Cassian stood casually, one step in front of Althea, half-smirking. He made no effort to bow in greeting according to proper protocol, and Althea didn't mind. Even within the palace walls, she had never noticed the young man's lack of manners—it was as if she had grown used to it.
"Indeed, I didn't expect this," Althea murmured, then added curiously, "Where is General Cassian heading?"
"Just out for some fresh air and got lost," Cassian replied offhandedly, glancing at the shadow behind a tree. No one noticed as Neris bowed silently in greeting.
The corner of Althea's mouth twitched slightly. Cassian Greer must be joking. The capital wasn't the Firewood Forest, where people could easily get lost, especially not a general like him. But she didn't dwell on it and murmured in response.
Althea let her gaze roam, studying the young man before her. Every time they met, she somehow always noticed even the slightest change. For instance, Cassian's haircut suited him better now, making him look more mature. The aura around the once-arrogant young man had grown colder, more refined.
Her eyes traced the details of Cassian's outfit. The embroidery pattern remained the same, as did the design of the buttons. He favored black clothing adorned with golden thread that formed intricate patterns on every piece he wore.
Seeing Althea scrutinize every detail of his appearance, Cassian gave a crooked smile, tinged with satisfaction.
"Did the princess sneak out just to enjoy the view?"
Althea snapped out of her thoughts and looked away. She blinked, ignoring the subtle jab in his words, and quickly scanned her surroundings. She narrowed her eyes when she saw her two maids smiling amusedly behind her.
"Coincidentally, there are some things I wish to ask. Does General Cassian have time?"
"Receiving a personal invitation from a princess? This general wouldn't dare refuse," Cassian answered with a teasing smile.
Althea did not mind Cassian's reckless words and let him lead the way. After walking through several alleys, they arrived at the most well-known place in the capital. Noma and Tyra exchanged puzzled glances when they found themselves behind the Caelore building. As if aware of their confusion, Cassian turned to Althea to explain.
"There's no guarantee someone won't recognize you if we enter through the front door."
Althea nodded in understanding, quietly impressed by Cassian's thoughtfulness. Caelore was a popular spot among nobles, and it could be troublesome if even one person recognized her or her attendants.
What was more surprising was that the back entrance appeared far more exclusive than the main one. Cassian walked in, and a servant immediately escorted them to a private room on the top floor. Althea was suddenly reminded of a rumor that Caelore had special rooms reserved only for selected individuals.
"Looks like General Cassian is a very special customer," Althea commented as she entered the room and removed her veil.
With just one sweep of her gaze, Althea recognized that the furniture in the room was made from highly valuable materials. Walking toward the window, she was greeted with a breathtaking view of the hill range, Firewood Forest, and Sun Lake on the outskirts of Avenhall. The room was located in the most strategic corner, offering three different directions of view. Unfortunately, Tyra and Noma had decided to wait outside, missing the opportunity to enjoy the scenery.
Suddenly, Althea realized something and said seriously, "I didn't bring enough money to rent a place like this."
Cassian smiled and poured himself a drink.
"My treat."
Althea paused for a moment before nodding in agreement. She then sat down and poured a drink into her cup. Internally, she praised the flavor of the lapple—it truly lived up to Caelore's famed reputation.
"Would you like to order something?"
"Let's get straight to the point," Althea rejected flatly.
Cassian lifted his cup and sipped his drink to hide a smile. He observed the girl sitting so calmly across from him for a moment.
"Then let's hear what Her Highness wishes to discuss."
Althea gracefully set down her cup. She tilted her head slightly as she gazed at Cassian with bluish eyes.
"Do you know Eldric Lysithe?"
Althea's question brought a fleeting coldness to Cassian's gaze. Unfortunately, the girl before him didn't notice the subtle change.
"Eldric Lysithe?" The young man folded his arms on the table, looking at Althea as if searching through his thoughts. "The former king of Estharen? The only one of the royal bloodline? Ascended the throne at seventeen?"
Althea fell silent, struck by how someone could describe her father so plainly, rather than calling him a usurped king, a murderer of innocents, or a tyrant who abused his power. The neutrality of it stirred something conflicted within her.
Realizing the girl before him had drifted off, Cassian tapped his finger on the table. Althea quickly came to her senses. She composed herself again, her poise returning, making Cassian smirk faintly without pressing further.
"Twenty years ago, Old General Greer secured the Valmere region?" Althea shifted the conversation.
Cassian furrowed his brows but gave a small nod. "Yes."
Althea nodded slightly as well. "But I heard Valmere had already been secured half a year earlier. Do you know why there was no order to return to the capital?"
Cassian ran his finger along the rim of his cup, his expression unreadable, deliberately turning his gaze out the window. After a moment, he looked back at Althea, still waiting for an answer, and gave a careless smile.
"The king ordered the military forces to remain in Valmere for two years after the victory. There was no reason for the Greer forces to return to the capital."
Althea sat quietly, contemplating his answer and mentally piecing together the information. For hundreds of years, the Greer nobility had been known for never aligning with any faction. Their loyalty had always been to the nation and its people. Even though the Greer army accounted for half of Estharen's military power, their bloodline had never meddled in court affairs.
Trying to uncover the truth behind what happened in the royal court twenty years ago through the Greer family might prove fruitless. Moreover, Old General Greer had been stationed on the distant Valmere border.
"Did Old General Greer receive any word or hear anything unusual from the Capital back then?"
"I don't think so," Cassian answered without a hint of guilt, then casually bit into a piece of nut cake from the table. "But why are you suddenly asking about that?"
Althea smiled naturally, having already prepared for the possibility of that question. "Just curious about a bit of Valmere's history."
Cassian narrowed his eyes slightly before nodding, letting it go. Seeing how naturally indifferent the man before her appeared, Althea sipped her drink, relieved. She decided to leave because there was no longer any reason to stay. Simply sitting and talking with Cassian Greer wouldn't yield any useful information. It would be wiser to think of a way to speak directly with Old General Greer himself.
"It's getting quite late. I'll take my leave now."
Althea hadn't yet risen when Cassian stood and approached her. The young man reached out and tucked a hairpin near her ear. Startled, Althea instinctively swatted his hand away, especially as he had deliberately brushed a loose strand of her hair.
Cassian raised an eyebrow, then smiled—a smile that wasn't a smile. Althea wanted to scold him, but couldn't find the right words, so she let it go. She glanced at Cassian briefly, then turned away to put her veil back on.
"I won't take any more of General Cassian's time. Thank you."
Cassian smirked with satisfaction as Althea stood and turned to leave. He returned to his seat and took another sip of his drink.
"If you ever want to come to Caelore again, mention my name."
Cassian's words made Althea pause briefly before she resumed her steps.
Seeing their mistress emerge with a complex expression, Tyra and Noma exchanged glances. Their eyes unconsciously drifted toward the small rose-shaped hairpin.
Althea touched the pin in her hair briefly, then walked on, her two maids following closely behind.
…