Chapter 280: Himolica is Delicious (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 280: Himolica is Delicious (3)
He was in a rather good mood.
Whether it was because the rain had let up, because fresh oysters had been served for breakfast, or because he’d had a proper sparring match with Franz the night before, he felt quite good despite the ongoing drizzle.
Thanks to this, Calian replied with a pleased smile.
“Yes, it is indeed an appealing proposal, Duke Siegfried.”
Calian drizzled a sauce of lemon juice, olive oil, and minced garlic over his beloved raw oysters. After taking a bite, he looked across the table at Suleiman. Despite being the one who lived in the south, Suleiman had claimed he wasn’t fond of raw oysters and was currently eating grilled scallops topped with sliced garlic.
Meanwhile, Siona didn’t even spare a glance at the steamed mussels with celery and onions or the salad with boiled shrimp; she focused entirely on a steak drizzled with pomegranate sauce. To reiterate, she was, in fact, an elf.
“But I am curious,” Calian said. “Is this proposal your idea, Duke, or Siona’s?”
The answer came from beside him.
“I was the one who said I would go.”
Calian elegantly cut a piece of lamb infused with the subtle aroma of rosemary, placed it in his mouth, and nodded with graceful poise. Just to be clear, this was the very same prince who had hunted a wild boar two days prior.
Siona continued, “I brought it up because I thought it would be best to stay in one place for a while if I’m to exchange letters with the Great Desert and share information with you. Conveniently, they also mentioned needing a swordsmanship instructor at the Duke’s mansion.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea.”
Siona had offered to stay at the Siegfried mansion.
Of course, this referred to the mansion in Kairisis where Demirea resided, not the estate in the duchy. Although she was going under the pretext of being Ririe’s swordsmanship instructor to hide her true purpose of investigating Zeon, if she stayed there, she would likely end up guiding Demirea’s swordplay more than anyone else’s.
However, Siona was neither a citizen of Kairis nor even human. Even as a Sword Master, that alone wasn’t enough to enter the capital easily; she needed someone to sponsor her identity.
But Suleiman, who was barred from entering the capital for the rest of the year due to Lemain’s punishment, couldn’t act as her sponsor. That was why they were asking Calian. In return, she offered to keep a close eye on the royal palace so that Randel, Zeon, or Gray couldn’t pull anything while Calian was away.
Guiding Demirea’s swordplay and watching over the palace alongside Alan were both highly welcome prospects for Calian.
“You don’t have any other motives, do you?” Calian asked. “My name is quite precious, so I can’t just lend it out to anyone.”
Siona, who had no way of knowing that his “precious” name had once been easily bought for a few bunches of Demirea’s bananas, nodded and replied, “Why don’t you drop that habit of doubting elves? When you go to Secritia, wouldn’t it be better for me to be in the capital to ensure nothing happens to that massive estate of yours?”
“I know. That’s why I said it’s an appealing proposal.”
Although Alan was there, the more people guarding his home, the better. It was indeed a good offer. However, there was one small problem.
“But I can’t open the teleportation magic circle for you. That’s not within my authority.”
“You’ve been using a magic circle? I thought the mages brought you here.”
“Even my master can’t teleport people around yet, so how could I? We’re using a magic circle, so if you want to come with us, go get permission from my older brother. I’ll sponsor your identity so you can stay in the capital.”
It wasn’t that Calian lacked the authority to add one elf to the teleportation magic circle’s passenger list, but he had never once used his own name for it. Even when Kyrie first used the circle to bring the meteoric iron, he had gone through Alan. This was a deliberate move to hand over the authority to use the magic circle—which he had intended to claim as his own—to the Valkan instead.
“That shouldn’t be difficult. Understood.”
“Great.”
Through this, Calian had found the last Sword Master whose whereabouts had been unknown, kept her close to ensure she wouldn’t be used by Zeon, and secured someone to fill his vacancy. Feeling even better, Calian ate more raw oysters.
Then, looking at Suleiman, who was eating grilled scallops with cheese and sipping a pale golden wine, Calian spoke.
“By the way, is there a decent brewery nearby? I’m thinking of buying some Himolica and Sizlinu.”
At the prince, who claimed to have quit drinking, suddenly looking for a brewery to buy strong liquor and wine, Suleiman replied with a look of understanding.
“There is a liquor store nearby, so you don’t have to go all the way to a brewery. If you plan to gift it to Marquis Manasil, I can prepare it for you.”
“It is indeed a gift for my master, but I’d like to go and take a look myself. It seems difficult to leave for the capital today anyway, and staying inside all day is a bit suffocating.”
In the end, he was just saying he wanted to get some fresh air.
While the alcohol Suleiman prepared would undoubtedly be of higher quality, Calian wanted to personally put in the effort to buy the first drink he would share with Alan, so he made a reasonable excuse.
Besides, as long as Alan was by his side, any drink would taste wonderful.
*
Somehow, Franz had memorized almost all of Calian’s facial expressions.
He didn’t make a habit of memorizing everyone’s expressions, but after once seeing Calian laugh cheerfully with a face that looked like he was about to collapse under the weight of the world, he decided to just learn them all.
Of course, Yan was the one who provided the criteria for distinguishing them. Franz memorized them by observing whether Yan’s expression was troubled or not whenever Calian was smiling.
“My younger brother certainly knows how to use me well.”
“I’m good at using people in general, not just you, older brother.”
Calian, on the other hand, barely paid attention to Franz’s expressions.
Whether his mood was bright, simmering, or soured—he only bothered to distinguish between such extremes. Anything more meticulous was just tiring.
Since this was his second life, he should live happily while letting things slide.
Thanks to Calian’s positive attitude, Franz was a bit annoyed today. But since Franz’s face wasn’t exactly stormy, Calian paid it no mind and continued speaking.
“It’s the public persona you worked so hard to build, older brother. Isn’t it a waste to just let it rot? We should use it generously at times like this.”
The second bottle of alcohol in the humming Calian’s hand went into the space bag tied to Raven’s saddle. Franz looked like he had given up on getting angry at his younger brother, who was chattering away as if to make up for yesterday’s restraint.
So, that morning.
After breakfast, Calian had gone to Needlen and given the entire Valkan a day off, claiming it was “Franz’s idea.” Needlen, who had already been enjoying highly satisfying days since leaving the royal palace, looked bewildered.
‘I don’t know how we could possibly rest any more than this, Your Highness.’
At her sincere reply, Calian told them to enjoy themselves, as long as they didn’t go out and cause trouble. He even handed over a generous sum of money, telling them to buy delicious food and have a moderate amount to drink.
Franz probably didn’t know how excited the rest of the members were about being allowed to drink, including Needlen, who was old enough to be Calian’s aunt. Of course, he also didn’t know how happy they were to hear that their vice-commander quite liked the conch shell.
Anyway, after taking care of the Valkan, Calian had suddenly brought out the Pea, who was sitting quietly in his room.
Since it shouldn’t catch a cold on a day when it couldn’t even photosynthesize, Calian wrapped the Pea in a black robe enchanted with waterproofing and temperature regulation, then placed him on Estina’s saddle. After that, he mounted Raven and set off for the brewery Suleiman had mentioned, along with Estina carrying the Pea.
‘My older brother, who drinks very well, says the aroma isn’t good.’
‘My older brother, who loves alcohol, says the color is cloudy.’
‘My older brother, a connoisseur of alcohol, said this one would be the best.’
And just like that, using Franz’s hard-earned reputation as a scoundrel, he effectively bought a bottle of the best alcohol from each of the two breweries. Since it was a drink he planned to share with Alan, he didn’t do any tastings, but having chosen well based on his years of experience, it was bound to be good.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know why Franz acted like a scoundrel, but even counting only from the moment he woke up as the current Calian, he had patiently endured Franz’s antics far more than once or twice. So, wouldn’t putting that scoundrel persona to good use like this lighten both their spirits a little?
“It’s nice to come with you, older brother.”
Calian, the “kind, pretty, flower-like Third Prince who runs errands so well for his older brother,” said with a beaming smile. Franz let out a deep sigh.
“It also brings back old memories.”
Because of that addition, Franz couldn’t get angry this time either.
“If you’re done buying, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Since the duchy itself was so vast, they had only visited two places, but it was already afternoon and the rain had stopped. Sitting atop their horses, they trod along the dirt road, clop-clop, retracing their steps while looking around.
Even without him holding the reins properly, Raven found his own way.
Raven, you shouldn’t eat grass that looks like that. Raven, standing water after it rains is fine, but you shouldn’t drink standing water on a clear day. Raven, when traveling on roads like this, rocks might fall, so you have to be careful.
Whenever Calian occasionally spoke to him like this, Raven responded well, whether by twitching his ears, snorting, or raising his head.
Watching Calian, Franz spoke.
“I imagine you must feel suffocated, too.”
Calian inside the palace and Calian outside were completely different. Franz had never seen Calian chatting quietly with Raven inside the palace. He knew Calian was smart, but he didn’t know that so many days, both big and small, were stacked so neatly in his mind.
Having lived with such memories, wouldn’t he feel suffocated being trapped in the palace? The question arose naturally.
“Even if I have to stay inside the palace from now on, I’m fine.”
“Why?”
“Maybe because I’ve traveled around until I was sick of it, being in the palace doesn’t suffocate me like it does you, older brother. I’m good at escaping on my own anyway… Besides, thanks to the Founding King’s meticulous care, aren’t there plenty of places in the palace where one can catch their breath?”
A small chuckle escaped Calian as he spoke. Since he didn’t turn his head, his face couldn’t be seen.
Was it a lie? This time, Franz couldn’t tell, not even from his voice.
“So you don’t have to worry. And don’t think you’ve burdened me with a useless load. I don’t see it that way.”
“Alright.”
It was a statement made because he understood the real reason behind the question—a reassurance not to worry about having stubbornly refused the throne.
“Even inside the palace, there are plenty of places to catch one’s breath, older brother.”
And as if for emphasis, Calian said the same thing once more.
“……Alright. I won’t forget.”
“Yes.”
Calian nodded and gently stroked Raven’s mane.
“Older brother, by any chance, can you not eat raw oysters?”
“I’ve never tried them.”
“Then how about scallops?”
“Never tried them.”
“……What about scallop adductors?”
“Why?”
“I was thinking of having them for dinner.”
“No.”
“Okay.”
He figured he should just eat meat for dinner.
They were going to have grilled cod anyway. He could eat his fill then.
*
He stood still, eyes cast down, organizing his thoughts.
—I checked what Your Royal Highness mentioned. Your Royal Highness’s thoughts were correct.
—……And the traces?
—I found and destroyed everything that could serve as evidence. I couldn’t have Sir Teilan do it, so I moved our people. You don’t have to worry about word getting out.
—I see. Thank you. You did well, Arianne.
—But will you be alright?
He stood as if rooted to the spot, recalling the conversation he had with Arianne before meeting Devlan.
—As long as there is no evidence, it’s fine. He knows better than anyone that he can’t do anything by just insisting.
—When your younger brother drove out the former Queen of Kairis, there was no evidence either. When he got rid of that Marquis, there was no evidence. His Highness will be the same. No, he will do even more.
—Father knows that if he lays a hand on you, the nobles will rise. Therefore, he also knows that my only weakness he can grasp is Mother. He is not the type of person to recklessly touch her.
—Why don’t you make him turn his attention back toward your younger brother instead?
A warm wind passed, and a cool breeze began to blow.
—No. I must make him more wary of me.
—What if he reaches out to your mother? Why would you make him more wary of you?
—Because he knows my weakness, he will leave Mother completely alone. Just as he left me alone to handle my younger brother. He is a man who knows that to control me, he must not hastily harm Mother. So, I just need to make him watch me even more warily.
‘……Not yet.’
Standing in the middle of the rear garden, he let time slip away, lost in thought.
Click, clack.
Until the sound of quiet footsteps was heard.
Chase turned his head at the small footsteps that had never once echoed loudly. Louise, wearing a beautiful dress of sky-colored silk decorated with silver thread and lace, was slowly approaching. Having already dismissed her attendants, she walked alone.
“Mother.”
A leisurely afternoon.
Chase, with a smile that seemed to contain the clear sky, pulled out a chair in front of a pure white tea table.
Louise reached out to hold Chase’s hand tightly as she sat down.
“It pleases me to see the Crown Prince at this hour.”
“I was worried that I was pestering you for a cup of tea in the midst of your busy schedule, but I am relieved.”
“No matter how busy I am, how could I not find time to meet the Crown Prince?”
Did he know how much she had worried when he entered Devlan’s office two days ago and did not come out? Did he know that she had only returned to the detached palace long after seeing the light turn on in his room?
Louise did not bring up such stories.
Just like Chase, she showed nothing and was simply glad to see him. Even so, feeling that the passing time was too precious, she said nothing more.
“I met Arianne briefly yesterday. I was so relieved to see that she is still full of energy, even though she must be very worried about Marquis Lin.”
The royal prison. The prison for high-ranking nobles, located above ground, not underground.
Although Marquis Lin was imprisoned, Chase was ensuring there was no danger to her safety or comfort. In addition, since Devlan also had no intention of harming Marquis Lin yet, Arianne was managing reasonably well.
“Make sure to take good care of her once things are resolved.”
“Yes, I will.”
Having said this, Louise drank a cup of clear black tea with nothing added. Then, silently setting down her teacup, she spoke.
“There is nothing that warms my heart more than seeing the two of you getting along well. Since you have such a solid place to lean on each other, I believe that both the Crown Prince and Arianne will continue to do well in the future.”
“Yes, Mother. I will pay more attention so that you do not worry.”
Chase nodded and replied.
Then, he quietly reached out and gently tucked a strand of Louise’s hair, which had been slightly disheveled by the wind, back behind her ear.
“I would be happy if you just watched over us for a long time, Mother. I am already grateful enough just for you being by my side. So…”
Lowering his hand, Chase held Louise’s hand again.
Looking quietly into her clear, sky-blue eyes, he spoke.
“Please do not put anything else in His Majesty’s sleep incense anymore.”
His soft voice echoed in Louise’s ears.