Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Rumors and Schemes
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Sir Evan pulled a long face as he watched his young master toss him aside like a toy for that lynx-like rascal, only to end up becoming a toy himself.
But on the flip side, he was relieved to see the prince in such high spirits. He'd been terrified that morning when nightmares had left the boy sobbing and gasping in the dead of night.
The butler, oblivious to the situation, beamed continuously at the cheerful atmosphere, neatly tying a cravat around Nihil's neck before nodding in satisfaction, as if to say it was all set.
"It suits you perfectly, young master."
"Spare clothes?"
"Packed just as you asked."
"The rumors?"
"Will rumors that the foster child refused the luncheon invitation and rolled around the palace floor scrubbing it clean to everyone's satisfaction do the trick?"
"Kuh."
At that, Evan openly snickered under the pretense of holding back a laugh. Nihil shot him a glare, then sighed at the bird's nest atop his head.
"Pup, come here and bow your head."
"...Why."
"You're not planning to go out looking like that, are you?"
"..."
Evan's laughter died as he shuffled over sheepishly and crouched before him. He came when called, but he worried Nihil might mess up his hair even more.
"...You're not going to get revenge just because I chuckled a bit, right?"
"Even revenge would look better than that bird's nest."
"...Is it that bad?"
"Did you even check a mirror?"
"It's your fault for burning that sleep incense, not—ow, why hit me."
Nihil smacked the top of Evan's head with the back of the comb, then gripped his ponytail and yanked it downward firmly.
"My arm's getting tired. Just sit down already."
Evan had no choice but to plop down on the rug. Still too high, so Nihil kicked off his slippers and stepped up onto Evan's thigh.
Nihil combed Evan's hair back a few times, took a dab of wax on his palm, rubbed it in, and roughly swept it into place. The way he yanked with force now and then made it clear he held a grudge.
But the result was surprisingly decent. Evan stared at his neatly styled hair in the mirror, mumbling reluctantly.
"You can do hair too?"
"Short hair's easy enough."
Nihil replied curtly, then brushed his own hair and tied it back with a ribbon.
"Why do you always tie yours so sloppily?"
Evan eyed the crooked ribbon, undid it, held it in his mouth naturally, pulled Nihil between his legs, and started combing with his hands.
Nihil relaxed into the familiar strokes, eyes closing at the nostalgic sensation, and spoke slowly.
"...Fixing someone else's hair is different from your own. Just like how you know how to tie mine properly but walk around with a bird's nest on yours."
"..."
A brief silence fell. Evan tied the silk ribbon neatly and spoke a beat late.
"...All done."
The quiet wasn't awkward enough to linger, but they both knew they were projecting someone else onto each other. And neither wanted to voice it.
Lianus, sensing none of the undercurrent, poked at Nihil's bluntly tied ponytail and asked brightly.
"Nil, how about growing your hair out? It'd be like pure white silk for sure."
"Hmm. Now that you mention it..., no one to style it for me anymore."
"I'll brush it pretty for you!"
"Then..., maybe I will."
"Yeah!"
With preparations complete, the boys climbed into the carriage and sat side by side. Sir Evan glanced back and forth between Lianus in training clothes and Nihil in outing attire before speaking carefully.
"...The lynx looks more the noble."
Evan narrowed his eyes at Nihil's dazzling appearance. The clothes weren't overly flashy, but the boy's features were. With his mouth shut and gaze slightly downcast, he embodied refined nobility.
"If only that yapper stayed shut."
"Quit barking, pup."
"Ugh, that damn mouth."
"Hmph."
Nihil snorted, pulling out the black gauze he'd brought and covering his face. He'd planned to just use plain cloth to cover his eyes, but the butler had insisted on this finer gauze, warning that total blindness would be trouble.
"Why bring that?"
"Can't wear a hood."
"Just leave it exposed. It's not like it'll sell."
"In unfamiliar places, I tend to snap my eyes open at random. Drawing stares, it'd look unnatural to keep them shut, so covering's better."
"...I see."
Evan groaned as if he'd completely forgotten Nihil's eyes changed color whenever he sensed mana. Lianus stared piercingly through the gauze, nodded in satisfaction when it seemed opaque enough.
"Rian, let's say my throat's hurt and I can't talk."
"Huh...? You're not gonna speak?"
"Yeah."
"Smart thinking, lynx. Open that yap and the luncheon'll be your last meal—you'd rot in prison for life."
Sir Evan agreed enthusiastically. Lianus felt a pang at not being able to chat properly with his dear friend, but he knew his speech wasn't fit for palace ears, so he nodded.
"Might drag your reputation down today."
"It's fine. Can't fall lower anyway. Oh, that's the royal library."
"Yeah. Be seeing you."
"Wha—huh?"
Nihil leaped straight out the carriage window. Gasps from the pup and kitten rang out, but revealing himself would defeat the purpose, so he suppressed his presence and melted into hiding.
Few visited the library in the morning. Nihil dodged every detected presence and climbed the stairs straightaway. Today's target: beastkin lore.
Specifically, info on the Moon Wolf tribe among the pup's ancestors.
Long ago—before even the Heavenly Demon War—he'd subdued a rampaging Moon Wolf tribesman during their awakening rite, got tangled with the clan, and suffered for it.
Wolves weren't inherently that belligerent, but the Moon Wolves were extreme. Warriors born and bred.
Not numerous, but the strongest beastkin he'd encountered.
'If I'd known it'd loop back like this, I should've looked into them then.'
Back then, he'd been too busy evading their constant challenges, and curiosity hadn't struck. Plus, Dia hadn't cared much for wolves.
Nihil swept the second floor, finally halting on the third.
'Found it.'
'Evolution of Species', 'All About Beastkin', 'Are They Beasts or People?', 'Fox Wife and Rabbit Daughter', 'Beastkin and Divine Beasts', 'Bestiary of Animaloid Monsters', 'About My Werewolf Husband', 'Legendary Creatures', 'Beastkin and Animals', 'Night of the Wolf'...
"..."
Some oddities mixed in, but he'd located the shelf of beastkin-related books. The problem: hundreds of volumes, it'd take time to scour.
Nihil sighed softly and pulled the first one.
The training grounds, once filled only with heavy breaths, now rang with children's laughter—sounds never heard before. One particularly small boy swung a wooden sword alone, excluded from the pack.
"What greater honor than observing a lesson from the kingdom's sole Swordmaster, the duke himself!"
"I am at a loss for words at His Highness's thoughtful consideration."
"The two young lords are skilled swordsmen too, aren't they? The blood of the kingdom's premier martial house, Tesaurus Duke's line, runs true."
"1st Prince, your stamina's impressive—what's your usual training? I get winded circling the grounds once."
A group formed around the 1st Prince and the two young lords. Even during sword practice time. Evan bit his lip—no prior notice of an open lesson like this.
'Should've just dragged the lynx along...'
Watching his prince strike the scarecrow alone twisted Evan's gut.
Then the 1st Prince quieted the children and approached Lianus.
"Lianus."
"...Yes, Older Brother."
Lianus flinched and turned at the call.
The 1st Prince gazed down at his much shorter same-age brother and smiled softly.
"It's been a while. I invited peers since your foster child was coming. Surely..., more kids make it merrier."
"...I suppose."
Lianus met Lawrence's eyes, then dropped his gaze. The stares burdened him. But he mustered courage.
"...A heads-up would've been nice. My friend..., he's picky with people."
His dear friend was coming today. Showing weakness might get him bullied too. Even strong, cool Sir Evan couldn't shield from noble tongues—Lianus had to.
Normally silent and bowed, Lianus's backtalk made Lawrence's brow twitch faintly.
Lawrence smoothed his expression, smiling fondly at his cute sibling.
"Ah, he threw a fit over the luncheon, right?"
"Really, Your Highness? Even a lowly mutt should know better than refuse the queen's invitation..."
"Indeed. Word is he's ill-tempered—slapped a maid gifting him a doll."
"Heavens, truly? I heard he's gloomy and cowardly, always huddled in a hood."
"Dumb as dirt, no sense of money either."
"What would a mongrel know of coin."
"2nd Prince, needing a foster or not, picking up street trash like that..."
"Haha, easy now. Say that, and the 2nd Prince..., looks pitiful."
"Pitiful? His Highness mercifully rescued the wretch—shouldn't we praise him?"
"Right! Ahahaha—"
"..."
As the talk dragged, Lianus's face hardened.
How did rumors about his friend spread so? The tantrum was the butler's planted story—fine. But slapping the maid...
'No, I expected this much.'
Spies in the palace were inevitable. Nihil knew, hence dodging servants.
Above all, his friend wasn't ill-tempered or gloomy, smartest of all, sharper with money than him. This was surely his scheme.
Realizing that, Lianus lifted his head slightly and stared straight at the mocking children.
If this was his friend's ploy, he needn't hesitate.