Chapter 68. Sleep (2)
A white thing that crumbles easily.
When I put a fork to the bread, which should be considered hard and heavy rather than fluffy and soft, the pure white icing that had meticulously covered the outside crumbles. The sour scent spreads in the wind.
Reric, who handed warm milk to Lyrie who was eating a cake made of lemon-scented bread and a sugar cover, looked to the side. Plantz turned his head towards Riri and gaze fell on the crumbled sugar. There was an expectation that Plantz’s hand might follow Lirie’s and pick up a fork.
Relic looked at Planz for a moment, who didn’t even touch the cake and bread in front of him, and then hid his downcast face. Then, smiling at Riri, he cut off another bite of cake and placed it in her hand.
“Will it fit your taste buds? Isn’t it too sour?”
“No. It’s delicious.”
“Thank goodness. Another attendant will soon find the cat and bring it back, so please wait and eat this for a moment.”
Riri nodded.
While Reric was kindly taking care of Lyrie, who was very nervous as she was coming to the palace for the first time, Dmirea, who was looking at the place where Plantz’s eyes were focused, spoke first.
“How about taking a walk outside of Chermil Palace?”
Lyrie and Relic looked at Demirea at the sound of the voice that seemed to break the silence. However, Planz’s eyes, which were where Demirea’s words were directed, were still resting on Lirie’s plate.
It was unclear whether she had heard what I had just said, but Demirea did not ask whether she had heard me. Instead, he waited for Plantz’s reaction with a calm face.
After a while, Lyrie’s gaze, like the sugar crumbs on her plate, turned to Demirea.
“why.”
Lyrie looked worried because her voice was sourer and more crumbly than white sugar.
“Are you asking without knowing why?”
“The nobles won’t know the situation anyway. What’s the point if they don’t go out?”
“I don’t know. Even if your Majesty has placed a ban on talking about this matter from passing through the palace gates, everyone who knows is already aware of it.”
Four days have already passed since Calian did not return.
The inside of the royal palace was literally in a state of sad chaos. However, it was a quieter chaos than ever.
If Calian’s disappearance became known at a time like this, when Plantz’s position as crown prince had not been decided, it was clear that not only Calian himself, but also Plantz and Randel would be viewed with suspicion.
Could this be Randel’s plan to narrow down the position of Plantz, who joined hands with Kalian? Could it not be Plantz’s plan to get rid of Kalian? Could this be Kalian’s plan to ‘get back’ Plantz’s crown? Isn’t it obvious that countless plausible stories will stir up the whole country?
Moreover, if Calian had gone missing, it could not be assumed that those who would take this opportunity to turn the situation in their favor would not take out their swords. Whether towards Randel or towards Plantz.
Therefore, Lemain did not inform the outside world about Calian. I couldn’t even raise my voice to look for Calian. Without knowing a single thing about where Calian is or what happened.
A king who rules over more people than anyone else cannot worry about the disappearance of even one of his sons.
“Prince Calian’s continued disappearance after a big fight, Elazar’s search of Gray Brissen’s mansion, Gray Brissen’s failure to protest once, and even the disappearance of Marquis Manasil. “No matter how secretly we are moving in the palace, everyone will have already noticed to some extent.”
“Unless His Highness admits the fact, isn’t it just a rumor?”
“Yes. It’s just a rumor. So the nobles are still quiet. Gray Brisen is quietly keeping his mouth shut, so he can’t spread any stories about Prince Calian’s involvement in the commotion that day. However, we are paying attention. “How the royal family operates and what actions Prince Randel and Crown Prince Plants are taking.”
“What does it have to do with the nobles noticing and watching me and me being here?”
“The fact that the nobles’ eyes are on you also means that Gray Brisen is watching you. This means that everyone will know that you are worried about the prince without even leaving Chermil Palace.”
“…… so.”
“You don’t know what I mean, do you?”
Plantz looked at Demirea without answering.
It was not because he did not understand what Demirea was trying to say, but because he had no intention of accepting it.
After a while, Planz’s mouth opened.
“It’s been four days. I have enough to worry about my little brother. Are you sure you want to say that?”
“That’s right. It’s been four days.”
It is assumed that the relationship between brothers is not bad.
That’s why, even after losing the power of Balkan and the crown prince’s place to Plantz, he still refuses to let go of Plantz’s hand without any other complaints. Rather, he is supporting Plantz with his and Siegfried’s strength.
Such a deeply fraternal act is something Kalyan should do.
This is not something Planz should take after Kalian is gone.
“You’ve already shown as much worry as you can show. If you show any more worry, Gray Briesen’s thoughts will enter your head as well. Why on earth are you so lingering about ‘this good thing’? That’s why. “What could it be? If so, who could be whose weakness? About things like that.”
“Little duke.”
“So. As if nothing has happened… Shouldn’t you be like that, my dear?”
When Calian disappeared, Plantz had to do something different.
I had to act like I knew this day would come, as if I was lucky enough to meet it quickly and bring it about with my own hands. That’s what I meant.
“I am the Duke.”
Plantz’s breathing became a little more shaky.
Sidi Shin’s eyes turned to Lirie. A low voice was addressed to Demirea.
“I didn’t know you were a person who doesn’t care about time and place.”
He expressed his discomfort about saying words that did not contain any warmth in the presence of young Lyrie.
Demirea’s sudden visit.
Since I came to Seneu Pavilion, not Chermil Palace, and was looking for Plants, I decided to just go back and kept walking. It was because I was wondering if I might have heard some other news. However, Lirie was next to Demirea.
I think he came with Riri to soothe his complicated feelings about his missing younger brother. That’s what Planz thought when he saw Riri. It seems he was concerned about relaying what Calian had said to Dmirea. So I guess it’s like this. That’s what I thought. That’s why I felt grateful for their consideration.
But it wasn’t.
Use the situation with Calian gone to your advantage. Trick Gray Briesen and use him as a stepping stone to use. He was giving that kind of advice. With Riri next to me.
“We are not at an age where we don’t know anything. We need to see and learn about the world together, which is different from the outside and the inside.”
To let you see with your own eyes this world, which is different from the outside and the inside. It is said that he was brought here so that he could get used to seeing my younger brother’s disappearance as a useful ally.
The words that Demirea speaks are like a sword with a straight core that only pursues its goal without any wavering. The reason why Riri was brought to the place where such words were exchanged was because he was too cold-hearted.
“Little Duke. I didn’t know you were thinking of creating another person like me.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“I can’t say no.”
“I said I would protect him, but I never said I would let him grow up mindless and unaware of what was happening around him.”
Is it true that Demirea really had such a cold heart that she came here with Lirie? Unlike usual, his light green eyes, unable to think of such things, closed. Demirea still watched the scene with a calm face.
After a while, a low voice rang through the living room.
“Go first.”
Plantz stood up without even taking a sip of the clear water that was placed with the tea.
“Are you not going to listen to the advice I gave you?”
“… I have no intention of using something like that as my hand.”
“All right.”
Demirea nodded lightly and straightened up. Lily, who had been listening to the two’s story, also stood up.
“I brought Lord Hill with me. I will escort Your Highness on behalf of the absent Marquis Manasil. However, if I and Lord Hill come together, I can only acknowledge the absence of Prince Calian and Lord Manasil. So, I have no choice but to come with Riri. We came together.”
The real reason why Dmirea visited the royal palace, which would have already been guessed if it was the usual Plantz, was finally revealed.
“Because a cause is important.”
It has already been three days since Alan Manasil set out to find Calian. Everyone will already be able to guess that this was not a brief outing for some other trivial matter. Therefore, Demirea, who was concerned that something might happen to Lemain or Randel and Plantz, asked Siona Hill if she could stay at the palace for a while like last time.
However, if only Siona entered the palace, there was no telling what kind of word would spread, so Demirea took Lirie with her to the palace. So that it can be seen as if today is only keeping the promise that was made from the beginning, not because of other big things.
No matter what the truth is, the cause is important.
“Of course, I explained it to Lily in advance.”
“That’s right. I heard about it from Demirea, sir.”
Of course, I explained to Lirie in advance and asked for her understanding that the purpose of going to the palace for the first time was to act as a blinder for someone. It won’t be as enjoyable a day as I expected. It might actually be a gloomy and disappointing day, so I asked if it would be okay if I went with him.
Lily nodded without hesitation and entered the palace together.
Then, when he came to see Plantz, he started with cold words. Instead of dwelling on Calian’s absence, take advantage of this opportunity to find a way to deceive Gray.
Plantz gets angry at those words, so he announces that he has brought Siona to the palace. Only then does he reveal the real reason why he brought Riri here.
“…… Little Duke. Me now.”
“Yes. I looked into it.”
It was as if he was trying to get a glimpse into Planz’s inner thoughts.
“why.”
“I don’t know if you know, but I started helping Prince Calian for my brother. The most important thing to me is my brother, and that’s why Prince Calian’s safety is important. I don’t trust you either. It’s Prince Calian who wants to protect you. “It’s because of your safety.”
“so.”
“I don’t know what Prince Calian means by treating you. Whether or not you are the kind of person who would put a sword in the prince’s back. I am not as sure as you are.”
“Are you saying that we should have checked that in this situation?”
“Yes. It was necessary to check in this situation.”
“why.”
Lillie walked to Demirea’s side.
Demirea stroked Lillie’s head as if they were not fighting and then grabbed Lillie’s hand. And then he spoke again to Plantz.
“One of Prince Calian’s subordinates is the daughter of the newly appointed capital guard captain three days ago.”
Trivan Fiat, who was changed to the position of capital guard captain.
He was also the father of Merlin Fiat, one of the few servants and maids who did not use pseudonyms.
At the sudden mention of that name, Plantz’s gaze, which had been looking at Lyrie for a moment, turned to Demirea. Even though her eyes were demanding an explanation, Demirea closed her mouth and opened it again.
“But the capital guards captured a one-armed swordsman. When I heard that he was from the Whitlin territory, the guard captain met him in person and heard a certain story… Who should I trust and tell him what he said to ensure that Prince Calian’s safety is safe?
They say they can’t fathom that.” As soon as he arrived at the capital guard, a suspicious one-armed swordsman was captured. Those who confirmed that their hometown was Calian’s territory reported it to Triburn, and Triburn met him in person. And he heard a certain story. . He had to convey this to the royal family, but Tryburn couldn’t decide who to trust and tell the story to, and to whom he should tell this so that ‘the living Calian’ could return to the royal palace. In the end, Tryburn found Merlin. Calian was
gone
. I asked who else in the royal family I could trust. Is it Lemain, Landel, or Planz?
But Merlin, who had been watching Lemain’s treatment of Calian for a very long time, was the king of this country and the prince’s father. Even he could not believe it. He was so distrustful that he thought it would be better for Siegfried to step forward.
So Merlin went to see Jan, who was staying at Duke Siegfried’s residence due to Calian’s matter. He asked for help.
“Okay then. “Lastly, I would like to ask you one more question.”
“Tell me.”
“A Balkan member who can move secretly and is trustworthy. How many people?”
Plantz answered without hesitation at all.
“One person.”
“… Then.”
“Except. “All the rest.”
Only one of the magicians and knights belonging to the legion.
Just one person who was not from Kairis to begin with and was closer to Jeon Seo-gu than a person. Except for Sejak of Secretia, who is still here even though he doesn’t know why he is not going. Everything. I put them all in my mouth.
After hearing Plantz’s answer, Dmirea opened her mouth.
“I will tell you.”
Jan, who heard Merlin’s words, said, ”
Go find Plantz.
Where is Prince Calian?” .”
A long, long breath flowed from Plantz’s mouth.
* * *
– Quaaaaaa!
A loud noise rang out.
But the ground did not shake. There was no feeling of the air being torn apart. The surroundings did not become noisy, and a huge amount of dust did not spread out. ” I
‘m surprised.”
A voice that seemed really surprised but with no more disappointment than that was directed at Calian. Pure white hair and reddish black eyes. It was Adelia. She blocked Calian’s sword with a
thick shield and quickly spread Silent. Nan Adelia raised her eyes:
“Are you crazy? “Where are you using the knife?”
“Do you need me to care about that?”
“You don’t even ask what the situation is? “What’s wrong with your temper?”
“You know who I am and yet you kidnap me? What’s wrong with your mind?”
“Why am I so free that
I do something like that?” “Otherwise, why am I here?”
“So, I should have checked that first.”
“If that was the case, I would have tried to put him to sleep. ….. I shouldn’t have done it.”
I forgot.
The sword Calian was holding lost its light for a moment and then came back.
– Throbbing!
Along with that, my heart ached with pain. The feeling of having to use the power of blessing to make it difficult to unfold the auror. Adelia , who took a
quick look at Calian, said,
“I gave him water but no food.” You won’t die if you starve that much anyway, right? There was no medicine so I just left it alone. It won’t heal on its own.”
Only then can I smell the blood.
I can finally smell the blood coming from various parts of Calian’s body, not just Adelia’s.
“This is why using a sword is so annoying. I don’t care what my body looks like and I pick up a knife first. I know it’s going to hurt a lot, so sit quietly. It’s too much for me right now just to avoid the guys your father sent and that great teacher of yours. If you’re having a hard time, just sleep, or if you don’t like it, just talk to me and stop being angry.”
Calian still couldn’t remember exactly what happened right before he fell asleep, so he opened his mouth quietly. The knife was still not sheathed. “Explanation.” “It’s not a
kidnapping
. .”
“Then.”
“You saved me.”
“You me?”
“I did that to you.”
“Why?”
“That.”
The peaceful conversation that had been going smoothly stopped for a moment. Calian frowned and tightened his grip on the sword. Sensing this, Adelia said in annoyance,
“What on earth do you believe in and threaten me? “If I make up my mind,
it’s you.” “It’s not that I trust you, it’s that I don’t trust you, Adelia.”
Adelia let out a laugh.
It was the first time in over a hundred years of living that I had never been grateful to someone who lived and died, and was even threatened.
“You.”
“I guess I forgot. Adelia.”
Calian cut off the words again and raised his left hand. He pointed to Adelia’s neck, where a subtle scar remained.
“It was you who tried to kill me. You were the one who played around with forbidden magic and ran away. I was the one who saved it instead of killing it. I don’t care if you tried to attack me or save me. I’m not the kind of person who is leisurely enough to listen to the story of a sloppy guy who tied my feet up and saved me anyway. Please explain clearly before I lose the patience I already have. “Because I have somewhere to go right now.”
“Where are you going? A guy who can’t even stand properly.”
Adelia, who unconsciously placed her hand on the side of her neck as she felt the blade that flew at her in Bridget’s Forest digging into her neck again, shook her head. At that time, in Brigitte’s Forest, Danu walked into Adelia. Because it is clear that one of the two would not have been here if they had not been expelled.
“Anyway, with all the talk these days.”
Even Adelia couldn’t guarantee who the person who wasn’t here would have been.
“That day. Brigitte Danu said that in the forest. I have to endure it once. If it’s one thing that bothers you, it’s one thing that you’ll be greatly thankful for. So I endured it in Brigitte’s Forest and passed on. Then, not long ago, I came to meet your eldest brother briefly at the request of Serjane, and I heard the sound of a fight somewhere. I was curious so I went and found that you were on the verge of death. I was wondering what to do, but then I got it. If someone I know is fighting with someone I don’t know, what can I do to save the person I know? As I was killing them, I saw some people with the same stone in my heart, so I thought something was wrong, but I killed all the people I was killing. Thanks to you, I even got rid of their bodies.”
“But.”
“Now that I think about it, all the witnesses are dead, right? You were injured to the point of death, I fought with you, and the people who attacked you were Zeon, and there was a stone in my heart that they gave me as well. So what do most people think? I think like you. So, I gave it some thought. I said I should let you rest until you get better and then take you home after coaxing you, but your teacher is wandering around, right?” “… So.” ”
So
this is what happened.”
Calian closed his eyes for a moment. I wound it up.
Zeon appeared again.
I didn’t remember the details, but Adelia’s words were not lies. There was a fight with Zeon, and Adelia saved him.
“I’m using the power from that stone to hide from your master. But as soon as you wake up, you’ll kill me. So, am I unfair or not unfair? What has been going on for over four days?”
The pain that felt like it was tearing my entire body stopped for an instant.
Calian, who had closed his eyes and held his breath for a while, quietly opened his mouth.
“……How many days?”
Adelia was feeling suffocated as her life was being crushed. I frowned again.
