Chapter 35 : Reunions and Rivalries
The carriage rolled to a stop at the Southeast Kingdom.
Henry was the first one out — barely waiting for the wheels to settle before he was off, darting through the courtyard in search of Fenlor. Rudravaan stepped down at his own pace, Cassian close behind.
As they moved through the palace, the staff they passed bowed and offered their greetings. Rudravaan acknowledged them with a glance and kept walking.
"Where is Morvyn?" he asked.
"Managing your paperwork, my lord. He has been in his study since morning."
Rudravaan turned toward the corridor without another word, Cassian following in silence.
They found Morvyn buried under a stack of documents, quill in hand. He looked up — and the moment he saw Rudravaan, the fatigue on his face gave way to something warmer.
"You're back." He set the quill down. "Did you meet Lukas? How is he?"
"He's doing well," Rudravaan said.
Morvyn nodded, satisfied. Then his gaze drifted to the man standing just behind Rudravaan — composed, unfamiliar, quietly observing everything.
"Who is this?"
"He'll be managing our finances from now on," Rudravaan said simply.
Morvyn's expression didn't shift, but his eyes sharpened. "And why should I trust him?"
"Because Lukas recommended him personally."
A pause. Morvyn leaned back in his chair and looked Cassian over once more — slower this time.
"...So that brat has finally grown up," he said, almost to himself.
"I was surprised too," Rudravaan admitted. "When I arrived at his kingdom — he really is an emperor now."
Morvyn was quiet for a moment, a faint look of nostalgia crossing his face before he returned to his usual calm.
Morvyn leaned back and let out a slow breath. "Lukas..." He looked at Rudravaan. "When are we ever going to sit together again — just the three of us, like we used to?"
Rudravaan glanced up at the ceiling. "...Lukas asked me something like that too."
Morvyn laughed — a rare, genuine one. "Of course he did. Because he was always the one chasing after us wherever we went." He shook his head slowly, a distant look settling in his eyes. "That is one hell of a memory."
The two of them sat in silence for a moment, both staring at the ceiling as if the past were written somewhere up there.
Then Morvyn blinked and seemed to remember they weren't alone. He turned toward Cassian, who had been standing quietly to the side.
"Hey. What's your name?"
Cassian bowed. "Cassian. A noble of House Draekar."
The ease on Morvyn's face vanished. He turned slowly to look at Rudravaan.
"...Do you know anything about this man's background?"
"No," Rudravaan said. "I took him because of his guts. And Lukas's word."
Morvyn pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course you did. That bastard Lukas — he knew that if he recommended someone, you wouldn't bother checking."
Rudravaan said nothing. His expression remained unreadable.
Morvyn exhaled and straightened. "House Draekar. He is the rising star of this generation — known for both his swordsmanship and his mind. His family carries enough influence that even the great kingdoms think twice before offending them."
"So?" Rudravaan said.
"So—" Morvyn stopped, then simply walked toward Cassian and looked at him properly — as if seeing him for the first time.
"How did that Lukas brat manage to get someone like you on his side?"
"To think," Rudravaan said quietly, almost to himself, "that brat went and found someone like this. When did he become reliable?"
Cassian shook his head and lowered his gaze. "You flatter me, Emperor. It was Emperor Lukas who helped me. I owe him a great deal."
Rudravaan looked at Cassian for a moment. "If you're truly what they call a rising star — how about a match?"
"Are you out of your mind?" Morvyn said, turning on him. "Who do you think could possibly fight you? You monster."
"I don't believe I am strong enough to face you, Emperor," Cassian said carefully. "Emperor Lukas himself warned me — never fight you. Under any circumstance."
"When did I say it was me you'd be fighting?"
Morvyn blinked. "Then who?"
Rudravaan smiled.
"Fenlor."
Morvyn broke into a grin. Cassian stood there, thoroughly confused.
Across the courtyard, Fenlor was mid-spar with one of the soldiers — focused, measured, reading his opponent's steps. Then a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Hey, Fenlor!"
He recognized it instantly. He stopped, lowered his weapon, and turned.
Henry came sprinting across the yard and skidded to a halt in front of him, out of breath and grinning. They sat together, and Henry launched into everything — the journey, the nobles, Cassian, all of it. Fenlor listened, asking the occasional question, piecing it together.
Then he caught movement at the edge of the courtyard.
Rudravaan was walking toward them, Cassian and Morvyn on either side. Fenlor stood and looked at him.
"What happened? Why are you here?"
"Nothing," Rudravaan said. "I came to watch a spar."
Fenlor's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sparring with you."
Morvyn laughed under his breath.
"I'm not your opponent," Rudravaan said. He gestured to the side. "He is."
Fenlor looked at Cassian. "...Who is he?"
"Cassian."
Fenlor studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Alright."
"Then get your weapon," Rudravaan said. "Both of you."
They took their positions, facing each other across the open ground. Fenlor rolled his shoulder and looked at the man across from him.
"I'm Fenlor. Good to meet you."
Cassian smiled — calm, composed, his grip easy on his weapon. "Likewise."
The air between them stilled.
And the match began.
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