Chapter 43, You’ve Come Too Far (2)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

Count Hale Latran’s expression was far from pleasant. He had been grinding his teeth all night, unable to dissolve his anger towards Kalian.

 

“I knew from the moment he brazenly returned my gift! That arrogant bastard!”

 

The crude insult came out involuntarily.

 

Although he had spoken as if he would give up his all for Kalian just because he was a Prince of Cyries, Hale’s true feelings were quite different.

 

Those who did not know better might question how a mere Count with just one copper mine could dare to look down on a Prince, but what Hale relied on was not the copper mine – it was the connections he had built with the Central Nobles of Cyries by investing substantial amounts of money.

 

Of course, the most important among them was the Marquis Beurisen.

 

Hadn’t he barely managed to establish connections by supplying copper to the Beurisen Trader’s Guild at a cheap price? All the money he earned from various dealings had gone to Marquis Beurisen. In return, he had recently received a promise of being granted a wealthy territory near Cyriesus.

 

But then, Sillike had caused trouble. She had poisoned Kalian.

 

Though it was dismissed with talks of catching a cold or whatnot, was it not a fact that everyone in the know was well aware of what really had happened?

 

Recalling that incident, Hale cursed Sillike.

 

“What a fool! If you’re going to make a move, you should have killed him properly!”

 

In any case, because of that incident, Beurisen took a stumble, and the fulfillment of the promise was pushed far into the future. Not only that, but the massive profits he had been earning from dealings with the Beurisen Trader’s Guild were immediately cut in half.

 

So Hale came to think that the reason his feet were still in the copperfield when they should be in a flower garden by now was ultimately because of Kalian, who had upset Sillike.

 

In such circumstances, that very Kalian had come to visit.

 

And of all times, on the day he was supposed to deal with the Blue Warbler. That alone had been frustrating, but then from the moment they met, Kalian had been throwing barbs and casually using magic. He had crossed the limit of what could be tolerated just because of his position as a Prince.

 

Even Kalian and Ian’s behaviour towards his butler, Malcom was fueling Hale’s rage.

 

“It’s disgusting how he acts like he’s conquered the world just because he won over one Mage. Looking at his conduct yesterday, he seems to think he’s on the same level as the other Princes. That low-born doesn’t even realise he’ll be like a bird without a nest once either of them becomes King.”

 

While he was muttering words that would cost him his head if anyone heard them, Malcom knocked on his door.

 

*Knock knock*

 

“My Lord, are you awake?”

 

“Yes. Come in.”

 

At those words, Malcom entered with careful movements. As soon as the door closed, Hale spoke.

 

“Have you made contact with her again?”

 

He was talking about the Blue Warbler whom they could not meet because they had missed the appointed time due to Kalian. Hearing this, the butler bowed his head and said.

 

“There’s been no contact yet. But she should contact us today, so we should be able to meet again tonight.”

 

At those words, Hale slammed the table.

 

“I was wrong to give a Priest like you the position of butler! There couldn’t be anyone more dumb than you in this world!”

 

Malcom’s shoulders flinched. This time, Hale’s hand struck the window repeatedly, indicating that Malcom should look at the rain, which was pouring down like a waterfall.

 

“With the weather already being this awful, won’t that boy continue his stay?”

 

The butler, finally understanding Hale’s intention, bowed his head.

 

“Are you saying to postpone the schedule?”

 

“Of course! Since it’s come to this. Just tell her we’ll deal comfortably after the Prince leaves.”

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

Afterwards, Hale looked at the clothes prepared for him to wear today. Somehow the colour looked as gloomy as today’s sky, which did not please him.

 

“Aren’t there any other clothes? Isn’t this too plain?”

 

Seeing Hale make such remarks while looking at a jacket adorned with elaborate gold buttons, Malcom quietly answered.

 

“I will have other clothes brought in.”

 

“That’s right. We need to make sure to put them all in their place, one by one, so they stay quiet and behave themselves while they’re here.”

 

Soon, maids entered the room, carrying several sets of clothes. Hale began choosing his clothes while humming a tune.

 

* * *

 

When morning preparations were complete, Ian came with a tray bearing a loaf of bread and cold black tea. Ian first relayed what Knight Yuran had said.

 

“Count Latran and his butler didn’t leave the building all night.”

 

That was what he had expected. Therefore, Kalian nodded while taking a bite of the bread that Ian had not even put down yet.

 

“And the Count asked if you could delay starting breakfast a little today.”

 

“Why?”

 

In response to Kalian’s expressionless query, Ian answered with a very displeased face on behalf of him.

 

“He says it’s because his condition isn’t good due to the rain. What should we do?”

 

“Talking about conditions. He’s probably just choosing what to wear.”

 

Kalian could not help but laugh wryly.

 

Right now, Hale was protesting yesterday’s events.

 

A Count’s position was by no means low. Hale was put to sleep at the dining table without permission, and his request for an apology was completely ignored, so he conveyed his displeasure in this way.

 

However, since Kalian was not looking kindly upon Hale either, he had no intention of accommodating such protests.

 

“Tell him no. Tell him to come at the scheduled time.”

 

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

 

Soon, Kalian tore the bread in his hand into fingernail-sized pieces and scattered them here and there on the tea table. Instead of clearing the table and setting down the tea, Ian stood and waited for a moment.

 

*Flutter!*

 

Then, from where Kalian’s bed was, the sound of small wings flapping could be heard, and a white dove landed on the table. It began to peck at the pieces of bread one by one.

 

Kalian’s eyes were very gentle as he watched the bird eat the bread, so Ian cautiously asked.

 

“Do you plan to keep that bird?”

 

Kalian, who had carefully picked up the bird that had finished eating all the bread pieces, answered as he stood up.

 

“No. I’m thinking about when to return it to its owner.”

 

There was a birdcage placed beside Kalian’s bed. It had been left by Arsene, who had visited at dawn.

 

Kalian opened the cage and put the bird inside. Having been handled by humans many times before, the docile bird moved on its own into the cage.

 

“I wondered why there was suddenly a bird here, so it had an owner.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Responding to Ian’s words, who had been surprised to see the cage next to the bed in the morning, Kalian tore off a bit more bread to put in the cage before returning to his seat.

 

Kalian had eaten more of the bread himself than he had given to the bird. And there was still bread left over after giving some to the bird. They went into Kalian’s mouth.

 

Ian had a look on his face that seemed to ask, ‘Why are you eating that?’

 

“You have to go to breakfast soon. Why are you filling your stomach with that?”

 

Kalian answered while stuffing the remaining pieces of bread into his mouth all at once. It was a sight that had never been seen in the Royal Palace.

 

“It’s delicious. And I won’t be able to eat much at breakfast anyway.”

 

Thinking it must be because the meal with Hale Latran would be uncomfortable, Ian wiped down the table and set down the tea. After that, he walked to the birdcage to examine it and pointed at the bird’s ankle while saying,

 

“It’s a messenger bird?”

 

He had just now noticed the small container tied to the bird’s ankle where letters could be inserted. Kalian answered as if it were nothing special.

 

“Yes. So if I just open the window, it will go to its owner.”

 

To someone who was more splendid, beautiful, and dangerous than him – Blue Warbler.

 

Kalian took a sip of tea while looking at the messenger bird that had been caught by Arsene’s hand while trying to deliver a message to the Blue Warbler the night before.

 

* * *

 

Hale was putting on another excessive smile.

 

Malcom’s face was not very visible as he kept his head bowed. And on Ian’s face was the deepest and greatest suspicion.

 

‘Didn’t you say you wouldn’t be able to eat much?’, that was exactly what his expression was saying.

 

Ian’s gaze was fixed on Kalian, who was eating his meal with great concentration. After stealing most of the bread that was meant for the bird, he was now heartily enjoying breakfast just the same.

 

Thanks to this, Hale was having his own difficulties.

 

Since the Prince was not even speaking first and only eating, the Count sitting before him had to suppress everything he wanted to say without being able to utter a word. Hale cursed again in his mind.

 

Kalian’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at his face.

 

Though Hale might have tried to hide it, the fierce look in his eyes from grinding his teeth all night could not be completely concealed. Thanks to this, Kalian could clearly decide what attitude he should show at this meal.

 

“Ah right, yes. Speak.” Soon Kalian opened his mouth with a face that showed no remorse at all. “I forgot I had to allow the Count to speak. I’ve never had a meal with someone of lower status than me before.”

 

Hale smiled wider while being careful not to show his angry expression.

 

“Is the meal to your taste?”

 

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

 

Kalian nodded readily and answered. After all, he could not lie and say it was not tasty when he was eating so well.

 

Hale created a pleased expression and said,

 

“I was worried you might be uncomfortable meeting me since you rejected the gift I sent before. It’s truly an honour to at least be able to serve you a meal. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask why you rejected my gift?”

 

Hearing those words, Kalian answered in a tone suggesting it wasn’t really a special reason.

 

“Because I didn’t know who you were. It wasn’t a name I’d heard before. There isn’t just one or two Counts, after all.”

 

It was the perfect treatment for a mere Provincial Noble nobody.

 

Ian bit hard on the inside of his lip. Because knew he should not laugh.

 

Hale’s lips trembled. Because he had to smile.

 

“…You may not have known. But it’s fortunate that you now know my name.”

 

After saying that, Hale clenched the fist that he had lowered under the table.

 

[This bastard!]

 

Having realised again how Kalian was treating him, Hale decided to demand an explanation about how Kalian had arbitrarily put him to sleep yesterday. He felt he could not swallow his food without at least hearing an apology.

 

However, whether it was an act or not, he had indeed shown unseemly behaviour in front of Kalian, so he offered an apology for that first.

 

“In any case, I made a big mistake yesterday.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Kalian answered quickly, as if he had been waiting for those words. Hale opened his mouth again.

 

“But, yesterday, did you use magic on me…”

 

“Because I put you to sleep before I could get more displeased.”

 

Hale’s mouth fell wide open.

 

Just now, Kalian had said it was fine not because the drunken behaviour was okay, but because he had put him to sleep before he himself became more displeased.

 

“Ah. I… see.”

 

“So you don’t need to worry about it anymore. The Count probably hasn’t faced Royalty like this before, so you could make mistakes. I understand.”

 

Kalian nodded once while smiling brightly.

 

Hale could not protest. He could not find any way to respond to such nonsensical words about being put to sleep because the Prince might become displeased.

 

In the end, Hale could not make a single word of protest about it. Rather, he had to apologise and received forgiveness.

 

It was enough to make his insides burst with rage.

 

“By the way, why were you so anxious last night?”

 

At the expression ‘anxious’, Hale’s hand, which was holding the fork, tensed again. Kalian immediately looked at that hand before looking at Hale. Meeting those unfamiliar red eyes, Hale unconsciously avoided his gaze while answering.

 

“I wanted to apologise for my mistake.”

 

Kalian nodded and said with a small smile.

 

“I was resting because I was exhausted from investigating those who attacked me yesterday. Since you say it happened because of your desire to apologise to me, then that’s fine too.”

 

Everything had become Hale’s fault.

 

Having forgiven everything with a generous heart, Kalian quietly drank his tea before opening his mouth again.

 

“Come to think of it, something strange came up during the investigation.”

 

Hale momentarily showed a startled expression.

 

He had tried to find out about the attack on Kalian by the assailant named Norton, but the twenty knights who accompanied Kalian as guards were so vigilant that he could not get close. As a result, Hale could not find out any detailed information.

 

Hale had not lived a very clean life until now. As a result, he was overwhelmed with anxiety, fearing that there might be a connection between Norton and himself. Hale drank some water, feeling his insides burning.

 

Kalian, whose smile had completely disappeared by now, looked at Hale and said,

 

“I saw a suspicious person with a bird’s name in Cyriesus, and those who attacked me are also connected to another bird. So I’m also investigating people with bird names.”

 

Hearing Kalian’s words, Hale nearly spat out his water and hurriedly covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

 

A few drops of water fell on Hale’s clothes and hands. When Malcom quickly approached to try to wipe it off, Hale irritably brushed away his hand.

 

Several thoughts flashed through Hale’s mind.

 

[A bird? It can only mean the spy fromSecritia. Could he possibly know about the Blue Warbler? Why does talk of a Secritia’s spy come up while investigating the attacker? Could it be that Secritia spy bitch tried to kill this bastard? Why?]

 

The fact that Malcom, a Priest, was overly deferential to Hale, and the momentary flicker in Hale’s eyes, did not escape Kalian’s notice.

 

He ate some salad as if he had not seen anything.

 

Hale thought he absolutely had to meet this person called Norton. He thought he needed to know what was going on to be able to respond.

 

“Your Highness, in that case, I will assist with the investigation as well. Isn’t it disgraceful enough that someone who intended to harm you is in Latran? Please allow me to join you in your investigation.”

 

Kalian waved his hand and said,

 

“There’s no need for that. All the information confirmed so far has already been sent to the Royal Palace. So, Count, you don’t need to worry. If there’s no connection, nothing will happen.”

 

For some reason, there was emphasis on the last words.

 

Hale involuntarily furrowed his brows.