Chapter 65. There is one more (3)
I feel sorry for leaving it behind, but at the same time, I am glad.
The pink soles of the white hind feet sticking out of the hammock and the gray tail gently moving under the cushion disappeared. Instead, two round faces were lifted up.
After that
– Uddadadat……!
Even though it’s not a puppy and you don’t always show cuteness when you’re with it, it makes all kinds of fuss and runs to you. They come running and talk to each other, raising their voices. Meow, meow, with such a pretty sound.
As if he was really happy to see you.
As if I had waited for such a long time.
“Lucy Anne.”
The first time he was away for a long time, he cried so sadly, but it seems he has gotten used to Plantz’s long outings. He didn’t complain like that anymore. Instead, they welcomed me.
In this royal palace full of things that need to be hidden and hidden, without any calculation, they run with their whole body and raise their voices without getting tired, welcoming them. I was grateful to see them greeting me with all my might, so I stretched out my arms and picked them up. I held the two cats in my arms.
“Lucy.”
“Aow!”
“Even Anne’s stomach was round. What were she doing?”
“Niang!”
“That’s right. Why?”
This becomes a natural thing, and before you know it, you forget everything you have to do and sit down for a while to get cozy in the color of the cat.
“I was curious. How were you?”
“Aeowong!”
“Okay. I didn’t forget. I didn’t leave it behind.”
If I knew it, it might just be asking me to get some snacks out quickly, or it might be asking who you are and who came to my area again, but I understood it as I could and answered as I could. This kind of thing has already become a daily routine.
“Nyaaa!”
“Yes. Me too.”
“Nyaaa…!”
“Yes. I missed you.”
I was also becoming accustomed to saying things I had never said before without even realizing it was awkward.
Plants chuckled as he looked at Lucy’s pink soles, who didn’t seem to like being touched but just tolerated it, pretending not to notice, and Anne’s chubby belly, which was obviously a little plumper no matter how much she looked at it.
“You have new clothes.”
“Eung!”
“Did Hina give it to you?”
“Nyan!”
White flowers embroidered on a light yellow background.
White flowers embroidered on a light pink background.
I heard it was a white flower that commonly blooms on the side of the road, but now that I think about it, I have never seen it with my own eyes. A flower that is very common, but cannot be seen unless you look for it. But for Plants, who cannot be forgotten, it is the only flower that is a flower but is not a flower. Laricium. The cats were wearing new clothes with several of those special flowers embroidered on them. He was wearing beautiful clothes that conveyed the warmth of someone with skillful hands.
“You look good on me, Lucy.”
“Aeung!”
Lucy, wearing a light yellow robe with a hood like a wizard’s, answered while lying down on the lap of Planz, who was sitting on the sofa for a moment.
“Niaang!”
Anne, who had lost the best seat to Lucy, tapped Plantz’s arm with her cotton-like front paw and spoke again.
“Yes, Anne too.”
Anne and Lucy, who were wearing light pink shirts with red ribbons instead of hoods, felt so soft that it was hard to express them in words. There was a small, small laugh.
After relaxing with the cats for a while, I took a quick shower, got out, and got dressed. In Reric’s hand was a cardigan that was a mixture of white and dark gray, a color that wouldn’t be noticeable even when Lucy and Anne’s fur got on it. Plantz’s mouth opened very briefly when he saw that.
“not.”
Something other than a cardigan.
This could mean that you need more comfortable clothes because you plan to go to the training center, or that you need more formal clothes because you plan to go outside of Chermil Palace. It’s one of two things.
After thinking quickly, Reric chose one of the two and asked.
“Are you going to the training center?”
“Wilhelm Coffin.”
Wrong.
The only time Plantz doesn’t mind talking at length is when he’s dealing with cats. I know how tiring it is to have long conversations with other people outside. I know that the reason I speak briefly to Calian is because he understands everything, and the reason I speak briefly to Reric is because he becomes more comfortable with Reric.
So it’s okay to be wrong. Just guess right next time.
“Yes, sir. I will give you the jacket.”
Relic, who was in a good mood after Plantz returned, smiled brightly and nodded. Then, he handed the thin cardigan in his hand to another attendant and accepted a light purple jacket instead. Because it was late, I didn’t want to hand him a separate tie, but since he was going to dress up, he hurriedly brought me a dark gray tie decorated with silver thread and tied it to me.
“Well then, how would you like to eat?”
“In Wilhelm.”
“Okay. I’ll tell you to bring it as soon as it’s ready.”
“two.”
“Is Prince Calian also eating it? Then, a little more…” “
No, Vice Commander.”
“Ah… Ah yes. Vice Commander Hertz. Yes, I understand.”
Arsene.
I can’t believe Planz was taking care of Arsene’s meals together.
I have to see if the sun rises in the west tomorrow. No, you have to check first to see if the sun rises.
Reric quickly put aside his surprise and embarrassment and fixed the tie knot and attached accessories made of black pearls and a platinum chain. My Majesty stayed with the vice-corps commander for a few days, and he seemed to have returned with a much improved relationship, and I was very happy at the thought.
So that the crazy blue-haired wizard doesn’t go out and not come back with the excuse of ‘I’m hungry, so I’ll come back after eating.’ Stay up all night without thinking about going anywhere and finish your backlog of work well.
So, in order to prevent my brother, who doesn’t know when he will go out again, using the pretext of interfering with the work in Balkan that is piled up on the way for me to follow him right away.
I didn’t know that those calculation-filled thoughts were hidden in those green eyes.
“It’s done, sir. Are you going to leave right now?”
“okay.”
“Okay, I’ll call a carriage.”
“it’s okay.”
“Are you going to walk to the Wilhelm Pavilion again?”
Plantz nodded once and left the room. I knew it was a long way to the Wilhelm Pavilion, but I mostly walked.
I went down the stairs.
3rd Floor. Jan, who was standing in front of the wall facing the stairs, slightly lowered his head towards Planz.
I know that Jan’s head was lowered a little more than he was nodding because there were many other people around Planz and Jan. I didn’t care and after receiving a proper greeting, I went back down the stairs.
Second floor. One of Kalian’s subordinates walked over with two cups of tea and said hello. The scent of honey was so sweet that it was difficult to express it with just the word “rich.” One side of Planz’s lip rose slightly at the scent, which was as strong as the lemon in the teacup.
I don’t know what kind of whim or reason it was, but it seemed like Randel had gone to Calian’s room. If you measure the length of the rear end of its body, isn’t it the younger brother who can wrap around the body of the Sispanian a few times? Plantz, who knew full well that he was the type of person who would not pass up even the cup of grapefruit tea he was served, but would always return it, walked past Merlin.
First floor. I went out the front door of the building. I walked past the sound of fountain water and rustling leaves. I walked along a path filled with small, flat stones. I was given the courtesy of the knights guarding the entrance to Chermil Palace. I continued walking again without stopping.
“… It’s been a very long time since I last saw you.”
Stand tall.
My feet stopped.
“Crown Prince Plants… Your Majesty.”
Turquoise hair, turquoise eyes, bright face and calm smile. But sharp eyes. Snow that was forged on a selected day.
Plantz raised his head.
I lowered my eyes.
I looked straight into the sharp eyes of this person who seemed to be taller than Alan or even Kirie, and therefore about two fists taller than Plantz.
“who.”
And asked.
“Yes, sir. I am Marquess Gray Briesen of the Briesen family. Not long ago, at a noble meeting, a noble did not greet you properly, and Prince Calian became angry. Do you remember?”
Reric’s answer, who completely understood Planz’s short words and their meaning this time, came from behind. It seems as if he is speaking quietly out of concern for Gray standing in front of him, but in a very appropriate low voice so that he cannot be heard.
“I am the Marquis from back then.”
“iced coffee.”
Plantz nodded as if he had finally remembered something and looked at Gray again. As always, I looked down at Gray, who was taller than me.
“Brisen… I see.”
And then I moved the foot I had stopped on again.
An act of completely forgetting that it was the same Brisen.
The act of drawing the same line as one would treat any other noble.
That was Plantz’s answer to the question of how to deal with the remaining Briesen.
The pretty smile on Gray’s lips deepened.
If it had been Evan, he would have been so angry at being ignored that he would not have been able to say anything else. However, Gray was a little different. At least Gray knew how to swallow his anger and smile.
“Yes. I am Gray Briesen, Marquis of the Briesen family. I didn’t introduce myself because I thought you might have forgotten. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Plantz’s feet stopped again.
“Congratulations on your elevation to the crown. Last time I saw you, I wasn’t able to congratulate you separately, so I’m finally telling you now.”
Pretending not to recognize him, pretending that he was not Briesen, and pretending to have been born with only the noble blood of a dragon, he responded with congratulations to his nephew who was so dismissive of him.
Plantz turned his head towards Gray.
Should we ignore or laugh this time? As I was evaluating it for a moment, Gray’s mouth moved first. A small, whisper-like sound came from a mouth with a charming, pleasant smile.
“At first glance, I envy you. You have a good younger brother…unlike me.”
Fragrant words.
Those words, which seem to be full of Renieri’s scent, are accompanied by the sound of Reric’s heel, which is always an inch higher, hitting the ground.
Will I come to my senses if I get hit again? I heard that Slayman is in the capital. I wonder if he would have to run away somewhere far away to hide his absence as an Auror.
I was thinking of asking that question.
“Thanks to.”
There is no mistake in any of these words. So I answered as if it was no big deal. And then he moved his feet again.
I gave strength to the tips of my feet.
I walked without shaking.
* * *
I no longer drank tea.
If I had known this would happen, I would have prevented Jan from removing the car that was left in front of Kalian before he came, but it was already too late. That said, I couldn’t even drink that sweet tea again, so I didn’t touch it anymore.
“As far as I know, I think this is the first time Brother Randel has come to visit me. Is that true?”
He said it was okay not to accept that the old Kalyan was gone and a new one had come in his place. That said, I didn’t even try to bury that fact. Even if I lost to Plantz, who was growing up, I had no intention of losing to Randel, who was already fully grown.
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“Then may I ask the reason now? Why did you come?”
Randel, who looked at Calian for a while, nodded. And then he took out a small letter from his pocket and put it down. Then Calian frowned slightly.
“I smell blood.”
The smell of blood, which has now almost disappeared and become very light, seems to have never been so thick to begin with. That was coming out of the letter.
“Is that so?”
“What is.”
“Open it.”
Calian looked at the letter and Randel once, then reached out and picked up the letter. I had a vague feeling about where it was sent from and what it contained.
“Did you send it from Tensil?”
“Is there any other way?”
“I see.”
There was the sound of folded paper being unfolded.
– I met your younger brothers by chance in Secretia. As we talked, I felt a closeness to you. Since you and I can also be said to be brothers, I would like to meet together, build friendships, and share stories that have been long overdue.
Calian, who read the letter at high speed, looked at Randel.
“It was my first time receiving a letter like this from someone saying they wanted to become friends with Brother Randel, so I was touched and wanted to keep it as a meaningful thing. Do you ever think that way?”
“Burn it.”
“yes.”
As soon as he answered, a fire broke out.
The smell of blood was slowly incinerated, masked by the smell of burning paper.
Soon Calian’s hand pointed to Randel’s heart.
“When you signed your oath, did you also promise to tell someone everything you learned, Brother Randel?”
“Would you have done that?”
“You never know.”
“Did not do it.”
The good news is that even if Randel learns something, there is no need to tell the person who shared the oath.
Well, if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be necessary to tell the other person about Calian’s change? It is fortunate that it is not such a contract. If not, he would have died at the hands of the evil spirit, World Peace, Nabal, and Demirea. Also, without knowing what would happen if I died, I almost knew the answer once I died.
“It seems like the contents of the contract are relatively specific. I see that you gave a definite answer.”
“There was a lot written down. It would be difficult to compare since we didn’t do it twice.”
“You came with a ridiculous contract, but it’s better. Still, it seems like Brother Randel came with a smarter contract than you.”
“Was it a mockery?”
“This is a reprimand.”
What on earth did everyone grow up watching to make them sell their hearts out like that at that age?
Calian added in a muttering tone, and opened his mouth as he remembered the letter that was burned without leaving a single ashes.
“Is the person who sent the letter to you, Crown Prince Sergein of Tensil?”
“okay.”
“Serjane. Dead.”
Sweet.
Randel, holding the teacup that he had not touched, slowly took a sip of tea and put it down. Calian watched the scene with calm eyes.
“Is that so?”
“The Serjane I met in Secretia, the one who sent a letter to his brother. The Serjane who is trying hard in all directions to come here. They are all fakes disguised as crown princes. The real Serjane was seriously injured a long time ago. I “He was alive until he stayed in Secretia.”
A white finger pointed to the spot where Randel had put down the letter a moment ago.
“He died the day I sent this letter.”
A letter in which you say you want to meet, but leave out information about deciding when, where, and how to meet. Therefore, I burned the contents of the letter without even remembering it.
What ‘Serjane’ wanted to convey was not the content, but the name and smell.
The smell of blood left on a clean letter with no blood stains.
The smell of blood that was obviously intentionally put on the pillow. The scent of blood was so weak that other knights would not notice it that Randel could not recognize it, but Calian could.
“Have you ever asked Brother Randel, paying close attention, to see if His Highness wouldn’t mind if I brought Serzane to Kairis?”
“I haven’t seen you in person since you returned from Secretia.”
Oh, kinda.
Please meet me.
Cornbeard, do you know if there is a rumor going around that you have a fiancé? First brother, don’t you think you will respond in this way only after your Majesty meets you? Pea asked His Majesty a favor about Serzane, and His Highness came to answer what to do about it, but Pea got scolded by him and quickly apologized, completely forgetting why you were here and just leaving. I know you’ve broken your heart to the point where I can’t even bear the thought of hating you, but I wonder if it’s okay if we meet again.
There is no way you can say that.
There’s no way I could say something like that if I knew it was broken. Well, I can’t take it out.
“yes.”
I’m so frustrated that I’m dying of old age.
Calian, who was trying to smooth out the wrinkles between his pretty eyebrows, gulped down some lemon tea to get rid of the bitter taste.
“Are you here to tell me that? You have nothing else to say.”
“Is there any?”
“You probably don’t have any.”
“okay.”
“I understand. Your Highness may ask if it would be okay to meet Sergeane later.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“thank you.”
After saying this, Calian looked at Randel and asked in a low voice.
“But isn’t your heart heavy?”
Randel, who was about to get up, looked at Calian. I looked really deep. Calian pretended not to have seen that and opened his mouth again.
“There is a stone in it, but I’m asking if it’s not heavy.”
“… I don’t know.”
I wasn’t talking about a seal of oath.
The healing power of red light used by Randel. This was said because it was the same light used by members of Zeon.
“If it’s too heavy or too much for you, please tell me.”
“You’re talking as if you’ll take it lightly.”
“I don’t think it’s impossible.”
The answer came as if it was nothing special.
– You will be able to take the stone out of your heart. But it can be dangerous. So, please tell me when you are trying to fix a bad person’s heart, not a good person’s heart.
First brother, it’s not because he’s a bad guy. I’m afraid it will be heavy. Because I put it on when I wasn’t even a good person, I’m afraid I won’t be able to return to being a good person and will continue to feel heavy.
“If you risk your life, I will try.”
I told her the story I had heard from Hina, saying I could take it out.
“Remember that.”
“yes.”
Randel nodded. Then he quietly got up and went out. The sound of regular, low footsteps moved away and soon disappeared.
Calian, who had stood up and showed a courtesy to Randel, made sure the door was closed and then sat down again and looked around the room instead of taking a breath. Then, he looked down for a moment at Randel’s teacup, which had taken just two sips, and let out a shallow sigh.
“I guess I have too many things to worry about. I.”
I don’t know if it was Serenti or an evil spirit, but I think the guy who brought Vern here after dying twice meant to tell me to do something about this family first, perhaps because of the axis of time. I can’t die comfortably, and I don’t think there are one or two things I need to worry about right now, but in any case, if I meet that guy later, I really won’t leave him alone.
Even after sighing and grumbling like this, I couldn’t calm down, so I moved to the terrace for the first time in a while.
The spring wind blew.
I liked that wind.
Kalian, who was relaxing while enjoying the wind that brought spring, turned his head. And saw.
“That’s strange.”
Gray entering Chermil and Plants leaving Chermil. I watched for a long time as the people who should come in and the people who should leave this evening seemed to have changed. I drew attention from Gray, who was supposed to be leaving but was coming in, and kept looking at the steps of the person who was supposed to be coming in but wasn’t.
Although others may not know, it is a step that is very noticeable to Calian’s eyes. I watched it.
That step.
Unsteadily, unusually straight steps.
“Why was it pickled like that?”
There was also a cat.
Why were the peas so pickled again?
“…I’m curious.”
Bright red eyes were focused on the turquoise hair of the person walking towards Chermil.
