Exiled Prince: I'm the Unexpected Extra in the Novel-Chapter 112: Toward the North

The office was a dim but warm room filled with maps reports and strategy scrolls.

In the corner of the room right across from Fredrinn’s desk stood a high backed chair covered in luxurious dark red velvet that had not been there before.

Cassian had sprawled comfortably on the chair clasping his hands behind his head and crossing his legs.

"Finally" Cassian said stroking the arms of the chair. "I had to talk your ear off for months to get you to buy this but it was worth it." He murmured with a yawn as he spread out even more on the chair.

Fredrinn looked up from behind his desk.

Despite the slight dark circles under his eyes his gaze was lively and sharp. "I am glad you like it."

Fredrinn pushed aside the parchments in front of him and placed three heavy documents with unbroken seals on the table.

"Here they are" Fredrinn said a rightful pride in his voice. "Amberfield Mooncrest and finally Evershade. Alliance documents taken from the lords of the three great regions sealed and wet signed."

Cassian scanned the documents. These pieces of paper meant thousands of swords and mages in the upcoming war.

"We have come a long way" Cassian said becoming serious. "We have secured our backs. But the real issue still lies ahead..."

He pointed with his finger to the top part of the large map hanging on the wall that isolated region surrounded by snowy mountains.

"Frosthelm."

Fredrinn took a deep breath.

"Alright" Fredrinn said reluctantly. "At the slightest sign of trouble when things go south... You will not play the hero. You will run or you will let me know. Is that understood?"

Cassian grinned leaning back in his seat. "Don’t worry partner. I have no intention of dying. We have a lot of work to do."

After the strategic plans routes on the map and communication protocols were determined the sun had set and the cool of the evening had descended upon the city. The sharp cold that was the first harbinger of winter had begun to dominate the streets of Veythral.

Cassian and Fredrinn had left the office to clear their heads and went for a walk in the quieter streets of the city. The dim light of the street lamps illuminated the cobblestones.

Fredrinn walked thoughtfully with his hands behind his back. "The duel you fought with the Marquess’s daughter" Fredrinn said breaking the silence. A slight smile appeared on his face. "Rose told me the details. You broke the girl’s nose. Literally."

Cassian shrugged. "She asked for it. Besides I think her nose has more character now."

Fredrinn laughed softly. "Rose complained to me about this for an hour she seems to still dislike you."

"Sounds like torture."

"Not really it doesn’t bother much once you get used to it" Fredrinn replied smiling.

They continued walking. Cassian watched Fredrinn for a while. Then he decided to ask that question he had wanted to ask for days. The atmosphere was relaxed enough.

"By the way Fredrinn" Cassian said suddenly changing his tone. "I was wondering... Are you in love with Rose?"

Fredrinn’s steps suddenly got tangled. The big man stumbled as if he had tripped on a straight road and almost fell flat on his face.

He regained his balance at the last moment but his face had turned crimson enough to be visible even under the street lamp.

"Where did that question come from?!" he asked with a panicked expression. "Why... why are you asking such a thing?"

Cassian enjoyed seeing him in this panicked state. He put his hands in his pockets and grinned. "Come on man. Stop acting. You know damn well Rose has feelings for you. Her eyes shine when she looks at you. She throws herself in front of fire to protect you."

"You are talking nonsense Cassian!" Fredrinn said speeding up his steps to avoid the subject. "She is just... she is just my friend. Like Hebi Eric and the others."

Cassian stepped in front of Fredrinn like a naughty child who found a fun toy. He started walking backwards facing him.

"Am I talking nonsense? Ahaha!" Cassian laughed. "Who do you think would put up with a grumpy war crazed introvert with the emotional intelligence of a rock like you?"

He pointed at Fredrinn. "Remember. When I first wanted to escape from Veythral who was the first person to stand in my way that night who risked fighting me so I wouldn’t leave you? It was Rose. For you."

"She was just doing her duty!" Fredrinn defended himself but his voice was not convincing. "She is my loyal subordinate."

"Just doing her duty huh..." Cassian’s voice became serious for a moment the old sorrowful wisdom shining in his eyes.

"In all the hundreds of prophecies I have seen in all those possible futures... And in the storyline of that game... Rose always fought for you. And most of the time she died in your arms while protecting you Fredrinn. This is more than duty."

Fredrinn stopped. These words were heavy. But his defense mechanism kicked in immediately.

"Eric Hebi Rod and Kael also fought for me. They all risked their lives. That doesn’t mean they are in love with me right?" Fredrinn snapped.

Cassian shook his head. "You are an expert at denial. So..." Cassian approached him. "So you have no feelings for Rose? Does your heart not race at all?"

Fredrinn did not answer. He pressed his lips together looked away and tried to pass Cassian.

"Maybe..." Cassian said as if thinking aloud. "I should tell Rose instead of you. I should say ’Hey Rose Fredrinn actually loves you but hides his feelings like a shy teenage girl’."

That was the last straw. Fredrinn threw a hard punch at Cassian’s grinning face with a reflex mixed with shame and anger.

"SHUT UP!"

Cassian quickly leaned to the side with the reflexes of his Storm Heart ability and dodged the punch by a hair’s breadth. The wind of the punch ruffled his hair.

"Woah! That was close..." Cassian said stepping back a few steps laughing. "Okay okay. I touched a nerve I get it."

Fredrinn took a deep breath and lowered his fist. The redness on his face still hadn’t faded. "You can’t be messed with" he grumbled.

Then he stopped suddenly and narrowed his eyes looking at Cassian. Now it was his turn.

"What about you then?" Fredrinn said with the comfort of changing the subject. "You question me but... you and that girl Cordelia are inseparable. Wherever I look she is by your side like your shadow. You two are too close."

He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Does this mean you are... together?"

This time Cassian was the one under attack. But the shy attitude blushing or denial Fredrinn expected did not come.

The smile on Cassian’s face vanished in an instant. The cheerful light in his eyes went out replaced by a deep bottomless darkness and fatigue.

He gave a serious ice cold answer.

"I don’t think I will have a life long enough to be with someone... to love someone or to build a future."

Fredrinn’s smile froze. The air in the environment suddenly became heavy.

"What does that mean?" Fredrinn asked anxiously. "What are you talking about?"

Cassian turned his gaze to the sky to those cold stars.

"Well..." Cassian said trying to fend off the question with evasive answers.

"You know. There are tough battles waiting for us. Obsidian Dawn Aris other Reincarnators the empire... We might not be lucky enough to survive them all. We have to be realistic."

Fredrinn was not satisfied with this answer. He felt that Cassian was hiding something that his burden was heavier than he thought.

But he didn’t dwell on it too much. If Cassian didn’t want to talk he couldn’t force him.

Instead Fredrinn approached him. He made a fist with his right hand and slowly placed it on Cassian’s chest over his heart.

"Listen to me" Fredrinn said his voice thick and reassuring.

He stared into Cassian’s eyes.

"Whenever you need help in every battle you join in every darkness you enter... I will be by your side. You don’t have to shoulder the fate of this world alone Cassian. That burden is too heavy for a single child."

"Remember" he emphasized. "No matter what happens even if the whole universe stands against you I will be by your side. Even if... I have to sacrifice myself to protect you."

Cassian felt the warmth of the fist on his chest. A lump formed in his throat. This loyalty this pure trust... gave him strength and hurt him at the same time.

He laughed slightly but this time his laugh was bitter.

"Stop talking foolishly" Cassian said pushing Fredrinn’s hand away. "Unlike you I can return if I die. But you are mortal Fredrinn. You have only one shot."

Cassian’s face became serious.

"Do not even think about risking or sacrificing yourself for me. If you die... and I am far away... not even Nivelle can save your soul. You would be dead for good."

Fredrinn saw that fear in Cassian’s eyes. He nodded.

"Haha... Okay" Fredrinn said to soften the mood. "I will take what you said into account. But I can’t promise."

"I would have preferred you to promise" Cassian murmured.

The two walked silently for a while longer. The city lights had dimmed and the night had fully set in. Tomorrow their paths would part. Cassian was going to go to the heart of the north to the enemy’s den all alone.

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Idk why but I wasn’t a huge fan of this Chapter. If only crocodiles could really fly, life would be way more entertaining.