Chapter 54

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-- Leo's POV --

I don't know how to act or say when I saw Caden rushed out of the dining room. I looked at Darren who was still talking to other lords and proceeded to follow him. Caden walked through corridors as I followed him several steps behind. I am still his bodyguard for today until he goes back to his room.

Caden didn't go to his room, instead, he walked past more corridors, towards the door that led to the back garden. As he opened the door, the cold night wind stormed in, shaking several curtains around. The summer snow is still falling lightly, covering the garden with a white touch from its piles.

Caden stepped out, taking a deep breath, then sat on the stairways.

His sudden change of attitude is obvious. I heard the news early this morning. Almost half of the Northern soldiers have been summoned to help resolve the issue in the West, leaving enough people to guard the territory and as a backup. I guess it would mean war but we won't know the details until we arrived there.

"It's cold, Sir. We should go back inside," I initiate the talk after waiting for Caden who doesn't move for a long time. I want to leave him be, but he is surely going to catch a cold if he didn't take cover from the falling snow.

He looked at me surprised, didn't realize I was there the whole time. His eyes looked reddish and it was clear that he was just thinking hard from the frown on his forehead. "You can go back first... it's suffocating inside," Caden said before gazing back to the empty, dark garden.

I didn't say anything afterward, quietly standing nearby.

His confusion is understandable. It was not the first sudden order the king had done to the Northern military, so I was not surprised at all. Besides, the conflict in the West is a famous talk in the military. Everyone doesn't care much when we hear the capital has dispatched their military. The news about the alliance between the western countries needs an immediate, serious, response if the kingdom wants to prevent any damages. The King is known to prefer fast resolution. Showing our full force strength could back the intruder off.

Our silent moment was distracted when the door was swung open and Darren walked out. He went directly to Caden, wrapping him with the blanket that he brought, and making him stood up. Caden didn't look at him, only stare blankly. It's unpleasant, looking at him like that. Darren slowly holds his hand, calling him, "Caden."

At first, Caden didn't react, then he slowly looked up. "It's not fair you know, announcing like that," Caden started speaking. Darren only looked back to his eyes and replied softly, "I'm sorry."

"Why did you tell me there? You gave me no choice! You make me agree to your demand!" Caden snapped, he brushed Darren's hand. This is the first time I see Caden got angry so openly and raised his voice. "Why did you always decide everything for me like that? Do I even have a choice here?"

"Sorry," Darren apologized again. I'm amazed. It's unusual for Darren to apologize, let even twice.

"You jerk! Selfish, idiot!" Caden cursed loudly as he hit Darren a couple of times.

Tears run down on Caden's face as he continues giving fist. Darren only stood still while listening to Caden's rant, receiving every blow silently. Then, he stops Caden's hand and pulls him into his embrace. Darren forcefully hugged Caden who struggled to go. "I'm really sorry, Caden."

Caden stops struggling, standing still on Darren's arm. "Hey, let me go with you. I can strategize, I know many tactics, it would be easy to read. You know I can also fight. I have a lot of experiences, I've been in many war-"

"Caden!" Darren cut Caden's word. "Please, I need you here," Darren said. Caden looked at Darren for a while then gave in and just nodded silently. Caden then wrapped his hand around Darren as they hugged each other.

Darren, who noticed me still stood there, gave a sign to leave them. I actually still bothered by Caden's last words but brushed that aside, giving them a bow, and left them behind.

I thought their relationship was not very good. I assumed Caden wouldn't even bother if Darren needed to go to the battlefield for a while. Seems I was wrong. Lover's quarrel happens when there is love.

I hope everything worked out for them.


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