Turning Chapter 815

Chapter 815

"Why can't you think of the simplest solution? Your esteemed father is precisely the person to consult in such situations."

"...What?"

Kiolle's expression was one of utter bewilderment, a face that clearly hadn't considered the idea.

"Go and inform him. That will solve everything immediately. Why ignore a swift solution and do nothing?"

"This matter...! But what if contacting my father inadvertently leads to a discussion about His Highness the Crown Prince...!"

"Unless you're extremely suspicious in your approach, I doubt he'd bring it up first. You haven't let slip the Crown Prince's absence yet, have you?"

"That's true... My father hasn't been directly overseeing Bright Palace lately... But still, I am an adult... Contacting my family over such a matter is something a child would do... How will my father and the others view me!"

It was ludicrous to hear such words from someone whose actions were often more childish than anyone else's and who constantly boasted of his lineage.

"What will they think? They'll think the same as usual. Looking too changed isn't good either."

"What did you say?!"

"Have you forgotten how, after you lost our duel, you used your family's influence to have me expelled? You had no qualms about exploiting your family then; why is this any different?"

Kiolle failed to provide a satisfactory answer.

"That was in the past! Why bring it up again! How despicable!"

He was on the verge of tears and running out.

'Such a person, claiming to be a master strategist... Everyone must be blind.'

Yuder decided to coax Kiolle a bit.

In truth, it was nothing much. Just a few convincing words would suffice for Kiolle.

“Kiolle, our Cavalry has learned that the so-called sage and his group, whom you call swindlers, are currently in this city. Imagine if they're lucky enough to encounter the Crown Prince."

"No! That must never happen...!"

"Better to be seen protecting the Crown Prince alone, even in the worst-case scenario, than to have rumors spread about you handing him over to the Herne family after abducting him to the south. It'll be easier if you're in touch with us."

"Eww… …."

"Still, if you're more comfortable being with the Herne family, that's your call. If it were me, I would've kicked the Crown Prince out the moment I found him hiding in my carriage. But if that's how you express your loyalty, I've nothing to say."

"Ah, how dare you speak so disrespectfully about him...!"

"Consider what's best for you in your current situation and who to cooperate with. Imagine the worst-case scenario that could arise from dawdling within Herne."

"..."

"And one last thing, remember your oath to assist me wherever you are."

After saying this, Yuder looked at Kiolle's twisted face and asked one last question.

"What will you do now?"

"You truly are a devilish being."

Kiolle clenched his teeth in response.

"I'll contact you in about a week! After I've escaped the clutches of that arrogant Duke of Herne! And I'll catch those swindlers too, so just you wait!"

"You intend to capture the sage? Such grand aspirations. It would be best to be cautious and avoid being brainwashed if you encounter them."

Yuder turned his gaze away from Kiolle, who was barking like a dog.

"Fine. Do as you wish. Anyway, I'm leaving now."

"..."

"What? Is there something else you want to say?"

Kiolle, with a reluctance in his eyes unlike his usual demeanor, bit his lip hard and finally spoke.

"The... the cavalry."

"...”

"You're aware of the swindlers' brainwashing abilities, right? You even mentioned earlier that you knew how to counter it."

Yuder had obtained some information about the abilities, but he hadn't completely figured out how to undo the brainwashing yet. Nevertheless, he decided to continue listening, as Kiolle's expression was earnest and troubled, a change from before.

"Then what?"

"Those who are brainwashed, their, their speech and actions become strange and different. You know that, right?"

"So, what are you trying to say?"

"Well, it's just that His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't trust me, rather he has a bizarre misunderstanding about me. Honestly, if it weren't for that misunderstanding, I would never have brought him here."

So, did this mean that Crown Prince Katchian was currently brainwashed and had coerced Kiolle into moving him against his will?

'So it wasn't just that Kiolle mindlessly brought him along after discovering the prince's escape.'

Indeed. True loyalty, bearing the weight of pain and conviction without complaint, is fitting only for knights like Nathan Zuckerman. Kiolle, who feared nothing more than his father's reprimand and knew nothing of true loyalty, wouldn't have endured all this for Katchian.

"So, perhaps, you might know how to... undo the brainwashing, or at least help clear up the misunderstanding?"

"You can't do it."

"That's why! Not me, someone else! Tell me!"

Kiolle exclaimed loudly.

"If you're going to keep using me, it's not good for me to be in trouble!"

Yuder was surprised. There hadn't been a more convincing argument from Kiolle before.

"If I keep hearing such words from him, I'll truly lose all my honor and die in disgrace!"

Yuder now became curious about what Katchian had said to Kiolle to make him suffer so.

"What misunderstanding?"

"Don't ask about that!"

"I need to know if I'm to help you or not. If you don't like it, then so be it."

As Yuder turned to leave, Kiolle grabbed the hem of his clothes desperately.

"No! Don't go! Well, you can go, but just tell me that! I don't need anything else!"

"I don't like your manner of asking."

"What?!"

"If you politely and properly explain what this 'misunderstanding' is and then humbly ask, I might consider it. Otherwise, no."

Yuder declared this, looking down with an expressionless face. Dressed in his impressive formal attire, he appeared even more formidable than usual.

Kiolle truly wanted to challenge Yuder Aile to a duel at that moment. However, that desire dimmed as he recalled Yuder's terrifying abilities and the fallen Imperial Knights.

Amidst his trembling fists, Kiolle pondered over all the statements he had endured from Crown Prince Katchian.

“The anticipation of the Duke and others learning about your homosexuality is quite exciting.”

"I wonder who the partner might be. Given your pride, you surely wouldn't consort with anyone less than a noble. But if you do, that would be even more amusing."

"If you don't want to be exposed, follow my words. It means I hold all your weaknesses."

"Surely you wouldn't harm me. I am the finest piece presented by your family. Don't make a foolish choice."

It was an insanely frustrating time. No matter how much he insisted he wasn't homosexual, no one would believe him. The effort to conceal Katchian, who seemed to have no intention of hiding his identity, had led to many desperate acts within the Herne family.

The First Princess of the Herne family, having previously met him and Katchian, found his behavior and speech perplexing, especially when he attempted to conceal Katchian's presence. As a result, she now views Kiolle as utterly insane.

He didn't want to endure more humiliation. And he was certainly not homosexual!

And this tremendous misunderstanding was all Yuder's fault. If only Yuder hadn't constantly summoned Kiolle, dragging him around, and if only Katchian hadn't caught sight of them, this tragic misunderstanding would never have occurred.

Therefore, Kiolle believed Yuder should be held responsible for this predicament.

"This... Whose fault is this…!"

"Are you suggesting it's my fault you're misunderstood?"

"Yes!"

Yuder didn't blink an eye. He crossed his arms and tilted his head as he spoke.

"Fine. I'm more intrigued now. Try asking with your head bowed."

"This…!"

Kiolle was so angry he nearly fainted.

"If you won't do it, then forget it."

In the end, Kiolle, like swallowing a bitter pill, managed to explain the misunderstanding about his alleged homosexuality and even went as far as to 'request' help.

Although it looked more like he was swallowing tears of rage than bowing, Yuder decided to be lenient.

'Now that I think about it, claiming it's my fault isn't entirely absurd.'

The idea of using the misunderstanding of homosexuality as leverage to manipulate someone was baffling.

Yuder realized anew that Emperor Katchian's way of holding numerous nobles' weaknesses in his previous life wasn't accidental. Truth be told, Yuder Aile wasn't much different. He had killed the former Cavalry Commander on Emperor Katchian's orders, but this secretive assassination became both proof of Yuder's loyalty and a perpetual weakness held by Emperor Katchian.

At the time, Yuder hadn't thought of it as a weakness, but Emperor Katchian saw it differently. Whenever he distrusted or distanced himself from Yuder, he would indirectly remind him of that incident.

And then, he used it as the first charge in the death sentence, putting the final nail in the coffin.

'Some have changed greatly since my return, but others remain the same, their nature and ultimate fate unchanged despite any transformation. Crown Prince Katchian seems to belong to the latter.'

A cold, faint smile appeared and then disappeared from Yuder's lips.

'And besides... if it's just a misunderstanding of that nature, wouldn't it be resolved simply by officially getting engaged or dating someone? Why is he such a fool?'

Katchian's manipulation of the homosexual misunderstanding was possible because Kiolle wasn't responding appropriately. Naturally, people would believe the misunderstanding if he didn't speak up or defend himself. Who wouldn't?

Kiolle seemed to have a nature that fixated on a single thought when cornered. In many ways, it was a miracle he had survived this long with such a personality.

Just as Yuder was about to speak and enlighten him on this fact, faint sounds of footsteps and shouting came from beyond the space sealed by the wind.

"The Duke has arrived!”

"Where is Sir Diarca?"

'Ah, the father who was late to his son's funeral has finally arrived.'

Kiolle, too, seemed to have heard the commotion, as his complexion paled. Yuder sighed softly and gestured with his eyes.

"Let's leave for now. We can discuss this matter after you've left the Herne family."

"Ugh…"

"I'll go out first. You wait a bit before following."

"That would make me look arrogant!"

What did it matter? Kiolle da Diarca was already known for being arrogant.