Chapter 90: Because I Have So Much (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 90: Because I Have So Much (3)
"You did an excellent job."
I was being scolded.
"You spent the entire winter behaving yourself, only to turn your back on Marquis Evan Brissen and completely alienate Prince Randel in less than half a day. And you did it by throwing such a tantrum, too. Truly, an excellent job."
Since he had undone months of work in a single afternoon, Calian knew no kind words were coming from Alan.
"While you were at it, why didn't you just bring Prince Randel and Marquis Brissen into the same room and introduce them? It would have been perfect if you'd told them to get along."
Although it was uncertain whether Evan's swordsmanship was superior to Calian's, it was clear that bridging the gap in their accumulated aura would not be easy. Calian hadn't hidden this fact from Alan, explaining the full details of the confrontation.
He also explained his realization that Randel had never viewed him as an equal. All of the prince’s past actions—the occasional help, the brief conversations—were merely the gestures of someone watching a ‘reasonably useful tool’ take shape. Calian had rejected that role, and he told Alan as much.
And so, he got scolded. Or rather, he was currently being scolded.
"I know you must have had a lot built up against the Marquis. I understand. And since the Brissens are still lying low, I suppose you could afford to lose your temper once, regardless of the difference in your aura."
Having said that, Alan snapped his fingers as if the air in the room had grown too thick. The terrace doors swung open, and a gust of cold wind rushed in.
His expression eased slightly, as if he could finally breathe. He turned his gaze back to Calian.
"Even putting Brissen aside, Prince Randel's true nature has been shifty and hard to read for a long time. Why did you have to go out of your way to provoke him? Why did you bare your thorns so fiercely, so unlike your usual self? Normally, you would have kept a low profile until you decided how to respond."
Calian, who had listened intently to everything Alan said, just grinned.
"This chocolate is delicious."
After such a passionate lecture, that was the response he got.
"Where else could one find such a lovely disciple?"
A hint of pressure radiated from Alan.
Calian, however, nonchalantly brushed off the intimidating aura his master had let slip. He fully savored the citrus aroma of the chocolate as he recalled his earlier encounter with Randel.
'What a pity.'
To Calian's declaration that he would not serve under him, Randel had replied with just those words, his expression completely unchanged. Then, he had left without another word.
"I didn't just lash out without thinking. You don't have to worry."
"How could I possibly worry any less?"
"Brother Randel won't do anything until he's certain I've truly turned my back on Brissen. As for Marquis Brissen, he'll keep his head down for now, so there's no need to worry about him either."
"Even if that's true for Prince Randel, why are you so sure about Marquis Brissen? Now that Silike is gone, shouldn't he be desperate to cling to one of the three princes to survive?"
"Because from the Marquis's perspective, Franz and I are in the same boat."
Calian brushed back his hair as it fluttered in the breeze.
"The Marquis can't know how much my brother knows about Silike's secrets, or whether he's told me anything. So, he's bound to be anxious."
"By Silike's secrets, do you mean what happened to former Queen Aisha?"
"Yes. At the very least, he must have procured the poison for her, so there's no way Marquis Brissen wasn't involved. He has no reason to suspect that I know about Aisha's poisoning, but he has every reason to suspect that Franz does."
Evan didn't know the true nature of the relationship between Franz and Silike. Therefore, he would worry that Franz knew Silike had poisoned Aisha, even if Calian didn't.
"Even if Marquis Brissen considers joining hands with Brother Randel, he'll have to think about Brother Franz first. He'll be wondering, 'Does Prince Franz know about Aisha? And if he does, has he told Calian?' "
Alan nodded, saying nothing more.
"If I were to hear that story and inform Tensil, the Tensil Royal Family would target Brissen. So, whatever they might have done in the past, they won't dare reach out to Brother Randel so easily now. Just as they haven't so far."
In short, Randel would be busy keeping an eye on Franz and Brissen, while Brissen would be preoccupied with Randel and Tensil. For the time being, neither of them would have the leeway to keep Calian in check.
That was precisely why he had allowed himself to vent his frustrations. With his mind at ease, Calian picked up another chocolate and popped it into his mouth.
It was sweet.
The flavor reminded him of a place he missed, spreading sweetly across his tongue.
* * *
Reaching out in his sleep, his fingertips brushed against something white and soft.
The soft, squishy sensation wasn't bad. Franz remained still for a moment before suddenly snapping awake. Realizing this was not a sensation he could comfortably ignore, he shot upright.
A round, flat creature that looked like a cushion at first glance was fast asleep right next to him.
Naturally, it was Calian's cat.
"You're here again."
The cat, which supposedly never set foot in Calian's room of its own accord, still visited Franz whenever it had the chance. Fully awake now, Franz gave up on any hope of more sleep and got out of bed.
Then, he froze.
He spotted the cat's owner sitting on the sofa, just beyond the bedroom curtains.
Despite having said he wouldn't visit like this anymore, Calian had come again. This was all thanks to Alan, who, despite claiming he couldn't perform the feat a second time, had apparently gone through the trouble once more.
"What is it?"
"I was just wondering how to wake you, so this is a relief."
He couldn't tell if it was because he had been in a deep sleep or because Calian had learned to move even more quietly. Either way, he hadn't noticed the cat or its owner slipping in.
"I have to go somewhere early this morning, so I won't be able to make it to breakfast."
"And?"
"Ah. That's not the only reason I'm here. There was something I needed to tell you, and this was the only time."
Hearing that flat, monotonous voice, Franz waited for Calian's next words without replying.
"Marquis Brissen will seek you out in the near future. It could be as early as today."
"...I see."
"Will it be uncomfortable for you to deal with him?"
Since Evan had been so deeply involved in Silike's affairs, Calian had no way of knowing what Franz thought of him. That was why he asked.
It was true their relationship wasn't warm enough for a comfortable meeting, but it wasn't so bad that he dreaded the thought of it. Franz replied in an indifferent tone.
"I don't care."
Because of the curtains, Franz could see Calian's face, but Calian could not read Franz's expression. It was difficult to tell if the words were sincere, but Calian simply nodded.
Franz asked in a calm voice, "Should I treat him well before sending him off?"
He knew how badly Calian had humiliated Evan. It was only logical that the Marquis would seek out either Randel or himself next. He hadn't yet decided how to handle the situation, but Calian had essentially solved that problem for him.
"You don't need to treat him exceptionally well. A moderate reception should suffice."
Franz stopped mid-nod and spoke, realizing a nod wouldn't be visible through the curtains anyway.
"Understood. Now go."
"Also, though it might not be appropriate for an early morning conversation..."
"What else?"
Instead of getting up, Calian seemed to choose his words carefully. He had one more piece of news to deliver—one that was difficult to bring up. The ensuing silence prompted Franz to turn his head slightly toward Heisia Palace.
"Is it about my mother?"
How incredibly quick-witted.
"Yes. It is."
"Speak."
"Marquis Brissen might try to probe you to see if you know something. I thought it best you know in advance. You must hint that you know, and that you've already told me."
Having said that, Calian added a warning.
"If it even looks like you knew the secret and kept it from me, you'll be killed, brother."
Franz let out a dry chuckle. The number of ways he could die seemed to be increasing lately.
"What is it?"
"Former Queen Aisha was poisoned to death."
For a long moment, there was no sound from beyond the curtains. Then, instead of a reply, a short sigh was heard.
Taking it as a sign of understanding, Calian stood without another word. After a brief bow, he returned to his room.
* * *
Euria Seiren left her house a bit earlier than usual.
Normally, she would have gone to the Polun Magic Academy to perform her duties as Principal Euria, but today was different. She headed to the Kairis Mage Association building instead.
As her carriage neared the association, Euria spotted something that made her expression sour.
"Raven is already here... Oh dear."
There in the stable stood the black horse with white fur on only its right ankle—a horse that everyone in Kairis now recognized.
Although she had arrived thirty minutes before their scheduled time, Calian had already beaten her to it. Hurriedly stepping down from the carriage, Euria entered the building.
The hall was unusually crowded. People had gathered to catch a glimpse of Calian. Brushing past the greetings from the ever-curious mages, Euria pushed her way through the crowd and entered her office.
Calian, who had already finished half his tea, smiled at her as she walked in. It was painfully obvious that she had rushed over in a fluster.
"I arrived early, so please don't worry about it."
"My apologies, Your Highness."
After bowing to Calian, Euria immediately walked to her desk and brought back a letter.
"Here is the news from Count Aizen Aprin. It arrived yesterday evening."
It was a letter detailing the progress of the knight forces' preparations.
Once a month, Aizen contacted Calian through Euria. In turn, Calian would send instructions and funding back through her based on the reports.
As Calian read the letter, he let out a soft sigh. Until now, the letters had only contained reports of smooth preparations, but this time was different.
"An epidemic?"
"Yes. An epidemic broke out in the territory of one of the knightly families. I heard one in ten residents and knights perished. It seems the issue arose as the cold weather began to break."
"Since there are no healers left in Kairis, it must have been very difficult. Still, it's a relief to hear that it's subsiding. I should speak with His Majesty to see if he is aware of this."
As he spoke, Calian glanced back briefly. Yan stepped forward and placed a check on the table.
Calian had written down a much higher amount than originally planned. He handed it to Euria.
"This is all I can do to help. Send the necessary supplies through Baron Polun. If neighboring territories have also suffered damage, include them too."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will do so."
Soon, Calian stood up and walked out.
Euria, who was about to see him off, widened her eyes in shock. The check had an extra zero on it.
"He didn't just give enough to restore a territory," she murmured. "He gave enough to buy one."
Euria shook her head. She knew this wasn't an allowance granted to a prince, but Calian's own personal funds.
* * *
The young man's smile was as gentle as his disposition.
In his hand, he held an invitation that had arrived from Kairis not long ago.
The knight sitting across from him asked with a worried look, "Are you truly planning to go? It could be dangerous."
The young man nodded without hesitation.
"I need to meet Sir Manasil. Since he says he is busy, I must be the one to go."
Knowing the young man's stubbornness all too well, the knight let out a short sigh, realizing he could no longer dissuade him. Seeing this, the young man chuckled softly.
A breeze blew.
The young man's long, blue-silver hair fluttered gently.