On the day that Eliezer was to meet with his lady once again, Mathazar watched from his window as his brother left through the palace gates with his trusted knight and a couple of other guards on horseback. The younger prince's maid 'lover' conveniently came up behind him to observe this as well, before commenting.

"That young knight is going to be a problem, Your Highness."

Mathazar nodded. "Indeed. It would be best if we watch him carefully."

"Would it not be simpler to just get rid of him?" Robynne suggested.

"It would be too much of a risk at this time, my lady. There is already too much suspicion."

The maid smirked. "I would not recommend waiting too long to take some action. At this rate, he might very well replace you as your brother's confidant."

The prince scoffed. "I am Prince Eliezer's twin and a member of the royal family. I am not about to be threatened by some novice who has earned my brother's favor merely by chance."

Internally, however, Mathazar was rather apprehensive about the knight being a possible obstacle to him and a threat to his and Robynne's covers.
[hr]
The midday light shone brightly on the glistening lake and the landscape surrounding it, the sight as beautiful as it always was. The warmth of the Sun's rays, coupled with the gentle breeze left one uplifted and rejuvenated, ready to take in the lovely view. A light smile formed on Hildebrand's face as he glanced around the place they had ridden up to.

"This place is beautiful, Your Highness. It is no wonder why you would choose to meet with your lady here. I supposed that you do not come here very often."

Eliezer shook his head. "I had stopped for a long time, until I met Lady Omrea. Back when Prince Mathazar and I were boys, we used to request to be brought out here rather often. This is a good place to make memories with the ones most important to you."

Deep down, the prince was saddened when he made that last statement, remembering that what he had recently been told about the two most important people in his life was causing him to distrust them. He had decided to take a chance at happiness, but all he had learned was that it was anything but simple. At this point, he had to question if it was all truly worth it.

To echo his mood on the inside, his knight then decided to ask a serious question. "Mister Cornell has made a bold claim about your brother, Your Highness. What if it shall turn out to be true?"

"You know how it feels to lose a brother, Sir Hildebrand. How about you tell me? Tell me how much it would hurt if it were true."

Hildebrand was slightly stunned, finding the reply to be rather antagonistic. "Your Highness, I... Forgive me if I have angered you."

"You have done no such thing, Sir Hildebrand," Eliezer assured him. "My frustration is with the situation itself. I have to be prepared for the truth, whatever it may be, though I am uncertain of how I shall achieve this. I also apologize if I have hurt you by referring to Sir Aldebrand."

"It is quite alright, Your Highness."