Chapter 256: Lest I Forget (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 256: Lest I Forget (3)
Calian met with Lemain.
He also met with Gray Brissen, who had rushed to the capital upon being summoned.
Though he hadn't fully recovered, Calian had wanted to show Alan that he was awake and mobile. He also planned to suggest giving a few days of rest to those who had suffered during the recent incident, including Hina and Arsen. However, Alan had gone to see Euria and had yet to return. In the end, unable to do either, Calian simply left a message.
After another busy day preparing for tomorrow, Calian returned to Chermil Palace.
His wounds ached and a persistent hunger gnawed at him, but his mood was decent enough that he was currently hiding from Yan out on the terrace.
It was an autumn night. The wind felt a little heavier.
As it blew past, a welcome voice drifted along with it.
– Thank you for letting me know in advance, Prince Calian.
He was referring to what Franz had discovered.
Calian had contacted Chase to inform him that they had found Secritia's—specifically, Devlan's—"bird," and how they planned to use it in Kairis tomorrow. Since the matter involved spies, it was bound to affect the relationship between their two kingdoms, and Calian had reached out, worried that Chase might be troubled by it.
– Was the bird that infiltrated the Valkan caught in this as well?
– No. He only acted as a messenger, so my master told me to leave him be.
While Calian had been unconscious, Franz had apparently spoken with Alan about Chase's spy. Thanks to that, the man who had truly only acted as a messenger remained safe.
– I see. To be honest, now that we can communicate like this, I considered recalling him. But I decided to leave him there, just in case. Instead, I told him to train hard and stay well.
– If you do call him back, please tell him to say goodbye before he leaves. I've grown rather fond of him. I'll even see him off with a farewell gift.
After relaying the details about Devlan's spy and exchanging a few jokes about the harmless agent, Calian fell silent for a moment.
Siona Hill.
Another Sword Master.
Should I bring it up now?
Calian wondered if he could ask for help in locating her, but quickly shook his head.
I can't fully trust him.
Since it was unclear how information about him had leaked to Devlan, he couldn't risk revealing that he was looking for Siona.
Of course, this wasn't born of distrust for Chase, but suspicion of Teilan Castrin.
Though he was a close friend, a respected teacher, and now Chase's knight, Teilan had once been one of Devlan's guards. He was also someone who had heard everything about Calian from Chase.
Once it's confirmed that he can be trusted… it will be better to ask then.
Therefore, instead of mentioning Siona, Calian brought up another topic—one that was a bit difficult to broach.
– I also contacted you because I felt I should share another piece of news.
– Yes. Go ahead.
– I was slightly injured during the incident with Marquis Brissen.
– …Injured?
Chase's voice changed instantly.
Calian laughed silently, careful not to let the sound carry, and continued.
– I thought you might be shocked if you heard it through the birds, so I wanted to let you know first that I'm recovering well.
– How badly were you hurt? Is it serious?
It was serious.
He couldn't even eat.
– No, it was just a slight graze. With Hina's healing and the power of the blessing, I'm recovering quickly.
Chase replied in a voice whose emotion was hard to gauge.
– If it were only that much, you wouldn't have thought I'd be shocked. What am I to do with you? You're still a terrible liar.
– Ah, I suppose it sounds that way. To be honest, it was a bit more serious than a graze, but it's true that I'm recovering now.
Even without seeing his face, Calian could feel Chase letting out a long sigh. Knowing he was worried, Calian also sighed softly.
Chase spoke again, his tone more cautious.
– I heard from Sir Castrin that your skills should be superior to Marquis Evan Brissen's. How did you get injured?
– During the fight with the Marquis, a young child suddenly appeared. I caught a glimpse of him, and my past memories surfaced unexpectedly. An old memory overlapped with reality, and for a moment, I forgot they were two different people.
Calian left out the part about recalling Bern's past and only shared the other reason.
He had swung his sword at Silike right before Franz's eyes, and now he was doing the same with Evan. He couldn't be sure of Franz's true feelings for Evan, and he'd wondered if he was about to force Franz to witness a similar sight—this time directed at his own flesh and blood.
That thought had crossed his mind during the fight.
– And so, my hand stopped without me realizing it.
Chase easily guessed who the young child resembled.
– I think I understand. It's something I, too, have experienced from time to time.
Chase, more than anyone, would understand the experience of memories that weren't entirely one's own suddenly surfacing and shaking one's resolve.
– I try to avoid opening memories from before I woke up here, so when they flash past unexpectedly, I'm startled against my will.
– While my memories might surface unpredictably, that shouldn't be the case for you, Prince Calian. Wouldn't it be better to just open all your past memories so you won't be startled? If you knew exactly what memories you possessed, there'd be no cause for agitation.
– Yes, I think so too. And yet, I can't bring myself to open them all.
– May I ask why?
Stopping his hand during a meal, failing to continue a conversation, forgetting his sword in the middle of a fight. He knew he could just open all of the original Calian's memories and verify everything instead of suffering such lapses. So why did he leave them untouched?
Calian replied in a calm voice.
– Because it makes me happy when a memory suddenly appears. Even though I know that child is gone, it gives me the fond illusion that he might still be by my side.
Whenever a memory popped up like this, he felt the same illusion he had when he first woke up here: that the child was alive and with him. He couldn't bring himself to let go of that feeling, and so he couldn't bring himself to open all the memories.
– And I worry that if I open them all and live on, I might eventually forget even the smallest detail… I also feel it's my duty to leave the memories that child possessed as his own. I leave them as they are out of a selfish desire to cherish them, to ensure nothing is forgotten.
If he opened all of the original Calian's memories and made them his own, only Bern and the current Calian would remain. And so, he chose to live on, leaving the original Calian's memories as an untouched space.
– Because they are precious. Even if they contain many painful things.
It was a sentiment similar to Chase's refusal to let go of his memories of Bern.
Though their situations and methods differed, their hearts were the same.
– It is not a very clever way to act, but it is not incomprehensible either, Prince Calian.
– Is that so?
Chase understood that foolishness.
– However… I wish you would cherish your body as much as you cherish those memories.
– Yes, I will be careful. I'm fine now, so please don't worry too much.
On the terrace, Calian overlooked the moon floating on the swaying water, its reflection shattered into sparkling ripples that looked like stars. He closed his eyes for a moment against the wind that seemed to blow from that very spot.
– Still, it's not all bad, Chase said, breaking a long silence.
As Calian tried to guess what he meant, Chase’s voice reached him again.
– I don't know if you remember, but a long time ago, 'I' once said something like this. That since I… am the older brother, I should be the one to worry.
"I am your older brother. Not you. I should be the one worrying about you."
The words, of which he hadn't forgotten a single syllable, came rushing back.
Hearing them so unexpectedly, Calian closed his eyes tightly.
– …Yes. You did say that once.
– Back then, you never gave me any room to worry, but now a gap has finally opened. It might not be the right thing to say after hearing you were severely injured, but to me, it feels unfamiliar, yet welcome.
Hearing the reason he had brought up the past, Calian smiled silently. Just as Chase said, Bern had never once in his life admitted he was hurt.
To live while receiving someone else's worry… yes.
His own life had already been too burdensome to endure alone.
– It's good to see. I hope you will continue to yield a little space to those around you like this. Telling them when you are hurt, when you are in pain, and sometimes even asking for help. I know how strong you are, Prince Calian, and I know you will resolve anything successfully. But I hope you won't forget that a strong person, and the people watching over them, are all just human in the end.
Happy that the person who could never say he was hurt had now spoken of his injury first, Chase delivered his request.
– Yes. I will keep that in mind.
– Of course, that doesn't mean you should go and get hurt again. Do not get injured.
Calian laughed.
– I will be sure to remember those words as well.
* * *
The night, filled with a wind-swept conversation, passed.
As dawn broke, Lemain urgently summoned the nobles residing in the capital. Though it was a sudden summons, the nobles, who had been closely watching the developments with the Brissen family, arrived without exception, their faces free of complaint.
Standing before them, their expressions a mix of curiosity, worry, and anxiety, Lemain finally spoke.
"As a result of our investigation, we have confirmed that a spy from Secritia infiltrated the royal palace through Marquis Evan Brissen."
It was no light matter.
He had just disclosed that an agent of another nation had been openly roaming the royal palace.
Just as Alan had said, the royal family's problems were neither new nor few. Although things had improved slightly, their incompetence was still widely known. And for the first time, Lemain admitted this fault himself as he announced the confirmed details.
"Furthermore, we have verified all evidence and testimonies linking the Secritian spy with Marquis Evan Brissen and Viscount Lennon Brissen."
Gray Brissen would prepare plausible evidence that Evan Brissen had attempted to attack the prince, and that Evan and Lennon were connected to the Secritian spy.
Even if the evidence was flimsy, it didn't matter.
After all, the Brissen family was on the decline. Even those who had once sided with them would not be foolish enough to demand the King show them proof.
It was all the same.
If the Brissen family itself had been the evidence until now, from this day forward, the Kairis royal family would be the evidence.
The lengthy details that followed were delivered not by Lemain, but by Raul, the Chief Chamberlain.
– Lennon prepared the poison, and Evan, with the help of the spy, delivered it to the Second Prince. Upon learning of this, the Second Prince informed the Third Prince. While secretly investigating the matter, the Third Prince was attacked by the spies and discovered Evan Brissen, who was already dead.
A blindfold woven from a moderate amount of truth and a moderate amount of lies.
A blindfold far superior to an unbelievably perfect truth or an unquestionably perfect lie was thus revealed to the court.
– The Third Prince was also nearly in grave danger, but the Valkan and Siegfried arrived just in time to avert disaster. Afterward, Lennon burned down Evan's mansion to destroy the evidence.
It was an explanation that served many purposes: to announce the charges against Evan and Lennon, to show that the Valkan was a proper military force, to display the alliance between Franz and Calian once more, to flaunt the close relationship between Calian and Siegfried, and to reduce any fear that the Third Prince possessed excessive military might by revealing that he, too, had been injured.
After the situation was laid bare, Lemain spoke again.
"The Kairis royal family highly praises the courage of Margrave Gray Brissen, who uncovered the evidence of this matter and reported it to the royal family first, as well as his diligence in guarding Kairis's borders. Thus, we have decided not to punish the members of the Brissen family who are unrelated to this incident, including Gray Brissen. Accordingly, we permit Margrave Gray Brissen to inherit the title of Marquis."
Conveniently, this preserved the family where the future queen would one day raise her cats, and it kept Gray alive to run that family for a while.
"However, having decided that severe punishment is necessary for the crimes of Evan Brissen and Lennon Brissen, who dared to threaten the safety of the prince by plotting the infiltration of a spy, we strip Evan Brissen and Lennon Brissen of their titles, reclaim their family name, and order the execution of Lennon Brissen."
Conveniently, this allowed Evan and Lennon to end their lives as the commoners they had so despised.
Conveniently, this stripped the name 'Brissen' from the two of them, forever severing their blood ties with Franz, whom they had only sought out when it suited them.
"Furthermore, the Kairis royal family will by no means overlook the Secritian spy who had the greatest influence on this incident. Therefore, until a clear explanation and a proper apology are received from Devlan, the King of Secritia, all transactions and travel between our two nations are strictly prohibited. If he wishes to maintain amicable relations, King Devlan of Secritia must promptly clarify his stance and proposed measures regarding this matter."
Conveniently, this created a reason for Calian and Hina not to go to Secritia.
Conveniently, this showed Devlan, who had looked down on Lemain, exactly what kind of king Lemain was.
Conveniently, it hit multiple birds with one stone.
"I feel a bit sorry for Baron Polun."
After wrapping up the matter regarding Evan through Lemain, Calian played the role of the righteous Third Prince, temporarily recuperating after being heavily injured while facing a large number of Secritian spies alone. He smiled leisurely.
"Since the ruby trade with Secritia has been disrupted, I should look into other trading partners and help him out a bit."
The diamond trade with Tensil had been blocked because of him, and now the ruby trade with Secritia was blocked because of him as well.
Of course, whether the trade flourished or failed, it was Calian who had saved Melfir Polun's life and enabled him to enter such trade in the first place, so he wasn't feeling excessively apologetic.
"And… since we've blocked the King of Secritia for now, I should go scare the elves first, as scheduled. Just in case they try to step forward to heal him."
"Language."
"I mean, because they shouldn't. Still, thanks to you paying so much attention to this, Brother, I won't be nominated as a future tyrant candidate anymore."
"I didn't care."
"Right, we'll go with that. So, have you decided?"
"Not yet."
"Please decide quickly. Only Lucy has a name, so this one will feel left out."
"You."
"Yes?"
"Why are you here?"
"To eat."
A day had passed.
He had come to eat meat.
"I'm tired. I'm going to sleep. Go."
"I don't want to."
"Meow!"
"Mew!"
As if he hadn't heard the words "I'm tired," Calian held the grey kitten in his arms, calling it "Navia, Apple," and pestering Franz to name it quickly. The younger brother's insolent attendant watched as the kitchen staff set various dishes on the table as if it were only natural.
Today's menu consisted of soft, well-cooked onions; minced beef patties grilled flat and topped with plenty of cheese; stir-fried pork with a subtle hint of ginger; duck meat rolled in cabbage pickled in lemon juice and vinegar; grilled white mushrooms and green beans; and a salad with mild cheese and blueberry sauce.
And a soup with peas.
Franz stared for a long moment at the soup, which, mixed with cream, was a color quite similar to his hair. Then, he called for Relic.
"Take it away."
With an expression that seemed to say, Our prince, who can't eat bell peppers or undercooked onions, apparently can't eat peas either, Relic quickly cleared the soup away.
"Why aren't you eating it? It's delicious," Calian asked, eating the greenish soup quite well, pretending to know nothing.
It was obvious.
He was taking revenge for the peas he had to eat yesterday.
Franz, who had been furrowing his brow, looked thoroughly annoyed.
"Why are you here again?"
"I told you."
"That's not what I meant."
"Then why are you tired, Brother?"
Swallowing a piece of duck, Franz replied with his usual expression.
"Don't worry about it."
"You didn't sleep, did you?"
Franz did not answer.
Calian set down his fork and knife for a moment and looked at him.
"I spoke with Crown Prince Chase yesterday. It made me think of something."
Whether he had killed him directly or not, a person had died right before Franz's eyes.
"It must have been your first time seeing those eyes. I realized there was no way you could be fine."
Just like Bern, who had suffered for days as the dying man's eyes kept flashing in his mind. Just like Bern, who had told Chase it was nothing when asked why he was acting that way.
"Since I am teaching you the sword, I expect a day will come when you will end a life with your own hands. I have no intention of stopping that. But if there is ever a day when it feels too heavy, please tell me. I've never comforted anyone before, but I can at least listen."
After staring for a long while at Calian, who had picked up his fork to eat again, Franz nodded calmly. It was an admission that he had, indeed, been unable to sleep the previous night.
"I've seen the eyes of someone about to die before. But this was different."
"When? It's not a pleasant experience."
His appetite completely ruined, Franz set down his utensils and spoke.
"The criminal my younger brother captured. On the day the Lenisita leaves were laid out for that man."
Thump.
Calian's heart seemed to drop. He slowly turned his head to look at Franz.
"Are you talking about the person I captured during my Roselita period?"
"Yes."
"…That man."
Sensing the strange shift in Calian's demeanor, Franz trailed off and stared at him.
Calian was smiling.