Exiled Prince: I'm the Unexpected Extra in the Novel

The day that followed the night of the accord descended upon Veythral like any ordinary noon.

The smoke rising from the blacksmith forges, the clash of swords from the training grounds, and the noise spilling from the taverns were all signs that the city's anarchic heart was beating as it always did.

But in the meeting room on the top floor of the Sovereign's Keep, the air was unusually heavy, carrying the whisper of a coming change.

Fredrinn had ordered his most trusted men to gather in his chamber.

And now, they were all there; those who could keep Veythral standing in his absence, who had proven their loyalty in blood through countless missions and wars over the years.

In one corner of the room, Rod, still reeling from yesterday's lightning attack, was moaning with his head in his hands.

Opposite him, Kael, a restless young assassin barely in his twenties, fidgeted on his chair with a bored expression, skillfully twirling a dagger between his fingers.

Beside them sat Eric, the oldest and wisest of the group, in his late thirties. With a few streaks of grey in his black hair, he was as calm and measured as the balanced sword at his belt; even his silence carried an air of authority.

On the other side, Rose stood before the mirror on the wall, anxiously smoothing her disheveled hair.

Hebi, sitting nearby, watched her with an amused expression.

Rod whined with a groan. "For the gods' sake, can someone remind me why we're here? My head is still throbbing."

Kael, without ceasing the spin of his dagger, remarked sarcastically, "If you hadn't fainted like a helpless kitten in front of that man yesterday, maybe you'd have a clue by now, Rod."

Rod instantly grew defensive at the jab. "At least I was at my post, unlike some! And where were you, hero boy?"

"I wasn't there because I had very important business," Kael retorted quickly. "And it didn't happen on my watch."

Rod chuckled condescendingly. "Important business? My arse! The whole city knows you're desperately hitting on that waitress at the 'Silver Jug' tavern every night."

A proud smirk immediately appeared on Kael's face.

He puffed out his chest. "Last night, she agreed to have dinner with me. So you can be jealous, Mr. Lonely-and-Electrified."

Rose, weary of their childish bickering, sighed and turned away from the mirror to face the group.

"What do you think about the man from yesterday?" she asked, pulling the conversation back to the matter at hand. "He seemed magically much weaker than us, yet we barely managed to defeat him. Then he vanished into thin air and the next moment he was with Lord Fredrinn. His fighting style was so strange, too. At first, we thought he was a mage, but he was not half bad with a sword either."

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew serious.

Eric stroked his chin and spoke. "I never saw the man, but based on your accounts, it's clear he's no ordinary person if he managed to fight you and survive. The Lord admitting him directly to his chamber is even stranger."

Just then, the door to the room swung open forcefully and Fredrinn entered.

All conversation ceased instantly.

Everyone rose to their feet in respect.

Fredrinn looked slightly weary. The dark circles under his eyes were proof of a sleepless night. The truths he had learned yesterday and the deal he had struck with Cassian had laid a heavy burden on his shoulders.

Without a word to anyone, he walked to his chair at the head of the table and sat.

For a while, he stared silently at a spot on the table. Everyone waited for him to begin.

But it was Rod, with his inability to hold his tongue, who was the first to break the silence.

"My lord… is it true that the strange, black-clad man from yesterday is a friend of yours?"

Fredrinn was accustomed to Rod's tactlessness after all these years. He ignored the question and began.

"The reason I've summoned you here is to discuss something important."

"So it is about the man who caused all the trouble yesterday?" This time it was Kael who, overcome with curiosity, asked the question.

Fredrinn paused for a moment, annoyed at being interrupted again.

Rose shot the pair a sharp look. "Will you two idiots stop asking questions so Lord Fredrinn can finish his sentence!"

Fredrinn gave Rose a slight, grateful nod. Everyone's attention turned back to him.

Fredrinn took a deep breath.

"The reason I have called you here… is that I will be leaving for a while."

The sudden news fell like a bomb in the room.

A look of shock and concern washed over everyone's face.

The first to break the silence was, as always, the voice of reason in the group, Eric.

"My lord, what do you mean by 'leaving'?"

"I will not be here for some time," Fredrinn explained. "There are things I must find. Things… very important to me."

Rose's face clouded with sorrow. She could feel that the mysterious stranger from yesterday was behind this decision. The others held their breath, waiting to see where the conversation would lead.

Eric asked again. "How long do you plan to be gone, my lord?"

"I don't know," Fredrinn answered honestly. "Perhaps a few months. Perhaps years. I am not certain."

"I assume you'll be taking us with you," Hebi said, hoping it was a statement, not a question.

But Fredrinn shook his head.

"I cannot take you. Our numbers will make little difference on this journey. I don't know what dangers await me. Besides… I need you to stay here and govern Veythral in my absence."

Rose, after a long silence, finally spoke. Her voice trembled, but it was resolute.

"I am coming with you."

"I believe I was perfectly clear, Rose," Fredrinn said, his voice firm. "None of you will come with me."

"You're leaving because of that man who appeared out of nowhere yesterday, aren't you?" Rose pressed.

Fredrinn was silent for a moment, then answered. "He will be my guide."

That answer was the last straw for Rose.

"You don't even know him! You're embarking on an unknown journey with a stranger you met yesterday, whom you don't trust, but you see us—people you've known for years, who have laid down their lives for you—as weak! As a burden!"

"I said no such thing," Fredrinn retorted, his voice rising.

"You may not have said it, but you implied it!" Rose's eyes welled with tears as she spoke. Years of accumulated frustration and worry laced her voice. "No, I understand perfectly! How much longer do you intend to act like this 'man of drama' and be all mysterious? We are tired of this nonsense! We have been by your side for years, but you still don't fully trust us!"

Fredrinn stood up at Rose's outburst. His face held not anger, but a weary sorrow.

"I do trust you," he said in a calm but firm voice. "That is why I feel at ease leaving this place. That is why I am entrusting Veythral to you. You are… you are the only people in this life I trust."

At these sincere words, even Rod was moved, and trying not to let anyone see, he slyly wiped his nose on the sleeve of Kael's jacket.

Rose's anger subsided for a moment, but her stubbornness was not broken.

"Then… then let me come with you. At least me. The others are capable enough to manage this place."

Hebi joined in. "Yes, boss. Rose is right. You'll be more at ease with one of us by your side. A long journey alone with a stranger could be more dangerous than you think."

Eric nodded in agreement. "I concur. Rose's magic and knowledge would be invaluable on the journey. Her coming with you would set our minds at ease here as well."

Fredrinn saw his three most trusted companions united against him. Their concern was genuine. Perhaps they were right. He didn't trust Cassian, he only needed him. Having a trusted face by his side might give him strength on this dark path.

Finally, he relented with a deep sigh.

"Fine. I agree. Have it your way."

He turned his eyes to Rose. "We leave next week. Be ready by then."

Having said this, he began to leave, signaling that the meeting was over.

Just as he was at the door, Kael's voice was heard.

"So, like I said. It was all because of the guy from yesterday. I knew it."

On his face was the proud smile of a genius who had figured everything out.

Rose raised the staff in her hand and tapped Kael lightly on the head.

"Sometimes, Kael, I truly envy you for being an idiot."