Alois stayed seated in his chair as he looked at what lay inside Nicoleās basket. Nicole shook ever so slightly as if she were intimidated by him.
āUm, thisā¦ these are the Mistressā cookies.ā
āYesā¦ umm, though, the truth is she just made the dough, I baked these onesā¦ā
The biscuit dough that Camilla had made before being taken to the royal capital, still left unbaked, had been kept preserved by GĆ¼nter. Nicole told Alois that they had already used up several manastones keeping the storage box cold so that the dough wouldnāt go off.
āI asked Head Chef Brandt if I could have some of it. Um, I know I did something truly selfish without askingā¦ the Mistress even said that she didnāt want Lord Alois to eat any until she had made the taste perfect tooā¦ā
But, even so, Nicole still looked at those cookies. A mix of trepidation and frustration flashed across her face in a blur.
āBut Iām sure that, deep down, the Mistress would really want you to eat these, Lord Alois.ā
More than anyone else, Nicole was the one who had spent the most time by Camillaās side in this land called Mohnton.
She had been saved by Camilla, she admired Camilla, and she always wanted to do her best for Camilla. But now, Camilla is far away and all alone.
Nicole was just a single young maid. She didnāt have power enough to rescue Camilla on her own, nor did she have any way to really help Alois either. But despite that, she wanted to do something, she couldnāt just wallow in sadness.
āUmm, the cookies, Iāll leave them here, then? Iām so sorry I bothered you so early in the morning.ā
After closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, it felt like something had been lifted off Nicoleās shoulders. With a short bow, she placed the biscuits on the table and left the room quietly.
Once the echoes of her footsteps in the hallway died away, Alois was left all alone with those cookies in that silent room.
Alois managed to haul his exhausted body to its feet.
Then, he approached the basket that Nicole had left behind.
The basket was small, with the bottom of it covered by a white cloth. On top of that were a disorderly pile of vaguely round shaped cookies of all different sizes.
It wasnāt as if he were hungry. But, perhaps his body moved on his own, simply hearing Camillaās name? He unconsciously reached out to the basket, took one of those cookies, and brought it to his mouth.
The biscuits had a soft texture and a simple taste.
He felt like heād eaten something like this before. It was far less fancy or nuanced than anything the chefs in his kitchen would make, yet he still found the taste irresistible. This taste, itāsā¦
Was it similar to the cookies that he had from the orphanage in Grenze?
They were onlyĀ similarĀ to the biscuits that he had from the orphanage.
The truth was, the taste that Alois had only had once, long ago, really was unforgettable.
The lamentable prince, who knew not even his own face. The penal duchy occupying the wilds of the north, a land of criminals and sinners. A child, unloved by their parents. The only thing he had ever asked for out of desire, a cookie with a simple taste.
His parentsā demise at the hands of his own magic. A final magic charm kept secret for years. That tiny spell that Camilla had cast.
Something overflowed from the depths of his body. Sealed magic and sealedĀ memories.
Alois stood in silence. As he stared down at the biscuit in his hand, he couldnāt move, the breath caught in his throat.
He called her name through a desperate gasp. He saw a fleeting image of Camillaās raven black hair, overlapping with the face of a crying girl, whose name he never learned.
Just how had she done it again?
āAlois, you alright?ā
Had the time for their meeting already come? As Klaus said that, he didnāt even knock as he strode into the room.
Alois stood with his back to the door as Klaus approached him. But, he stopped a few feet away.
When he spoke his name, Alois turned around to look at him. When Klaus saw Aloisā pale face, he was taken aback.
Klaus stared at him in stunned silence for a few moments, then turned away from him, muttering.
āAloisā¦ your eyes.ā
Hearing that, Alois raised a finger to his eyes.
They were damp and wet, with water spilling down his cheeks. It took a moment for Alois to register that those were, in fact, his own tears.
The more the tears fell, the more he felt his magical power pumping through his veins. It was unconsciously beginning to take the form of that loathsome curse from back then.
Alois put his hand on his chest, trying to hold back that despicable hex from his past. As Alois did, Klaus stepped back from him, murmuring faintly.
āYouāve rememberedā¦ Youāve seriously remembered who you are?ā
Without saying anything, Alois turned to look at him slightly.
The complicated look on Klausā face was obvious as he looked at him.
āā¦Do you want to go back to the royal capital?ā
As Klaus asked him that, Alois hesitated for a moment.
But, it was only a moment, as he nodded.
The royal capital still held Camilla. With this, he may be able to truly bring her back.
They were the most honest words heād ever spoken in his life. The truth was that he had wanted to chase after her the moment she stepped out of the house.
Klaus frowned bitterly. Brushing his hair off his face with a frustrated sigh, he didnāt hesitate to say the cruel words on his lips.
Alois knew why Klaus would say it. But even if he knew how Klaus would react, he couldnāt help it. He loved her, after all.
āā¦Thereās no way I can let you.ā
Klausā face seemed pained as he stared at Alois, who was suppressing his magical power. It was a painful expression, but a strong one.
āJust now, we got a message from a scout in Falsch. It seems like a joint attack from the Einst and Falsch forces is imminent. The mages from Falsch are already moving as a vanguard. The biggest battle so far is going to begin any moment now.ā
āWeāre completely on the backfoot right now. But, you still have people standing by your side, since they believe in their Lord. Your opponents are rebels, you have to show that youāre the legitimate ruler of this land.ā
It was a still and quiet morning. The only thing that could be heard from outside was a faint birdsong. Klausā strong voice echoed in that silent room.
āI know just how much you want to go to the capitalā¦ If I were you, Iād just leave all this behind and go straight away! I mean, what truly ties you to this land anymore!?ā
The truth was, Alois had no reason to feel any responsibility for Mohnton. If he abandoned this land and left for the capital, knowing this truth, the only people who would scorn him for his decision would be the people of Mohnton themselves. Rather, it would be the people of Mohnton who would become the object of scorn, should they try and keep him here against his will.
āBut, you canāt. What would happen if you left now? We donāt have enough men, and morale is hanging by a thread. The opponent is marching right up to our gates with enough power to flatten us completely!ā
āHonestly, I really want to let you go. But, I canāt allow it. If youāre really dead set on going, Iāll stop you, even if that means fighting you myself!ā
As Klaus teetered between duty and friendship, Alois shook his head.
Heād always known that Klaus was a good man. But, Klaus wasnāt physically strong, he couldnāt hope to ever beat Alois in a fight. Even though he must have known that himself, he still said it.
Alois truly had a good friend in him. Even if their numbers werenāt huge, the people who still stood by Aloisā side were truly loyal. If Alois left them now, just what would happen to them all?
He truly wanted to go to the royal capital straight away. But, Camilla had also wanted to protect this place as well, to protect Mohnton. He couldnāt turn his back on them. Even if it wasnāt Aloisā land by birth, it was still a place that Alois wanted to protect.
Wiping the tears from his eyes, Alois said that. He did his best to calm down, controlling his pained breathing.
He tried to reassure him, but Klausā face looked bitter and full of self-loathing. Just what kind of expression did he wear as he faced Klaus? Alois himself couldnāt know.
āAlois, Iām sorry.ā
Klaus managed to breathe out those words as he looked up at Alois.
āJust a little moreā¦ just wait a little bit longer, until we can turn this around. Two days? No, maybe even just one dayā¦ā
Despite the circumstances, Klaus was still scratching his head, trying to formulate a plan.
But, the light at the end of the tunnel was so far away, no matter how much he thought he could barely see a glimmer.
āLord Alois! My deepest apologies for interrupting your rest, but thereās urgent news that you must hear!!ā
A soldier barged into the room unannounced, raising his voice. The man looked like he had run a marathon. His face was flushed red as he panted. It was immediately obvious that something unexpected had happened.
Both having the same bad premonition, Klaus and Aloisā expressions stiffened as a chill ran up their spines.