Chapter 224: The Sword (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224: The Sword (2)
They say the early bird catches the worm.
For Lemain, however, waking up early just meant more work. All that extra work didn’t fill his belly, nor did it add years to his life.
Although he was now sleeping at the Camellia Palace before returning to his duties at the Arpia Palace, his workload hadn't decreased in the slightest. There was still a mountain of tasks to attend to.
Looking up at the gloomy sky—whether due to the overcast weather or the early hour—Lemain asked in a low voice, “Is Calian still not back?”
The moment he opened his eyes, the moment he finished his morning preparations, the moment he set down his spoon after a few bites of oatmeal, the moment he left the Camellia Palace, and now, the moment he stood before the Arpia Palace.
This was already the fifth time he had asked a question that had nothing to do with his work.
If he counted the times he had asked Ren, the escort knight who stood by his side whenever he woke after a restless night, the number would be far greater.
“No, Your Highness. There is still no word.”
Raul, the head chamberlain, replied in a polite voice, the question still feeling unfamiliar from him at times. Lemain let out a short sigh at the expected answer and nodded.
Last night, after returning from the forest with Franz, Calian had immediately bolted. Everyone knew no horse could catch Raven, so no one tried to block his path as fiercely as they once had. Still, his departure was labeled “bolting” because Lemain had yet to grant him permission to leave.
And the reason Lemain couldn’t bring himself to stop Calian, despite the boy repeatedly ignoring his wishes, was…
“I suppose Count Manasil isn’t back yet either.”
…because the mage, who insisted Calian’s hectic schedule was entirely Lemain’s fault, doted on the boy so much that Lemain felt he couldn’t even summon him. Then, just yesterday, the mage had become even more furious than Lemain himself, storming out and vowing to drag Calian back personally.
“That is correct, Your Highness. So please do not worry too much. Since Count Manasil went after him, he will be safe even if he runs into Silestian.”
The thought of the golden dragon nesting in the Great Desert near Tensil brought Sispanian to mind. That, in turn, reminded him of the House of Duke Siegfried, who guarded its nest. And that reminded him of how Calian had recently slipped out of the palace, claiming he was fetching Alan who had suddenly traveled there. Lemain’s expression darkened once more.
“Something is definitely going on. The way he talks about the position of Crown Prince, too…”
Whether it was his frequent trips outside the palace or his sudden ambition for the throne, something was clearly happening with Calian, but neither he nor Alan would say a word.
Realizing his words had been of no help, Raul quickly changed the subject. “If you are truly worried, perhaps you could ask Prince Franz to explain the situation…”
“No, that’s fine.”
Lemain cut him off. He knew Franz would surely know why Calian had left, but he shook his head.
“I meet with Randel to check on his condition. I seek out Calian because I’m worried about what trouble he’ll cause next. But I never seem to meet with Franz for his own sake. I don’t want to seek him out only to ask about Randel’s well-being or why Calian ran off. I won’t call for the boy just for that. Leave him be.”
After saying something Alan would have surely found admirable, Lemain stared at the distant palace gates for a moment before finally entering the Arpia Palace.
He then frowned deeply. Alan was waiting for him in front of his office, but Calian was nowhere in sight.
*
He certainly enjoys his sweets first thing in the morning.
Watching the red-haired mage happily devour hazelnut-and-almond chocolates and a tart topped with wild raspberries and custard cream, Lemain put on his glasses and spoke.
“Are you going to keep me in the dark this time as well?”
“I only went halfway, so I do not know His Highness’s destination either,” replied Alan. The mage had been in his office until late last night before sensing Calian slipping out of the castle and immediately giving chase. He now claimed he had failed to catch him and simply returned.
“You won’t tell me why you went south, and now this. It must all be connected to that boy, yet you refuse to tell me a single thing.”
Lemain’s voice was laced with frustration, but Alan felt just as vexed.
‘I’m worried about what that man might say to Your Highness and when. I will be careful and return quickly, so please keep an eye on things, Master.’
Devlan had already sent Calian a letter once. There was no telling what he might try to do to Lemain. That was why Calian had sent Alan back, not wanting to leave the royal palace undefended.
“Your Highness.”
If Lemain were to learn Calian’s secret, there was only one thing Alan could do. And now that Calian had declared he would handle Devlan himself, they couldn’t leave Lemain’s safety entirely in his hands.
‘Please, just let this matter go. Unnecessary curiosity will only shorten your lifespan.’
Suppressing the sincere advice that threatened to spill from his lips, Alan took a sip of dark coffee topped with whipped cream. Setting down the cup, his sharp eyes crinkled into a gentle curve as he looked at Lemain.
“When do you intend to hold the memorial ceremony?” he asked. He wanted Calian appointed Crown Prince as soon as possible, as there was no telling what excuse Devlan might use to lure him away.
“I plan to set the date for next Tuesday and announce it. However, even then, it may be difficult to proceed with the appointment immediately,” Lemain answered, seemingly reading Alan’s intentions.
This stubborn ox is surprisingly quick-witted today, Alan thought. He had likely been turning things over in his mind out of worry for Calian.
“I believe that should also be carried out as quickly as possible. Why do you say it will be difficult?”
“Did Calian not say he wished to meet the Elf Grand Elder regarding Sir Bern’s matter?”
Previously, Alan had used Hina as a plausible reason for Calian wanting to accompany Lemain. Since she was a half-elf and a rare healer, Alan had fabricated the excuse that meeting the Grand Elder would be of great help to her. He couldn’t very well say they needed to investigate the words “King of Humans” found on the Axis of Time.
“What does the prince meeting the Grand Elder have to do with his appointment?”
“It had nothing to do with it. Until I received this letter yesterday.”
Pausing, Lemain pulled a letter from his desk drawer. Instead of calling for Ren, he stood up himself, placed it before Alan, and sat on the opposite sofa.
Having nearly finished the tart, Alan set down his fork and unfolded the letter.
“……Hmph.”
A low groan escaped his lips. Feeling a headache coming on, Alan pressed his temples.
“I will speak with Prince Calian. It seems Secritia is determined to cause trouble after all.”
Devlan.
That slithering bastard!
*
He was in a good mood.
The sky was overcast, but it wasn’t raining. Alan had briefly left his post, but nothing had happened at the palace. Perhaps Zeon’s faction had decided not to touch him so recklessly anymore, as he hadn’t run into them once on his trip. Most importantly, Gray was smarter than he’d expected.
Of course, he was no match for Franz, but he was certainly cleverer than Lennon and had a better political mind than Evan.
‘Well, thinking back, he handled things well that day, too.’
On the day Calian had beaten him with a club, Gray had saved his own skin by naming Evan as the culprit instead of Calian or someone else.
– …Yes. I overlooked it. I was aware of Marquis Evan Brissen’s attempt to attack Prince Calian and even gathered evidence just in case. However, because I support Prince Randel, I did not step forward and simply watched.
Recalling how Gray had once again saved his own life with those words, Calian chuckled.
‘I have no intention of keeping him alive for long, given his cruel methods and disregard for his subordinates. But this means he at least has a brain I can use. It’s a relief he knows how to survive.’
Despite his foul personality, he was someone Calian could at least communicate with. How could he not be in a good mood?
With these thoughts, Calian entered the Chermil Palace, receiving salutes from the knights at the entrance.
News of his return would have already reached Lemain and Alan. Since he would have to change and prepare to meet Lemain anyway, he had headed straight for his own palace.
“Your Highness!”
The artificial lake and rose garden were empty, but Yan was waiting for him. Calian felt a pang of guilt, knowing Yan must have stayed up all night, but he was also incredibly glad to see him. An involuntary chuckle escaped him.
“I told you to sleep.”
“I couldn’t.”
“Go inside and rest. I can have Merlin attend to me in the morning.”
“I’ve already prepared your bath. I’ll rest after you’ve bathed and eaten.”
Yan, who had prepared exactly what Calian desperately needed, replied without asking a single question about where he had been or what he had been doing.
“I went to Margrave Brissen’s Territory.”
After returning to his room, Calian spoke first, looking at Yan, who hadn’t asked a thing despite worrying all night. He couldn’t tell him the full story, but still…
“You met Gray Brissen? Why would you meet that man? He must be gnashing his teeth over his broken back! What if he tried to harm you? How could you go there all alone?”
…for some reason, he had wanted to hear that familiar nagging.
“If you couldn’t go with Count Manasil, you should have at least taken Sir Bern! You said you were just stepping out for a moment, so I thought you had business nearby. But Margrave Brissen’s Territory? Goodness! This is why I worry! You didn’t get into a fight, did you? You aren’t hurt anywhere?”
His body ached with fatigue, but more than a bath, he just needed this.
“I didn’t fight. I’m not hurt.”
Calian’s cluttered mind finally began to clear, soothed by the familiar fussing of the man in light green. He grinned up at Yan, who was still slightly taller than him.
“Yan. I’m hungry.”
Now that his mood had lifted and his head was clear, he felt his stomach rumble.
His face pale enough to mask any exhaustion, Yan thoroughly inspected Calian. Only after confirming with his own eyes that there were no injuries did he reply.
“Yes. I’ll prepare your meal right away while you bathe.”
As he spoke, Yan pointed toward the upper floor.
“Come to think of it, Prince Franz asked me to tell you to come up when you return. Shall I prepare the meal on the fourth floor?”
“I don’t think that’s a ‘come to think of it’ kind of message.”
Still, he called him ‘Prince Franz,’ Calian thought with a small smile. Things must have improved between them.
“Please do.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare it right away.”
Neither Calian nor Yan paid any mind to whether Franz had already eaten, whether “tell him to come up as soon as he returns” meant Calian could leisurely bathe and eat first, or whether “come up to the fourth floor” was an invitation to eat at all.
*
There were no offensive scents.
A pleasant aroma wafted from the soup made with milk, onions, and corn. The cod steak drizzled with a lemon-peanut sauce and the beef stir-fried with string beans also smelled delicious. Even the finely minced chicken rolled in thin bread and the thick slices of bacon gave off mouth-watering scents.
The only issue was that it was morning. Surely, neither the chef who served such a lavish feast so early nor the younger brother happily stuffing his face with it was at fault.
Franz, who had finished his own meal with just a few spoonfuls of soup, two pieces of beef, a slice of toast, and some salad, spoke.
“I never told you to come up and eat.”
“I was hungry.”
Right. It was Franz’s fault for telling his hungry younger brother to come up. And surely, the servant who had brought a feast instead of just his brother had done nothing wrong either.
Lucy approached the frowning Franz and let out a pretty meow. Giving her the chicken treat Relic handed him, Franz spoke again.
“What were you up to?”
“Something you’re better off not knowing.”
Franz’s mind grew complicated. To avoid thinking about those words, he had to find something else to occupy his thoughts.
Seeing that his own question had only added to his brother’s worries, Calian finished his meal and asked, “Why did you call for me?”
He certainly took his time asking.
Sighing at Calian, who had eaten without a care in the world, Franz said, “It seems the King of Secritia doesn’t know when to give up.”
“I haven’t even done anything yet. Is he really the type to give up so easily?” Calian replied quietly, his expression souring as if he were about to get indigestion. He looked at Franz, silently asking why he was bringing up that man first thing in the morning.
“Count Manasil stopped by. He mentioned that a letter was sent to His Highness right after you impersonated the Crown Prince of Secritia.”
Clack.
The sound of Calian setting down his water cup was a bit too loud. Ignoring it, Franz closed his eyes slightly and spoke.
“The King of Secritia has officially invited my younger brother and the half-elf healer.”
Before he could even finish his sentence, a suffocating wave of killing intent erupted from Calian.
Outside the window, rain began to fall, drop by drop.