Chapter 137: Mountain thief

After the attack, the palace has an increase of guards to ensure that the creature does not sneak in like this night. The hallways of the palace are lighted up with mana lamps to keep the visibility. 

Sitting on the rooftop, Federline plays with his small dagger by tossing it in the air and catching it by the hilt. He lets out a yawn as he carefully observes any movements to guard the palace building. He turns his attention as soon as he hears a footstep to the rooftop tiles and stops tossing the dagger.

"Headmaster," Federline nods.

"Federline… I told you so many times to call me Kyrie, but you still call me headmaster for almost three years now," Kyrie clumsily tries to bend down to sit on the tilted surface of the rooftop.

"You have taken my family and me in after saving us. You are my savior. Of course I would show respect."

Kyrie huffs helplessly. Maybe he will never be able to convince Federline to call him by his name.

"Here," Kyrie throws a small packet to Federline.

Federline catches reflexively with one hand and opens the paper-wrapped packet to find caramels inside. 

"You really treat me as a kid even though I am older than you by two years."

"Take it or leave it, Federline… I know you want it! Plus, I am older than you! Just not in the physical sense," Kyrie breathes out and leans back to look at the sky.

"Headmaster might seem like the devil, but unexpectedly, the headmaster cares about those with terrible stories."

They both stay silent, sitting by each other. Federline returns to guard the building, and Kyrie dazes out while looking at the moon. Kyrie has picked Federline up during his first year after transmigrating to this world. Federline's previous identity is of a mountain thief who lived his life stealing from the rich merchants or nobles that passed through his territory. Although he is by name a thief, Federline is more like a robin hood. He picks up the homeless and abandoned children, and the only way he could afford to feed that community is to steal. 

Kyrie sits up after feeling the chill of the night and turns to Federline, "Let's go to sleep."

"But what if the creature comes back?" Federline lifts his bum from the rooftop.

"I think the creature has a specific feeding schedule. Plus, during the fight, the creature's strength plummeted. I don't think it is dumb enough to come back," Kyrie starts to walk on the rooftop.

"How do you know that it has a specific feeding schedule?"

"The creature has stayed inside the palace for a few days, and it hasn't made a move that entire time. Isn't it weird?" Kyrie looks at the full moon, "I think it kills whenever there is a full moon."

---

The clouds sail through the sky colored in its faded sunrise, and the birds chirp praising the new day. At the tranquil start of the day, the chilled air pickles the exposed skin, bringing alertness to the mind. Each breath brings in the energies of nature to fill in the body, renewing it for a day of toil. 

The Blair Palace begins the day with the mild sounds of footsteps from the maids. The light of the new day awakens Lemuel from his slumber, and slowly he opens his pale green eyes. He sits up and turns his head towards the windows to observe the outside blooming in color from the daylight. 

The occurrences of yesterday night are starting to return to him. The hit of recalling that his sister Fiona is dead makes his heart spasm in grief. However, the sad memory soon gets taken over by the sweetness that his tongue remembers.

"How improper..." Lemuel touches his lips while remembering a bitten piece of candy placed in his mouth.

A maid knocks at the door, "Your highness, I have brought some warm water for your morning cleansing."

"Come in."

The maid enters the room and leaves the basin of water and towels.

"Her Majesty the grand duchess has requested your presence after breakfast."

"Understood," Lemuel stands up from his bed, and the maid leaves after finishing her duties.

Lemuel gets ready for the day and has breakfast in his room. Then, he walks to the grand duchess's office, meeting with a servant outside. 

"The grand duchess is currently in a meeting with the paladin and second princess. They will be done soon, Prince Halinas," The servant informs Lemuel after bowing.

He frowns when he hears that the second princess has joined the meeting with the paladin.

The door opens, and the attendant peeks out, "Your highness, please come in. Her majesty has allowed you to come to join the meeting."

Lemuel enters to find the paladin sitting across the grand duchess and the second princess Diane Halinas. Federline and Laurel stand behind the couch where Kyrie is sitting. 

"Your Majesty, Princess Diane, Sir Paladin…" Lemuel bows to each of them before sitting on the seat perpendicular to Kyrie and the grand duchess. 

"Since everyone is here, I would like to start with the announcement regarding the examination for my succession…"

Lemuel whips his head towards the grand duchess in shock since they had just recovered Fiona's body yesterday.

"Your majesty… What about the mourning of sister Fiona?" Lemuel asks between his teeth, clenching from the anger.

He tries to remain calm, but without even passing the time of a single day, Princess Fiona is being forgotten. The mourning traditionally lasts at least a month.

"Lemuel…" The grand duchess stares daggers at him, "If you were just thirty percent of Princess Fiona, then I would not even consider this examination since you are the only one remaining that has inherited our unique bloodline and ability… I am getting old and weak, and the responsibility of my people is still on my shoulders. I have to think of their well-being above anything."

The grand duchess lets out a sigh. She is not heartless, but she cannot let her duchy remain without a capable ruler after her death.