Trust

The question that Rafe asked Prince Nicien... it was what Imayne truly wished to ask a while ago. However, she knew the Prince too well, and to ask him such a question need so much courage! After all, just a single order from Prince Nicien could easily end their lives.

He rarely showed mercy.

Rafe was always more daring but... Imayne didn't expect him to spit out the question just like that! Now, her gaze was on the calm Prince as she wondered what his reaction might be.

The more calm Nicien Vamieres was, the more dangerous he became!

"Are you questioning my decision?" was what Prince Nicien asked Rafe after what seemed to be forever. He was still sitting on the chair and his face was as calm as his voice.

"I won't dare," Rafe promptly replied. "The tension between you and the King is now at the highest, Master. If anything goes wrong, you will be in danger and that's why we are worried. Please reconsider this. The wedding is tomorrow and it's still not late to back out."

"Are you saying that the Princess of Linolia will become a weakness of mine?" Prince Nicien asked the man whom he trusted the most in the guild. If anyone else were in Rafe's place, they might already lose their lives for acting out of turn and even Rafe was well aware of this.

"I believe that you will stick to your principles, Master. However, even if you don't care about the Princess of Linolia, you know how things are done. After the wedding, if anything happens to her; the King will find a way to hold you responsible and drag you down. You might even end up losing the trust of the army and the people."

Nicien Vamieres sat still for a while without saying anything. Then after what felt like hours, he finally rose from his seat. "Don't you think that I will have my reasons, Rafe?" He asked. His narrowed gaze was firmly focused on the man who was still on his knees.

"Master -"

"Now that I already made up my mind, don't you think it's your duty to make sure that the King would never stand a chance to tackle me? Isn't that how we always do? I tackle from the front while you and the others cover me from the sides and behind?" The Prince's face was still devoid of any expression but his voice was more than firm, hinting at no turning back.

For the first time, Rafe looked up and noticed the determination beneath the Prince's seemingly calm gaze.

What was the reason that the Prince talked about? He had no idea but... he knew better than to ask.

Prince Nicien Vamieres was never the type to trust anyone easily but the words he said just now were a reminder for Rafe. The Master trusted him enough to cover for him like he always did in the past. Though it was hard, this reminder helped Rafe in changing his mind.

"I understand," he finally responded after what felt like hours. "I will trust in your decision and do whatever you want me to do. Please rest assured." He had his gaze on the floor again when he continued, "I apologize for my behavior and for acting out of turn, Master. I will accept whatever punishment you decide."

Rafe was always a stubborn one and Imayne was well aware of this. However, the Prince was always the only one who could make him change his mind without even much effort. Whenever Imayne witnessed this, she was always rendered flustered by the trust that existed between the two men.

Prince Nicien was still standing in his place but he now also placed his palms on the table and bent down a bit. "Tomorrow is the wedding and there is no time to talk about punishment now. First, make sure that tomorrow pass peacefully. Punishment will come later." His gaze briefly swept Imayne when he added, "I said the same to you. Am I right, Imayne?"

As the Master was the one who maintained order in the guild, he should make sure that those who broke the law didn't go unpunished, regardless of the reason. Every member knew how cruel the Master could be if needed.

"Yes, Master. I will accept my punishment," Imayne responded and Nicien Vamieres retreated to his chair.

"I will repeat this just once. Leave and tell everyone that if anything goes wrong tomorrow, it will be because they spent their time worrying about useless things rather than following the order I gave. So, they will have to pay for it with their lives."

Imayne and Rafe glanced at each other just for a split second before they rose to their feet and bowed. With that, they hurriedly left the Prince's chamber through the secret path.

The words of the two still occupied the Prince's mind even after they left and he was now holding the fabric that have a fire torch logo again. Even his gaze was fixated on the fabric as if his whole attention was on that.

It was that way until he heard the sound of knocking on his door. Considering the time, Nicien knew that only one person would come to his room at that hour. So, he put away the fabric and responded. When he saw his mother walking inside as expected, he rose from his seat and walked towards her.

"You're really still up," Supreme Princess Selova said while looking at her son with a surprised face. "It's late, Nicien; and tomorrow is your wedding. Why aren't you sleeping?"

"What about you, Mother?" Nicien Vamieres asked his mother back with a little smile on his face, making the latter sigh.

"I'm not the one getting married," she responded in a pretty blunt voice. Nevertheless, her gaze softened again when she added, "You should try to have some sleep, son. You will need it for tomorrow."

Hearing the usual concerned words of his mother, Nicien calmly nodded. "I will."

When the Supreme Princess looked up at her son who was now way taller than her, many kinds of emotions filled her; and slowly, she lifted her hand to caress his hair.

If anyone else was in the Supreme Princess's place, Nicien would surely avoid the touch as he really didn't like such a gesture. However, he didn't protest only because the one standing before him was his mother.

A smile crept across the Supreme Princess's face as she gently caressed her son on the hair. "I just realize that you've grown up so much. You are even old enough to marry now."