The myriad of swirling thoughts worsened upon arriving in the northern city of Norn. Everything around reminded him of Kani and of their shared memories here. It literally was a walk down the memory ne.

  Karel walked the shopping district and some of the merchants recognized him as Kani’s bodyguard. They inquired about his master’s health to which he answered truthfully. The elderly sighed in frustration after hearing his words, not because they hated him, but because of the great loss of his absence.

  One of the elders asked, “Are you going to stay?”

  “Just for a night.” He smiled. “I’m also a busy man.”

  Another merchant asked, sounded hopeful, “Can you visit with Master Kani next time?”

  Karel chuckled. “Well, if I managed to get him out of his office.”

  Karel bade his goodbye and settled in an inn.

  Maybe it wasn’t that bad to visit with the master. It’s been a few years since that unfortunate attack, and if he ever agreed to it, Karel would gdly accompany him.

  It was already past lunch when Karel decided to go further north. There he stood once again where he retrieved the first magical rose he found in Grantierra. His feet led him to a nearby cliff, looking at the horizon in the northwest. There stood the familiar peaks of the former Kingdom of Ethys.

  Karel spent a few more moments of silence standing there before going down. Later that day, he arrived at a vilge apparently furthest from the northern city.

  His cloaked figure stood out as the townsfolk became wary of him. Today, he must find clues about the rogue in this small vilge so he could get home quicker.

  At the face of the sudden realization, however, he found himself reluctant. If he saw Kani right now, he might not be able to restrain himself.

  Kani grasped onto his chest, bundling his clothes then heaved a sigh as he calmed himself down. He didn’t want to burden Kani with whatever he felt about him but rather to keep this a secret.

  “Seize that man!”

  “Come and get me, you fools!”

  Crimson eyes widened a fraction as he heard the man’s voice.

  The vilgers excimed, calling onto the man to stop his actions but he defended himself as the knights drew their swords to him.

  Once cornered, only then Karel snapped out of his reverie.

  Cursing aloud, the rogue knight stepped backwards nearly colliding with another person. Something obscured his vision then cshes of weapons rang in the air. As loud cngs of weapons grated in their ears, the man noticed the familiar blond hair peeking from the hooded cloak.

  “You are…”

  Karel pushed the soldiers away and barked out, “Stand up and run north!”

  The man stood up after recognizing the voice and ran towards the northern direction.

  Karel stood before the knights and the troop leader immediately recognized him once he put down his hood.

  He saluted. “Prince Guerrid had sent me to deal with this problem. Please return to your post.”

  “Will you be fine?”

  “Trust me, he’ll be out of your hair this very same day.”

  The leader nodded sternly before ushering everyone away.

  The figure stood up once Karel approached him. “Your Highness!”

  “Just as I thought! It’s you, Walce!”

  He held onto his forehead. “Thank goodness! At least I know someone here!”

  The man who stood before him was Walce Rajiv. He’s one of the former generals of the Lotus Knights and became the Marquis of Rajiv. Walce was known as an upright and dutiful man. His indisputable merits spoke for him and were often subjected to envy and hate by his own comrades.

  Only a few years ago, this man defended him in the Imperial Court. To think he’d find him in such a predicament.

  “What happened to you?” Karel asked incredulously. He heard about what happened but because of his disposition, he couldn’t interfere with the imperial court as Walce was the Marquis of Rajiv back then.

  “Someone incapacitated me and exiled me to somewhere I don’t know. Where am I?”

  “You’re in Astadvran in Grantierra.”

  Walce frowned, mulling to himself. “What happened to my position?”

  “With you missing for more than three months, a new marquis repced you.”

  “I hope it wasn’t someone greedy.”

  “If you’re talking about your cousin who attempted to take over the Rajiv Marquisate, he was already executed.”

  Walce csped his hands together and bowed. “Thank goodness.”

  “The Emperor bestowed the Marquis title to your younger brother and he’s doing well.”

  He sighed, relieved at those words. “Many had said I’m not fit for that position. The Emperor made the right decision.”

  “Do you want to return?”

  Those silver eyes looked above, the rays of the sun penetrating the foliage, beaming on his cheek. “I don’t know. Maybe not. I also don’t want to stir up trouble for Ard. If they knew that I’m alive, it would threaten his position. I…” He clenched his fists. “I don’t want another dispute over such things again.”

  He patted his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. “It must have been hard on you too, Walce.”

  Walce closed his eyes quietly.

  Even the righteous could become a threat, Karel mused to himself and stood up. “Come with me if you have nowhere to go.”

  “You mean?”

  Karel smiled a little, motioning him to follow.

  “This was your personal project,” Walce remarked when they exited the portal he made.

  “That’s right.”

  “It’s too grand,” he bluntly spat, earning a chuckle from Karel. “But, that’s also like you.”

  “Is that a compliment?”

  Walce chuckled. “Of course.”

  Kani immediately exited his study when he heard Karel brought someone over. He’s still getting used to his whims about selecting the people needed in their isnd. He understood adopting the twins since they lost their father and they didn’t have a home. Mersya, while he’s wary of her first, was a great addition to their manpower. Additionally, she’s also an acquaintance connected through Damien.

  From his position, he saw them standing a foot apart, merrily conversing and Kani squinted his eyes. And as for this newest addition, he’s quite perturbed because his powers screamed of a Ramayan.

  Broader figure, an inch taller or perhaps two over Karel and a bright smile on his face. Karel conversed with him like he’s been familiar with him for a long time unlike with Mersya back then.

  “Karel?”

  Both men turned their heads to him as he descended the staircase.

  Karel lit up, smiling fondly as he faced Kani and everything that unfolded thereafter was witnessed by Walce.

  The former marquis had seen Karel smiling at his younger cousins fondly, often spoiling them on the occasions that he witnessed it himself. Now, it’s directed to someone not his family. Walce still observed them with an impassive face, determining their retionship until he noticed the brunet’s look at Karel.

  Walce hummed to himself, finally grasping whatever was between them.

  Karel introduced, “This is Kani, the Lord of Mapiya Isnd.”

  Putting a hand on his chest, he greeted, “I’m Walce Rajiv, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  “Likewise.” Kani nodded, a small smile on his lips. “Karel seems familiar with you. I hope we get along well too.”

  Walce’s eyebrows shot up then turned to Karel. “Are you sure this is alright?”

  “Where will you go?”

  He shrugged as a response.

  “Just work for us. Your previous experience might help us.”

  Kani chimed in. “We need a head butler.”

  Walce blinked his eyes then ughed. “Beggars can’t be choosers, right? Not that I have somewhere else to be.”

  “Then, I welcome you to Mapiya Isnd, Walce.”

  He bowed earnestly. “Thank you, Master Kani.”

  The next day dawned upon them in chaos once again. Kani woke up feeling magic cshing in the air and abruptly woke Karel beside him. From the window of the master’s bedroom, both of them saw the twins ganging up on Walce.

  Haliff somersaulted in air, defying gravity while Hariff casted spells. As for Walce, he only stood there, ughing in delight as they attacked him relentlessly.

  “Should we stop them?”

  Karel sighed and sat onto the window sill. “Walce won’t hurt them and he can also help them improve in fighting.”

  Kani watched for a little longer, seeing how they fought in harmony for the first time.

  “You’ve taught them well.”

  “Give credit to yourself too.”

  Another delighted ughter echoed in the training grounds and Walce picked the twins, one in each arm. “Enough training! We’ll eat now!”

  Both of them slouched against each of his shoulders, wheezing.

  Kani sighed, fondly looking at the twins. “We should prepare for the day too.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Kani entered the bathroom while Karel sat on the window sill. Clutching onto his chest, he mumbled, “I’m an Accursed. I shouldn’t indulge myself like this.”

  Because only tragedy will await me.

  Walce, being the newest addition to their mansion, helped greatly in tasks. Kani was delighted by his performance and delegated some duties to him, officially giving him the head butler position as he initially suggested. Hendrika remained as the head maid and shared the responsibility with Walce with the tter also having duties with helping Kani with their business.

  The twins also bothered him from time to time but Walce seemed to like them instead. Once asked, he huffed fondly as he remarked that the twins reminded him of his younger brother and cousins.

  Mersya was also amicable with him. They were often seen together during their free time, just conversing about anything under the sun.

  The other servants immediately warmed up to him despite Kani’s worries at first. Even the younger servants call him a papa bear. He looked like one, some of them remarked, but he’s actually a big softie and often helped them out.

  “Judging by your performance so far, you already know how to run the estate, yes?” Kani asked as they sat down in his office again a month ter.

  “I was a former Marquis, Master Kani, of course I knew.”

  Kani blinked his eyes owlishly. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Kel—” he cleared his throat, “Karel isn’t one for gossip, I see.”

  “What’s your retionship with Karel?”

  Walce hummed, thoughtful. “I really couldn’t say we are that close but we fought together during the Ramayan Civil War.”

  Walce, as the heir of the Rajiv Marquisate and one of the Commander Generals of the Lotus Regiment, often met up with the royals for strategy and support. He met Karel countless times and was once saved by him. If not for him, the ambush could have wiped out the entirety of his troop.

  “I’ve heard about the civil war from him countless times. What do you think about it?”

  “Brutal.” He shivered then bowed his head. “I witnessed how the former queen sacrificed herself to protect us.”

  “The former… queen?”

  A knock. “Master?”

  Kani gnced at Walce and he looked away. “Come in!”

  Hendrika brought in the cart while also holding some stacks in her arms. Walce immediately helped her settle down the papers on the master’s desk.

  “There are matters concerning the fourth phase of construction in the residential area.”

  “Right, there’s that.” He hummed, staring at the stacks of documents. “I’ll review it ter. Any more problems?”

  “I hope I’m not offending you or prying into your personal matters, Master Kani, but please satisfy my curiosity.”

  Kani met his scrutinizing silver eyes. “Go ahead.”

  “What’s your retionship with Sir Karel?”

  “I employed him as my bodyguard.”

  A few moments of silence passed. A hint of astonishment fshed on his face and asked, “Without the knowledge of his ancestry?”

  “I know he’s a Ramayan but I never knew of the position he held until a few years ago.”

  Walce swallowed, steeling his resolve as he blurted out: “A piece of advice.”

  Kani looked at him, surprised.

  “While he’s never hostile to people who treat him well, please keep your distance.”

  “You mean…”

  “The remaining royals of the past regime, except for the Emperor and the Empress, have been considered untouchable entities. Not only due to their contributions but because of what they previously did,” he drew in a deep breath, “to an extent everyone feared them.”

  Kani frowned.

  “None dares challenge or cross paths with them because going against them means seeking death.” He leaned back. “It’s an unspoken rule for us Ramayans.”

  “And it doesn’t change my fondness of him.”

  Silence ensued and only then Kani realized what he had spoken aloud. An indecipherable look crossed the former Marquis’s face and he sighed. “I’m just concerned but I can see that he treats you well. In any case, I’m also willing to offer my support in exchange for sheltering me.”

  Kani blinked then nodded his head absentmindedly. “I’m really looking forward to working with you more, Walce.”

  “Likewise, Master Kani.”

  lymsleiah