If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 267

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Cain lifted his sleeve to shield his face—partly to hide from any prying eyes that might be watching, and partly to block out the stench.

“This way, Commander.”

He’d deliberately avoided bringing many guards along; if you want to avoid attention, it’s best to keep your group small. Cain was already an imposing presence on his own, so bringing another large man along would only attract more stares.

In the end, he left with only Ethan and Lehman, and even then, instructed Lehman to stay with the carriage while Ethan followed him to the tavern called the One-Eyed Man.

As they walked through the alleys, the eyes of the local drifters fixed on Cain and Ethan. No matter how much they hid their identities beneath heavy cloaks, it was obvious to anyone in this slum that they were out of place.

First of all, people of such stature simply didn’t exist in the slums—growing up with little to eat, no one here grew that large. Occasionally, some burly men would swagger through, picking fights, but those were usually night watchmen, not locals—men who roamed the streets for work.

Second, the fabric of the cloaks wrapped around their heads was far too fine for these parts. Even if you didn’t know luxury, it was clear at a glance that these were clothes a poor man could never afford. Naturally, their presence was impossible to ignore.

The “One-Eyed Man Tavern.”

True to its name, the owner greeted Cain with a welcoming smile. He would later learn that the tavern keeper hadn’t lost his eye to some legendary tale—his mother had accidentally dropped him off the bed as an infant.

The fact that he survived such an ordeal as a baby and grew up to run a tavern frequented by nobles spoke to his resilience. If he hadn’t been born in the slums, he might’ve made a fine knight himself.

Suppressing the regret he felt for promising talent, Cain stepped inside.

The place was dim and musty. The smell of damp, unventilated wood hit his nose first. He noticed dusty cobwebs clinging to beams, and the clatter of old chairs with every step he took. Still, he followed the owner quietly as he led them toward the back.

At the very rear, there was a small door, caked with dust as though it hadn’t been opened in ages. Clearly, this wasn’t meant to be a main entrance.

“Please, go in. He’s waiting for you.”

The jangle of keys was loud in the silence. After opening the door, the one-eyed owner quickly stepped aside—eager not to interrupt a secret meeting among nobles.

Cain and Ethan exchanged a glance. Then Cain stepped through, while Ethan waited outside to stand guard. The door shut with a heavy thud, sending up a swirl of dust that made Cain keep his sleeve up over his nose.

What could Josef have to say that required such secrecy? As Cain pondered, a door at the far end of the room suddenly swung open.

He expected to see Josef and turned toward the sound, but to his surprise, the person who entered was not limping.

So, it wasn’t Josef.

Like Cain, the newcomer was wrapped head to toe in a cloak, hiding even his hair. But Cain recognized immediately—this was a royal.

Even as the stranger came close and sat down right in front of him, Cain couldn’t conceal his shock. It was a good thing his sleeve was still hiding his face.

“It’s been a while, Marquis.”

The calm voice was unmistakably familiar. Cain quickly took stock of the situation and bowed deeply.

“It’s an honor to see you, the Crown Prince.”

Recognizing him at once, the Crown Prince relaxed and pulled down his hood. The two knights who had accompanied him did the same. Revealing themselves as Christian and a silver-haired man, both members of the Imperial Second Order.

“You may rise.”

The Crown Prince said as Christian drew out a chair. He sat, and with a nod, Cain followed suit.

The young, golden-haired man watching Cain looked a little like Emperor Vlahova, but there was something gentler in his features. Had they ever spoken in private before? At least, Cain could not recall such a meeting.

People often gossiped about the Emperor’s favored knight and his only son. In truth, neither man bore any ill will toward the other—but rumors and idle talk had always kept them distant. The business with Princess Alexandra didn’t help matters, either.