Chapter 66, It’s Been a While (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Chermil Palace was always the same. Only the seasons had changed, nothing else was different.

 

The pile of gift boxes celebrating Kalian’s safe return was the same as well.

 

“This place has been quite lonely. I’m truly glad you’ve returned safely, Prince.”

 

When the gruff Merlin offered such greetings, not only Merlin but the other maids also took turns to welcome Kalian one by one. Kalian awkwardly smiled and conveyed his gratitude.

 

After just a ‘short period’ away from the Royal Palace, it seemed that the hands helping him change clothes felt unfamiliar. This gave the impression that in Chermil, only Kalian had changed.

 

Of course, it was more so Kalian’s daily life had reverted to how it was, and he needed to become accustomed to it again.

 

“I felt the same when I returned home. Rest well today. Once you start getting busy again tomorrow, you’ll quickly adapt to it, not to worry.”

 

Ian must have noticed how awkward Kalian felt, as he said this while offering mint tea. Since it was what he had drunk most often outside, Kalian smiled for no particular reason when he saw the tea.

 

When he had left, warm winds were blowing, but upon returning, they had already become chilly. Since it was not too cold, Kalian took his tea out to the terrace for a while and enjoyed a moment of leisure, slowly sipping away.

 

Ian, who had followed Kalian out, sat down in the chair next to him. He too had not yet fully returned to the life of a proper servant attending a Prince. Kalian, who had no intention of pointing this out, just silently laughed so it would not show.

 

“It’s quite strange.”

 

Kalian spoke while looking at the calm artificial lake.

 

“There are three Princes living on the edge. Yet, it is quieter here than anywhere outside the Royal Palace.”

 

After saying this, Kalian quietly sipped the mint tea in his hand.

 

And so, a contemplative morning hour silently passed on his first day back to regular life.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, Allan was utterly busy.

 

He was making final preparations ahead of Valkan’s founding.

 

Allan, who had planned to have lunch with Kalian, arrived only after lunch hour had slightly passed. He had been so busy working that he did not even have time to check the time. By the time he had the opportunity to do so, he was already late for his appointment with the Prince.

 

Allan said he had not even properly spoken with his family members yet—Rauchel and Veronica. Since they had yet to be granted permission to enter the Royal Palace, they had to go straight to Allan’s mansion instead.

 

“I’m sorry. You seem to have been too busy to even request His Highness for their entry to the palace.”

 

“You need not mind it. They will be able to come and go to Chermil starting tomorrow.”

 

Allan said this while cutting into a perfectly cooked steak.

 

The reason for requesting the two women’s access to the Princes’ Palace was because of the Teleportation Magic Circle. They had been tasked to research on how to create a Teleportation Magic Circle with restricted usage, in which Kalian was the one to determine who could use it. So, Kalian’s presence was essential. However, they had been unable to solve how to create such a Magic Circle. Furthermore, since it was difficult for Kalian to travel to various places outside of the Royal Palace, they had no choice but to bring research to Kalian’s room.

 

Thinking of Rauchel and Veronica, Allan asked Kalian:

 

“Have you spoken with them?”

 

Kalian recalled Veronica, who had the same hair color as Allan. Beyond knowing that she was one year younger than Kalian, and had just created her Second-Circle as a young Mage, he did not know anything else about her.

 

“I’ve spoken a bit with Lord Grace, but with Veronica, I haven’t exchanged words beyond our first greeting.”

 

“We can gradually get to know one another.”

 

“Yes. There’s no need to rush.”

 

Kalian nodded in response and put a hazelnut, a nut common in Cyries but somewhat unfamiliar to him, into his mouth and chewed.

 

After exchanging everyday stories and sharing experiences they had gone through for a while, they finished their meal and set out for a walk. By the time they reached the rose garden, Allan spoke first.

 

“Let me see it.”

 

There was no need to ask what he wanted to see. Allan probably wanted to see ‘it’ as soon as he met Kalian. Kalian extended his hand and concentrated his M ana to show ‘it’. Sharp Mana that seemed capable of slicing through anything formed into a round sphere.

 

“My.” Allan who saw it reacted as if truly amazed. Even the great Syspanian had found it fascinating, so why would Allan be any different?

 

“Then can you perhaps imbue this Mana with the power of the elements as well?”

 

Kalian nodded slightly and concealed his Mana again. “It’s possible, but I’m not yet able to freely use it.”

 

“So, you used it as both a sword and a club?”

 

[Yes, what a truly sophisticated club this is…] Kalian recalled the previous day and smirked. He could not remember the last time he had unleashed his anger with such lack of restraint.

 

“What you have is an extraordinary power. I’m concerned that the Count might carelessly talk about it.”

 

At those words, Kalian shook his head as if to say not to worry.

 

“He might not fear being cut to death by a sword, but he probably never thought he would die from a beating. Just knowing there is someone who could thrash him like that will scare him enough to remain silent. Even if he’s lucky enough to walk again and hold a sword, he’ll never want to get entangled with me again.”

 

“I wonder how severely you must have beaten someone to make a Sword Master feel such fear?” Allan shook his head. “You shouldn’t cause such incidents in Cyriesus, my dear Prince.”

 

“I’m well aware that my methods were merciless. It was something I deliberately did to fundamentally prevent the Count from entering the Capital and threatening His Highness’s life. If he actually came to the Capital, I won’t be able to act so freely anymore.”

 

Allan spoke again.

 

“I understand. In any case, the Marquis will now suffer from unsavoury rumours.”

 

“Yes. Since he treated his son so cruelly, there will naturally be repercussions. How about delaying the announcement of Valkan’s founding until after those rumours have spread?”

 

According to what Gray’s butler had said, two days later, Gray was attacked by people sent by the Marquis, severely injuring his waist. After getting so severely injured, Gray chose to retreat back to his border territory. After that, the butler spread word of the Marquis’s contemptible actions far and wide, so Evan Beurisen would suffer from these rumours for some time.

 

“For now, he’ll be too busy trying to quell the rumours. So much so that he’ll find it difficult to worry about the issue of the Valkan Mage Order coming to light. So how about announcing Valkan’s founding and changing the Pavel Knight Order’s area into Valkan’s?”

 

Rmain had the same thought.

 

“You’re right. We had originally planned to announce it today or tomorrow, but decided to delay it for about a week. Come to think of it, there were suspicious glances wondering if Baron Pollun had killed Lannen. But I guess those ominous words will disappear as well.”

 

This was something Kalian had only learned after coming here—that as soon as Lannen disappeared, Pollun Melpir had acquired the Beurisen Trader’s Guild. Under such circumstances, many people had linked Lannen’s disappearance to Melpir.

 

Being blamed for something he did not do, Melpir must have suffered quite a lot of emotional distress.

 

“Now that I think about it, coincidentally, both father and daughter will suffer from malicious rumours.”

 

At Allan’s mention of father and daughter, Kalian unconsciously frowned. It was because he thought of Sillike.

 

“Yesterday, Sillike met separately with Prince Plants, or so I heard. I don’t know what they’ve discussed, but since Sillike has moved for the first time in five months, you should pay some attention to that side as well.”

 

“Yes. I think Sillike will start moving again. The more new rumours spread, the more the old rumours will fade away.”

 

Saying this and nodding, a small smile played on Kalian’s lips.

 

“I look forward to seeing what she’ll do.”

 

* * *

 

Despite having spoken so much with Allan through the ring during his time away, there was still a lot to talk about. Thanks to this, Kalian returned to his room only after walking for nearly two hours after finishing lunch.

 

Looking at the gift boxes still occupying space, he said:

 

“Now, should I open them?”

 

He was beginning to feel that it was time to start accepting some gifts rather than unconditionally returning them all. Since this was already the third time gifts had been sent, he intended to open the boxes from those whom Ian had evaluated favourably.

 

However, Ian, who had gone out briefly and came back, conveyed unexpected news.

 

“It seems like you’ll have to open the gifts tonight or tomorrow.”

 

“Something came up in my schedule?”

 

“Yes. We received a sudden notice.”

 

To Kalian’s questioning gaze, Ian replied with an awkward smile:

 

“You need to wash up, change clothes, and attend dinner. His Highness has said he wants to have dinner with all the three Princes.”

 

“Dinner, you say?”

 

Hearing those words, Kalian also smiled awkwardly and said:

 

“I just ate and went for a walk though.”

 

Although that walk had lasted two hours, it was disconcerting to eat, walk, and then eat again.

 

However, since he could not refuse Rmain, Kalian hurriedly showered and changed into neat but not too flashy clothes. He thought there was no need to stand out with an elaborate outfit since the other two Princes would be present.

 

While getting his hair styled, Ian, who was standing beside him, spoke.

 

“It seems His Highness was quite disappointed that as soon as you dismounted from your horse, you rushed to Lord Manasil instead.”

 

“Ah…”

 

That was certainly Kalian’s mistake. No matter how glad he was to see Allan, greeting Rmain should have been his priority. Thanks to Rmain’s generous understanding, it was fortunate; otherwise, he might have been severely scolded as soon as he arrived at the palace.

 

Nevertheless, since Rmain had invited him to dinner, he should be grateful rather than displeased.

 

Soon, Kalian, having completed all preparations, went to the small banquet hall set up in Arpia Palace. As he had anticipated, when seeing only one carriage in front of Chermil Palace at the departure area, it meant that both Randel and Plants were already there. Feeling he might be late, Kalian greeted his two brothers with an apology:

 

“I’m sorry for being late. It’s been a while since I’ve greeted both of you.”

 

He had been exchanging at least a word or two of conversation with Randel before leaving for the Roselita. Therefore, Randel nodded and offered some courteous greetings, saying it was fortunate he had returned without any injuries. And Plants:

 

“Welcome back.”

 

He said this!

 

Kalian was exactly as surprised as when Allan had told him he already knew about the Arcus Tempus. It was because Plants’s welcoming greeting was something he had not imagined even in his wildest dreams.

 

Of course, it was a voice in which sincerity could not be found even if one concentrated Aura in their ears, but it was a welcome nonetheless. Because of this, Kalian tried to ensure that thoughts like ‘Is this guy taking drugs now?’ did not show on his face.

 

Plants’s lips curved up on one side when he confirmed Kalian’s poorly concealed surprise, and Randel briefly examined Plants’s face.

 

Right after that, Rmain entered and dinner began, so in the end, Kalian did not have time to figure out Plants’s intentions.

 

“Randel. Have you finished reading the treatise you mentioned? I’m glad your scholarship continues to deepen.”

 

Rmain showed consideration for Kalian by asking more questions to the other two Princes than to him.

 

“I heard you’ve been training hard in swordsmanship, Plants. Your physique seems to have improved since last time. Let’s go hunting together sometime.”

 

Like this.

 

To Kalian, he only asked if he had learned a lot outside, and Kalian politely answered that he had. After all, Rmain knew better whether he had learned much or broken much.

 

Anyway, seeing Randel and Plants answering Rmain’s questions without particular reluctance, it seemed like they had had such gatherings several times while Kalian was away.

 

Allan’s contribution to this change was certainly not small.

 

While they were enjoying such a peaceful father-son time, the door to the banquet hall opened carefully, and a servant whispered something to the Grand Chamberlain, Raul’s ear, before leaving.

 

Raul, looking very flustered, conveyed something to Rmain.

 

Rmain’s face, which had held a small smile, hardened as soon as he heard Raul’s words. And after a moment of silence, he nodded.

 

“Tell them to enter.”

 

Someone who could enter the King and Princes’ dining place but whose mere visit could fluster the Grand Chamberlain, someone Rmain would never welcome…

 

There was no need to look to know who had come.

 

Kalian briefly lowered his eyes and took a small breath.

 

*Click.*

*Click.*

 

It seemed as if even the sound created by her heels carried the scent of Reunieri Flower.

 

[What is she trying to hide with such a strong fragrance?] Kalian turned his head and looked directly at her face, portraying a wide smile.

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

[…Sillike.]