Chapter 11: Pleased to Meet You (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: Pleased to Meet You (4)
A white shirt and light beige trousers. A red jacket, long enough to cover his calves, was trimmed with gold thread. Over it all, he wore a white cloak adorned with gold tassels and embroidery.
When Calian entered, dressed in a splendid ceremonial suit that stood in stark contrast to the formal attire of the other princes or the modest outfits he wore to tea, the entire hall fell silent.
'The ruby pendant again.'
The eyes of those drawn to his magnificent attire inevitably landed on the ruby pendant he had worn before.
'He's wearing the same one. It clearly wasn't just a simple accessory.'
Calian had appeared so suddenly, it was as if he had been waiting for this very moment. Judging by the reactions—where even the smallest detail about him was scrutinized for meaning—it was hard to tell if this was a banquet for Lemain, or a banquet held by Lemain for Calian.
Soon, Calian began to walk.
Step, step.
The soft sound of his shoes echoed through the banquet hall.
From Duke Siegfried standing at the entrance, to Viscount Brissen with whom he had recently dined, to the nobles he had met during tea time—Calian made eye contact and smiled at as many people as he could, all the way to the royal seats at the far end of the hall. Yan, his expression solemn, followed silently behind him.
Since Lemain and the other princes had not yet arrived, the banquet had not officially begun. But the crowd remained silent for another reason entirely. Everyone was staring at Calian.
Captivated by his inexplicable ability to command their attention, whispers began to circulate once more.
"They say he's only fourteen. I can't decide if we should look forward to his future or fear it."
"Indeed. I was just thinking the very same thing."
Of course, one person’s reaction differed from that of the other nobles. Having already guessed the reason behind Calian's overwhelming presence, an undeniable curiosity flared in the blue-gray eyes of Duke Siegfried.
'That brat's aura is magnificent! He looks frail and pretty, like someone who's never held a sword, yet the sharp presence he's radiating is unmistakably that of a knight.'
It was Yan, not Calian, who first noticed the duke’s gaze. After studying Siegfried for a moment and reading the clear interest on his face, Yan whispered to Calian.
"It seems Duke Siegfried is taking an interest in you, Your Highness."
Calian smiled knowingly. He knew exactly why Siegfried was watching him.
'Since he's a Sword Master, there's no way he wouldn't notice.'
But that alone wouldn't arouse any further suspicion, so it wasn't a major concern. Without turning his head, Calian replied, "I'm grateful, but it's still too early. For now, pretend you don't see him."
"Understood."
Sharing the same thought, Yan nodded readily.
Just as Siegfried had observed, Calian began to gradually suppress the aura he had been so deliberately projecting to draw the crowd's attention. As he did, people began to look away one by one, some turning to strike up conversations with the duke again.
Consequently, Siegfried also set aside his interest in Calian for the moment and began to converse with the other nobles.
Soon, the two other princes entered, followed shortly by the King and Queen.
Once the banquet officially commenced with Lemain’s words of gratitude, Calian remained in his seat for precisely thirty minutes before slipping away under the pretense of taking a walk in the garden. Yan, who followed him out, approached with Raven’s reins in hand.
Calian had intended to walk, but Yan was worried about his pale complexion, so he ultimately mounted the horse. Watching Raven quietly allow Calian to ride him, Yan remarked, "It's quite fascinating. He's like a gentle lamb in front of you, Your Highness."
Calian laughed and ruffled Raven's mane. "Raven is just very well-behaved."
"Don't be fooled. When you're not around, Your Highness… ugh."
Calian burst into laughter again.
Exchanging casual conversation with Yan, Calian made his way to a spot that offered a clear view of the royal palace's main gate from a reasonable distance. There, he began to watch the gate intently.
Yan, standing beside him, looked curious, but Calian held his tongue. It would be better to explain everything after he got what he wanted.
And what Calian wanted was a person.
It was none other than Alan Manasil.
"Good evening, Your Highness."
Despite standing in the darkest part of the area, a passing palace guard spotted Calian’s conspicuous white cloak and greeted him. Yan, who wore a black suit instead of his servant's uniform for the banquet, was nearly invisible in the shadows.
Seeing this, Calian briefly regretted his choice.
'I should have worn black today.'
Fortunately, though they saw him, no one asked what he was doing there. He had Franz to thank for that. His younger brother’s temper was so foul that he would throw a fit if anyone dared question him.
'And Randel looks too terrifying for anyone to even try.'
Therefore, as long as he didn't try to pass through the main gate or break into the Heisia Palace where Silike resided, the guards would leave him be.
Another guard passed, likely returning from patrol. After receiving a total of six such greetings, a new sound reached them.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The sound of horse hooves, slowly approaching the main gate from a distance. Calian’s head snapped up, his eyes shining. Seeing his reaction, Yan also grew tense and listened closely.
"You were waiting for someone."
Calian gave a quiet "Yes," then placed a finger over his lips. Yan nodded in understanding.
The sound of the hooves grew louder.
At the main gate, the four palace guards moved swiftly. Two blocked the entrance while the other two stopped the approaching horse. From his vantage point, Calian could see the backs of the guards and the horse's head, but the visitor was hidden behind the gate’s thick pillars.
Calian, who had considered heading straight over, decided to observe a bit longer. If the visitor wasn't Alan, his sudden approach would seem strange. The polite voice of a guard drifted over faintly.
"Could you please dismount for a moment?" It was the flat, yet courteous tone characteristic of a knight.
A moment later, the soft thud of feet hitting the ground was heard, followed by the guard's voice. "What is your business here?"
"I've come for the birthday festival of His Majesty, the King of Kairis."
Finally, the visitor's voice rang out.
As far as Calian knew, Alan Manasil was in his early fifties, but the voice he heard sounded much younger. Just as he was starting to feel a pang of disappointment, thinking it might not be him after all, the man continued.
"I am Alan Manasil. A mage."
It was him.
Anticipation gripped Calian, and his shoulders tensed.
Clip.
To his surprise, Raven took a step forward. As if sensing Calian’s intent, the horse began to walk at an incredibly slow pace.
'As if I just happened to be taking a stroll and came over after seeing what was happening.'
He couldn't just rush over from his hiding spot. Alan was a 7th Circle Mage; he would surely be aware of any sudden movements in his vicinity. Calian’s plan was to take a wide, slow detour toward the main gate, staying far enough away that his approach would seem natural.
Clop.
Raven, as if reading his mind, moved perfectly. Unless the horse was a mind reader, he seemed to be picking up on Calian's subconscious cues.
Calian patted Raven's neck and whispered, "You're a smart one, Raven."
He could feel Raven proudly arch his neck, as if he understood the compliment.
"Please show me your invitation," the voice came from the main gate once more. It seemed the name Alan Manasil meant nothing to the guards.
There was a moment of silence, as if the man was searching for it. Then, Alan’s troubled voice drifted over.
"Oh dear. It seems I've lost my invitation."
It was exactly as Calian remembered.
Alan did not produce an invitation. The guard's tone became slightly warier. "I am sorry. You cannot enter without an invitation."
"I have given you my name. Could you not check with someone? I have traveled a very long way."
The guards had an attendee list, and people carried identification. Even without an invitation, one could enter if their identity was verified. In truth, an archmage like Alan Manasil shouldn't have needed an invitation in the first place.
At that moment, Calian, who was still approaching, frowned in frustration.
'Oh, no.'
The guard glanced over Alan’s attire. Without even checking the list, he spoke. "Please return when you have your invitation."
"...So you judge a man by his clothes, I see."
Shabby clothing. No invitation. Alan had deliberately created this situation, as if he were testing them, or perhaps searching for an excuse not to come to Kairis at all. While the guard who took the bait was not entirely in the right, Alan wasn't blameless either.
Calian furrowed his brow. He had to stop the man who was so reluctant to set foot in this country.
"Very well. I shall return."
The sound of someone mounting a horse was heard, followed by the clatter of hooves that did not belong to Raven.
Calian’s heart lurched with anxiety. He still had some distance to cover, but Alan was giving up far more quickly than he'd expected.
Calian tightened his grip on Raven's reins. "Yan. Do whatever it takes to hold back the guards."
Startled, Yan asked, "Pardon me?"
"Make sure they can't follow me."
"Your Highness, surely… you aren't planning to go outside?"
Without answering, Calian faced forward.
In that same instant, Raven bolted. The guards, instantly recognizing the boy in the white cloak on the black horse, scrambled to block his path.
"Your Highness, stop! You are not permitted to leave at this time!"
I know!
He didn't even need to spur Raven on. The horse accelerated on his own, deftly weaving through the guards and slipping out of the palace gates.
The flustered guards blew their whistles. As if on cue, two horses were brought galloping up to them.
Yan’s eyes widened in panic as he ran toward them.
'What do I do? How do I handle this?'
Calian had told him to do whatever it took, but the prince currently lacked the authority to take responsibility for such an act. He had barely managed to build a favorable impression among the nobles; if he were placed under house arrest for the rest of the festival, all his efforts would be for nothing.
Therefore, Yan had to do something that could bear the weight of this responsibility.
As if making a decision, Yan clenched and unclenched his fist. He untied his neatly bound, bronze-colored hair, letting the curls fall loose around his face so he wouldn't be recognized as a servant. It was a relief he wasn't wearing his uniform.
"Halt."
Yan called out to the guards, his gaze sharp. Their heads snapped toward him at once.
And Yan’s blue-gray eyes met theirs.
Thinking briefly of the man with the same colored eyes currently enjoying the banquet, Yan spoke, his voice clear and firm.
"I am Shiroian Siegfried, eldest son of House Siegfried."
Siegfried!
Instantly, the guards removed their helmets. In a single, disciplined motion, they tucked them under their arms and placed their right fists over their chests in the salute of the Kairis Royal Guard.
Yan gave a slight nod to acknowledge them. "Duke Siegfried has personally vouched for Prince Calian's excursion."
Yan, who had just invoked the name he had long forgotten and lived without, stared out toward the city square with worried eyes.
The fluttering, snow-white cloak grew smaller and smaller, until it finally vanished from sight.