Chapter 95, Older Brother (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

When Chase’s footsteps halted in front of Plants.

 

Allan’s movement also stopped as he was about to enter Rmain’s office.

 

Allan rubbed his temple and muttered.

 

“Just how did he come to find this place?”

 

The moment Allan realized who the other guest coming for lunch was, he glared at the door to Rmain’s office with an uncharacteristically agitated expression. His Majesty, the great King of Cyries whom he deeply cherished, had committed the worst blunder imaginable.

 

Kalian had never mentioned that Chase had visited Cyries in the past. If he had known Chase would come, he would not have left the Royal Palace so excitedly like an ignorant duckling.

 

It was only natural.

 

In the timeline where Bern existed, Chase never did anything as dangerous as coming to a foreign country with the identity of the Crown Prince.

 

[What influence did Bern’s absence have that would cause Chase to come here in person?] Unable to guess whom Chase had come to meet, Allan could only feel bewildered by these thoughts.

 

Moreover, of all people, it seemed like Chase and Plants had met. Though neither would have memories related to Bern, the atmosphere emanating from them was far from ordinary.

 

Allan postponed his visit to Rmain’s office and headed outside. It was to bring Chase in before Kalian might see him.

 

[He would be shaken if that happens.]

 

Kalian would certainly be shaken. He needed to be given time to prepare.

 

Attack Magic and Teleportation Magic could not be used at all inside the Arpia Palace. Deeply grateful for Syspanian’s foresight concerning the King’s safety, Allan quickened his pace even more.

 

* * *

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

This was the first thing Chase said to Plants.

 

Royalty to royalty.

 

Normally, there should have been a process where Chase and Plants’s attendants explained who they were to each other. But Chase had stepped forward too quickly.

 

What Chase came out with was truly an ordinary greeting, nothing special to note of.

 

It was also Kalian’s habitual phrase.

 

As this thought suddenly occurred to Plants, he felt a deep aversion once again. [Why does someone I am meeting for the first time keep reminding me of my little brother?]

 

Since Plants had never considered whom Kalian resembled, he did not even understand why he was feeling so displeased now.

 

“Pleased to meet you.”

 

Plants kept his gaze fixed on Chase as the hooded man spoke in a low voice.

 

Chase was clearly the Crown Prince of another country.

 

Moreover, even though Cyries was a powerful nation, Secritia was not a vassal state of Cyries. The relationship between the two countries was not bad either.

 

Furthermore, even though the attendants had not made formal introductions, the two already knew who each other was. So clearly, Plants should have been the first to show courtesy.

 

However, Plants continued speaking as if he did not recognize Chase at all.

 

“How dare you. In which country’s etiquette is it proper to hide one’s face before a Prince?”

 

The surrounding air seemed to freeze.

 

The Second Prince of Cyries.

 

It was a truly arrogant attitude that only Plants could display.

 

The attendant who already knew the person under the robe was Chase, gaped in shock. Simultaneously, intense killing intent erupted from the Knight standing behind Chase. The only ones who remained unaffected were Plants himself and Chase.

 

Chase’s lips, visible beneath the robe, formed a small smile.

 

[Damn it! Even that smile looked exactly like Kalian!]

 

With this thought, as Plants was about to make another sharp remark, Chase moved his hand. He held back the Knight who was stepping forward, then slowly raised his hand to remove his hood.

 

“Since I’ve been continuously traveling in this attire…”

 

The long blue-green hair swayed momentarily, and deep purple eyes turned toward Plants.

 

“I momentarily forgot. Prince Plants.”

 

It was merely an explanation, with no hint of apology or excuse in his words.

 

For a moment, Plants unconsciously felt relieved that the appearance under the robe was quite different from Kalian’s. Then, as if he had just recognized him, he spoke with feigned nonchalance.

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

As Plants said this, the corners of his mouth lifted.

 

Fortunately, both sides of his lips rose evenly.

 

After bowing his head just barely enough not to breach etiquette, he asked.

 

“For what reason has the Crown Prince of Secritia come all this way?”

 

Plants was not the type to voice apologies either.

 

Though it was clear he was deliberately being difficult, Chase responded to Plants’s greeting without seeming particularly bothered.

 

“I came for a celebration and to meet someone.”

 

Having said this, Chase briefly turned his head. Then, looking around at the enormous Royal Palace that had amazed even Kalian, he said.

 

“And so, I find myself having this unexpected conversation, which makes me truly realize where I am.”

 

‘I didn’t come to talk with you, so stop being territorial.’ This was how Chase’s words were reinterpreted in Plants’s ears.

 

Although Chase might not have come specifically to see Plants, he had been the first to speak. Consequently, Plants’s replies continued to be unkind.

 

“Since you’ve come all the way to Cyries, isn’t that obvious? You must have known.”

 

In other words, ‘being territorial is only natural.’

 

It was a rather aggressive statement implying that Chase knew what he was getting into and should just accept it.

 

Rerik, who had not been serving Plants for long but had been in the palace for quite some time, knew well what would happen once Plants’s mood soured.

 

Meanwhile, ‘Taillan’ knew that Chase did not normally act this sensitively. As a result, both of them were currently in a very awkward situation.

 

The conversation between the two Royals could affect relations between their countries.

 

Mediation was necessary, but Rerik could not interject in a conversation between a Prince and a Crown Prince, and Taillan could not go against Chase’s wishes not to intervene.

 

“It has truly been a long time, Your Highness Chase. And good morning, Prince Plants.”

 

That was why they both felt as if the world had brightened when they heard this voice.

 

* * *

 

There was another who noticed this situation outside the Arpia Palace.

 

It was Duke Sleiman Hone Siegfried, who had come to the Royal Palace to see Rmain.

 

“Well, well well. Rmain, you’ve invited quite a remarkable person this time.”

 

Despite Sleiman addressing him familiarly by name, Rmain sitting across from him did not look particularly displeased.

 

In fact, the two were quite close.

 

To be precise, it was not Rmain and Sleiman but Rmain’s brother, Asnan and Sleiman who were the closest of friends. As a result, Rmain and Sleiman had also become informal with each other, and in private settings like this, they always converse this way. So, perhaps Sleiman was the only person in the world who could address Rmain by name in his presence.

 

In response to Sleiman’s remark suggesting he had discovered something interesting, Rmain asked.

 

“The Crown Prince of Secritia?”

 

Hearing those words, Sleiman laughed for a long time.

 

Rmain’s usually quiet office resonated with that booming laughter.

 

Sleiman had not particularly cared even when he learned what Kalian, Rmain’s son, had hidden.

 

Not only that. When his friend attempted to claim the throne and failed, ending up imprisoned, Sleiman did not forget his duty as an Elephant.

 

So, why would such a Sleiman be interested in the Crown Prince of Secritia now?

 

“When have I ever been impressed by Royalty!? Of course it’s for that sword of his!”

 

The ‘sword’ accompanying the Crown Prince.

 

The continent’s first Sword Master, Taillan Kastrin. That was who had come, according to Sleiman.

 

“They say when the King of Secritia bestowed the Crown Prince title to his son, he gave him Taillan as well, and now they’ve come here together.”

 

“That’s common knowledge, isn’t it?”

 

After giving a noncommittal response to Sleiman’s exclamation, Rmain’s face showed realization as he spoke.

 

“But how did you know that Lord Kastrin is currently here?”

 

“Ah, I didn’t sense his Aura, but I knew because he was emitting killing intent. I wonder if I’ll ever live to see Kastrin actually use Aura.”

 

“Why would Lord Kastrin be emitting killing intent here?”

 

“It seems one of the Princes here and the Crown Prince of Secritia are having some sort of quarrel.”

 

No sooner had he heard those words than Rmain rose from his seat.

 

Sleiman’s large hand grabbed Rmain’s arm and sat him back down.

 

“The King’s bottom should not be this light. That Mage has gone out. He’ll handle it well.”

 

“There shouldn’t be conflict between a Prince and the Crown Prince of Secritia.”

 

Rmain, responding thus and stood up again.

 

Nevertheless, heeding Sleiman’s words, he did not directly go outside but instead walked to the window and began observing the distant group.

 

He could see Allan approaching the group and bringing Chase into the Arpia Palace. Not long after, he could also see Plants leaving.

 

“The killing intent has subsided already. See, he’d handled it well.”

 

After watching for a while, Rmain returned to his seat. Because he was focused on Chase entering while only half-listening to Sleiman’s words, he failed to notice someone else outside the window.

 

Far away at the palace entrance.

 

A black horse standing as if rooted to the spot.

 

* * *

 

Kalian quietly smiled.

 

“So that’s why.”

 

[That’s why I have been so excited since this morning. That’s why my heart had been so restless that I could not gather my thoughts. It was not because of the ‘sword’.]

 

Kalian lowered his gaze.

 

The hand holding Raven’s reins had turned blue.

 

Raven kept trying to rush forward.

 

He held him back.

 

With all his might, he held him back.

 

* * *

 

That day, Ian was greatly concerned because Kalian’s complexion was very poor as he prepared for lunch.

 

“Perhaps it would be better to postpone lunch and just rest?”

 

Kalian, who would normally have laughed it off, merely shook his head with a coldly hardened face. Then he said in a subdued voice.

 

“I’ll take Kyrie with me. I heard Duke Siegfried has come to the palace, so let’s meet with him.”

 

Ian was about to answer that there was no need, but Kalian’s face made it difficult to refuse. So, Ian agreed and brought Kyrie.

 

On the way to the lunch venue, Kyrie said nothing. He just looked at Kalian with a face even more worried than Ian.

 

It was because someone sent by Allan had just briefly informed them.

 

‘The Crown Prince of Secritia has come to Cyries.’

 

No further explanation was needed.

 

Kyrie could immediately understand why Kalian’s smiling face looked the way it did.

 

After getting out of the carriage, Kalian entered the Senu Hall. Then, he walked along the corridor for a while and stopped at the entrance to the banquet hall.

 

Kyrie stopped the Knight who was about to open the door.

 

It was because she knew that Kalian’s footsteps on the way here had not been steady at all.

 

“Please wait a moment before entering.”

 

A long breath escaped from Kalian’s lips. Then he uttered words that could have been meant for himself or for Kyrie.

 

[He won’t know anyway.]

 

Chase does not know who Kalian is.

 

Even if he acted somewhat awkwardly, Chase would not be able to tell. Allan would understand, and Plants might notice the awkwardness but would not care much. So, it should be fine, or so Kalian thought.

 

Soon Kalian’s eyes turned to the Knights standing before the door.

 

The door opened, and Kalian’s entrance was announced.

 

Step by step, Kalian entered.

 

And he finally faced him.

 

[Older brother.]