“In that case, why don’t you head back to Montefiano or your estate?” Kennard suggested.
“Why would you suddenly suggest that?” Serin gaped at Kennard in disbelief.
“Who are you going to meet if you’re holed up here? You’ve never met anyone who’s been imprinted so far. If you’re that curious, go back to Montefiano or your estate and meet more people. You might find someone you’ll imprint on,” Kennard suggested.
“You want me to leave here just to find someone I might imprint on?” Serin asked, his voice rising.
“If you’re that curious, then yes,” Kennard replied.
“No way,” Serin shouted, his face flushed red with defiance.
Kennard waited patiently until Serin’s anger subsided. Serin’s shoulders were still heaving as he continued to huff and puff.
“Do you really think I’d leave Your Grace’s side? The knights and soldiers all expect me to stay with you. You said so yourself,” Serin protested.
“Then if you want to keep staying by my side, cut out the nagging before I really kick you out,” Kennard warned.
Serin opened his mouth as if to say something else but thought better of it.
Kennard smirked at the sight and continued walking towards the outpost.
“Anything happen overnight?” he asked.
“There was, actually. Something big,” Serin replied.
“What?” Kennard asked.
“The soldiers woke me up, panicking because you suddenly transformed and dashed off. Do you have any idea how worried they were, thinking something had happened?” Serin grumbled, his voice filled with irritation.
Kennard pretended not to hear Serin’s complaint, already imagining the annoyed expression on his face as he followed behind.
As they entered the outpost, the soldiers on guard turned to look at them, their curiosity about Kennard’s whereabouts evident. None of them dared to question him as openly as Serin did.
“We’ve reinforced the outpost near the border, but we can’t let our guard down. It’s suspicious how quiet things have been since the attack on Elena,” Kennard remarked. He glanced at Serin as he stepped into the quarters.
“The White Fox Tribe must know what you did to those attackers. They won’t cross the border easily,” Serin replied, his earlier annoyance replaced by a more composed expression. Naturally, he wouldn’t want to appear sulky in front of the soldiers, being the commander of the knights.
“Even so, we can’t afford to be complacent,” Kennard emphasized.
“Yes, I’ve already given strict orders to the soldiers,” Serin said, his tone more serious.
While Serin briefly left the room, Kennard collapsed onto the bed. He couldn’t shake the disappointment of only seeing Elena asleep before he left. If he had at least caught her radiant, jewel-like eyes, it might not have felt so frustrating.
He wished he could turn back time to the moment he had arrived at the castle.
“Will you eat before we head to the next outpost? If we hurry, we could return to the castle by late tonight,” Serin said as he returned, carrying a plate of bread and a bowl of stew.
He placed the dishes on the small wooden table beside the bed, neatly arranging a fork and spoon.
Kennard slowly rose from the bed and sat down at the table. “We need to check out the site of the landslide, too. We’ll need to assess the situation before sending workers and equipment,” he said.
Serin, about to sit across from him, paused and looked at Kennard.
“You can manage to run all the way to the castle and back in one night, but now you’re delaying our return? Did something happen with Elena? Did she upset you again?” he asked, his tone teasing.
“Don’t start with your nonsense again,” Kennard snapped, glaring at Serin.
Serin shrugged and finally took his seat.
“If the road to the capital gets blocked, it’ll be hard on the people too. Terra Demorte has such a short warm season, so we need to prepare for the next winter ahead of time. We have to bring in grain from Montefiano and, in return, export the minerals we mine here,” he explained.
“With the snow melting, there’s so much to do now,” Serin agreed.
“It’s just that everything is concentrated into a short period here. It was just as busy when I was in Montefiano,” Kennard replied.
Kennard scooped a large spoonful of stew and took a bite. The thick broth warmed him as it went down his throat. The meat and potatoes were tender, likely the result of long simmering.
“Make sure each outpost is stocked with enough provisions. Don’t let them run out of meat either,” Kennard instructed.
“Of course. If those guys don’t get their meat, they’ll probably light up with rage. They might even start turning on each other,” Serin replied, tearing off a piece of bread and placing it on Kennard’s plate.
“Have the soldiers seen any sign of Hazel and her group since they entered Terra Demorte?” Kennard asked.
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