The figure waiting for Sorin, and Altair was as relaxed as ever while having his attendant serve him a cup of cider.
"How does it feel to be in a new position?" asked the caller as he chose something to eat from the drinking snacks. The two young men bowed where they were before answering.
"I won't feel the weight of the responsibility until I report for my duties, Commander," answered Sorin.
The commander nodded and smiled while gesturing at the seat opposite him. Even in casual wear, the man had a strong presence but most surprising was the easy-going and open demeanour.
It seemed despite his intimidating face and physique this was just his natural disposition, and he hadn't been acting that way because he was at was a social event.
They would have never guessed that they would be meeting him under such circumstances. Sorin thought it was enough to talk to him at the banquet even if just for a few moments. The situation made him very wary.
What did a man who could share the most intimate drink with the emperor want with a lowly young soldier who was even unfavoured at home?
All these thoughts went through Sorin's head as he sat down. The commander had chosen a room with a decent relaxing view and had not been stingy with the snacks and drinks.
"Come, have something to eat first. The drink won't be good on an empty stomach."
They sat in silence for a few minutes while they ate. As the commander had already started eating before Sorin, he had a drink with his meal.
The Red Beast and the Blood Wolf having a meal was a sight anyone could have given an arm and a leg to see.
Prince Yerlan observed the young man with such a menacing nickname at his young age. From what he had already seen, he wasn't much for senseless small talk but the information about him and the interaction at the banquet were not enough to make a full judgment of character.
"Let's toast to the new position then with a fresh batch of moon drop cider," he suggested.
Altair stepped forward to pour a cup of the drink for the young master. They raised their cups and then each downed the cup of cider. The fruity peach flavour filled his mouth. Sorin had heard of moon drop cider but had never had a chance to try it before.
It was brewed at rather solitary monasteries in certain regions and only sold during spring, so it was worth a small fortune if one could get their hands on it. Evidently, the family had a thing for rare drinks.
"I understand, you and the duke aren't on the best terms. I hear you've been living outside for a few years. Why go back to serve the Louvarossy army and not attend the public trials for the royal army? Even without an introduction letter, you would have had a higher position from your skills alone."
Sorin paused for a moment but then continued chewing before answering. The commander did not beat about the bush, and he admired that. It was nothing surprising that the man knew his background.
"Despite it being a lower salary with more risk and harsher conditions, I thought I could work better in a region whose terrain I know very well and if the Commander would allow me to be frank…"
Prince Yerlan smiled as he took another sip of his drink and then nodded to allow the young man to continue.
"While I achieved decent achievements in my theoretical studies, my eldest brother was the true scholar. So, since we were young, I tended to focus more on our physical training. Joining the army was just a means for me to exercise what I've learnt," Sorin said with slight smile.
"And there's no practical reason for me give up a convenient roof over my head while I'm trying to make sense of my life. It's one less thing to worry about even if it comes with its own politics."
Plainly put, he had wandered the land and decided it was a convenient job to do that was also close to his home. Prince Yerlan almost laughed at the implied conclusion.
Was this goblin of a child was not scared of his judgement?
Not to mention that slight smile of his reminded Yerlan of a certain troublesome someone he knew and it gave him a slight headache.
Besides the boy's frankness, the commander also understood that it took some serious time, patience, money and good servants with an even better homemaker and steward to run a worthy noble household.
For an unmarried young man who was still trying to sort out his life, there was no reason to leave his own home when he hadn't been thrown out.
Just knowing that he didn't live in the main household and was rather independent was good but, there were still certain things the main house took care of that he didn't have to worry about.
This afforded him the opportunity to either live a life of debauchery, develop his interests or establish himself in a career.
"Right, all good reasons. I thought you'd give some pretentious motivation about you wanting to still be filial and patriotic and all that nonsense."
Sorin hadn't thought that this authority figure would approve of his answer.
He answered in a certain way because there was no point in playing word games and trying to curry favour. It was better to be honest in case he was asked to do something that didn't align with his current vision.
"And what's your opinion of my niece?"
Sorin almost choked on his drink but managed to stylishly recover from the shock of the question.
The theme had shifted too quickly from the initial topic that he had a sense of whiplash as he collected himself.
"Commander is referring to the youngest princess?"
"The one and only Kamaria, yes."
The young man thought about it for a moment since the commander had most likely figured out that they somehow knew each other. Why else would he even ask such a question? There was so much Sorin could say but not in front of the commander.
What gave him the qualifications?
The question suddenly reminded him of how he had felt while having a drink with Kamaria on the night of the banquet.
Sorin believed that this feeling was the point to the question and not that the older man was really looking for an answer.
"I don't believe I'm currently in any position to have any thoughts about the Princess."
"It's good that you know qualifications are important. Staying where you are would make it hard to attain certain things, don't you think?"
The two made eye contact and the atmosphere solidified for a few moments that even the two subordinates were holding their breaths. They were words of wisdom, but the underlying threat could not be missed.
"Commander is right."
The older man smiled again. After that stare down, could Sorin refuse?
"Good man, it seems we'll be working together quite often in future. Let's drink to that," said the commander before they both raised their cups again and emptied them in one go.
Sorin could now understand this sudden summons. Judging by their interaction on the night of banquet, the commander treasured Kamaria as a precious daughter.
Of course, anyone around his daughter would have to be subject to his inspection.
They returned to the room after the commander made sure to finish the jar of cider with them. He drank more than they did and yet the man still walked out of the inn as if the cider had just given him a burst of energy.
Sorin threw himself onto the luxurious sofa and put his feet up without taking off his boots. Altair had quickly prepared some fresh water for him to drink.
"Young Master, what was that all about? The Commander was just telling battle stories."
Once he had a sip of water, Sorin started taking off his boots before lying back on the sofa again with his eyes closed. After a while Altair watched him open his eyes again and he suddenly audibly inhaled.
"That, was to show me how little power I have."
"What? Why?"
Altair had long since thought that nobles were very strange people and it seemed royals were even stranger.
"I can't believe you can't figure that out," Sorin said a little exasperated.
"Well, I am just a servant after all. Not as smart as our young Master."
Sorin threw one of the pillows from the sofa at Altair who caught it with a chuckle.
"Annoying. Anyway, he was right. I just realised that I've been very casual concerning my general direction in life."
Altair suddenly sat up and stared at Sorin who in turn was still staring at the ceiling.
"Casual? If this is being casual, could I be relieved of my duties before you get serious?"
"Since I'm not qualified to have an opinion, maybe I should work towards changing that."
Altair was not about to ask more questions because he felt as if they were having two separate conversations.
He had heard every word the commander said and thought he knew what he was talking about, but it seemed Sorin walked out of the room with a completely different understanding.
Whatever it was that he had realised, seemed to have ignited a new spark in Sorin and Altair hadn't seen him that determined about something in a long time.