Story of Season: Winter

Chapter 25's

"Thank you." Crystal told Delphy on their way to Crystal's workspace.

"Those nobles, I've been sick of seeing them. Be more careful with them."

Crystal nodded in understanding. He understood more than anyone how the nobles behaved. During the King's illness, Crystal always appeared in meetings of the nobles alone. Not just once or twice, but those nobles underestimated him many times, but it seemed that right now that the King was gone, they became even more daring to show their insolent attitude.

The Queen who was supposed to accompany Crystal was only speechless to see how her Princess was treated badly by the nobles, even the Queen almost never took the time to attend the meeting including today.

Speaking of the Queen, Delphy since yesterday asked, since the King's funeral, he never saw the Queen. Yeshhh since long ago indeed Delphy almost never interacted with his own mother, but anyway Delphy was surprised what was done by his mother was lately, not even attending meetings.

Until they arrive at Crystal's room, Delphy intends to leave. He wants to see Commander Claude and Frost. However, he recalled that there were still things he wanted to talk to Crystal about. Delphy stepped in, then sat down on a special sofa for Crystal while receiving guests. Delphy asked the servants to give them space.

Seeing Delphy sitting down, Crystal also sat down, quite surprised to see Delphy who did not choose to leave. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"Yes, I want to talk to you about something serious."

"If it's about Erd, forget it. I don't want to talk to you."

Delphy fell silent, Crystal was able to guess his thoughts precisely. "Please listen to me. Erd is not a good man."

Crystal began to raise her tone, "I told you it's none of your business, go if you still want to talk about it." she was annoyed that Delphy started meddling in her affairs at a time like this, delphy ignored him when Crystal asked for help.

"I'm sorry I ignored you, didn't help you. But this time I'm really asking you to keep your distance from that guy."

"What do you really know about him? If it wasn't for Erd, the food crisis would have been worsening. Go before I really kick you out and don't interfere in my business, your job is to take care of me."

Delphy gave up, he chose to leave. Delphy regretted not trying to stop the engagement and preferred to follow his feelings back then. Now he doesn't know how to tell Crystal about Erd.

Is it wrong if he thinks about his feelings even just once, Delphy continues to think. Since long ago he always put others first, but now Delphy realized. Even if only once, he should not obey the will of his heart at that time. Now Delphy is difficult.

Delphy met Commander Claude in his room. The man seemed to be talking to a Knight. It looked like a serious chat until Delphy himself was reluctant to get close. Delphy was still aware that his current position had not officially returned to being a Royal Knight who had the rank.

However, Commander Claude who was aware of Delphy's presence instead called him to participate in their discussion. Delphy simply complied and walked over.

"During the day we didn't see you, Delphy." A Knight with flap hair greeted him.

"Oh, Hi David." Delphy Reply. Delphy recalled, the man had been on the same team as him when he was a junior soldier.

"Ehem." Commander Claude cleared his throat, trying to get Delphy and David's attention back. "Before the coronation of the Princess I want you two to go down on direct patrol, find out the possible locations the rebels used to prepare."

"Give me the City Center section." Delphy.

"You mean, I have to patrol the edge of town?" David Sahut.

"Of course, suburbs are usually vulnerable areas. I don't have any subordinates to help me with at the moment, it's definitely a better fit for you."

Not yet David said, Commander Claude has interrupted again, "Yes, that's what I planned."

Delphy poked out a bit of his tongue, mocking David who could not refute any longer. After Commander Claude left, there was still something he had to take care of. The coronation is getting closer, it is certain that everyone in the Palace will be very busy.

"Come here." Frost said when he was aware of Delphy's existence, although he did not divert his attention from the book at all.

Delphy approached, took a piece of Frost's biscuit and ate it, "What have you been doing here?"

"Nothing, I'm waiting for a move from you, yet it seems you're still unaware of the reality. Maybe after this I'll go back to Epoche."

Delphy was quite surprised by Frost's words, he wondered why the man suddenly wanted to return.

Frost closed the book, then gave an explanation before Delphy asked, "It's free not if I stay here but you're still like this."

Delphy felt it, Frost felt as cold as when they first met. "That's exactly what I wanted to ask." Delphy sighed before continuing, "How to warn Crystal about Erd? I honestly don't know where to start."

"Wouldn't do it, he's already too disappointed in you. I met him yesterday."

"How can you?"

"After you've gone drunk, I'm heading to the Palace to make sure you're safe. But I met your twin. He asked me to talk, to ask about your relationship with me and about you during your disappearance. During that conversation I've been figuring out the extent of his relationship with Erd."

Delphy nodded in understanding. "For now can you help me find out information about the possible presence of rebels? I think if they do exist, they're gonna have to be done first."

"The nobles, they are the real rebels. Some of them are planning a coup. The information in this bar is quite accurate as long as you know. But there was no information as to how they would move, it was just that someone hired assassins to enter the Palace."

"When are they going to move?!"

Frost shuddered his shoulders, "Okay, their voices are too small, I didn't hear them."

Seeing Delphy want to leave just like that, Frost held his hand. "Let's go together."

Delphy nodded, accepting Frost's offer. They're back at the palace.

On the way back, Delphy sees the Queen. The woman was wearing a hood, though her face was not fully visible, but Delphy was convinced the woman was her mother. The queen is seen walking with a man with a sword. Not just anyone who can have a sword, had crossed Delphy's mind if it was one of the soldiers of the Palace.

"Is it dad's grave?" Delphy Mumbles.

Frost who heard Delphy muttering asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Now Frost can enter the Palace thanks to Delphy who is again known as Crystal's bodyguard. They're headed for the Central Palace, where Crystal is. Just going around makes sure every corner is nothing suspicious.

Not getting there, even Delphy was checking the headquarters to make sure there were no assassins in disguise or hiding. But strangely there is no strangeness that Delphy encountered. Delphy did not let down his guard until the sun went down, he intended to approach Crystal.

But a crowd was heard from the Western Palace. Soon Frost approached her with a panicked face.

"There was a fire in the Western Palace."