Mindis's Morning (Part One)

Kay walked through the garden in front of Mindis Hall, crossing the gravel path woven through with morning light and greenery, feeling refreshed.

Of course, according to the schedule, the old stubborn man had his carriage and entourage ready and had left the city today. He was supposedly going to inspect the south for at least a month or two.

Thinking this, Kay felt even the sky had grown much clearer.

As for the old stubborn man's order confining him to the palace—who the hell cared about that?

Well, perhaps someone did:

When Kay approached the hall doors, Nolan Nur, standing guard beneath the pillars, stared at him with a stupid expression that clearly said, "Why are you here?"

And that was why he had brought Val along:

Before Nolan Nur could ask anything, Val cleared his throat and, at Kay's signal, stepped forward. In the Northlanders' characteristic booming voice, he began making things difficult for his younger brother.

As a member of the Royal Guard, Nolan Nur Arendt might have been able to deal with assassins without hesitation, but he was absolutely no good at handling the troublesome brother he shared a mother with.

Kay knew that better than anyone.

While Nolan Nur was distracted behind him, Kay smoothly slipped into the hall.

Perhaps because the old stubborn man had left the city, security in Mindis Hall was not as strict today. A few cleaning servants hurried back and forth, while Bright Star Private Soldiers stood guard only around the perimeter. Only the elite but sparse Royal Guard watched over several vital positions:

Morian stood beside the side door of the left hall, his eyes wide as bells. Across from him, Rogo stood in the right hall, leaning against the wall and dozing.

Directly ahead of Kay, Tony stood