Chapter 83: That Step (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: That Step (2)
It was that dark hour between late night and early morning.
A whisper of wind swirled through the room, and Franz, who had been lying in bed, quietly sat up. Calian was not the only one who knew how to wake at the touch of a breeze.
Instead of reaching for the sword under his pillow, Franz silently scanned the darkness. As expected, the moonlight filtering through the window caught the glint of his younger brother’s red eyes. Franz let out a soft chuckle.
"Mages. You have far too much free time."
Franz had not left his window open. There was only one way Calian could have entered his bedroom: Sispanian's alarm magic had been temporarily disabled. In all of Kairis, the only person capable of such a feat was, of course, Alan Manasil.
"My teacher said he won't do it a second time, so I won't be visiting like this again," Calian said, thinking of his versatile master, who had been briefly commandeered for this extraordinary meeting between brothers.
Franz asked bluntly, "Why are you here?"
Instead of answering, Calian walked over to a small sofa in the bedroom and sat down. He stared at Franz's face for a moment before speaking.
"One question, one recommendation, and… one thank-you."
He had hesitated on the last part, clearly pained by the thought of offering thanks. The sentiment was written all over his face: To think the day would come when I have to thank a man like him.
Of course, there was only one thing Calian could possibly be grateful for. He was referring to Franz helping—or rather, saving—his maid.
The maid had stood before Randel and reached into her clothes for something. How could a guard know if she was retrieving a notebook or a concealed weapon? Had Franz not stepped in front of her, there was no telling what might have happened.
However, Franz had no desire to hear a thank-you from Calian, either. Besides, he had already received one from the maid, Hina.
So Franz immediately shook his head. "I'm not interested in the last one."
Calian let out a dry laugh and moved on to his first point. "Did Brother Randel realize we've joined hands?"
"Yes," Franz answered without hesitation.
Calian sighed. He had wanted to keep their alliance hidden for as long as possible, but an unexpected turn of events had ruined that plan.
"Why is everyone so perceptive?"
He complained, but he knew the answer. As princes who risked their lives every day, they had no choice but to be sharp. Calian himself hadn't let his guard down for a single moment since he began living in Kairis.
"And his reaction?"
"Nothing significant."
It made no difference to Randel which of his two brothers gave up the throne. As long as they didn't publicize their alliance and try to merge their forces, he wouldn't become overly wary.
"I see. In any case, I'll have to be more careful," Calian said with a nod before bringing up his second point. "Would you consider staying 'sick' for one more day? I think it would be best if you didn't attend Valkan's founding ceremony."
This suggestion wasn't for his own benefit but was a form of consideration—the very 'gratitude' that was his third purpose. It was a gesture of repayment for Franz helping Hina.
If Silike had resolved to make a move, she would undoubtedly strike right before Valkan was officially established. Her resentment toward Calian was surely at its peak, so she would aim to ruin both him and the project he had worked so hard to build.
If Franz attended the ceremony, he would inevitably witness whatever Silike had planned. Calian figured it would be better for his brother not to see it at all.
Franz remained silent for a long time.
Then, in a low, quiet voice, he replied, "That's enough. You're overstepping."
"Are you insisting on attending?"
There was no reply. Calian didn't press the matter and simply nodded.
"Understood."
He didn't leave right away, however. He added one final warning.
"But this time, no matter what happens, do not interfere."
With that, he stood and returned to his room, leaving the thank-you completely unsaid.
* * *
Rustle…
Silike's emerald hair cascaded over a beautiful dress the color of fresh green grapes.
The maid brushing her fine hair was rigid with tension. Ever since Calian's visit a few days ago, Silike's foul mood had shown no signs of improving.
She flew into a rage at the slightest annoyance.
In fact, shouting would have been a blessing. No one knew how many maids had already been struck by Silike's hand or injured by the objects she threw.
"I will put your hair up now."
Silike didn't answer, her eyes fixed on her own reflection in the mirror. Catching a fleeting glimpse of that cold expression, the maid quickly began to braid and pin Silike's thick hair.
As she worked, the thought crossed her mind that enduring this was far worse than returning home to marry the young baron her father favored.
Yes, being a baroness wouldn't be so bad.
Once I'm married, I'll get used to that kind of life.
Perhaps she had gotten lost in the thought.
For a split second, her hand slipped.
Tap.
The tiny sound escaped before she even realized what she had done. The maid's face turned deathly pale. As she reached for a hairpin, her fingertip had accidentally brushed against Silike's head.
In the mirror, Silike's eyes shot up to meet hers.
She didn't even give the maid time to apologize.
She immediately stood, spun around, and swung her hand with all her force.
SLAP!
The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the bedroom. The maid staggered, falling to her knees before she could even register the pain. The glare from those light-green eyes was so terrifying that her mind went blank.
SLAP!
Silike's palm struck her cheek again. She still hadn't uttered a single word.
Soon, Silike gestured with her chin toward the head maid standing nearby. Understanding the signal, the head maid quickly ushered the girl out before Silike could strike her again. Then, she bowed deeply.
"My sincerest apologies. I will have her expelled from the palace immediately."
Silike glared coldly at the head maid before sitting back down. Another maid stepped forward and began to fix her disheveled hair.
After a tense, suffocating silence, her hair was finally done, and Silike spoke.
"Has the Commander of Raon arrived?"
He was the one who had accompanied the Commander of Karen, the 1st Knight Order, on Saturday, only to seek out Silike alone on Sunday. While he had seemed hesitant with his colleague, he had been a different person when he visited her alone, carrying himself with absolute confidence. He had even demanded to be appointed Commander of Karen in exchange for carrying out her orders. Naturally, Silike had agreed.
At her question, the head maid quickly replied, "Yes. He is waiting outside."
Nodding, Silike pondered for a moment before asking, "What of the mage who reportedly vanished? Still no sign of him?"
"No, Your Majesty. He has not been seen with the group called Valkan, and his whereabouts remain unconfirmed."
"I see."
With that, Silike stood up. As she walked toward the door, she spoke again as if suddenly remembering something.
"Do not dismiss that girl from earlier. I have a use for her."
The head maid looked at her with startled eyes. Silike never gave a second glance to anyone who made a mistake; the head maid wondered if she had misheard.
But Silike left without repeating herself, her mind on the Commander of Raon. She hoped he had executed his orders well and brought the item she had instructed him to prepare.
* * *
At that same hour, while a suffocating tension filled Heisia Palace…
Calian, who was also dressed and waiting for his hair to be finished, spoke to Alan, who was visible beyond the bedroom curtains.
"I heard His Majesty plans to bestow the title of Count upon you today, Master. Congratulations."
It hadn't been officially announced, but rumors, by their very nature, spread fastest when their source was unofficial. The news had reached Calian's ears quickly.
"It's nothing major. Valkan's departure ceremony is far more important."
Alan was a man whose name alone proved his value, title or no title. He didn't much care whether he became a Count today or not.
"Still, congratulations are in order, Master."
"I appreciate it, but… I'm rather worried it isn't a gift without strings attached. Now that I officially have a title, I suspect His Majesty will dump even more work on me."
"Surely not," Calian replied cautiously, though a creeping suspicion told him Alan's worries were not entirely unfounded.
A moment later, Calian was fully prepared. Yan stepped forward and drew back the curtains that partitioned the bedroom. After checking the time, he spoke.
"I will have breakfast prepared immediately."
Calian was not attending the royal breakfast that day. Since Alan had paid a sudden visit, they had decided to eat together.
"Yes. Thank you."
After Yan bowed and left, only Calian and Alan remained. Getting a proper look at his master, Calian couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're wearing clothes I've never seen before. And what happened to the man who said this was 'nothing major'?"
The man who claimed not to care about becoming a Count was dressed to the nines in luxurious, unfamiliar attire. Since he would have to wear the Valkan Corps Commander's robe after the investiture, this splendid outfit was undoubtedly for the title ceremony. Considering Alan had helped him sneak into Franz's room just last night, he must have dragged his exhausted body out of bed to get this dressed up.
Amused by Calian's laughter, Alan replied with a hint of embarrassment, "Rachel prepared this for me, so don't look at me like that."
"You look wonderful. It suits you."
It seemed Rachel, Alan's daughter-in-law, had custom-ordered the new clothes. Calian smiled again, imagining the stubborn argument they must have had that morning over whether he would wear them.
But the smile vanished as soon as he sat down across from Alan.
"So," Calian began, his playful expression gone. With a gaze starkly different from moments before, he asked, "Did Marquis Brissen visit His Majesty?"
Although Alan was prone to dropping by unannounced, Calian figured there had to be a specific reason for him to visit on such a busy morning. For instance, an anxious Evan Brissen, who had no idea what Silike might do, might have sought out Lemain.
Sure enough, Alan nodded with a slight smile. "Indeed. Just a short while ago, Marquis Brissen finished a private audience with His Majesty and left."
"He must have offered to cooperate in bringing down Silike, on the condition that the Brissen family is spared from the fallout."
"Yes. He said exactly what you predicted, Your Highness."
Alan opened his mouth to explain the details. "It seems Sir Hertz—"
He got no further.
BOOM!
An unmistakable explosion ripped through the air, cutting him off. A vibration strong enough to rattle the terrace windows shook the room. Calian and Alan bolted upright and rushed out onto the terrace.
At the sight that met his eyes, Calian let out an involuntary, dry chuckle.
"I knew she wouldn't be able to wait…"
It was exactly as he had expected.
An explosion.
And it had occurred right inside the Kairis Royal Palace.
Thick black smoke was billowing from Heisia Palace.
Watching the scene unfold, an unreadable smile played on Calian's lips. Alan, standing beside him, also looked remarkably unperturbed.
"The frame Silike is setting up for me this time is quite spectacular," Calian mused. "I wonder if I should thank her."
In the past, Silike had framed the original Calian, claiming he had tried to poison her. She had used that as a pretext to have him assassinated.
Even now, her methods hadn't changed in the slightest.
"Are you saying she intends to pin this explosion on you, Your Highness?"
"Why else? What other reason could there be for an explosion in Heisia Palace?" Calian replied with an easy, relaxed expression, his voice a soft whisper.
"First, she gifted me poison. Now, she seeks to gift me a frame."
A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips.
"I can't just keep accepting her gifts, can I? It's time I returned the favor."