Chapter 196: Bite The Bullet
Cassian showed up at the backyard of Amade’s home, and he wasn’t surprised to find Amade sitting on a bench with a lantern by his side. If Amade ever had a hard time falling asleep, he would visit the backyard and stare into space until he eventually gets sleepy enough to return to his room, a routine he always did even at the Duke’s mansion.
Cassian walked up to Amade who hadn’t noticed his presence yet, but when he eventually did, a look of surprise graced his face, and he immediately got to his feet, lowering his head slightly in a bow.
"Lord Cassian? You’re out here? It gets cold during the night, why aren’t you asleep?" Amade, who expected the young lad to be tired and drained out after all that journey they made to get here, found it surprising to see Cassian out here in the midnight cold, and the young lad smiled faintly, feeling grateful for Amade’s genuine concern.
In return, he bowed his head respectfully.
"I couldn’t sleep, will it be okay if I joined you?" He requested, and Amade, who didn’t think the permission was necessary, dropped the lantern to the ground and ushered Cassian to take his seat on the wide bench.
"This is like your home too, don’t treat me like a stranger, please, feel comfortable."
Cassian barely knew what he did to receive this much respect and care from Amade, something he never once received or felt from his own father. Right now, he was a man with no title, because the news of what he had becomed should have labeled him a monster or even a tyrant, but Amade knew everything from the onset, but still treats him no different than when he was still a normal human.
There was this strange bubbling feeling in his throat, but Cassian said nothing and quietly took his seat on the bench. Amade took his seat right after, and they both stared out into the beautiful dark blue sky, watching the scanty stars twinkle above.
The temperature had dropped that night, and it felt chilly on the outside.
"When do you intend to leave for Whitebrige city’s capital?" Asked Amade, and Cassian sighed softly before answering.
"Late afternoon by tomorrow, it will take His Majesty’s search party a day or two to get to the lower East quarters. By then, the news would have reached all the quarters. I have no intention of prolonging my stay and getting you or your family mixed up with my own fate. The quicker I leave, the better."
"Does His Majesty know you’re here?" Amade felt the need to inquire, and Cassian shook his head.