Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: The Birthday Banquet
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Nihil thanked him, saying his mind felt at ease thanks to Lianus, but Lianus couldn't shake off his guilt for a while, feeling like he'd made his dear friend gloomy.
"Nil... what are you doing?"
As he approached hesitantly, Nihil set down what he was making and patted the spot next to him.
"Rian, you don't have to be so wary. Come here."
"But..."
Lianus glanced at what Nihil was working on.
In truth, it just looked like an elongated rectangular wooden box, so he couldn't tell what it was. But since Nihil had said it was something he wanted to give as a gift to the child he was raising, Lianus figured it was just some sentimental keepsake and let it go.
"You didn't do anything wrong. Why are you acting so cautious?"
"I just... thought maybe it would've been okay if we'd come up with the name together from the start..."
"No. Deep down, I was hoping the kid might see the plaza's name and come looking if he's still alive."
Nihil shrugged casually and showed off what he was making.
"Wanna see? It's almost done."
"What's this?"
"A music box."
"This is a music box?"
Lianus's eyes widened as he opened the somewhat crude-looking wooden box. When he wound it up, a cylinder studded with pins rotated, playing the lullaby his friend had sung for him.
"So that's what the inside of a music box looks like."
Lianus's own toys had music boxes too, but they only showed twirling ballerinas when opened, so this was his first time seeing the mechanism.
How on earth does his friend make things like this? It didn't seem possible with bare hands, no matter how he looked at it.
"It's amazing."
"If you want one, I'll make you one."
"But I want to hear you sing it live."
You'll sing it for me, right? Lianus grinned broadly after saying that. The music box was nice, but it didn't have lyrics.
Then, it suddenly hit him—His Majesty's request. And with it, a brilliant idea!
"Nil, can you write down the sheet music for the lullaby?"
"Sheet music?"
"Yeah. His Majesty asked me to play the violin at the birthday banquet..."
His Majesty had insisted on hearing his performance, so he was picking a piece, but nothing quite appealed to him.
But if his friend was searching for the child...
"I want to arrange that lullaby a bit faster and play it."
"...You wanted to see him perform tricks yourself, huh."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. But I don't know how to write sheet music."
"I'll teach you!"
His friend was smart, so with a little guidance, he'd pick it up in no time.
The birthday banquet would have envoys from other countries and tons of nobles attending. If he played it coolly, that tender lullaby would spread far and wide!
This time, I might actually be able to help Nil!
The first day of the birthday banquet.
Lianus, buzzing with excitement, grabbed Nihil's hand and strode down the corridor of the main palace.
"Nil, I'll show you around!"
The lullaby arrangement had turned out beautifully, and he'd practiced violin plenty. And best of all...
"Matching outfits like this—we really look like brothers! Right?"
Nod.
Lianus beamed proudly at their identical designs, differing only slightly in color. The designer must have made them as a pair on purpose, but Lianus loved it even more that way.
"Today, you can be my big brother!"
Nod nod.
As his friend nodded eagerly, his ponytail—now noticeably longer—swished like a tail. The deep navy ribbon matching the banquet attire suited him perfectly.
Lianus checked the ribbon he'd tied himself, learning from Sir Evan, and made sure the face veil was secure too.
"Perfect!"
They were impeccable enough to head straight to the banquet hall!
But one thing Lianus had overlooked: his royal status.
"......"
Lianus sat on the chair on the dais, gazing at his friend standing all alone in a far corner. It made him so upset.
We matched outfits and everything, but we can't even stay together!
A commoner kid who hadn't even debuted in society—and couldn't—was attending the birthday banquet at all was an enormous privilege, but Lianus didn't care about that.
He just hated seeing his friend alone.
When's His Majesty coming...?
It was boring. With the face veil on, he couldn't read Nihil's expression. If His Majesty arrived soon, he could pay respects and go to Nihil.
"Lianus, comport yourself properly."
"......"
His older brother chided him as his legs swung idly. His lips pouted unconsciously, but it wasn't wrong, so he straightened up.
"Tch, so vulgar..."
He ignored the tongue-click and the unfolding fan, but he felt it was huge progress for himself.
"His Majesty the King is entering!"
He's here!
Lianus hopped off the chair in delight. Maybe too exuberant, but no one noticed.
For His Majesty's birthday gift, he'd given a letter and a bunch of handmade odds and ends—embarrassing to admit—but thanks to Nihil's advice, His Majesty seemed pleased.
Of course, everyone else looked at it like it was childish nonsense.
As long as Dad likes it.
Lianus rolled the unfamiliar word around in his mouth. Nihil always called His Majesty "your dad" when mentioning him, and thinking it himself felt ticklish.
"Lianus."
"Yes, Dad... Eep!"
He'd said it wrong!
Lianus clamped his mouth shut upon realizing his slip too late, but His Majesty's eyes were already wide. No, his own were probably wider.
"I-I mean, forgive me."
As he bowed his head and mumbled, something heavy settled on it. Then came a clumsy but gentle pat.
"It's fine. But restrain yourself in public."
"Yes!"
Phew, no scolding!
Glancing at Nihil, he saw a thumbs-up. Relieved he wasn't in trouble?
And to hear his voice from so far away—his friend was incredible.
Come to think of it, why did His Majesty call me?
Curious, he turned back, but His Majesty was already speaking with the Prime Minister who'd approached. His expression hardening suggested bad news.
"...Who's coming?"
"The Grand Duke."
"......Out of nowhere like this?"
The Grand Duke?!
Pretending nonchalance while eavesdropping, Lianus whipped around to his friend, eyes wide. Carus and Baron Allie had sidled up to Nihil, talking to him.
A gut feeling stabbed him: his friend mustn't be found by the Grand Duke.
I have to hide Nil!
King Sedes pressed his temples at the sudden news of the Grand Duke's visit.
Of course, he'd formally sent an invitation.
But a demon lord mingling with humans for a banquet? He'd always been politely ignored—until now. What wind blew this way?
If he came, it could deflate the Holy Empire envoys betting on when the 'Harpen Kingdom' would fall.
With the Empire watching, they might even need to ask the Grand Duke for a favor.
But whether that Grand Duke would play along was another matter. His own father, the previous king, had tried manipulating him and paid dearly.
It wasn't for nothing he'd ascended young.
Sedes sighed deeply and whispered to Abel.
"When?"
"...Now."
"......"
Many eyes watched, but Sedes dry-washed his face anyway. His headache from his son's wild friend was bad enough—now this.
"Alright... understo—"
He ordered preparations for the Grand Duke's seat at once. Title-wise a duke, but he was the kingdom's guardian; applying human ranks was absurd.
They'd given the title out of respect... no, he hadn't even done that. The Grand Duke had held it for over 300 years.
Even whether his territory truly belonged to Harpen was questionable. After 300 years, its map position was still vague.
Once the seat was ready, his second son fidgeted visibly, eyes on his friend.
"Lianus."
"Y-Yes? Yes, Your Majesty."
His son's curly head jumped cutely at the call.
"Go to your friend."
"C-Can I?"
"Yes. And..."
Sedes leaned in and murmured.
"Please tell him not to cause any trouble."
"Yes, sir!"
His son's resolute nod was quite serious. He must worry about his friend causing issues too.
...Hope it passes smoothly.
Even if the friend behaved, the Grand Duke might act oddly—like the Swordmaster Duke picking a fight with that kid.
Sedes stared at the receding dark green curls, then gestured into the air.
The presence in the shadows slipped away.
"Nil, you absolutely can't go near him!"
Nod.
"Especially don't touch his hair, no matter how fascinating it looks!"
"......?"
Nihil tilted his head like what? then nodded again. Touching strangers' hair was rude anyway.
"His hair's so long it drags on the floor—whoever touches it nearly caused a huge scene."
Knowing Nihil liked head pats, Lianus explained fervently.
"Uh, I don't remember well, but some viscount's daughter, I think. She said something like wanting to wrap herself in that beautiful hair? Anyway, she was... a bit weird."
"......"
Nihil's lips thinned. Some woman must've tried seducing the Grand Duke and failed. Fearless.
"He hates people touching his hair. That's why he keeps it like that."
If he hated it, why not cut it? As that thought crossed his mind, his shoulder was gripped.
"And His Majesty asked me to relay this."
"......?"
"Please don't cause trouble."
Nihil's mouth opened silently before he just nodded. Denying it would only earn a lecture from the kid.
Kids grow up weirdly naggy...
Why? Nihil swallowed his question, straightened the face veil Carus had nudged askew while rubbing his face moments ago.
Lianus watched Nihil, then called Morris.
"Baron."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Please watch my friend so he doesn't cause trouble."
"......"
"If Nil stays put, the Grand Duke won't notice."
"...If you're that worried, wouldn't it be better for him to return to the Vernus Palace?"
Morris asked reluctantly, but Lianus pondered briefly then shook his head.
"I'd love to send him back, but I have to feed him treats, have him hear my violin, and play with me—can't send him away."
"......"
"And we matched outfits—if he leaves now, it'd be a shame... Oh, load him up on treats."
"...Yes."
"Lots of meat!"
"......Yes."
Lianus bounced as he explained, then earnestly asked Carus—returning with drinks—to watch Nihil before heading back.
He wanted to stay, but with His Majesty descending the dais to greet the Grand Duke, he had to hold his seat.
As the Grand Duke's seat was set, guests murmured. Some recognized and fled swiftly, others clueless, a few curious with gleaming eyes.
The Duke clicked his tongue and left.
Sir Ernest led the royal knights in, lining the entrance.
Armored knights brought tension.
Some oblivious foreign envoys stepped forward to complain but blanched upon learning and burrowed into the crowd.
In the hush, a voice boomed.
"Grand Duke Lepne is entering!"
Creak, screech—
The knights opened the hall doors. Everyone craned necks, feigning casualness.
"......?"
But the corridor was empty.
"...No one's there?"
Someone muttered. As bewilderment spread at the vacant hall,
"!!!"
Space tore open,
Clack—
A pitch-black figure stepped forth.