When Cyrus woke up the second time, he was suprised to find the room empty. There was no trace of last night's oddity whatsoever. No paper, no ink and even Derick was no longer lying on the corner of the room. If his dreams didn't consist of the first prince of Yerin then he might have really thought that the whole thing was a dream. Unfortunately, it did.
'He really cleaned up everything that's for sure...'
Knowing Yuno for about twenty years or so, Cyrus wouldn't doubt that the other was a skilled worker. No matter how conspicuous or dirty the work might be, the other would take it like it was a walk in the park.
Stretching his arms and legs, Cyrus stepped off from his bed. Somewhat, he feels more energetic than ever, though it wouldn't rival his uncle's and Derick's, it still felt refreshing nonetheless. Though considering that, that was the only time he properly got any sleep with no mysterious man appearing on his dream, threatening him, and kissing him in the end. It wasn't suprising.
Before he stepped out of the room, he first checked himself on the mirror. He was still the General nonetheless, even if he didn't participate in the war anymore, the title was still for him to maintain.
Cyrus looked at his figure reflected on the mirror. He was still wearing his military uniform, and though his hair was a bit messy, it was still presentable. Theere wasnt really that much changed that happened. The only change he saw in his appearance was probably the lack of bags under his eyes.
Fixing a bit of his collar, Cyrus finally stepped out of the room. As expected there were already guards and some servants waiting by the door. When they saw the General's door opening, they quickly bowed and greeted in unison.
"We greet the General. Congrats on your recovery."
Cyrus who received their heartfelt, but slightly awkward greeting could only say a small thanks before he dismissed them.
"Ah, speaking of which-before you go, can you tell me where Derick and Yuno are?"
"The Lieutenant and Sir Yuno were called by the Emperor for breakfast. The General can probably still catch them at the dining room."
Cyrus gave a slight nod. "Alright, thanks again." The servant bowed and left, Cyrus also took off and made his way to the dining room.
As Cyrus walked he couldn't help, but think about his next move. He needed to go to Yerin as soon as possible, he also needed to ask his uncle to change his marriage candidate to that of the first prince. And most importantly, he needed a good explanation why he suddenly just got on with the wedding and changed partners after waking up from being hit mysteriously by the book.
'It's already bad enough that they thought it was some sort of divine intervention.'
He recalls the evidences his uncle kept pushing on Yuno, if he suddenly bring up another random topic again then they'll have more evidence to feed their theory. The worst part is that he can't tell anyone that there's no god involved nor was he the chosen one.
'It's all the first prince's doing!'
.
.
.
Cyrus stood by the door, his hand hovering on the door handle.
'Should I go or not?'
In one hand, he had to go and request his visit to Yerin. On the other hand, Yuno seems to be busy gaslighting the the two as of the moment.
'Well, at least I don't have to worry about them thinking I was involved with the heavens.'
"I don't believe it! If I really dozed off then why can't I move my left arm, huh?! And why does every corner of my body hurts?! Admit it, you were trying to hit my vital points again, weren't you!" Derick's accusing shout was heard from outside the door. It seems that he was really annoyed to even ignore the Emperor's presence inside the room.
"I keep telling you. You dozed off, fell to the floor and rolled around. I didn't do anything." Yuno calmly responded, Cyrus who remembered everything from last night could only keep a tight expression.
"Did I also fell off and rolled around? Because my hands are sore for some reason." He also heard his uncle's voice who, though calm carried a bit of confusion.
"Your Majesty fell asleep next to the General's bedside while tending to him. It's just that you slept on your hand, that's why it's sore. "
"Is that so..." The Emperor slowly trailed off, seemingly trying to remember what happened yesterday. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind, as if he was experiencing his usual memory loss after chugging eight bottles of wine. Even the excruciating headache was present. Strange.
"No, Your Majesty don't listen to him. Something's definitely fishy...I remember...just...agh I can't remember!"
"Lieutenant before you run your mouth, how about getting some evidence first. You don't even remember anything from yesterday and now you're accusing me of doing something." Yuno scoffed, as if offended. Cyrus secretly praised him while Derick only got more annoyed.
"Who else then?! You were the only one there and it would explain why I got life threatening injuries while the Emperor got a sore hand."
"I would never even entertain the thought of hurting the Emperor. When I saw him asleep, I quickly called the servants to carefully escort him back to his room. His Mejesty must have been stressed about the General's predicament so I wanted him to rest for a bit. Afterall, the Emperor is like a grandfather to me, why would I do something terrible to him?" Cyrus winced at the gentleness of Yuno's voice. No doubt that his uncle's suspicioun would be instatly thrown out of the window.
"Hoho...ahem Lieutenant, I think Yuno is speaking the truth. How about we carry on with breakfast and check the General's condition afterwards."
Before Derick can yell 'So you did beat me up!', his retort was quickly shut down and he begrudgingly sat on his seat whilst still glaring at Yuno. Cyrus on the other hand didn't miss the giddy tone that his uncle was trying to mask with a cough.
"Are you going in now, General?"
The guard on his right asked. Only then did he realize he was still standing at the door, with two guards positioned on either side of him, both waiting for his decision.
'Since the commotion died down, it should be fine...I suppose.'
The General gave the guards a slight nod and both of them quickly opened the door. Inside the room, he can finally see the countless dished placed on the table with the Emperor sitting on the far end while Yuno and Derick sat across each other. Derick who quickly spotted him couldn't help but shout in excitement. "General!"
Cyrus walked closer and bowed his head. Though yesterday was chaotic, it was mostly because of him. And considering that he'll probably drop another bomb later on then he might as well apologize now and lessen the burden.
"I sincerely apologize for yesterday. Your Majesty must have been shock, even I didn't know that something like that would happen. Though I cannot tell you the full scope as of the moment, I can fully assure you that I am we-" Just as Cyrus raised his head to meet the Emperor's gaze, he suddenly halted. His gaze flickered from the Emperor's face and then to Derick and lastly Yuno.
'What did you do? Why is their faces...' He asked frantically, transmitting the message using mana. Yuno only replied with 'Side effects' before ignoring him as he ate his dessert.
"Cyrus?" The Emperor gently asked and Cyrus had to will himself to focus at his uncle's eyes and not on his face.
"Yes." He said dumbdoundedly.
"You suddenly stopped. Is there something wrong? Do you feel faint?" The Emperor worriedly asked and Cyrus without much thought asked in return. "Do you?"
He could hear Yuno cough, probably from the unexpected response. Even Cyrus was shocked and quickly tried to fix it. "I mean, it's just that...Your Majesty-no, uncle you look kind of unwell." Slowly, he moved his gaze to Derick. "You too." And then at Yuno. "Yours are barely visible."
"Hoho, you pass out and wake up and now you're even worrying about this old man. General your heart really known no bounds."
'No. Because it's really worrying.'
He looked at his uncle's face, the seemingly fat but smooth face looked more worn out than the ancient records kept on the royal library. Cyrus couldn't help but look away from the bags hanging under his uncle's eyes, finding it quite painful to look at.
"General you worry too much. If anyone's here to worry about, it's you General. Who knows when that wretched book would try and hit you again!"
Though Derick's voice still held that vigorous tone, his face was even worse than that of the Emperor's. If the Emperor looked like he survived an apocalypse, Derick on the other hand looked like he was trampled on by a carriage, died and then came back to life. Even if he did carry a bit of a grudge yesterday, he still felt quite sorry for the other.
"Go to the royal doctor later."
"Eh?"
Without another glance, Cyrus patted Derick on the shoulder. Yuno was still busy on his dessert and Cyrus could only turn to look at the Emperor-on his eyes of course, he's still not used to seeing that kind of face on his uncle.
"Uncle, about the marriage." Suddenly the Emperor perked up. His deeply exhausted face flickered with interest.
"Oh, are you finally coming along? I knew the third prince was the right option." The Emperor proudly stated, Derick and Yuno looked at Cyrus, trying to gauge their General's reaction.
"That, your-I mean uncle. You only want me to get married right?" Cyrus asked, the Emperor though a bit skeptic about the question nodded. "Of course, this old man only wants to see you get married before I hit the bucket."
"Then, is it ok if I marry someone else, someone who isn't from Yerin?" At that the Emperor coughed awkwardly. And Cyrus could only guess that he hit the nail.
"Why the first prince of Yerin? Can't I just marry someone from the Empire?"
"Do you know who proposed the marriage first?" Cyrus contemplated, there was nothing said on the book so he could only guess.
"My uncle?"
"Ngeee. Wrong. Eventhough your uncle is a bit of passionate about your lovelife, he's really not the type to suddenly matchmake you without others giving ideas. Especially, since you show no interest in the subject at all. Though he's a bit pushy, he still respect his people's wishes."
"So it's the South then."
"Correct. Wanna guess why?" Licht urged, looking expectingly at Cyrus. The General could only sigh, he already has a guess on what-who was causing the trouble.
"It's Ziel isn't it."
"Correct again! My, you're really smart General. You see, the King is a coward, if your imperial prince finished with the West, he might have the sudden idea of taking over the South which constantly fills the Yerin King nightmares. So he might as well play it safe and make an alliance using marriage."
"And it's me because?"
"The King was told that the Imperial Prince already has a lover-'wait he does?'-so the best option would be targeting his nephew which happens to be you."
"....I see. Still, why the first prince? No, why a prince to begin with? Aren't there princesses on the Yerin kingdom?"
The only response he got from the man was a smile and a question in return."Wanna marry a fourteen year old?"
"No." Cyrus immediately responded which earned a chuckle from the other.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you. I'm infinitely better than my brother so you have nothing to worry about, husband~"
"You're not even trying to hide your identity anymore." Cyrus commented, he ignores the sudden thumping of his heart as he tried to maintain his poker face.
"You've probably realized it when I mentioned my last name was Yerin so it isn't that mysterious anymore." Licht shrugged sounding quite disappointed. His golden eyes trailed down the General's neck, a smile gracing his lips as he watched it turn redder.
"Besides, I want you to find me faster."