to him through the messenger wasn't detailed, so the Prince will have to inquire further about it on his way.

Checking his reflection on the mirror, Cedar lightly patted his armor. Then, before walking out at his door, he unsheathed and sheathed his sword a couple of times, nodding at his quick draw.

"I guess I'll be able to work even without using my mana now," he mumbled as he stretched his arms and cracked his neck twice.

...

The convoy consists of twelve large carriages with four elite mages, five magicians, seven high-ranked knights—including Cedar, ten mid-ranked knights, eight squires, six maidservants, and four footmen.

The path to Timbreford can be traveled in a day, but since they would need to take a rest, it stretched to a day and a half.

"So? Why are you sitting with us?" the Prince, who's brows are twitching in his attempt to hide his irritation, asked Yrhan.

The Elven High Priest also tagged along with them and was now sitting beside Cedar in front of Alexander.

"Hm?" Yrhan blinked as if he hadn't noticed Alexander's annoyance. "Your Highness, I need to treat Cedar at least once a day so I certainly have to tag along."

"I know that," Alexander said through his gritted teeth. "But WHY are you here in MY carriage? Shouldn't you be with Roki?"

Roki, the muscled butler also travels with them and is now at the second carriage together with other knights, suddenly sneezed while chatting with them.

"Well, because those men over there smells of sweat and they're not graceful enough. As you should already know, my kind wasn't fond of unrefined things." Yrhan reasoned out. "Besides, the more, the merrier. Right?" Yrhan turned to Cedar.

"Huh? Ah, yes." Cedar readily agreed, which made Alexander raise a brow.

In actual fact, although it was true that Elves didn't like ragged and unrefined people, Yrhan couldn't be bothered with such things. The truth is that it was Cedar who asked Yrhan to accompany him in the carriage.

----

Last night, when he's being treated and alone with the High Priest...

"I feel like I'd be in serious trouble if left alone with the Prince! So please stay with me!" Cedar begged with his teary puppy eyes.

Whenever he's with Yrhan, the latter would then cast a sound barrier because in Yrhan's own words, 'Your voice is disturbing the prince and I don't like being watched while doing the treatment. It's bothersome.'

Knowing this, Cedar would drop all pretense and will whine about the prince's advances—though most of the time, Yrhan would just ignore him while rolling his eyes.

"Shut up. Not my problem." as usual, he doesn't care about the other person at all.

"No! You're the only one who knows that I'm a very innocent young lady on the inside so you're the only one who could understand me! So please..."

"I'm sorry to break it to you but I don't understand you one bit, and I don't intend to do so." he slapped the last talisman on Cedar's back with a deadpan face. "Ok, it's done. I'm leaving."

Seeing that the Elven High Priest was seriously going to leave, Cedar sprang up to his seat and wrapped his arms around Yrhan's waist.

"The fuck?" he cursed in surprise. "Let me go!" he snapped as he tries to continue his steps.

"No! I won't let go until you agree!" Cedar insisted and made his hug tighter.

"Kuk! I can't..." Yrhan struggled for a moment and then using a spell, his body momentarily blurred and was then released from Cedar's hold. "I couldn't breathe! You moron! Are you trying to kill me?!"

Annoyed, he hit Cedar's head in a swift movement.

"Wah!" The latter fell on the floor and sat there while rubbing the swollen bump on his head. "Such meanie!"

Cedar pouted, "I can't deal with the Prince alone! I'll get found out!"

"Aren't you an actress? Then act. Geezzz... is your head for decoration purposes only?"

"I've tried! I already did but... It's really weird! Whenever the Prince looks at me, I become anxious and I couldn't control my impulses. Especially when he gets close." Cedar explained and his voice became small as he uttered his last sentence.

Hearing such a ridiculous reason, Yrhan curled his upper lips as if thinking about something. Then he looked at Cedar who's seated below him.

Cedar glanced up and his puppy eyes were still silently begging.

"Haah... You're hopeless." Yrhan sighed aloud and then crouched. "I'll do it."

As soon as those words left his lips, Cedar's eyes sparkled as he gave an incredibly wide smile. "Really? Thank you! I knew it! You really are a kind guy! You are heaven sent!"

"Haha! So, how would you pay me?"

"Huh?"

"My services aren't free."

"Y-you... you can't have my body!" Cedar covered his bare upper body with his arms crossed atop his chest.

"Who wants your body? Idiot!" with a vein popping from his temples, Yrhan flicked Cedar's forehead. "If you don't pay up, then forget it."

"Wah! I'll pay! I'll pay!" again, Cedar hugged him but this time, it was his leg.

"If the Prince saw you, he'll cry, you know?" he chuckled.

"How much should I pay?"

"Don't be stupid. I don't need your gold coins."

"Then what should I pay you with?"

"I'll give you an errand," he stated. "Listen up..."

....

Thinking about the payment, Cedar felt rather good about it and it only made him think that Yrhan really was a kind person.

A few hours had passed in comfortable silence.

The Crown Prince was reading a parchment and Yrhan was reading a book. As for Cedar, he's absorbed on watching the scenery outside the window.

It was a peaceful journey so far until the carriage suddenly went to a halt.

The Prince frowned as he felt the tension outside.

At the same time, Cedar poked his head out and asked the knight driving the horses, "What happened?"

"The horses suddenly became restless, Sir," he answered.

"Everyone! Prepare to defend!" suddenly, Yrhan shouted as he himself held his staff and conceived a formation circle, wrapping the entire convoy with a golden protective barrier with inscriptions all over it.

It was a rare, ancient spell that was thought to be lost long ago and it was a beautiful sight to behold. However, they didn't have the time to admire it.

The thick purple mist started to form around them. Additionally, a pungent smell of rotten flesh wafted through the air, making some of the maidservants to vomit.

Not too far away, shadows inside the mist were slowly approaching.

"Holy shit..." Cedar's eyes widened as he figured out what was happening.