Chapter 24. Cornerstone of Understanding (7)
I remember Lemain’s voice coming through the documents.
It was while I was recovering from the poisoned tea and waiting for Alan to come. It was also the first day he wore the prince’s uniform.
It was also a time when I endured the feeling of my heart being ripped out at least once a day, not to save Plants, but to avoid killing him.
Calian at the time could not have even imagined that he would have to work hard to keep Lemain and Planz alive.
That’s why I tried to understand it. Landel too.
I may not be able to imagine it now, but I’m afraid that in the future, I’ll have to make an effort to keep Randel alive.
‘I think Prince Chase would be quite surprised if he found out I was doing this.’
Calian smiled bitterly at this thought that suddenly occurred to him.
Wasn’t it Bern who was faster with his sword than with his horse?
Of course, the situation back then and now are completely different, but I never thought I would act this crazy.
“I was a little worried, but I’m still glad.”
Kalian said this.
It was aimed at blue eyes where the fleeting feeling of anger had subsided.
“I was worried that Brother Randel’s expression wouldn’t change even when I touched the rose, but it seems like there’s still something he cherishes.”
Calian’s slender finger was pointing at the cut off rose.
The reason I had to be so mean was because it was easiest to get angry. Didn’t we learn through Bern’s life that the first emotion to be revealed among hidden emotions is anger?
This is Randel, who was trimming the rose tree without taking off the prince’s uniform after meeting Lemain. I thought that if the first thing I found to put my mind at rest was a rose, I might be able to touch it and bring out Randel’s true feelings.
Wouldn’t he get angry if it was taken away?
I wonder if we can communicate if we get angry.
“What is the reason?”
“Are you asking why I plucked the rose?”
“You are telling me why you are doing this and why you want to face me.”
“I’m curious. What do you know? What are you hiding?”
Calian responded in a light tone and continued.
“That’s why I want to have a conversation.”
After the conversation, what Randel hid was his strength or his true feelings. Now I thought I should take a look.
“Do you want to talk? Me and you.”
“Wouldn’t it be difficult? Instead of being greedy, threatening, or something difficult like that, it would be better to just talk for a little while.”
Randel’s eyes followed Calian’s fingertips for a moment. Randel, who had been staring at the rose that had fallen at the end, opened his mouth.
“Don’t do that again.”
That was the start of the conversation.
Calian, who saw the same thing for a moment, opened his mouth.
“You cut off all the roses that have bloomed, but do you feel such a waste of the ones that haven’t bloomed? No matter where they bloom, they are all the same.”
“Hasn’t it become useless?”
At those words, Calian smiled again.
This is because Bern, like Randel, was pruned. To be precise, I would say it was used for pruning.
The lives of those who would harm Devlan were cut off countless times. Everyone quit regardless of age or gender. Of course, Chase doesn’t know.
It wasn’t a rose tree, it was just a person who really had life and squirted blood. In any case, what Bern did was part of pruning. There were times when I wanted to and there were times when I didn’t, but it’s not important right now anyway.
Anyway, since I’ve done the same thing, I understand a little bit.
“Isn’t it enough to make something useful?”
After saying that, Kalian bent down and picked up the rose that had fallen on the floor. I don’t know if it would suit that dull room, and I’m actually a little sick of roses.
Anyway, if you put it in water, it will bloom.
“Just like I told you about Brother Randel’s usefulness.”
As Calian said that, his eyes brightened for a moment.
It was to gain the upper hand.
Until now, Randel has always had the upper hand in the conversation. Because he tried to take Kalyan under his control. Therefore, this time Kalian had to stand on top.
Randel laughed.
It was true that I didn’t have as many emotions as the last time, but after going through it once, I got used to it.
That’s why Calian smiled. And said.
“What is your power? What do you know?”
Randel’s laughter stopped. And I answered.
“Is it so weak that you can’t feel it?”
A second emotion appeared in Randel’s voice as he said that. If I had to give it a name, it would probably be something like ‘regret.’
Calian’s face stiffened as he saw the unexpected emotion that flashed across Randel’s face. After that, a long line was drawn at the corner of Calian’s mouth as he studied Randel for a while.
“… Damn it.”
Harsh words that did not go well with the smile that seemed to be created came out. Randel didn’t say anything as he watched the youngest member speak out loud.
Seal of oath.
A promise so old that I can’t even remember when exactly it was. He didn’t say anything else about the fact that he had now realized that the power of that promise was binding his heart.
“Is it Tensil?”
“okay.”
Calian, who had been silent for a while, spoke again.
“Can’t you say anything?”
“okay.”
It’s a contract that can’t even be said about signing an oath. A very detailed contract with someone who appears to be smarter than Marquis Evan Briesen.
Tensil gives strength to Randel, and perhaps Randel helps Tensil. I can’t say anything about him.
Calian’s brow furrowed again.
The restraints that the second brother has been under are giving him a headache, and the first brother is also upset.
Calian, who had been looking at Randel for a while again, asked.
“Is it because of Brissen? Didn’t you try to have the Holy Knights attack Brissen? Did you make a contract to get rid of Brissen?”
If so, things get complicated.
Calian was now trying to keep Brisen alive.
Randel did not answer. Traces of all kinds of mixed emotions appeared and disappeared on his face. Calian, who saw this, quietly opened his mouth.
“Or… no way. Has the end of that resentment reached you?”
Did you need the sword of Calian, who shared the seal of oath with Tensil and also lost his mother, to bring down Lemaine?
“Can’t you even say that?”
Blue eyes full of abysses quietly stared into red eyes that could not tell whether they were life or death.
“You’re tired.”
After answering this, he walked towards Chermil along that path. A long sigh hung at the end of Calian’s gaze as he followed those steps.
* * *
This. I guess.
Flanz frowned slightly.
This is because an unusual energy was felt from Kirie as they crossed swords.
I don’t know whether to consider it a pity or a blessing, but in any case, that unusual aura was not an auror. So it wasn’t speculation.
Plantz took a step back after striking Kirie’s sword, which was pressing down on him from above, with great force. And then he quietly opened his mouth.
“stop.”
Kirie looked at Plantz in silence for a moment, then drew back her sword and answered.
“sorry.”
It was a living.
Plantz, who was quietly looking at Kirie, who had sent a deadly weapon without knowing it, sheathed his sword.
The sparring was too long.
Plantz was quick to read Kyrie’s movements and predict what would happen next, and Kirie was able to point out Plantz’s sword beyond her normal senses.
It would be impossible to beat Kirie in a real fight, but since it was a sparring match where Kirie gave up a few moves, the time between swords was extended. Then, a killing spirit flowed from Kirie.
It wasn’t that difficult for Plantz to figure out why Kirie, who was obsessed with sparring, really tried to kill him.
“Did you know what my brother was hiding?”
“…… sorry.”
The attendant who came to Kalian on the day he drank poison.
This was our first sparring since Chase came and found out that Calian was shaken.
And live.
What was the relationship?
Did that servant ‘know’ or did he ‘hear’?
Rather than thinking of it with any particular intention, the thought continued more like simple curiosity.
– Just think about it.
Then, at the sound of a voice that suddenly came to mind, Plantz gave up his thoughts and took a step back. Kirie, who was watching Plantz’s actions, quietly opened her mouth.
“I think it would be better to spar with the prince for the time being.”
Plantz seemed worried that he might lose control, so he nodded quietly. Kirie saw that and continued speaking.
“The prince does not blame Prince Planz. Please do not misunderstand.”
The voice was a little lower than usual.
Is he talking to Plantz or is he trying to control himself for showing his life to Plantz?
One corner of Planz’s mouth curled up as he remembered the deadly sword that was flying towards him a moment ago.
“I know my brother doesn’t blame me, but you don’t.”
Kirie nodded slightly. It is not denial.
“Your ears are sharp. Even the prince doesn’t know what I’ve noticed about Prince Planz.”
Then he added this:
Calian did not tell Kyrie anything related to Plantz. There were many days when Calian talked to Flanz and Kyrie heard it all from outside.
Plantz laughed.
Whether it was intentional or not. It was because I couldn’t figure out where Calian had been leaking his secret. As I thought when I faced Chase, wouldn’t it be too quick to count those who really don’t know the secret?
“If you’re going to point a knife, do it now.”
Plantz spoke with an expression as if he would never stop the sword this time. Kirie saw that and answered in a calm voice.
“I will do it when the prince wants.”
A sneer appeared on Plantz’s lips once again.
“Sure.”
Then, he went out without any regrets, leaving Kirie behind in the middle of the training hall.
* * *
The knights blocked Calian’s path.
“I’m sorry, prince.”
These were the knights who guarded the main gate of Chermil Palace. One of the knights, standing firmly in front of Calian, opened his mouth.
“You cannot leave this place until today.”
After Randel entered Chermil Palace.
After standing still for a while, Kalian came out of the rose garden and headed towards the main gate, not Chermil Palace. It was to get out of Chermil.
Yan, embarrassed, quickly followed behind, but Kalian said nothing.
Jan recognized that Calian did not look angry, embarrassed, or surprised, but rather deep in thought. Therefore, Jan followed Kalian without saying a word.
“I have to get out.”
Calian said this and the knights spoke again.
“I’m really sorry, but…”
“Stop it. Then.”
If only I could stop it.
In Calian’s eyes, with such meaning in mind, there was a feeble sense of life.
Fortunately, the knights facing Calian did not make the mistake of hesitating or stepping back. I didn’t even make the mistake of unconsciously placing my hand on the sword at my waist.
“Move. I will tell your majesty.”
After saying that, Kalian took another step.
Nevertheless, when the knights did not move, Jan, who was behind him, opened his mouth.
“I will not allow you to go outside the palace, so please get out of the way.”
And then Kallian said , Standing behind Ahn, he made a finger horn on his head. It meant that our flower-like prince was very uncomfortable, so he should move out of the way before he gets out of the way. After seeing that, the knights moved to both sides as if they had no choice. “Thank
you
. . I’m sorry.”
Calian left a short message to them and hurriedly walked away again.
“Prince. Are you going to Count Manasil?”
Finally, when Jan’s voice asked about Calian’s destination, Calian shook his head. A small voice followed behind him as he continued to walk at the same speed. “Ruvia
Pavilion. “I need to check something,”
and walked off to meet Chase, who was staying in the annex.
