Chapter Twenty-three: Meaningful Words

"Cairo? Wow! You're here now!" Benedict exclaimed and chuckled. He met him halfway through the hallway as I was taking him back to the headquarters.

General Cairo grinned and made a weird handshake with Benedict. "So long, partner. 'Thought you all missed me so I have to run away from a million miles to come here."

I rolled my eyes as I couldn't help the smile flipping on my lips. "Geez! You never change! Full of an airhead, General." I couldn't believe that he was still like this even though a year had just already passed. "But kidding aside, how Auritaurie? Is it stable now?"

General Cairo's mischief smile slowly disappeared then he sighed. "I came here to report this to His Majesty and all the Fleet Admirals."

I furrowed my eyebrows upon the mention of His Majesty. "You mean the Alpha King?"

He nodded. "Yes, I was about to meet him today."

Benedict and I looked at each other then returned our gaze to him. What does he mean by that? So, the Alpha King already arrived here? What about the grandiose event that will happen in the next few days?

"Cairo," Benedict called. His expression was priceless as well. I could already see that he was bothered just as I was feeling right now. "By all means, His Majesty—the Alpha King is what you meant?" he asked suspiciously.

"I mean the Grand Alpha King, the former Alpha King."

I was relieved. I would definitely panic if he tells us that the newly crowned Alpha King is what he is telling. I would definitely run to Sir Abraham about this and make a confirmation. If ever the Alpha King arrives here without making an announcement, they should have been tightening the securities. But it seems he didn't arrive yet.

"Is something wrong, Benedict?" he asked then made a glance at me. "Commander?"

I cursed as he was asking for confirmation from me. I gave Benedict a meaningful stare. When he gave me a small nod, asking permission from him, I told him what was making us bothered and worried.

General Cairo listened to my explanation very well. His eyes were fixed on me. With the intense gaze, I couldn't help my cheeks getting hot from embarrassment. He is one of the two men that I knew who could make me feel shy just by intensely staring. It was making me uncomfortable yet my heart was pulsating crazily.

"I see." He nodded his head. "Rest assured. I won't be reckless upon the mere mentioning of His Majesty. I apologize for being so reckless."

Even though General Cairo has playful, profound, and frisky behavior, he knew when to be humorless and earnest which is why he is one of the respected generals. I am still in doubt as to why he is not being promoted to be a fleet admiral. It is a shame but I heard rumors that he politely declined to be promoted for some reason.

"I need to go. I need to arrive there before the said time." He turned at me. "Commander, I would like to ask you to be my escort."

Benedict nodded at me. With his permission, I made a nod. "But I can't escort you near the antechamber, General Cairo," I said meaningfully.

He nodded and curled his lips into a smile. "Understood."

We walked side by side as we were on our way to the Southside of the palace. My heart reacted differently when the back of my palm brushed against his. I pretended that was nothing and just kept on taking strides. It has been a long time since I last saw him.

He was assigned to an isolated place called Auritaurie here in the Waevalon Kingdom. Some rouges were creating and spotting a hideout there to infiltrate the kingdom. It meant that General Cairo and some chosen higher-ups were assigned to that area. There must be something that came up as to why he personally went forth to make a report. Whatever it was, I had a feeling that it was not good.

I stopped in my tracks which General Cairo turned his head, bewildered by my action. I just shake my head.

"I can only stay here, General," I said then sided my head, sparing a glance to the royal guards who were near at the antechamber.

He nodded. "I'll see you around, Commander Rachelle."

I watched him disappear before my eyes. I am quite worried about him. There was a dejected and downcasted expression emitted from him. I could tell that he was in a deep situation right now. His way of acting cool and was always disinterested in his surroundings was just an act so no one could tell that he was feeling in a downfall right now.

There was a surmise ejecting on my mind but I don't want to assume and make theories. Those earnest eyes made me wonder what General Cairo had seen in that place.

Days went by, I have never seen General Cairo again. I tried to ask Benedict about it but his mouth was sewed not to spout anything. He gave me an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, I can't answer you that, Rachelle. It is totally classified information."

"I just want to know how he was..."

Benedict shook his head. "You can leave now." My jaw dropped upon hearing his orders. But he was having a straight expression that made me want to hit him right on his face. "Go back to your post now. This is an order from your general," he said in an authoritative tone.

I couldn't believe this. I just want to know how General Cairo was. Is it so hard to answer it?

I looked at Benedict and forced myself to nod. "Sir, yes, sir," I said nonchalantly while clenching my hand.

Annoyed, I emerged out of the office with a straight face. I calmed myself and analyzed the situation first. The way Benedict acted was something had happened to General Cairo—or maybe, that was the least I could come up with. It could be a worst-case scenario or something good happened.

Whatever it was, that expression shown by General Cairo was something serious. I want to jump to a conclusion but I have no evidence aside from the emotions he shone at me. There was something on his emotions that I could tell the specific portion of his emotion—

Remorse...

I spent my free time making rounds to the palace. I even tried to follow General Cairo's scent but it was already covered up by the scented flowers planted along in the palace. I even went to the alley between the buildings of the palace, making sure that, maybe with luck, I could find General Cairo.

He loves to go to some alleys between the buildings to hide from 'responsibility'. He is also a quite stubborn person which is why we got along so quickly. I used to hide after my shift when I was still a private.

My feet brought me to the entrance where the former Luna Queen resided to rest indefinitely. I sniffed the alluring scent that brought chills down my spine. I already knew who the person was and I could choose to step away but my feet have minds on their own. My heart automatically jumped out from my ribcage seeing Claude in a squatting position while facing the grave of the former Luna Queen.

His back was facing me but I could see that he was holding a piece of Peruvian lily and he laid it on the grave. I gulped seeing that flower. Punishable by death to those people who would dare to pick on the former Luna Queen's favorite flower in the Luna Queen's garden. I was torn between leaving to report this and stay here to keep wondering what Claude is doing here.

"Don't tell anyone."

I flinched when he rose and spun around. The moment our eyes met, something ticklish fluttered in my stomach. I felt like my stomach somersaulted next.

I cleared my throat. "I can't. But I need to make a report about this," I said seriously.

I want to at least threaten him but I don't see him panicking from it. It looked like he was cool with it. Instead, Claude smiled.

"Alright." He shrugged then returned his gaze to the grave. I frowned slightly as I really didn't see the threatening expression on his face. It was like he knew I am not going to tell anyone.

Hesitant, I approached him and stood beside him. "Have you known her?" I immediately asked. I was surprised by my question and it was already too late for me to revoke it.

Claude started smiling. "Of course. A very long time. The best Luna Queen of what I have known."

I remained silent and looked at the grave. I paid my respect by offering prayers. Hopefully, the moon goddess will reach it for me. I was fixing my eyes on the embellished flower on the grave.

"It was hard that she passed away in such an unfortunate situation."

I could feel the sadness in his tone. I was also looking up to the former Luna Queen. They said that she is gentle, affectionate, and caring. They had a happy married life with the former Alpha King. If she was still alive, she could be called Mother Queen. When she passed away, it was an unfortunate event for the former alpha king. He was devastated and almost killed himself. He became suicidal and strongly depressed.

"I really hope the Waevalon Kingdom would be as lively as possible," I said and looked at Claude then looked away. "I have a feeling that the newly crowned Alpha King will be the reason for the newborn of vibrant and dynamic people. If he ever finds his Luna Queen, it will be much more than that." I looked at him then shrugged. "You know..."

"To fill in and be the hope of the kingdom?" he asked for confirmation.

"Exactly."

Claude was stunned for a moment then stared at me which made me a little uncomfortable. We were enveloped with an awkward silence which was making me divert my eyes because I couldn't bear myself staring at his dark hazel orbs.

I was about to tell him that I need to leave but then he spoke immediately. "You are right. I'm sure that the Alpha King already found his mate, the future Luna Queen."

When I looked back at him again, his eyes were already fixated on me. There was a meaningful stare that made my heart leap as his scent filled in my nostrils.