Suikoden VII

Chapter Four: Part Four

Note: Two updates in a row today!

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Chapter Four: Part Four

One day later...

Blutkrieger

Kion was starting to get frustrated. He couldn't help it. He knew that his arm was fully healed, but King Franz would still not allow him to return to active duty. No, he was still stuck overseeing the reconstruction of the Great Hall while Vahan and Philomena were still in charge of the campaign against Astraea. His two younger siblings that he knew fully did not have their hearts completely in it!

They were both heartbroken when we all thought Astraea died. And when Astraea was exposed as being a traitor they hesitated to act. They sided with Father, but they still hesitated! They're going to blow this campaign. I just know it!

Kion looked at his surroundings. The scaffolding that lined the walls and the debris still littered across the floor. He cursed under his breath. How long does it take to reconstruct one damn room, anyway?! Are there really no House Pixies left?!

"Your Highness?" Gwenette approached him from behind. She lowered her voice as she leaned close. "Are you all right?"

Kion gave her a look. It wasn't a glare but it wasn't a gentle gaze. "Have they reported how long it will take to get the Great Hall finished?"

Gwenette nodded. "The foreman told me. He said it will take another fortnight."

"Another fortnight," he spat, looking away. "This is the Eisenblütig! The seat of the Royal Family! It should not be taking this long to rebuild one damn room!"

"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness," Gwenette said, ducking her head.

"Why are you apologizing?!" Kion demanded. "This isn't your fault! Don't apologize for other people's laziness and incompetence, Gwenette!"

Gwenette kept her head ducked and her hands clasped in front of her. "Look at me," he told her. "You're my assist and I'm your charge. Don't—cower in my presence!"

She looked up at him then. Her eyes were sad, and he felt a twinge of discomfort upon seeing that. "It's not like that, Your Highness," Gwenette said. "I'm not cowering. I'm only showing you respect."

Kion reached out and held her chin. "You will show me respect by holding your head high. By being proud to be by my side, Gwenette. Are you proud?"

Gwenette nodded. "Of course I am. I don't want to be anywhere else, Your Highness."

But the sadness still lingered in her gaze. Kion didn't know the last time he saw her happy. He pushed the thought aside and released her. "Let's get back to work," he said, turning away from her. "There's a lot—"

"How rare to see you being an idle royal."

Kion froze when he heard this voice, and the familiar irritation and anger flared inside of him. He swiftly turned to see a man in his mid-twenties standing two meters away. He was dressed in black from head to toe—a black top hat, black fur-lined coat, black gloves, and black clothing—but he was wearing a familiar smirk that Kion always wanted to slap off his face. He clenched his jaw and clenched his fist. "...Taiwo Winn." He said the name with a snarl.

Taiwo's smirk widened, and the intense blue eyes of the Reiser lineage burned at Kion as he approached. "Long time no see, Your Highness," Taiwo greeted in a condescendingly respectful tone. "I must say I'm not surprised to see my brother largely unchanged."

"I'm not your brother," Kion spat. "Being one of the King's recognized bastards doesn't make you my sibling, Taiwo."

"Actually Your Highness, that's exactly what it does," Taiwo responded. His gaze shifted to Gwenette and his expression visibly softened. "And there she is." He suddenly swooped into a graceful bow before Gwenette. "The "glowing light" of Eisenblütig is still as beautiful as always."