Chapter 192, About Raising a Dog (6)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The hot wind blowing was clearly palpable.

 

— I’m glad it was helpful.

 

Chase, who had just pulled down his white robe’s hood moments ago, now found it cumbersome and put it back again.

 

Above the dawn light that resembled his eyes revealed beneath the hood, the sun just rising and the moon not yet set were floating together.

 

— When I think about it, it’s quite remarkable.

 

Chase said this as he mounted his horse and looked up at the white moon in the dawn twilight.

 

— What is remarkable?

 

Kalian’s voice was transmitted into his head.

 

It was quite different from the voice he had encountered in the dream, yet there were many similarities, which made Chase softly smile.

 

This time too, Chase had initiated contact first. Although it was early morning with both the sun and moon present, Kalian, who surely loved morning sleep, immediately sent a reply. Then, he conveyed his gratitude by sharing what he had discovered thanks to the materials Chase had sent a few days ago.

 

So, Kalian still could not initiate conversation with Chase first, despite clearly having things to say. It was not that he was reluctant to speak, but rather that he could not bring himself to start the conversation first. It was truly as always.

 

Understanding this, Chase once again called upon Kalian with Taillan’s help on this truly uneventful dawn. After receiving the thanks, he casually mentioned finding it remarkable, speaking of what he saw.

 

Chase, his gaze still on the sky, gave a somewhat delayed response.

 

— The sun is rising, yet the moon and stars that have not yet set can be seen together.

 

The words spoken after waking someone were merely light remarks about finding it remarkable that the sun, moon, and stars could all be seen together at dawn. Nevertheless, Kalian listened carefully and sent a reply.

 

— It is neither fully bright nor dark, so they can be seen together, can they not?

 

Words meaning that because none shone too brightly or too darkly alone, they all shone together. Upon hearing this, Chase laughed with a small sound.

 

— I like it more than I expected. To my eyes, this seems better to look at. It is also comfortable.

 

— I am glad that you find it comfortable.

 

Kalian’s voice in this response was full of welcome. It seemed that the remark about it being better to see everything together instead of slightly darker somehow revealed Chase’s current feelings.

 

It sounded as if it meant that sharing the secret bit by bit was better than keeping it perfectly hidden from everyone. Even if that was not the intended meaning, it sounded that way.

 

— Yes. Shining alone is perhaps too bright after all. Squinting and taking a step back. This is better than that. At least for me.

 

At these added words, the sound of Kalian laughing could be heard. Chase rode his horse for a while without saying anything more.

 

In the distance at the far end, the shadow of mountains still dark could be seen faintly. As he moved his horse toward that place, Kalian’s careful voice was heard.

 

— There is one thing I would like to ask.

 

— Speak. Always, do not hold back anything.

 

Whatever the question, whenever it comes, it absolutely does not matter. Just speak.

 

— I was wondering if Crown Prince Chase might remember any content about why the relationship between Prince Randel and Prince Plants became so strained. I understand that the two countries had quite good relations after they both became Kings, but looking at it now, it is remarkable that war did not break out.

 

Truly asking about anything indeed.

 

The fact that Kalian’s heart had softened enough to ask Chase about the affairs between his new brothers made Chase feel pleased rather than disappointed. It would be even better if Kalian loosened up enough to initiate conversation first.

 

— Well. I do not know much about that either. Shall I send birds to Prince Kalian’s older brothers?

 

— No. It’s fine.

 

An answer came back immediately to the words delivered like a joke. Therefore, Chase laughed with a slightly louder sound. Knight Taillan, who had been riding at the very front of the party, glanced back slightly, then turned forward again with a pleased expression. Indeed, there were more days of laughter and fewer days of habitually seeking wine. However, one thing to worry about was:

 

“Whether he will be alright even after returning to the Royal Palace. That is the concern.”

 

Debeullan.

 

Whether he would be alright after returning to where he was.

 

Whether Taillan knew or did not know of such concerns, Chase, who had stopped laughing, spoke again.

 

— No matter how deep the rift, they are not people who would show it outwardly. So, it would have been impossible to know in Secritia.

 

Chase, who had stopped and changed his words after trying to say ‘we’, recalled Randel’s appearance saying it was better to eliminate roses that grew out of his control.

 

— As time passes, might you not come to know about the past matters you were curious about? If even then you cannot know and are still curious, speak. I will send my birds.

 

— Please refrain from doing that.

 

Kalian, who answered this way, laughed.

 

The situation where the Crown Prince of Secritia and the Prince of Cyries were talking so casually about sending spies to each other was amusing. He also laughed knowing that if Kalian asked, Chase would really send them as a matter of course without a moment’s hesitation.

 

— Randel. Whether to call him young or seasoned. What was contained within him was neither simple anger nor simple greed. So what should one call it?

 

In that brief meeting, Chase had seen through much about Randel’s essence and given warnings. However, that did not mean he had the ability to grasp Randel’s past or read his thoughts, so it would be difficult to help with what Kalian was curious about now.

 

— He is a complicated person. Actually, I met him recently and offered to help and received an affirmative answer. So, it is something I can know as time passes, but I asked you first out of idle curiosity.

 

Kalian, who said this, recalled Randel whom he had met not long ago. The scent of Bergamot-scented  black tea came to mind along with words Randel had said passing through his head.

 

That day, Randel had asked whether Kalian was not worried that Plants would betray him. Kalian had answered with Randel’s betrayal in mind.

 

That it did not matter.

 

— Do you truly intend to embrace everything?

 

Chase’s words, mixed with concern, were heard.

 

— Yes. I truly intend to embrace everything. Because that is all I know how to do.

 

Kalian answered with a laugh. He knew that Allan, Chase, Kyrie, Arsene, and even Plants were all worrying about this Kalian in their own ways.

 

Kalian continued speaking.

 

— I would prefer you not to worry. I am not soft enough to warrant such concern, and as you know, there are many who would share what is mine. There is also someone whom Crown Prince Chase recently added.

 

— Oh, you caught me

 

Chase laughed. It was because Kalian had noticed that Chase had deliberately drawn Arsene in so that he could know Kalian’s secret.

 

— I heard you do not plan to leave Chermil Palace and go outside the Royal Palace. To do so, you would need someone who could become stairs to step on and climb. So I acted a bit presumptuously. To gain that person’s complete trust, you must first show yourself completely.

 

It was a story about being a bit meddlesome so that Arsene could truly help Kalian, thus helping with going to Camilon.

 

It was frightening to think how much more sincerely Arsene could follow Kalian, but instead of such talk, Kalian only conveyed thanks for the consideration.

 

Chase, who had concluded the conversation, looked into the distance.

 

— Today, a little later.

 

The beautiful mountains beginning to be dyed crimson by the gradually rising sun came into view.

 

— We will arrive.

 

A place with long summers instead of short winters, where stars fall instead of much snow, with green mountains and deep valleys. Such a place where flowers bloom on wide fields and moonlight shines on the vast sea.

 

Truly beautiful Secritia.

 

— …Yes. You have worked hard.

 

Kalian, who had been continuously estimating the dates anyway, had already guessed from the moment he heard Chase’s voice reaching out at dawn.

 

Although there was still quite a distance remaining to Secritia Royal Palace, once they crossed the border, they would truly be returning. With a heart reluctant about that, Kalian must have called to both receive a response to the letter and to soothe his unwilling steps.

 

— So what will Prince Kalian do now? Do you plan to go meet the Great Elder?

 

— Because I had a bit of a falling out with the Elves last year, it seems that created an occasion for Your Highness and the Elf Great Elder to meet. I think it will probably be around early next year, and I asked His Majesty to let me attend that meeting. More precisely, I asked my Master to convey the message.

 

Early next year.

 

Chase, who repeated that date to himself without letting it reach Kalian, nodded once more and spoke.

 

— Still, I am glad that Lord Manasil is with Prince Kalian. He is truly a great supportive pillar.

 

— Yes. It is something to be grateful for. Truly.

 

Kalian was about to say he hoped Taillan would become such a person for Chase as well, but then let it go. If Kalian said such things, Chase would likely deliberately try to treat Taillan the way Kalian wanted, and he thought it would be better if Chase relied on Taillan not deliberately but because he needed him himself.

 

After exchanging a bit more words like that, they ended the conversation. Quite a long time had passed while talking, and before they knew it, the sun had risen.

 

When that sun had reached about the middle of the sky, they took a brief rest and departed again. After some more time had passed after that.

 

“You took so long, I thought I was going to lose my fiancé.”

 

A voice as welcome as it was wistful was heard. It was such a voice that welcomed his return to Secritia as much as it was wistful about leaving Cyries.

 

“Arianneu.”

 

Chase smiled with a gentle face.

 

Arianneu with a brightly smiling face congratulated the Crown Prince on his safe return and offered a handshake.

 

“You worked hard, Your Highness.”

 

* * *

 

From now on, it would be difficult for Chase to control information.

 

Debeullan would surely receive a report.

 

That Crown Prince Chase had deviated from the path toward the Royal Palace and gone to the sea.

 

* Swoooosh…*

 

The sound of waves that brought to mind laughter once heard reached his ears. Not the sound of waves on a sandy beach, but that clear sound of small, round stones rolling as they were washed by the waves.

 

The sea they arrived at after nightfall was the same as always. Although it was not the small beach he had wanted to see, the sea was always peaceful anywhere, and that alone was enough.

 

“You did not need to come out to meet me. The Marquis must have worried again.”

 

After deeply inhaling the salty smell of the sea for a while, Chase said this.

 

“What does it matter when I came out because I wanted to see my fiancé? My mom, well, if she worried about even this, she would have collapsed long ago.”

 

Arianneu, who said this, looked up at Chase. Her two jewel-like eyes that seemed to hold the sunset of the most beautiful time gazed at Chase’s eyes that held the dawn twilight.

 

“Has your heart become a bit more comfortable? You seem that way. Or not? I cannot tell.”

 

“Arianneu.”

 

“Yes.”

 

When angry, she was endlessly frightening.

 

“Arianneu.”

 

“Yes.”

 

When scolding, she was endlessly stern.

 

“Arianneu.”

 

“Yes.”

 

When worrying, an endlessly affectionate person.

 

Chase bent his waist slightly. He leaned his forehead against the shoulder of Arianneu standing facing him. The feeling of long, curly hair like rich chocolate tickling his forehead and cheek was pleasant.

 

From Chase’s mouth, his eyes closed slightly in that pleasant feeling, words like a whisper flowed out.

 

“I left something behind.”

 

Arianneu, instead of asking what it was, raised her hand and patted Chase’s back.

 

“Shall I go find it for you?”

 

“No. Because I must not do that. I left it behind.”

 

“Is it very important to you?”

 

“Very, very important.”

 

“Shall I go find it for you?”

 

At the same question, Chase, still leaning on Arianneu, smiled slightly. He laughed thinking she would really go find it if he asked. And instead of asking her to find it, he conveyed the same answer again.

 

“No. I left it behind because I had to.”

 

“I see.”

 

Even at such words that explained nothing, Arianneu just continued patting Chase’s back. After being like that for a while, Chase quietly opened his mouth again.

 

“I am fine. Do not worry.”

 

“I know. You should be fine when I am here.”

 

Chase laughed.

 

While laughing, he began to tell a story.

 

The small patting hand stopped briefly then moved again repeatedly. Continuously until the long story ended.