"The bastard!"
Juno cursed inside his carriage.
"He knows, Rode. He's not as stupid as he looks!"
"It seems like it, your highness," replied his attendant. "It is a good thing that you decided not to target him anymore."
"And here, I was planning to poison his breakfast!" Juno mumble, wiping the sweat off his pale face.
He took a small vial from his pocket and threw it at his attendant who quickly caught it in mid air.
It contained a yellowish liquid that seem to glitter in the early morning light.
"Is this the 'Corpse's Tear' poison?" Rode asked, his eyebrows raised.
"That's right. It is tasteless and odorless, it takes a few minutes for it to take effect, though. Largos gave it to me before we left the palace."
"I wonder where his highness Prince Largos bought such a poison, and why?" Rode said in a flat tone.
"That's not important. Just get rid of it before that worm bastard finds it."
"Of course, your highness," Rode replied with a slight bow.
"About the bearded knight," Juno continued, "did you let him go, or did you get rid of him?"
"We actually have no idea where he currently is, your highness, he just disappeared during the night. Sir Eli and Sir Trix didn't even notice when he left. They have no idea where he went to, or who he really is."
"Probably decided to run for his life after seeing Simon's skills," Juno frowned. "I guess this further proves that Simon really gained superhuman powers and defeated the behemoth himself."
"There is no more doubt, it seems," Rode said with a nod. "The knight probably thought Prince Simon might kill him, too, once his cover is blown."
"Hmph. Useless peasants! After all the aid and equipment I spent just to train them!" Juno muttered, trying to keep his voice from rising. "Someone needs to pay for this! I knew training cut throats and mercenaries was a bad idea! I should have chosen proper knights from the lower nobility instead!"
"I sincerely apologize, your highness," Rode bowed his head low, "but they were the only ones I could recruit without garnering suspicion from your father and his retainers."
"I know!" Juno snapped at him. "And now, we have lost six of our best men... It's still hard to believe, but I have no choice but to accept it."
"What shall we do now, your highness?" asked Rode, his head still bowed.
"We need to treat him with caution from now on. It is obvious that he no longer trusts me. Any little mistake might cost me my life!"
"Understood. I shall watch over him for the mean time," the attendant suggested.
"Right. Do what he wants and give him what he asks for. Let him enjoy the rest of the journey."
A small smile returned on Juno's lips.
"Let's just leave him be and let the nobles in the capital judge him. I want to see how he would fare in the company of the real monsters."
...
The two prince's retinue arrived at the nearest town three hours later.
They didn't bother to stop by small villages to save time, and went straight to the nearest inn upon their arrival.
"Is that all the luggage you have?" Juno asked his brother when he noticed that he was only carrying a traveling bag and a big sword he took from the carriage's top baggage area.
"These are my personal belongings," replied Simon. "I don't own much since I am just the 9th prince. We are not allowed to own much luxury."
"Is that so?" Juno asked, feeling a bit nervous with the way Simon was staring at him. "I guess we'll need to buy you more clothes when we get to the capital... On the meantime, why don't you head upstairs to your room for some rest?"
"I am on my way to my room right now," replied Simon, "but I would like to look around town for a bit later."
"By yourself?" Juno raised an eyebrow at him.
"Would you mind lending me one of your knights as company, then?"
Simon kept his stare at his brother Juno.
"B-but of course, not!" Juno replied with a fake laugh. He then threw a small bag of coins at Simon's direction. "Here's some money. Go buy yourself anything you desire."
"Thank you, brother Juno," Simon gave him a curt bow before heading to his room upstairs.
"Ugh... he gives me the creeps!" Juno snapped at Rode who stood by his side. "He looks like a completely different person... as if the ambush had drained all life from him."
"It is probably due to shock, your highness," said Rode. "He was almost killed twice after all. Once by the behemoth, and last night by unknown men."
"I almost miss the way he kept on pestering me to join him in the courtyard to practice swordsmanship each day!"
"He would probably go back to normal if you keep being nice to him," Rode suggested. "We must gain his trust once more. Show him that we mean no harm. Don't give him reason to be suspicious."
"Right... I no longer have any plans to do so, lest I find myself at the other end of that bastard's sword."
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Go to Part 52
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