Shadow Oath

Chapter 29: The Duke’s Daughter (2)

The rider carrying the flag of Bormont soon arrived, and the vanguard cavalry entered our camp.

“Everyone, form up!”

When Adun, the adjutant, shouted, thirty knights simultaneously lined up on either side of the road.

Despite being merely a squire who had yet to receive his knighthood, Adun was commanding both Terrdin’s cavalry and the Royal Knights, his face radiating pride.

It didn’t take long for the Bormont cavalry to reach the formation Adun had prepared.

At the forefront were two men who clearly held high ranks, and riding between them was a woman on horseback.

‘Could that woman be the prince’s fiancée?’

I had expected her to wear a fancy dress since she was a woman, but her attire was practical—a leather armor reinforced with iron at the chest, thick leather boots, and gloves gripping the reins.

The only difference from the men’s armor was the white and red-painted helmet adorned with a lavish feather plume.

“Well, now. An unexpected figure seems to be among the formation.”

General Terrdin spoke as if sighing.

He seemed a little annoyed.

Since Adun was already out organizing the formation, there was no one left beside Terrdin.

I wondered if he was speaking to me, so I waited for him to continue.

‘Unexpected? Who could he mean?’

It was likely one of the two men flanking the woman, but with their helmets on and being unfamiliar faces, I couldn’t tell who he was referring to.

Prince Demion, approaching slowly, finally took his place behind General Terrdin.

He was still sluggish.

Perhaps he was sticking to the plan of intentionally appearing disinterested to provoke the other party into rejecting him, especially after hearing Jedric’s comment that rejection could sound like a proposal.

The 200-strong Bormont cavalry finally met with Adun.

Adun offered his greetings and explained something to the three leading figures before guiding them toward Terrdin.

“Ah? Isn’t that the general’s son?”

Demion murmured absentmindedly.

“Yes, that’s my second son, Astian.”

Terrdin replied.

“And the one at the very front… judging by the armor, it’s Ruseph.”

“That seems right. While the Bormont Knights’ captain should be leading, it seems he personally came because it’s about escorting his sister.”

“Coming back to the royal family that held her as a hostage for years—how remarkable. If it were me, I’d never look back and lock myself in at home.”

Demion spoke in a tone that left one unsure if it was praise or sarcasm.

“And the one beside her… I suppose…”

Demion squinted his eyes, trailing off.

Terrdin finished his sentence instead.

“That lady must be Charlon Bormont.”

Soon, Ruseph, Astian, and Charlon approached Terrdin.

Terrdin naturally greeted the three and introduced Prince Demion.

Demion, too, wiped away his grumbling tone and greeted them warmly.

“Ruseph! It’s been a while. I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you, but I’m glad to meet again like this.”

Ruseph removed his helmet.

The young man had striking green hair that reached his cheeks, a sharp nose, and an exquisitely handsome face.

He, too, greeted with a bright smile.

“My apologies for leaving without a proper farewell. Everything happened so suddenly that I didn’t have the chance to inform you.”

“I heard Bormont has a separate knight commander. Why did you personally lead the forces?”

“My sister’s escort is a duty I must personally oversee!”

“Oh, dear! If an unfamiliar Bormont comes, we don’t even have to prepare anything, but now that Commander Ruseph Bormont is here, we must serve drinks all night! Unfortunately, we don’t have much wine in the battlefield. A shame.”

“Knowing that, I brought enough wine for ten days.”

The prince laughed heartily, and Ruseph laughed along.

Beside him, another man quietly removed his helmet, greeted the prince with a nod, and then approached Terrdin.

The young man had brown hair tinged with gray, brown eyes, a sharp chin, and slender, gentle features.

He seemed around twenty or twenty-one.

Though weary from a long journey, his expression appeared both faintly somber and shadowy.

“It’s been a while, Father.”

“I didn’t expect you to come, Astian.”

“When returning Lord Ruseph to Bormont, someone had to accompany him. I volunteered, as I assumed you’d be busy and couldn’t contact you separately.”

“I figured as much. Let’s talk in detail later.”

“Yes, Father.”

Despite meeting after a long time, neither showed much delight.

The subdued atmosphere starkly contrasted with the jovial interactions between Ruseph, Demion, and others.

I wondered if that was just how relationships between fathers and sons were.

Finally, Charlon removed her helmet.

Green hair cascaded like a waterfall from the helmet, flowing over the cloak covering her back.

Despite the long journey and the inevitable grime, her emerald-like hair gleamed as if imbued with magic that made it shine of its own accord.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. I am Charlon Bormont.”

At that moment, I understood what General Terrdin had meant.

‘There’s no way the prince would reject her.’

Charlon was stunningly beautiful.

Even with armor and the grime of travel, her beauty was unmatched.

I couldn’t imagine how much more radiant she would appear after a bath, adorned in a fine dress, jewelry, and makeup.

Demion gazed at Charlon with an expressionless face.

He didn’t even utter a simple greeting, just stared at her.

I grew worried, fearing he might deliver the rejection he discussed with Jedric right then and there.

Charlon glanced at Ruseph, her expression asking if she had said something wrong.

Ruseph, looking puzzled, cautiously addressed the prince.

“Um, Your Highness?”

Sensing the awkward moment, Terrdin spoke first.

“They must be tired after riding for so long. Your Highness, how about guiding our guests to the camp yourself?”

Only then did Demion speak.

“Ah, forgive me for losing my wits for a moment. I was so mesmerized by your hair color that I forgot to speak. Pardon me.”

Demion spoke stiffly, then turned his horse around.

“Follow me. I will personally guide you to the camp, Lady Charlon.”

Then he rode off alone, leaving Charlon looking bewilderedly at Ruseph.

“Let’s go together.”

Ruseph shrugged and spurred his horse forward to follow Demion, with Charlon trailing behind her brother.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

Demion’s face was colder than usual.

Gone was his usual friendly tone, even toward common soldiers.

There was no trace of the politeness he had shown even after learning I was a former slave.

Could he be angry because she turned out to be more beautiful than expected?

Perhaps rejecting her would now be even harder.

The thought of being used by his father might have resurfaced, fueling his anger.

As General Terrdin had said, the prince would not be able to refuse this engagement.

If he rejected her here, the entire cavalry would have to make the arduous journey back.

That beautiful pair of siblings would have traveled in vain.

The kind-hearted prince wouldn’t be able to refuse this marriage out of consideration for them.

Perhaps that was why the prince was struggling at this moment.

“I’ll take the cavalry and move ahead, Father.”

Astian spoke.

“Follow Adun, the adjutant.”

Terrdin replied curtly, as though giving an order to a subordinate knight.

What was wrong with those two?

What sort of unresolved emotions lingered between father and son?

With the prince behaving this way and the general as well, I didn’t know where to focus.

I shifted my attention back and forth between Terrdin up front and Demion behind.

Charlon’s voice drifted over.

“There’s no need for such formalities, Your Highness. You could have a servant handle the guidance…”

Demion coldly interrupted her.

“For my future wife, this much cannot be called an effort. More than that, I worry whether the food of the battlefield will suit your palate. Supplies are scarce, and it pains me to say that they cannot compare to the abundance of Bormont’s lands.”

I grew concerned.

‘After practicing how to feign disinterest, isn’t this a bit much? There’s no need to go this far.’

Charlon also seemed uneasy, repeatedly glancing toward Ruseph for help.

But her brother appeared unable to do anything.

General Terrdin approached and murmured.

“I thought I had grown numb to most human affairs and emotions as I aged, but witnessing such a moment firsthand, I can’t help but feel a flutter in my heart.”

I asked, “What do you mean, sir?”

“Did you not see it? The moment when a boy fell in love at first sight.”

Terrdin mumbled contentedly and slowly followed the three ahead.

“What?”

I couldn’t understand what Terrdin meant.

‘Love? What part of that looks like love?’

Suddenly, I realized I was alone with Terrdin.

With the cavalry moving swiftly ahead, dust rose, obscuring the plains for a moment.

If I were to pull Terrdin off his horse and drag him behind the hill, no one would see.

It wouldn’t be difficult to subdue an old man.

The sound of dozens of horses moving at once would drown out even a faint scream.

Adun, drunk on his newfound authority, would continue leading the cavalry forward, unaware of Terrdin’s death.

Astian, who had gone ahead of Adun, would be none the wiser.

The three ahead were too focused on each other to even glance back at Terrdin.

I stared at the nape of the old general’s neck.

It was reminiscent of the situation when I killed Mantum.

If I were to slit his throat here on the plains and deliver it to King Gallant, could I finally escape the chains of slavery forever?

Could I rise from slave to noble?

At that moment, Terrdin, without turning around, asked,

“I heard you met His Majesty on your first day. What did he say?”

Startled by the sudden question, I flinched.

Thankfully, he wasn’t looking at me; otherwise, my reaction would surely have raised suspicion.

I barely managed to steady myself and replied.

“He asked who killed Mantum and what you were hiding. I told him the truth—that I killed Mantum and that I didn’t know what you were hiding.”

“And?”

“Count Badio seems to be suspicious of my identity. He apparently found out I was a slave and reported it to His Majesty.”

“What about Zenri Selkon?”

“He didn’t ask much about him.”

“And?”

“There’s nothing else.”

“I see. Good work. Report to me if there’s anything new.”

Terrdin, who had started the conversation without looking back, finished speaking and rode off without glancing at me.

I watched him leave, feeling relieved but also coming to a realization.

‘I can lie too. Well, I’m no longer a slave but a free man now.’

That wasn’t all.

Perhaps I could even become a noble with my own estate.

All it would take was one act.

Just one act…