After the urgent meeting concluded, Theo stepped out of the audience chamber, swallowing a stifled sigh. Although the hour-long discussion hadn’t yielded completely satisfactory results, the direction forward remained unchanged.
Still, he hadn’t anticipated such an order from His Majesty. As Theo walked slowly down the corridor, he mulled over the Emperor’s decree and the implications it carried.
His next step was to return to the estate, collect Luke, and move to the Imperial Army headquarters. Since Luke was technically still a civilian, he wouldn’t be allowed past the gates without Theo accompanying him.
“The military's prestige seems to be reaching the heavens; they must be enjoying themselves.”
Just as Theo was about to descend the stairs, faint voices drifted down from above. He instinctively stopped, softening his footsteps, and glanced upward. There, he spotted the Foreign Minister and several other ministers climbing the stairs, deep in conversation.
“Well, still, he is undoubtedly skilled.”
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“No matter how skilled he is, how dare he recklessly suspect an allied nation? This is why you can’t trust brutes who rely on brawn over brains. Do they have no idea how critical international relations are to our nation’s prosperity?”
“But Commander Redrick is also known for his exceptional intellect...”
The Finance Minister timidly offered a counterpoint, only to be met with a sharp hiss and a disapproving look from the Foreign Minister.
“Sometimes, I wonder if it wasn’t premature to entrust military power to the heir of a ducal family.”
“No, no, Justice Minister. It’s precisely because he’s the heir to the ducal family that he was given that position. From what I hear, he’s also widely respected among the soldiers. And what does that tell you? That they’re all trying to curry favor with the Redrick family, of course.”
“Exactly, Chancellor! A man backed by his family and holding power to boot—no wonder he’s so arrogant. Honestly, what was His Majesty thinking when he issued such an order...”
As the minister shook his head in frustration, Theo finally turned away and exited the palace, loosening the top button of his collar without realizing it.
Theo knew better than anyone the personalities of the ministers entrusted with running the Empire. Although he now stood on equal footing with them as Commander, his youth and relatively limited experience meant they didn’t genuinely acknowledge him.
The Foreign Minister’s complaints about the military’s rising prominence only fueled their disdain. Comments like these were nothing new to Theo. In the military, it was the veterans; outside, it was the ministers. Listening to such remarks had long since become routine, making him respect the ever-patient Vale even more.
“Here, take this.”
As Theo prepared to quickly warp back to the estate, a familiar voice called out from beneath a nearby tree.
“Not hungry? I went all the way to buy this for you.”
“...”
Sitting under the tree was a familiar silver-haired figure, crouched and fiddling with something in his hands. Luke held a can of food in one hand while a tricolor cat, fur bristling with wariness, faced him in a silent standoff.
“You’re hungry, aren’t you? There’s no poison in it, I swear.”
Luke extended the can toward the cat, his hand practically trembling with desperation. Before Theo could even wonder why Luke was there, a smile tugged at his lips. Somehow, the tightness in his chest eased just a little.
“Stray cats are naturally cautious.”
“Ah!” Luke flinched as Theo approached from behind.
Theo crouched down beside him and, without a word, took the can from Luke’s hand.
“This is how you do it.”
He placed the can a little further away from the tree, keeping his movements slow. Only then did the cat cautiously approach, eventually settling down to eat.
“Whoa, it’s working. Are you some kind of cat expert?”
Luke chuckled, watching the cat hurriedly devour the food.
“Is that even a profession? But why are you here? This place is close to the palace. Were you waiting for me?”
“Of course. What other reason would I have for being here?”
“...”
Theo had spoken casually, but Luke answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Flustered, Theo coughed lightly and turned his head away, and Luke, realizing his own words, hurried to clarify.
“I mean, it’s just more convenient, isn’t it? You don’t have to come all the way to the estate to pick me up if I’m already here. We can just head straight to headquarters.”
Luke’s abrupt explanation ended with him raising his voice in frustration, a scene all too typical of their exchanges.
Or at least, it should have been. Yet, in that moment, the air between them felt strangely off. Luke stared at Theo with a faintly reproachful look, silently blaming him for making the conversation awkward.
“Hmph, I suppose that makes sense.”
“Right? So, how did the meeting go? Did you report everything?”
Luke dusted off his clothes and stood up, prompting Theo to rise as well.
“I left nothing out. Everyone seemed quite startled, unable to hide their reactions.”
“Well, no surprise there.”
Luke chuckled at the thought of the ministers, whose only concern was preserving their positions, scrambling to react. The image amused him, but something about Theo caught his eye.
“...Theo, did something happen in there?”
“Hmm? Not particularly. I did hear some unsettling orders, but I’ll explain that in the headquarters meeting.”
Still, Luke didn’t avert his sharp gaze.
“Luke?”
“Did someone say something unpleasant?”
Theo flinched.
Not unpleasant exactly, but he had overheard the ministers’ scathing gossip. Though he knew better than to dwell on such things for the sake of his sanity, it seemed inevitable that such remarks always found their way to the person being discussed.
“I knew it. Well, what do you expect? It’s a den of old fogies. Let me guess: something about a young brat with a big ego...”
“How do you even know that? Wait... don’t tell me you snuck into the palace?”
Theo’s expression grew serious. As a civilian, Luke had no legitimate access to the palace. Could he have infiltrated somehow?
“Excuse me? What kind of person do you think I am?”
Luke narrowed his eyes at Theo, then pointed at his collar—specifically, the unbuttoned top button.
Following Luke’s gesture, Theo slowly looked down and noticed the undone button. Surprised, he realized he must have fiddled with it while eavesdropping earlier. He hadn’t even left the palace grounds yet, and he’d already let his composure slip.
“Didn’t notice?”
“Clearly not. It must’ve been instinctive.”
“Instinctive, huh?” Luke smirked. “Ever notice how you always do that? When you’re annoyed, frustrated, or things don’t go your way, you loosen your collar, like you’re trying to breathe easier.”
For a habit to take root, it must occur repeatedly in similar situations. Having worked alongside Theo for years, Luke had witnessed this behavior countless times.
“Really? I never realized.”
“Judging by your face, I believe you.”
“And how do you notice things about me that even I don’t?”
Luke didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked past Theo, hands casually tucked in his pockets.
“Maybe because I’ve always been watching you.”
Turning back, Luke offered a lopsided grin as sunlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating his face.
“Seriously, stop saying things like that. I’ve told you before.”
“Huh? Oh, whatever. Let’s go. We’re going to be late for the meeting.”
Stretching with a yawn, Luke nonchalantly prepared for the warp.
***
At the Imperial Army headquarters, the day was already in full swing. Soldiers participating in the morning training session were running in formation, their disciplined strides filling the air with rhythmic sounds. Watching this scene, Leo’s expression remained indifferent.
“Captain! The basic drills have been completed!”
“Yeah, got it. Move on to the next stage. I’ll just observe from here.”
“Yes, sir! You’re as uninspired as ever today!”
Paul, a senior officer of the 7th Division and Leo’s adjutant, delivered his cheeky remark with a grin, but Leo simply laughed it off. This was nothing unusual for the 7th Division; in fact, it was their norm.
“Your unit’s atmosphere is always so peculiar.”
“Oh, Roena.”
Roena approached, wiping sweat from her brow. Today’s morning training was a joint exercise between the 1st and 7th Divisions.
“For the record, I’m not slacking off. I may look like this, but I’m keeping a sharp eye on everything.”
“The problem is that you don’t look like it at all.”
Roena’s blunt tone made Leo think of Theo. Assigning her to lead the 1st Division had been an excellent decision.
“Leo, I know your free-spirited nature, but at least take things seriously today. The Commander is returning. There’s a meeting later.”
“I know. I’m aware.”
Despite his words, Leo’s tone was devoid of any conviction or energy.
“You really...”
Roena shook her head in exasperation.
“You’ve always been like this, but lately it seems worse. Is something going on?”
“Oh, are you offering me a counseling session? Roena, you act cold, but you’re actually kind, huh?”
“If you say one more useless thing, I’ll sew your mouth shut.”
Leo gasped dramatically, biting his lip for effect.
“I appreciate the concern, but it’s nothing serious. It’s just... life feels dull, I guess.”
“What?”
“You know, life is more fun when there are big, exciting events happening. These days, it’s all just so monotonous.”
It was fun watching Theo and Luke argue, but lately, there hadn’t been much to entertain him. As Leo sighed out his complaint, Roena cast him a disdainful glance.
“That’s why—huh?”
Suddenly, Leo straightened up, his previously slack body now alert as he gestured toward something in the distance.