Chapter 291: Just for Public Relations (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 291: Just for Public Relations (4)
A probe. A spar.
A dance between what Devlan wanted to protect and what Calian wanted to take. Between what Devlan wanted to take and what Calian wanted to protect.
The conversation between the taker and the protector continued.
“Yes, indeed. There was no way you wouldn’t have known. Just as I was curious about you, you must have felt the same. It’s impossible that you didn’t look into me.”
Devlan chuckled softly.
A faint smile lingered on Calian’s lips.
“Meeting you in person feels strange. The rumors about you were so different from the man I see now.”
“Ah… that was all just for public relations. They’re probably quite different from the real me. Just as they are with Your Highness.”
Devlan coughed, his throat already raw from speaking so much right after waking. Calian watched him without a change in expression.
“I see what you mean. This is… a truly entertaining conversation. It’s so amusing I almost regret having so few days left to live.”
“I’m glad you find me to your liking.”
Devlan wasn’t the type to get angry over such words. If he thought Calian would back down from anger, he would have deliberately shouted and raged. But knowing Calian wouldn’t, he would never lose his temper.
Calian recalled Count Aizen Aprin offering him rye cookies. Even if it was meant as a jab at Freya, the Count must have found him interesting. Devlan was the same. Calian knew very well that Devlan was genuinely enjoying himself right now.
“Still, shouldn’t you let go of your grand greed?”
“Does my desire to step a little further into my own land look like greed to you?”
“It is greed. The scent of blood follows wherever Your Highness sets foot. What else but greed would you call wanting to linger in such a place? It is exhausting to watch from the sidelines, so I would ask that you withdraw.”
“No. No, it is not greed.”
“Is it fear, then?”
“Indeed. Doesn’t that sound fitting? I am a naturally greedy man, and therefore a fearful one. I am too terrified to let go of what I have. I am so afraid of stepping away from the land where I have lived my entire life. I have no choice but to ensure I never take that step.”
Having said this, Devlan picked up his coffee to suppress a cough and wet his dry throat. After a brief pause, his voice returned to its normal tone.
“By the way, my apologies. I was so intoxicated by the sweet scent of our conversation that I momentarily lost my train of thought.”
“It’s fine. That is the nature of poison, after all.”
If an outsider were to watch them, they would have no doubt that the two were sharing an amicable chat. The atmosphere was so warm that it felt as if flowers might bloom at any moment.
“Don’t worry. Please, say what you intended. I’m listening.”
“Yes, I must. Since you say my days are numbered, I shouldn’t delay when an opportunity arises, lest it be too late.”
“You are quite right.”
However, Devlan could not bring up his question right away.
Calian watched him make no effort to hide a sudden coughing fit, then spoke.
“You seem quite fatigued. Why don’t we call it a day? You can always speak of this later.”
“How could I? As you said, my life is of uncertain length. I must not postpone when the opportunity presents itself. Besides, what I am about to ask is my truest curiosity.”
Calian nodded slowly, and Devlan continued.
“My bird… no, Eila. Yes, Eila. That child brought me so many interesting stories, and I have been listening with great interest. The stories about you were particularly worth hearing. First, she told me how you obtained a heart-stopping poison from my birds, used it on the knights’ swords here, and then manifested your aura overnight. Seeing you solidify your position in such a clever manner struck a familiar chord, which piqued my interest.”
“Is that so?”
“I heard about you from Eila. But thinking about it, it’s quite strange. Why did I have to hear that story from Eila? I had so many of my birds over there.”
Devlan paused and looked at Calian.
Since it seemed he was fishing for a response, Calian replied lightly.
“Perhaps it’s because the birds were intercepted along the way.”
As if this was the answer he wanted, Devlan showed a satisfied expression and spoke again.
“Yes, indeed. I did not personally watch the birds sent to Kairis, so the Crown Prince, who watched them on my behalf, must not have passed the messages along to me. That is why I paid a little more attention. Surprisingly, the Crown Prince then said he would visit Kairisis for a short while, so I told him to do so. But once he arrived in Kairisis, he shot down and eliminated so many of my birds. Now, what could be the reason for that?”
“It’s because Brother Chase cherishes me deeply. Is there really any other reason?”
“No. That is precisely what’s special. Why the Crown Prince cherishes you so much.”
Calian replied with a nonchalant look.
“Who wouldn’t cherish me?”
From Alan, Yan, Kyrie, and Arsen, to Lemain nearby and Suleiman far away, so many people cherished him. He was even cherished by Sispanian and the Mother Tree. Chase’s affection was hardly extraordinary.
Honestly, who wouldn’t adore a prince who was capable, wealthy, affectionate, and understanding? A prince whose mother was an elf and father was a king, making even his bloodline extraordinary, and who had now learned to endure hardships?
Ah. Except for Demirea and my dear older brothers.
“Is that truly the only reason?”
A smile played on Calian’s lips.
“If I had to find one more, it would be this.”
Calian stared at Devlan for a moment, then pointed a finger at himself.
“Perhaps it’s because looking at me makes him feel as though he’s found his lost younger brother.”
Devlan stared at Calian for a moment, then leaned back against the sofa.
“A lost younger brother… Then when I look at you, should I feel as though I am looking at my son?”
“Ah… I told you my name, but have you forgotten it already?”
Shaking his head with a lingering smile, Calian delivered the rest of his answer.
“Please do not speak so carelessly. I worry my father might be hurt.”
Devlan let out a small chuckle.
“Is that how it is?”
“Indeed.”
Since that answer didn’t seem to displease him either, Devlan nodded readily. He shifted, took another sip of coffee, and leaned back again before speaking.
“Then may I ask one more thing?”
“If I say no, will you refrain?”
“I suppose not.”
“Then ask away. I shall answer.”
Devlan coughed a few times before speaking again.
“The Crown Prince cherishes you so. I wonder, then, whom do you cherish so deeply?”
Raven.
Calian was about to say the name, but then he remembered his brother’s advice to engage in this conversation without hiding or lying.
“I cherish the healer named Hina, whom Your Highness has been searching for so desperately.”
“Is that so? If she is so precious, I was thinking of inviting that healer here. What do you think?”
“There is no need to trouble yourself.”
Saying this, Calian smiled brightly and replied.
“She will be attending Brother Chase’s coronation anyway.”
Devlan burst into laughter once more.
“You truly are an entertaining one. I cannot remember the last time I had such an honest conversation. Talking with you is a genuine delight. So, what am I to do with you?”
Whether he was coughing or choking, he laughed with a look of pure pleasure. After a long while, Devlan finally stopped and gave Calian a gentle smile.
“It would be a shame to send back someone so delightful to watch.”
And finally, he bared his venomous fangs.
* * *
Yes. I did say that.
That I would clean up after him. I did say that.
Though I said I would clean up, I never said I would fight a war for him.
“Sigh…”
Franz let out a deep sigh as he looked at Calian, who was smiling brightly, proud of having “barked” so well on command. He pointed toward the table.
“Fine.”
It meant he understood, so Calian should just keep eating. Whether he ate it or stuffed his face with it, Franz didn’t care.
“Did you eat today, Brother? You’re eating only grass again,” Calian remarked.
He had.
And gotten indigestion.
He had gotten indigestion in the morning, let alone at lunch. Having no appetite, he had just picked at some salad. Consequently, he didn’t feel like eating much for dinner either and settled for salad and soup.
Because he hadn’t eaten properly, the power of blessing hadn’t activated this time either. But since he couldn’t very well explain the cause of his indigestion, the surprisingly gentle Franz just gave a vague nod.
He then spoke to Calian, whom he was only seeing now at dinner, as the prince hadn’t stepped out of his room all day after his private meeting with Devlan.
“Eat. Keep going.”
“Yes.”
Calian nodded readily and began to delicately maneuver his fork and knife once more.
A salad rich with the aroma of olives, and white bread. Smooth soup made with ground beef and white mushrooms; lobster and mussels grilled in butter and garlic; veal steak served over a cream sauce infused with fragrant truffles; tomato stew with squid and shrimp; and raw oysters served with lemon.
Time flowed, people changed, and places differed, but one’s appetite was something that never changed.
Franz stared for a while at Calian, who was calmly working his way through a menu of “lots of meat, lots of seafood, and tons of raw oysters,” prepared by a kitchen that could cater perfectly to his tastes. He sighed once more.
At this rate, I’ll grow old before I ever find out his real age.
With a complex expression, Franz recalled the sheer volume of things Calian had “barked” at Devlan, and turned his head.
“Blue-haired mage.”
“…Yes, Prince Franz.”
Arsen, unable to retort, replied reluctantly.
“Call Sir Seiren and Dame Grace.”
The Association President is Sir Seiren, and Dame Grace is Dame Grace, so why am I ‘blue-haired mage,’ you light-green-haired prince?
“…Yes, Prince Franz.”
With a face that clearly showed he was holding back, Arsen nodded and stood up. He had finished his meal long ago and had just been watching the raw oysters disappear into Calian’s mouth, so there was no reason for him to linger.
“And don’t contact Kairis.”
“I won’t,” Arsen grumbled in response to Franz’s warning, added just in case the crazy mage actually asked them to prepare for war. Then, he stomped out of the room.
Franz turned his gaze back to his younger brother, who had just cut a piece of tender meat, coated it generously with cream sauce, popped it into his mouth, and was now wearing the most satisfied expression in the world.
As always.
He sure can eat. He really packs it away.
Knowing full well that his younger brother’s stomach emptied whenever his mind felt hollow, Franz simply left him to keep stuffing his face after having barked so well and stayed cooped up in his room all day.
A short while later, Arsen returned with the two mages.
After stepping outside to speak with them for a moment, Franz came back to find Calian finally—finally—putting down his fork and knife.
“It’s been a while since I’ve eaten so well.”
He must have forgotten he ate incredibly well just yesterday.
“Right.”
Calian, who was sipping a drink mixed with a splash of wine, tangerine, lime, and sparkling water, turned his head to look at Franz.
“You’re not sitting, and you’re not leaving. What are you doing just standing there?”
“I’m waiting.”
“For me?”
“To go out.”
“Where?”
“Outside.”
“You don’t mean outside the palace, do you?”
“I do.”
The ice in the sparkling water clinked. Making a sound that resembled a click of his tongue, Calian spoke again.
“Where are we going?”
“The sea.”
I’d rather never see that damned sea again for the rest of my life. Why do you keep bringing it up, Brother?
With a face that betrayed these exact thoughts, Calian spoke more politely.
“Brother, when exactly does your rebellious phase end?”
Franz didn’t care.
“If you’re going to bark, bark on the way. Let’s go.”
“Why are we going there now? It’s almost night.”
“By the time we reach the sea, it will be your birthday.”
“We have to see the sea just because it’s my birthday? Even though it’s clearly dangerous?”
Franz nodded.
After staring at Franz for a long moment, Calian quietly nodded back and stood up.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
Watching Calian walk ahead, the corners of Franz’s mouth curled up slightly.
He had told Chase he wouldn’t act as bait.
But he had never said he wouldn’t throw his younger brother out as bait.