My bond with Marquis Walter von Bertheim began back in my days as a duchy knight, when I took down Frost, a formidable enemy from the slums, in an incident tied to the Finance Minister.
At the time, I was being used by political factions, but the old man showed me goodwill, introduced me to the crown prince, and helped me attend the banquet of Count Palatine Mainhof.
It was there that I met my beloved wife, Hilda. The old man helped me in all sorts of ways, and even secured me the inflated title of Gale Knight.
That's why, even after the incident ended, I would sometimes visit the old man's mansion and keep him company with idle conversation. But then a strange incident occurred, and the old man withdrew into the shadows for a while.
I never imagined that incident would escalate into a civil war. The queen's affair with Baron Constance had borne fruit in the form of an illegitimate crown prince—and Louis had learned the truth.
