The Berg's mansion, which usually shines like a piece of pure art in the sun, has been gloomy for the last month. A tragedy that no one expected has affected everyone, from the grieving family to the loyal servants. As if to mock their grief, the weather has been sunny and warm, and the perfect garden, tended by the best gardeners and the pride of the lady of the house, is in full bloom. But the black pansies that she favored so much now attracted less and less attention. The family had enough black in their lives besides the pretty flowers.

The sound of the closing door made Dietrich avert his gaze from the papers. His mother entered the study. Despite it having been three weeks since the funeral, she continued to wear black. Among her blonde hair, tied up in a bun, Dietrich noticed more gray ones. She never let her sons see her tears, but her eyes remained red and swollen. Her personal maid followed with a tray filled with teacups and egg sandwiches. As soon as she had arranged everything on the coffee table, the maid left.

"Take a break and have tea with me," the invitation sounded like a command, leaving Dietrich no way to refuse. He glanced at the pile of letters and the much smaller pile of replies he had finished. Reluctantly, he put down the pen and left the desk. The study, which the head of the family enjoyed so much, and his sons also frequented, now felt empty. Dietrich was not a bookworm and often used it as an excuse to see books from their library just to talk with his father or play chess with him. Without the man he had looked up to since childhood, the study felt like an alien territory, despite his mother's attempts to ease the tension.

Sitting down on the red sofa, Dietrich took a cup of tea but left food untouched. The egg sandwich was his father’s favorite snack, and it once again made him feel the loneliness that the death of his parent left.

"I can't believe Herwig behaved in this manner," said his mother, adding milk to her tea. She shared a preference for two pieces of sugar and milk with her late husband. "Leaving such a responsibility to his younger brother. I didn't raise him that way. His family needs him, but work is all he thinks about."

Dietrich stared at the teacup in his hands. The drink didn't tempt him to taste it, despite his thirst. This issue his mother still couldn't let go of didn't bother Dietrich much. It was indeed hard to face an unexpected responsibility, but at the same time it was an opportunity too.

"It couldn't be helped. The brother couldn't leave his post. Especially with an increase in refugees and a rise in crime rates. If he resigned now, it would leave the capital in disarray."

The woman snorted. A habit all her sons had inherited from her.

"The police wouldn't crumble. There are many other officers who would be eager to take over the position of head. And a nobleman who preferred such work to inheriting a title is simply preposterous. Just like that girl..."

'Here she goes,' Dietrich frowned, returning the untouched cup to the coffee table.

"A royal member should not be involved in scandal, but if it's unavoidable, it should be an affair, not a heresy talks about the use of alien plants. And to give a press conference in a suit? So unladylike."

"Mother, please. You are talking about the princess. What do you mean by "affair scandal"? Her engagement was just annulled a few days ago." He didn't let his thoughts slip from his mouth, but Lady Berg knew her children well. His serious face and intent look made Dietrich avert his blue eyes. Before she could begin to reproach him, Dietrich said hastily, "Now that I have inherited the title, my chances have risen."

"Your chances were fine before Her Highness started playing politics," cut him off his mother. "Seriously, I pity the queen. Having such a headache for a daughter... Still, if the princess is half as smart as she claims, she should appreciate your efforts. You would be a far better husband than she could ever hope to find."

The knock at the door stopped Dietrich from answering. The butler apologized for the interaction, handing Lady Berg the invitation letter.

"Speak of the devil," said the woman as soon as she saw the seal with the royal coat of arms. But when she opened the letter, her blue eyes narrowed. She handed the letter to her son, saying, "It's from the palace. His Majesty wants to see you."

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Nervous and at the same time excited, Dietrich hurried to the palace. A rare chance to meet with the king usually required a long preparation and a perfect look, but, given the circumstances, the black suit was more than appropriate and acceptable. On his way to the royal palace, he thought of countless scenarios, wondering why the king had invited him. Even more surprising, Carlos the Second was waiting for him in his chamber.

The royal chambers, where only a limited number of people were allowed, the closest advisors and family. Dietrich tried hard to look confident and composed, but his palms still felt sweaty. However, the king's calm attitude quickly made him feel at ease. It was a polite conversation about condolences for the earl and his heir's sudden death and assuring to give the House of Berg any support they required. Still, the gesture and the meaning behind the invitation to the royal chambers filled Dietrich's heart with hope. After all, Carlos would be the one to decide the fate of the princess. And Carlos would be the one to choose a nobleman and grant him the honor of marrying his daughter.

Sharing a bottle of fine wine, two men talked about the late earl's outstanding deeds and the prospects for his successor. When the conversation was coming to an end, the king lit a cigar.

"I'm well aware of how much work you have to handle right now. And thus, I'm sorry to ask you for a favor. But the country is going through a difficult time, and young noble people like you are a source of support and hope for me."

"Your Majesty, it's the greatest honor to serve you," Dietrich eagerly assured the king. "Please don't hesitate to ask for anything. I'll do my best to help you."

The king shook the ash off his cigarette. The Veszelyite stone reflected light from the lamps on the wall.

"It really soothes my worries to know that I can rely on a knight like you. I need a trustworthy person to go to the wall and to deliver this letter to Margrave Nolden," Carlos took a letter out of the drawer and handed it to the young man. "We are sending another shipment of supplies. But this letter is a priority, and given the seriousness of its contents, I can't just send it with anyone."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will deliver it safely," said Dietrich. The feeling of self-importance within him was about to burst out, but he only allowed a smile to slip out.

They talked a bit more, discussing the upcoming mission. Dietrich left the royal chambers in high spirits over the secret mission and the trust the man he admired had placed in him. But that faded like cigarette smoke the moment someone called out to him.

"Sir Berg, may I have your attention? It would only take a minute."

Dietrich turned around. The voice sounded slightly familiar, but the man in front of him was someone he hadn't met. He looked too average to be a noble acquaintance and too weak to serve in the army. The middle-aged man adjusted his glasses and took a bottle of pills from his jacket.

"I've heard you are going to the wall to pay a visit to Margrave Nolden. Can you please deliver these to one of my subordinates? Organizing a separate courier is a hassle."

The knight took a careful look at the man's dark olive uniform. No insignia. Now it was clear what he was and what kind of subordinate he referred to. His secret mission was not a secret to this man. Irritation slipped through Dietrich's words as soon as he opened his mouth.

"It’s a hassle to ask a separate courier but not me? And I'm now Lord Berg, not Sir," he glared at the man, but he couldn't find any effect from his words. The grey-eyed man just smiled.

"My apologies, Lord Berg. I just didn't want to waste any extra resources if possible."

Dietrich sighed and reluctantly accepted the bottle.

"Would it hurt if the pills weren't taken?"

"No, no, it's not a life-threatening matter if you mean that. It's more like a regular supplement. You have my deepest gratitude," the man said with a bow and left the frowning knight. Just a short glance at the bottle with the name of the recipient made Dietrich grimace.