Chapter 280, For External Publicity (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

A small gesture, a quiet word.

 

Having seen and heard this, Debeullan showed no reaction and merely nodded. Afterwards, he instructed that the distinguished guests who had travelled a long distance be guided to the second annex, then returned to his study.

 

Chase, who had witnessed the same thing, furrowed his brow slightly. And Kalian smiled.

 

Ian, who would have understood the meaning of that smile, was not here, and Plants, who recalled on which day Kalian had worn such a smile, said not a word.

 

One thing was certain: that Kalian had worn the red cloak bearing the Royal Emblem that day, that upon arriving here he had witnessed anew what Bern had experienced on that cold night when former Queen Diana died, that thanks to this, he had snapped more than ever before. Meanwhile Plants, noticing such a state, had released ‘Kalian’s leash’ to prevent his younger brother from killing Debeullan on the spot. All of this had been absent from Kalian’s own plans.

 

Therefore, Plants’ small gesture and quiet words were also absent from Kalian’s plans.

 

“To take your opponent’s hand, you must wager your own.”

 

A low voice flowed from Kalian’s lips as he watched Debeullan’s back entering the Royal Palace in the distance.

 

The long arc Plants had drawn appeared entirely upon Kalian’s face.

 

* * *

 

Rmain had once said this.

 

That one must not determine superiority and inferiority by the size of kingdoms.

 

Though he had not said it to Kalian, he had told Plants this. He had told him not to look down on Chase, who had come to Cyries, and not to quarrel but to get along.

 

In truth, even without Rmain’s words, all three Princes knew this. Whether Secritia, Tansyll, or Liberen; none were principalities of Cyries. They were merely neighbouring countries with relatively smaller territories, not inferior to Cyries in any other aspect. They had been taught this common knowledge countless times.

 

The problem lay in the fact that Rmain, who had asked them to look after his sons as they were going there, seemed to have momentarily forgotten that common knowledge. While Rmain’s letters were enjoyable to read, memorise and savour, they were certainly not pleasant.

 

In any case, because he recalled Rmain’s letters.

 

[‘To obtain what I desire… should I not wager my own first?’ ‘My’ own?]

 

Respect or whatever, the Third Prince, who seemed to have long abandoned proper speech, could address himself however he wished, and that was of no concern for now. However, he had to ponder briefly whether the Second Prince, whose speech at least had seemed quite courteous, addressing himself on equal terms with Debeullan in such manner was the result of Rmain ruining his children’s education or not.

 

Then his curiosity grew.

 

This was because he recalled that it was the Third Prince who had been described as upright in character and exceptional in dignity, while the Second Prince had been described as fierce in temper and poor in temperament.

 

“Interesting siblings indeed.”

 

As Debeullan, who had been coughing briefly, voiced a short impression, the Grand Chamberlain standing beside him bowed and spoke.

 

“Would it not be appropriate to send a letter of protest, Your Majesty?”

 

“About what would you speak of in a letter of protest?”

 

“Mere Princes addressing themselves as thus before Your Majesty lacks propriety. To clearly express protest regarding this matter……”

 

“Enough. At that age, they have all grown up like this. What more is there to add?”

 

The Grand Chamberlain, who had heard Debeullan’s response, opened his mouth briefly as if to say something, but soon closed it again. He knew better than anyone that Debeullan did not repeat the same words twice and did not reverse decisions once made. [I had merely thought Your Majesty would think the same.]

 

While looking down at the glass of clear water placed before him, the words Plants had spoken next surfaced in Debeullan’s memory.

 

The form of address deliberately changed for emphasis.

 

It was a trivial matter that could simply be dismissed as an unpleasant experience, yet Debeullan could not do so.

 

[To take your opponent’s hand, you must wager your own.]

 

He had understood that Plants had not regarded himself as equal to Debeullan, but had merely recited Debeullan’s own manner of speech verbatim. Therefore, the ‘I’ in ‘I desire’ he had spoken was not referring to Plants himself.

 

“Truly interesting siblings.”

 

The third, who had suddenly become a Sword Master and used Secritia Knights’ swordsmanship exactly. The second, who had drawn Debeullan’s gestures identically. The third, who had dealt with political enemies in exactly the same manner as Debeullan. The second, who had mimicked Debeullan’s manner of speech precisely. The third, who openly looked after Chase. The second, who merely watched from behind.

 

One was false.

 

One was genuine.

 

“I shall watch, and soon know.”

 

[Which would prove more interesting. Which truly resembled ‘me’.]

 

* * *

 

Paradoxically.

 

The place where the three Princes living on a knife’s edge could fall most comfortably into sleep was, paradoxically, Chermil Palace, where the siblings all resided together.

 

Someone received tea laced with poison, someone hid a sword beneath their pillow, and yet another withered away alone trapped within, yet nonetheless Chermil was the safest place.

 

Likewise.

 

For the foreigners visiting this Secritia, the safest place was precisely Secritia’s Royal Palace. Perhaps even safer than Chermil Palace.

 

Debeullan had instructed that not only the two Princes but everyone down to the lowest-ranking Knight who had accompanied them should remain unharmed, with guards posted and food thoroughly checked for poison.

 

If any harm befell the guests from Cyries visiting Secritia, causing problems for the two Princes’ wellbeing, then as Rmain had said, Valkan, whose heart had ‘grown pained’, would set foot on this land to somewhat gather his weakened heart.

 

That the two kingdoms were equal to each other did not mean there was no difference in the power they possessed.

 

“Not particularly. Worried.”

 

Plants, who understood this very well, went for a walk in the annex’s rear garden immediately upon being guided to the second annex. Conspicuously, without even bringing Mages or Escort Knights.

 

“The King here is not Beurisen.”

 

“Should I say you lack fear? Or that your trust in my father is excessive?”

 

Chase, who had sought out the verdant Prince wandering about alone, worried about Plants in his own way.

 

“…That is not something that should come from your lips.”

 

“Of course, I also wandered about alone in the Royal Palace of Cyries, but the King there is different from my father, is he not?”

 

“He does not seem the sort to be so reckless as to send a sword to a Prince out for a walk.”

 

Having heard these words, Chase’s voice entered Plants’ mind.

 

—It is difficult to say. He is rather impatient, enough that it would seem unexpected for him not to consider entrusting his heart to Zeon. He may not discriminate in his methods.

 

—I know.

 

Plants, who had noticed that Chase had also learnt to handle Mana during this time but had shown no particular reaction regarding it, conveyed his answer matter-of-factly.

 

—If you are harmed, war may break out, but a healer would also come, so he may set his mind in that direction. I hope you have not forgotten that what father needs most now is not the maintenance of amicable relations between our two kingdoms, but a healer.

 

—My younger brother will keep me alive as he sees fit. Your father seems to have no one he would keep alive of his own accord. Then is that not enough? If my younger brother had thought it’d be too dangerous, he would have naturally followed me here.

 

In other words, if someone attacked Plants, it would merely give Kalian grounds to seize Debeullan. Plants would suffer no harm.

 

—You seem to trust my younger brother in various ways. I hope you are not thinking of becoming bait based on such thoughts.

 

—I am not.

 

Irritated by the long lecture on top of being already displeased by the fragrance of flowers unsuited to this winter that filled the garden, Plants gave a curt answer and stepped forward. Then he stopped and looked at Chase again, speaking.

 

“Hina will not come. Not until I speak formally to you.”

 

Words spoken as if it mattered not who might hear.

 

—Before Debeullan dies, whatever happens, there would be no occasion to summon a healer.

 

Chase, who chuckled softly, spoke in turn.

 

“Where is Prince Kalian?”

 

“Why?”

 

—No matter what, I thought he would be with you, so I am surprised. Has something happened?

 

—Nothing. Nothing at all.

 

With these words, Chase handed Plants what he had been holding.

 

“I thought to return it directly and speak briefly, but it seems difficult. Would Prince Plants convey it for me?”

 

It was the red cloak Kalian had given him.

 

Plants nodded and accepted the cloak.

 

After watching such Plants for a while, Chase spoke once more in soundless words.

 

—However, I did not expect you to truly come here. Not Prince Plants, nor that Mage of Valkan, aside from my younger brother.

 

There were things that insight could not discern. Such was Kalian’s abnormal inner thoughts, which even Plants found utterly difficult to fathom.

 

—My little brother is exceptionally generous.

 

A gentle smile appeared on Chase’s lips.

 

Because it precisely brought to mind Allan’s face, Plants, who frowned, spoke.

 

“Enough. Why did you come?”

 

“To return the cloak.”

 

“Besides that.”

 

When his thoughts deepen, he lowers his eyes. And he taps the table with his fingertips. If there is no table, then his knee.

 

—…What else do you think?

 

He enjoys wagers. He does not try to gain only one thing from one matter. Even when prey appears, he does not move until he has thoroughly examined and clearly understood his opponent. He gradually pushes them bit by bit into a trap, but when his mind suddenly turns, he is also adept at biting them to death.

 

This was about Debeullan. And all the content was also what Plants already knew. If there was a difference, it was that these were characteristics of Kalian rather than Debeullan’s tendencies.

 

“They resemble each other greatly.”

 

“Yes. Amusingly so. They truly resemble each other greatly.”

 

Having said this, Chase gazed at Plants for a while before continuing.

 

—It seems you intend to involve yourself in dangerous matters. Prince Plants.

 

—I dislike when you ask while knowing.

 

—This is not something Prince Plants needs to undertake.

 

—That is not something you should say, having just revealed all those habits.

 

—Even if it is dangerous, I cannot pretend not to know when you say you will help my younger brother. However, I do not understand the precise reason, so I am asking. Why would you make father take interest in you as well, Prince Plants.

 

At the honest answer, Plants smiled slightly.

 

—My little brother barked well, so I am handling the aftermath.

 

—So, it was all unplanned.

 

Instead of stopping Kalian from killing Debeullan, an action was taken to prevent Debeullan’s interest from focusing excessively on Kalian.

 

Watching Plants, who had received Debeullan’s interest and regained firm hold of Kalian’s leash by moving one finger and speaking a single sentence, Chase said.

 

—You have suffered in various ways because of me.

 

—It is fine. I came to awaken my younger brother from his nightmare, not because of you.

 

Having said this, Plants looked down at the cloak he had received to pass to Kalian, then suddenly spoke.

 

“Errand fee.”

 

After all, where in the world was anything free?

 

It was not only Kalian who taught Plants things. Plants, who had learnt one truth of life from the relationship between his harshly living younger brother and his younger brother’s fiancée.

 

“You seemed to want to go.”

 

Chase, who had turned his gaze towards the place Plants indicated, answered with a face drowning in the sea while smiling.

 

“It will be difficult during the day, but at night, I shall arrange for you to be able to go up.”

 

“All right.”

 

The spire.

 

Because Kalian, standing at one place before the castle gate, had gazed endlessly at the spire.

 

Because he seemed to understand what he had experienced in that place and what he had tried to see.

 

—Today does not seem a particularly good day for me to accompany you. Instead, there is a decent bottle of Basilica amongst the spirits in the wine cellar, so I shall send that. Tell him to take it up with Kyrie. Kalian will surely be pleased.

 

—…Hmmm.

 

Unable to explain how his former younger brother was no longer as before, Plants wore a somewhat complicated expression as he continued.

 

The one with the lowest alcohol tolerance now, was it not Kalian?

 

Chase, who had stopped mid-word thinking ‘surely not’, nodded slowly with a more serious face than when confronting any event experienced today.

 

* * *

 

A small knock.

 

At the sound of Kyrie’s knock from outside, Kalian, who had been sitting quietly with eyes downcast, turned his gaze towards the door.

 

“A guest has arrived, Your Highness.”

 

Then Kyrie’s words followed.

 

After remaining silent for a moment, Kalian rose and conveyed a low answer.

 

“Tell them to enter.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Soon the door opened soundlessly, someone entered, then the door closed again.

 

*Click click.*

 

As quiet shoe sounds continued to click till it stood in front of Kalian, the hem of a pale beige dress in thin lines brushed the floor.

 

Though it was unexpected that she had sought him out, because it was a truly welcome sight, a beautiful smile appeared on Kalian’s face as he bowed his head in greeting.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

Having heard Kalian’s question, Royal Consort Louise wore a smile much like Chase’s as she spoke.

 

“Though I know it is discourteous, I wished to sincerely thank you for what happened today, so I came.”

 

“Discourteous? Not at all. Nor is there anything for which you need to feel grateful for.”

 

Louise, who had heard his face and voice completely different from when he had addressed Debeullan, nodded and then walked towards Kalian, who indicated the seat opposite him.

 

And she pulled Kalian tightly into her embrace.

 

Into the ears of Kalian, who could not properly accept this situation, a voice like a whisper came.

 

“I missed you.”

 

[My son.]