Chapter 89, Having Too Much (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

“You did veeeery well.”

 

Kalian was being scolded.

 

“After spending the entire winter in good standing, in less than half a day you’ve turned your back on Marquis Evan Beurisen and completely severed ties with Prince Randel. And you did it while throwing such a temper, truly veeeery well done.”

 

Having ruined everything in a single morning, there was no way anything good would come out of Allan’s mouth.

 

“While you were at it, you should have invited Prince Randel and Marquis Beurisen to the same place and introduced them to each other. It would have been perfect to tell them to get along from now on.”

 

Whether Evan’s swordsmanship was better than Kalian’s remained unknown, but it was confirmed again that bridging the gap in the time spent accumulating Aura would not be easy. In the end, Kalian stopped hiding things from Allan and told him everything.

 

Moreover, it became clear that Randel did not consider Kalian as an equal. He realized that all those actions—occasionally helping him and responding to his words—were Randel watching Kalian grow as a ‘somewhat useful tool’. Because of this, he refused, and he told Allan about this too.

 

So, he was being scolded. No, he was still being scolded.

 

“Anger towards the Marquis has built up to the skies. I understand that too. Even so, since Beurisen is still keeping a low profile, you only can afford to get angry once, regardless of the Aura difference.”

 

After saying that, Allan flicked his finger as if he could not stand the stuffiness anymore. The terrace door opened wide, and cold air rushed in.

 

With an expression that looked somewhat relieved, Allan’s gaze returned to Kalian.

 

“Putting Beurisen aside, deliberately stirring up Prince Randel’s inherently suspicious nature, which has been that way for more than a day or two, and creating sparks from it. Why did you approach him with such sharpness, so unlike that of a Prince? You’re someone who would normally have withdrawn appropriately until deciding how to respond.”

 

After listening carefully to everything Allan said, Kalian smiled and replied.

 

“The chocolate is delicious.”

 

After enthusiastically talking and advising, this was how the Third Prince was acting.

 

“Oh? Where else could I find such a lovely Disciple?”

 

A bit of killing intent leaked from Allan.

 

With a calm face, Kalian shook off the fear his Master had released, savored the tangerine flavor in the chocolate, and recalled what had happened earlier with Randel.

 

‘That’s unfortunate.’

 

To Kalian’s words that he would not stand beneath him, Randel answered like this without changing his expression. And then he left without saying anything more.

 

“I didn’t come thoughtlessly with my blade sharpened, so you don’t need to worry.”

 

“What more worry should I not have?”

 

“Randel won’t do anything until he’s certain I’ve turned my back on Beurisen. As for Marquis Beurisen, he’ll still be cautious for now, so there’s no need to worry about that side either.”

 

“Even if that’s the case with Prince Randel, why do you see the Marquis Beurisen situation that way? Now that Sillike is gone, doesn’t he need to immediately grab one of the three Princes to survive?”

 

“Because I’ve gotten on the same boat as Older Brother Plants.”

 

Brushing back his hair that was swaying in the wind, Kalian continued.

 

“He won’t know how much Older Brother knows about Sillike’s secret, whether he has any secrets and whether he told me about them or not. So, he is anxious.”

 

“When you say Sillike’s secret, are you referring to former Queen Aisha?”

 

“Yes. He must have provided the poison at the very least, so there’s no way Marquis Beurisen wasn’t involved. And he won’t think that I already know about Aisha being poisoned. But he would suspect that Older Brother Plants might know about it.”

 

Evan does not know how close Plants and Sillike were. So, Evan would worry even if Kalian did not know. After all, in his mind, Plants might know that Sillike had poisoned Aisha.

 

“Even if Marquis Beurisen considers joining hands with Older Brother Randel, he would inevitably think of Older Brother Plants first. Wondering, ‘Does Prince Plants know about what happened to Aisha? If he knows, did he tell Kalian?'”

 

Allan nodded without saying anything else.

 

“If I heard that story and informed Tansyll, the Tansyll Royal Family would target Beurisen. So, regardless of how it was before, he will not easily reach out to Older Brother Randel. Just as he has not done so for so long.”

 

The implication was that Randel would be too busy with Plants and Beurisen, while Beurisen would be too concerned with Randel and Tansyll to keep Kalian in check right away.

 

For that reason, Kalian, who had indulged in losing his temper once, picked up another chocolate and put it in his mouth.

 

It was sweet.

 

The scent of a longed-for place spread in his mouth.

 

* * *

 

Half-asleep, he reached out his hand and something white and soft touched his fingertips.

 

The softly plump feeling was not unpleasant, so Plants stayed still for a moment before suddenly coming to his senses. And realizing that this was certainly not something to just enjoy and let pass, he abruptly got up.

 

At a glance, something round and flat like a cushion was in deep sleep next to Plants.

 

Of course, it was Kalian’s cat.

 

“Here you are again.”

 

This cat, which had never actually gone to Kalian’s room on its own, still visited whenever it had the chance. Thanks to this creature sleeping, completely oblivious to its surroundings, Plants, now awake, did not feel like going back to sleep and just got up from his bed.

 

And then he stopped moving again.

 

It was because he saw the cat’s owner sitting on the sofa beyond the bedroom curtain.

 

Kalian had come again after saying there would be no more such visits.

 

It was thanks to Allan, who had said ‘he couldn’t do it twice, so there won’t be another visit’.

 

“What is it?”

 

“I was just wondering how to wake you, but fortunately you’re up.”

 

Whether it was because he had fallen into a deep sleep or because Kalian had become more capable of moving quietly, he could not tell. In any case, this time he had not noticed the cat and its owner entering at all.

 

“I have to go somewhere early this morning, so I can’t attend breakfast.”

 

“So?”

 

“Ah. I’m not here to tell you that I can’t attend breakfast, but since I can’t attend breakfast, I thought I wouldn’t be able to tell you what I need to, so I came now.”

 

At the monotone voice, Plants waited for Kalian’s next words without responding.

 

“Marquis Beurisen will seek out Older Brother in the near future. It could be as early as today.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“Would it be uncomfortable for you to face him?”

 

Because Evan had been significantly involved in Sillike’s affairs, even Kalian did not know how Plants would feel about Evan. That was why he was asking.

 

In truth, they were not exactly on the friendliest terms to be facing each other. But it was not so bad that he would avoid seeing his face. So, Plants answered in a tone suggesting it was not a big deal.

 

“It doesn’t matter.”

 

Because of the curtain, Plants could see Kalian’s face, but Kalian could not examine Plants’ expression. Therefore, it was difficult to determine whether those words were sincere or not, but Kalian just nodded.

 

Plants asked in a calm voice.

 

“Should I receive him well and send him off?”

 

Plants also knew how much Kalian had embarrassed Evan before sending him back. So, he had been thinking that Evan would next approach either Randel or himself.

 

He had not yet reached a conclusion on how to handle it, but Kalian had essentially solved the problem for him.

 

“You don’t need to treat him too well, just adequately would be fine.”

 

Plants started to nod but stopped and opened his mouth.

 

Since nodding would not be visible anyway.

 

“I understand, now go back.”

 

“And though it may not be appropriate to bring up first thing in the morning…”

 

“What else?”

 

Instead of getting up, Kalian carefully chose his words again. He had one more difficult message to deliver. As a result, when words didn’t follow for a while, Plants briefly turned his head to look toward Heisia Palace.

 

“Is it related to my mother?”

 

[How remarkably perceptive.] Kalian praised.

 

“Yes. That’s right.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“Marquis Beurisen might try to find out if Older Brother knows something. I thought it would be better for you to know in advance. You should appear to know and also make it seem like you told me.”

 

Having said that, Kalian continued, as if warning him.

 

“If it appears that you know the secret but didn’t tell me, you’ll die.”

 

Plants softly chuckled.

 

After all, it seemed like there were so many ways to die these days.

 

“What is it about?”

 

“Former Queen Aisha was poisoned.”

 

For a while, there was no sound from beyond the curtain. Then, instead of an answer, a short sigh was heard.

 

Since it meant he understood well, Kalian rose from his seat without saying anything more. Then, after giving a simple bow, he returned to his room.

 

* * *

 

Euria Seiren left home a little earlier than usual.

 

Originally, it was the day she was supposed to go to Pollun Magic Academy and be ‘Principal Euria’, but that day was different. She went to Cyries’ Arcane Enclave Building instead.

 

As the carriage approached the association building, Euria discovered something and her face grew dismayed.

 

“Raven is already here… there is going to be trouble…”

 

This was because a black horse with white fur only on its right ankle, which all people of Cyriesus now recognized, was in the stable.

 

Despite arriving 30 minutes earlier than the appointed time, Kalian had arrived first. Euria hurriedly got out of the carriage and entered the building.

 

There were unusually many people inside the building. They had gathered to see Kalian who had come to meet Euria. Barely acknowledging the greetings from curious Mages, Euria pushed through the crowd of Mages and entered her office.

 

Kalian, who had already drunk half his tea, smiled at Euria who had just entered. She clearly showed signs of having rushed here.

 

“I came early, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

 

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

 

After paying respects to Kalian, Euria immediately walked to her desk and brought a letter.

 

“Here is news from Count Aizen Aprin. It arrived yesterday evening.”

 

The letter contained information about how the Knight forces’ preparations were progressing.

 

Once a month, Aizen would contact Kalian through Euria like this. And Kalian would send back instructions and financial support for the reported matters through Euria as well.

 

Kalian, who was reading the letter, let out a brief sigh. Until now, the letters had only contained information that preparations were proceeding without problems, but this time was different.

 

“An epidemic?”

 

“Yes. I heard that an epidemic broke out in the territory of one of the Knight Families. There was damage resulting in one in ten territorial residents and Knights dying. It seems the problem arose as the cold abated.”

 

“It must have been difficult without healers in Cyries. Still, it’s fortunate that it’s showing signs of subsiding now. I should inform His Majesty to see if he’s aware of this matter.”

 

After saying this, Kalian glanced back briefly, and Ian approached and placed a check on the table.

 

Kalian, who had written a higher amount than he had originally planned, handed it to Euria and said.

 

“This is all I can do to help. Send necessary supplies through Baron Pollun as well. And if there is damage in other nearby territories, those places too.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. I will do so.”

 

Soon Kalian stood up and went outside.

 

Euria, who was about to see him off, opened her eyes wide. The check had one more ‘0’ than the usual amount.

 

“This is enough money to buy a territory, not just restore one…”

 

Euria shook her head.

 

She knew this was Kalian’s personal funds, not the allowance given to a Prince.

 

* * *

 

The young man smiled as gently as his personality.

 

In his hand was an invitation that had recently arrived from Cyries.

 

A Knight sitting across from him asked with worried eyes.

 

“Are you really saying you will go? It could be dangerous.”

 

The young man nodded without hesitation.

 

“I need to meet Lord Manasil. Since he says he’s busy, I should go.”

 

Knowing the young man’s stubbornness well, the Knight knew he could no longer dissuade him and let out a short sigh. Seeing this, the young man smiled.

 

The wind blew, and the young man’s long blue-silver hair momentarily swayed with it.