Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: The Empty Box
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Clunk!
The box flew open with a loud bang.
Lawrence, who had reached out for it, squeezed his eyes shut, unable to look.
Should've just said we were playing hide-and-seek. If he gets chased off, I'll never see him again. Should I say it was a lie right now?
"Uh...?"
But contrary to his expectations, Aiden's baffled voice followed.
"There's... nothing in here?"
"...?"
Lawrence's pupils trembled slightly. Wasn't it this box? But it was the only large box in the playroom big enough to fit a child.
Aiden, convinced Baedong must be inside, started yanking out the blocks haphazardly.
"Hey, when I find you, you're in for it!"
Yet even after dumping out every last block, the box was empty. Lawrence glanced confusedly at the nanny, but she shrugged slightly as if she had no idea either.
"Hmm."
His mother peeked inside as well, then smiled brightly and continued.
"Looks like the toys got quite damaged. I'll get you new ones, my dear."
"...Thank you, Mother."
Soon, blocks that were barely used—practically new—were discarded. Lawrence snuck glances at the servants clearing them away under his mother's orders, then quickly scanned the playroom.
Where did he hide?
The entrance was blocked by his mother's attendants, so he couldn't have slipped past without being seen. But there were no good hiding spots, leaving Lawrence increasingly bewildered.
"Louis."
"Yes, Mother."
Lawrence snapped his gaze back up at her call. His mother, standing ramrod straight and looking down at him, seemed nobler than anyone.
"I've done everything our prince asked for, haven't I?"
She'd even brought Aiden along because he needed Baedong, hadn't she? Her voice was gentle, but for some reason, it stung.
"I am deeply grate...ful..."
"Then why won't my prince listen to his mother?"
"Well..."
"Do you not love this mother of yours, perhaps?"
"...! No, that's not it. Absolutely not!"
Without thinking, Lawrence reached for his mother's skirt hem. But as it subtly pulled away, he quickly withdrew his hand.
"Louis, don't act like a child. You're a prince, aren't you?"
"...Yes."
"That's right. Just do as your mother says, and everything will go smoothly."
"Yes, Mother."
"You won't disappoint me again, will you?"
"...Of course not."
"I have faith in you."
"I won't let you down."
Lawrence bowed his upper body just enough to show respect without seeming overly servile. Helia gazed down at him steadily before leading her train of maids out of the playroom.
"Your Highness, where did you hide Baedong?"
"...".
The moment the room quieted, Aiden scurried over. Lawrence felt a pang of betrayal and didn't respond right away.
"Don't mingle with the likes of those lowly things. You're royalty, aren't you? Royalty should associate with those befitting..."
"...You."
"Pardon?"
"Get out."
Aiden scowled at the dismissal. He'd already been furious about being sent away with Baedong earlier, and now this treatment from His Highness made him more than just hurt—he was angry.
"Your Highness, how can you treat me this way—"
"Out! Aiden!"
"...!"
Aiden's eyes widened at Lawrence's shout. Lawrence had never once yelled at him or dropped the formal speech before, so the shock was immense. And Lawrence felt it just as strongly himself.
"Please leave, Aiden."
Lawrence took a slow deep breath, then lowered his voice.
Suddenly, worry flooded him. Not that Aiden might be hurt, but that he might run off to tattle to his mother again.
But the words were already out.
"Today... I don't want to talk with you."
"...Understood."
Aiden glared at Lawrence as he turned away, then spun on his heel and stormed out.
Click. The door shut, and silence fell for a moment.
Lawrence stared blankly around, confirmed only the nanny remained, then hurried to the box. But with even the blocks emptied, it was still empty.
Wondering if his nanny had quickly hidden the boy, Lawrence turned to her.
"Nanny, did you see that child anywhere?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I didn't see him."
"...".
"Shall we look together?"
Lawrence nodded faintly, then searched the playroom high and low with Helen. But not a single strand of that white hair was to be found.
It felt like a dream. If only the chessboard were here, he could confirm the boy had been real.
But hadn't he put the chessboard away himself?
"...".
Suddenly, he wondered if this was punishment for too many lies. The lies had piled up until they burst, becoming his reality.
Hesitating, Lawrence softly called the name he'd only heard from Lianus's lips.
"Nil...?"
"...".
"Nil, where are you?"
"...".
"You can come out now."
"...".
But no answer came.
"...".
Nihil watched Lawrence search for him quietly before slipping out of the Estus Palace. One of the Queen's knights had lingered hidden, watching, so he couldn't even say goodbye.
...The Prime Minister's probably waiting impatiently too.
"Nil! Why on earth did you go to the 1st Prince's palace?!"
"What were you thinking?!"
Sure enough, the moment he returned to the main palace, the Prime Minister was grilling him. The problem was there was another one doing the same.
Nihil raised an eyebrow at Sergio, who was with Abel, then beckoned the boy huddled in the corner.
"Jane, you're free to go."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Jane, who had come ahead and reported to the Prime Minister, rose hesitantly.
"Jane, want some refreshments before you head out?"
"N-No, th-thank you. Th-The prince t-takes g-good care of m-me. Th-Thank you for y-your concern."
"Alright. Be careful on your way."
Jane bowed quickly and scurried out. Abel turned back to Nihil.
"Nil, why'd you send a servant? If my nephew hadn't verified your identity, I wouldn't have believed it."
Abel had been startled by the sudden visit from a Vernus Palace servant. And one sent by Nil, of all people? Hard to buy.
His nephew had been there for entry procedures, and hearing it was the one boy Nil always kept close, he'd let him in.
Not that suspicions were fully erased—but the servant's words were so shocking he forgot all about it.
"Getting dragged off by the 1st Prince and running late? I thought something terrible happened."
"Had something to check, so I stopped by. Speaking of, the kids' birthday's coming up, right?"
"Ah, yeah, not long now. The 2nd Prince didn't tell you?"
"Rian's not one to go blabbing about his mother's death anniversary."
Nihil hopped onto the seat beside Abel and continued.
"How's your condition?"
"Top-notch!"
"You look like you pulled an all-nighter."
"...That obvious?"
Caught immediately, Abel rubbed his eyes sheepishly. Sergio naturally poured tea and set it before Nihil.
"Sirentea was shining so bright last night it hurt my eyes. Couldn't sleep worrying about it."
Abel grinned foolishly, saying how relieved he'd been by today's message.
"Will Sirentea hold out until the treatment's done?"
"Treatment's over, Prime Minister."
"Huh?"
"Two days off starting tomorrow. Told the kid's dad too."
"???"
A vacation he didn't even know about?
"Honestly, not sure if it'll finish in two days."
"...Nil, talking with you sometimes makes me think I'm conversing with Sedes."
Especially that habit of skipping everything and just saying his piece—it was eerily similar. The silver lining was Sedes didn't realize his speech was the issue, while Nil knew and did it anyway.
...Is that really a silver lining?
As doubts crept in, the explanation continued. It seemed Nihil just enjoyed making things awkward.
"Taking in Sirentea today. It'll be similar to your mana, so absorption shouldn't be hard, but the sheer volume means it'll take time."
"And that's two days?"
"...Could be more."
Nihil brushed it off with a vague "take more time off if needed," then unlocked the mana restraints on Abel's wrist.
Abel inhaled deeply, savoring the rush of freedom.
"How was it?"
"Huh? W-What do you mean?"
Caught mid-breath by the sudden question, Abel tilted his head.
"How'd it feel casting spells?"
"...".
"Don't lie about never sneaking any. I can see the traces."
"It... felt good."
Abel clasped his hands demurely. Hitting Sedes in the back of the head would feel less frustrating.
Of course, "good" wasn't wrong. His incantation speed had never been slow, but post-treatment, it was five times faster—top-tier even among higher-circle mages.
Once he'd tasted that, how many times had he itched to cast more?
But instead of spells, he'd memorized Nihil's magic theory tome. Enduring months, visualizing slightly different magic circles in his mind, vowing never to err again.
"Too soon to get cocky, Prime Minister. Weaving circles is still your domain."
"I'm prepared. And... confident."
After a few test casts, Abel was certain. At least up to five circles would be no problem.
"Then I'll be off. Best wishes for good results, Uncle."
"Ah."
His nephew stood. Entry procedures done, off to Vernus Palace.
He wished he'd stay for company—scary times—but couldn't exactly demand it for that reason.
"Where do you think you're going?"
But unexpectedly, Nihil grabbed Sergio first.
"Why...?"
"Nil, you need something with my nephew?"
"You sent Jane away. Who's serving me if you go?"
"...".
Sergio eyed Nihil, who brazenly declared his intent to use him, then plopped back down.
The young master never took attendants usually, so there must be a reason. And now attached to Vernus Palace, he couldn't ignore a guest.
"If you have other business, send Jane over—it's fine."
"...I'll stay."
"Don't complain later about being worn out."
"Then—"
"Well, staying's commendable anyway."
"...".
Sergio shot him a glare. Nihil grinned slyly and patted his shoulder.
"Nil, treat my nephew well."
"Naturally."
"...".
Sergio stared in disbelief, but Nihil dragged Abel out of the drawing room, past the bedroom, and into the dressing room.
"Change into something comfy. Pajamas."
"Huh?"
"Need me to dress you? Is the Prime Minister a baby?"
"...".
Abel swallowed the retort about treating him preciously too. Spoiled the kids rotten but merciless with adults.
"If you're unhappy, throw a tantrum."
"I'll change quick..."
Once in pajamas, he was forcibly tucked into bed.
Seeing Nihil fetch the Sirentea from a box hidden in the bedroom corner, Abel asked slyly.
"...How'd you know it was there?"
"It's basically a lump of mana. Weird if I didn't notice."
"Ah..."
Abel sighed, staring at the still-warm, orange-glowing Sirentea fruit. He'd heard it matched his mana color, but it looked far clearer and purer than his own.
"Prime Minister, take a deep breath or something—focus your mind."
"Will absorption take long?"
"By day two, the mana starts dissipating. If not fully absorbed by then, you might lose more than you gain."
"Can't have that."
After all his efforts raising it. Pricking his finger with a needle hurt enough.
"Cycle your mana while entering."
"Got it."
Abel began circulating his mana immediately.
"Start slow, then ramp up speed. It'll flood in when you ingest it. Stay focused so your mind doesn't scatter. ...Prime Minister, faster."
"...How much?"
"Five times current speed."
"That fast? ...Won't the pain be intense?"
Abel had trained fast circulation for quick casts before, but the faster, the more pain.
"That was because your circuits were tangled. It'll hurt with the influx, but I'll handle that—just focus on cycling and weaving circles."
"Understood."
Abel closed his eyes. Soon, the fruit entered his mouth, and a child's forehead lightly tapped his own before pulling away.
"Good luck."