Chapter 20 - Demotion
"That is beyond insolence!"
"Mind your tongue, Theodoros!"
Soldiers outside the office nearly jumped out of their boots.
"Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?!"
Officers hurried toward the disturbance.
The argument inside only grew louder.
"You think I need to be told, Your Highness?"
That was Theodoros's voice.
The sheer force behind it was shocking, coming from a man normally known for patience and restraint.
"With all due respect, Your Highness... who do you take me for? I'm afraid I've been cleaning up after your messes since you were barely tall enough to reach my belt."
The officers who burst into the room froze.
Antonius stood there red-faced with fury.
"Seize him!"
He pointed directly at Theodoros.
"As of this moment, Theodoros Megara is relieved of his duties as Adjutant to the Commander of the Royal Guard!"
For a few seconds, nobody moved.
Perhaps their military instincts simply refused to process what they had heard.
Oddly enough, the man being dismissed seemed perfectly satisfied.
Ignoring the hesitant soldiers approaching him, Theodoros calmly placed his own hands behind his back.
"Oh?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"So this is how a lawful kingdom operates now? No hearing? No trial?"
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I seem to recall a certain young prince being rather upset about such things once."
Antonius's expression darkened.
The officers and soldiers looked as though someone had squeezed their hearts.
Antonius was so genuinely irritated that he almost punched him.
As a result, not a single witness suspected the argument was anything but real.
That evening, Antonius slipped into Theodoros's holding room after making certain no one was watching.
The moment the door closed, he spoke.
"That last remark was unnecessary."
Theodoros covered his mouth with his fist.
His shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.
"Opportunities like this are rare."
Theodoros looked far too pleased with himself.
"I must admit. I've been rehearsing some of those lines for years."
Antonius let out a long sigh.
"You've been hiding a terrible personality all these years."
Theodoros smiled.
"It took you this long to notice?"
And so the day arrived when the First Unit of Heavy Infantry received its new commander.
Andri stood before the assembled soldiers.
He was visibly nervous.
Even so, he somehow managed to complete the formal introduction expected of him.
Then came the introductions from his nineteen subordinates.
One after another.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
Until the unit's new executive officer stepped forward.
The moment he introduced himself, the young captain found himself facing a challenge far greater than any battlefield.
"Why are you here, Lord Theodoros?!"
"I had a disagreement with His Highness."
Theodoros stood at attention.
"As a consequence, I presently find it difficult to look His Highness in the eye."
Then he bowed deeply.
"Please allow me to remain in this unit, Captain Chaire."
His voice was utterly sincere.
"Command me as you will. I shall not fail you."
"...What?"
No one in the room understood what was happening.
Maintaining his composure was proving more difficult with every passing second.
