Chapter 54. Wildfire (4)
Is it quartz, glass or diamond?
It reminded me of the red cloak full of jewel dust that Calian had once worn, but in fact, many things were different.
A multi-layered grapefruit-colored dress fluttered lightly with each step. The glitter that decorated the dress from the lower back to the hem of the dress was filled with lights and continued to shine. A single line of silver thread was embroidered to create a dress that was modest but not simple at all.
To be honest, I didn’t really like the fact that the dress was a grapefruit color, but since Louise recommended it and Hina chose it, how can I complain? I just look at them with a happy and proud face and nod my head.
“As expected, there is nothing about our Hina that is not amazing.”
Kalian, who had been crying out with his boiling heart just now looking at Planz, was gone, and now he was looking at Hina with the same eyes as a father looking at his grown child.
“He’s already amazing, but he also has great insight.”
And that’s it.
Plantz, who heard the whole thing because he was quite close by, reminisced about a time when it was like a storm, and tried to turn his head away from my younger brother, who looked as if it would not be strange for him to throw away all his attachments to the world and start the second chapter of his leisurely life. . Then he bowed slightly towards Devlan and opened his mouth.
“I apologize for my rude language.”
An apology that doesn’t even bow its head.
Devlan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he received an apology from someone who was not even remotely sorry. If anyone saw it, it would seem that he still had some resentment left in his heart because of Hina’s incident.
Devlan looked at Planz and Calian for a moment, then his eyes fell on Chase.
“A small crown changes a person.”
“Do you think that Crown Prince Plants and I have planned something presumptuous?”
The place where the Secretia royal family was located was separated from others at some distance. A small conversation that could not be heard by others followed.
“I want to hear your opinion on whether I should accept that apple.”
“If you are curious about my thoughts on who made the bigger mistake, Crown Prince Planz or His Highness, I think it would be better to exchange words of apology. Wouldn’t that be better than not receiving an apology from Crown Prince Planz and not receiving an apology from Your Majesty? .”
“Do you think it’s true that I made a mistake too?”
“To go beyond your relationship and level of command and show interest in the person who would become the other person’s spouse to the point of being a burden… shouldn’t that be a mistake?”
This means that it must have been a mistake and not intentional.
Devlan nodded and looked at Chase again.
“It had to be a mistake. That’s an interesting thing to say.”
“If it wasn’t a mistake, it would be a bigger problem.”
“Then the reason you came forward was to make my actions a simple mistake. It sounds like you told me about my illness to save me from getting caught up in something bad.”
“That’s right.”
“Thank you too.”
“I hope you don’t think I’m grateful. It’s just my gratitude for raising you like this.”
Something I hadn’t planned.
Hina. And Plantz entered with Hina.
This was beyond Devlan’s expectations. variable.
Calian and Chase got along better with Plants than expected.
The corners of Devlan’s mouth went up as he realized that he had been caught in a well-prepared trap.
“Yeah. I don’t think so.”
“Yes, father.”
After a brief exchange of pretended good intentions, Devlan turned his head and looked at Plantz.
“Should we exchange words of apology at a gathering for celebration and progress? It would be good to resolve any misunderstandings that may have arisen between us.”
“I understand. Your Highness.”
Plantz answered quietly and sat down with Hina. And Devlan talked about putting good alcohol on each table again.
Even then, the banquet hall was still quiet.
* * *
Hina set down the footrest.
Planz took his place and Kalian caught the attention.
– Isn’t that right? father.
And Chase brought the finale to a close.
This is a new play that started like that.
No one had decided in advance the role of the next person. Nevertheless, everything worked together like a well-organized gear wheel.
“For some reason, His Majesty King Secretia seemed to be coughing unusually. I think it was because he was ill. Isn’t that right, President?”
“Oh. I guess so. Are you in a lot of pain?”
Coco’s mother, who was in a good mood by increasing her favorite items, and Coco’s father, who found what was happening right now really fun, encouraged audience participation.
The confusion of those who could not be surprised to their fullest extent finally came.
“…Serenti.”
I finally accepted the fact that Devlan was sick. That one story became the beginning, and all subsequent stories also became true.
“But no matter what, he is the king. Isn’t it too much that even though the king is sick, it is impossible for him to receive treatment from a Tensil healer? It’s not even right after the war.”
“After the war, we kind of forgot about each other, so I came back to being a healer, but that was suddenly banned about 20 years ago. That’s why my relationship with Tensil is so bad now. At that time, Tensil was some kind of devil-worshipping group. “Because it drives me like that.”
“Did it? Who? Why?”
“That… when the late king of this country was seriously injured in an accident, that person over there… that person.”
“You blocked Tensil Healer with your own hands and tried to bring him back this time?”
“That’s right.”
The sound of Kairis’ knights whispering under their breath did not spread far. However, it easily caught the ears of the nobles who were sitting with them.
“I heard there were a lot of Tensil healers who tried to come here these days and got kicked out. It looks like Tensil sent them over again. Is that being generous or being a brat?”
“Try to lower your voice. You must have given something while singing. Would you have just called?”
People who are accustomed to living believing that what is shown is the truth forget how to judge and decide for themselves. The moment you accept that one claim is true, everything you hear after that also becomes unmistakable truth.
“What did they give me?”
“How do I know that? They must have done behind-the-scenes dealings, whether it be money or new goods. They say they stole a lot of things from nobles here.”
Whether it’s fact or speculation.
As new stories spread silently one after another, new drinks ordered by Devlan were brought to the table.
Instead of a wine glass, a crystal glass similar to a water cup was placed.
Instead of purple wine, it contained clear brown liquor.
“…Serenus.”
Calian chanted the name with a happy face. I was so happy that I almost added, ‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.’
Serenus.
This, with its grand meaning of ‘a gift imbued with Serenti’s blessing,’ was the name of the liquor brewed in Secretia. If Kairis has Himolica and Sizlinu, Secretia has Basilica and Serenus.
Serenus had a deep aroma, rich taste, and high alcohol content.
That means it was Bern’s favorite drink. However, Bern didn’t enjoy it very much, but there were no particular reasons. This is because Bern thought of this precious liquor, which was difficult to find in most bars in the capital city of Secreta and was only sparingly consumed by nobles, as something to get drunk quickly. Since Chase himself was a huge lover, he had no choice but to take the precious Serenus from Bern’s hands so that it would not be wasted.
“That’s fun.”
As for Devlan, who told him to bring it out, Calian took a sip without any doubt and spoke in a whisper.
Kyrie turned her head after hearing Calian’s very small voice. Calian answered with questioning eyes.
“Serenus on a day like this. I feel a little strange.”
“What’s strange?”
“It was the drink I drank on an unforgettable day.”
Calian responded in a quieter voice and laughed. He then handed the bottle to Ayla, who was sitting across from him, and said.
“Aila.”
“yes.”
“I like this.”
Still sometimes I can’t get used to it.
Calian didn’t say anything about himself, but everyone already knew about him. Ayla answered while trying to get used to seeing Calian like that again.
“yes I like it.”
Calian’s head moved up and down. And then he poured the drink directly into Aila’s glass.
“Is it okay to drink like this? It’s a new drink.”
“Why? Are you afraid that I will give you alcohol that will burn you if you drink it?”
“Because I don’t trust anyone other than the prince.”
Devlan’s new drink.
I wonder if there was poison in it or not. I wonder if I will get sick or not. Ayla was worried about that.
“It’s okay. I brought it out to see who would be suspicious and who would not.”
Could it be possible that poison was added?
It’s just a drink I brought out to see which of the nobles attending this event might have changed their minds or have questions about Devlan in their minds.
“We don’t care, just drink it.”
“yes.”
Aila, who didn’t leave any doubts about Calian’s words that it was okay, drank all of that good liquor in one go. And with a very satisfied face, he nodded, savoring the lingering scent of Serenus.
“It’s delicious. It’s been a while.”
“I see. It’s been a while.”
Calian laughed.
The day Devlan left the world. The drink I drank after hearing about Aila’s death. I think it’s fun because Devlan prepared it himself this time.
As I was immersed in that fun lingering mood for a moment, the blue-haired wizard next to me intervened.
“Prince. It’s been a while since I returned from the Seneu River at the hands of an assassin. Drinking alcohol… It’s good. Drink as much as you want to soothe any remaining poison when you get tired of drinking.”
I guess I was overly worried about Kalian.
Arsene, who saw the ruby-like eyes of the person looking at him with the expression on his face as if the meat he was eating had been stolen, quickly smiled and changed what he was saying. To be precise, I extended my lifespan on my own.
Calian nodded and took a sip of Serenus with a relaxed look again. Of course, I didn’t forget to get rid of the intoxication. Because you can’t get drunk now.
– Devlan did not invite Arianne to this event. Whether he was planning to attack the Marquis of Lynn or raise questions about Arianne, he would have prepared a move that he couldn’t stop. They probably tried to make him a weak crown prince who couldn’t even protect his fiancé’s family. So, we should not even allow that number to be revealed at all.
– I think so too. I was prepared.
– Fortunately, the. Well done!
I praised Hina and had a nonsensical conversation with Arsene. As the leisurely moments I created on purpose continued to come and go, I continued to speak to Chase in my mind.
– Here we are talking about assassins and poison. Questions also emerged about the relationship between Devlan and Tensil. So, brother, you must not show any suspicion or concern about Devlan.
As Calian’s words were conveyed, Chase, who was sitting far away, raised his hand and swallowed a sip of Serenus just like Calian. With that, Chase’s answer came.
– Can I just eat well and not worry?
– yes. Drink some alcohol and some water. It’s a good idea to taste all the food at least once. And don’t forget to smile. However, please do not talk any more to Devlan. You are not afraid or worried about Devlan, but you must appear to be constantly on guard, as if you are not friendly with him. Don’t forget that everything you show me now is the nobles’ first impression.
– okay. Don’t forget.
Chase has a good understanding of the situation, but his behavior does not. Isn’t Devlan faster than anyone else here, followed by Kalian?
– Drurk!
Soon Kalyan stood up.
The slightly loud sound of the chair made other people’s eyes turn to Calian once again.
“I heard that while I was distracted, my brother, His Majesty, was very disappointed.”
My brother, my weak-hearted brother, must have been so disappointed that he committed suicide in the area where the nobles lived that night.
Plantz, who had put his idiotic personality to good use out of necessity, frowned. To others, it probably seemed like ‘the crown prince’s irritation as he remembered the disappointment of that time’, but in Calian’s eyes, it looked a little different.
‘Why is my brother trying to sell me again?’
If you interpret it that way, it would be correct.
Either that or not. The still loud sound echoed through the hall again.
“That’s why I take this opportunity…”
Calian paused for a moment and poured a drink into his own glass.
A brilliant sound resonates throughout the hall, and the light from the magic lantern shines on the beautifully poured glass of wine.
“I would like to hand over congratulatory wine directly to my dear brother, Crown Prince Plants of Kairis. Would that be okay?”
Calian, holding a drink in his hand, looked around at everyone and smiled sweetly.
He created an appearance that made people forget that offering a toast before the king, Devlan, was another form of rudeness. A beautiful smile that could not help but attract anyone’s attention was drawn on the lips, which had become as red as the blood of a pigeon upon contact with alcohol.
Devlan’s new drink was put in everyone’s glass.
The nobles did not object and Devlan could not object.
As if he had completely forgotten about the broken knife, Kalyan began his congratulatory speech filled with only sincerity. As Calian, who briefly took on the role of the younger brother in ‘Really Good Brothers’, continued, the nobles looked satisfied and Plantz’s face looked like he was chewing on coco shit. Of course, Calian didn’t care.
By the time the long greetings were over, the worries about the poison that might have been in the new drink had completely disappeared from everyone’s minds. So everyone raised their glasses.
“Brother, you too, please have a drink. It’s a nice day.”
“…… okay.”
Everyone drank a new drink so that no one could tell which noble had different feelings due to the variables created by Plantz.
Calian, who had put his flowery beauty to good use for the first time in a long time, looked at Devlan.
“Isn’t it a truly pleasant night, Your Highness?”
And smiled brightly.
Since ancient times, it has been said that the more beauty you have, the better.
