the one who remembers

"Good evening", Sir Freigoud announced politely as Cale was escorted to a separate room, accompanied by Fengari and several other soldiers.

Especially for this evening Fengari and Cale had dressed up, so that they would not stand out unpleasantly among the crowd of noblemen and women. Cale had bought a white shirt for the occasion, which was tight-fitting at the neck and featured elegant embellishments. Over this, he wore a dark gray jacket that fell just above his hips and was adorned with silver buttons that matched the color of the belt around his waist. He also wore dark gray trousers that disappeared into his high boots. To complete the look, he wore an almost floor-length, wide coat that hung loosely over his shoulders and was tied with a silver ribbon. Ahri was dressed in the same colors and also wore a white blouse and a dark gray skirt with silver trim. She wore open-toed ballerina flats and dark stockings to match, while her hair was neatly tied up, with only two wavy strands hanging down around her face.

Anyone who saw them coming knew immediately that they belonged together. Besides, Cale and Fengari were the only people who had light blond hair.

"We also wish you a pleasant evening, Duke of Freigoud", Cale replied in a clear voice and bowed to the duke at the same time as Fengari.

"I hope you had a pleasant journey, Sir Adenia."

"Very much so. Thank you very much for providing your carriage", replied Cale, straightening up again. With a wave of his hand, Sir Freigoud dismissed the soldiers, leaving only him, Cale, and Fengari present. Cale slowly straightened up again and motioned for Fengari to do the same.

Today was one of those days when Cale had to be extremely careful how he behaved towards nobles. However, his past life made it easier for him than expected.

"I'm glad to hear that. Please, come in", said Loys of Freigoud, opening the door. With a nod, he let Fengari enter the room first and followed her, while Sir Freigoud brought up the rear. They entered a small, elegantly decorated room furnished with eight seats and offering a perfect view of the stage.

"Your Majesty, Sir Zod Adenia and his daughter Ahri have arrived", Bens' father announced in a calm voice, and a moment later, a man could be seen rising from his seat and turning around.

"It is an honor, your Majesty King Leonhardt of Sylve", Cale said, bowing again as the king slowly approached them.

"Rise", said the dark-haired man clearly, so that both of them stood up again. As they had been taught, they remained standing upright with their hands clasped behind their backs as they waited for the king to speak. "You are permitted to speak freely."

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"I see that you are not carrying any of the Kama swords with you today", King Leonhardt immediately pointed out the obvious, which took Cale a little by surprise.

"I carry Karekama with me at all times, but I am not carrying my main sword today. I felt it was inappropriate given the occasion."

"I understand", replied the king in a calm voice, looking Cale up and down before turning his attention to the girl, who had not uttered a sound. "You must be Ahri."

"That is correct, your Majesty", Fengari replied clearly.

"May I ask how old you are?"

"Certainly. I am 6 years old, your Majesty."

Cale silently observed the conversation between the two, which sounded as if King Leonhardt was talking to an adult. No normal, middle-class child would remain as calm as Fengari was doing right now. King Leonhardt hesitated for a moment, almost as if he had heard something he hadn't expected.

"That makes you the same age as my second son", he continued. "Do you know who I am talking about?"

"Prince Marion of Sylve, if I understand correctly."

"Exactly", confirmed the king, gesturing with his hand toward the empty seats behind him. "Please, take a seat next to me."

<"Next to him?"> Fengari asked in surprise, but did not dare to look up because the king was still staring at her.

<"Let's just follow his instructions.">

"With pleasure, your Majesty", Cale replied politely as he followed the king down the steps.

Being allowed to sit next to the king was something that even surprised Sir Freigoud, judging by the way he flinched. Even though Cale hadn't seen him, he could clearly see his clothes and sword moving. Without looking away, he walked down the steps and sat down right next to the king, while Fengari sat down to his left.

Her gaze automatically fell across the grounds to the large concert hall that stretched out before her eyes. With high ceilings, curved walls, and warm wood, the room itself made a noble impression. In addition, rows of comfortable seats were set up in front of the stage, which were currently occupied by various nobles and high-ranking individuals.

"Is this your first time attending such a concert?"

"I've had the opportunity before, but it's Ahri's first time."

"Then I hope it is to your satisfaction. My two youngest sons also had... no opportunity to do so."

Cale had to curb his curiosity, as he was currently unable to gauge what the king thought of him. Therefore, he tried to remain friendly and polite, as this had always worked for him in the past. At the same time, he had to remember the Eldest's words.

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Sir Freigoud continued to stand silently behind them, listening to the conversation inconspicuously. A quick glance to his left revealed that Ben and Gloria von Freigoud were in the compartment next to the king. His old friend appeared on the stairs in front of his mother and glanced over at Fengari, but Ahri completely ignored him.

"You must be aware that tonight you will receive an honor that even nobles rarely enjoy", King Leonhardt said, crossing one leg over the other as he looked down in the hall with his head held high.

"I am aware of that, your Majesty."

"Do you know why I invited you here?"

"I suspect it has something to do with Karekama."

"Exactly", replied the king. "I will not force you to share your secrets with me, but I would still like to ask you a few questions, Sir Adenia."

"I will answer them to the best of my ability", Cale replied, watching as several people with large instruments appeared on stage.

"How long have you been a swordmaster, Sir Adenia?"

"I was first officially named a swordmaster when I was 10 years old."

"That's relatively early. You're probably the youngest swordmaster I've ever met."

"I was aware of that."

"Who taught you how to wield a sword?", the king continued, without elaborating on his statement.

"Various people whose names you won't know. But mainly a swordmaster from Frignez who has already passed away."

"What a shame, I would have liked to have met him. Will you tell me his name?"

"Master Paseru. Unfortunately, I can't tell you any more than that."

"Paseru?", the king said in surprise, as he obviously seemed to know which family Cale was referring to. "Didn't your group member Jarle of Mornet come from that family? If I remember correctly, it was his father, Duke of Mornet, who originally belonged to the Paseru family."

<He really knows a lot about... Wait a minute. Did he gather information about me?>

"That is correct, your Majesty. However, I did not mention this connection to Jarle of Mornet for some... personal reasons. I apologize."

"I see. How did you come into possession of Karekama?"

"It was entrusted to me by an old acquaintance. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you who he is or how he came into possession of it."

"He wasn't a swordmaster?"

"No, he isn't."

"According to you, the man is still alive."

"Indeed, he is. He lives in Altona."

"I see", the king said calmly, without turning to Cale or Fengari even once. Below them, the performers took their places, and the rest of the hall also grew quieter. Cale noticed again and again how the nobles looked up to the king and him, which is why he tried very hard to make a calm impression. "Are you in contact with other swordmasters who also possess one of the three legends?"

"Currently not, no. But I know one of them, and I also know where he is."

"Have you ever fought another owner of the legendary swords, if I may ask directly?"

"Several times, yes."

"Several times?", King Leonhardt replied, confused. "Who won?"

"He used to... but now I'm better, if I may say so."

"I see", the king said again and raised his hand. As if those present had been waiting for this movement, the lights dimmed and complete silence fell before he lowered his hand. "Sir Adenia, why are you in Bellator?"

"Children", Cale replied calmly, glancing at Fengari, who was sitting upright in her chair watching the people. "The world is anything but a safe place right now, and I want to know that the people who are important to me are safe. That's why I came to the capital."

"Your daughter seems to be very important to you."

"I think every father's top priority is the safety of his own child", Cale replied with a smile on his face. He turned back to the stage and could see out of the corner of his eye that the king was giving him a quick, discreet glance.

"I have heard that your daughter's mother did not come to Bellator."

"My wife passed away a few days after Ahri was born", Cale lied, almost as if it were actually the truth. The king, on the other hand, let the statement sink in for a few moments, as if he had to think about unpleasant things he would rather forget.

"It seems we both lost our wives at the same time", said the king, giving Cale goose bumps. He had completely ignored the fact that Queen Kiana of Sylve had died only two years ago. William had rarely spoken of her because he could hardly remember her and she was always a sad memory for him. For this very reason, Cale had disregarded the fact that the queen's death was still quite fresh in the minds of other people in this life. "It must have been difficult to raise a child alone."

"I am very fortunate with Ahri. She is a very easy-going and intelligent child, if I may say so abstractly."

"I have been told that many times, and now that I have seen her with my own eyes, I can understand that assessment. She is really very well-educated for a girl her age."

"Thank you for the compliment", Cale replied politely, but he could see Fengari start to grin and immediately try to hide it. She was visibly proud that people spoke so positively about her.

"What exactly is your secret, Sir Adenia?"

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand the question, your Majesty", Cale replied, somewhat irritated by the king's statement, after a brief hesitation.

"Your upbringing. If only my sons had some of your daughter's calmness and patience, it would be a dream come true."

"May I ask what exactly concerns you about the princes' behavior?"

"I am always told that my two youngest are a nuisance and constantly cause problems for others. My eldest is similar, but he seems to be more attentive than the other two due to his age. I often try to involve them in events like this, but they seem to prefer staying in the palace."

"Is that why you are not accompanied by your sons today?"

"That is the reason, yes. I actually thought they might enjoy it, but in the end, I was wrong again."

"May I express my own opinion on this matter, as a father and not as a soldier?"

"Please do so", the king said quietly, moving his hand to indicate that Cale could speak freely.

"I think the princes lack freedom."

"Freedom? Isn't that exactly what I'm trying to give them?"

"Let me put it another way. Take Crown Prince Edward, for example. How much freedom does he have? Presumably, like any other nobleman his age, he is woken up in the morning, dressed, and accompanied to the dining room. After that, he probably has lessons, several hours of them, probably the whole day. Then comes dinner, and then the day is already over for him. So most of his life is predetermined, which is logical as the heir to the throne", Cale explained, basing his statements heavily on William's stories. "But how is he supposed to have time to develop himself? Everything is presented to him, and he doesn't have the opportunity to make his own decisions, to learn for himself what is good and what is bad. He's probably also constantly told not to trust strangers and not to wander around alone. That every stranger could want to do him harm. How would you feel after months of the same daily routine, suddenly attending an event with dozens of new faces?"

"I'd be scared."

"Exactly. Crown Prince Edward, Prince William, and Prince Marion are afraid to go outside. At the same time, they feel trapped in the palace, overwhelmed by the things people demand of them. They are rarely allowed to do anything on their own. If I were in their shoes, I would also rebel and start to hate my position, which everyone else would love to have. And you as their father? You are the king of an entire country, and they know that they must obey your words and not disobey you. Ultimately, you are forcing your children to do things they don't like and may even fear."

"I've never looked at it from that perspective", the king admitted, looking up at Cale for the first time since they had sat down.

For a brief moment, it seemed as if King Leonhardt wanted to add something else, but then a person came onto the stage and restored calm to the hall. Cale didn't know exactly why King Leonhardt had asked this question, but he was glad to have expressed his true thoughts on the matter.

Maybe, just maybe... something would change for William and his brothers.