...Not wise, never wise to mock one as calculating and in as advantageous a position as him.
However... perhaps this once..
Just this once.
He might let it slide...
...Kasper sits silently perched at the study, taking in all the information he just heard before he turns from his chair.
"..."
"Well?"
The brash twin raises the question with a smug look on his face.
I'm not certain what Tay is trying to prove by going at Kasper right now, but something tells me this is the wrong way to go about it.
"..."
Kasper maintains his silence.
Staring at his aide first before he shifts his gaze to the kids. A posture more relaxed as he leans into the rest of his chair.
"..."
"Nothing."
"--What?"
Is he serious?
"You heard me."
The young lord reiterates, his tone more firm and authoritative.
"I hear what you guys are saying Tay, and I sympathise with you."
"But sadly, there's really just nothing I can do."
Kasper says softly, the demeanour he chooses to adopt displaying just how serious he is about the matter.
"...Now lets say if, even if... I cared. And, say I told my father of what's really going on here."
"In the holy city we all lean and rely on."
"That won't change the fact that Hatchett's city remains essential to the war effort."
"And by extension, Samael."
He's serious.
"You see Tay, love him or hate him, Samael, the bishop, is what makes Hatchett's city, 'Hatchett's city'."
"And what that means is this city cannot function without that role."
"So I apologize if this isn't the news you wanted to hear, but while that story was warming to the heart, my hands are tied."
The young lord of Ashgate declares with a sombre tone that almost grants him sympathy despite his disheartening spoiler on the matter.
"..." Sariel's face turns.
His aide is clearly displeased of her master's decision on the matter.
However, "Mast--", she can only stand there and watch as she is silenced by a raised arm.
Nothing he can do?
For the greater good??
All these are things that Kasper claims he cannot interfere with. But just how true is all of that???
He's the future heir to the whole of the realm for chrissakes!
... But maybe that's just it.
Future.
Kasper stays silent, as a sombre mood settles on the room."..."
As things currently stand, the young lord of Ashgate holds no power but his name.
All he is, is a symbol.
An envoy that has strayed into lands ruled by another.
It would be wise for him to act with decorum that befits his name as opposed to throwing fits about the squabbles of the peasants.
"...Are you serious?"
"--Sariel I believe we've entertained our guests as long as we can, please show them the way out."
"..."
"... but master--"
"-Sariel. Now."
Kasper reiterates, however he shouldn't bother... "It's okay, we'll show ourselves out.." Because the older twin is already primed and ready to leave. Standing and beginning their departure for them "Tay?"...
"...Right", The younger twin responds with a face full of grimace.
It's always easy to tell what he's thinking...
"Thanks for the food."
*Klak.
....
Silence settles on the room after the twins leave.
Did Kasper really mean what he said?
That he is just a figurehead, an envoy of good faith in this situation.
And what about Sariel??
Surely someone as powerful as her could lend a hand somehow... or is Kasper's control over her to the extent that she lacks any free will of her own...
...As nightfall settles on the peak of civilization in the slum.
Kasper and Sariel stay in the room silently staring at each other.
A lot has happened today.
And even though the young lord of Castle Ashgate always appears be countless steps ahead of his opponent, surely even he, couldn't have predicted all that transpired today.
*sigh...
...Kasper breathes a tired sigh as he relaxes back into his chair.
He couldn't have predicted how murky the waters that are the corruption of the holy city actually would be.
"..."
"Are you going to stay there, or will Sariel have to pluck you out?"
...Or could he?
Closing his eyes as he stares to the beautifully lavish ceiling of his suite, Kasper gives the command in an absent tone.
Devoid of malice, or inquiry.
This is an order.
*VwooWOOooM...
And one that is heeded, as just then, materialising out of what appears to be blurry air is two robed individuals.
Their robes are a deep blood crimson colour, with black embroidery that resembles eyes lining the hoods that mask their faces.
"Well?"
Kasper calls out to the two masked individuals, as Sariel places one hand on the short sword nestled at her waist's back.
"...Forgive us sire, we didn't mean to inconvenience the air that his liege breathes."
One of the masked individuals proclaims, stepping ahead of his counterpart and leading him in a deep bow.
He must be the senior of the two.
"Care to tell me why the heir to the chained throne has spies listening in on his personal business?"
Kasper quizzes the robed individuals without turning to look at them. His head is held high as he faces the ceiling with arms over his eyes.
A show of hierarchy to not face the pair perhaps?
"...After his liege entered the holy city, he did not make for the cathedral, so the high priest asked us to look in on him."
"It was pure worry on the side of his holiness."
The masked individual claims, his head tilted away from Kasper and to the floor.
"... Do you not show fealty and courtesy by introducing yourself before the future ruler of the chained throne?" Kasper poses the question in a rhetorical tone that enables Sariel tighten her grip on her blade.
One wrong answer could mean their heads.
"sire...--"
The masked individual in a deep bow behind his colleague allows the words to slip from his mouth before his counterpart glares at him sternly.
"--we never wished to disturb his royal highness' ventures."
"Your names."
"Sire?"
"I said give me your names."
He asks again.
It wouldn't be wise to make the future Demon-Lord Supreme repeat himself.
"Ah-- We would, of course, divulge that information should it become relevant to his liege, however..
SHWWWIIINNGG!!!!
The masked individual at the front loses his head in one swift unending motion!
Wrong answer.
"...Andrew."
"His name, my superior, his name was Andrew. And the lowly robe in training before you goes by Josiah, my liege."
Quick on the uptake.
Should Josiah desire a future in the military he might just make it big.
With a stiff gesture ahead him, the masked individual going by Josiah refers to his superior's corpse in a shaky tone.
"Good."
"Andrew... and... Josiah--"
"--Set up a meeting with his holiness, Minister Samael of Hatchett."
"I will be heading to meet him now."
The young lord of Ashgate, still facing away, gives the order in a nonchalant tone, completely unaffected by the beheaded corpse that lies at his feet.
"...But sire, with the time as it is i suggest.--"
"--...did I stutter?"
"No sire, right away sire!!"
Robe-in-training Josiah bows even deeper beside the head of his fallen colleague before phasing out of the room!
"..."
Andrew's blood soaks into the carpet as silence settles on the room
"...i'll get our things ready for transport."
"--You do that."
Sariel says to a prompt response from her master, his head is still tilted away...
What are you hiding oh great lord of Ashgate?
"...Tch."
Ofcourse.
It was only a glimpse, but Sariel could swear on what she saw to the gods today. That's how vivid this sight will be burned into her eyes.
"..."
Head tilted up in triumph? No.
That isn't the look of someone pleased with life at the moment.
Demon-lord's son or not....
The great Charles Kasper Rov II remains as human and sympathetic as ever before...
..Tears...
"..."
"..."
-To Be Continued-