Fighting is Meaningless

4. Too Slow

"The Crown Prince has requested all the servants to be present at the audience room"

"I wonder why"

"Even Lady Irene is here"

"Have you heard about the bloodbath near his Highness' chamber?"

Blade had no idea what was happening... Kinda.

He was at the stable that morning, when the Butler and other servants called everyone out for a meeting requested by the Crown Prince.

Blade knew the Crown Prince wouldn't tell anyone about his real identity, mostly because they were both on the same boat, and he thought that telling him he was the North Duke was a way to demonstrate the fact he definitely was an ally more than an enemy, for now.

Everyone turned towards the Crown Prince who surprisingly was without his cape. His blue eyes were looking empty and his long black hair were just shiny like silk. Was he bathing himself without any help? There were no servants around him, was he taking care of himself alone or was he just simply ethereal like that?

Everyone there was surprised to see the Crown Prince real appearance. Why would he even show himself?

The Crown Prince looked at the servants and his blue eyes for a moment locked on Blade's figure. He then smiled at the sight of Irene and walked closer to her.

Irene stepped a little back and in that moment Dan Heng froze on spot to then force a smile "My apologies for the cold welcome. I hope you like the manor..." he coughed trying not to show himself embarassed.

But this time there were no Emperor's spies, Dan Heng felt safe from a side, and from the other in danger. He was fine to die anyway.

"As you may know, you won't be able to return or to get out this territory till my incoronation, that's why I am showing myself to you" he looked at Irene "I truly apologies for what happened in your territory, Lady Irene... I... I do have a library.."

Some maids tilted their heads and Blade tried not to chuckle at Dan Heng's trials to have a conversation with Lady Irene who had her big green eyes locked on the Crown Prince figure.

Blade only in that moment did focus on the fact the Prince was wearing an actual victorian suit and he even had a sword hanging from the belt.

"A library and..." Dan Heng repeated, feeling his own cheeks getting red. Blade got closer to the Crown Prince and could notice those blue eyes looking to something he was hiding inside the pocket of his jacket.

Blade smirked amused when he could notice the Prince actually wrote some little keywords like the steps of that meeting.

- Present yourself
- Comfort Lady Irene
- Library (???)
- Dismiss
- Horse ride
- Training ground with new knights, be killed?

"I know you feel like you're in the enemy's house, but either you accept this new... situation or you will be killed by the Emperor's soldiers at the borders" Dan Heng stepped a little away from Blade who was actually trying to get closer during the speech "As long as you're in this manor and territory, you shall be safe, so please, bare to work here for a year. I entrust you my safety and the manor" he bowed a little and everyone felt in awe.

Lady Irene noticed her servants being definitely hostile. She actually wasn't trusting any words coming from the Crown Prince.

But the fact he showed his real appearance, meant something no?

And he was handsome, she couldn't say it wasn't true.

Dan Heng coughed "Well, I... This is all, you're dismiss" he muttered, leaving the audience room to then actually get back and make everyone hold their breath another time "Oh, the knights do not have to swear loyalty to me since Lady Irene is the current Master. I don't need knights, but that man" he pointed out at Blade "That man is my servant."