Lionel's smile faded as soon as Reinhardt mentioned that one name.
His cousin, Cassian.
Even just hearing it put a mixture of emotions in his heart.
During this time, Cassian was his closest cousin. The two of them were practically inseparable. They had other cousins, too, but none of them were as close as the two.
In the status, they were also the only royals of their generation. Cassian's father was the current Crown Prince, and Lionel's mother was his sister, the eldest princess. The rest of their cousins were from different branches of the royal family, born to lesser houses.
Cassian was 5 years older than Lionel. He remembered his cousin to be kind and aloof. They would sneak out, ride horses, and even share meals together.
Growing up, Cassian often said things like, "When I become emperor, you'll stand right beside me." And Lionel blindly believed him.
Fortunately, that was all before. Now he knew better than to trust that cousin of his.
Lionel's eyes darkened slightly as that thought crossed his mind.
"I understand, Sir," he answered quietly to Reinhardt.
Reinhardt paused, narrowing his eyes a little. There was something strange in Lionel's voice. There was no spark of excitement when Cassian was mentioned.
"No enthusiasm today, huh?" He pointed out.
Lionel didn't respond to it. He simply gave a small smile as an answer.
The silence stayed for a moment before Reinhardt exhaled through his nose. He remembered how close the two cousins were. It felt strange now to see Lionel so detached.
Maybe he's just tired, Reinhardt thought, shaking his head. "That's enough for today. You may go back to your quarters."
"Yes, Sir," Lionel replied quickly before walking away.
As he reached the entrance of the training hall, a familiar voice greeted him.
"My lord!"
Diana quickly rushed over to him. She was holding a towel in her hands. Her usual bright smile met him as she waved excitedly.
"You worked hard again today! Did Sir Reinhardt tire you again? Here, use this before you catch a chill—" However, Diana stopped mid-sentence when she noticed the serious look in Lionel's eyes.
"My lord? What's wrong?" she asked softly, worry lacing her voice. "Did Sir Reinhardt scold you again? Or was he being too strict?"
Lionel shook his head before taking the towel from her hands. "No, Diana," he answered, but his voice was quite low and distant.
"I'm just tired. I want to rest for now."
"Oh…" She hesitated for a bit, then nodded. "Of course. We shall proceed to your room immediately."
Lionel gave her a small smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. They walked back towards his room.
"I will let you rest for the meantime, my lord. If you need anything, please call for me."
"I will, Lionel answered before closing the door of his room. He let out a long sigh immediately as silence surrounded him.
Before he could say anything, he walked to his desk. He pulled out a sheet of paper and a quill. His hand hovered over the page for a moment before he began to write.
"I should have done this the first thing before I came back."
Lionel's hands quickly moved the quill. He listed every major event in his life that he could still remember. He listed some wars, some balls, and the deaths of the people around him.
He listed anything that might help him prepare for what was to come.
But as his pen moved, one memory stood out among the rest.
It was the death of the current Emperor, their grandfather.
Lionel hastily stopped when that memory came to his mind.
The death of the current emperor was on the 4th day of the 8th month, Year 310 on the Vaeloria Calendar. They were currently just in the 2nd month.
"That means the emperor's death should be in six months," he whispered.
His grip on the pen tightened slightly as that realization settled in.
6 months…
He leaned back against the chair as his mind slowly replayed the events that came after that day.
'The emperor should be sick now. If I remember from my last life, he should be starting to feel weak."
After the emperor fell ill, everything moved quickly.
Within just months, the palace and the whole empire became filled with silence. Royal doctors tended to him, but nothing changed the outcome. They said the reason was a lifelong disease.
When the emperor finally passed away, the throne did not remain empty for long. The emperor's only son, Cassian's father, was crowned without opposition. Despite his mother being the eldest, she can't inherit the throne because she's a woman.
Titles and positions in their empire can only be passed to males and their sons. That's why even if he's of royal blood too, his title can only be a duke.
And that coronation was a day he could remember well. The new emperor ascended the throne on the 8th day of the 8th month.
His mother was only given the title of the grand princess. She was given gold and treasures, but that was all. She could not inherit the throne because she was a woman.
"With Cassian's father becoming emperor, Cassian will surely rise." His jaw clenched.
As the only son of the new emperor, Cassian will become the undisputed crown prince. Ministers and other noble families would seek his favor and try to please him.
Lionel exhaled slowly.
What a joke. His grip on the pen tightened.
"It's a pity," he whispered quietly. "My uncle was kind to me."
Cassian's father had treated him warmly and treated his family as his own. But that kindness alone could not outweigh what was at stake.
"If stopping my grandfather's death and delaying my uncle's inheritance to the throne means stopping Cassian from gaining that power…" he said calmly, "then I have no choice."
His gaze hardened.
"I will delay it."