Chapter 349: If Possible, May the Dream (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 349: If Possible, May the Dream (6)
The fork broke through a delicate crust of pink sugar glitter, which crumbled with a soft crunch. It lifted a piece of moist bread coated in a thin layer of pink sugar, filled to the brim with vanilla cream, and paired with blueberry jam. A sweet aroma wafted through the air.
Arianne seemed utterly indifferent to the expressions of those around her or the conversation they were having. She focused all her attention on savoring the small pink cake, which was decorated with blueberries and wild raspberries.
It was the perfect dessert for her—she loved sweet things but valued a pretty appearance even more. Since Chase had likely prepared this with her in mind rather than her guest, the only way she could repay him was by thoroughly enjoying it.
"It's delicious."
"I'm glad. Aren't you tired? You haven't been able to rest properly since yesterday."
"I'm fine now that I've had something sweet."
As she spoke, Arianne seemed to recall something. "Ah, Your Highness, are you trying to get rid of me? If so, I'll go."
She was asking if he wanted her to excuse herself. A gentle smile immediately graced Chase's face.
"It's nothing like that, Arianne. I only asked because I was worried you might be tired. You're still wearing your glasses."
"You don't have to worry. I slept the whole way here in the carriage. I just forgot to take them off."
"I see."
Arianne nodded.
Her glasses chain swayed gently, adorned with finely crafted gold beads that sparkled from every angle and champagne-colored gems that captured the glow of the sunset. A deep purple, feather-shaped glass pendant hanging on one side clinked against the chain, making a lovely sound.
At the sound, the other person in the room glanced briefly at Arianne before looking back at Chase. The one caught between the two of them was Serjein.
"...And that is why I have come. I apologize for causing trouble in various ways."
The reason Arianne was speaking so informally to Chase, and why he was treating her just as comfortably, was because Serjein was present in her true form.
After taking custody of Serjein and the Holy Knights, Arianne had ridden through the night to return to the capital. She had to hand the Holy Knights over to the Royal Knights without a moment's delay. Serjein, however, had requested a private meeting with Chase.
Upon hearing this, Arianne had Serjein drop her disguise entirely. Since Chase already knew the truth, there was no need to continue the pointless charade.
"So," Chase began, "why did you wish to meet me in private?"
"There is a favor I would like to ask of Your Highness."
"Speak. I am listening."
"Just as you did for me, I ask that you turn a blind eye to the Holy Knights held in the royal prison. If you release them and act as though nothing happened, I can handle them quietly myself."
Chase's gaze flickered to Arianne for a moment. He could guess why Serjein, who had arrived so suddenly, had confessed her secrets, offered an apology, and now made such a request. Arianne had undoubtedly given her some advice.
"First, may I ask why? Why must I turn a blind eye to them?"
"As I mentioned, I must meet the First Prince of Kairis. However, if word reaches Tensil that I clashed with the Holy Knights, it could bring harm not only to me but also to His Majesty the King of Tensil."
"Are you saying the nobles who are wary of you might fear you will use this incident as a pretext to attack them?"
"Yes. Therefore, I must 'not know' that they attempted to harm me. I must not let them be certain that I am aware. As for Crown Prince Franz and Prince Calian of Kairis, I can meet them again and ask them to overlook this matter. Even if any dissatisfaction arises, I will take full responsibility."
"Then what reason do you plan to give for the sudden deaths of the Holy Knights who came to Secritia?"
"The knights on my side died as well. We can simply claim that while I was away in the elf village, infighting broke out among them, leading to an unfortunate outcome."
"They fought among themselves and died together?"
"Yes."
If the nobles became certain that the Holy Knights had failed in their attack and that Serjein had discovered their identities, they might strike first at Serjein and the King of Tensil. That was why she intended to bury the matter. If both her escort knights and the Holy Knights were dead, and Serjein showed no signs of suspicion, the nobles—uncertain of how much she knew—would not act rashly.
"Due to the circumstances, I cannot promise immediate compensation. However, if you do this for me, I will surely repay you at any time in the future."
"Repayment, is it?"
"Of course. Though I am in this appearance now, this is not a promise from me as an individual, but a promise made in the name of Crown Prince Serjein."
"They don't like me much in Tensil. Can I really afford to wait for your repayment?"
"I have heard much of what happened with the late King of Secritia. I am well aware of why you have taken a hostile stance toward Tensil. Not only I, but His Majesty the King of Tensil feels the same."
An inscrutable smile played on Chase's lips. Before Serjein, unable to read its meaning, could continue, Chase cut in.
"Well, I don't have much interest in the Tensil royal family."
An old, powerless king.
A crown prince who couldn't even put forward a proper proxy, instead entrusting his role to a mere escort knight.
"And a repayment from such people, who currently have nothing to offer in a trade… I wonder just how grand that would be."
Serjein's face stiffened. This was the royal family to whom she had dedicated her entire life, short or long, with absolute loyalty. And the result of bowing her head and begging Chase for their sake was this sheer insult.
As if utterly indifferent to her devastation, Chase spoke again.
"If you were to meet Prince Randel… did you plan to install him as the Crown Prince and request an alliance?"
Serjein, barely suppressing the urge to storm out, nodded. "Yes."
"Is it because there are no other royals of Tensil besides Prince Randel?"
"That is correct. And among the nobles who are not of royal blood… it is difficult to find anyone with the qualities of a king."
After a moment of thought, Chase asked, "Is asking me for such help your own idea, or did someone advise you?"
"As soon as I escaped the forest and regained my senses, I met Lady Lin. Lady Lin knows better than anyone that I have not made contact with anyone else since then."
"I asked if you were advised or not."
"…There was none. It was my own judgment."
Chase nodded, then looked at Arianne, who was sitting beside him. Having finished her fist-sized cake before anyone noticed, she was now setting down her teacup after a sip of lemon-scented black tea.
"Arianne. Could you look after this guest for today?"
Arianne glanced between Chase and Serjein for a moment before readily replying, "Of course, Your Highness."
Chase's gaze returned to Serjein.
"I will give you time to think. If you bring me a trade that satisfies me, I will hand over Tensil's Holy Knights as you wish. Before the sun sets today."
"Your Highness. As I have said, that is…"
"I wish to discuss what you can do, not the Tensil royal family."
Serjein stared at him. Quiet purple eyes, devoid of laughter and anger, met hers. When she failed to answer, Arianne spoke up from beside her.
"He's telling you to make a promise in your own name, not in the name of the Crown Prince of Tensil. A promise to King Chase."
"Even the royal family of Tensil cannot make any immediate promises. Wouldn't it be even more difficult for a mere knight?"
"Our King is not the kind of person who trades with a 'mere knight.'"
Arianne, who had not intervened until now but had clearly not missed a word, continued with an expression as casual as if she were predicting the weather.
"If you become the King of Tensil, then you'll have something to trade. If the lives of the King and Crown Prince are so important to you, shouldn't you just gain the power to protect them yourself? The Crown Prince has no way of ascending the throne anyway, so why bring in a prince from another country and make things difficult? I don't think King Lemain or Prince Calian would ever send Prince Randel into such a strange den of wolves. Just do it yourself. Be the king of that country."
"Lady Lin."
"Isn't it true? And it's not like it would be a problem if you took the throne. Tensil is a country without roots anyway."
Arianne, who had just offered what could be either an insult or advice to a swordswoman with no interest in the throne, smiled warmly at Chase. Her face was completely devoid of malice.
Just as Serjein was about to say something to Arianne, who seemed utterly oblivious to the gravity of her words—
Rattle!
The teacup Arianne had just set down shook violently. The cup in front of Chase did the same. A bit of Serjein's untouched black tea sloshed over the rim, pooling on the table. But no one could say a word about the spilled tea. It was obvious it wasn't Serjein's fault.
Sir Teilan, who had been silently guarding Chase's back, stepped closer to him. Chase immediately looked to Arianne.
The palace building trembled faintly, then fell silent.
It was an earthquake.
*
Imagination and reality are different.
Only after speaking the words aloud did he realize it. He shouldn't have believed the assurance that everything would be fine. He shouldn't have brought him along so hastily. And Franz—who had called Chase young—was actually even younger than Chase himself.
Even living a second life, he was still so careless.
Perhaps this was Danu's way of teaching him a lesson. Or perhaps, as she first said, she simply wanted to warn him.
BOOM!
Because no matter the excuse, Calian's short patience could not tolerate Danu's actions.
"Do you dare look down on me just because you stand upon this land?"
"Did you dare look down on me just because I am a human you could kill with a single breath?"
"I merely did what had to be done for this land."
"And I am doing what must be done for my own sake."
"Your arrogance in opposing me is excessive. Do you believe Sispanian will come to your aid?"
"Sispanian isn't coming."
Because she would hope he wouldn't be stopped. Sispanian would already understand.
"If you do not open it, I might as well go see Serenti's face. But even if I do, I will do one thing before I go."
A red light filled the world once more.
"A wound that will not heal for a thousand years. I will carve that exact same wound into you. Me. To you."
The thick stench of blood rose again.
The red light shook the world once more.
*
The star that illuminated the entire world began to set.
Color seeped into a world that had been unified by a single starlight.
Why had he associated the starlight in his dream with Calian? Had he seen something but unconsciously pushed it away, remembering only the light? He considered re-examining the unanswered questions about his dream but simply shook his head.
And he just watched. He watched as the veil of stars that filled his vision was slowly drawn back, revealing another world beyond.
Yes.
That scene, the one called the 'tragedy.'
Before he knew it, his feet, which had been stepping on light, were standing on fine gravel. The sky, which had been so clear the last time he saw it, was now a dark, blood-red, casting its glow over the earth. And so, he saw the firmly shut outer castle gate, which he had never witnessed in person.
There was no smell. Yet, he could feel the stench of blood filling the air and the murky scent of black ash. Vividly.
"I wasn't curious about this."
A low voice followed a self-deprecating laugh.
Somewhere ahead, he saw someone's end, too far away to be seen clearly. He saw bluish-silver hair that had fallen with its owner.
Did 'I' imprint that sight so deeply in my eyes?
Was that why the world was entirely that color?
He folded away the rising thoughts once more. Whether he folded them neatly or crumpled them up, he put them aside. Then, another question arose, entangling itself with the endless train of thought.
'Why an amethyst on the crown?'
A question that had suddenly occurred to him on the day of Chase's coronation.
Why did it have to be that color? It wasn't a rare or expensive gem, nor was it a ruby. Why decorate the crown with a purple gem so much lighter than Chase's eyes?
Because he felt he might know the answer now. Because he felt he could confirm it if he took just ten more steps forward. Because he felt it would be visible if he just took ten more steps. He slowly extended a foot he had briefly held back.
But then, he pulled it back once more.
—How can you walk like that when you don't even know what lies on a path you can't see? So fearless.
A voice, suddenly recalled, held him in place.
It was from a day they were talking about Randel. When he had been wondering about the future, that voice had told him to stop meddling and just eat his bell peppers.
"...Was I fearless?"
No.
Hadn't he just searched through fragments of memory for a reason to hesitate? How could he be called fearless when he couldn't even take ten steps, using those words as an excuse? It wasn't that he was fearless. That wasn't it.
It wasn't that he was fearless, but rather, what kind of bastard was he to bark so arrogantly? Even in his fear, he was still curious about that one thing. Perhaps that was the only reason.
Hadn't he resolved long ago not to listen to his younger brother anyway? So, whether he was afraid or the path ahead was pitch black, should he check what he was curious about first? Or should he, for once, listen to his brother? While he was contemplating—
Step.
He heard footsteps that were not his own. Not ten steps ahead, but right behind him.
A person with nothing to hide. Not the one with bluish-silver hair scattered on the ground, but someone who had been too close to feel. It was the sound of his footsteps.
Step.
He heard the footsteps once more—unstoppable, irreversible. Franz quickly lowered his gaze from the distance, and the tips of someone's boots came into view. He saw the hem of a cloak stained with the lives of unknown people. Confirming this, one corner of Franz's mouth barely managed to curl upward.
"You said you would show me a tragedy."
Was that why he called it a tragedy? Because he had been watching from a mere ten steps away. Because he would have remembered the figure who watched his end from just ten steps away. Because he would never be able to forget.
"So."
Was this what he called a tragedy?
Or was what was about to happen the real tragedy? Just. How. Much. More. Cruel. Must. It. Be. For. Him. To. Show. It. Like. This.
So.
"…What do you want me to do…"
What do you want me to do… now…
He closed his eyes.
So he wouldn't be sure who owned that stained cloak. So he wouldn't know the color of that person's eyes. So he wouldn't try to gauge the expression on that face. So he wouldn't confirm what was held in those eyes.
He planted his foot, the one that had hesitated, firmly on the ground. He raised his hands and covered his ears to hear no more.
—Don't wander around alone when there's no one there.
A promise he hadn't expected to keep so soon came to mind.
He closed his eyes, covered his ears, and stopped in his tracks. He struggled not to see or hear anything. He struggled not to store anything in his mind, which knew no forgetting.
He did not watch as the unknown figure passed him and walked far ahead. He fought not to see what the person approaching the one lying before the outer castle would do, where his steps would lead, or what would happen in the end. He saw nothing.
"...Come back. Quickly."
Since he had decided not to dream just yet.
Since a promise made must be kept.
Because he barely managed to remember that, he struggled for a long time.
"Yes."
Then suddenly, there was the smell of blood. Not a sensation, but the real scent of blood. A real wind blew. A real voice was heard.
"What are you doing crouching here? There isn't even a cat to eat your snacks, brother."
A shadow fell over the place where the light had faded and color had returned.
Only then did he lower his hands and raise his head.
His pale-faced younger brother stood there, reeking of his own blood once again.
"Let's go back. Before the pea crop is completely ruined."
The moment their eyes met, he was already barking at him, standing there and blocking out the entire world.