Heart Of

Chapter 9 - Overwhelming

'Even after nine years, he's still jealous...'

Suddenly, Valleus pushed away from the table and rose to his feet, interrupting Coriund's reminiscence.

"I need to go for a walk." His face had become quite flushed, and his breathing heavy.

His cousin looked up at him in concern. "I'll come–"

"I'm going alone," Valleus replied sternly, leaving quickly.

"It's not his rut, is it?" Carmine asked Coriund.

Coriund shook his head. "No, I haven't noticed any pheromones from him since he calmed down after the incident with Luther."

"Well I'm going to follow him, then," Carmine replied resolutely, standing as well.

Coriund thought for a moment. He couldn't deny he was still frightened of the effects the ritual had had on his friend. However, his concern outweighed his fear. "I'm coming with you." They left the mess hall in the direction Valleus had gone. "I just hope Valleus is okay," he said nervously.

"Did you mention Sir Valleus?" a voice behind them asked.

The two turned to see who'd spoken to them, and immediately stood at attention. "Prince Aushen!" Coriund replied, surprised. "Your Highness, may I ask what you're doing down here? If you'd like, I can fetch whoever it is that you seek."

He quickly studied the man before him, as well as the one beside him. Prince Aushen was staring at Carmine in surprise. 'He must be taken aback by how similar he looks to Valleus,' Coriund guessed. Carmine stood politely, not making eye contact. He was expressionless.

"Ah, that is–" Aushen sighed a bit. "I didn't intend to hold you up, but I heard you mention Sir Valleus. I was looking for him."

If he hadn't been looking for it, Coriund would've missed the way Carmine's eye twitched at the prince's response. He decided to get through the conversation quickly. "I'm afraid Sir Valleus isn't quite well. He went outside for a walk. We were about to go check on him."

Prince Aushen's expression changed from interest to concern. "Is that so... I shall accompany you, then."

Coriund wanted to keep the situation from getting worse. He already had suspicions about why Valleus had stormed off in a hurry, and mixing in the prince's wellbeing and Carmine's personal grudge would definitely serve to make things worse. "Your Highness, if I may be so bold, I worry for your safety..."

Aushen was polite, but he was still a prince. "Do you mean to suggest that I'm unsafe on the castle grounds? Accompanied by two of the Northern Knights, no less?" His eyebrows raised as he spoke.

'By the spirits! He's good...' Mentally, Coriund admitted defeat. He was a bit astonished, though, to hear Carmine speak up.

"Certainly not, Your Highness," the young knight replied. "We'd be happy to accompany you. I believe he went out this way," he finished, gesturing down the hall.

"Thank you for accompanying me." Aushen smiled slightly at Carmine. "What are your names?"

"I am Coriund Marteres, second son of Earl Marteres to the east."

"And I am Carmine Vistala, first son of Viscount Vistala here in the north."

Aushen's eyebrows raised as he signaled for the two to keep walking. "Sir Coriund! I hadn't recognized you. It's been quite some time since we last met!"

Coriund nodded, glancing back to the prince with a smile. "Indeed it has, Your Highness. I'm glad to see you in good health, especially after yesterday's events."