Chapter 23
Chapter: 23
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 023
>Chapter Title: Outing with the Twins (1)
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>Seongjin, having wasted most of his daytime training session due to the unexpected visit from his fiancée, was about to dash straight to the training grounds the moment Chloe left. For him, who had been gaining real momentum in his recent training, every minute and every second was precious.
But once again, there was an unforeseen interruption.
“Hello, Mores.”
“Hello, Mores.”
He was practically running through the lobby of the Pearl Palace when a small carriage blocked the entrance.
Peeking their heads out the window, two children waved at him. They were adorable kids, pretty as porcelain dolls, identical down to the last detail, like they’d been stamped from the same mold.
Who are they?
He shot a questioning look at Edith standing beside him, but she just bowed her head oblivious as ever.
“We received no prior notice of your visit, Your Highness.”
If that demon bastard were here, he’d have smugly spilled all the details. His absence suddenly felt like a gaping hole.
Fortunately, Sir Massain, who had followed behind, cleared up Seongjin’s confusion. Placing a hand over his heart, he struck a formal bow toward the children.
“Greetings to the Princess and the Prince.”
“Hello, big brother Massain.”
“Hello, brother Massain.”
So these were Mores’s little siblings.
Herna and Gades.
They were the thirteen-year-old twin imperial princess and prince.
The two, who lived with their mother in a capital mansion, apparently visited the imperial palace once a week during their allotted audience time, riding in by carriage.
Grumbling that their appointment today had been canceled thanks to the Holy Emperor’s seclusion in prayer, they seemed oddly childish despite being only two years younger than Mores.
“Of course, it’s not like Holy Emperor Daddy deliberately avoided us or anything. But it still feels disappointing.”
Herna grumbled as she hooked her arm through Seongjin’s right arm.
“We waited a whole week to see Daddy. So we came to play in the palace instead.”
Gades pouted as he grabbed Seongjin’s left arm.
“Well, Holy Emperor Daddy doesn’t really like playing chess anyway.”
“Well, we only suggest chess because it’s fun watching Daddy squirm.”
With that, the two stared intently at Seongjin’s flustered face.
“So you’ll play with us, right, Mores?”
“You won’t chase us off, right, Mores?”
A pair of identical purple eyes sparkled with mischief.
Whoa, what’s this?
Seongjin broke out in a cold sweat, at a complete loss for what to do.
In his previous world, Seongjin had faced the Gehenna Gate crisis before he could even get married. Building an ordinary family or having kids had been nothing but a pipe dream.
And that world had been far too harsh on children. With the superhuman unit formed and the grueling battles against monsters dragging on, even the few existing kids had died off one by one.
So he had no clue how to deal with these innocent children clinging to him so freely. Standing there awkwardly with his siblings hanging off both arms, he glanced at Sir Massain, who seemed utterly oblivious to his plight and was instead overcome with emotion.
“To see Prince Mores so close with his siblings like this…”
Guess they weren’t that affectionate before.
Why are you guys suddenly acting like this with me?
“Because you’re Mores?”
“Because you’re none other than Mores.”
Mysterious smiles played on their innocent faces as they gazed up at him.
Not only had they shown up out of nowhere acting all buddy-buddy, but the twins also seemed unfazed by Seongjin’s drastic change in appearance. You’d think after so long apart, he’d look like a completely different person.
“Mores was always a bit weird anyway.”
“Mores was never exactly normal.”
Hey, you brats?
Their voices were so perfectly in sync that it was confusing who said what.
The only way to tell the identically bobbed hair and faces apart was that one wore a cute dress, the other adorable shorts. Even their outfits had similar designs.
Whoever their mom is, is it really okay for her to dress twins this identically? Doesn’t it mess with their sense of identity?
Struggling with all his might against the kids tugging him toward the carriage, Seongjin desperately shouted.
“Hey, hey. I have to go to the training grounds right now. I’ll play with you next time, so go see big sis Amelia today, okay?”
He’d sworn today that he’d finally build up to the third layer of aura no matter what, and now this interruption!
The twins glanced at each other for a moment.
“Amelia sis is still pretty confused, right?”
“Amelia needs a little more time, doesn’t she?”
They nodded as if they’d reached some mutual understanding, then started tugging Seongjin’s arms again.
The kids didn’t pull that hard, but he couldn’t exactly hurl them away either.
Helplessly being dragged along, Seongjin turned a pleading face to Sir Massain.
“Sniff… For Your Highness to be so friendly with his siblings…”
Sir Massain had turned his head aside, struggling to hold back tears.
This guy’s a lost cause.
In the end, Seongjin had no choice but to board the carriage with the twins. Especially since Sir Massain was glaring at him with eyes that blatantly said to ditch training and spend some wholesome time with his siblings already.
On top of that, the Knight Commander of the Imperial Guard had personally volunteered as their escort.
“With big brother Massain, we’re safe.”
“With brother Massain, no worries.”
But seriously, these kids.
Amelia gets “sis,” and even Sir Massain is “big brother,” so why am I just plain old Mores?
“Because you’re Mores?”
“Because you’re none other than Mores.”
Herna and Gades let out creepy little chuckles.
The carriage they rode soon left the palace behind and sped down the grand boulevard toward the city center. The palace road apparently connected in a straight line right through the heart of the city.
As the neatly lined avenue trees gave way to scattered shops, they soon entered a bustling square lined with massive buildings. Colorful crowds filled the streets noisily, while flashy four-horse carriages and huge wagons raced by in throngs.
It really hit home that this was the capital of the continent’s mightiest empire.
Seongjin was absently staring out the window when the twins announced the rest of their itinerary.
“We’re going to a tailor in the city.”
“We have to head to Salon Demersie right now.”
“...?”
What’s Salon Demersie?
He blinked in confusion, and Sir Massain, sitting beside him, discreetly filled him in.
“It’s the capital’s most famous high-end men’s clothing boutique.”
Why would kids go there to play? They’re still too young for adult tailors, aren’t they?
“Then we’ll go see the new puppet show on Bertrand Street!”
“It’s about the brutal hero and the pitiful demon king!”
Now that sounds like a place for kids. But that plot feels kinda backwards.
“And after that, the monkey watchtower in Fountain Square, and we’re done.”
“Yeah, we’ll have hit everywhere we planned today, nice and efficiently.”
Monkey watchtower?
His head automatically swiveled toward Sir Massain.
“It’s a tavern with cheap drinks and a solid regular crowd. Even the Imperial Guard knights frequent it.”
A tavern this time. Why on earth are kids going there?
What the heck is their criteria for “fun”? And why do I have to tag along?
“Hmm, what’s the selection process?”
“Hmm, why do we even have to go?”
They just exchanged mischievous grins.
Salon Demersie was located at the heart of Deste Street, lined with famous tailors. It was the place to catch the latest trends from the Kingdom of Brittany, leaders in continental fashion.
Even the entrance displayed the latest Brittany styles. Seongjin grimaced at the tight waistline and ruby buttons dangling from the narrow sleeves, but the twins shoved him inside and said.
“Take it easy and enjoy, Mores. We’ll come pick you up later.”
“Take your time chatting, Mores. We’ll find you before too long.”
What? Weren’t you the ones begging me to play?
Seongjin stood there dumbfounded, but the twins had already melted into the crowd and vanished.
He turned to follow, but a booming shop assistant’s greeting pinned him in place.
“Welcome, handsome young sir! First time here? Please, come on in!”
A woman in heavy makeup and a flashy pink dress approached with an overly broad smile.
“Welcome! Salon Demersie leads the latest Delcross fashions! All the capital’s finest gentlemen are regulars here. This way, please…”
She grabbed for his arm with surprising force, but Sir Massain wedged himself between them, making her eyes widen. Sir Massain bellowed at her loud enough to shake the whole shop.
“How dare a mere merchant act so rudely! This is His Imperial Highness Prince Mores of the great Holy Empire!”
Everyone in the tailor shop turned to stare.
Soon, shock rippled through their eyes, followed by whispers among themselves. Seongjin felt awkwardly embarrassed.
Fortunately, the Demersie assistant was a pro used to dealing with nobles. She quickly composed her flustered expression and bowed deeply to Seongjin.
“Forgive my rudeness. I had no idea such an esteemed personage would grace us in person.”
Other assistants rushed out, lining up from the entrance and bowing in unison. Seongjin realized he’d completely missed his chance to slip out.
“Blessings of the Lord God upon Delcross! We greet the wise Prince Mores!”
The assistants, men and women alike, all wore identical deep pink uniforms. Seongjin recoiled at the garish taste, when a burly man approached with light, dainty steps from the back of the shop.
He carried a fancy folding fan and teetered on high heels, draped in a flamboyant outfit mixing black and pale pink, topped with fuchsia fur. It instantly explained the assistants’ pink uniforms.
“Oh my oh my oh my, what brings you here? Oh dear, Your Highness Mores! How do you get more dashing every time? Oh, splendid!”
Sir Massain’s face slowly hardened as the man approached with frivolous hip sways. Fortunately, just before the knight captain exploded, the man offered Seongjin a perfectly appropriate bow.
He knew exactly where the line was with highborn tempers.
“Generations of the Lord God’s blessings upon the great Holy Imperial Family! Madam Justine of Salon Demersie greets the noble Prince Mores.”
His grand, old-fashioned gestures almost evoked a theater actor.
Yet his drawn-out endings gave off a coquettish or teasing vibe.
Seongjin eyed the man carefully, struck by a subtle sense of wrongness.
Stripped of the heavy makeup and flashy clothes, he could pass for a top-tier warrior. His massive frame boasted well-developed muscles all around, though Seongjin sensed no active aura around him. Not an aura user, then.
So why were his instincts blaring alarms about this guy? Sir Massain seemed to sense it too and whispered to Seongjin.
“Madam Justine is the capital’s most renowned designer. Famous even in the palace, but to think it’d be this type…”
“Not an aura user, right?”
“No, Your Highness. But his prayer presence is strangely impressive. Hard to believe for a mere designer.”
The man smiled softly while they murmured, his red lips curving as his tiny beauty mark danced along.
Realizing he was waiting patiently for them to state their business, Seongjin hesitated before speaking up.
“Ahem, well… I was thinking of getting some clothes made…”
Pretty obvious reason to visit a tailor.
Madam Justine covered her mouth with her fan and tittered with an “ohohong.” Her over-mascaraed eyes curved into sly crescents.
“Ohoho! It’s Your Highness’s first time gracing Salon Demersie in person, isn’t it? Empress Consort Elizabeth has long been a loyal customer.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes indeed. Don’t our assistants visit Pearl Palace every month to craft Your Highness’s wardrobe? What an infinite honor for this Madam Justine to serve you personally today!”
Most of the clothes in Mores’s dressing room must be this guy’s handiwork.
“Now, now, no need to stand on ceremony here—let’s head up to the VIP suite. We’ll tailor everything from measurements to fittings perfectly to your preferences.”
Fine, anywhere to escape this chaos.
Leaving the whispering assistants and some customers behind, Seongjin followed Justine up the stairs.
Since he was already at a tailor, Seongjin figured he might as well get something comfortable for training made.
But as Madam Justine brought out fabrics, embroidery samples, and design sketches, the conversation veered into bizarre territory.
“Ohoh! Too bright is out, too dark is dreary—got it! Your eye for the capital’s latest trends is spot on! These days, deep tones that shimmer brightly in the light are all the rage.”
He’d just said white or black would get too dirty rolling around the training grounds, and suddenly iridescent rainbow fabrics popped out.
“Ohohoho! Minimal cuffs and fringe? Bold, trendsetting choice! Then why not elevate it with delicate embroidery in the corners, even if it takes time? Jewels and pearls on the cuffs and hems!”
He’d asked to strip out anything obstructive for intense training, and now they were sewing jewels onto it. Seongjin couldn’t even imagine the final monstrosity.
Madam Justine, thrilled beyond reason, scribbled furiously in her design notebook while humming a tune.
Soon, assistants swarmed in to take his measurements, causing a huge fuss. Seongjin, who’d thought height and waist size were all it took, learned for the first time just how many body parts needed measuring for custom clothes.
His mind utterly frayed, he dazedly sipped the juice Justine had provided, when Sir Massain shot him a pitying look.
“You look exhausted, Your Highness.”
Seongjin just snorted in response.
You, who’d been happily arguing peacock vs. butterfly patterns with Madam Justine earlier.
Tap tap.
That’s when a cautious knock sounded.
Sir Massain opened the door to reveal a mild-mannered young man who timidly entered and bowed to Seongjin.
“Glory to Delcross. Greetings to Prince Mores, longtime patron of the Golden Truth Society.”
Golden Tr… what?