HEO 16

Wolf carefully removed Red Eagle’s robe. Red Eagle’s complexion immediately turned pale.

“Wolf? I just need to wash the blood off. I don’t need you to attend to me…”

“Yes, it’s a simple matter as you say. So please leave it to me.”

Wolf gave a small smile and began undressing Red Eagle. As a way of repaying the free luxury trip, he had volunteered to attend to Red Eagle’s meals and baths during their journey to Stoll. Having seen much growing up in the palace as a child, he quickly became skilled at it, but Red Eagle often declined, seeming burdened.

“Wolf, I’m really fine. I said I’m fine!”

“Oh, come on. I told you not to feel burdened.”

Wolf knelt down and poured water over Red Eagle’s legs. When bathing the prince, he couldn’t splash around like he would with a peer. He had to maintain a dignified posture, his movements as graceful as a harpist plucking strings. Wolf poured water, handful by handful, with the dexterity of a duchess raising a glass of white wine to her lips.

Above Wolf’s head, drenched in sweat, Red Eagle spoke in an awkward voice.

“Um, Wolf? Does your head hurt from the hangover? I’ll wash it myself now.”

“What are you talking about, Your Highness? My head doesn’t hurt. Turn to the left.”

“No… Wolf, that… This is something I…”

“I appreciate the concern, but you really don’t need to worry. Raise your right arm. Please spread each finger one by one.”

He washed the blood from Red Eagle’s body and wrapped a towel around his waist. Wolf sat cross-legged as etiquette dictated, then stretched both arms respectfully toward the hot spring.

“Your Highness. Please enter the bath now.”

“Wolf, get up quickly. Quickly.”

Red Eagle jabbed Wolf’s shoulder repeatedly with his fingertips. The urgent gesture prompted Wolf to look up. For some reason, Red Eagle’s face was bright red.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Was the water too hot?”

Wolf asked hastily, but Red Eagle turned his face away and waved his hand.

“No, Wolf. Just get up. Quickly.”

“Huh? Ah, yes.”

Wolf stood up, then froze in confusion. Black Weasel and Silver were staring at him. Both of them were smirking.

What is this atmosphere?

Silence.

“Pwahaha!”

The silence shattered with a laugh loud enough to echo through the cave. Black Weasel laughed so hard he held his forehead with one hand.

[Good thing we didn’t kill that servant! Never seen such a hilarious guy!]

Silver joined in the roaring laughter.

[Wow, never seen such a fool! The prince was giving him such obvious signals and he still didn’t get it to the very end!]

“You two! Are you insulting me right now?!”

Wolf’s face turned bright red like a beetroot.

“Why are you laughing! Whether in Atania or Stoll, the prince is always the prince! I am the prince’s servant! I just did my duty as a servant, what’s the problem!”

“Wolf, calm down. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Red Eagle grabbed Wolf’s shoulder and gave him a meaningful look.

“If we stick to court etiquette here, it’ll just look ridiculous to them. Since we’re foster brothers, let’s just be casual friends while we’re here.”

“Casual…? What? Absolutely not. That’s impossible.”

“Wolf.”

“…Yes.”

Wolf answered reluctantly. Red Eagle gave him another look and entered the hot spring. He sat opposite Black Weasel, just as Wolf had requested. Seeing this, Wolf regained his composure.

Alright, let’s get down to business.

Currently, the critical weakness for Wolf and Red Eagle was information. In the present situation, the only source of intel was Black Weasel. The problem was the authenticity of the information he would provide. During the short time Wolf had spent dealing with Black Weasel, he had gained one certainty: this hired killer was not someone to be trusted.

While bathing together, they would try to lure him and his assistant into a false sense of security. Red Eagle observed Black Weasel’s expression. Wolf took charge of Silver. The plan was set, but success was uncertain. Black Weasel was an assassin who had killed over a hundred people, while they were just greenhorns raised in a hothouse.

Black Weasel and Silver were still laughing hysterically. Wolf took it positively, as they were trying to make themselves look foolish in their eyes. Whether it’s this way or that way, as long as the bread tastes good, what does it matter?

Wolf took off his clothes. He hesitated as he tried to wrap a towel around his waist. Black Weasel and Silver suddenly stopped laughing and stared at him. Their gaze was one of surprise and fascination.

Those crazy bastards, are they surprised about this? That couldn’t be. Even if its purpose is limited, my thing is more imposing than the royal knight commander’s steed. And that’s not just my ego talking, it’s something I’ve heard countless times from random old men at the neighborhood bathhouse.

Wolf’s hair stood on end, and he gripped the towel tightly.

“Why… are you staring like that? I’m not a woman.”

“I know.”

Black Weasel added while looking Wolf up and down.

“Your body’s in good shape, servant. You’re already fully developed.”

Was he admiring the apprentice baker’s sturdy muscles? Wolf didn’t know the truth, but he tied the towel tightly.

“Thank you. I do strength training and running every day.”

Wolf made a vague excuse and quietly sat down opposite Silver. It was a spot where Black Weasel also came into view.

An awkward silence dispersed with the steam. Silver sat perched on a rock with his eyes cast downward, only his calves submerged in the hot spring. Beneath long lashes like a canopy, Alice blue eyes darted around. From Black Weasel to Wolf. Then to Red eagle. Back to Black Weasel.

Soon, Silver frowned and turned his head away. Wolf got the impression he was slightly fed up with something. What exactly?

Well, probably the old man. It must be exhausting to serve someone like that.

It might not be too hard to pull Silver over to their side.

It takes courage to escape from a master as vicious as Black Weasel. He needed to secure an opportunity to persuade Silver without Black Weasel knowing. His bargaining power was key.

“Um…”

Red Eagle’s voice pulled Wolf out of his wandering thoughts. Red Eagle spoke with an hesitant expression.

“You said we’d stay here for a month. Could you explain why?”

“No reason not to.”

Black Weasel replied gruffly while leaning his arms against the rock.

“How much did I tell you? Ah, I said the children of the Stoll king had agreed to a temporary truce and were being placed under the chieftains’ supervision, right? Well, actually, that was two months ago. So, it happened a month after you left Levenon.”

It was unexpected news. Wolf felt the lack of intelligence on their side acutely once more.

“Only one of the king’s sons remains now. That bastard is behind the mercenaries who attacked the prince yesterday. His name is… well, does it matter?”

Black Weasel shrugged.

“Anyway, he’s no pushover. He struck while his siblings were distracted, busy keeping the chieftains in check. He hosted a banquet, saying they should unite to face the chieftains head-on. Would his siblings come alone to such a gathering? They brought their key aides. What happened next…”

Black Weasel mimed slitting his own throat with one hand.

“To lead such a unity gathering… He must have been one of the most prominent among the king’s children even before this.”

Red Eagle made a remark befitting a courtier.

“Right, the king’s fifth son. Long ago, he was tipped to be the next king, both for his character and his combat prowess. Hmph, the inevitable happened in the end.”

Black Weasel twirled his finger in front of his face.

“You wouldn’t call him ‘brother’ if you saw him in person. To this little prince here, he’s a half-brother but more like a father in age. People who’ve seen him only talk about his face. They say it’s as fierce as a stray dog whose mate was stolen.”

Wolf barely managed to keep his trembling lips shut. Coming from someone who himself looked like a wild dog that had just had its prey snatched right in front of him.