When I was little, I happen to chance upon a long line of ants. They were headed to their nest and without rest, they continued to march, no matter what. Even as I purposely block them, they do not falter and in the end, they return.

Kneeling in front of me are the legendary 11 of the loyal order of the royal family. A remnant of a mistake that took place several years ago. With undying loyalty, bordering to fanaticism that even as guilt clouded their hearts, they returned home to serve their rightful king.

“Lord Yasmin, I am Wilfred from the Order of Light. We have come under orders of his true highness Prince Eurig Jamin Aurelis.”

These men are so stuffy with their loyalty that I’m suffocating with just being in the same room. They’re on edge, trying so hard to prove themselves as loyal servants to their master. No matter, I have my orders, and who can say no when a good friend asks for a favor?

I looked at each of them with eyes scanning for weakness. For years they’ve been idle, will they be able to do their jobs properly? I poured myself some tea that was made beforehand and took out some documents.

“Well then first, stop being so stiff, stand up, take a seat and have some tea. Unlike your master, I hate formalities. Second, I want you to send someone to watch over and protect his highness, Prince Theo.”

There was silence.

What? Did I say something wrong?

“Lord Yasmin, you might’ve been unaware, but Henry, Prince Theo’s aide has been dispatched as a member of the Order.”

Wilfred answered with a troubled face. Henry? The commoner who was a good friend of his highness? That clumsy aide was a Knight from the Order of Light?!

“I-I see…”

I coughed, I felt like those insulting words my slip out so I tried my best to restrain myself. Maybe it was all an act to not rouse any suspicion? They’re supposed to be a secret order after all.

“If so, I want some of you to watch over the four nobles in this list, report anyone who’s made contact with them and make sure nobody discovers your presence. Next, I want you to intercept all the news from his highness, relay it to me, Eurig and her majesty. I want no news to reach the kingdom in order to deceive the enemy.”

With my order, a couple of men received the documents. They graceful bowed, befitting of a knight and left to do their job. Now then, next…

“Good, now I need you to release false rumors about his highness. Make sure to time it well with the news that will arrive. It may be anything from bad or over the top rumors based on the situation but we need it to be easily reversible.”

The 5 left in the room nodded their heads. I understand that you are loyal and there is a need for you to redeem yourselves, but why do you not question my orders?

I couldn’t help but release a sigh in front of them. I held my head that hurt from their hopelessness.

“Wait.”

I stopped them before they left for the door thinking they’re finished receiving their orders.

“I know you want to prove yourselves but why do you follow my orders blindly without question?”

I directed my question at them, then they looked at each other. Puzzled at my sudden inquiry, their captain, Wilfred, addressed me with a firm voice.

“Yes, it is so, redemption has been in our hearts since that tragedy. However, we’re not only blindly following orders without basis. We have observed his lordship for years and we understood that you are a loyal friend to our master. Due to our previous mistake, we have been more vigilant and afraid of mistakes resulting to a more thorough investigations and executions…”

He paused. His eyes were serious then he gulped and said.

“We wouldn’t want that grave mistake to happen twice now, do we?”

As if those stiff expressions and serious eyes was a prelude to another disaster, a wry smile filled with self-loathing colored his face. It seemed like he would continue to spout denigrating words towards themselves, so I immediately interrupted him.

“Which is why you need to question my actions. Even if I am loyal to Eurig, I’m still human, I can make mistakes. More heads that think would lead to a better result, no?”

I playfully mocked them and smiled. I never intended to insult, but I wanted to point out a flaw that might lead to another mistake. These men are already pitiful as it is due to the past, but without reprimand, they never moved on from that tragedy, as much as Eurig never did.

I, at least want them to influence him, even just a little bit, because I know I can’t. It’s his turn to be free of that burden, that self deprecating friend of mine.

Hearing my intentions, he nodded with a refreshed smile. All of them bowed their heads in acceptance to my proposal, while I heaved a relieved sigh together with a smile.

“Now then, do those for now, I’ll call you if anything comes up. Wifred, stay with me. You’ll help me stretch my social limbs. You have a good reputation in the Golden Order, do you not?”

I almost heard a giggle come from him. Another 3 left leaving one knight and Wilfred to keep me company.

Ho~… Having fun are we? I can’t blame you, nobody has seen me socialize. I was called a ‘Noble Hermit’ after all.

I shrug my shoulders and sipped the tea that has gone cold. I drank all of it and poured myself a new one, then I realized.

“Sorry. It seems I forgot to pour you some.”

I laughed at my blunder and finally, the two of them relaxed. Wilfred sat while the other knight stood behind him, I poured him tea while the other refused. They’re still knights after all, chivalry is everything. In the end, only Wilfred can mingle with nobles as long as there’s a hierarchy, even as most of them are nobles as well. I sighed again, it seems I’ll run out of happiness with all these sighs.

Now, I need to find and gather those who would betray the King. It would be long and arduous but it would be fully resolved by the time his highness’ return.

Hopefully.