Chapter 273, Himolika Is Delicious (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Louise’s hand tightened around Chase’s.

 

Her pale golden lashes trembled visibly.

 

Having anticipated her surprise, Chase glanced around slightly before gently tapping the back of Louise’s hand.

 

“There are many eyes watching. Smile, mother.”

 

Louise closed her eyes briefly, let out a short sigh, and managed an awkward smile. When she appeared about to reach for her teacup, Chase gripped her hand more firmly.

 

“Leave the tea as it is. Your hand is trembling.”

 

“Chase.”

 

Chase let out a soft laugh.

 

“It’s been so long since you’ve called me by name. I’m truly glad to hear it.”

 

“How did you learn of this matter?”

 

[It was because of some small minor things…]

 

* * *

 

Upon hearing Louise’s question, Chase recalled a recent conversation with Kalian.

 

—Since you weren’t there, I was concerned that father might not be exactly the same as in the past. While thinking about this, something caught my attention.

 

—Was there something different?

 

—Mother’s words after returning from the villa were slightly different. I had no memory of her mentioning that father had told her not to use the sleeping incense. So I looked into it, and it seems mother had…

 

Chase then explained what had been discovered.

 

It was not only Chase who was shocked to learn what Louise had done. Kalian displayed complex emotions too difficult to simply call surprise before continuing.

 

—Unlike in the past, this time Debeullan knew what mother was giving him, which is why he likely told her not to use the incense. We must assume he’s already noticed.

 

—How did he find out? I wonder if mother and Marquis Lyn might be connected. Apart from my absence, of course, the biggest change from the past has been Marquis Lyn’s actions.

 

[The healers. In the past, Marquis Lyn had not been involved in dismissing the healer.]

 

—If Marquis Lyn helped mother, then when Debeullan investigated the Marquis, he might have discovered something connecting to mother. If so, he could have taken an interest in her.

 

—I see. I need to confirm this.

 

After this conversation, Chase moved quietly. And discovered that Kalian’s words were not wrong.

 

Marquis Lyn, who was also Arianneu’s mother, had helped Louise. She had prepared the poison to be added to the sleeping incense that went to Debeullan.

 

Upon hearing what Chase had confirmed, Kalian spoke calmly.

 

—Debeullan would have already checked the villa. If he arrested Marquis Lyn, he would have already searched the residence without even Arianneu knowing. Still, if he specifically mentioned the sleeping incense, it’s more likely he hasn’t yet found evidence.

 

This was just as Kalian had once done with Count Latran.

 

—He’s waiting for us to move first and create evidence.

 

Just as they had waited for evidence to be created when Latran, frightened, tried to send Divine Artifacts to Lannen and Tansyll, Debeullan was also waiting.

 

—Yes. I believe this to be the case as well. Even if he does have evidence in hand, he wouldn’t dare do anything immediately to mother, whom he considers my only weakness. So, there’s no need to be frightened that father knows about the sleeping incense.

 

—Indeed. Must be the case.

 

—But, my concern is that for this very reason, he may take even more interest in you.

 

—By now, I’m probably at the end of that line of thought. If it were me, I would have deep suspicions about my identity, if only because of mother.

 

Whether Chase could be used as another card like Louise, or not. To gauge that.

 

If Debeullan learned of the relationship between Kalian and Chase, and thus discovered there was another weakness to grasp and shake Chase with besides necessarily using Louise, he would no longer need to keep alive Louise, who had poisoned him.

 

—So, I believe I should avoid arousing more suspicion about myself. But older brother Plants said there was no need to worry whether he knows or not. Precisely, he said, ‘What’s he going to do about it?’ A person can only be a weakness if you can get your hands on them and twist their neck at any time.

 

Because the current Kalian was no longer Debeullan’s son and was the Third Prince of Cyries, who could point his sword at Secritia at any time. Even if he learned who Kalian was, he was not in a position to carelessly touch Kalian.

 

—Even if he tries to sever the connection between the Cyries Royal Family and me by revealing my identity to His Majesty, there’s no way to prove it. And I have no intention of admitting the truth to His Majesty, whatever others may think.

 

Even if everyone in the world suspected Kalian, there was still no way to reveal the truth unless Kalian himself acknowledged it.

 

—So you must not waver. If he suspects me, let him suspect.

 

Had not Kalian been caught countless times because he readily admitted things without bothering to hide them? Debeullan would know at least that much.

 

—I know. But, even if there’s danger, it would be better to find and eliminate the evidence.

 

—Indeed. I think the same. However, he’s surely watching older brother’s every move…

 

—Do not worry. I shall carefully eliminate everything.

 

* * *

 

The seaside, in the small seaside cottage.

 

A place known to Marquis Lyn and Louise, known to Chase and Arianneu, but unknown to Debeullan.

 

They arranged to search that place.

 

Arianneu, moving in secret, found the evidence and eliminated it all.

 

Looking at Louise sitting before him, Chase’s face showed a self-deprecating smile, thinking it fortunate at least that the evidence had been destroyed.

 

“In the end, no one can remain pure white.”

 

Bern had buried himself in the shadows to protect Chase.

 

Louise had stained her hands with poison to erase those shadows.

 

In the end, none of them were pure.

 

It was truly absurd.

 

“I would prefer you not ask how I learned of it. Would that be difficult?”

 

Louise looked at Chase for a moment, then nodded as if understanding. Chase then opened his mouth with a smile no different from usual.

 

“The sleeping incense is just sleeping incense. Whatever else was in it, we’ve arranged for it to have been just sleeping incense, so you need not worry about anything.”

 

He did not speak quickly.

 

Nor was his voice tense.

 

As always, looking into Louise’s eyes, he continued speaking to her in that voice that seemed to carry both wind and sunlight.

 

“You need not worry about anything, and you need not bear anything. This time, from now on, I shall handle it.”

 

Chase was speaking with his usual face and voice, yet he was so very different.

 

“Crown Prince. I—”

 

“Mother, I—”

 

The same wind continued to blow.

 

Chase brushed back Louise’s hair that had fallen again, capturing her gaze as he looked at her and spoke.

 

“I understand. You need not explain. I know what thoughts you had, what you did. So, it’s alright.”

 

Louise, who had struggled to set aside the thought that this did not seem like the Chase she had known, spoke in a dry voice.

 

“It seemed His Majesty had noticed, but I didn’t expect the Crown Prince to learn of it as well. That’s why I was a bit surprised.”

 

Louise created a slight smile and continued speaking.

 

“Yes. The Crown Prince’s thoughts are correct. It’s poison. You need not tell me if you’d rather not. So don’t worry and—”

 

“It is just that ‘we’ lost so much because of the King, so I did it out of resentment. We—’

 

Louise, who felt Chase’s hand pause briefly atop hers, nodded quietly.

 

“I was just continuing what Queen Diana began. Slowly, very gradually.”

 

This time, strength entered Chase’s hand holding Louise as he recalled.

 

[‘But, older brother, do you happen to remember when mother first became ill?’]

 

Louise, ill, coughed lightly as she finished speaking.

 

Chase’s eyes closed quietly.

 

* * *

 

Debeullan had tried to summon a healer. Chase had blocked it.

 

Debeullan had looked into the Elves’ healing arts but was refused. He had demanded healing arts in exchange for safely preserving the Elves of Brigit Forest, but this too was refused. Therefore, he staked the same thing and demanded an agreement between Secritia and the Elves along with the migration of some Elves.

 

Afterwards, Debeullan sent a letter to Rmain requesting that Hina and Kalian come together to the place where the agreement would be made. Rmain refused this on the grounds that Secritia’s agents were involved in the death of Marquis Evan.

 

Then, Kalian went directly to the Elf City.

 

He prevented the agreement with Secritia from being made, on the condition that the Elves of Brigit Forest would be protected from harm by Debeullan. And he had Great Elder Narjan convey the message that if they wanted to receive healing arts, they should directly visit the Elf City where the Mother Tree was located.

 

Around the time this news from Narjan, and the news that Kalian who had come outside the Elf City had used an Aura filled with red energy, reached Debeullan.

 

“Kalian has business with the Lesser Duchess.”

 

He returned.

 

Though Plants was most curious and worried about whether Luci was well and how much Anne had grown, he came to Arpia Palace first.

 

Just as Kalian, whom Allan most wanted to see, had gone first to the Siegfried Ducal Family to send Shiona to Dmirea and to entrust Plants’s two swords to the blacksmith there.

 

“His Majesty hasn’t finished the meeting yet, so he cannot come out. If you wish to escape before being scolded, you should go now.”

 

With these words, lightly brewed strawberry tea was placed before him.

 

At this familiar scent he seemed to smell for the first time in ages, Plants’s gaze, which had been staring fixedly at Allan’s face, moved to the teacup.

 

Allan had also attended the meeting with Rmain, but since seeing his lovely Disciple’s face was most important above the meeting or anything else, he bolted from his seat. And he saw Plants sitting in the study instead of Kalian.

 

“How was your journey?”

 

However, Allan did not show disappointment and welcomed Plants.

 

“My younger brother caught a chicken with his bare hands.”

 

“I heard he released it.”

 

“He caught wild boars well too.”

 

“So, he caught at least two.”

 

One on the way there, one on the way back.

 

Allan nodded and conveyed answers as if this was nothing surprising. Plants, who had been staring fixedly at Allan, opened his mouth quietly.

 

“I saw the sea for the first time.”

 

Allan smiled with a gentle face.

 

Plants turned his head.

 

He fixed his eyes on the red flower pot placed by the window. Seeing this, Allan spoke softly.

 

“I intended to take it home and plant it, but I’ve had no time, so I’ve kept it here. If it makes you uncomfortable, please say so. I shall remove it.”

 

The flower pot he had left there, thinking perhaps it might be acceptable.

 

As Allan expected, Plants, who shook his head as if it was not uncomfortable, opened his mouth.

 

“Does that flower also have no scent?”

 

“Rather than having none, it’s a flower that gives off a sweet smell.”

 

A flower that gave off sweetness rather than fragrance.

 

“There are many things in the world. Flowers with fragrance, flowers without. Or flowers that give off sweetness like that, so isn’t it truly a curious thing?”

 

“I thought…”

 

Plants, who had opened his mouth while looking at the flower for a moment, turned his head.

 

Turning his head from the sweet-smelling flower, he took a sip of the strawberry-scented strawberry tea placed for him. And he looked at that warm cup of tea again.

 

“I thought I knew a lot. But I don’t.”

 

Outside the Royal Palace, there were full of things he did not know.

 

Inside the Royal Palace was also full of things he had not known.

 

“It was fun.”

 

Because my younger brother’s new father was someone very good at listening, he conveyed his belated answer to the question of how the journey had been.

 

“That’s fortunate. I’m glad it was enjoyable.”

 

Allan had become a face truly pleased.

 

Plants, who had been silently watching Allan again, opened his mouth quietly. And then brought up something other than talk about this outing.

 

“You don’t look well. Mage.”

 

Because Allan’s face had become somewhat gaunt in just a few days.

 

Those who saw his face every day might not have noticed, but Plants was seeing Allan for the first time in quite a while, and had such an excellent memory, naturally noticed.

 

Seeing Plants bring up words of concern for another person, Allan smiled quietly.

 

“I don’t know how Your Highness can be so observant. I haven’t been able to sleep for the past few days due to work, so please don’t worry.”

 

Plants’s movement to nod at the answer that it was nothing serious paused briefly.

 

[Why did I not do anything then?]

 

This question arose because he had heard about noticing Allan’s slightly gaunt face.

 

When not long after Kalian had changed.

 

He had not noticed why Kalian, who was drinking poisoned tea, was wasting away. He had paid more attention to the problem of Kalian changing, and had only vaguely thought that perhaps Kalian was losing weight because of the changed matter. Moreover, when Kalian’s health had seriously deteriorated, Plants had not attended breakfast at all and had not seen Kalian.

 

But in the past when Kalian had not changed. Had there been other circumstances that prevented him from noticing his younger brother wasting away? Or had he known he was drinking poison but ultimately been unable to stop Sillike?

 

Or… was it—

 

Had he pretended not to know?

 

It was unknowable for now.

 

[Will I be able to know that too when those memories come?]

 

Plants, who had struggled to put away various thoughts that arose momentarily, opened his mouth.

 

“I’m planning to go out again soon. Did you hear about that too?”

 

“I did. You said you would go directly to Secritia.”

 

Plants nodded.

 

“So, there’s something I’d like you to do.”

 

And then made a request in a tone as if entrusting something.

 

Allan, who had heard everything, thought for a moment before conveying an answer.

 

“It’s not a difficult matter, so I shall arrange it. When do you plan to depart?”

 

“When the swords are finished, at that time.”

 

“Prince Kalian said he would depart in a month. Have you moved up the schedule?”

 

“They say the King of Secritia thinks exactly like my younger brother. That’s why I’m going right away.”

 

“However, Your Highness’ birthday is not far off. Would it not be better to hold the celebration and then go?”

 

Plants shook his head.

 

“I already received my gift, so that’s enough.”

 

He had already received a birthday gift, so a birthday banquet was unnecessary.

 

If it were Kalian, he would have prepared properly and planned to go in a month or two, but if Debeullan anticipated Kalian’s visit, he would have thought of the same timeframe, so Plants needed to go sooner.

 

Watching such Plants, Allan asked.

 

“I’ve been curious about your reason for helping so much. May I ask?”

 

Plants, who was about to say he did not want to tell, looked at Allan for a moment.

 

“He lives so diligently, as if every single day might be his last.”

 

Looking at the coffee placed before Allan, he fixed his gaze on the flower by the window. Then he turned his eyes outside the window. The wide garden came into view.

 

“There are many places in the Royal Palace where you can breathe freely.”

 

Words conveyed as if telling him not to find it too stifling even if Plants ended up living in the Royal Palace forever in Kalian’s place.

 

“If I help, it seems my younger brother might be able to live a little less diligently.”

 

Plants conveyed his answer while recalling those words.

 

After that, looking at Allan, who had the expression of ‘I thought my lovely son had made a friend, but it turns out he’s gained an older brother,’ Plants made an annoyed face, then chuckled.

 

“Mage. You’ll need to finish work quickly today.”

 

“Yes. I do certainly need to do that.”

 

Plants, who had told him to hurry with work if they were to drink the liquor Kalian had brought together, stood up without staying longer.

 

To quickly see Luci and Anne.