Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: I Don't Let Things That Get on My Nerves Slide
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Esther forcibly tore open the letter bearing Noel's name and scanned its contents.
[Greetings, Elpis Merchant Group Master. I apologize once more for my previous rudeness. Word has reached me that your group is selling exactly the goods we're after, so I wanted to ask if you'd consider forming a contract with our house.]
Noel seemed intent on luring her out now, using a deal as his excuse.
Esther tossed the letter down like it was trash, her intentions all too obvious, and ripped open another one addressed to Helios.
[You didn't come for this deal. I heard you're not well—I'm quite worried. From the Imperial Palace's perspective, which cherishes our budding friendship, it pains me, so I'm writing in your stead.]
Esther's brow furrowed deeply as she read the ridiculous letter.
"Why pretend to care now?"
Her hollow words hung in the air, of course unanswered.
Esther pulled a blank envelope and paper from her drawer, then began penning a reply in her elegant script.
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the Elpis Merchant Group Master."
Unlike usual, when he'd just sigh at such glad tidings from beyond the door, Helios pushed aside his paperwork and said,
"Bring it in."
It was the reply he'd waited a week for. The late response had him fretting over just how ill she must be—Helios felt like his blood was drying up.
He wanted to rush to her side and check on her himself, but the last shreds of his reason held him back.
"Here..."
"Got it. You're dismissed."
Helios snatched the letter from the attendant's hand as he set it down, waving him off as if to say he had no further need of him.
The attendant blinked in surprise at this unfamiliar side of Helios but quickly bowed and left the room. The moment the door shut, Helios tore open the letter and read it.
[Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your concern over such a trifling matter. Unless there's further progress, Carter will handle future deals due to my busy schedule. Thank you again for your personal letter.]
"Ha..."
Helios sighed at the emotionless words. Still, the fact that she'd replied at all suggested she did want to keep things amicable with him. But a letter like this wasn't nearly enough.
"Even the handwriting takes after its owner."
The elegant yet sharply prickly script mirrored the wary Esther perfectly.
Helios stroked the letters with a low chuckle. She could make him smile with just a short note like this—he resented her for it, yet couldn't bring himself to hate her.
"If only I could peer into your heart."
She was surely plotting to torment him to death. The one who cared more always lost, but that knowledge did nothing to quell his petulance.
"I wonder what face you'd make if I came to see you."
Would those pretty emerald eyes widen as she stared at him? The thought of her fairy-like cuteness brought another soft laugh from Helios.
What should he write back? He was caressing a fine sheet of paper he'd pulled from his drawer, lost in thought, when—
"Your Highness, pardon the intrusion."
"What is it?"
Good words had just been forming in his mind, only to scatter thanks to the attendant. Helios replied curtly, annoyed at the interruption.
"His Imperial Majesty summons you."
"...His Majesty?"
Helios faltered at the unexpected news.
Why would he call for him? He racked his brain but came up empty. Still, ignoring the Emperor wasn't an option.
"Understood. I'll go now."
Helios regretfully set down the paper and pen, averting his gaze for a moment before following the attendant out and toward the Emperor's audience chamber.
Even so, his mind lingered on what to write.
"Enter."
The attendant must have relayed the message, as the Emperor permitted the Crown Prince's entry.
The Emperor watched Helios stride in indifferently before speaking. There was no trace of father-son warmth between them.
"You're here."
"What did you need me for?"
Helios cut straight to it without even a greeting. The Emperor raised one brow, accustomed to it.
He'd been obedient enough as a child, but grown into an insolent brat just like his mother.
"I figured you'd know why I called you. Unexpected."
"..."
Helios tightened his guard at the loaded words, letting go of thoughts of Esther. Silence fell.
A tense standoff ensued, neither willing to yield an inch.
"I have no idea what you mean, Your Majesty."
"Word is you're quite close with the Elpis Merchant Group Master. Trying to profit more from those goods they're importing? Fine idea..."
The Emperor smirked slyly, slowly stroking the ruby ring on his finger.
"But it got too close—strange rumors reached my ears. For example..."
"..."
"That you're interested in that commoner. Things like that."
"..."
Helios's heart pounded wildly, as if screaming in anxiety.
Thump, thump—the racing beat spread through his body. The Emperor's smile as their eyes met was the one he wore when scheming.
Dangerous. Helios's instincts, honed from years dealing with the man, screamed it.
The Emperor always stripped him of anything that clashed with his plans. His mother... and...
...who else?
"Are you even listening?"
The Emperor scowled at Helios staring blankly into space.
He had no clue what schemes the boy was up to, but this warning should suffice—he was sharp enough.
After all, hadn't he once drilled in what happened when he disobeyed?
"I know it's not true, but you'd best watch your behavior."
"Ugh!"
Helios, listening to the Emperor, suddenly groaned and clutched his head. Cold sweat poured from his brow—no time even to wipe it.
"What's this all of a sudden?"
The Emperor eyed Helios, who had collapsed to his knees before him, trembling. Clearly not normal.
"Someone out there? Fetch the physician!"
At his shout, the doors flew open amid cries, footsteps scrambling down the hall.
"What's wrong with the Crown Prince?"
"I-It seems like the headaches he mentioned before have returned, Your Majesty."
The aide glanced warily at the displeased Emperor as he spoke.
The man swept away anything that didn't please him and seized what did—no exceptions, not even for him.
"What?"
"Do you recall when I informed you His Highness sometimes suffers from headaches? It appears to have worsened, the pain unrelenting..."
"I don't recall that. Are you saying I erred?"
The Emperor's icy gaze fixed on the aide, who yelped and bowed frantically.
"S-Sorry! My mistake!"
"Watch yourself from now on. I keep you around for your competence, but I despise those who forget their place. You know that, don't you?"
His steel-blue eyes, just like Helios's, flashed.
The aide groveled, unsure of his offense.
The Emperor pitied the pathetic display before tsking at the still-suffering Helios.
"Tch, useless brat... So fragile."
At those words, a scene flashed unbidden from Helios's depths.
Tch, useless brat.
The Emperor's sneering voice etched into Helios's mind.
He'd heard it before. Details fuzzy, but definitely once. Then his vision blurred.
[Thanks to the Crown Prince, we've got a fine card in hand. That merchant group importing the oil—you know, their master died recently, and now some young chit has taken over like it's child's play.]
<...>
Sitting there was unmistakably the Emperor, from that obnoxious grin to his arrogant bearing. No mistaking it.
[That little group was just one trading partner before, but this is different. You've found quite the talent, Crown Prince.]
[Thank you.]
Helios bowed before the Emperor, who hummed thoughtfully then grinned.
[They handle the grunt work of shipping, I just pocket the coin. What would a dumb, clueless wench know anyway?]
<...>
Helios's fists trembled. But he couldn't let this snake glimpse his true feelings.
[Speaking of which, I heard something amusing.]
[...What is it?]
The Emperor's sly grin vanished, his face blank as he sized Helios up.
Those vile eyes bored into him annoyingly. But the words that followed plunged Helios into despair.
[Word is you're getting too cozy with that girl beyond official business. Smiling and chatting face-to-face, showing special interest in their goods. Things like that.]
<...>
[I doubt it's true, but if she's seducing you...]
<...>
[I'd like to hear your thoughts, Crown Prince. Oh, and by now, you must know?]
<...>
Helios, struggling to mask his panic, couldn't respond as the Emperor drove the nail home.
[I don't let things that get on my nerves slide.]
Murderous intent roiled in the Emperor's eyes. Helios stared long and hard before finally speaking.