'The body?'
Benjamin's heart start furiously pumping. He have to watch every twitch and move of this young man's facial muscles.
"Where is my father's body? He is the strongest knight in this continent. If there is no proof of his death then there is a higher possiblity that he is alive."
"Hooo.."
Benjamin wants to smile from the boy's statement. He is impress because it made it harder for himself to read the boy's real intention.
"Any news about my older brother? How about the Clover Country? I assume that this all happen there because, my father supposed to use the portal there to Spade. That was the plan."
When Soliard raised his head to look at Benjamin, he could see a spark on the young man's eyes.
'Is it eyes that says he believe to the Spadian king, or is it eyes with determination with me not knowing where it should be placed?'
"As of now, the clover country is not accessible. The Imperial knights tried to enter but if we push harder, it seems the knights will retaliate and a civil war will break."
"A civil war? What of the Spadian knights that came with my father? They are far stronger than clover's knights and have won all this wars from the foreigners at the border all this years?"
"It seems that there is a correlation between the Spadian knights and the Clover Country. That is the only reason I could come up at this time, on how the Spadian King fell into his demise and the closure of the Country of Clover from the rest of the Empire."
Benjamin continued on observing Soliard's demeanor. He could see that the young man is clenching his fist so tightly that a blood start seeping out of it.
"The knights of Spade swear an oath. The knights of Spade will never betray their king."
'Yes that is true.' Benjamin answered internally. The reason that the royals of Spade never fail to win against it's own rebellions against it's own people for all these years is because of these oath. The oath of knighthood in Spade is an absolute loyalty towards the royal family. These knights are even willing to raised their sword against their own family.
"The only one we have that witnessed everything inside the Clover country is the Spade king's steward. We will try all means to enter Clover Country while we wait for Sir Kaleid to wake up. It will not be wise if Spade finds out that their king is currently missing, a new rebellion is something we do not want at this time. We need to stealthily move and find the truth. However, I want to let all the royals of Spade to know about this, so that they can prepare for the worst possible truth."
It means that even the youngest princess of Spade needs to know about this. However, Soliard kept his frozen expression.
'Damn it, Joseph, you made the same damn mistake. This is all because you were so damn stubborn and decided to chained your precious daughter in that place.'
Benjamin held a scoff out of him, he feel frustrated to his one and only friend, with all the decision he made and all this feelings that is currently filling up inside.
'You want her to be a daughter of Spade and nothing else? You just erased all of her escape route. You think you are so damn omnipotent?! when even the prophecy said you will die too?! And what you know?! You are the first one to go!'
Benjamin cannot help it but sigh to let out the heat building up inside his body.
'I believe you know me the best, the reason the seal left my body is because I am so damn selfish. I will do anything to save myself and my son. Probably you are no longer here, in conclusion, I will need to use all possible cards that will be beneficial to me.'
....
"What do you think your Imperial Highness?"
"It is only the two of us, cut the formality."
Leo sighed however, he could not refute in usual manner. The grim face of his emperor indicates the rough road ahead.
"The Imperial Crown Prince? Is he beneficial for us? Or is he an enemy?"
"Hmmm, hard to tell at this point where that boy is originally placed on this board. I placed him far yet next to me in order to determine that but is he beneficial?" Benjamin showed a sly smile. "Not at all. At this point, he is such a waste move than his worth."
Benjamin caressed the white bishop on his hand. Probably, if the young man showed the expressions he expected earlier today, Benjamin could had given the young man a role even if he could be an enemy or an ally. Benjamin, expected a violent reaction from the young man. A burning eyes that he already saw from Joseph, the king of Spade, Kahel, the current crown prince of Spade, Ace, the only son of Joseph, and....
Benjamin gently grabbed the white queen piece off of his board.
And the Millennial princess of Spade, Princess Dream Spade Walker, those burning red eyes that are always ready to burn the things that gets on their way.
Leo watched Benjamin throwing the white bishop to the trash while putting back the white queen with the rest of the black chess pieces.
"I'll stealthily deliver the message to the Duke of Leo in Heart Country. I'll let the lord know that the white bishop is no longer necessary."
The reason, Benjamin placed Soleil in Heart Country is so that he could get rid of him. He had to bestowed the title of imperial crown prince and the king title to the young man so that he could push him on a place he will think, will be the safest place for him. By doing so, probably, the young man or the invincible enemies will show some movement. With just a little move from them, then he can eradicate them as soon as they resurface. Benjamin effortlessly, killed the royals of the Heart Country that shows even just a bit sign of suspicions.
Yes, Benjamin only have one pawn in Heart Country, but that pawn is not just a pawn, it is a knight. That knight can move in prides and hunt the prey Benjamin placed in the Country of Heart. Though, the royals of the Heart country were also dying with unknown causes, that also a sign of suspicions.
Imperial Crown Prince Soliard Heart of Spade, shall die. Because he is a bad variable than what he is worth. When Benjamin heard Joseph's suspicions about the twin Princes of Spade, the first thing he thought was to discard the two young princes, however, he pushed that idea to the side so that he would not have an unnecessary conflict with Joseph. Joseph is strong however, he is mentally weak and the proof for that is, he let himself be bounded by that will his brother, the former King of Spade, left before he died.
Kill the Imperial Crown Prince, he is a nuisance. Those are the words the young Leo believes that Benjamin meant. Then he glanced back to the white queen on the chess board.
"Should we save the yet to bloomed flower in Spade?"
"He he he, I love your metaphors Leo." After that short moment of smile from Benjamin's face, a frown started to show on his now paled face. However, there is sadness too. "If he is really gone, that means I will be totally going to go against his wishes. Do you think that mighty man can still kill me even if he is already dead?"
Benjamin let out a chuckle and then he added.
"I feel like he could, but the lives of the many is what important."
By many, he meant especially himself and his son's life.
"Should we prepare a plot to make the budded flower, bloom safely?"
Leo sharply stated the word 'safely'. Leo knows the worth of the young budding princess, she is the only daughter of the former seal bearer of Clover. The seal had not shown itself since the former had died and the possibility of the young princess is the bearer is high.
'The God's favorite child.' Is the most known title of the Clover seal bearer since the oldest times. The stampede victory of the King of Spade was said is because of her unfathomable luck. Having the clover seal with them, even with obvious disadvantage of not knowing who are the enemies and the unknown plans they are brewing, the luck of clover will be able to change their fates.
"What if with shock treatment, that daughter of Spade bloom?"
"Pardon?"
Leo was surprised by the sudden statement of Benjamin. Leo knows that the crown prince of Spade and the twin Princes are not part of Benjamin's concerns because they are not King Joseph's offspring. Leo believes that Benjamin cares more than normal for the young princess, because she is the only daughter of Lady Magdalene and King Joseph.
"I do not have the luxury in the world to wait for a flower to bloom. Any power and strength we can gather is valuable. I believe the Clover had been sealed away by Lady Faith, and no one knows how to unseal it and even if someone in Clover Country does, I am not willing to share the Clover seal to them. Especially, I do not know if whether the country is an ally or against me."
For Benjamin, any variables are important at this moment. He will face Dia's wrath when he comes back, but he have to set his priorities straight.
"Then, how about the unconscious steward of Spade?"
Benjamin flinched.
"Make sure he gets the best treatment so that he wakes up soon. We need to get as much information we can get from him."
Leo noticed the sudden change of the Emperor's demeanor. However, he pushed it aside and bowed. He must start finishing the tasks he was given. A prince will die tonight. Leo excused himself.
Benjamin was lost in deep thoughts.
When Benjamin came back here in the Empire, he knows he made the worst move. He is now stuck in this prophecy and unable to get out of it. The only good thing about all of this, is that he found two existence left by Kaleise. Dia, their son and her one and only blood relative left, Kaleid. Benjamin knew right away when he met the steward the first time, that the man in front of him was Kaleise's younger brother. Benjamin, never tried to open up a topic about Kaleise with Kaleid. Even though, he wanted to ask him so bad if Kaleise came back and met with Kaleid at some period of time when Benjamin got separated from her. Benjamin wanted to talk about Kaleise. However, he wanted to avoid such conversation.
Because a part of him does not want to admit that she is gone. Forever.
Benjamin knew that the reason she left Dia in his mansion was because she have to save the life of their son. If the wolves did not stay with Dia, then probably there was chance that she is out there fighting for her life. However, the whole pack of wolves that traveled with them stayed and protected Dia.
Benjamin does not want to deliver the words or even say the words himself to Kaleid. Benjamin does not want to confirm Kaleise death, even though, that is the only truth now.
Benjamin slumped on his chair.
"This is weakness."
"It is."
Benjamin heard a sudden familiar voice behind his chair. He act swiftly to stand up, however, the man behind him was a bit faster. Benjamin jumped back and look at the bloody sword at the hand of the familiar man.
"Wh-what?"
Benjamin is having a hard time processing the sudden situation in front of him. He is shocked and could not believe what he is seeing. A new truth find it's way to the tip of his tongue when he saw the sword covered in blood. Benjamin pressed his bleeding neck.
"Y-you, it wa-washhh yo-ou?"
The only way for Joseph to fall on his demise, is if he is betrayed by the least person he would suspected. Unfortunately it is the same for Benjamin.
The man stepped out of the shadows.
"I have to act promptly, because I know how fast your brain processes. And what you know, I stopped your plans before it could even reach out of this room."
Benjamin took a quick glance at the door of his room. There is a pool of blood seeping just outside of his door and now is coming right in the tiny opening under the door.
"Le-leo!!!"
Benjamin tried to yell the young knight's name, but Benjamin's mouth cough out blood. He could feel his all being uncontrollably shaking.
"By the way, this sword is poisoned."
Benjamin let out his vicious aura with all of the strength remaining from him. However, the man just smiled and crouch down to meet Benjamin's vicious gaze.
"I wonder why I cannot feel anything? I wonder why it is not affecting me? You left the Empire almighty but you came back with an obvious weakness. Though, that is the main reason, I could succeed."
"W-why?"
The man chuckled loudly, "Oh come on, I think we are the same on that area, by the end of the day, all we think is about ourselves. We are all writing our own fate and this is how I wanted it. By the way, in Heart Country, my name is Duke Cale Aries. My name does not have the Heart title because as you know, I was not born in Heart Country, as I was born in Spade. It is Duke Cale Spade Aries of the Heart Country."
Benjamin's eyes shook. More blood comes out of his neck as the man in front of him continued on giving him these facts.
"And that young boy you are wishing to kill tonight, will not die, because like you, I have to protect my own flesh and blood too, right?"
"The twins are your sons?"
"Oh no, only one of them, the other one was just a specimen we groomed for our grand plan. She actually have a blonde hair, which is very common in Heart Country."
Benjamin saw the wicked smile on his face, and he could see his own bloodied appearance from the reflection of the man's eyes.
'We been had?! The twins were not Spadian Royals, no they are not even Spadians!'
"Hey, where is your son? Let me kill him, will ya?" He whispered.
Words that Benjamin could never thought he will hear from this very man in front of him. Benjamin can no longer feel his body. it is only cold now. He could not think anymore too. He feel extremely tired. He glanced back up to the familiar face of the man in front of him. There was only one thought that flash on his mind.
'To think he was my Solace with all this years with out Kaleise by my side. Kaleise, I guess, I am seeing you soon.'
Then his world turn completely dark and cold.