Shadow Oath

Chapter 30: First Meeting (1)

Terrdin had been busy negotiating for an entire week.

He even visited the village of the Geran tribe in person.

At that time, he didn’t bring Ram, as he had entrusted Demion, Charlon, and Jedric’s security to Ram.

There was no need to protect Ruseph.

He already had three escort knights of his own sticking to him like shadows.

Those three knights were essentially Ruseph’s shadows.

Originally, Charlon had her own escort knights, but she had dismissed them.

She’d said something formal about how Prince Demion would protect her.

Demion also had escort knights, but he dismissed them as well.

It was his way of saying he didn’t want to be treated like a child.

The only presence he allowed was Ram.

No, it was more accurate to say he used Ram as an excuse to push others away.

“This man is trustworthy, Charlon. He’s Terrdin’s finest knight, keeps things confidential, and is very comfortable to have by your side.”

At Demion’s praise, Charlon smiled and replied.

“I felt he was a reassuring presence the moment I first saw him.”

Unused to compliments, Ram wanted to hide somewhere out of sight from the two.

He was certain their words were insincere.

Ram had never removed his hood or helmet in front of Charlon.

Even with her, he concealed his true identity.

Yet she called him “reassuring”?

And what’s this about being a knight?

Even the introduction was wrong.

Ram only stood in places where their gaze couldn’t reach him.

No one in their faction approached the two.

As far as Ram knew, there had been no explicit orders to that effect.

Even so, it was often just the three of them roaming about.

Demion talked about poetry and music, while Charlon spoke extensively about flowers and landscapes.

“If I were to live in this desolate place, I’d want to grow lots of flowers and raise sheep and cattle.”

“Spend a few more days experiencing autumn here. It’s as cold as our winters. And winter here is beyond anything you could imagine.”

Demion spoke as though he had lived there for years.

“Really? It’s this cold already? I thought it was winter now.”

Charlon’s tone carried a note of concern.

“Winter hasn’t even begun yet. That’s why we’re hurrying the negotiations. We must finish before winter sets in, wait it out, and then return in spring to govern this place. That way, we’ll have enough time to prepare for the next winter.”

For once, Ram found himself agreeing with Terrdin.

‘The prince is in love. And the lady from Born seems to like him too. If things go well between them, it’ll benefit me, right?’

Yet, in a corner of his mind, the king’s orders kept surfacing, tormenting him.

‘It’s fine. I won’t do anything. Then nothing will happen.’

For Ram, disobeying the king’s orders and being executed was the same as “nothing happening.”

And so, several days passed.

The day was set for Prince Demion’s visit to the Ellum tribe.

The preparations were completed quickly, as it had been a scheduled event.

But a problem arose.

Lady Charlon decided to join them.

“Why are you going along?”

Charlon’s brother, Ruseph, shouted.

“And what’s wrong with me going along?”

Charlon raised her voice as well.

“Did the prince tell you to? His demands are going too far!”

“It wasn’t the prince. I requested it myself.”

Ram stood outside the siblings’ tent in the Born camp, hearing their entire argument.

It wasn’t that he was straining to listen.

Their voices were so loud they carried outside.

In fact, the knights of Born also heard everything.

None of them seemed particularly alarmed, as if they were used to it.

“Are you saying you asked to go to a barbarian village? Did I hear that right?”

“I’m going to marry the prince and govern this place. If I show myself to the Gerans, who are surrendering, it will greatly help the prince’s position.”

Ram had come to deliver a message from the prince, but with the siblings fighting, he couldn’t enter and ended up standing outside with the Born knights.

Though he could hear everything, Ram pretended not to by staring at the ground.

It was an awkward moment.

“I thought I was prepared for your boldness, but I wasn’t prepared for this.”

Though Ruseph wasn’t yelling anymore, his anger seemed to shake the air.

“Brother, you were a hostage in the Kingdom of Triton for years, and nothing happened. This place is no different. Besides, we entered this land as victors. And Prince Demion has ordered the Royal Knights to provide thorough protection, so you needn’t worry.”

“Are you comparing the royal palace to a barbarian village? The two are completely different!”

“How are they different?”

“Those barbarians see women as objects! Entering their midst unprepared is like running naked onto a battlefield.”

“Why think of it that way? I could be going to befriend them.”

“What? Befriend who?”

“The Gerans, whom you call barbarians.”

“Only a sixteen-year-old girl would say something so naïve.”

“What’s wrong with sixteen? In grandmother’s time, sixteen was the age to have at least three children.”

“Three? No woman in our family’s history has ever had three children before turning twenty!”

“Maybe you just don’t know.”

“And you do? Name one such person!”

“Anyway, they exist.”

“Just say a name!”

“Brother, wake up. Times have changed!”

“You’re the one who needs to wake up! Those barbarians were monsters who slaughtered our soldiers not long ago!”

“And weren’t we monsters who slaughtered them just as recently?”

“Who did you talk to that made you think this way?”

“Even if something happens to me, it won’t affect you, Brother.”

“Do you think I’m worried about myself? Answer me! Did you meet Chief Jedric? What did he tell you?”

“We discussed everything a conqueror’s wife might need to know.”

Ram marveled at how Charlon could lie so effortlessly without batting an eye.

She had never even met Jedric.

Unaware of this, Ruseph shouted in frustration.

“That barbarian chief must have bewitched you! Northern witchcraft doesn’t attack the body but ensnares the mind.”

“My mind is already made up.”

At that point, one of Born’s knights peeked into the tent and intervened in the argument.

“Captain Ruseph, Prince Demion’s messenger is waiting outside the camp.”

Ruseph growled and said, “We’ll continue this later.”

“There’s nothing more to discuss. I’ve said everything I need to.”

“You were so happy to see me return to Born, but now you won’t even listen to me.”

“Welcoming your return and agreeing with your opinions are two different things.”

Charlon held her ground to the end.

Ruseph soon exited the tent, still visibly angry from his argument with his sister.

His expression didn’t soften even as he stood in front of Ram.

“What is it?”

Ram handed him a piece of white silk he had been carrying.

“The prince instructed me to deliver this. He thought it would suit the armor the lady will wear tomorrow.”

Though Ruseph took it, he didn’t look pleased.

“White clothes for that muddy terrain? It’ll turn black within an hour on horseback.”

Ram didn’t think the land would be that muddy, but he chose not to say anything.

Ruseph held the silk in his hands, as if reluctant to accept it, raising and lowering it repeatedly, when Charlon suddenly snatched it away.

“I’ve heard that the Gerans view white clothing as a symbol of purity. It’s the perfect choice to emphasize that I’m the prince’s bride, don’t you think, Stuga?”

Ram bowed his head.

“The prince expressed the same reasoning, my lady.”

Since the prince had said it, Ruseph couldn’t argue further.

“Then I’ll take my leave now…”

“Wait.”

Ruseph called Ram as he was about to turn away.

“Yes, Sir Ruseph.”

“We haven’t had a single audience with King Gallant since we arrived here. When does he plan to discuss the matter of our reinforcements and Charlon’s engagement?”

Still bowing, Ram answered respectfully.

“I’m afraid I have no knowledge regarding such matters.”

“Are you accompanying them on this visit to the barbarian village?”

“His Majesty is not planning to attend.”

That had always been the plan.

The king had no intention of meeting “mere barbarians” face-to-face.

“Where is Captain Astian?”

“I do not know.”

“You’re supposed to be General Terrdin’s shadow, yet you don’t know anything…”

“Brother! That’s enough.”

Charlon intervened.

“Stuga is always by our side and doesn’t leave for other places. It’s natural that he wouldn’t know.”

Charlon gestured for Ram to leave.

“You may go, Stuga. Please convey to the prince that I gladly accepted the gift. No, actually, I’ll visit him myself to thank him. Shall we go together? I wouldn’t want our angry Brother Ruseph’s temper to flare at you.”

Charlon began walking ahead, prompting Ruseph to shout in dismay.

“You should take an escort knight!”

“I’ll go with Stuga.”

Charlon glared sharply at the other knights.

“No one else is to follow us, Born knights. That’s an order.”

At this, Ruseph, dumbfounded, asked incredulously, “Charlon, why do you trust him so much?”

“He’s my friend.”

“You’ve only known him for a few days…”

“And didn’t you boast about courting thirty women in the royal court in just one day? Why can’t I do the same?”

Charlon’s mocking laughter was lighthearted and carefree.

Ruseph could only snort in frustration, rendered speechless.

‘Was that just to irritate Ruseph? A friend?’

It was a word Ram had never heard directed at him in his entire life.

Charlon, walking ahead, slowed her pace and came to walk beside him.

“Stuga, I’m curious about your name. Stuga just means ‘shadow’ in Geran, doesn’t it? What’s your real name?”

“I’m sorry. When I became the general’s shadow, I abandoned everything from my past, including my name.”

“Oh dear. I shouldn’t have asked. I only wanted to get to know you better. Please forgive me if I made you uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”

Charlon stopped walking and stared intently at Ram.

Her green hair fluttered slightly, and even the briefest glimpse of her face was enough to stir the heart with its extraordinary beauty.

Ram had spent years by Baron Selkon’s side and had encountered many noblewomen, albeit indirectly, but he had never seen anyone with such unparalleled charm.

“Where is the prince now?”

Ram was about to say he didn’t know when he heard a faint sound of Demion’s laughter nearby.

He focused on the sound, quickly determining the direction and distance. If it was within the Triton military camp, he could roughly pinpoint the location.

“He’s with Chief Jedric.”

“That’s perfect! I’d love to meet him too.”

Charlon’s excitement was evident.

“That might not be possible.”

“Why not?”

“Without the general’s permission, no one is allowed into the tent.”

“But the prince is with him. Won’t that make it okay for me?”

“Even if the prince allows it, I don’t think it will work. The guards only follow General Terrdin’s orders.”

“Really?”

Charlon pondered this briefly before speaking again.

“Lead me to the tent anyway. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Without realizing it, Ram complied and led her.

“I can be a bit impulsive, can’t I?”

“Well…”

Ram had no experience assessing noblewomen, so he could neither agree nor disagree.

When they reached Jedric’s tent, the guards, recognizing Ram, allowed him to pass without question.

However, they stopped Charlon from entering.

“My apologies, Lady Charlon. Without the general’s permission, you cannot enter.”

Their words were firm, but their demeanor was not threatening.

These men, who wouldn’t budge even for Count Badio, seemed slightly deferential toward Charlon.

“If entering the tent is against the rules, how about I just stay here?”

Charlon plopped down in front of the tent entrance.

The guards were visibly flustered, unsure of how to handle a high-ranking noblewoman sitting on the ground.

“Uh… well… that’s…”

“Is this against the rules?”

Charlon asked confidently.

The guards exchanged glances and tilted their heads in confusion.

It was unlikely Terrdin had given such detailed instructions.

“I don’t think so.”

Charlon turned to Ram.

“Stuga, lift the tent flap for me.”

Ram hesitated, unsure if this was appropriate.

At that moment, Demion’s voice came from inside.

“What’s going on out there?”

“It’s me, Prince.”

“Charlon?”

Demion sounded surprised and gave an order.

“Let her in.”

Ram complied, pulling aside the tent flap.

Inside, Chief Jedric and Prince Demion came into view.

Coincidentally, Demion was sitting off to the side, while Jedric and Charlon, both seated, ended up facing each other from about ten paces away.

This marked the first meeting between Jedric and Charlon.