Chapter 61: Found (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 61: Found (2)
Calian's maid, Merlin, opened the door. "Please, come in."
It was Alan who had come to Calian's empty room. As he stepped inside, Merlin quietly closed the door behind him.
Alan walked over to the safe beside the bed and opened it with practiced ease. A quick glance confirmed the safe was nearly empty—a result of the recent business with Lennon. Alan placed the documents and several checks he was holding inside.
This was a portion of the profits from the former Brissen Trading Company, which had now become the Polun Trading Company.
Although Melfir Polun's name had been used to purchase the trading company, the actual funds had all come from this safe. Melfir loathed being indebted to anyone, so he had unilaterally decided to send Calian a portion of the company's profits. He reasoned that Calian wouldn't refuse if it was framed as a business transaction.
And so, Alan found himself in the prince's empty room, depositing the first profits from the Polun Trading Company.
A low hum escaped Alan's lips.
"Our prince certainly never wants for money."
Alan chuckled to himself, recalling how shocked he had been when he first peered inside this safe. That initial shock was nothing compared to when he'd first laid eyes on the onyx bathtub.
His task complete, Alan left the room and headed for the stairs.
Just as he heard Merlin locking the door behind him, he crossed paths with someone coming up the stairs.
In that moment, a thought crossed Alan's mind—one remarkably similar to what Calian was thinking as he gazed out the window of Redington Castle:
What a coincidence.
He saw pale emerald hair below the banister, and beneath it, a pair of lifeless, light-green eyes.
It was Franz.
Franz, who was ascending the stairs, glanced at the feet of the man stepping aside for him. He continued up until he stood before Alan, his gaze landing blankly on the mage's face.
Alan, unintimidated by the Second Prince's station, simply offered a relaxed greeting and a faint smile.
"It has been a while, Prince Franz."
Franz merely stared at Alan without replying. The silence stretched on, and Franz's attendant began to grow anxious at his master's rudeness.
"Mage," Franz finally spoke. "Did he change because he met you? Or did he meet you because he changed?"
Calian had mentioned before leaving Roselita that Franz suspected something was amiss, so Alan immediately understood the prince's words were about Calian's true nature.
Whether it was due to nearby ears or simply his usual manner of speaking, the prince's phrasing was highly abstract. Maintaining his smile, Alan asked, "Changed? What do you mean?"
At Alan's feigned ignorance, Franz spoke again. "My little brother has changed a great deal. I have yet to receive an answer as to how. I wondered if you might know."
If he had to answer truthfully, it would be the latter: Calian met Alan because he had changed.
Instead, Alan maintained his gentle smile and posed a question of his own. "Did you put away the bottle because you started overthinking, or did you start overthinking because you put away the bottle?"
Only King Lemain, Silike, and Randel had ever dared to mention Franz's drinking to his face. For anyone else, it was an incredibly rude subject to broach. Franz's attendant shot Alan a warning glare.
But the mage's gaze remained fixed on the prince. Seeing this, Franz curled one corner of his mouth into a smirk.
"...So there is someone else here who finds it regrettable."
The only person who would regret Franz no longer acting like a madman was Randel.
Alan surmised that Randel must have commented on Franz's sobriety at some point. He then answered the prince's original question.
"Everyone changes, Prince Franz."
Franz's suspicious gaze remained locked on Alan.
"Whether the change comes from quitting alcohol or from letting go of the fear of your brothers' madness... does the method truly matter?"
A tense silence fell, thick with Alan's unexpected venom.
"Ha," Franz let out a dry chuckle.
Alan looked down at Franz, his eyes sharp and piercing. "Everyone changes. That is all."
With that, Alan gave Franz a slight nod before turning and descending the stairs.
Instead of anger, Franz's dull, light-green eyes simply followed Alan's retreating back. He mulled over the mage's harsh words.
"Madness, is it..."
For a long while, Franz did not move.
*
Viscount Tessid Redington, lord of the Redington territory, was a tall, thin man in his mid-forties.
As if to prove Yan's description of him as thoughtful and serious, he gazed out the window with a deeply contemplative expression.
Tessid was one of the few nobles who had not sided with any of the princes. However, he had been quite impressed by Calian's appearance at King Lemain's birthday festival.
Therefore, while Prince Calian's unscheduled visit was sudden, it was not unwelcome. He had simply resolved to ensure the prince had a comfortable stay.
His thoughts would have remained unchanged, had it not been for the carriages now rolling into view. A single word slipped from Tessid's lips, betraying his state of mind.
"What a mess."
Tessid wasn't so blind as to miss the Brissen family crest emblazoned on the carriages. He hadn't known Margrave Gray Brissen was traveling to Kairisis, but he was well aware that the relationship between Prince Calian and the Brissen family was anything but pleasant.
In any case, he no longer had the luxury of standing by the window and worrying.
Tessid turned from the window, resolving to inform the newcomers of Prince Calian's presence and politely turn them away.
Doing so would undoubtedly have negative repercussions for him, but with a royal guest already in residence, he had little choice.
Just then, his butler approached. "Prince Calian's attendant has a message for you."
Tessid nodded quickly. "Send him in."
Soon, Yan, Calian's attendant, entered. After a brief bow, he delivered the prince's message.
"The prince asked me to inquire if you were planning to inform them of his presence and turn them away."
Tessid's surprise was plain on his face, startled that his intentions had been read so accurately. Reading the answer in his expression, Yan continued neutrally, "He said you may do so if it is anyone else from those carriages. However, if it is Margrave Brissen, he asks that you not turn him away, but instead invite him to have tea."
Tessid's eyes widened. Gray?
"So, if it is anyone else from the Brissen family, I should turn them away, but if it is indeed the Margrave, I should let him in?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"...The prince is saving my skin."
It was no mere pleasantry but a heartfelt statement.
Attempting to turn away someone of Gray's stature would result in more than just "negative repercussions." Tessid understood that Calian was showing him consideration, telling him not to put himself in a difficult position.
"Understood. Tell him I will do as he wishes."
After Yan departed, Tessid turned back to the window. The carriages had now arrived, and his expression grew tense.
*
"Tell me what you know about Margrave Brissen," Calian said casually.
Information on most of the nobility was perfectly organized in Yan's mind—a basic skill required of a prince's senior attendant. He spoke without hesitation.
"He was appointed Margrave a long time ago. It's said his relationship with Marquis Brissen was poor even then. Rumor has it he wanted to train knights in the capital and eventually inherit the Marquis title, not the Margrave position. He is also known for his arrogance and insolence. And another unsavory rumor is..."
Yan lowered his voice slightly.
"There are rumors that he has four separate annexes set up at his estate."
Calian let out a dry laugh. "Setting up annexes" was a noble euphemism; it meant the man kept four mistresses.
"So, he's a skilled swordsman, arrogant, resents his post as Margrave but covets the title of Marquis, and has a weakness for women. Is that the gist of it?"
"Yes, that is correct."
Keeping Yan's assessment in mind, Calian asked one more question. "I don't recall ever meeting the Margrave. Have we met before?"
"I believe you met once before I became your attendant. You might not remember it, though."
If it was before Yan's arrival, it was before Calian had turned eleven. He nodded slowly.
If we met back then, he wouldn't be able to imagine what I am like now.
Of course, he must have heard plenty about Calian from Silike. How much of that he actually believed would become clear very soon.
A knock came at the door. Yan stepped outside and had a brief conversation with the visitor, who Calian recognized as Viscount Redington's butler.
Glancing out the window again, Calian saw the carriages remained parked. Servants were unharnessing the horses to lead them to the stables, confirming Gray's visit. Calian stood, preparing himself.
Yan returned and gave Calian a small nod. "Margrave Brissen and Viscount Redington are waiting in the reception room. Shall we go?"
"Let's go," Calian replied.
Calian, having traveled all the way from the far south. Margrave Gray Brissen, who had departed late due to a delay in his deputy's appointment. What were the odds they would meet in the same place on the same day? A small smile touched Calian's lips as he walked toward the reception room.
Two men were waiting in the modestly decorated reception room: Gray and Tessid. While the Viscount looked tense, the Margrave did not.
As Calian entered, Tessid rose from his seat. Gray remained seated.
The only noble permitted to greet a prince while remaining on horseback or seated was Duke Suleiman Hon Siegfried.
Every other noble was, by definition, lower in rank than a prince. Calian paused at the door, his gaze settling on Gray.
Gray basked in Calian's stare for a moment before offering a bright smile reminiscent of Silike's. "You may not be aware, Prince Calian, but I have sustained an injury. I'm afraid I cannot show you the proper etiquette."
It was, of course, an excuse. His pristine face and neat attire showed no sign of injury.
Does this mean he doesn't believe a single word Silike must have told him about me?
Clearly, Gray was trying to put him in his place. He saw the Third Prince as nothing more than a reckless child running wild, propped up only by Alan Manasil's support.
Calian let out a small smile and spoke softly. "I see."
Perhaps expecting Calian to be flustered, Gray gave a dismissive nod. "Yes. I trust you understand."
"In that case," the smile vanished from Calian's face.
A cold light settled in his red eyes, just as it had when he confronted Silike.
An imperious voice flowed from the lips of the Third Prince of Kairis.
"Then at least bow your head, Margrave."