Exiled Prince: I'm the Unexpected Extra in the Novel-Chapter 162: Jealous Butterfly

The War for The North [50]

Chapter 162: Jealous Butterfly

"Well..." said Fredrinn, fixing his gaze on Cassian’s single eye. "How strong were they?"

Cassian paused for a moment.

His eyes drifted far away, as if recalling that moment, that crater, and the chaos covering the sky.

His hand involuntarily went to the black cloth covering his eye. His fingertips touched the void beneath the fabric.

"They were much stronger than I thought..." he whispered.

"If I were to fight them again, I am not confident I could win. In fact... I would probably die."

He took a deep breath and turned to Fredrinn.

"I am not just talking about raw power. They possess strange traits, logic-bending abilities, and bodies that are practically immortal. It is no wonder they have managed to survive for thousands of years and manipulate the flow of history from the shadows. They... have long since surpassed the limits of humanity."

Cassian examined Fredrinn, who was lost in thought, staring at the floor with a frown. A slight, mocking smile appeared on his face.

"What is it? Are you scared?"

Fredrinn looked up. There was no fear in his eyes, but there was an unease brought about by uncertainty.

"Not exactly," he said honestly. "It’s just... I don’t fully know the limits of my own powers right now."

The smile on Cassian’s face vanished instantly. He became serious, his gaze hardening.

"Fredrinn..." he said, his voice sounding more like an order than a warning. "No matter what, do not try to fight one of them alone. If you do... no matter how strong you have become, you will die."

Fredrinn’s brows furrowed. His pride was hurt.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, his voice rising. "Didn’t you make me your ally to fight beside you against them? Wasn’t that the reason for making me stronger?"

"Yes, I did," said Cassian, not stepping back. "But that doesn’t mean I will watch or want you to die in vain."

The tense moment between the two was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Fredrinn turned his gaze to the door and said tensely, "Enter."

When the door opened, a middle-aged, serious-looking maid wearing the uniform of Winter Castle entered.

Her posture was upright and her face expressionless. She gave a flawless bow.

"Mr. Cassian," she said politely. "Your room has been prepared. By Duchess Cecilia’s order, the most comfortable and warm room has been arranged for you. Please follow me, I will escort you."

Cold sweat appeared on Cassian’s face. His eyes darted between the maid and the open door.

Cassian knew. This was not an invitation to a room, it was a trap!

Cecilia, that stubborn and emotional girl, would demand answers the first moment she caught Cassian alone.

And not only her... Now there was Cordelia in the castle, the unstable former dungeon boss. And Lilith... the insidious witch claiming to be his "first wife."

If one of these three, or worse, all of them, tried to enter the room... Cassian might not even make it through the night alive, let alone breathe easily.

He quickly turned around and threw himself onto Fredrinn’s bed, on top of the quilts. He hugged the pillow tightly.

"I’m not going!" he said like a stubborn child. He turned to the maid, narrowing his eyes as he spoke.

"I want to sleep with my big brother today. Yes, we are like that. We are strengthening our brotherly bonds. I’ll sleep in my room tomorrow. Or maybe next week. Thanks, you may leave."

Fredrinn’s left eye twitched. A vein on his forehead bulged.

Fredrinn walked to the bed without a word. He grabbed Cassian by the scruff of his neck just like a naughty kitten.

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

Fredrinn lifted him from the bed, ignoring Cassian’s struggles, and started dragging him toward the door.

Cassian dug his nails into the edge of the bed, trying to drag his feet on the floor.

"Fredrinn! You can’t do this to me! We are partners! We are brothers!" he shouted, his voice full of panic.

"Let me go! You don’t understand! If I leave this room, if I step into that corridor, I won’t survive the night! There are monsters out there, Fredrinn! Monsters scarier than gods!"

Fredrinn just rolled his eyes at Cassian’s dramatic pleas. When they reached the door, he increased his strength.

"Shut up and fuck off," he said.

And he threw Cassian into the corridor, right at the feet of the waiting maid.

BAM!

The door slammed shut in Cassian’s face. The sound of the lock echoed like a death sentence.

Cassian looked at the door in astonishment while sitting on his butt on the floor. "Traitor..." he whispered.

Then he raised his head and locked eyes with the maid watching him from above without breaking her composure. There wasn’t the slightest sign of emotion on the woman’s face.

Cassian stood up, dusted off imaginary dust from his clothes, and pretended to check a watch.

"It’s only 7 o’clock!" he said rebelliously. "The sun hasn’t even fully set! Dinner hasn’t even been eaten yet, may I ask why you want to force me to my room at this hour? Is there a curfew in this castle?"

The maid clasped her hands in front of her and replied in a calm voice.

"Duchess Cecilia said you came from a long journey, you are very tired, and you must rest immediately. Also..." The woman paused.

"She stated that for your safety and health, it is best for you not to leave your room tonight."

’I knew it,’ thought Cassian inwardly. "That little butterfly is behind this. She’s taking revenge. Or trying to keep me to herself."

Cassian sighed deeply. There was no escape.

"I’m sorry," he said, suddenly changing direction. "But I need to check on my friends right now. That group of witches... they could blow up the castle. Besides, I’m not tired at all, I’m fit as a fiddle."

He turned his back and attempted to take a step toward the other end of the corridor, toward freedom.

However, at that moment, the maid’s hand landed on Cassian’s shoulder with unexpected speed and strength.

This was not the strength of an ordinary maid.

"Mr. Cassian!" said the maid, her voice not so polite anymore. "My Duchess ordered me to take you to your room. And in Winter Castle, the Duchess’s order is absolute. You wouldn’t want to cause trouble, would you?"

Cassian stopped. He turned his head and looked into the maid’s eyes. He saw the determination there.

If he resisted, she would probably gather all the castle guards on him. And right now, he didn’t want to fight his own allies with his tired body.

He slumped his shoulders. He had given up.

"Fine then," he said in a weary voice. "Lead the way."

A while later when Cassian arrived at his room, contrary to the ambush he expected, the room was empty and quiet.

This was quite a spacious, luxurious, and warm room. Fire crackled in the fireplace, the thick fur rugs on the floor looked inviting. The bed was tidy, the snowstorm outside was visible through the windows, but inside was peaceful.

The maid curtsied saying, "Good night sir, if you need anything you can tell the guards at the door," and left him alone in the room.

Cassian stood in the middle of the room and listened. There was no one. He looked inside the closets, under the bed. Cordelia or Lilith were not hiding.

He let out a sigh of relief.

He remembered the magnificent hot spring under the castle. Right now, he would sell even his soul to enter that hot water and cast off the fatigue seeping into his bones. But leaving the room was like walking in a minefield.

His eye caught the bathroom door in the corner of the room.

"Eh," he said to himself. "We’ll make do with this."

He took clean, soft towels from the closet and headed to the bathroom. Inside was spacious, there was a marble tub.

He turned on the hot water. As steam filled the room, he took off his dirty, battle-worn clothes.

He hadn’t had the opportunity to take a real, peaceful shower for days, maybe weeks. War, blood, mud, and sweat... All had stuck to his skin.

He entered the tub and let himself into the hot water.

"Ahh..."

His body and muscles relaxed instantly. The hot water took away the tension in his skin. Cassian leaned his head against the edge of the tub and let out a deep, relaxed breath.

Eyes closed, he began to enjoy the water and silence. He emptied his mind. He didn’t want to think.

However, this peace did not last long.

The sound of the bedroom door opening came from outside.

CREAK...

Cassian’s single eye opened. His body in the water tensed.

"Here we go, huh..." he muttered.

Footsteps... Light, cautious but determined steps. They wandered inside the room, paused. Then headed towards the bathroom door.

Cassian closed his eyes again. He didn’t make a sound.

The bathroom door opened slowly, hesitantly. A familiar scent filled the room along with a cool draft of air; the smell of fresh snow and lilies.

Cassian still didn’t say anything. He didn’t even open his eyes. He just continued to enjoy his bath inside the water, submerged up to his neck, defenseless but with an equally indifferent attitude.

The person walked up to the edge of the tub. Her shadow fell over Cassian.

And there she stood, at the head of Cassian sitting in the tub.

Only breathing sounds were heard for a while. Then, without saying anything, the newcomer leaned down.

Not caring about her clothes getting wet, she reached her arms over the edge of the tub and hugged the wet, naked Cassian inside the water.

Soft arms wrapped around his neck. Her head rested on Cassian’s wet shoulder.

Cassian’s eyes opened involuntarily with great astonishment and hesitation.

Cecilia...

The Duchess had raided his bath at his most vulnerable, most private moment and was hugging him.

Cassian’s hands clenched inside the water. He wanted to push her, wanted to shout "What are you doing, crazy woman?"

But he couldn’t. There was no threat in Cecilia’s embrace; only pure, deep longing and fear. She was trembling.

Cecilia continued to hug him like that for a few minutes, without saying anything, just feeling his presence, confirming his warmth.

Finally, she spoke in a whisper-like voice.

"I missed you..."

These two words shook all of Cassian’s defensive walls. He swallowed. His throat went dry.

"Cecilia..." he said, his voice a bit hoarse. "Right now... if you notice, I am taking a shower. And... I am naked."

Cecilia didn’t raise her head. She just pressed her cheek more against Cassian’s wet shoulder.

"I know," she said.

"Or..." Cecilia asked with a nervous laugh. "Do you want me to wash you?"

Cassian was afraid of the answer he would give to this question. However, Cecilia giggled slightly.

Cassian’s eyes widened in panic. Cecilia’s gaze was damp and misty due to the steam.

"That’s not what I meant!" said Cassian, trying to pull back a bit, but there was nowhere to run in the tub. "Look, go outside. We can talk after I shower. As much as you want... With clothes on."

Cecilia smiled. She reached out and ruffled Cassian’s wet, white hair.

"Are you embarrassed?" she asked amusedly. "You? Where is that brave boy who sneaked into my room and examined my underwear?"

Cassian’s face turned beet red. "I said that was an accident!"

"You’ve already seen me naked, Cassian," said Cecilia, her tone becoming serious. "Or rather, in my most intimate state, my most vulnerable moment. So... we need to get even, don’t we?"

Her gaze slid to Cassian’s body under the water.

Cassian said in horror, "I don’t think that’s logical!"

When he looked at Cecilia’s face, he saw her cheeks blushing not from shame, but with a strange determination. His heart had started beating fast in that damn way again.

He couldn’t take it anymore.

"I... am going to stay under the water for a bit!"

And he submerged himself under the water. He sank up to the top of his head. Only bubbles formed on the surface of the water.

A while later, the awkward moment in the bathroom had ended.

Cassian had finished his shower and put on clean pajamas. Now he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

Cecilia was sitting comfortably cross-legged right behind him, in the middle of the bed. She had a soft towel in her hand and was gently drying Cassian’s damp hair.

The air in the room had calmed. The fire in the fireplace illuminated the room.

Cassian was telling her about his battle with the princes. Cecilia listened silently, holding her breath occasionally, her hands wandering through Cassian’s hair.

When the story ended, there was a long silence.

"You know what?" asked Cecilia suddenly.

"What?"

"When you disappeared and the signal cut off... I thought you had thrown away the necklace I gave you or something. I thought you wanted to run away from me, from us, that you didn’t want to carry this burden."

Cassian lowered his head.

"I didn’t throw it away," he said. He brought his hand to his chest, felt the necklace under his t-shirt. "I just... put it in my dimensional bag so it wouldn’t get damaged while fighting Seralya and Aethrax."

Cecilia smiled. She put down the towel and wrapped her arms around Cassian’s neck, hugging him from behind. She rested her chin on his shoulder.

She slipped her hand inside the collar of Cassian’s t-shirt and found the cold metal chain. She felt the butterfly necklace at her fingertips.

"Knowing that you still wear this..." she whispered in his ear. "It destroys all my worries, all my fears. As if... wherever you go, a part of you is always with me."

Cassian relaxed a bit at this closeness. Cecilia’s warmth made him forget the cold of the north.

However, that peaceful moment was broken by the movement of Cecilia’s hand.

Her hand left the necklace and slowly reached up. Her fingers wrapped around Cassian’s throat, not like a tender touch, but like a possessive claw.

She didn’t squeeze, didn’t cut off his breath, but made him feel she was there, holding that vital point.

Cecilia’s breath turned hot and dangerous in Cassian’s ear. Her tone was completely different from that fragile girl just a moment ago, icy and threatening.

"But Cassian!" she said.

Cassian flinched. "Yes?"

Cecilia squeezed her hand on his throat slightly. With her other hand, she held Cassian’s chest as if clawing it.

"Why..." she asked, her voice sharpening like a knife. "Why, when you have me... Why, when I waited for you this much... are you with a bunch of girls, with that witch calling herself ’my wife’, with the little girl constantly clinging to you?"

She tilted her head, kissing Cassian’s cheek as if biting it.

"Or is it... that I am not enough for you, My Prince?"