Chapter 69. The cat (6)
tap, tap, tap.
Spacious office.
A mahogany desk with ornate gold details that may be difficult to see as the desk owner’s taste. The sound of a gentle tapping on the huge dark brown desk continued.
It was Taillan, the guard knight and teacher who stood by his side. Surveyin, who was in the form of Teilan, did his best to hide his worried face.
Tap tap tap again without seeing it.
The hand, with its bulging tendons, continued to make a steady, slow sound. I continued to tap the desk with my long, thick fingers as if I was measuring time.
– Kalian is back.
How much time has passed?
The long-awaited communication has finally arrived.
I thought that nothing bad would happen and that even if something did happen, I would return safely. I believed that without a doubt.
-…… Ha…….
But I was worried.
Therefore, only after hearing that Calian had returned, a long breath filled with relief came out of Chase’s mouth.
-Are there any injuries?
– I got hurt, though. You’re safe. I am resting now.
Talk.
– When I contacted you previously, you seemed to be in no mood. Hearing your voice reassures me that you’re really okay.
– …… yes. it’s okay.
– Fortunately, the.
– yes.
– however.
Knock knock.
– If it’s that much better, it’s not Kalian who would ask me to speak to him… Why?
Plantz did not answer right away.
At first, Plantz thought it would be better for Calian to also listen to what he was telling Chase. So, I spoke to Chase in my head and opened my mouth so that Calian could hear the same words.
The problem came after that.
– It is true that you are safe.
– But why? instead.
– Are you uncomfortable with me conveying the message on your behalf?
– I know that’s not what I meant, so there’s no need for me to respond to the nonsense you’re saying to change what you said.
Chase was not an easy person.
When dealing with Plants, I was so used to seeing Calian full of empty spaces that I forgot for a moment what kind of person Calian was and who he actually resembled.
– I want you to tell me properly what’s going on. Is it difficult, Crown Prince Plantz?
Thanks to this, such gentle but difficult-to-avoid interrogation continued.
– … Why is my younger brother’s old brother so suspicious?
– Should I call it suspicion? I think it’s fair to say I’m worried.
A small sigh was heard.
And a moment later the voice continued.
– Calian was attacked by the son of the Marquis of Briesen.
Because the chase is a bit fiercer than Calian thinks.
Because Plantz is a little smarter than Calian thinks.
Plantz, who was able to convey the words with his mouth differently from the words in his head, gave an answer to Chase, who did not overlook even the smallest detail when it came to matters related to Calian.
– Calian was hiding in the Marquis of Briesen’s residence, and when we went to get Calian out, the Marquis’ son came in.
– yes.
– However, due to the situation here, it was not possible to expose the fact that Calian was there to the Marquis’ son. So…
– Let’s keep talking. Because it’s okay.
– Aela Brigitte’s bracelet was used by Calian.
Chase’s fingers, which continued to move at the same speed, stopped for a moment.
It was already enough without having to say whose appearance I changed into. If that’s the reason you can’t contact Chase directly, there’s only one answer.
– Is that so.
– That’s right.
– …… All right. So what happened after that? What did Lord Manasil do?
Chase, who stopped moving and didn’t even blink, asked the next question as if nothing had happened.
– Marquis Manasil has now gone to look for Adelia.
– Did this happen because of Adelia?
– no. I have something to ask and confirm
– Are you sure you went there to kill Adelia?
– no. Ask questions and check.
– ah. Is it a simple intervention?
– yes. This is what happened because of Adelia’s intervention.
He responded with a joking comment to the explanation of the situation that followed, and we continued talking for a while as if nothing had happened.
-Thank you for letting me know.
Without realizing it, I turned my head towards the crystal board on the desk, with a face that seemed to have forgotten whether it was my turn to exhale or inhale.
I want to see.
I want to see you right away somehow.
– Then… how is Calian now?
– I’m not even looking in the mirror. So, I hope you will just pass this on as if you don’t know anything. Would it be difficult?
I heard words that seemed to have copied Chase’s tone of voice. As if he could see where Chase’s eyes were focused.
– It would be a lie if I said it wasn’t difficult. I understand. I’ll leave it at that.
Plantz, who had been silent for a while, spoke up after a while.
– It happened because of my fault.
– Whose fault can we say? It’s just that he took on a familiar appearance for a moment, so there’s no reason for Crown Prince Plants to say that…
– He did something and tried to hide it and asked him to hide it. I’m sorry. sincerely.
Chase took his eyes off the crystal panel and looked out the window.
I looked at the big spruce tree for a while and then again.
I turned my eyes to the desk.
I looked down at the gorgeous mahogany desk.
‘I don’t like fancy furniture like this.’
‘It’s better than using it the way your father used it. I thought everything would have changed by the time I got back, but even so, you’re still using your father’s stuff. As if it’s not my brother’s place.’
‘Does it look like that?’
‘yes. ‘It seems so.’
‘…… okay. Don’t change it. However, the ones you chose seem too flashy. Wouldn’t it be better to use something without gold at least?’
‘They say that as people get older, they start liking flashy and flashy things. That’s why I chose that type of furniture.’
‘I’m not that old… but how can I say that I look like that?’
‘It’s not because you look old, but it means you should stay here for a long time until you get that old. If you don’t like it even after getting a bunch of wrinkles, then change it all over again.’
‘For wasting the royal family’s money like that. I’ll use it as I tell you, so go ahead and put it back in with your own money.’
‘Isn’t my money royal money?’
‘Isn’t your personal money the royal family’s money?’
‘Are you trying to extort the meager salary of an escort knight, even though you are His Majesty the King? Even though I said I came back as a sword master, they only congratulated me and didn’t raise my salary.’
‘If you raise it. ‘I’m going to buy you a drink.’
‘That’s it… Anyway, whatever. I will do that. I’ll go and buy it all back then.’
‘okay. Please do so. Well, you just need to drink less.’
‘Instead of drinking, you can just give me your money. ‘Don’t say you forgot.’
‘Has there ever been a time when I didn’t give you my money? ‘I don’t remember.’
‘Did you forget again? This is really great, brother.’
The conversation, which was nothing special, bothered me for a moment.
-……Whatever the cause…was. It didn’t look like he was groping for a time he longed to go back to, but it was something he took out to protect the things he had to protect. As time passes and the feelings of happiness for each other grow bigger than the feelings of regret, the day will come when we can face each other with ease, like looking at an old portrait.
Chase shook his head to shake off his bad feelings and answered with a slight smile.
– So it’s okay. sincerely.
Because the present, where there are still many things to protect, is better than the past, which is full of things that could not be protected.
sincerely.
* * *
Now that I think about it, how long has it been since I’ve been doing it like this?
Kalian looked at the thick white curtain in front of the bed and let out a silent laugh.
A long time ago. After waking up from the dock, I didn’t want to face Silike, so I closed the curtain and met her. I did that so as not to show my sick, helpless and weak appearance. I did that to prevent Kalian from ever remembering that he was just a child.
And even now the curtains are drawn.
The reason was the opposite of when it was draped in front of Silike. Changed appearance. Original appearance. I put it down to prevent people from realizing that Calian was not just a child.
“Are there any more secrets left to hide?”
“I’m going to show you because it looks so precious. I’m trying to save it.”
Randel lowered his eyes for a moment when he heard a low voice coming from beyond the curtain. Calian’s words continued as if he had seen that face with his own eyes.
“Don’t just admire your voice alone because it’s already precious.”
“You’re good at saying meaningless things.”
“It’s impermanent. Are you saying it’s thoughtless, has no habits, or… is it fleeting?”
“Does anything matter?”
Calian looked at the shadow beyond the curtain.
I opened my mouth after seeing him sitting motionlessly in his seat.
“The second older brother, who came into my younger brother’s room in the middle of the night, had to remove the blocked curtain with his own hands. The older brother, who was called into my younger brother’s room in the middle of the day, didn’t even think about coming closer.”
“Was that a pity?”
“I was disappointed. You didn’t even ask how much I was hurt. You didn’t even say you were worried.”
“I did it because it seemed unnecessary.”
“Is that so.”
“No way. Between brothers.”
“You said you felt uncomfortable lying like that. You did it.”
“Because I’m sad.”
“Yes. Then, I will treat it as a gift to see you in the hospital and I will be grateful.”
“Do whatever you like.”
Landel spoke quietly, leaving behind the loud noises of the Vulcan crew outside the open window.
“What did you call me for?”
“Brother Randel, do you have any intention of ascending to the throne?”
Since he asked me to stop talking nonsense, I stopped talking nonsense and got to the point. Then came an answer that did not surprise me despite the heavy words that came out of nowhere.
“If there is an empty seat, it will go up.”
“If brother Randel ascends to the throne, will you send me and you to the tower?”
“I guess so.”
“I’m sad again. Just now, you said we were brothers.”
“Again. You are saying meaningless words.”
“Is that what I mean?”
“It’s always been like that.”
Calian laughed quietly and nodded quietly. Randel, who still couldn’t see that figure, quietly moved his head and looked at the clock hanging on the wall.
“Then, if I were to give you a quiet estate and ask you to grow roses there for the rest of your life, would you do that?”
Calian’s voice sounded as if it were replacing the second hand of a clock.
“Is that the tower you arranged?”
“For now, yes.”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s better than a real tower.”
“It’s no different from the receiving end.”
“You are saying that you will receive it.”
“Is there any other way not to accept it? I have no choice but to accept it.”
“Go to Tensil. After I release Brother Randel’s heart, instead of the tower.”
Tick tock tick tock.
This time, the sound of a second hand is heard to replace Kalian’s voice. Randel lifted it and looked outside the noise-filled window. Beyond the window, beyond the Wilhelm Pavilion, beyond the high walls of the Kairis Palace, and beyond, towards Tensil somewhere.
“Are you planning to put it on another tower?”
“Is that also a tower?”
“People from anywhere in the world.”
“Even if you don’t like the tower, you can’t build it in the square. I’m not that kind of person.”
“It’s a shame. For the second child.”
A soft laugh was heard from beyond the curtain.
Randel immediately opened his mouth as if he hadn’t heard that.
“You said that Serjane is dead, but there is a fake. Why do you say you will send me away without paying attention to that fake?”
“I feel like that fake is playing into Rashid Briesen’s hands. I can’t believe that fake.”
“… You suddenly bring up your name.”
“If you’re not familiar with it, I’ll call you Rashid Ariel, so you’ll be more familiar with it. It’s the same last name as Randel’s mother.”
“It’s an even more unfamiliar name.”
“No one admits it, but they say they call it that.”
“I don’t know if Ariely’s blood may still remain in it.”
“Does that matter? It’s a country with no roots anyway.”
The current king of Tensil was Serjane’s deceased grandfather.
The eldest daughter died of an accident when Serzein was sixteen, the second son died of illness at a young age, and the third child Aisha was poisoned in Kairis.
A few years after the death of Princess Similla Arieli, the mother of Serjane, and Princess Aisha Arielli, the mother of Randel, Selena Heidern, the wife of Gray Brisen, returned to Tensil with her son. To his mother, who was the cousin of the current King Tensil and the head of the Heidern duchy.
And that is where Rashid Briesen was raised.
Rashid Arieli With a name that would not be recognized by anyone.
“Then. Would you feel safe leaving me in a country with such no roots?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to trust each other than to be fooled by Rashid Briesen and play into his hands? Between brothers.”
“It always comes out naturally whenever you need it. That relationship.”
“Do you think not?”
“They think it’s meaningless.”
“Then just do it.”
As if it were a reply to Randel’s words. And flutter. There was the sound of a light cloth being pulled up. After that, he suddenly said. There was a sound of light footsteps. Then.
– Cry!
The curtain that Randel had not even touched was lifted.
Randel, who was facing out the window, turned his head.
“Would you consider me a stranger and have nothing to do with you and trust me?”
I saw long blue-silver hair and light purple eyes.
I was faced with a deep cynicism filled with endlessly unfamiliar faces.
Randel, who continued to look into those cold, seemingly freezing eyes, quietly stood up. I looked down at the white curtain held tightly in my hand.
“If you say it’s better, I plan to do so.”
The commotion outside the window is receding from my ears.
The sound of the clock ticking gradually became less audible.
“Answer me, please. Brother Randel.”
“It’s an answer… I wonder if you’re overdoing it by going that far.”
“Do you think this is unreasonable?”
“Why not?”
Randel, who had only been listening to the unfamiliar sounds of the person in front of him, quietly raised his head. And then I saw those light purple eyes.
“Between brothers.”
Randel’s voice rang around the room.
A long breath escaped Calian’s mouth.
The eldest brother who is finally facing himself properly.
“It’s good. It’s refreshing.”
A long smile appeared on the red lips of the person looking down into those blue eyes.
