Chapter 133, Foundation of Understanding (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

  

The morning sunlight rippling on the lake’s surface is truly beautiful. The reason the view outside the window caught their attention today was because the dining room where Kalian and Plants were located was on the second floor.

 

There was only one reason why they had come all the way to the dining room for their meal.

 

“I heard you’ve started learning swordsmanship from the Third Prince.”

 

It was because of Rmain, who had suddenly announced that he would come all the way to Chermil Palace for breakfast.

 

Thanks to this, Kalian, who loved his morning sleep, had to groggily open his eyes to the sound of bells ringing at the break of dawn. It was not that different for Plants as well.

 

As for Randel, he did not come, citing a severe cold as his excuse.

 

‘Tell him I’ll stop by briefly after breakfast.’

 

Instead of reproaching Randel, Rmain had said this. After that, he had continued eating without any other words until now, when he brought up the topic of swordsmanship training.

 

Plants, who had quietly set down the water he was drinking, answered.

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

To say he had started learning swordsmanship was a stretch, considering only one day had passed. To be precise, only one night had passed. All he had done was spar twice the previous evening. And even the second spar had ended without their swords clashing even once.

 

It had ended with a flash of light and a slightly deeper wound than the first time.

 

“Good. I’m pleased that you two are getting along.”

 

[‘Getting along’, he says.]

 

Both Kalian and Plants’ hands paused momentarily before moving again, but Plants kept his gaze fixed on his plate. He was leaving the response to Kalian.

 

It was because he could not think of appropriate words to describe his relationship with his crazy younger brother. Or perhaps he was worried that words like ‘only the Crown Prince of Secritia could get along with such a madman’ might slip out.

 

Moreover, having said he ‘barked’ too many times, Plants could not say that his little brother seemed to bite as well.

 

Kalian, who glanced at Plants, answered Rmain.

 

“Yes. We are getting along very, very well.”

 

The lies he claimed he could not tell were flowing so smoothly.

 

“You must have your own training to do, yet you’re willing to look after your older brother’s swordsmanship. This is a good thing. Just be careful not to hurt each other.”

 

Kalian smiled inwardly.

 

[So that’s why he suddenly came to visit.]

 

It seemed Rmain had come because he was worried about Plants after hearing that Hina had visited the training ground after the two brothers’ sparring session ended last night.

 

He had come to check whether Kalian’s hands, which liked to—no, were good at—breaking things, had perhaps been too rough.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. You need not worry.”

 

Of course, Kalian had a good idea about the real reason Rmain would not mention, but he pretended not to know and answered with a bright smile.

 

Seeing that smile sparkling like the lake outside the window, Rmain nodded as if reassured. And Plants just took another sip of water.

 

Others might not notice, but Kalian knew very well how many words Plants was currently swallowing down like water. The tip of Kalian’s hand, politely placed on his leg, drew a curve on his thigh. It was smiling on behalf of his mouth, which needed to remain on his face.

 

“How is your body? I’m worried you might be overexerting yourself.”

 

Seeing Kalian eating his breakfast so energetically with such a healthy face, Rmain, who had just remembered that his third son had narrowly escaped death only a few days ago, asked.

 

Instead of saying that the order of questions was a bit mixed up, Kalian answered once again in a voice telling him not to worry.

 

“I’ve completely recovered.”

 

[Yes, so it seems…] Rmain thought and added, “That’s truly fortunate.”

 

Rmain, who fortunately gave a proper answer somewhat different from his inner thoughts, looked steadily into Kalian’s eyes and continued.

 

“Even after your confinement is lifted, make sure you never go out alone.”

 

Seeing him use such a stern expression as ‘make sure’, it seemed that even after the confinement was lifted, he would absolutely not dismiss the Escort Knights.

 

When Kalian’s face showed dejection, Rmain’s expression softened slightly as he added.

 

“You may go as far as the Royal Forest, so if you feel too confined, take walks there.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

 

“Good.”

 

These words were said considering Kalian, who could not stay still for even an hour like a puppy looking for its mother. The Royal Forest was a not-so-large forest located north of the Royal Palace. It was a place neither the current Kalian nor the old Kalian had ever visited.

 

“But Plants, you look thinner than when I saw you last time. Are you ill?”

 

“No, I’m fine.”

 

“You must eat well. You’re at an age when you should be growing.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

Kalian, who had been smiling while listening to the small talk, turned his head.

 

In front of the beautiful scenery visible outside the window, red eyes were briefly reflected.

 

“Ah…”

 

The smile that had appeared on Kalian’s face disappeared as if erased.

 

An ordinary morning. The start of a day no different from yesterday. Conversation exchanged without any hidden meaning. This time, where there was nothing to do, was so peaceful that Kalian had almost forgotten what he must not forget and simply enjoyed it.

 

[How happy would you have been if you were in this place?]

 

Kalian, filled with as much regret as the happiness he had almost felt, looked out the window for a long time. He quietly gazed at the jewel-like eyes reflected in the bright window.

 

[…Kalian.]

 

* * *

 

*Meow!*

 

The cat whose belly had become round again, ‘I am Prince Kalian’s cat, who likes Prince Plants more‘, raised its front paw and pulled at Plants’ hand. It was sleepy but could not fall asleep, so it wanted to be petted.

 

Not content with climbing onto his knees of its own accord, preventing him from even crossing his legs, the cat that still wanted more. It made Plants softly chuckle. Then, he slowly moved his hand to stroke the cat’s head.

 

As he quietly looked down at the drowsily closing eyes of two different colors, another sound came from across the room. It was completely different from the cat’s affectionate meowing. It was his younger brother’s voice, which was rough beyond comparison.

 

“Please don’t feel too disappointed about His Majesty’s visit.”

 

Kalian would sometimes state things somewhat out of the blue, and without context. Plants, who had been pondering the intent of those words for a moment, answered in a low voice.

 

“Not particularly. I don’t really think about it.”

 

Still, the conversation continued quite well because the ones talking were Kalian and Plants. If it had been others, this kind of conversation probably would not have flowed so naturally.

 

“Great.”

 

Anyway, Kalian telling him not to feel disappointed was about Rmain’s reason for visiting.

 

The real reason he had come was not really because he was worried about ‘whether Plants might have been hurt’. After all, he had not visited when either Kalian or Plants were actually injured and suffering.

 

He came for Randel. Rmain had probably come to see Randel, using his second and third sons as an excuse.

 

If not for such a reason, after confirming that Plants was safe and sound, not beaten up by Kalian, there would be no reason for him to insist on going to see Randel, who claimed to be sick.

 

That was why Kalian had told Plants not to feel disappointed, about the fact that Rmain had a separate reason for visiting this place.

 

*Meow…*

 

Noticing that Plants’ hand had stopped, the cat made a drowsy sound and pestered him again. At the cat’s insistence that it would not even give him time to take a sip of tea, Plants’ hand began moving again.

 

“Still, he was genuinely worried about you, older brother.”

 

There was no way he would not know that Rmain had changed.

 

Plants did not deny it and nodded while responding.

 

“My little brother is rather fierce, after all.”

 

Then he frowned slightly. He was not in the best mood because he had been cut in the same place twice. Plants, who had been silent for a while, glared at Kalian.

 

He knew why Kalian, who had stubbornly come to his room after breakfast, was saying such considerate words that did not suit him.

 

Plants opened his mouth.

 

“Do it. Apologize.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

A quick apology followed as if prepared, and Plants nodded.

 

That was the end of it.

 

He did not even ask why.

 

Kalian had done wrong and said Plants would accept an apology, so Kalian apologized, and Plants accepted it. Nothing more was needed. Of course, if Hina had seen this scene, she would have found it utterly ridiculous.

 

“When are you meeting Marquis Beurisen?”

 

“Today.”

 

Kalian, who had nodded, opened his mouth.

 

“You do know for what business?”

 

Kalian had yet to tell him about the other reason for blowing up Heisia Palace. Though, he believes Plants had already figured it out.

 

“I know.”

 

Plants answered only this.

 

Instead of asking what he knew and confirming, Kalian just smiled slightly. Plants would handle it well on his own.

 

“When you return, learn from Kyrie today. I have other matters to attend to. And right now, Kyrie would be a better fit than me.”

 

Kalian’s sword was fast and sharp. Sleiman’s swordsmanship was heavy and intense.

 

Plants was in between.

 

Heavier than Kalian’s but more agile than Sleiman’s.

 

Therefore, Kyrie was best suited for Plants right now. His swordsmanship was lighter and more agile than Plants’ but heavier than Kalian’s. Moreover, teaching someone would be of great help to Kyrie as well.

 

Plants just nodded without saying anything else.

 

* * *

 

Marquis Evan Beurisen’s expression was not very good.

 

Although he had suffered various hardships over the past year, there had probably never been a period of such mental anguish as now.

 

After Sillike was expelled, one out of every ten Nobles who had supported Beurisen turned their backs on him. The fact that it stopped at that level was partly due to him holding onto Plants. But the situation worsened when Gray caused trouble and Kalian joined hands with Siegfried.

 

Moreover, this incident was the worst possible news for Beurisen.

 

One in five.

 

One in five was leaving. It was clearly visible that they were gradually cutting off contact and avoiding Evan.

 

[Valkan! It is all because of the Third Prince! Not only had Heisia Palace collapsed in an instant, but Rmain’s punishment was excessively lenient. This appeared to the Nobles as nothing but Rmain’s favoritism toward Kalian!]

 

“The situation doesn’t seem to be good.”

 

Seeing Plants ask this as soon as he saw Evan, Evan unconsciously nodded.

 

Seeing this, one corner of Plants’ mouth curled up.

 

“Watching you being used even by Siegfried’s half-grown Elephant, I’m at a loss for words.”

 

‘Who was the one who caused this situation in the first place!? So why exactly did you sneak in there at that time and complicate things like this?’ Toward Evan, who had such eyes, Plants continued.

 

“It seems like things would turn upside down if I drew my sword. What do you think?”

 

“What exactly are you planning to do?”

 

If it had been Kalian, these words would have been enough, but unfortunately, Evan was not like that. Plants, feeling frustrated at having to add unnecessary words, opened his mouth with an irritated tone to explain his plan.

 

“Transfer the authority to command the Caera and Roan Knight Orders to me. I’ll split Valkan in half.”

 

At his confident words, Evan’s brow furrowed slightly. Seeing this, Plants spoke with a languid expression.

 

“You don’t believe me.”

 

“No, Your Highness. It’s not that I don’t believe you, but rather…”

 

Evan, who had mumbled his words, closed his mouth for a moment.

 

Then he began to think about what should be done regarding this matter.

 

After continuing his thoughts for a long time, a smile appeared on Evan’s lips. With that cunning smile hanging on his lips, Evan opened his mouth.

 

“I’ll give you the authority to command the Knight Orders. But.”

 

Having said that, Evan pointed to his own heart and concluded.

 

“You’ll need to promise me upon a Seal of Oath, that you won’t betray Beurisen under any circumstances.”

 

Seal of Oath, a contract that squeezes the heart of one who breaks their promise.

 

“You’re telling me to stake my heart?”

 

Evan was now telling Plants to stake his life instead of giving him the sword hilt. That he could not trust him otherwise.

 

A smile appeared on Plants’ lips for the first time in a very long while as he looked at Evan. It was a bright smile that resembled Sillike from some time ago.

 

“Fine.”

 

[This is such a trivial thing. Not the slightest bit precious.]