Chapter 279, Truly Beautiful (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

‘He will never understand.’

 

Kalian made this assurance.

 

Debeullan would never understand what Plants was truly thinking.

 

Debeullan was similar to Beurisen. Yet different.

 

Beurisen saw his siblings and his children as competitors. Debeullan did not. He saw them as enemies. He believed there were no more dangerous foes than those who shared the same blood and the same thoughts. He killed his siblings and ruled over his children.

 

Therefore, Kalian assured that Debeullan would sooner read Randel’s thoughts than know what was in Plants’ heart.

 

‘I thought it would be helpful, so I summoned Lady Grace.’

 

‘Should I wait?’

 

‘No. Though she departed later than us, she should be able to join us before we reach the border tomorrow. You have not met her before so you may not know, but Lady Grace is extraordinarily swift-footed.’

 

Because the departure had been sudden, Rachel had been unable to accompany them. Kalian had contacted Allan and asked him to send her separately.

 

An expert of Teleportation Magic, who had come to Cyries as part of Allan Manasil’s family and whose name remained relatively unknown even in Cyries as she travelled here and there constructing Teleportation Magic Circles.

 

‘Debeullan will not know who Lady Grace is either.’

 

Had it not been Chase, not Debeullan, who managed all those numerous birds of Cyries?

 

Until he blocked the Priest of Tansyll, Chase had been like Debeullan’s right hand. Therefore, Debeullan managed birds related to Tansyll, like the Blue Warbler, and left the birds of Cyries to Chase. And he had used Chase accordingly.

 

‘Moreover, Debeullan may have been curious and concerned about my identity, but he would not have thought deeply about my older brother. Even I, who was in charge of Cyries’s intelligence, had no interest whatsoever in older brother Plants before he ascended to the position of Crown Prince.’

 

‘…I see.’

 

Of course, there were birds in Cyries that reported directly to Debeullan as well.

 

Through them, what Debeullan focused on and guarded against were Rmain and Valkan. The movements of the Third Prince, who had not yet even ascended to the position of Crown Prince, were not worthy of his attention. In time, they would naturally reduce to one person anyway.

 

Probably to Kalian.

 

 

‘Therefore, Debeullan does not understand why my older brother came here, what he is relying on to have come this far.’

 

He, who had his own siblings as enemies.

 

He, who had limited intelligence on the Princes of Cyries.

 

That person, who would not even comprehend for whose sake the blocking of Sillike’s strike had been done, would absolutely never understand Plants.

 

‘So you summoned that Mage to deny him time to understand.’

 

‘Yes. After crossing the mountains, we intend to arrive as quickly as possible with Lady Grace’s assistance. If we plan to betray Debeullan anyway, it is better not to give him time to think until we arrive. Not to be on guard against my older brother before me, nor to devise another scheme.’

 

Plants’ birthday was not merely a convenient excuse for Kalian alone. The same held true for Debeullan. Debeullan would somehow try to make use of these sudden foreigners. A different way of thinking and limited information did not mean short-sightedness.

 

Hence the haste.

 

‘Should you not inform your former older brother as well?’

 

‘I have already spoken with Chase. He said he would prepare.’

 

‘I understand.’

 

And so, they arrived.

 

And he realised.

 

What he had briefly forgotten because of Debeullan.

 

Only after seeing the distant sea illuminated by moonlight did he properly comprehend it. Watching through the night, he deeply realised once more what he had forgotten.

 

Where this place was.

 

“Ah…”

 

The outer fortress gates that should have remained firmly shut stood wide open.

 

The raging flames had not yet ignited, and instead of the acrid stench of dark crimson blood soaking the earth, a cold, clear wind brushed past. Beneath that sky where white clouds drifted instead of a rain of pitch-black arrows, unable to bear stepping even on a single pebble beneath his feet, finding it all unbearably heavy.

 

*Crunch.*

 

He barely dismounted from Raven.

 

Truly ‘barely’, as he took one step forward, and walked.

 

Truly beautiful, the scenery of Secritia.

 

Memories, recollections, dreams. Kalian knew not what they all were, but they all filled his mind. Beautiful land where no place lay beyond his gaze yet was no longer his kingdom. A place where every location was precious beyond measure, so much so that even the single statement that he had tried to protect this land felt too burdensome to utter. Through tear-inducing countless days, he had finally arrived.

 

He truly realised it now.

 

One step, two steps from where the Mages had stood that day. One more step, two more steps from where Plants had stood that day. Wordlessly continuing to move his feet, then half a step from where Arsene had stood that day. And also, that day…

 

*Crunch.*

 

The spire he had so longed to see.

 

The sight he had wished to capture one last time but had not been permitted to.

 

His red eyes, which had been gazing upward as if pressing down firmly, finally closed.

 

Kyrie, who had been listening for a long while with eyes closed to breathing that rose and fell, more quietly turbulent than anyone else’s, spoke softly. At this moment, there was only one person who could address Kalian at his side, only Kyrie.

 

“Someone has come to guide us to the inner fortress. Also, Secritia’s Royal Consort says she will come to greet us before the Royal Palace.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Prince Plants said he would handle the greetings, so Your Highness—”

 

“No. I shall do it.”

 

“Understood. I shall convey that.”

 

How had Raven known it would be difficult to walk back?

 

The large black gentle beast, who had approached and stood beside him of his own accord, lowered his head and nudged Kalian’s shoulder.

 

“It’s all right. You don’t need to lean on me right now.”

 

Having soothed the large black affectionate creature, Kalian looked down once more at the memories lingering beneath his feet.

 

Having already sent them off once in his heart and released them once more into the blue flames of that sea, yet the heart of a foolish person proved tenaciously foolish.

 

For a very brief moment, he closed his eyes and sent them off once again. Only after doing so could he mount Raven without regret and ride straight up to the Royal Palace.

 

“This is Prince Plants Lune Cyries, Second Prince of Cyries, and Prince Kalian Rain Cyries, Third Prince of Cyries.”

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Royal Consort Louise Nella. I have heard much about you from Crown Prince Chase.”

 

Even during the brief introductions exchanged between Louise and Kyrie, he remained steady. He had governed well the unsteady heart of a son who had lived so very long ago.

 

“I have wished to meet you. Truly.”

 

He even managed to smile warmly while greeting Louise with a face full of welcome.

 

Yes. He was truly all right now.

 

Governing his heart again and again and again, he was all right.

 

He was all right, and yet…

 

[Debeullan, you dare!]

 

* * *

 

A smile never once encountered.

 

A voice never once heard.

 

There was no need to do so.

 

Chase recognised it, and Kyrie understood it.

 

And Plants comprehended it.

 

‘Kalian.’

 

He was angry.

 

No, to be precise.

 

‘Do not restrain yourself.’

 

He had snapped.

 

* * *

 

The red cloak.

 

The Prince’s formal uniform he had not expected to wear and therefore had not prepared.

 

‘Prince Plants says you should wear this today.’

 

That morning, the red cloak Plants had sent through Kyrie caught the wind.

 

Plants, who would not be so thoughtless as to have him borrow his clothes in Secritia of all places, had apparently received it in advance through Ian and placed it in his own luggage.

 

Should he feel hurt that such behaviour, making him be recognised as a Prince of Cyries even in this place, was so very like his older brother? Or should he smile that such behaviour, ensuring he would not forget he was a Prince of Cyries even in this place, was so very like his older brother?

 

Not knowing which, he had merely conveyed his acknowledgement and donned the Prince’s formal uniform without further word.

 

That red cloak embraced the dark blue jacket.

 

It covered Chase’s body.

 

Making a mockery of the intention to dress his younger brother well while carrying the meaning to endure, Plants had said without hesitation not to restrain himself, and Kalian had truly not restrained himself.

 

*Crunch.*

 

Chase, who had hidden his surprise upon seeing the Cyries emblem embroidered on the cloak and raised his head, witnessed the red-eyed dog slipped from its leash turning its gaze towards the snake hiding its venom, and the light green eyes of the one who had released that leash without mercy. Therefore, he was surprised once more.

 

On Plants’ lips rested a smile remarkably similar to Kalian’s.

 

‘Watch carefully. See how well my younger brother barks.’

 

Such words seemed to echo in Chase’s heart.

 

Regardless of realising the predicament they faced, deep relief showed in Chase’s eyes.

 

Chase did not ponder how Kalian had addressed him, whether Debeullan had understood the meaning of Kalian’s action, what those around them might be thinking, or how Debeullan would react.

 

Without other thoughts, he briefly leant his heart against the warmth remaining in that cloak.

 

“It is a pleasure.”

 

Debeullan’s gaze turned towards Kalian.

 

Looking into the eyes of one skilled at concealing his heart, the person whose intention to conceal his heart had vanished smiled.

 

“Indeed. A pleasure.”

 

Debeullan, who had the eyes of a predator facing something most interesting, drew the most gentle expression of all.

 

Kalian, who had declared he would protect Chase, the son Debeullan had dragged down, now borne on the back of Cyries. He showed Debeullan a smile like a freshly bloomed flower.

 

“I am Kalian.”

 

* * *

 

[He’s probing me.] Debeullan spoke in a quietly settled voice.

 

“I did not know that a Prince of Cyries maintained such close relations with Secritia’s Crown Prince, so I found it rather unexpected.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

There would be no benefit in pointing out the rudeness.

 

Looking only at the action, he had merely removed the cloak he wore and personally placed it on another. If this matter were raised as an issue, it would reveal the situation where the Crown Prince had been made to stand in the garden for an hour, causing a Prince of a foreign kingdom to ‘regrettably’ take notice. Without Chase even needing to appear before the Noble Council, how Debeullan now regarded Chase would be laid bare in every detail.

 

Therefore, Debeullan questioned Kalian’s rudeness.

 

“Moreover, as you keep by your side someone I regarded with familiarity, I wonder what to make of this.”

 

Of course, this did not mean the rudeness was forgotten.

 

Kalian, who had continued smiling, turned his head briefly to look at Eila standing behind him. Gazing momentarily at the water-drop-like bead hanging from the tip of her hairpin, he spoke.

 

“Since you had clipped her wings and kept her in a cage, you may have regarded her with familiarity. However, surely you can think of nothing to say to one who took in a bird that fled of its own accord?”

 

“Indeed, is that so? As the bird left me of its own will and went to you, I suppose I have nothing to say to you. Then, should I speak to that bird?”

 

“I believe it would be better for me to address the hand that clipped her wings. The bird merely sought to survive. And… I already said that I took her in, which it seems you did not quite hear.”

 

Having said this, Kalian turned his head towards Debeullan.

 

“Whether she fled or flew to me, whether I picked her up. She is now my possession, so I do not believe Your Majesty can engage her in conversation. What do you think?”

 

“So, the one who knows how to speak such words also extends his hand to what is mine.”

 

“Ah… you mean Chase?”

 

Kalian conveyed the remainder of his answer in a still gentle voice.

 

“As you were not keeping him well but attempting to cast him to the very bottom, I caught hold of him instead.”

 

Without another word, Debeullan nodded and once more drew a smile upon his lips.

 

Soon Debeullan’s gaze reached the party behind Kalian.

 

He took in Plants, who stood wearing the same Prince’s formal uniform as Kalian. Kyrie, who had heard every word of their exchange, spoke after seeing Kalian’s head nod slightly.

 

“This is Prince Plants Lune Cyries, Second Prince of Cyries.”

 

Following this, Plants spoke in a low voice.

 

“I greet His Majesty, King of Secritia.”

 

Bowing his head slightly, he greeted with proper etiquette before the master of the house who needed no introduction from him, while wearing a perfectly expressionless face.

 

One whose expression was courteous, but whose mouth was not.

 

One whose mouth was courteous, but whose expression was not.

 

Was this not a truly interesting combination?

 

“Though this is a sudden visit, my welcome is sincere. I hope you will stay comfortably before returning.”

 

“I am grateful for the hospitality.”

 

“However.”

 

Debeullan, who had paused, concealed a slight cough. Then spoke again.

 

“I worry whether your path returning alone from here might be an arduous one.”

 

“I am grateful for your concern. However, it is quite all right.”

 

Plants bowed his head slightly.

 

Before Debeullan’s eyes, Plants’ fingertips, directed towards the floor, traced a long arc.

 

A low voice continued.

 

“To obtain what I desire… should I not wager my own first?”

 

[I shall place you in the abyss. You, who are buried in suspicion towards me and my younger brother.]