Chapter 78: From Me, To You (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: From Me, To You (1)
One thing was certain: Yan was incredibly oblivious.
Attending to Calian was, first and foremost, Yan’s job. Long before Bern’s soul ever inhabited this body, Yan had served the prince named Calian.
And yet, Yan suspected nothing.
It wasn't that Yan didn't care about Calian. On the contrary, he clearly cherished the prince more than anyone. He never missed a single one of Calian's habits or preferences.
The fact that someone like Yan didn't suspect a thing was, ironically, what made Calian feel so uneasy.
Calian had always wondered why Yan never found him strange, and today, he finally began to understand why.
"Don't you remember Franz throwing a knife at you?"
"I know he threw a knife. But was it thrown at me?"
The reason was simple: Yan was a fool.
The morning after his conversation with Franz, Calian watched the rain slowly let up. Having finished his preparations to meet Silike, he decided it was time to explain the situation to Yan.
The conversation reminded him of a breakfast long ago, when Franz had thrown a knife at Yan.
While neither Suleiman nor Yan seemed to make a big deal of it, Yan was still the precious son of a duke. Calian had planned to gauge Yan's anger before bringing up the new alliance, but it turned out Yan had completely forgotten the knife was even thrown at him.
That day, Yan had stood frozen, afraid that dodging the knife would only provoke Franz further. Calian had caught the knife meant for Yan, injuring his own hand in the process.
It may have been a dull knife for slicing ham, but someone still could have been seriously hurt. Shouldn't he at least remember that much?
"How can you completely forget the knife was flying at you, yet so vividly remember that I was the one who got hurt?"
"There's still a scar on your hand, Your Highness. Just thinking about that day makes my blood boil…!"
"Alright, I get it. Don't work yourself up."
Calian let out a hollow laugh, the tension from his unpleasant conversation with Franz momentarily forgotten.
"Still, if we speak again, I'll make sure he apologizes to you properly."
"Speak again?"
"We've decided to join hands. Franz and I."
"Prince Franz, not Prince Randel?"
"Yes."
Yan's eyes widened.
"Prince Franz has turned his back on Silike? But why would he do that?"
"No. It's…"
Calian trailed off, thinking of Franz.
The prince had engaged in all sorts of eccentric behavior to avoid the throne, unable to stomach the atrocities Silike committed in his name. He likely hoped it would make Silike give up on him, but she wasn't the type to abandon her ambitions so easily.
Then Franz must have seen the evidence released by the Mage Association. He would have finally understood just how many lives Silike had taken for his sake.
"It's not that he turned his back on her…"
Of course, he hadn't given up on her from the start. Franz, after all, had been the one to step forward and shield Silike from Lemain.
But in the end, he must have realized that nothing short of death could stop her.
"He's given up on her."
Instead of sharing his thoughts, Calian kept his reply brief.
As a result, Yan, who was never good at reading people, couldn't fully grasp Franz's change of heart. He wasn't thrilled about this new alliance, though he kept his disapproval to himself.
"Then why did he torment you so much all this time?"
"I didn't ask," Calian replied, staring blankly at Yan.
Searching the original Calian's memories, he recalled that Franz had only ever tormented him in front of others. Even on the day he threw the knife, hadn't he remained quiet until Randel arrived?
He could guess the reasons, but Calian had no desire to go out of his way to understand or embrace Franz. Even if Franz had his reasons, the only one who could forgive him—the original Calian—was already gone.
It was already…
…too late.
"This isn't about clearing the air or becoming friends."
Once again, Calian offered no further explanation. He rose from his seat.
It was time to go meet Silike.
"Are you sure you'll be alright meeting Silike alone?"
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
Worry clouded Yan's face once more.
Calian spoke, pretending not to notice.
"I'll be back. Tell the Master to stop by for a moment before he heads home today."
Sensing the implication, Yan asked with disbelief, "You aren't planning to go to Heisia Palace alone, are you?"
"I am. Seeing Silike's face is something I'd rather suffer through alone."
"Going there alone? Please take me with you. What if something dangerous happens?"
Alan worried Calian would cause trouble, while Yan worried Calian would get into trouble.
"I told you, don't worry."
Ignoring their worries, Calian made his way to Heisia Palace alone.
* * *
Silike held a small letter in her hand.
It was a message from the maid she had sent to Margrave Gray Brissen, sent by carrier pigeon before the maid began her return journey.
Though her face remained serene, the hand gripping the letter was drained of all color, so pale her veins stood out in sharp relief.
—When I observed the Margrave from a distance, he did not appear to be seriously injured. However, I was unable to meet him face-to-face, as I was told that peace of mind and body is of the utmost importance for him right now. Furthermore, I questioned the servants of the castle, but none of them would speak.
"Observed from a distance. Unable to meet face-to-face. None of them would speak."
—He requested that I return for now, stating he would contact you again once he recovers.
"Return."
A faint tremor ran through Silike's voice as she muttered the words.
She read the letter, which had arrived in the early hours, over and over again, sitting in silence for hours.
"…Return."
An envoy from the Queen should be met in person and treated with the utmost courtesy. Even her own brother should have received her messenger with proper hospitality, codified or not. Yet, according to the report, he had all but ignored the maid, treating her like an unwelcome pest.
"Not seriously injured, yet he told her to return."
Silike murmured again, a bitter laugh coloring her tone.
The Head Maid had been standing by Silike's side for hours, frozen in place. She felt no physical fatigue—only the immense strain of walking on eggshells. Silike was just as furious as she had been on the day she smashed every single Renieri flowerpot in the greenhouse.
Just then, a maid entered and whispered to the Head Maid, "Prince Calian… has just arrived…"
Calian had arrived at the worst possible moment.
It was the very definition of pouring oil on a fire.
They had scheduled the meeting yesterday, but there was no telling what Silike might do if she met the prince in her current state. The Head Maid spoke cautiously.
"Shall I reschedule the appointment with Prince Calian…?"
"No."
Cutting the Head Maid off, Silike finally raised her head. Her grip on the letter loosened at last. She handed it to the maid and said, "Tell him to come in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Head Maid hurried out and returned shortly after with Calian.
Step, step.
The sound of Calian's boots echoed quietly through the greenhouse.
"It's been a while since we met in private."
Calian sat opposite Silike and met her gaze, wearing the exact same smile he had worn on that day.
"Silike."
A dry laugh escaped her. Calian had called her by her name again.
"You haven't changed a bit."
A maid entered, placed two cups of coffee on the table, and departed. Silike then dismissed the Head Maid with a gesture.
Once they were alone, she spoke again. "I can't say I'm pleased to see you. What is it you want?"
"I came to give you something."
Answering briefly, Calian pulled an object from his breast pocket and placed it on the table.
Thud!
Last time, it had been a sugar-like poison.
Silike's brow furrowed as she noticed the stains on the object. It was covered in dark, dried blood—a sight entirely out of place on a coffee table.
It was also something she recognized. The very money pouch she had given to Tail.
"Tail, was it? I was told he had this on him."
Calian opened the pouch, peering inside, showing no hesitation at touching an object stained with a dead man's blood.
"There was quite a large sum of money inside."
With those words, Calian closed the pouch and tossed it casually onto the table in front of her. It landed right next to her coffee cup.
Silike frowned. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Sir Hertz turned your brother's carriage to firewood, so I decided to offer compensation. I didn't want to send a messenger all the way to the Margrave's territory, however. If you see the Margrave, perhaps you could deliver this for me."
Calian had retrieved the money she had given Tail and was now returning it under the guise of paying for Gray's carriage.
"Though I suppose it was originally your money anyway."
His tone was one of absolute certainty that she had sent Tail.
Silike raised an eyebrow. "I have no idea what you are—"
"Of course you don't. You probably don't even remember meeting Tail that day, either," Calian cut in, his expression calm and unbothered. "And surely, you never ordered anyone to capture Sir Hertz to find out what happened between Gray and me."
Silike's laugh was sharp. "Indeed. I do not recall."
Even then, Calian showed no sign of agitation.
Silike couldn't tell if Calian was here to blackmail her or if he had some other motive. She only knew one thing for certain: the boy sitting across from her was infuriating.
"I don't know what you hope to gain from this. All you've taken is a single knight order. You seem quite pleased with yourself for snatching one little thing, but I am not so petty. I suggest you drop this insolent act."
Hearing this, Calian looked at her as if she were the most hilarious thing he had ever seen. "For someone who claims to be so magnanimous, you look like you've just received terrible news."
"Do I?"
Calian nodded, his expression one of mock concern. "I wonder if it's because of my visit…"
Silike's face turned cold. She had momentarily thought of Gray.
Not missing the shift, Calian's expression turned equally cold.
"...Or if it's because a bird arrived."
A bird…!
The look in Silike's eyes changed. He was undoubtedly referring to the carrier pigeon from Gray. Thoughts raced through her mind.
The Margrave's attitude changed completely after returning home. He'd cut off all contact on his way to Kairisis. His last message said his schedule was delayed because he needed a new carriage in the Endisia territory. And the reason he needed a new carriage was…
It had been reported that Calian and Gray had clashed in Redington, and that a now-missing mage named Arsen Hertz had destroyed Gray's carriage. But that was all. Gray had left Redington Castle immediately, while Calian had remained for three more days. A few days after that, Gray had cut off contact.
Something must have happened between them during that time.
As Silike pieced it together, Calian's amused voice cut through her thoughts. "You seem lost in thought. It's quite satisfying to watch."
"You did something to the Margrave," Silike said, her voice icy. "Did you promise him some grand reward for his help?" She scoffed. "Though I highly doubt you have anything of value to offer him."
She was completely off the mark.
Calian's only goal was to draw Silike's attention away from Evan and Gray, focusing it entirely on himself. He wanted to drive her to the point where she would try to eliminate him at any cost.
When Calian didn't answer, Silike took it as confirmation. "You seem thrilled to have won him over, but don't delude yourself. He won't be much help to you."
She flashed her signature bright smile. "Your mother was the same. She was so incredibly thrilled after giving birth to you."
"Ah, right."
Silike's eyes narrowed as Calian casually cut her off, despite her mention of Freya.
"Speaking of my mother, you've reminded me of something I've been curious about."
This wasn't a lie. Her words had genuinely sparked a question in his mind—one he suspected would provoke her even more than the mention of Gray.
Setting aside the matter of Gray for a moment, Calian took a leisurely sip of coffee and fixed his gaze on Silike.
Then, he asked, "Did Former Queen Aisha truly die of illness?"
Calian watched her intently, his next words a soft murmur.
"...I see she didn't."
Silike's smile slowly faded.