When the gates to the castle opened up for him, Kasser pulled on the reins of Abu to prevent him from entering immediately. His eyes scanned through the guards and landed on the one who was tasked with opening it.
With the long battle over, this was usually the time when one gets complacent. Which was a critical moment, because then they would be open for an ambush. This was one of the most basic teachings one learned in warfare, and thus Kasser hadn’t let down his guard even once.
Normally he would’ve just entered without a scene, but something stood out to him as he stared at the guard. As if realizing he was being scrutinized, the guard squirmed beneath his gaze.
The more he looked at him, the more Kasser thought him familiar.
He knew for a fact that most of the guardsmen who were tasked with staying behind in the palace were low ranking officers. Which was why it was troubling him why someone who was familiar was staying as a guard when he should’ve been one of the warriors contributing to the war.
For a normal person, the surrounding area was dimly lit. As it was still dawn, there wasn’t enough daylight for anyone to see a person’s face clearly.
But that wasn’t the case for Kasser.
For in his eyes was his Praz, lighting it up with a bluish hue, making him see the person’s face as clear as day. But as the guard’s face was trailed to the ground, he couldn’t see it properly from on top of Abu.
“Raise your head,” he ordered, and the guard flinched at the harsh tone. Hesitating, the guard eventually raised his head. As he faced him nervously, the King knew the guard knew he was caught.
He was definitely someone he was familiar with.
“Sven,” he said, narrowing his gaze at him.
“Yes, My King,” the guard quivered and hunched in on himself, trying to make himself appear smaller.
Normally a warrior with his status was still busy cleaning up in the aftermath, dirtied from the sweat and grime on their armor from all the fighting. But one look at Sven’s armor, Kasser could see it was very much clean.
Which meant he hadn’t been part of the fight.
For him to leave his post, someone should’ve gotten in contact with him and informed him of these changes, but he never received word of this change.
A cold look flashed through his eyes as Kasser thought about someone meddling with his soldiers, but he soon schooled his features back to indifference.
Sven was Kasser’s favorite warrior. He was outstanding, a man of many talents, and had morals. He was certain he wasn’t the type to cower in the face of larks.
“Follow me,” he told him, and Sven bowed his head.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Kasser nudged Abu, and the horse began to walk inside the palace, followed by his entourage and Sven. The distance to the castle from the gate was long, mostly because it was located in the center, surrounded by tall walls.
He half expected for the palace to be dark, but to his surprise, he saw the lamps still lit up, shining brightly as if expecting his return. The light leaked out from each window, and he wondered why it was still on.
As soon as he reached the garden, he pulled on the reins once more, making Abu stop in his tracks, and the palace steward came out to greet them with a puff. He was followed by an array of servants and other courtiers, welcoming him for his return.
This sight, this was normal.
“Your Highness, we’re so happy to see you return!” greeted the steward.
YOU ARE READING
(1) Living As the Villainess Queen
General Fiction'I want to travel to a place unknown to the many...' It was a passing wish to the weary and tired Eugene and she'd not think it'd ever come to pass... but it did. She opened her eyes and found she was sent to a novel-like world she wrote in passing...
