Chapter 8. Very, nice to meet you (2)
Lemaine’s head turned towards Caera’s knight standing outside the door. It was to instruct them to follow Kalian. Alan said, shaking his head.
“Just leave it alone. The prince will be in trouble.”
“It’s better to be in trouble than in danger.”
Lemain spoke to the culprit who had caused this tragedy with a stern expression, and a strange smile appeared on Alan’s lips.
“Please rest assured that there will be no one in this Kairis who would dare attack Alan Manasil’s carriage.”
In terms of safety, it was true that Alan Manasil’s carriage was comparable to the Arpia Palace.
However, Alan, who could not tell Calian that the safety of the carriage would not be very necessary, simply said this.
“Besides, I am following the hidden sword, so there is no danger.”
Lemain’s eyebrows moved. Because it meant that he had a bodyguard.
However, if asked in detail about it, the prince would be reprimanded for breaking the law, so Lemain pretended not to have heard what was said.
“Okay. Let’s wait for now.”
Only after that was concluded did Lemain’s arm point to the sofa across from him. I realized that I had left Alan standing in the doorway all this time. Alan, who was about to sit down even though he wasn’t advised, went and sat down in front of him.
LeMaine looked at Alan for a moment and spoke with a deep sigh.
“I’m worried because I’ve already experienced something big.”
How could such a worried man have been so indifferent all this time?
Alan picked up an almond cookie and chewed and swallowed it with this thought that suddenly occurred to him. LeMaine asked after looking at Alan’s mumbling mouth for a moment.
“Do you know why you went out?”
Alan nodded moderately. I thought I knew a fair bit.
“While I was asking about Rivern’s magic academy, he fluttered out.”
“A magic academy? Has that kid decided to create an academy?”
“I may or may not have made a decision.”
Alan, who gave an ambiguous answer, thought about something for a moment. Then, he asked a question that did not bother to hide the sting.
“Even if a magic academy is established, it will not be of any help to you. Talent is not created in a short period of time. Will that be a cause for concern for you?”
Lemain shook his head with a calm expression and answered.
“It seems like you are asking whether you want to keep Calian’s power in check. I already know that he is not the type of kid who would want to take my place hastily, so for that reason I will not be able to keep Calian in check. Even if it is not me, I am worried that there are too many people who will attack him. It’s just okay. I’m thinking it’s fortunate that Calian has you by my side, so don’t look at me like that.”
It wasn’t Lemain who didn’t know why Alan was on his side. Haven’t you been nailing it since the first day you came here? He said he would just tidy up the house so that Kalyan could ascend to the throne safely.
“So, I guess it would be nice if you go to Rosellita with me?”
Even though Silike was staying calm, he was saying this out of concern that something might happen on the long road to Siegfried’s territory. Of course, it wasn’t that Alan couldn’t understand Lemain’s feelings.
Therefore, Alan smiled softly and reassured Lemain.
“Your Majesty’s life inside is more important than the Prince’s life outside, so please stop worrying about unnecessary things.”
Lemain quietly cupped his forehead.
And I thought it would be good if Calian came quickly and cleaned up this greeting.
* * *
Melfir, who had been running blindly, thinking only of waiting for Calian, came to his senses for a moment and asked.
“Is it only the prince who came?”
“Yes. You came with just the two of you.”
He came alone and in Alan Manasil’s carriage.
It is clearly a secret visit.
Melfir opened his mouth again with a nervous expression.
“Has any of the servants seen the prince?”
“Even so, he asked me to take over the surrounding area first, so he took it without looking at me.”
“Okay. Good job.”
Melfir rushed away while saying that. The exhausted butler could no longer follow, so he stood in place to catch his breath and ran again toward where Melfir had gone.
After entering the mansion, Melfir hurriedly washed his hands, dusted off his clothes, and headed to the living room. I wanted to change my comfortable clothes into something neat, but I couldn’t keep the prince waiting for long.
I saw Jan and Kirie standing outside the living room.
Seeing that he had taken care of his surroundings from the beginning, Melfir also left the butler outside and entered the parlor alone. Then Kalian, who was sitting with his back to the window and holding a teacup, raised his head.
Melfir met Calian’s gaze and bowed in greeting.
“I meet you, Baron Melfir Fallun, 3rd Prince.”
“Long time no see.”
Calian put down the teacup and answered with a smile.
Since their first meeting was all about whispering and passing by, Melfir bowed a little more when facing Calian’s real voice. Calian, who noticed the reason for the overly polite greeting, laughed quietly.
As it turned out, it was the top of Fallun that had recently started trading diamonds with Tensil in earnest. So, there was a lot of worry about what they would ask for in exchange for their lives.
“I’m sorry for coming to you without contacting you. It’s difficult to reveal it.”
In fact, it didn’t matter whether Calian came to Melfir openly or called him to the palace. The prince wants to meet the baron, but who would interfere?
“How can you apologize when I know it was out of consideration for me? It’s just an infinite honor that you found me.”
It was for Melfir, not Calian, that he visited Melfir in this inconspicuous way. Calian is a person who has not joined hands with any nobles other than the Wizards Association. Therefore, if it became known that he had met separately with Melfir, attention would inevitably be focused on him.
Calian responded by nodding and pointed to the chair across from the table.
“Please sit down. I need to talk to you for a moment.”
Melfir, who looked a little more nervous, walked over and sat down with a quiet gesture, and then Calian’s mouth opened.
“I think you must have thought a lot about it.”
I tried to figure out Raven’s intention by giving her a necklace as a gift, but it was Calian who sent me the money for the necklace as if he had completely figured it out. Since he didn’t say anything since then, I didn’t know if he was angry or trying to ask for something bigger, so I felt uneasy.
Melphyr responded to Calian’s words without specifically denying them.
“Yes, Prince. I was worried because I was a businessman by nature and never just received.”
“I really like your honest answer.”
Calian smiled, took a sip of tea, and looked at Melfir for a moment. Just as Melfir was swallowing his dry saliva as he met his gaze, Calian opened his mouth.
“What does Polun trade in?”
Melfir’s shoulders stiffened for a moment.
The moment you answer, “horses and diamonds,” the little prince will immediately get up and return to the palace. Given his personality, it was obvious that he would have to pay for the tea he was drinking now. That way, you won’t get caught up again in the future.
As Melfir thought this, his head began to spin.
Kalian leisurely enjoyed the scent of tea again. After another sip of tea, Melfir answered in a cautious voice.
“There is no deal yet, my prince.”
A smile appeared on Calian’s face.
The Fallun Merchants are trading horses and diamonds, but Melfir Fallun has not joined hands with anyone yet.
It was the answer Kalian had expected and the appearance he had expected.
“They say not yet.”
Sweet.
Calian put down the teacup and stared at Melfir.
“Can I speak to Baron Fallun?”
Instead of dealing with the resourceful merchant lord Melfir Fallun, he wants to deal with the capable Baron Melfir Fallun.
The reason Calian came to Melphyr Fallun was not to obtain goods. Bern, who was a knight, knew nothing about the work of the upper class anyway. I had no intention of making money by predicting future events in detail. So there was no need to talk to Melfir, the merchant.
Melfir swallowed dry saliva again.
“Huh…”
Melfir let out a habitual breath without realizing it and looked at Calian without answering. Kalian tilted his head slightly and drank his tea once again.
Sweet.
The teacup made a soft sound once more and Melfir’s mouth opened.
“I’ve been here from the beginning, my prince.”
“Good thing you don’t have to wait.”
A satisfied light appeared in Kalian’s eyes.
Calian spoke slowly, thinking he had done well to keep him alive.
Melfir straightened his posture and sat down, and Calian continued. However, the question was a bit vague and not specific.
“I was wondering if the Baron could run something other than the top.”
Since Alan is a Calian man, he will tell and do it without hiding what he wants to do, but since Melfir is not there yet, I will try to judge his intention first.
Melfir thought for a moment and answered.
“If you have people and money, there is nothing difficult.”
“There are people and there is money.”
Calian paused for a moment and then spoke again.
“But Briesen will be there too.”
As Alan guessed, Calian was thinking of setting up a magic academy. Of course, it wouldn’t be as dangerous as creating a wizard group, but there might be troublesome things involved with Brisen.
Melfir asked, pressing his lips together.
“If Brisen is there, doesn’t the prince also exist?”
Calian laughed softly.
“I asked a stupid question. That’s right, I have one too.”
“If you have people, money, and a prince in front of you, there is nothing difficult.”
Calian nodded.
Calian didn’t think there was any need to continue the mystery of why he came, so he didn’t hide it any longer and got to the point.
“I would like to set up a magic academy in Kairis. There is already enough money to build an academy, and there are many people who will be in charge of education, whether they are magicians from the association or Alan. Operation is the problem.”
There was no way that easy-going wizards could run the academy properly.
As I was thinking about it, I thought of this resourceful merchant merchant and the price of my life that I have not yet received. It was Calian who came to Melfir that way.
Melfir lowered his head without saying a word and began to think. Calian, who knew there would be a lot to think about, waited without any impatience. Because, beyond simply running the academy, Baron Melphyr Fallun would stand on the side of the third prince, Calian.
As if he had made a decision, Melfir raised his head and opened his mouth. However, something other than an answer to Calian’s suggestion came out first.
“Is that the price of my life, Prince?”
Is this something he is being asked to do in return for saving his life? So is it something that must be done regardless of will? That’s what I was asked.
A smile appeared on Calian’s face.
“I already paid for my life.”
Sweet.
Calian answered after putting down the last sip of tea.
Melfir’s eyes stayed on the empty teacup for a while.
Soon the sound of cool laughter filled the living room. It was a feeling of relief at having shaken off the burden that had been sitting in a corner of Melfir’s heart for three months.
“I’ll do it.”
Melfir bowed his head once again.
* * *
The morning of two days later.
In the dining room of the Chermil Palace, a pie filled with red-baked cherries and all kinds of red-colored fruits and vegetables were being prepared.
The corridor surrounding Chermil Palace was decorated with red thread, and red Laprania flowers were placed around the artificial lake. Flower petals scattered by the wind hovered over the lake.
The Kairis people made no distinction between celebrating birth and mourning death. Just as red flowers were placed in front of those who died, red flowers were also given to those who celebrated their birthday.
To them, red was the color that encompassed death and birth.
So what a unique custom it was, Kalian thought. The same color is given to both the living and the dead.
In any case, it was impossible to change the tradition just because Calian did not like it. So, as soon as Calian woke up, he drank pomegranate juice, then accepted the fifteen Laprania flowers handed to him by Merlin and said thank you.
So today was Kalian’s birthday.
It is a touching day when the 3rd Prince of Kairis, who had many quarrels and hardships, finally comes of age.
“Congratulations on your fifteenth birthday.”
So, I listened to these words all morning, which were no different from Toshi. It took over two hours just to receive congratulatory greetings and birthday gifts from the nobles gathered at Senyu Pavilion. And at a luncheon with those who would be joining us on the Rosellita journey, we made a toast with a simple thank you and ate and had tea together for a long time.
Without stopping, I changed into my formal clothes for the dinner and headed towards the Siegfried Pavilion.
The black cloak, very ornately decorated with red thread, somehow reminded me of Calian’s appearance. It was clear that Merlin had chosen that color on purpose. The black jacket and pants didn’t have any special decorations, but thanks to the cape that was visible everywhere, the jacket and pants weren’t even noticeable.
Even his thin body, which was his only flaw, had gained weight, so it was natural that the nobles’ eyes would rest on Calian again. Moreover, he was also the main character of the day.
“Nice to meet you.”
Calian greeted like this again.
After hearing that the nobles were very worried because they said they were happy to meet them when they first met, I continued to greet them that way to let them know that it didn’t mean anything. As a result, it became a habit.
Calian, who was looking at the nobles full of admiration, walked to his seat with the same elegant steps as always.
– Stand tall.
And I really stopped for a moment.
Plants, who had not been seen in public for three months, was there.
