Side Mission

Faust gulped down his drink without pausing for breath as Prince Yoh watched him with awe. The two were enjoying their celebratory dinner of barbecued ribs and mashed potatoes at a local pub in the Dukedom of Morphia. Being an acquaintance of the duke's son really paid off since the Royal Police allowed them to skim through the registry of foreigners that entered the port months ago. They were able to trace three families that settled there and had started their regular visits to them.

The first two were adamant to return to Kasai because of the new king's reputation but the third one was more open for discussion. Earlier that day, they were able to finally convince the head of the Maki clan to come back to the kingdom and do business again. So tonight was a time to celebrate their first win.

"Morphian ale is the best in the world they say." Faust wiped the froth from the top of his lips. He took out a parchment and a pen from his pocket then striked out "Maki" from the roster. All those months of wooing them actually paid off. He was proud of Yoh in particular because his negotiation skills had significantly improved since their first meeting with the clan members.

The prince kept on brushing off his commendations. "They were the easiest among the list because my father was a close relative of theirs."

"But still, good job! Now I have something to report to your obnoxious twin brother. He had been sending me telegram after telegram asking for any update. He should have been more hands on with foreign affairs matters just like what your old man did."

"I'm sure Hao has his hands full..." Prince Yoh finished off the last piece of his steak. "He is still getting used to being king." The prince was busy eating and did not notice the big shadow that loomed behind him.

The medicine man cleared his throat to get the boy's attention. The Kasai royal nearly fell from his seat after spotting a big muscular man, the bulkiest he had ever seen in his entire life. The uninvited guest was towering over the prince who was now resting his hand on the hilt of the Harusame, ready to spring into action when the situation called for it.

"Are you Faust?" The man growled at the blond doctor.

"I certainly am," Faust looked unfazed. "How can I be of service to you, big guy?"

Before Prince Yoh could pull out his sword, the man snatched something from his pocket and slammed it on their table. The pub went silent for awhile. Everyone was looking towards their direction. The bulky man said nothing else. Instead, he gave a low growl before leaving them in peace. The pub seemed disappointed but resumed its noisy chattering afterwards.

"I guess he hated his job..." Prince Yoh remarked.

The two stared down at a piece of paper with the seal of a six-point star in the shape of a tree.

"Argh, another telegram from your brother." Faust pulled his hair out of frustration.

Prince Yoh carefully opened it and read out loud.

"Hey, little brother, I know you've been busy running after Kasai's old rich but there's one small favor I need to ask from you. I need you to go to the Dukedom of Mont St. Michel and close a deal with them to become our trade partner. Of all the dukedoms in the land, theirs is the only one that has a previous relationship with Kasai. If we get them to be our partner, the rest of the dukedoms will be a done deal. I have written Mont St. Michel several times but they have not been replying to my correspondence. I would rather come there myself but the duchess is an ex-fiancée of mine and she might not be in the best mood to see me."

"Ohhh, she hated him alright," Faust muttered under his breath.

The royal continued reading. "Perhaps Lady Jeanne would be more open to talk with you. That is if you got pass her butler, Marco. That guy absolutely loathes me even though I've ended the arranged marriage already. Speaking of ex-lovers, I have received an invitation from Anna-"

Prince Yoh immediately closed the letter and took a deep breath.

"Go on, finish it." The medicine man urged him. "You have been acting weird every time the Kouku queen's name is brought up. It must be something important for our king to even mention her in this telegram."

The prince handed his companion the letter. "Can you please continue in silence?"

Faust gave him a thin smile then proceeded reading the last part of the telegram with his eyes. He gasped after doing so.

"Yoh... She's getting married!"

He raised his head to speak with the Kasai royal only to find an empty chair before him. The prince had left his seat to pay the pub owner for their food and drinks. He waved at him from the bartender's counter.

The blond man sighed. How long will Yoh continue to nurture his heartache? He did not sign up for this but he did promise Mikihisa to always guide his sons. He approached the counter and sat on the available chair next to his mission partner.

Faust asked the pub owner for two full mugs of ale, one of which he placed in front of the prince. He didn't finish his in one gulp this time.

"When I lost Eliza, I thought I didn't have any reason to live anymore..." He admitted while staring at his mug intently.

"But you and your brother gave me one, no... several ones..." He took a sip of ale before looking at him. "Now I had something to pass the time by until I see my Eliza again in the afterlife."

"I'm grateful, Faust... My brother as well although he doesn't show it..." The prince assured him.

"I know how you feel, Yoh. You thought you've lost her, too. You're carrying a royal burden while hurting at the same time. I truly admire you for showing strength and for choosing not to run away from your responsibilities at the expense of your own happiness. Do remember this though. Your love for her will span an eternity. If you can't be with her in this lifetime, maybe in some place, in some other time, you two will be together. Because no matter how hard you resist or how hard the world tried to pull you apart, you two will always gravitate towards each other. Of course, if you wish to take a break from the mission and stop the wedding, I will support you."

"I don't know, Faust... Anna hates me now... I'm not sure if she still wants me... " The prince lifted his mug to the blond man's surprise. The Kasai royal was no fan of alcohol.

"Well, there's only one way to find out. Let's end this mission and return to our land as soon as possible." Faust raised his mug and proposed a toast.

"To coming home soon!"