Chapter 20: Drunken Prince (4)

Caellum's eyes quickly flickered in the dim tunnel as he briefly wondered if he was about to get murdered, if he could safely make a run for it, or if he could retreat into the palace in time.

 

After reevaluating this shitty body that ached each time he moved around and soreness in his heavy limbs after exploring the capital city, Caellum decided that it would be more prudent to just stay in place and deal with the problem in front of him first.

 

After all, what was the worst that could happen?

 

….actually.

 

The worst that could happen was pretty bad.

 

It would be best to avoid that outcome by any means necessary.

 

And as to how he discovered Yaga? Let's keep that from her as well.

 

It might save his life someday.

 

Smiling politely, Caellum gave Yaga a respectful greeting.

 

"Good morning, madame. I hope you had a good day. Let's just say I'm taking a walk to cure my insomnia. What are you doing here?"

 

"Aigoo. You're as polite as always, your highness. This old lady also couldn't sleep because I heard scurrying in the walls, so I decided to go rat hunting." Yaga replied with a gentle smile of her own, causing Caellum's smile to immediately freeze in place.

 

…was he the rat in this situation, or was there someone else?

 

No, no, no.

 

Let's not ask questions or get curious.

 

Let's just end the conversation now and forever.

 

Taking a giant step back, Caellum held his hand out toward the dark tunnel.

 

"Then please go ahead, madame. Don't let me stop you, and I hope your rat hunt is quite successful."

 

"Oh, it has been. I've caught quite a few big ones already. Why don't we walk together, your highness? You never know who or what you'll run into in these dark tunnels. It would be a shame if you tripped and fell into some rat traps. Or encountered the rats or worse."

 

…Do I have a choice?

 

At this point, I would literally rather run into anyone but you.

 

Literally anyone else.

 

After one glance at the numerous handles in her apron that Yaga caressed once more, Caellum swallowed his words and nodded.

 

"Sure. I appreciate the company. The more the merrier. Especially when dealing with rats."

 

"I thought you would see it that way, your highness. Shall we go?" Laughing lightly, Yaga got within arm's length of Caellum and the two of them began walking down the tunnel side by side, and after a moment, Caellum tucked his little knife away.

 

Realistically speaking, there was nothing he could do right now, so there was no need to stress himself out. If she wanted to kill him, he would be a pile of goo before he could blink, so he might as well comfortably enjoy his walk and do some thinking about what his next steps were.

 

And who had made this tunnel system?

 

As his eyes quickly took in the surprisingly smooth tunnels that branched off to different sides, Caellum counted them off while planning.

 

And after several minutes of silence, Yaga called out to him in her usual calm tone.

 

"Your highness?"

 

"Yes, madame?"

Are you planning on threatening or treating me like a rat?

 

"Today was quite an interesting day for me."

 

"Was it now?" Caellum replied dryly as he wondered what made a poison assassin's day interesting.

 

Did she discover a new poison? Eat a new poison? Bathe in a new poison?

 

Or test it out?

 

The possibilities were endless, and he wasn't interested in hearing a single thing about it.

 

"I happened to overhear a few things that were quite interesting, including the fact that you have plans to leave the palace," Yaga said calmly, as if she simply said the sky was blue.

 

"Well, your ears must be quite sensitive to overhear something at a place so far from the kitchens," Caellum replied lightly.

 

After all, considering that the conversation had only taken place in the Queen's Palace a couple of hours ago, either Yaga had a well-established network of spies and informants, or she personally spied on the Queen.

 

If she did so, was Yaga already in the process of going to work for the 12th prince?

 

Or was she currently a free agent?

 

Caellum didn't care one way or the other.

 

His only concern was making sure that she didn't turn him into a pile of goo, experiment on him, or, once she decided to join the 12th prince, report everything about Caellum to Lionell.

 

It would be best if she went over to that side long after he was gone.

 

For now, though, let's play it calm, cool, and collected while figuring out what she wanted.

"Aigoo, that's why I'm thankful to still have my good hearing and able body in my old age, you know? Most of my peers are now hard of hearing, have problems seeing clearly, and cannot really move their bodies. It's such a pity."

 

Wouldn't most of your peers be other assassins?

 

So you're telling me they got their ears chopped off, their eyes blinded, and they're buried in the ground so they can't move?

 

By you?

 

Is this another style of threat?

 

"Well. I'm sure Zahra is quite happy that you're of sound mind and sound body, and you're not old at all. Was there a reason you mentioned the conversation?"

 

"I was just thinking that I've been in the palace for over two decades. I've seen my own child grow up as well as the other princes and princesses in the palace. Yet, this is the first time I'm seeing the 13th prince become so active. In multiple ways." Yaga said vaguely while examining Caellum's expression.

 

While he was panting slightly as he walked and turning red with exertion, those purple eyes, darker in the low light, looked completely focused as the owner kept looking around.

 

"Is that so? People are ever-changing. They grow up and change as their circumstances dictate, otherwise they'll die." Caellum replied vaguely.

 

He didn't know the exact details of how the previous Caellum lived his life, and frankly, it didn't matter since he would be gone sooner rather than later.

 

"Well, that's certainly true."

 

"Isn't it? So, rather than beating around the bush and trying to reminisce about life in the palace and who has or hasn't changed, let's speak plainly. What exactly did you want from me that you would seek me out while you're rat hunting? Do you want to make a deal with me, or are you trying to threaten me?" Caellum spoke plainly as he peeked at Yaga while he walked.

 

"Why would I threaten you, your highness?"

 

"I wonder why I would think that after you've informed me that you have ears that can reach the Queen's Palace, Yaga Vishkanya? Ah, can you hold the light up a bit higher? I don't want to miss my turn. And please keep a bit more distance. As you know, I'm a bit weak and don't want those bottles touching me. Thank you."

 

The air turned cold as Yaga glanced over with a sharp expression, one hand slipping into a pocket of her apron.

 

Unperturbed, Caellum wiped the sweat off his forehead and focused on counting the tunnels.

 

Soon enough, he would have to turn right; otherwise, he might really lose his way down here.

 

Also, had it always been this hot?

 

He felt like he was overheating and wanted to unwrap the cloak and take off the hat, but putting everything back on would be too annoying.

 

Ahh, his cheek was stinging.

 

Was someone glaring daggers at him, or maybe testing a poison mist out?

 

It was hard to know.

 

Ahhh….please, take the hint and leave me alone!

 

Go and join your 12th prince!

 

After a minute of silence, Yaga raised the lantern higher as Caellum requested, and they both turned into another tunnel, continuing their walk.

 

And after another minute, Yaga spoke again.

 

"Since you were planning on leaving, in your remaining time here, I thought we could be mutually beneficial allies to each other."

 

"What makes you say that? You seem to be quite capable in all regards, and I certainly don't have anything of worth to offer you."

 

Plus, I don't want to have anything to do with you!

 

Just leave me alone!

 

"You underestimate yourself, your highness, because I believe that you do."

 

"Is that so? Then, what do you have to offer me?"

 

"You've met my daughter."

 

"Miss Zahra Foxvaine," Caellum added as he briefly wondered why the two had different last names before shaking his head.

 

Not his business, not his problem.

 

Rather-

 

"I'm not interested in marriage if that's what you're proposing. No, thank you."

 

"….you think I'm offering, Zahra, my only child to you in marriage?" At Yaga's frigid tone, the air seemed to get even colder while Caellum felt his face really stinging as if a needle was being repeatedly shoved into it.

 

No, I was just testing you.

 

Laughing slightly, Caellum peeked at Yaga before answering.

 

"Otherwise? What else could you possibly want from a lowly prince like me, apart from my title? That's all the value I can offer to someone like you. If it's not marriage, it's something I can do with my title, so what do you want, Miss Vishkanya?"

 

Since her intentions were grasped, Yaga was silent before speaking in a calmer tone of voice, "You might have forgotten, but she wants to be a knight."

 

"I didn't."

 

Considering that he and Zahra had literally had the conversation a little over 24 hours ago, how could he forget?

 

And thinking about it now, Yaga was probably listening at the time when Zahra had told him all about it.

 

"But what does that have to do with me?"

 

"You're right that it's your title I want. You're a prince. You have the ability to knight her, and even if you renounce your royal title, her knighthood would still remain. I want you to knight Zahra and give a sincere recommendation for consideration to the 9th prince before you leave." Yaga explained, her previously calm tone hitched a bit before quickly leveling out.

 

Oh?

 

How interesting.

 

This seems pretty important to you?

 

Withholding a smile, Caellum decided to play along.

 

"That's a lot to do on my end. What do I receive in return?"

 

"I can give you money. State your price," Yaga immediately offered, knowing that was one thing people never had enough of since it opened a lot of doors by virtue of existing.

 

If the 13th prince was serious about leaving the palace and renouncing his title, he would be desperate for money.

 

Caellum thought Yaga's words over before shaking his head.

 

While money was always welcome, especially since he had basically sunk almost everything he had snatched…no, negotiated away from Emrys as a preliminary deposit at the Argent Circle, from someone like Yaga, there were infinitely more valuable things he could receive.

 

"That's not enough. Offer me more."

 

"As you said, let's speak frankly. Please tell me what it is that you want in return, your highness, and I'll tell you if it's possible?" Yaga replied neutrally.

 

This way, she wouldn't give away her secrets if the 13th prince didn't ask for the right things.

 

Caellum was silent for a moment before clarifying their current standings to the older woman with a bold smile.

 

"Firstly, what you want is two different favors, not one. And they have two different prices. The knightship itself is not a problem; it can be negotiated for a monetary amount, and I can have it done tomorrow morning once I fill out and submit the paperwork. However, the second part of what you want is more expensive, and you know it. A recommendation to Emrys requires several things, since he won't just accept anybody, and I won't just recommend anybody. The minimum criterion is strength. I say this, and mean no offense to your daughter, if she's not strong enough to get knighted on her own by now, then I'm not sure even with my recommendation, Emrys will take her."

 

"I appreciate your concern, your highness, but there's no need for it. Zahra's strength is not the problem as to why she's not knighted. Since I was the one who personally trained her, I'm sure you can imagine how good she is. When you have time, you can go see her in the training grounds and make your decision. Or would you like to spar with her, your highness? It would be good training for when you leave the palace. I could also train you as well."

 

Hearing Yaga's confident words about Zahra's strength, Caellum hid his shudder as he remembered Zahra warning him that his food was poisoned.

 

Well, touché.

 

If you grew up with this kind of mother, you would, of course, be very strong.

 

And when he thought about the offered training, goosebumps arose on his entire body.

 

NO. THANK. YOU.

"I'll pass on the training."

 

"That's unfortunate. I was looking forward to it," Yaga murmured regretfully.

 

Caellum pretended not to hear her.

 

"Regarding the payment for the recommendation, instead of money, I want several things from you. Of course, these things are just a suggestion, and we can negotiate or cancel the deal entirely; the choice is yours."

 

"Please list them out, your highness, so we can have a frank discussion. What would you like from this little old lady?"

 

Little old lady, my ass!

 

What things did Caellum want from an assassin who was asking him a favor for her child?

 

It was pretty simple.

 

He wanted…