Chapter 193, About Raising a Dog (7)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

A white teacup lavishly decorated with gold leaf.

 

His gaze fell upon the red-hued tea contained within.

 

There was no discernible fragrance, and the taste was even more unknowable, so Chase could only recall the eyes that resembled the color of that tea as he formed a gentle smile.

 

The person sitting across from him spoke in a thoroughly hoarse voice.

 

“Speak.”

 

He had hidden it from even his ‘one and only’ son, unable to trust him, insisting it was merely a long-standing cold. However, Chase knew why that voice was so cracked. Chase already knew why the coughing had increased so much starting from some point. Of course, the person sitting before him claimed that too was due to a cold.

 

“There were no particular problems at the northwestern Noble gathering…”

 

“Baron Nerun is not the type to attend gatherings without special purpose, is he not?”

 

Suspicion.

 

“Did you not already sever all of the Baron’s influence last month? All the Baron requested from the other Nobles at this gathering was food aid. Due to the damage from the recent typhoon…”

 

“Chase.”

 

The habit of not listening to the other person’s story until the end remained unchanged. It was natural, as there was no intention to correct it.

 

At the familiar summons, Chase stopped speaking and answered quietly.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

A violent cough echoed through the office.

 

It had already been well over a month since he had been trapped in this suffocating place again.

 

[Then he would say, ‘the damage from the typhoon affected the other northwestern Nobles just the same. Could the topic they gathered to discuss really have been only about food?’]

 

Although the color of that tea water, redder than the August sun, made the burning heat feel even more severe, Chase’s mind continued to endlessly cool down.

 

“The damage from the typhoon affected the other northwestern Nobles just the same. Could the topic they gathered to discuss really have been only about food?”

 

Words identical to the memory he had recalled just moments ago continued.

 

Suspicion without reason.

 

Words of suspicion that would never end until it was over.

 

What answer did I give then? After thinking briefly, Chase gave the exact same answer as himself in that memory.

 

“I will verify it again, Your Majesty.”

 

Now the person sitting before him would be unable to respond, only coughing violently and waving his hand. After that, he could quietly rise, offer his respects, and leave the office.

 

The person who had been wearing the exact same clothes and coughing in the exact same manner as he had pictured in his mind waved his hand. Chase rose from his seat, offered his respects in the exact same manner he had pictured in his mind, and left the office.

 

*Click!*

 

The place where Kyrie of some distant future and distant past had once entered with his head bowed. The large door of that place closed with a small sound.

 

One step.

 

Two steps.

 

Three steps.

 

He put aside other thoughts as he counted his steps. With the same peaceful face as always, forming the same gentle smile as always, twenty steps, thirty steps.

 

So as not to receive suspicion.

 

In the exact same manner as usual.

 

When he returned to his own office, focusing all his nerves solely on his own steps in this way, Taillan tried to enter with him and close the door.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“No.”

 

Almost simultaneously, Chase stopped Taillan’s words like this. And in an even smaller voice, he delivered an answer to words that had not even been spoken.

 

“I never did that, Lord Kastrin.”

 

After leaving the King’s office and returning to the Crown Prince’s office, there had never been a single instance of immediately meeting alone with anyone.

 

“So stay outside.”

 

Right now, Chase was carrying out things that matched his memories without changing them.

 

Bern had not been there and Taillan had been by his side.

 

The current Chase knew how to use a sword and had also recently visited Cyries.

 

Therefore, not everything could be perfectly identical, and there were numerous days he could not remember. However, regarding things that repeated, he was behaving identically in every possible way.

 

So that Debeullan’s suspicious gaze would not reach Chase by any chance, and thus the ‘future’ that Chase remembered would not be greatly distorted.

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Taillan, who had already been stopped like this several times before, finished with a simple answer, offered his respects, and went outside. He would likely not enter again until Chase called for him.

 

As the office door closed again, leaving him completely alone, Chase finally let out a long sigh. After that, he closed his eyes briefly due to the fatigue that came from paying too much attention. The conversation he had just had with Debeullan repeated itself exactly in his mind.

 

The event in his memory and today’s event were completely identical.

 

[‘Did you not already sever all of the Baron’s influence last month?’]

 

This too was what Chase of the ‘past’ in his memory had said. Chase clenched his molars because of the one fact that this revealed.

 

[‘I did not need to send Bern at all.’]

 

He did not know now who was moving as Debeullan’s sword. It would certainly be one of Debeullan’s Escort Knights, but there was no need to find out that much. That was not what was important.

 

Even without Bern, those who were pruned in the past and now were completely identical. The ones who disappeared, the dates they disappeared, even the methods and Debeullan’s reactions to them were all identical.

 

That meant, in other words.

 

It was no different from saying that in the past too, there had been no particular need for Bern to step forward.

 

In the present without Bern, someone else who filled that empty space must have gotten blood on their hands, but at least that someone was not a fourteen-year-old child who had not even fully grown yet.

 

[Why on earth then.]

 

He wanted to run back right now to that office with the massive door and ask. The current Debeullan would not even know who Bern was, but he still wanted to ask.

 

[Why!? Why do this to your own son!! Why did you use him as a mere blade!?]

 

He held back what he wanted to ask as if coughing up blood.

 

He was holding back while suppressing the feeling that his fingertips and toes were all being cut off. Since returning to this Royal Palace, he had been holding back every single minute and second without letting his guard down for even a moment. While holding back, he was making everything identical without a single deviation, searching through his memories.

 

*Knock knock.*

 

Chase, who had been leaning against the sofa swallowing words he could not speak, quietly opened his eyes.

 

“Your Highness, it’s me. I’m coming in.”

 

Words delivered directly without even going through an attendant.

 

A comfortable manner of speech that flowed out regardless of who was present, as long as it was not Debeullan.

 

Chase did not tell her not to enter.

 

In fact, there was no time to refuse. Following the voice that informed him like a notification, the door opened slightly and long, curly hair came into view.

 

“Arianneu.”

 

It was naturally Arianneu.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

[I’m currently matching pieces of a puzzle by searching through my mind. I’m connecting the pieces without missing a single one while checking if anything is wrong.]

 

*Clap!*

 

Chase, who had been continuing answers he could not speak aloud, stopped his thoughts. Arianneu, who had clapped once loudly in front of Chase’s eyes, bent at the waist and met his gaze.

 

After that, she raised her hand and brought her warm palm to his cool forehead. Arianneu, who had been meeting Chase’s eyes like that for a while, opened her mouth.

 

“Don’t do that.”

 

As if she had read Chase’s thoughts, as if she knew what he was doing all this for.

 

“Don’t move like a painting, just do what you’ve been doing. It’s still okay.”

 

[It’s not okay.]

 

“Everything must proceed identically, Arianneu. At least until this winter.”

 

Chase quietly opened his mouth and answered like this.

 

“Only then will the healer visit this place on the same day and ‘disappear’ without problems.”

 

Only then would he inherit the crown in a quiet, peaceful, and utterly natural form. Without any problems, utterly naturally.

 

So that it would not affect any other country, so that Kalian’s plan to move in early next year would not be disrupted…

 

“I know Secritia’s laws better than you. I’ll make sure no one, whoever they are, can break them.”

 

That the bloodline of a traitor would absolutely not be allowed to enter Secritia’s land. Whatever promise Debeullan made and whoever he dealt with, no matter what methods he used to summon Tansyll’s healer when and where, it would all be irrelevant.

 

She would make it so that Debeullan, who stood alone on the graves of countless people, could absolutely not break that one law.

 

“So you can breathe easy, Chase.”

 

Arianneu, who had stopped Chase’s thoughts once again with these words, smiled brightly.

 

* * *

 

A black silk dress with hidden red light.

 

It was made so that whenever she moved under the bright magic lamps of Siegfried Hall, the red light would be revealed little by little. She had specially requested it from Satinn, the royal wardrobe keeper. Satinn, who knew well how much the wearer of the dress disliked flashy decorations, embroidered the uniquely colored black silk with black thread of a different texture.

 

Neither a corset nor a whalebone petticoat to puff up the skirt was needed. The black dress that continued from beneath the chin to the toes was already perfectly sufficient.

 

“A gift.”

 

Kalian, who had walked up to Dmirea, handed her a wrapped box.

 

He wore a black ceremonial outfit over a red shirt, draped with a vivid red cloak embroidered with the same black pattern as Dmirea’s.

 

Kalian’s ceremonial attire, which had colors that perfectly contrasted with Dmirea’s, and even the diamond cloak clasp added on top. Everything harmonized beautifully but was excessively splendid, yet on today, which came only once a year, it was not excessive in the slightest.

 

Today. August 16th.

 

It was the birthday of Cyries’ Third Prince, Kalian.

 

Therefore, today’s Kalian had to be more splendid than anyone else, excessively so.

 

“Shouldn’t I be the one giving you a gift?”

 

“It’s fine. It’s not a day when I’ll be happy to receive gifts.”

 

To Dmirea, who spoke with a small smile, Kalian answered lightly and gestured toward his own hand with his eyes. It meant to hurry up and receive the gift still being held.

 

Before appearing at the Third Prince’s birthday celebration, Dmirea, who received what was handed to the fiancée who would stand side by side as if showing their enduring alliance, unwrapped it with unhurried hands.

 

And immediately frowned.

 

It was not because it was flashy.

 

Although she disliked ornamentation, she did not have an obsession against accessories. Since she had to be at Kalian’s side on his birthday, it was not difficult to wear an accessory or two that would suit that position.

 

However, the problem lay in ‘what’ the accessory was adorned with and ‘what kind’ it was.

 

“…Your Highness. Are you declaring war on me right now?”

 

When Dmirea, who had grasped the meaning immediately, asked this, Kalian nodded with a face that suggested it was nothing special.

 

“Yes.”

 

At the answer delivered without concealment, Dmirea, who was at a loss for words, chuckled. Then she asked Kalian in a small voice.

 

“How far do you intend to use my name?”

 

It was a tone rude enough that Ian, who had been with Kalian, would have frowned even knowing it came from his younger sister’s mouth. However, Kalian, who knew well that he was the one planning to sell out Dmirea’s name again without prior arrangement, just smiled slightly and opened his mouth.

 

“If you just wear that and come out, I’ll spar with you for a week.”

 

While trying to use the illustrious Siegfried name somehow, what he was offering was merely a week’s worth of sparring. Of course, if it was Dmirea, she could learn countless things during that week, but even so, wasn’t this too much?

 

“Two weeks.”

 

It should at least be two weeks.

 

Anyway, Dmirea was Dmirea. She was not called Dmirea of Siegfried for nothing. She was planning to properly extract Kalian’s swordsmanship in exchange for the condition of wearing one accessory.

 

“Alright, two weeks it is.”

 

In the end, Kalian nodded and accepted the deal.

 

Dmirea, who had never made a losing deal, spoke as if satisfied.

 

“Then I’ll see you at the banquet hall, Your Highness.”

 

“Wear that and come. Definitely.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Even though she was not unaware of what meaning was contained in that one accessory, at Dmirea’s appearance of placing more value on two weeks of sparring, Kalian finally burst into a pleased laugh.

 

* * *

 

Siegfried Hall, as splendid as always.

 

In that place that was itself like a jewel, magic lamps were lit, and musicians began to play.

 

It was none other than Kalian’s birthday. Therefore, more nobles than ever visited Siegfried Hall. All those countless nobles had their eyes and ears wide open, waiting for the protagonist’s entrance to confirm what words Kalian would say today and who he would be with.

 

“Third Prince, Prince Kalian Rain Cyries is entering!”

 

And so, today. To this place where so many Nobles had gathered, Kalian finally took his steps.

 

Having entered like that, Kalian greeted all the Nobles with the words ‘pleased to see you’ as usual, and afterward found his seat with leisurely steps and sat down.

 

“You seem frustrated.”

 

And after that, he spoke only to Second Prince Plants and no one else.

 

“Not particularly.”

 

Plants, well-dressed in a black ceremonial outfit, a beige cloak, and accessories of the same color, offered an appropriate response.

 

Looking at such Plants, Kalian continued speaking in a leisurely manner.

 

“I heard older brother Randel can’t come. I’m worried he might be very ill.”

 

Plants only nodded without answering.

 

This was because he was aware of whether he truly could not come due to illness, or whether, as had happened before, he had decided to catch a cold for just today because of his younger brother’s question about whether he should be sick for one day.

 

It was an extension of the warning to Tansyll, who had raised their hand for what Randel had done, and he could not be unaware that it was an action to show that he and Plants were still on good terms.

 

When such seemingly trivial, show-off conversations continued several times.

 

“Lesser Duchess Dmirea Siegfried is entering.”

 

With those words, the Nobles’ gazes turned once again toward the entrance of Siegfried Hall. And the Nobles looked back and forth between the faces of Kalian, who had been showing a very good relationship with Plants, and Dmirea. Murmuring continued.

 

Plants, who saw such Dmirea, curled up one corner of his mouth.

 

“I’ve caught the cold too.”

 

At this low, languid voice that was brought forth, Kalian chuckled.

 

“Oh my. Is that so?”

 

Soon, Plants, ‘who caught the cold from Randel who had not even come to this place,’ rose from his seat. And without another word, he walked out of the banquet hall with heavy steps.

 

This was because he had seen Dmirea’s accessory. Or more precisely, the round head accessory made to drape slightly over her forehead.

 

Adorned with rubies that anyone would associate with Kalian and diamonds perfect for thinking of Siegfried, it was extremely thin and small, but clearly had a form that called to mind a tiara.

 

A tiara, a small crown.

 

No matter how much it was not a real tiara, such an accessory that could evoke thoughts of a tiara was naturally not something that could be worn by a Prince’s fiancée.

 

At least, not yet.

 

Unless she was the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

 

So just now, Kalian had given Dmirea an accessory that only the Crown Prince’s fiancée would wear. Quite intentionally, and according to a plan made in advance.

 

It was not meant as a marriage proposal to Dmirea.

 

It was to show who the person standing beside the one wearing an accessory that ‘the Crown Prince’s fiancée’ would wear must be.

 

And Plants, who understood that meaning, noticed it was time to play the role of ‘the second brother who turned his back again, angry at the Third Prince’s unexpected eccentricity,’ and left the banquet hall.

 

Kalian rose from his seat and went before Dmirea. And with a smile anyone would admire, he opened his mouth.

 

“Welcome, my fiancée.”

 

He was truly making preparations for raising dogs.

 

Kalian’s finger, having quite blatantly revealed his desire for the position of Crown Prince, drew a round curve in the air.