EDMUND completely froze. He didn’t know how to react. He just felt extremely panicked. How could he not when someone suddenly grabbed you and begged you not to kill him and his family? He was not some apathetic being who could stay unaffected after that. Especially since the other was crying so heartbreakingly. 

He now suddenly wanted to slap his mouth. If not for his slip of tongue earlier, almost suggesting that the general must have eaten something for him to suddenly fall asleep like that, this teenager would probably not react like this. But he did and now this kid was scared out of his wits. 

It was not like it’s a huge secret how fierce and scary the general and Fenris squad’s reputations were. But he had no idea that it already came to a point where just the possibility of being blamed for something trivial like the sudden sleepiness of their general would lead someone to believe that they – the general and his personal squad – would kill them. 

Was this how the normal citizens of the Empire viewed them? Like some kind of barbaric group that would kill with just the smallest provocation? They weren’t a bunch of cold-blooded killers, you know? But he didn’t know how to tell that to the sobbing teenager in front of him. How could he do that when he was still frozen like a statue?

It was not just Edmund who was taken aback by Astrid’s sudden ‘collapse’. Even Emmy and Reas didn’t know what to do for a second. Because both of them were too shocked to even move. How could they not when this was the first time they’d ever seen him cry? He was not even crying normally, he was bawling his eyes out.

It was especially shocking for Emmy. Being a mother, she had seen Astrid grew up under her eyelids. Even as a baby, he didn’t have any temper that he barely even cried. If her husband saw their son like this, he might just straight up beat up this captain together with the currently sleeping prince. Because that’s also what she would do if she happened to not know that Astrid was only ‘acting’. 

Speaking of ‘acting’, she also probably needed to enter the scene now.

She walked towards Astrid and supported him. “You kid, what are you saying to the Captain,” she scolded, but it could be seen that she was not really angry because of how gentle her actions were. She looked at the captain and appeared apologetic. “I’m sorry, Captain. My son is just too sensitive. Please, don’t be offended. I know that all the soldiers of the Empire are righteous. They wouldn’t unjustly blame people for things that they didn’t do. So, I’m sure Captain would do the same. Am I right?”

“Yes,” Edmund found himself saying.

What else could he say? The Madam was looking at him righteously while holding her still trembling and sobbing son. If he said that he was suspecting them and they would follow this up with an investigation, this madam might just look at him as if he’s a beast. And then, her son might have a breakdown. Then he would be totally flustered that he wouldn’t know what to do next.

“I knew that the Captain is not an unreasonable person,” the Madam said, looking at him like he’s a good guy. The she gazed down at her son. “Did you hear that Astrid? You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

Astrid raised his head and looked at Edmund, his rare black eyes were shining because of his tears. This look could certainly arouse the protective instinct of anyone. Even Edmund felt that he’s some kind of scum who bullied such a beautiful and frail person.

“Is it true, you wouldn’t really blame us for what happened?” Astrid asked.

“Yes, we won’t,” Edmund said again.

“See? I told you, they’re reasonable people. They wouldn’t blame us for something like this,” Emmy said to Astrid.

Reas on the side looked between his mother and twin brother. If he didn’t know better, he would really think that the two rehearsed this scene. Now, he suddenly realized that his brother’s acting talent might have been inherited from their mother. He shook his head helplessly. As a family member, he should also do his part.

“Aster, why would you even think that they would blame us just because the prince fell asleep on his own?” Reas said. He also wanted to act but he knew he couldn’t, so, he just maintained an indifferent expression. “If we really put something on the dishes he ate, then he should have lost consciousness two hours ago. Besides, why would we even drug him? Only stupid people would think on that direction.”

Astrid smiled inwardly. He wanted to give his brother a thumbs-up. Using reverse psychology. That’s like putting the final nail on the coffin.

Edmund didn’t mind being called ‘stupid’ indirectly. Because there’s a much more important thing he realized from what the kid said. That if they really drugged the general to force him to fall asleep, then the other should have lost consciousness much earlier. Because their bodies were made in a way that it would quickly metabolize any drug that they ingested. That’s especially true for someone like the general who had SSS level physique. Besides, he knew that the general had gone through rigorous poison training. A simple sleeping drug should have not work on him.

Then, did that mean that the general really simply had fallen asleep?

“Captain, I think we should take His Highness to our guest room. So that he could sleep more comfortably,” Emmy offered. Then she turned to Reas. “Go and help the captain.”

A reluctant expression appeared on Reas’ face. But he still went to the side of the prince. 

And just like that, Reas and Edmund brought the sleeping prince to one of the guest rooms upstairs.

———-

A flying shuttle that was much bigger than the one Edmund and Wulfric drove in just entered the atmosphere of the planet Delryria. Inside was a man with flaxen blond hair and a pair of amber colored eyes. There was a splattering of freckles on the bridge of his nose, just like golden dusts. He looked very cheerful and approachable because of his overly youthful face. But those close to him would know that despite the bright exterior, there’s darkness lurking inside.

He was one of the captains of Fenris squad – Hildred Harlow.

Hildred looked at the monitor, especially at the signal coming from that guy’s Terminal. He looked at the map and saw that they were at a place called ‘Astreai Farm’.

[Hmm… I wonder what kind of stupid antics that egg-head was doing now.]