ISKC 12

Chapter 12

“Who might this be?”

The whisper was so faint that Rosalyn wondered if she had even heard it correctly.
She almost turned her head, but managed to hold herself back. Turning now would be as good as admitting it.

But… the Crown Prince recognized me?

She was famous, yes—but for him to recognize her at a glance?

…He couldn’t have marked me, could he?

If he were a mere client, she would welcome him with open arms.
A connection to the Imperial Palace itself? Even better.
And Mikhail was the crown prince, the next emperor.

“If the emperor himself were my client… I can already hear the sound of money pouring in!”

The thought alone thrilled her.
As long as it didn’t end with her clutching piles of gold while marching to the execution block.

Pushing aside the unease, Rosalyn followed Cassis into the gazebo, where Erich greeted them with a polished, insincere smile.

“Thank you for coming all this way, Cassis.”

“What business brings me here?”

“Let’s sit. I don’t have the habit of making weary travelers stand.”

Cassis sat silently in the seat Erich gestured to.
Erich’s silver eyes flicked briefly toward Rosalyn.

“Are you not going to introduce her? It’s the first time I’ve seen you keep a woman by your side.”

His tone was friendly, like one speaking to an old acquaintance—not at all like one knight-commander to another.
Cassis’s reply, by contrast, was cold and formal.

“She is merely an assistant. You need not concern yourself.”

“Assistant?”

“An internal matter of the Order.”

“You can’t even tell me?”

“No.”

Erich’s smile glowed with warmth, but Cassis’s tone remained stone-hard.
Watching them both, Rosalyn finally understood.

Ah… he’s teasing him.

She and Erich already knew each other. No introduction was necessary.
Erich was pestering Cassis purely for amusement—because Cassis’s stiff reactions entertained him.

And who was Cassis Aindert, after all?

“The Reaper of the Battlefield. The Demon of War.”

The nicknames fit—cold, unyielding, terrifying.
It seemed Erich had made a habit of poking fun at that iron façade.

What a vicious sense of humor…

And yet, Cassis never flinched. That too was impressive.

“What is the matter to be discussed?” he pressed.

Erich, finding the lack of reaction dull, finally leaned back and dropped the subject.

“The Duke of Aindert will soon arrive in the capital to prepare for the Council.”

“Is that so?”

“You didn’t hear? You are the heir, after all.”

“There was no word.”

Cassis’s tone didn’t so much as waver.
Erich had tried to provoke him—mocking the fact that the duke hadn’t even bothered to inform his own son.

“That is all?”

“I simply thought you should know. The Duke hardly seems the type to tell you himself.”

Rosalyn was speechless.

Really? That’s it?

“You summoned him to the palace… just to say that?”

A letter would have done.

“This hardly warrants discussion. Next time, minor matters should be sent in writing.”

Cassis rose, his voice as flat as stone.

But Erich’s next words froze him in place.

“You’d do well to pay attention.”

“……”

When Cassis didn’t move, Erich continued.

“This will be your first reunion since the war at Weimar, won’t it?”

The war had ended earlier this year. Cassis had remained in the capital ever since.
Rosalyn knew this better than anyone—she had nearly been caught countless times tracking his movements.

For half a year I prayed he’d at least visit his duchy once… but no, he never left.

Naturally, he hadn’t met the Duke in all that time.
But there was something in Cassis’s air now, heavy and ominous.

“…That is none of your concern.”

Rosalyn snapped her head toward him—then immediately jerked it again when Erich spoke.

“If I, your elder brother, don’t care… who will?”

Oh. Right.

They’re brothers, aren’t they?

Pieces of information Rosalyn had gathered at different times suddenly fit together.

• Erich: Commander of the White Silver Knights, born of House Aindert.

• Cassis Aindert: Commander of the Black Iron Knights, heir to House Aindert.

Erich was older. Their appearances and personalities were so different she had never connected them.

And Erich’s eccentricity made me forget altogether…

Cassis’s answer was devoid of any feeling.

“I have no brother.”

It wasn’t rebellion.
It was the rule of the White Silver Knights.
Upon joining the emperor’s own guard, a knight severed all ties to their house.

“In other words, they erased themselves from the family registry.”

By that rule, Erich’s claim was false.
Officially, the two men were strangers.

Yet Erich broke the rule lightly, sighing as though disappointed.

“You’ve been this stiff since you were a child.”

He shook his head, smiling faintly, as if speaking of an exasperating younger sibling. Then he waved them away.

“That’s enough. You may go.”

Cassis gave a curt bow, turned, and left without a single backward glance.
As though they truly were strangers.

I knew about it, but seeing it in person—it really is bizarre…

The Duke of Aindert had three children:

• The first, Isabella.

• The second, Erich.

• The third, Cassis.

All three were known throughout the empire.
The two younger brothers were knight-commanders of legendary renown, yet Isabella’s fame was no less—

“For she was the Empress herself.”

Isabella had entered the palace as the emperor’s consort.
Erich had joined the White Silver Knights, severing ties with the family.
Thus, though the youngest, Cassis had become heir.

The two brothers now led the empire’s greatest knightly orders, yet—by law—they were no longer kin.

Astonishing… but right now there’s something more important.

Rosalyn turned to stare at Erich, dumbfounded.

Really? You’re letting him go? That was it? That was the whole purpose of this meeting?

When their eyes met, Erich only smiled.
Cassis was already nearly gone. Rosalyn shot him a pointed look.

Was this about the message I sent you? Is that why you called him here?

But Erich only chuckled, twisting his finger toward Cassis’s retreating figure.

“Well? Aren’t you going to follow him?”

Rosalyn cursed him silently.

That bastard… He knew I’d be burning with curiosity!

So this had been his game all along.

Fine. Next time I see him, I’ll let him have it. For now—

“Wait for me!”

Rosalyn hurried after Cassis. She ran, breathless, until she barely caught up.

Just then, Cassis suddenly asked—