Chapter 68. Sleep (6)
The sound of wind rustling through the leaves.
Should the sound of leaves shaking and hitting each other in the blowing wind be called the sound of the wind or the sound of leaves?
Lemain, who had been thinking about an answerless thought, turned his head.
Under the night sky, which is as dark and dark as hair and can even be described as pitch black, is full of rose branches that grow and grow in their own way. The leaves were tangled and tangled together, making various sounds and then quieting down repeatedly.
– Sarah… Sarah.
– Saaaaa…….
Lemain’s eyes looked a little further away. Amid the sound, which cannot be determined whether it is the sound of the wind or the sound of leaves, a small palace full of emptiness and silence can be seen.
Randel’s room, Plantz’s room and Kalian’s room.
A room where the owner’s heart has long since left. A room where the owner has not walked properly for many days. A room where the owner has not returned for many days.
Lemain’s eyes, which had been looking alternately at three places where no one was staying, lingered for a long time in the unlit room on the third floor. Then I took another step.
Ren, the escort driver who was following behind, quietly opened his mouth.
“majesty.”
Siona was left at Alfia Palace and only Ren accompanied her. I was not very worried about entrusting Lemain with his own safety, but I did not trust him completely enough to even allow him to set foot in the Chermil Palace.
Ren uttered a cautious voice towards Lemain, who stopped after just one step and looked back slightly.
“Do you mind if I don’t turn on the lights?”
“It’s okay, let’s just leave it alone.”
“It’s very dark around here.”
This is the path that all the other servants, including Chamberlain Raoul, left behind. He walked without even letting the knights guarding the entrance to Chermil Palace know his steps. However, if you turn on the lamp, wouldn’t all that trouble be useless as it would be announcing the king’s visit?
“I’m used to it now and I don’t plan on making a fuss.”
“…… All right.”
As the saying goes, I have become accustomed to this well-made maze-like garden to the point where I don’t get lost even without a single light. As the days of visiting this place instead of coming to see my first son piled up, it became like that without me even realizing it.
I couldn’t come every day. I couldn’t consistently come on time. However, whenever I had time, whenever I had a lot to think about, I waited until midnight for spring to come after spending the winter, and I came here many times.
If I do that, I wonder if I might bump into Randel someday by chance. I usually had such expectations when I came here, but today was different.
Unlike other days, I didn’t come here today because of Randel.
“We are conducting a search in various directions, so news about Prince Calian will come soon.”
“…… okay.”
“So, why don’t you just take a break? It’s already been four days since you haven’t been to Camilla Palace. I know you’re worried, but shouldn’t you rest for a while?”
Although he is said to be the worst on the continent when it comes to accidents, he has never disappeared for this long. Isn’t this a situation where we can only confirm that Calian is alive due to the oath that he bound to protect Plantz’s heart, but nothing else can be known?
Nevertheless, Lemain could not reveal his worries about his youngest son in front of others. However, I couldn’t hold it down completely, so I continued to walk like this.
“Until today. We’ll do that tomorrow.”
LeMaine’s low voice, which could not have been any heavier, gave the answer.
Ren knows well that even Raoul could not break that stubbornness.
However, I feel that if Lemain spends the night in the office of Arpia Palace again today, there will be a bigger problem for Lemain’s safety than Calian’s.
Therefore, Ren, who decided that he must somehow send Lemain to Camilia’s bedroom, was about to speak again, but instead turned his gaze towards the entrance to the rose garden.
– Jump and jump.
It was because of a sound that started coming from far away.
The sound of footsteps without any disturbance.
A small clattering sound follows behind you.
Lemain, who had not heard anything yet, was still looking at the Chermil Palace.
“Your Highness. Come here now…”
– Paaat!
But this time, a bright light covered Ren’s mouth.
Magic lanterns that had been turned off all over the rose garden suddenly lit up.
Only then did Lemain realize that someone was coming here and turned his head toward the entrance.
– Jump and jump.
The sound of footsteps is getting closer.
It was enough to be heard by Lemain’s ears so that he could easily guess whose steps it was.
– Jump, jump… Jump.
-……Tall.
The other person’s steps slowed and stopped when he discovered Lemain, who had come to the garden without any trimmings and with the lights off.
A moment that felt like an hour passed.
“… I see you, Your Majesty.”
An unwavering voice is directed at Lemain.
Lemain’s movements stopped when he saw this person he finally encountered on a day when he did not expect to see him. He had a face that was difficult to express with just words of happiness and apology. And then he gave his answer in a voice that did not seem to waver.
“Yes, Randel. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
Landel, expressionless, moved his head slightly. He looked at Ren, who was standing behind Lemain, and at Den, the servant next to him. It was an unspoken reprimand as to why he was not informed of Lemain’s arrival and why he was unaware of the fact. Of course, it was also an action that seemed to indicate that he did not want to face Lemain.
Lemain, the only person who could not call such an attitude rude, spoke up.
“I was worried that I might not set foot here anymore.”
Lemain’s eyes fell on the silver scissors in Dan’s hand. Randel, who postponed his answer for a moment and looked at the disheveled rose trees, answered quietly.
“I couldn’t get my hands on it, so I just watched it grow.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t touch it. Could it be that something was complicated on your mind?”
“It’s not something your highness should be concerned about.”
LeMaine looked at Randel for a while and nodded quietly.
“Yes. I will.”
Whether he’s saying it because he doesn’t want Lemain to care, or because he shouldn’t care. He said he would not interfere with anything.
“Just in case… if you need it someday, I’d love to talk to you at any time. Whatever it is.”
However, I added this because the answer was no longer due to indifference. Even if he did say it, I thought Randel would never ask Lemain for help, but I added it nonetheless.
“it’s okay.”
The words of unconditional refusal came back.
“okay.”
The distance doesn’t get any further.
A distance that cannot be further away because there is nowhere to go further.
The starting point from which a new relationship could be built was still far away, but Lemain, who was in no position to feel sorry for that fact, quietly received a rejection. Because, as Alan has said many times, I know that even if I were offered my whole life and was rejected for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t be able to repay all that I’ve done.
“I’m sorry for walking in without permission. I’m going back, so take a look around.”
“Are you worried?”
But then a question came up.
Lemain could not respond to these unexpected words.
Is it worry about Kalian who doesn’t come back, worry about Plantz who misses his daily life, or worry about Randel who is always the same? It was because of Kalyan that I stopped by here for three days, but it is difficult to say just one reason why I came to visit the rose garden as a habit in Chermil Palace. Now it’s hard to even express who I’m worried about.
Randel, who had been staring at Lemain who could not give any answer, lowered his head. It was as if he was asking me to leave because he didn’t really want to hear an answer.
“Okay, that’s it…”
– Tap, tap, tap!
Lemain, who understood what he meant, was about to say that he would now go back, when he heard the sound of rushing footsteps. The eyes of everyone gathered here were focused on the sound that could not be easily heard in the royal palace.
Thanks to the brightly lit magic lantern, it was not difficult to recognize that the person running was Chamberlain Raoul. Thanks to this, both joy and concern appeared on Lemain’s face. This is because I couldn’t tell if he was coming back to find Calian or if he was trying to deliver bad news.
“majesty.”
Raoul, who couldn’t even catch his breath, immediately opened his mouth.
“His Majesty Plantz has returned after going out.”
“I guess he went out with Duke Siegfried.”
“Yes, Your Highness. That is correct.”
Lemain nodded.
I already knew that he went out for a while with Dmirea and Siegfried’s knights. It was said to be related to the issue of Calian not returning, and Siegfried and Balkan knights were said to be escorts, so he personally gave permission.
“If that’s the case, I already know.”
“But…”
Raoul hesitated.
Kalian used to make this face when he was informed that he had run away. Lemain, who looked relieved for a moment, looked anxious again. Come to think of it, there’s no way he would run all the way to Chermil to tell people about Planz, who returned from an outing.
“It went out again.”
“again?”
“Yes, Your Highness. After returning immediately after heading here, Your Highness went out of the palace again a little while ago.”
It’s too late.
Even if there is a reason, it is impossible to allow him to stay outside the palace for a long time.
“Send the knights to bring them back to the palace.”
“Yes, but.”
So when Raoul saw Lemain answer like this, he lowered his head further and said.
“I took Balkan with me. I led about half of Balkan’s worth of wizards and knights… and went to Briesen’s temporary residence.”
Lemain looked speechless.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever dream that, in my lifetime, I would hear that my son, even if he was only in name, had taken the army under my command and invaded a nobleman’s mansion.
“In that case, first send the Manasil Corps Commander.”
“We went together, Your Highness.”
“You mean you went all the way to Lord Manasil?”
“Yes. And Vice Commander Hertz is here to explain the situation.”
…… Flash.
Lemain’s eyes closed and opened very slowly. A long sigh followed.
“wren.”
“yes.”
Arsene said he was waiting for him to explain the situation, but Lemain continued speaking with Randel next to him, who did not listen and watched in silence.
“Take Elazar and go to Marquis Briesen’s residence. Let them know that the crown prince’s actions are not arbitrary, and observe the situation, but provide support if there is a conflict.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Ren nodded without another word and moved his feet.
Raoul hurriedly blocked Ren’s path. And then he opened his mouth.
“I think it would be better to listen to Vice Commander Hertz’s explanation first, Your Highness.”
“Do you need an explanation? They probably thought Calian was at Marquis Briesen’s residence and dragged Balkan along. Otherwise, Commander Manasil wouldn’t have been with them. Isn’t that right?”
“The Marquis has already searched everything. Didn’t you say that Prince Calian was not there?”
“We don’t know what tricks Gray Brisen used, so we can’t guarantee that the prince wasn’t there just by looking around once.”
“But, Your Majesty, it is not good to move Elazar again without knowing for sure that Prince Calian is there and without knowing why Balkan went there.”
“Raoul.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Vice Commander Hertz must have come to prevent me from making any hasty moves. Even though I sent Elazar repeatedly, if Calian is not there, my position will be difficult, so I guess he is trying to take responsibility along the lines of Crown Prince Plants, who moved Balkan as he pleases.
Isn’t that right?” Right now, Raoul was not taking Briesen’s side. He was trying to stop a hasty action for Lemain’s sake. Ren, who had to follow Lemain’s orders, and Raoul, who was assisting Lemain, had different jobs to do. If
Lemain Main’s royal guard went there again, but if Calian was not there this time, the problem would only increase. So, he quietly observed the situation, and if it did not work out, he simply told them to treat it as an immature crown prince’s mistake and prepare to cut off his tail. Plantz also wanted that, so he sent Arsene to him
. He must have left it behind.
In case someone were to take responsibility, at least one vice-corps commander would have to remain.
“This won’t end in trouble, Your Highness. If it’s Briseen, it may not end in a minor collision.”
“Collision. Can’t we do it?”
“… Your Majesty.”
“I’ll take responsibility and take care of the situation, so stop wasting time.”
Lemain, who covered Raoul’s mouth as if telling him not to say anything else, looked at Ren.
” “Hurry up.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Ren bowed his head once again and walked past Raoul. Lemain patted Raoul’s shoulder with a worried face and turned his head towards Randel. He then opened his mouth as if nothing had happened. “What a fuss
. I’m sorry to show you. I’ll just go back, so don’t worry.”
Randel, who had been looking at Lemain for a while, lowered his head in the same way as usual. Then, he passed Lemain and walked hurriedly into the garden. Only when Randel was out of sight did Lemain turn his gaze
. Main sighed deeply.
“Half of Balkan… Planz.”
He then quickly moved towards Arpia Palace. He was preparing to work hard to take care of his son’s accident.
No matter what Plants does, as long as Calian returns safely, it’s not difficult to take responsibility for the rest. He may be busy, but anyway, isn’t this a skill that
Alan put in place to be put to good use in times like this?
* * *
A low voice.
An unfamiliar low voice. Voice.
Lemain’s low voice that seems to capture the air of Arpia Palace. Alan’s low voice as if a mother bird embracing her chicks embraces her with the warmest feathers. Randel’s low voice as if he had taken off the springs of a clock and planted them one by one. Supporting the world. Dmirea’s low voice as if a huge rock had been melted and poured in. Kyrie’s low voice as if holding a handful of deep footprints engraved on a calm river. Plantz’s low voice as if it had collected and swallowed the fog rising on a lake under the moon. Those voices
and Another low, very different voice echoed through the drawing room.
“I thought I heard it was Baron Briesen. Is that correct?”
“Yes. you’re right. This is Rashid Briesen.”
Calian changed. He saw the change.
Gray looked. He understood the situation. He looked relieved.
Kyrie looked. He noticed. He hid his joy and concern.
Alan looked. I know. I saw it. I barely swallowed my pained expression.
Rashid saw it. I figured out the number. It was full of laughter.
But I didn’t see Planz.
It was like a raindrop barely hanging on the tip of a blade of grass after a shower had passed, or it was like the last words left on burnt parchment, or it was collapsed. It looks like a piece of a pillar that was chipped away little by little while guarding the site of the old kingdom alone.
“I introduced myself, so shouldn’t something come back?”
“Ah. Do you mean my introduction?”
“Yes.”
No,
rather.
“…… Well. What should I say?”
I lowered my head before I could finish blooming. That low voice, like black rose petals scattering one by one in the wind, was unfamiliar to me. I was shy. The person who gave me the bracelet to change my appearance was Plantz himself, but I couldn’t believe it
. Because I didn’t expect him to come out like that. And more than anything.
– Suddenly.
Before I knew it, a large hand blocked Plantz’s shoulder as if he was trying to turn around. Thanks to
that, he couldn’t turn. He couldn’t even turn his head. I couldn’t turn. I remembered my brother’s words when he said he didn’t want to show his proud face just yet, so I eventually gave up on turning around. I didn’t see it. I didn’t see it. Even though he didn’t say anything, I understood the meaning well and saw the back of Kalian’s green head looking forward
. He smiled faintly.
“It’s not a name I particularly want to tell you. “I said it was nice to meet you, but in reality, I wasn’t happy enough
to say it was nice to meet you.” “I guess you’re not that nice of me to say I’m glad to meet you.”
But Rashid’s tone didn’t change at all. A magic item for disguise is a prohibited item in Kairis. This does not mean that its existence was unknown. He must have known what had happened just a moment ago.
From the beginning, Plantz also probably had no intention of completely deceiving Rashid. What is important is the justification, not the facts. Plantz Calian, who had spoken without changing his original tone because he knew this well, turned his head away instead of answering. Then, looking into Kyrie’s eyes, who had now become closer than before, he asked, “Do I look older than my father?” His voice was
small
. Plantz looked ahead with slightly startled eyes. And before he knew it, he saw a silent curtain surrounding him.
“No, Prince.”
Kyrie answered, being careful not to show his mouth.
If the question was directed at Plantz, He asked if he didn’t care about being hurt or if he would change his appearance and bark in a situation like this, but wasn’t the other person a loyal follower? So a very serious answer followed. “You’re much younger
. It’s not much different from usual.”
“… That’s good.”
So now is ‘that time’.
Calian grinned after checking his apparent age.
Even without seeing it with his eyes, it was clear what kind of face Calian was making. Knowing Planz frowned.
“What are you thinking, my brother?”
He still didn’t show his face, and as his body grew, he didn’t hide the smell of blood coming from the wound again. A low, unfamiliar voice. The answer was heard:
“Brother, you called the scent with your hands. I brought to the surface the image I had buried with my own hands. Would there be any difference? If I want to protect my brother, I have to do as much as you did.”
“Then why don’t you show me that face?”
“Because you’re so handsome. “I’m afraid you’ll be intimidated, brother.”
Kalian turned his head after jokingly saying something.
Then, he looked over the back of the person standing slightly to the side, whose head was barely above the ground and was as green as a turnip stem. Then, he was caught
. I opened my mouth as I saw a particularly annoying person in the wide open field of view.
“Rashid Brissen. “I asked you if you weren’t happy.”
“That’s right. That
’s what I asked.” “Is there any way
you could be unhappy?” The same brilliant youth that was said to have been drunk and rolled down a cliff, but woke up unharmed after just two days and nights. Just before greeting him.
“I saw a person who looked as uncomfortable as a lettuce leaf that had frozen and then thawed, riding on the back of my father, who had a weak back, and babbling as if he had reached the sky.” From the mouth of Plantz, who was faced with my younger brother who was truly furious
. There was a brief sound of wind leaking.
