The Gates

Caym's grip tightened on the door handle as he swung it shut, the heavy thud echoing through the hallway. His piercing gaze fell upon Jaquelyn and Lorraine, who stood nearby with their heads bowed and hands placed on their abdomens.

"Where is that woman?" Caym asked, a low rumble that demanded answers.

"She left in a hurry, Commander," Jaquelyn stammered, her eyes remaining fixed on the floor.

Caym's piercing gaze chilled the air, his brows furrowing into a stern frown. "You are aware of the consequences. Ensure this negligence does not repeat itself. Go and thoroughly inspect the princess' room," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for dissent, and strode away without a backward glance.

"Yes, sir," Jaquelyn and Lorraine replied in unison, their voices barely above a whisper.

The Grand Order oversees the Lily Palace. Therefore, all its servants are obligated to report to the Grand Commander. Although the captive royals are technically hostages, their safety holds great importance.

Picture them as chess pieces on a vast board—powerless, yet profoundly significant. Pawns, so to say.

With every move they make, they may affect the fragile peace that stands between the Sylvania Empire and its allied kingdoms. Their arrival, their stay, even their death—everything can be used in the game of power.

It may sound cruel, but such is their fate.

Outside the palace gate, Caym's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the guards. Their uniforms hung on them like draped shadows, revealing the tension etched into their faces.

"Greetings, Grand Commander. The dressmaker has left," the guards stammered, their voices a feeble attempt to mask their unease. Beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads, glistening in the pale light of the early autumn sun.

Caym's gaze remained fixed on them, his brows furrowed. "Had I not witnessed her entry, you would not have suspected anything about her," he said, his deep voice rumbling. "Your negligence demands consequences."

"Yes, sir," the guards mumbled, their eyes darting to the ground, unable to meet Caym's piercing stare.

Caym turned away, his mind swirling with frustration at the breach of security protocols.

Only individuals vouched by the Royal Palace or the Grand Commander should have been permitted to enter the walls of the Lily Palace. The fact that an unauthorized individual had slipped through without proper documentation was unacceptable.

"It appears the guards has grown complacent," he mused to himself, frustration etched across his face as he made his way to the southwest gate.

"Greetings, Commander!" the knights saluted as he entered the barracks, their voices a chorus of respect.

"Tell the Knight Captain Ortis to proceed to my office immediately," Caym ordered to a nearby knight, his gaze cold. "Do not make me wait."

The knight's eyes widened, but quickly responded. "Yes, sir," he acknowledged. 

Caym continued his way to his study, his silence and furrowed brows so palpable that the knights wisely avoided him, exchanging nervous glances as he passed. Along the corridor, he encountered Hector, who was balancing a plate of cookies with a quizzical expression on his face.

"What happened?" Hector inquired, arching an eyebrow as he trailed after Caym. "Didn't you go to the Grand Library? Were the scholars still unhelpful?"

Caym kept his gaze forward as he walked. "Hmm. Right. There is that, too," he simply replied.

Upon entering the study, Caym sank onto the sofa, his fingers pressing into his temples in a futile attempt to ease his growing headache.

"Do you often suffer from headaches these days? Perhaps we should summon a doctor," Hector suggested, setting the plate of cookies down on the coffee table. He took a seat on the sofa across Caym.

Caym ignored him and just closed his eyes. "Have you ever seen an angry squirrel?" he asked.

Hector's brow furrowed in confusion. "Yes, I have. But... why?" he inquired. However, Caym remained silent, showing no intention to offer an explanation.

"Ah, yes. Of course. Who am I, a mere Lieutenant, to expect answers?" he thought to himself, feigning a pout as he stuffed a whole cookie into his mouth. "Why am I even called the Lieutenant? I should just be cleaner boy at Monett's tavern."

Just as Hector was on the brink of abandoning his questions, Caym unexpectedly disclosed, "I saw an unfamiliar person entering the Lily Palace, so I came to investigate."

Hector furrowed his brow and nonchalantly munched on a cookie. "Those troublesome lads," he remarked. "Should we consider offering them some guidance?"

Caym lowered his hand, shooting Hector a stern look that wordlessly communicated, "Guidance? What kind of guidance? Do you truly have the luxury of free time for that? Stop wasting time. You have much important job to do, LIEUTENANT."

Hector quickly raised his hands in surrender, flashing a nervous smile. "A jest. It was just a jest," he stammered. "Ahem. But is there something else on your mind?"

Caym rose from the sofa. He crossed the study, his eyes fixed on the ornate desk cluttered with maps and scrolls. Without revealing much of his emotion, he stated, "The Ásján princess requires an escort."

Hector tilted his head in confusion. "Aren't you going to escort her?" he inquired.

"Hmm. I managed to upset her," Caym explained, his eyes now fixed on the papers scattered across the table. "She accused me of being unknightly."

"Unknightly? The Grand Commander?" Hector's said, a large smirk formed on his face. "I thought she might have taken a liking to you after you... made us... kneel... in..."

Hector's voice trailed off as he saw the intensity in Caym's deadly gaze.

"You're quite talkative today, LIEUTENANT TASSIS," Caym's deep voice resonated through the room.

Hector couldn't help but break into a nervous smile again.

Their conversation abruptly halted, drowned out by a forceful knock echoing through the room.

A forceful knock echoed through the room, startling both Caym and Hector. "Grand Commander! Urgent news requires your attention!" The knight's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, demanding immediate action.

"Enter," Caym commanded.

The knight hurried inside, his breaths shallow and beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. "Greetings, Grand Commander. The... The dressmaker is dead," he said urgently, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Caym sighed as he raised his hand and pressed his fingers against his temples. "Continue," he ordered, his voice low and measured, resonating with authority.

"We observed the dressmaker's movements as you instructed, Commander. But we lost sight of her momentarily near the western gate. When we found her again, she lay lifeless behind a tree," the knight reported.

"Have any civilians seen the body?" Caym inquired.

The knight lowered his head, his voice strained. "Unfortunately, yes, Commander. Some servants discovered the body," he replied, regret lacing his words.

"Why is this news not in the hands of the head of the guards division?" Caym's tone was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.

"T-That... Knight Captain Ortis is not in his office," the knight stammered, his voice tinged with fear.

Caym closed his eyes, exhaling slowly to regain his composure. "Lieutenant, you will temporarily assume control of this matter. Clear the area and interrogate all witnesses," he commanded, his voice a steel-edged whip. His gaze turned icy as he looked at Hector. "And close all gates of the Imperial Palace. Any knight found absent from their guarding duty without notice will face severe consequences."

Hector swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "Yes, sir!" he replied.