Chapter 42. The Heart (1)
The autumn sky is exceptionally clear.
The summer breeze smelled like swaying water, but the fall breeze smelled like fallen leaves.
There was a faint, rustling smell containing the many memories of newly blooming, growing, retaining water, surviving, and finally falling at the end of its life. Even so, the tree I was caring for gave off a light, fluttering scent, knowing that it would survive the winter and have a good next year.
Even though the leaves had not yet turned, Calian laughed softly at the smell of fallen leaves rustling and fluttering in the wind blowing by the lake.
“I guess it’s because they’re similar.”
Old Kalyan and Bern are just like fallen leaves.
I am like a fallen leaf knowing that Kalian, who passed the winter-like summer with so many memories, will continue his life again.
“The wind smells good and I’m fine.”
So Calian briefly said something pleasant, not knowing to whom he was speaking. One day in the past, when I spent the day as multiple people, it wasn’t actually okay, but today, when I spent the day as multiple sons, it was really okay.
Somehow, I feel like I’m talking to myself a little more, but what can I say? Anyone will listen somehow.
And one more person.
Isn’t there someone who will listen to anything at any time?
Kalian, who was waiting for an answer from such a person and briefly faced the clear autumn wind filled with the scent of fallen leaves, closed his eyes without saying a word.
– Prince Calian…?
The wind blowing along the lakeside is unusually clear.
It is so clear that it cannot be compared to the day we waited for Demirea.
It was only with that clear wind that I finally made up my mind. So finally.
– yes. you’re right.
We finally made contact.
It was a good day, so I contacted them.
– Is there something going on?
Even though he had been hoping for a call from Calian, he would have rather stayed without any contact for fear that something might have happened. The scent of a clear breeze was also present in his voice.
Rather than being happy about the contact I’ve been waiting for so long, I worry first. Calian, who smiled brightly at the thought of how Chase-like this reaction was, answered.
-Nothing happened. Just… yes. I contacted you for no reason.
Calian was sitting on a rock by the lake, wearing his robes that were as heavy and discreet as they were cumbersome. If Shatin found out that clothes that were made with such difficulty were treated like this, she might be a little disappointed, but whatever.
No matter what you do, it’s just a good fall.
– May I congratulate you? Prince Calian.
– Did you know?
– Even if more birds are unable to fly, I am still capable.
Even though he had said that it wasn’t cold, Kalian’s smile became a little brighter as he played with the warm blanket that Jan had given him.
– yes. Please congratulate me. I’d like to receive it.
– congratulations. sincerely.
Even on Chase’s birthday, I got to hear the congratulatory words I couldn’t bear to say. About being free from the constraints that must have been unfamiliar to me because I had never experienced it before and becoming the queen’s son again.
– thank you. Thank you for your congratulations.
– Fortunately, the. It looks like it’s finally back to its original place.
It was just a few short words.
How did I know that summer was over and fall was here?
Calian, who felt as grateful as he was amazed, unconsciously nodded, but then stopped and answered.
– yes. Thanks to you.
– All I can think of is how I led Prince Calian off the road, so I don’t think it was thanks to me. Who is it thanks to?
– no. Could that be possible?
– It sounds like a lie.
– I can’t lie. You know this better than anyone else.
I heard Chase laugh.
– Still, I can’t believe it. Even if you don’t think it’s my fault, I won’t feel sorry.
Chase, who decided to walk between stubbornness and compromise, said this.
I know that it is not my fault that Calian captured his heart, but I will not be sorry for suddenly appearing in front of Calian and causing him to shake from the foundation, for not being able to hide Serenti’s antics, and for the many past mistakes. . Calian said what he most wanted.
– I hope it’s not a lie.
– Do I say such things when I know better than anyone else that I am not easy?
– Well, that’s right.
– It’s not a lie, don’t worry. Prince Calian.
Devlan, which was all over their heads right now, was put aside and they contacted each other for no reason, so they only exchanged light jokes for no reason. I told Chase that as well. I’m okay now, so I hope Chase gets better too.
-Thank you for letting me know. really.
Chase understood it.
– yes.
Calian gave a short answer filled with hope that fall would soon come to Secretia.
The sky was high and the wind was cool.
It was truly a happy fall.
* * *
– Knock knock knock.
Before I know it, I’ve developed a habit of placing my fingertips on the edge of the bathtub.
I still had to think a lot in order to continue my life, so my worries continued even in short moments.
‘It is said that Baron Fallun sent a gift to the Queen in the early morning to congratulate her on her work.’
‘I’ll check when I’m ready.’
‘yes. And during the night, I received a call from my family. From my father.’
A little while ago, it was around dawn when Calian had just opened his eyes.
While the bathtub was being filled with water, Jan Ani Siroian, who had come to meet Merlin, said this and handed over a letter.
– There are no suspicious factors or missing persons in the mansion. It was confirmed that the birds staying in the compound had already left.
Since all the contents of the letter delivered to the prince are confirmed first by the senior servant, Jan’s face darkened a little as he saw the contents of Slayman before Kalian.
‘Did you have any other problems during Rosellita?’
Jan also knew that Calian was tracking down the group that had attacked him for a long time. Calian, who read the contents and burned them, smiled slightly and shook his head. It was always Kalian’s job to reassure the baby elephant, who was very worried and had a lot of problems.
‘no. They said there was no problem. don’t worry.’
‘If there is any problem related to the prince and my family, please let me know. ‘I’ll help you.’
‘Yes, I will definitely tell you. thank you.’
It was fortunate for Siegfried that there were no problems, although it was a bit disappointing for Calian.
– Knock knock knock.
After sending Jan out, I laid down my entire body in the water at a good temperature and continued to think.
The person who gave Devlan the information that would allow him to guess Calian’s identity. The person who saw Calian’s swordsmanship. I had a suspicion that such a person might be among the knights or servants of Siegfried’s mansion.
And Sleiman reported that there were no such people.
“I’m saying there really isn’t anything suspicious since they didn’t do a quick investigation.”
No matter how much Slayman is, he is the one who leads Siegfried. Although he was a great man who would leave Secretia’s Sejak alone no matter what he did in hiding, he was not a person who could not understand Sejak’s presence. Because it was different from Evan.
“Then where is it?”
Even though I knew I wouldn’t get an answer, I tried to keep thinking like that. Then, I realized how much I had spent and heard the sound of the temperature control device operating. It feels like the outside of the window has become completely brighter.
Calian, who was quietly watching a ray of sunlight coming down through the curtains, chuckled.
“You were getting impatient again.”
Isn’t there still time?
Devlan would not think that Calian would respond through a falcon. He must have known that Calian needed time to organize his thoughts. I may be saddened by the loss of life each day, but I am not the type of person who will rush and ruin things because of that.
Until Calian, who was cornered, thought about it and decided on an answer. There is still time, as the bird with the letter with the answer written on its leg will wait a little while until it comes to find you.
“In order. Evan first.”
All you have to do is solve Evan’s problem and meet the elf.
Originally, I was going to leave Evan behind to guard against Zeon, but Devlan intervened. So, let’s solve it first, Evan, and if any problems arise, that’s okay. I have to trust Arsene. You assured me that you couldn’t protect me, so now I have to trust you and leave it to you. What is the crown prince of Tensil? If you clean up Evan, Pea will take care of it.
Now I have to trust that side too.
* * *
No.
What on earth is that person thinking?
Calian covered his face with his palms.
As soon as her shoulders shook, the heads of Merlin and the other maids standing nearby turned towards Jan.
‘Are you by any chance angry?’
Their eyes were full of this meaning.
Therefore, for now, Yan left Calian alone and shook his head with a carefree expression. Then he looked at everyone with a slightly reprimanding expression.
‘Our flower-like prince is such a kind and gentle person, but I don’t know why everyone keeps asking why he’s angry. And why can’t you figure out whether you’re happy or angry? It stands out like that.’
I really can’t understand.
Except for Kyrie, who learned how to understand Calian’s mood by listening to whether Calian’s breathing has changed with his good ears, why don’t you think that you are so special that you can find out the truth of that smile that not even Alan can properly recognize? Why don’t you know that if everyone around you seems strange, it’s just that you are strange?
Merlin, who wanted to say this but couldn’t, put on a relieved face because he said he wasn’t smiling in bad mood. Even though Calian never treated his subordinates badly when he was angry, he was somewhat sensitive to them.
“No, why…”
Calian opened his mouth quietly, unaware that a lot of unspoken words were being exchanged around him in the brief moment his face was covered.
Calian had barely suppressed his laughter when the little life held in his other arm made a pleasant sound.
“Meow!”
do.
Melphyr’s gifts have always been a mystery.
There wasn’t always Kalyan’s and it usually made sense.
This time, Calian thought of Melfir, the owner of the Fallun Merchant Marine, who had sent him a gift that seemed not to be his. He realized what Melfir had in mind when he sent the gift, and said that he would accept it gratefully.
And then he burst into laughter again.
The little life in my arms made a sound once more.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for startling you.”
Dark gray hair.
Amber eyes, almost golden.
It was definitely not Lucy.
* * *
I don’t get tired even though I’ve been laughing like that since morning.
Calian, who was laughing as if he couldn’t even finish speaking, finally stopped laughing. And barked.
“Brother, what color clothes are you wearing now?”
while doing.
Planz, who was quietly looking down at the two animals having an inexplicable conversation on his lap saying “meow, meow, meow, meow” with a truly complicated face, opened his mouth.
“I wish at least one of the three would speak.”
The large black animal that was making the most noise on the noisy fourth floor grinned. It means you don’t like it.
Calian, who was looking at Planz, who was holding back the urge to kick him out right away because he knew that he would find peace if that one animal disappeared, followed the person’s words.
“Lucy, you wear bright clothes because of the fur, but I’m really curious what you’ll do if you get the gray fur, too. They say that when you grow up, your fur will be longer than Lucy’s.”
Calian, who came to the dinner table a while ago and suddenly put down a dark gray cat, started laughing as soon as he sat down at the table. That’s the annoying
part.
Why is he smiling? It’s not that he doesn’t understand.
“I thought Lucy was particularly fond of you, but that’s not true.” ”
That’s all.” As
soon as Calian put it down, the gray cat ran over and hurled itself at Plants’ legs. He hugged me and said hello.
“It seems like all the cats in the world are following you.”
If you tell him to shut up, it is not the mouth of Alan, who won the glory of Serenti. If you tell him to stop, it is not the mouth of Alan’s son. I guess it’s a mouth.
Of course I don’t stop.
“So what is it?”
“A cat.”
“You’re asking what kind of cat it is.”
“A kitten.”
Ha, I heard a voice losing patience.
So Calian took the green butter full of herbs. He slowly chewed and swallowed a bite of the beef steak topped with beef. He then pointed to the planz steak sprinkled with black salt and no herb butter with an elegant gesture. “Please eat first
. I’ll explain later.”
Eventually, Planz gave up and picked up his fork and knife and a quiet meal continued.
After a while,
Planz finished his meal with grilled duck leg and pumpkin and topped with snowflake-like white cheese. Even after seeing that it was finished, Calian still did not explain.
When the strawberry-filled milk pudding and the ‘very warm’ orange tea were placed, surprisingly, Plantz’s mouth opened first. However, Plantz replaced the cat, who did not seem to have any intention of explaining yet. He asked.
“When are you going to do it?”
Apology.
I can tolerate handling a broom, but I’m not good at handling canvas.
“I gave it to you already.”
Planz’s eyes fell on the gray cat on his lap as he looked at Calian, who answered with a smile.
Fallun Melfir, who is not only the owner of the upper chamber but also runs a magic academy with a deep connection to Balkan, knew that the 2nd and 3rd princes had not turned their backs on each other. They had often visited Chermil Palace to meet Calian. He knew who Lucy followed more.
Therefore, as soon as Melphyr heard about what happened at the Chusung Ceremony, he sent a cat to Calian. So that Calian would not have to open his mouth and apologize. I am sorry for treating him like a canvas, but he is not greedy at all. Calian, who was a bit annoyed by Melfir’s attitude and decided to follow Melfir’s wishes, did not say sorry, but instead gave only a gift to Plantz as an apology. “There is something I want you to learn before the magic of removing cat hair.” And
Mel
. Instead of apologizing, Pir gave another unintentional reason:
“But don’t discriminate against Lucy. Lucy is my cat, but she was a gift to Hina, so I can’t give it to you.”
Kalian, who said something pointless even though he knew it couldn’t happen, took a sip of the fragrant orange tea and continued.
“It’s alive, breathing, and has a beating heart. It’s small and weak. You never know when you might get sick again. Someday, I will live my life before you.”
I don’t know about people, but as long as you don’t sell your heart again, you will most likely live longer than the cat.
“Instead of being curious and greedy and running around together. I hope you learn to protect as well.”
It cannot be said that it was always right to live only to protect, but it also could not be said to be in vain. I hope that people learn that even that is a way to continue their lives. The faint sound of a cat crying is heard
. Lucy, who had been dozing off, opened her eyes. Then, she hugged the kitten as if comforting her.
Little Lucy also knew how to protect something weaker than me. Plantz, who was quietly watching her,
answered
. ……Okay.”
Plantz received an apology.
Plantz’s cat let out a small meow.
It was just a good fall to live in no matter what.
