xymnovel Chapter 2 Retelling
Chapter 2 Retelling
As the sun sets, the Mediterranean sky darkens into a deep gloom, with a silver moon hanging high and countless stars twinkling in the sky.
The once bustling giant ship now appears as a solitary silhouette on the Mediterranean Sea, the sea breeze cool and salty.
The guards and helmsmen, having slowed their pace, leaned against the ship's railings or cargo containers in twos and threes, passing around leather bags filled with cheap sour wine and chatting.
The new captain of the guard, Leo, still sported his signature smile and repeatedly tried to join in the guards' conversation. Most of the guards were former subordinates of the previous captain, Roy, and they obeyed Leo's orders but not his commands, simply ignoring his presence.
Leo walked over and sat down among the guards, then, amidst their disapproving stares, raised a jug of wine and downed it in one gulp. He said, "I know you all have opinions about me as your new commander. In truth, I have the utmost respect for Captain Roy, and taking his place was never my intention."
The guards didn't even look up, continuing to drink; they were used to this kind of clown's attention-seeking antics.
Leo scanned the guards' expressions and sighed, "His Majesty's decree ordered me to replace Roy. I have come here bearing the imperial mandate, the reasons for which His Majesty forbade me to keep secret. But my sole mission here is His Highness's safety. If you cannot overcome your differences and cooperate sincerely with me, then there is no need to keep it a secret."
Leo lowered his voice, "His Majesty has received some...unverified intelligence indicating that Captain Roy may be...under immense pressure regarding something beyond his control. His Majesty's actions are for His Highness's safety, and also to protect Captain Roy."
The guards stirred, and one of the older guards stood up, making the sign of the cross. The others followed suit, saying in unison, "Captain Roy would never harm His Highness. He has almost no vices; he's a warrior without fault—how could he be coerced into targeting His Highness!"
"We're all colleagues, why be so formal?" Leo suppressed the guards' excitement. "Brothers, there's no need to worry. His Majesty is just being cautious. Besides, Captain Roy's brother, Rolo, is still serving as the captain of the Valangi Guard, which shows that His Majesty's favor hasn't diminished. Once the storm passes, Captain Roy will surely return in glory."
The guards' suspicions dissipated, and their hostility lessened.
The old guard offered to share their wine with him as an apology.
Leo took the wine, sipped a few times, and casually asked, "I've heard many of Captain Roy's heroic deeds, and I've long admired him. I've always wondered how such a meticulous person could condone and even protect the prince with someone..."
He lowered his voice and carefully chose his words, "A child suspected of having leprosy becoming a close friend? Is there some unknown reason behind this that necessitates it? I have no ill intentions, but as someone in this position, I must ensure the absolute safety of the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing that it concerned Captain Roy's innocence, the old guard hesitated for a moment. To defend his former superior, he took the lead and denied the allegations, saying, "Oh, you needn't worry about that. We were also on guard at the time. Young Master Lyon comes from an distinguished family and shares similar interests with His Highness. He has a very simple social circle in the Mercia Military District and would never have had the intention or even the ability to harm His Highness."
"Yes, yes, it's actually His Highness who has caused Young Master Lyon so much trouble time and again. His Highness's mischievousness and playfulness have reached the point where they can 'harm' others..."
Leo pressed on, "Young Master? Mercia? If I remember correctly, His Highness stayed in Mercia for a while, didn't he?"
"Governor Mercia was His Highness's guardian and teacher, and young Master Lyon is the old governor's grandson. This trip is not just a pilgrimage, but more importantly, to pay tribute to the old governor who is buried in Patras," the old guard said, then lowered his voice and added almost in a whisper, "Young Master Lyon—his mother was a noblewoman from Komnenos."
Leo was deeply shocked, but his face remained calm, as if he were merely confirming a common fact: "Oh? Then his father..."
The old guard waved his hand, indicating he didn't want to say any more: "A Frankish nobleman, surnamed de Anjou. We don't know anything else."
Leo's heart churned with turmoil upon learning the secret. He tried his best to hide the trembling muscles in his face and nonchalantly told the guards to continue drinking. The clinking of earthenware bowls, the rough laughter diluted by the sea breeze, and the hushed conversations mingled with the sound of the waves. Yet his squinting eyes remained imperceptibly gleaming between the firelight and shadows.
The noise on deck was completely blocked by a thick layer of oak planks, and the noise from the deck could hardly be heard in the main cabin at the stern.
Leon removed his heavy cloak and mask, taking a rare moment to breathe. Jacob handed him a glass of water, watching him drink it, his gaze softening. "Feeling better, Leon? The sea air, though salty and fishy, is more real than the smell of herbs. Today... must have been tough?"
"So you knew too..." Leon rolled his eyes at him. Jacob opened his mouth, wanting to say something to comfort him, but Leon looked up at his unfocused eyes. "I don't understand. What's the point of doing this? As far as I know, I only have one brother, and he's also a leper. Who would want to harm me? Father, you've been hiding something from me."
"Don't look at me, I really don't know anything. Leon, you know me, my brain can't hold anything but alcohol."
Leon glared at him helplessly. He knew he wouldn't get any answers from Accord, but at least temporarily. As his mother's half-brother and his uncle, Accord had been by Leon's side since birth. Although he was full of lies, he must know something.
"Are you hungry? I'll go find you some bread." Leon's question caught Accord off guard, so he had to make an excuse to escape the cabin.
He pushed open the heavy oak hatch and was about to step out when he nearly bumped into a figure pressed against the door. The figure jerked backward like a startled rabbit.
It is Alexius.
He was clearly not expected the door to open suddenly, and he froze on the spot, his face showing a mixture of extreme embarrassment and panic.
In an instant, the Crown Prince's face turned bright red at a visible speed. His eyes darted around, glancing at the priest's serious and knowing expression, then at Leon, who had already put on his mask in time and was looking at him with the same surprised expression. He wished the deck would immediately crack open and he could disappear into it.
"Leon...Leon!" he stammered, his voice trembling, "I...I just...happened to be here!"
He abruptly straightened up, attempting to adopt the dignified bearing of a crown prince to conceal his embarrassment. He subconsciously straightened his spotless, wrinkle-free clothes and cleared his throat. However, all these efforts appeared utterly futile under the priest's silent and meaningful gaze.
Finally, he gave up struggling, his shoulders slumped, and he muttered in frustration:
"Okay... I admit it. I just... wanted to hear what you guys were talking about."
His gaze passed over the priest, looking pleadingly at Leon inside the cabin, his eyes seeming to say, "Please say something for me!"
Accord tried hard to hold on, but ultimately couldn't.
Lyon never intended to hold back.
The two men unrestrainedly mocked Alexius, filling the entire cabin with a joyful atmosphere.
"Your Highness, your eavesdropping skills... haven't improved at all."
Lyon waved his hand. "Your Highness, please come in. I want to see what you heard. If you can't explain anything, I'll continue to laugh at you mercilessly."
Accord couldn't hide his laughter. He quickly turned around while bowing to Alexius, his shoulders trembling slightly as he hurried away, but the suppressed chuckle still carried clearly back. Alexius, blushing, entered the cabin and sat down next to Leon. To hide his embarrassment, he grabbed a water glass from the table and drank it down in one gulp.
As soon as the water entered his throat, a strong, spicy sensation shot straight up from his throat to his stomach. Alexius coughed violently, and the blush spread not only to his cheeks but also to his entire face and neck.
"This is the strong liquor the priest drank..." Leon also started coughing violently, weakly pounding the table—but he was laughing so hard he couldn't catch his breath.
About fifteen minutes later, the two finally calmed down.
"So, what did you hear, professional royal spies?"
Alexius ignored Leon's sarcasm and gulped down his water. "I didn't hear anything interesting, just fucking politics. I don't understand it and I'm not interested in understanding it."
"You say someone wants to harm you? Coincidentally, my guards and even my father often say someone wants to harm me too. I don't understand. You're the second son, and... you suffer from that illness. As for me, I'm a fool who will never learn politics. Sitting in class, the names of those governors and bishops buzz around my ears like flies, but I can't remember a single one, and I don't understand why they unite today and betray tomorrow. Even the lowest-ranking maid in the palace understands the empire's politics better than I do!"
Lyon listened quietly to his old friend's grievances and troubles over the years, and he couldn't help but recall their fairy-tale conversations when they were still babbling toddlers.
Alexius seemed to remember something and asked, "Leon, do you remember those two sentences you said to me back then?"
Lyon pondered for a moment, then wore an expression that said, "Could it be that?" "When you're in politics, you're not in control of your own destiny?"
"Yes, yes, there's another line: 'Politics is bad, it drives people crazy,'" Alexius exclaimed excitedly, jumping up to his feet. "I told my father your famous quote, and he got so angry he beat me up! But don't worry, I would never betray you!"
Leon waved his hand. "I don't care if you betrayed me or not. I'm so hungry I want to eat you up so you'll stop making noise. Why are you dawdling, Father?"
Just then, the boat jerked very slightly and strangely, as if its hull had brushed against some underwater debris, quite unlike the usual rocking caused by waves. But the sensation was fleeting, and neither of them paid it any attention; their focus quickly returned to their complaints about the food and their childhood memories.