Chapter 82, Those Steps (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Late night, or early dawn.

 

That dark hour which could be called either.

 

As a thread-like breeze circled once around the room, Plants who had been lying on the bed quietly sat up. After all, Kalian was not the only one who could open his eyes at the touch of the wind.

 

Plants, instead of drawing out the sword he had placed under his pillow, kept his mouth shut and examined the darkness. As expected, seeing his brother’s red eyes reflected in the moonlight that came through the window caused him to snicker.

 

“My Mage has been too idle.”

 

Plants had not left the window open. Nevertheless, the reason Kalian could enter Plants’s bedroom was only one. Because Syspanian’s alert magic had been stopped by someone. In the whole of Cyries, of course, no one other than Allan Manasil could do such a thing.

 

“Master said he couldn’t do it twice, so there won’t be another visit.” Kalian said this, thinking of the versatile Master, who had been briefly enlisted for this extraordinary meeting between Brothers.

 

Plants briefly asked.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

Instead of answering, Kalian went to sit on the small sofa in the bedroom. And after staring at Plants’s face silently for a while, he opened his mouth.

 

“One thing to ask, one thing to advise, and. One thing to be grateful for.”

 

Perhaps he hesitated momentarily because of the ‘thing to be grateful for’ that he absolutely did not want to mention. It was written all over Kalian’s face. ‘To think a day would come when he has to say thank you to such a man’.

 

Of course, there was only one thing Kalian would be grateful for. It would be about helping or rather saving his maid.

 

When Hina stood before Randel, she silently put her hand in her bosom to take something out. How could the guard know whether it would be an innocent notebook or a dangerous weapon? If Plants had not stood in front of her, no one would know what the outcome would have been.

 

However, Plants also did not want to hear words of gratitude from someone like Kalian. He had already heard those words from the maid, Hina.

 

So, Plants immediately shook his head and answered.

 

“I’m not interested in the last one.”

 

At those words, Kalian laughed dryly and first put the ‘thing to ask’ into words.

 

“Has elder brother Randel noticed that I’ve joined hands with you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Plants answered as if he had been waiting, and Kalian let out a low sigh. He had tried to hide his alliance with Plants for as long as possible, but it had been foiled by an unexpected turn of events.

 

“Why are they all so perceptive?”

 

Though he said that, he already knew well that the Princes, who lived each day as if risking their lives, had no choice but to do so. Just looking at Kalian, he had never relaxed since he started living in Cyries.

 

“How did he react?”

 

“Not much really.”

 

Whether it was one of them who had given up the throne, it would not be disadvantageous to Randel. So, unless they intended to publicize their alliance and merge the two forces into one, he would not be wary.

 

“Yes. In any case, I should be more careful with my actions.”

 

Nodding his head and saying this, Kalian brought up his second point.

 

“Would you consider being ill for one more day? I think it would be better if you didn’t come to Valkan’s inauguration ceremony.”

 

This was not so much for Kalian’s benefit as it was related to the third purpose, ‘gratitude’. In other words, it was a suggestion made to show consideration for Plants because he had helped Hina.

 

It was clear that if Sillike had made up her mind to do something, she would do it right before Valkan was established. Because her vengeful feelings toward Kalian would be boiling, she would have decided to ruin both Kalian and the project that Kalian had been pushing forward.

 

So, if Plants came to Valkan’s inauguration ceremony, he would witness Sillike causing trouble. Rather than see his mother in that state, it was better not to see it at all.

 

Plants did not answer for a long time.

 

After a long time had passed, he answered in a low, settled voice.

 

“That’s as far as your presumptuousness goes.”

 

“So, you insist on attending?”

 

There was no answer in return. Kalian did not try to persuade Plants further and nodded obediently.

 

“I understand.”

 

But Kalian did not withdraw and added words that contained a warning.

 

“But this time, don’t intervene no matter what happens.”

 

And then he got up from his seat and went back to his room.

 

With the word of gratitude truly omitted.

 

* * *

 

*Rustle…*

 

Sillike’s emerald-colored hair flowed down over her beautiful grape-colored dress.

 

The face of the maid combing down the fine-textured hair was completely stiff. Since Kalian’s visit a few days ago, Sillike’s mood had shown no signs of improving. She would yell at the slightest discomfort.

 

No, it would be fortunate if she only yelled. So far, who knows how many maids had been hit by Sillike’s hand or injured by objects she had thrown.

 

“I will put up your hair.”

 

Sillike did not answer. She was only making eye contact with herself in the mirror. The maid, who glanced at her briefly, soon began to braid Sillike’s hair thickly and twist it up. As she did so, she suddenly thought that rather than continuing to endure days like this, it would be better to return home and marry the young Baron whom her father favored.

 

[Yes, being a Baroness would not be too bad. If I got married and continued to live, I would eventually get used to that kind of life. Or, am I hoping for too much?]

 

For a moment, the maid’s hand went in the wrong direction.

 

*Tuk.*

 

A small sound was made without her awareness, and only after that did the maid’s face, upon realizing the situation, turn deathly pale. While picking up a pin to fix the hair, she had accidentally touched Sillike’s hair with her fingertip.

 

Sillike’s eyes in the mirror were raised toward the maid.

 

Sillike did not even give her time to apologize.

 

She immediately rose from her seat, turned around, and swung her hand fiercely.

 

*Pak!*

 

The sound of Sillike slapping the maid’s cheek sharply swept through the bedroom. The maid, who was staggering, knelt down without having time to feel the pain of the hit. The green eyes that had just glared at her were so frightening that she could not think of anything else.

 

*Pak!*

 

Sillike’s palm struck the maid’s cheek again. Still without saying a word.

 

Soon, Sillike nodded toward her head maid standing nearby.

 

Knowing what this meant, the head maid quickly sent the maid out before Sillike could lay hands on her again. And then she bowed before Sillike.

 

“I apologize. I will immediately expel her from the Royal Palace.”

 

Sillike glared at her with cold eyes and then sat down. After that, another maid approached and started to comb Sillike’s disheveled hair again.

 

After a brief time when it was difficult even to breathe, when the hair styling was finished, Sillike finally opened her mouth.

 

“Has the Roan’s Captain arrived?”

 

He had gone out with the Captain of the Caera Knight Order on Saturday and then came to see Sillike alone on Sunday.

 

When he was with the Caera Captain, he had such a hesitant face, but when he visited separately, he showed a completely different, confident attitude. He even demanded to be appointed as the Captain of the Caera Knight Order, saying he would do as ordered. Sillike had naturally accepted.

 

The head maid quickly answered Sillike’s question.

 

“Yes. He is waiting outside.”

 

Sillike nodded at those words, thought about something for a moment, and then asked again.

 

“What about the Mage who disappeared?”

 

“Yes. He is not seen within the group called Valkan and still has not been found.”

 

“I see.”

 

With that answer, Sillike rose from her seat.

 

Then, as she was walking out, she opened her mouth once more, as if suddenly remembering something.

 

“Don’t expel that girl from earlier. I have some use for her.”

 

The head maid looked at Sillike with slightly surprised eyes. She was doubting whether she had misheard, since Sillike, who never looked twice at someone who had made a mistake, had said such a thing.

 

But Sillike went out without explaining the same words again.

 

Hoping that the Roan Captain had carried out her orders well, and that he had brought the item she had ordered him to prepare.

 

* * *

 

At that time when a breathtaking tension filled Heisia Palace.

 

Kalian, who was similarly dressed and waiting for his hair to be styled, asked Allan who was visible beyond the bedroom curtain.

 

” Master, I heard that His Majesty plans to grant the title of Count to you today. That’s good news.”

 

It was not officially mentioned. But rumors, being inherently unofficial and difficult to trace, tend to spread faster. So, it did not take long for the news to reach Kalian’s ears.

 

“It’s not a big deal. Valkan’s inauguration ceremony is more important.”

 

Anyway, Allan was a person who had already proven his worth by his name alone, with or without a title. He truly did not care much whether he became a Count today or not.

 

“Still, congratulations, Master.”

 

“Thank you for the congratulations, but I’m a bit worried. It seems this position isn’t given for nothing. Now that I’ve officially received a title, I think he will give me more work.”

 

“Surely not.”

 

Kalian cautiously replied and closed his mouth. Somehow, he had a growing feeling that Allan’s worry was not unfounded.

 

A little later, when Kalian finished preparing, Ian walked over and raised the curtain blocking the bedroom. Then, after checking the time, he spoke.

 

“I will have the meal prepared right away.”

 

That day, Kalian did not go to the morning meal.

 

Due to Allan’s sudden visit, he decided to have breakfast with him.

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

After Ian bowed and went out, only Kalian and Allan remained in the room. Only then did Kalian get a proper look at Allan, which caused him to involuntarily laugh.

 

“You’re wearing clothes I’ve never seen before. Just where is the person who said it wasn’t a big deal?”

 

The person who said he did not care whether he became a Count or not was sitting there wearing new expensive clothes. After the title bestowment, he would have to wear a robe signifying his position as Valkan’s Commander. So naturally, those splendid clothes were clearly for the bestowment of his new title.

 

Moreover, Allan had helped Kalian enter Plants’s room the previous dawn. It meant he had dragged his tired body to dress up.

 

At Kalian’s laughter, Allan said with slight embarrassment.

 

“Rachel prepared it for me, so don’t look at me like that.”

 

“It looks great. It suits you well.”

 

It seemed that Rachel, Allan’s daughter-in-law, had prepared new clothes for him. Imagining the battle they must have had in the morning over whether to wear new clothes or not, Kalian smiled again.

 

And that smile lasted only until Kalian sat down opposite Allan.

 

“So.”

 

Opening his mouth like this after sitting down, Kalian’s face, as he faced Allan, had completely lost its playful smile. With eyes clearly different from when he was exchanging jokes with Allan, Kalian continued the question he was about to ask.

 

“Did Marquis Beurisen visit His Majesty?”

 

Although Allan usually came abruptly, if he had come on such a busy morning, there must be another reason.

 

For instance, something like Evan Beurisen, who was anxious because he did not know what Sillike was planning to do, suddenly visited Rmain.

 

Sure enough, Allan nodded with a slightly smiling face.

 

“Yes. Just now, Marquis Beurisen finished his private audience with His Majesty and left.”

 

“He must have said he would cooperate in capturing Sillike, so please ensure that the Beurisen Family does not suffer harm from what Sillike is planning to do.”

 

“Yes. He said exactly what the Prince had expected.”

 

Soon Allan opened his mouth to explain the whole story.

 

“It seems that Lord Hertz—”

 

But his words only stretched this far.

 

*Boom!*

 

A loud explosion, one which could not be ignored rang out, and Allan’s words could not continue.

 

A vibration strong enough to make the terrace windows rumble was felt along with it.

 

Kalian and Allan sprang up from their seats and went out to the terrace.

 

And at the sight before them, Kalian inadvertently let out a hollow laugh.

 

“Though I expected this to not be a peaceful day…”

 

It was as heard, and as felt.

 

An explosion.

 

An explosion that had occurred inside the Cyries Royal Palace.

 

Black smoke was rising from Heisia Palace.

 

Looking at it, a smile whose meaning was difficult to read spread across Kalian’s lips. Allan, standing next to him, also did not have a particularly surprised expression on his face.

 

“This time, the false accusation Sillike is going to give me will be quite spectacular. Should I be grateful for this?”

 

In the past, Sillike had falsely accused the old Kalian of trying to poison her. She had assassinated the old Kalian using that as a pretext.

 

This time, Sillike’s way of thinking had not changed at all.

 

“Are you saying she’s trying to frame a Prince as the culprit of that explosion?”

 

“What else? Would there be a reason for an explosion at Heisia Palace?”

 

Answering like this, Kalian, with a relaxed face, spoke as if whispering.

 

“First she gave me poison, and now she’s trying to falsely accuse me.”

 

[Yeah, I can’t just keep receiving such favors can I? Now, I should return the favor.]