'Why is he here?' Kaizen seethed inwardly as he observed Astelle conversing with Seibel while walking through the garden. The sunset cast a serene atmosphere over the surroundings.
Seibel said something to Astelle, prompting her to cover her mouth and burst into laughter. The sight only fueled Kaizen's anger.
Kaizen swung open the glass door leading to the garden. "Your Majesty?" one of the maids called out, noticing his arrival.
The two figures in the garden turned to face him, halting their conversation.
"What are you doing here?" Kaizen demanded, barely containing his frustration.
Astelle responded coolly, "I was talking to Sir Seibel."
Kaizen turned his gaze towards Seibel. "You must be very free," he remarked, attempting to sound calm but coming off as sarcastic instead.
Seibel bowed his head in embarrassment. "I am sorry, Your Majesty," he apologized, sounding genuinely contrite, though he wasn't entirely sure what he had done wrong.
It was understandable that Seibel didn't know. Kaizen himself wasn't entirely sure what had upset him so much. He just couldn't shake off his irritation at seeing this young, handsome knight with Astelle.
Astelle intervened without hesitation after observing the exchange. "Your Majesty, Sir Seibel came here at my request."
"Why?" Kaizen queried, looking at her with a blank expression.
"I was looking for Theor's teacher as ordered by Your Majesty. I asked Sir Seibel to become Theor's swordsmanship teacher."
Kaizen's anger flared even more at her words. 'Who wants this guy to be Theor's swordsmanship teacher?' he thought furiously.
Sensing Kaizen's unusual expression, Seibel quickly excused himself. "I am sorry, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
"Yes, go away," Kaizen responded hastily, clearly eager for him to leave.
Seibel cast an apologetic glance at Astelle before departing from the garden.
Kaizen remained silent until Seibel had left, creating an uncomfortable stillness in the previously peaceful garden.
Astelle broke the silence first, "Has Sir Seibel ever offended Your Majesty?"
Her cold question made Kaizen realize he had made a mistake.
Unable to control his anger, Kaizen regretted his outburst. He blamed himself.
"Why are you asking that?"
"I have appointed him to be Theor's teacher, but Your Majesty doesn't seem to like him, so I am asking this question because I am worried."
Kaizen didn't hate Seibel. Seibel was young but capable, and his stepfather, Count Ecklen, was a loyal and faithful servant. However, today, the sight of Seibel's young and handsome face had unnerved him.
He couldn't understand why, among all the knights, it had to be Seibel. "Why did you choose him as Theor's teacher?" Kaizen asked, trying to steady his mind.
Astelle replied calmly, "Vellian recommended him."
Kaizen cursed Vellian internally. 'Why did that guy do something I didn't even ask? He can't even handle the tasks I give him,' Kaizen thought bitterly.
It wasn't that Vellian couldn't do his job well, but everything was bothering Kaizen now. He felt even more offended because he couldn't understand why he was so agitated.
"Well, I don't need him," Kaizen responded bluntly. "I can teach horseback riding and swordsmanship. I will teach Theor whenever I have time."
Astelle looked at Kaizen with a puzzled expression. "Your Majesty is busy with government affairs. How are you going to teach Theor?"
