Chapter 149, Where One Belong (8)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

He disliked strong fragrances.

 

It reminded him of Reunieri Flower and suddenly made him feel sick. It had been like that since some time long ago, so long that he couldn’t even remember if it was a few years ago.

 

The intensity of covering everything around with its own scent was so revolting that he hated anything with an overpowering fragrance. Whether it was truly disgust or a rebellion to cover up the opposite emotion, Plants did not bother to distinguish. He just disliked it.

 

Whether his younger brother had figured out this reason or had just observed everything one by one ignorantly, he knew this fact anyway. Of course, Plants just accepted it as it was.

 

And today, Hina, who was as quiet as Plants, asked something unfamiliar. So after much deliberation, he gave her an answer.

 

Yes. He said he liked strawberries.

 

That was what he answered.

 

He said he liked strawberries, not that he was crazy about them.

 

“By any chance, is there a strawberry farm or something in the Royal Palace?”

 

Dmirea, who had been sitting expressionlessly, finally said this at the end of the meal. It was when strawberry ice cream came out as the final dessert.

 

At Dmirea’s words, Plants’ arm stopped briefly with nowhere to go before moving again, something that probably only Hina noticed. Because of this, Hina’s head drooped endlessly.

 

If Kalian had known about the backstory, he probably would have caused another uproar. Fortunately, Kalian did not notice why this had happened.

 

[Do you like strawberries, older brother?]

 

While eating foods that would probably make his mouth smell like strawberries for days, he had to swallow along with it an unfamiliar memory that suddenly surfaced and was thrown at him.

 

A memory from very long ago that the current Kalian absolutely must not touch.

 

“… Strawberries are nice.”

 

Because of this, Kalian reacted a bit late to Dmirea’s words. Only after some time had passed did he recognize those words and lift his head. Instead of going along with what was clearly an insane menu, Kalian said this and smiled slightly.

 

“Come to think of it, Hina likes strawberry ice cream the most.”

 

And he turned the topic toward Hina and told Ian to make sure to get ice cream for Hina too. By doing so, he also prevented any more comments about this bizarre dinner menu. Since Kalian, the host of this gathering, had no complaints, who would say anything?

 

A little later, Kalian opened his mouth again.

 

“Older brother.”

 

Plants, knowing that he was the cause of this commotion, looked at Kalian after finishing his meal with considerable effort. Since that was his answer, Kalian opened his mouth again.

 

“By any chance, when did you tell His Majesty that you would bring in Count Aprin’s Knights?”

 

It was Kalian who had remembered something as difficult to approach as the strawberry scent. Because he had hesitated briefly due to that memory, he had not been able to have much conversation during the meal and was only now bringing it up.

 

Plants, who had been briefly watching the pink bubbles of carbonated water slowly settle, answered.

 

“Before mid-June.”

 

Kalian simply nodded once without any other response. Then he looked at Dmirea and said.

 

“Please prepare to take charge of the Knights until then, Dmirea. The first group will probably be around 200.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

It was not a small number, but Dmirea answered with a face that showed no particular problem with it.

 

“I wonder how we should package this. Even though it’s Siegfried, if 200 Knights suddenly appear, it’s bound to draw attention.”

 

“I’ll arrange it as if the Knights from my maternal Family have returned.”

 

Until recently, Sleiman’s wife, Seri, and Seri’s brother, along with the brother’s household and Knights, had been staying together at the Siegfried Mansion. This was because Sleiman was too worried to leave Seri alone to guard that vast mansion. Then, at the end of last year, the couple had a child and returned to their own territory.

 

Therefore, Dmirea thought it would be most problem-free to say that those Knights had returned to stay at the mansion again. If it were said that 200 Knights from Duke Siegfried’s Family, led by Sleiman, had come to the Capital, Marquis Evan Beurisen’s bottom line would surely start stirring again.

 

“Yes. Let me know about the costs involved, I’ll cover them. I’m not good at calculating those things myself.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Having said that much, Kalian took a sip of the pink soda and organized his thoughts once more. Then he looked at Ian and opened his mouth.

 

“Ian. Sorry, but could you give us some privacy?”

 

The chef and dining room servants had already left after serving dessert. So now Kalian was asking Plants’ servant Rerik and the Escort Knights, as well as Hina and Ian, to leave.

 

Ian simply bowed his head without any other response and went outside with the others. Watching this, Kalian turned his head to look at Plants again.

 

Now it was time to talk about Evan Beurisen.

 

Of course, it was a story that Plants should not know, so it was also a look that meant he should leave now.

 

“Alright.”

 

Plants, who had stood up silently, answered Kalian’s words that had not even been spoken yet. Whatever the intention, an order to leave was an order to leave, was it not? So, he blocked Kalian’s words that would surely start with an apology like ‘I’m sorry, but’ before they could come out.

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian, who had shown some consideration for the Prince’s position by first sending out the servants and Knights before speaking to Plants, substituted an apology with this short answer that was not also showing gratitude. Plants, who understood this well, had one corner of his mouth slightly rise.

 

Soon Plants also went outside, and in the dining room with only the three of them left including Dmirea and Arsene, Kalian opened his mouth. First, it was directed at Arsene.

 

“Lord Hertz. I’d like you to meet with Count Beurisen instead of me. As you know, I’m under house arrest.”

 

Kalian said this looked like an ordinary fifteen-year-old boy who had caused ordinary trouble and received ordinary punishment.

 

“Yes, Prince. What message should I convey?”

 

“Don’t say I sent you. Act as if you’re changing your mind. Ask if the Count still has any intention of coming to the Capital. It would be even better if you could confirm whether he’s still in contact with older brother Randel.”

 

“You’re telling me to act as if I’m betraying you and siding with Prince Plants or Prince Randel, and as if I’m joining hands with Count Gray Beurisen to probe his intentions?”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“Yes. Understood.”

 

Arsene answered without hesitation.

 

As if he had received a truly ordinary request.

 

“Lord Seiren plans to construct a Teleportation Magic Circle toward Count Beurisen’s territory as well, so you can say you’re away from the palace on related business.”

 

Having finished his instructions to Arsene, Kalian turned his gaze toward Dmirea.

 

“And Dmirea. Could you look into whether there are people among those who haven’t sided with my brothers or me, who could become the new Count that guards the border? I think I need to make recommendations to His Majesty.”

 

A completely neutral new Count that guards the border.

 

Someone who could take Gray’s place when Gray came to the Capital.

 

There were reasons for not trusting Rmain’s personnel evaluations, but the bigger reason was concern that if Rmain tried to look into it, the content might reach Evan’s ears, who might be around Rmain. That was why Kalian wanted to borrow Dmirea’s eyes.

 

Dmirea, who had been briefly watching the carbonated bubbles pop and disappear like Plants had done, answered.

 

“Is this something the Duke should know about?”

 

It was asking whether she could seek advice from Sleiman or if it was something to be handled at Dmirea’s level. Kalian shook his head and smiled.

 

“Ian left, didn’t he?”

 

It was an answer meaning that since this was something to be kept secret even from Ian, he hoped Sleiman would not know of it either.

 

Looking into Count candidates was not such a difficult task. Therefore, Dmirea simply answered that she understood without saying anything else.

 

By this point, Dmirea and Arsene had figured out what Kalian was thinking. So Dmirea kept her mouth shut, pretending to know nothing. She had no intention of directly involving herself in Kalian’s power struggle. Instead, Arsene spoke with a somewhat worried face.

 

“Isn’t it too early? Since your Highness’ foundation isn’t that extensive yet, I think you could move after Valkan establishes itself.”

 

The purge of Marquis Evan Beurisen. Or the assassination.

 

It was unclear which direction he would take, but it was certain that Kalian was now preparing for the situation after Evan’s disappearance.

 

If Evan were removed, Beurisen’s supporters would rise up everywhere. It was hard to predict whether they would still support Beurisen or defect to Kalian or Randel.

 

“Moreover, didn’t you say you would build up Valkan’s strength until February next year? Wouldn’t it be fine to start then?”

 

“Even if the Mage Order establishes itself, that would be military power, not political power.”

 

When something happened, they might be able to fight directly for Kalian as Arsene said.

 

However, Valkan itself does not occupy a place within Noble society. As Kalian said, Valkan Mage Order was a military power, not a political one. Of course, it could become a reason for Nobles to side with Kalian.

 

“I’ll move at the right time so that forces supporting me emerge at the appropriate timing. It won’t take long, so Deputy Commander Hertz, please first accurately confirm Count Beurisen’s intentions.”

 

Kalian’s words ended there.

 

How he planned to create forces, how he planned to remove Evan, how he planned to clean up afterward. These things remained hidden in Kalian’s mind without coming out.

 

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

 

Fortunately, there was no one here who wanted to know every detail of Kalian’s inner thoughts, so Arsene easily agreed and answered this time as well.

 

Thus, Kalian finished dinner without further explanation. The strawberry scent that he had forced himself to pretend to enjoy still lingered in his mouth.

 

* * *

 

‘Look straight.’

 

It was sudden. Too sudden…

 

‘Don’t avoid it, look properly at me. I’m dying, don’t turn away from that fact, Siroian’

 

Something that had been quietly buried deep in memory.

 

The image from that day came flooding back.

 

‘Yes. Now your eyes are properly facing me. You should know what’s eventual too.’

 

For Ian, it was.

 

‘What’s wrong. If I die, wouldn’t that be good for you?’

 

A soundless dagger created by bloodless, small, thin fingers.

 

* * *

 

The words telling him to look straight without avoiding, to look at him properly.

 

Those words had to come to mind when he looked at Kalian’s face, of all times.

 

It must have been because of the memory he had briefly recalled while talking with Dmirea. That memory he had not bothered to bring out had swept through his mind like an inescapable wind.

 

Ian, who had come out of the dining room, stopped in front of the door.

 

“Go ahead, Hina.”

 

And he said to Hina while keeping his gaze directed at the floor. To confirm Hina’s response, he would have to look at her hands, but he could not do that.

 

He glimpsed Hina, who had been standing beside him, turning and walking away. She probably answered that she understood.

 

*Phew.*

 

Ian, who briefly exhaled, shook his head back and forth. Then he heard the sound of the dining room door opening once more and someone walking out.

 

Were not the people who would come out now those whom Kalian had left behind, saying he wanted to have an important conversation with them? So, Ian turned his head back to check who had come out, when he heard a low voice.

 

“You.”

 

It was of course Plants who had opened the dining room door himself and come out, having sent away even the Knights guarding the door.

 

[Ah. Why does that bastard have to come out now?]

 

Because of this thought, a decidedly unpleasant response burst out.

 

“What?”

 

Plants chuckled.

 

Right now, Plants had not called Ian ‘Siegfried’. Yet Ian had responded like this.

 

“…My little brother’s servant doesn’t know his place.”

 

So Plants deliberately brought up the word ‘servant’.

 

Of course, recently Ian had not shown any decent attitude toward Plants, but it had not been hostile to this extent.

 

So, it seemed like Ian’s mind was all jumbled up right now, so Plants had organized it in his own way.

 

“Ah.”

 

Only then did Ian, who examined his own behavior, look stricken. For the Third Prince’s attendant to answer to the Second Prince. Wasn’t this a big enough mistake to be immediately expelled from the Royal Palace?

 

“I was momentarily…”

 

“Forget it.”

 

And Plants cut off Ian’s words like this.

 

Naturally, it meant there was no need for an apology. And naturally.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The apology is done. Let’s consider both things as if they never happened.”

 

For a moment, Ian pitied Rerik even in this situation. If Kalian had spoken like that, Ian would have run out of the palace on his own feet before being expelled.

 

[What the hell is that supposed to mean?] Ian could not understand it at all.

 

These thoughts appeared clearly on Ian’s face. Ian was always someone whose thoughts showed directly on his expression. Therefore, the patient Plants made an annoyed expression while opening his mouth once more.

 

“Knife.”

 

His words were short again, but fortunately this time Ian understood.

 

Kalian had said once before. That he would tell Plants to apologize to Ian about throwing a knife at him. So now Plants was probably saying to exchange that incident with Ian’s current mistake.

 

Ian nodded slightly.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Since he was offering to bury both an incident Ian could barely remember, and his current mistake all together, Ian should rather be grateful for the situation.

 

Plants, who had been staring at Ian, was about to pass by but opened his mouth. It was not only that which had appeared on Ian’s face.

 

“…He originally disliked it. My little brother.”

 

Plants was being quite talkative today.

 

Still, since he had made a mistake earlier, Ian, who had temporarily set aside his complicated feelings, looked at Plants.

 

He definitely did not understand again. So Plants opened his mouth again.

 

“No matter how much he might like it, anyone would be disgusted if a meal were prepared to that extent. And he originally disliked it anyway.”

 

Plants had not missed Ian hesitating after seeing Kalian’s expression in the dining room earlier. Wasn’t Ian the only one who could distinguish whether Kalian was smiling because he was angry or happy?

 

It was not difficult for Plants to predict what Ian might have thought, what he might be thinking now that led to such an uncharacteristic mistake.

 

It was also too easy for the clever Plants to notice where those thoughts would lead if Ian were left as he was.

 

Ian shook his head and said.

 

“No. His Highness definitely liked it. But today suddenly……”

 

“He originally disliked it.”

 

Plants, who cut off Ian’s words, said this.

 

It was annoying and irritating to argue with Kalian’s attendant over just strawberries, but he continued speaking for now.

 

“He was forcing himself to pretend to like it. That’s what happened. Before you came to the palace.”

 

Kalian was not good at lying. This was inaccurate.

 

Only the current Kalian was not good at lying. The old Kalian was not like that.

 

So, in Ian’s eyes, it would not have been visible whether it was forced or not.

 

“And don’t people change? So don’t make such a fuss over missing one thing about my little brother’s taste.”

 

So that Ian would not suspect other things over just strawberries, so he would not think much of it, even if the same thing happened again later. Plants said this.

 

Plants, who had changed more than anyone, was saying such things.

 

Thanks to this, Ian quietly nodded and asked.

 

“But… Why are you telling me this?”

 

Why was he interfering like this?

 

It was so uncharacteristic of the Second Prince.

 

At those words, Plants briefly closed and opened his eyes.

 

Not all truths must necessarily be revealed.

 

Sometimes there were truths that must be buried forever. This was something Plants deeply knew.

 

Even if it was something that would eventually be revealed someday.

 

He knows that at least it should not be now.

 

“My little brother, who has put down everything he is holding, should have at least one last thing to lean on.”

 

Plants also know that this one last thing, whether in the past or now, was the only thing that had not changed for Kalian.

 

So, Ian should just be the same Ian.

 

Just Ian, should remain Ian.

 

Those were words given hoping for that.