Chapter 283: v3 - 44: a new beginning V

Chapter 283: v3 Chapter 44: a new beginning V

The doors to the Crown Prince’s dining chamber opened.

Marcus entered first.

The four men followed.

Lorenz was already seated at the head of the table.

His attention moved toward them as they entered.

Then it stopped.

On Cassian.

For a moment, Lorenz simply stared.

He had seen the man only hours earlier.

Yet somehow, seeing him now was different.

The beard and tangled hair had concealed far more than Lorenz had realized.

He glanced toward Marcus.

Then back at Cassian.

A faint smile appeared.

Marcus noticed.

"What?"

Lorenz leaned slightly toward him as the men approached.

Quiet enough that only Marcus could hear, he murmured,

"Now I understand why the woman chose him."

Marcus’s expression remained perfectly composed.

Lorenz’s eyes returned to Cassian.

"He doesn’t only walk better than you."

A pause.

"He looks better than you."

Marcus’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

Lorenz continued, clearly enjoying himself.

"And he fights better than you."

Marcus stared straight ahead.

Three defeats.

He had no intention of acknowledging any of them.

Lorenz’s smile widened.

"A triple defeat, Marcus."

Marcus’s eyes narrowed.

You insufferable bastard.

But aloud, he said nothing.

Lorenz finally turned his attention to the four men.

"Come. Sit."

The men approached the table.

Robert, Alex, and Gary were visibly more cautious now.

The room was unlike anything they had ever eaten in.

The table was properly set.

There were several utensils beside each plate.

Glasses.

Napkins.

Everything arranged with a precision that made them suddenly aware of how little they knew about any of it.

Cassian, however, showed no hesitation.

He took his seat naturally.

His posture was straight without being stiff.

His movements were controlled.

The meal began.

Robert, Alex, and Gary were noticeably more cautious than they had been in the Arena.

The table was unlike anything they were accustomed to.

There were several utensils beside each plate, each seemingly meant for something different.

Robert stared at them for a moment.

Alex did the same.

Gary glanced at the others, clearly hoping someone else knew what to do.

None of them said anything.

Across the table, Cassian simply began eating.

There was no hesitation.

He picked up the appropriate utensil as naturally as breathing and continued with the meal as though he had done so every evening of his life.

Lorenz noticed.

So did Marcus.

Neither commented.

Robert eventually chose one of the utensils.

Alex watched him.

Then followed.

Gary followed Alex.

They managed well enough.

Cassian remained entirely unaware that the simple act of eating had drawn attention.

His posture was relaxed but precise.

He knew how to hold himself at a formal table.

He knew when to speak and when to remain silent.

Even after nearly two years in the Arena, whatever refinement had been instilled in him before had not disappeared.

If anything, the contrast made it more noticeable.

Lorenz watched him for another moment.

The man could pass at a noble table without anyone questioning him.

That was becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss as coincidence.

--

The dinner proceeded.

For the first several minutes, conversation remained light.

Then Lorenz set down his glass.

"There is something I want all four of you to understand before we continue."

The lightness that had remained in the room disappeared.

His expression became composed and serious.

"I called you here tonight so that there would be no misunderstanding about what I expect from you."

The four men straightened.

"First and above all, I expect loyalty."

His gaze moved from one man to the next.

"Not blind obedience. I expect you to understand the orders you are given, carry them out faithfully, and keep what you learn within these walls."

He paused.

"You are now serving me."

His voice remained calm.

"That means your loyalty is to me and to the cause I represent."

Robert, Alex, Gary, and Cassian listened without interruption.

"You should also understand why that loyalty is necessary."

Lorenz leaned back slightly.

"Being the Crown Prince does not mean my succession is secure."

The words were simple, but their weight was not.

"My father is ailing."

A brief pause.

"And the question of succession is no longer something that can be left for the future."

His expression hardened.

"I am the legitimate heir. By law and by birth, the throne should pass to me."

He looked around the table.

"That gives us an advantage."

"But it does not guarantee victory."

The room remained silent.

"The court is divided."

"My brothers have their own supporters, their own alliances, and their own ambitions."

Lorenz’s gaze became colder.

"At present, my second brother’s faction is stronger than mine."

Robert’s expression shifted slightly.

Lorenz continued.

"That is precisely why you are sitting at this table."

He placed one hand against the arm of his chair.

"I did not bring you here because I needed four more swords."

His gaze moved toward them.

"I brought you here because I need men I can trust."

"Men who can protect me."

"Men who can gather information."

"Men who can move where others cannot."

"And men who can help me build the support I need before the succession is decided."

He paused.

"You will receive further instruction as you serve. You will learn our methods, our people, and the responsibilities attached to your positions."

His tone sharpened.

"But understand this clearly."

"You are not waiting here to become useful."

"You are already in my service."

The four men nodded.

Lorenz turned toward Robert.

"Robert."

Robert straightened.

"You are quick on your feet, observant, and naturally personable."

Robert listened carefully.

"You will work with our intelligence and reconnaissance personnel."

His eyes widened slightly.

"You will assist with gathering information, carrying reports, observing movements, and cultivating contacts."

A pause.

"You will learn how information moves through the kingdom—and how to determine which information is worth bringing to me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lorenz then looked toward Alex.

"Alex."

Alex straightened.

"You are disciplined and steady."

"You will serve with the household security."

"You will be responsible for patrols, internal security, and the protection of designated members of my household."

Alex bowed his head.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lorenz turned to Gary.

"Gary."

Gary sat straighter.

"You have strength and endurance, and you are young enough to develop considerably."

"You will serve with the field security forces."

"You will accompany patrols and field operations when required, while receiving further instruction from the senior officers."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lorenz’s gaze finally settled on Cassian.

He paused.

Cassian met his eyes.

Lorenz’s attention lingered on him for a moment.

He seemed to consider something.

"Regarding your duty..."

He paused.

"We will discuss that after the meal."

Cassian inclined his head.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Good."

Lorenz lifted his glass.

"Then let us eat."

The conversation returned to lighter matters.

The four men gradually relaxed.

Robert was still visibly fascinated by everything around him, occasionally glancing at the table as though he still could not quite believe that he was actually sitting there.

Alex was quieter, but no less attentive.

Gary seemed determined not to make another mistake with the unfamiliar formalities.

Cassian simply ate.

Lorenz occasionally observed him from across the table.

Marcus did the same.

Neither said anything.

But something had clearly changed in Lorenz’s mind.

--

Tbc