Chapter 322: The Love of His Life
The Commander wanted to dismiss the question as merely needing to know the goings on of his knighthood, but the very truth was that he was curious. It was a burning curiosity to know whether or not there was more to Irene and Felix’s teasing—perhaps a jealousy he couldn’t quell until he knew the truth.
It wasn’t as if he wanted Irene for himself; he simply wanted to know.
And then what? The Commander wondered. What would he do if they truly were together?
He would end up doing what he did every single night, which was licking the wounds his once precious Princess had left behind. Perhaps the truth was that he merely wanted everyone around him to be as miserable and alone as he was. Would he only be satisfied if that were the case?
The Commander watched as a variety of emotions flitted across Felix’s face. Each time there was one that was somewhat horrified, he jumped to the conclusion that he had uncovered something they thought they were keeping well-hidden. No one could help that he accidentally eavesdropped on them while they were having a conversation they thought no one else could hear.
Felix began calmly, not taking offense at what the Commander had asked, but knowing he needed to nip it in the bud before it could grow into something uncontrollable. Considering he had faced accusations in the past that came directly from Irene’s mother, he upheld his promise to protect her honor, the same way that Irene promised she would protect his.
"I assure you, Commander, there is nothing going on between me and my fellow knight," he responded. "Please believe me. Whether it was an accusation you’ve heard in passing or something misconstrued, I swear with all my honor that Irene is no more than my greatest friend. For years, I thought she was my brother, only to look back and realize I had a sister instead."
Commander Henry felt disappointed in himself when relief initially washed over him. It then confirmed that everyone there was just as alone as he was. Perhaps then he had more in common with these knights than he expected.
"You’re right," the Commander relented. "I did hear something that it seems I misinterpreted on my own. I merely wanted to be informed in case it came up one day and I was caught off guard."
"Then I am glad we got ahead of it," Felix admitted. "You are not the first to make that assumption, but I assure you that it will never wind up that way. She is too important to me in other ways. After all, she was at my side when I lost the woman I consider the love of my life and pulled me from what felt like hell. Just as I was there for her when her best friend, and one of our greatest apprentices, was taken from us in one of the largest battles during the war."