Chapter 73. Wait a minute, brother (3)
It was spring.
A sky that seems to have scattered bird feathers far away. The sweet air seemed like it would make a light blue sugar cookie if it were gently combined. It was the kind of spring where you could feel a haze rising even as the wind tickled the ends of your sleeves. It was a spring that made my heart flutter and my heart overflowed.
It was such a spring day outside the greenhouse.
It was a spring day just outside the greenhouse.
It was a day when spring, which was nowhere to be seen in the greenhouse, was coloring the entire area with flower colors. The world inside the greenhouse was so harsh that I wondered if all the spring that had been staying there had been sent out of the greenhouse. Only it wasn’t spring there. It was full of the strong scent of flowers, but it wasn’t spring forever.
– Ttogak ttogak.
The sound of shoes that are not light. However, the sound of the shoes is not heavy or dull. Shoe sounds that are never slow, but are not frivolously fast either. A sound that made people shrink their shoulders and lower their heads just by walking through this unusual spring.
“Yes. That’s a really good method, Plantz.”
The sight of thin blades of grass bending in a gentle wind, the sight of a small singing bird curling the tips of its wings, and the sight of raindrops falling on flower petals. Even when I pictured all the round and pretty things, a smile that couldn’t be prettier than that came to mind.
As if he couldn’t be happier.
Or as if he was extremely displeased.
“But Planz. My baby.”
The tips of long, thin fingers that looked like they were made of powdered pearls were caressing the head of a child who looked exactly like them. I stroked it as if passing by.
It is a bit different from the act of sharing affection with a young life. As if expressing sincere admiration for a beautiful sculpture created by the perfect hand.
“That’s not the right answer.”
The child, who shrunk his neck at the touch, held his breath instead of answering.
The person who withdrew his hand bowed gently. He put his lips to the child’s ear. A beautiful voice that burst out like a whisper colored the greenhouse.
“Would you mind thinking about it one more time?”
“…… I don’t know.”
“That’s not the right answer either.”
“Mother…”
A soft touch and a gentle voice.
Someone who looks at something precious.
“That too. It’s wrong.”
Frozen snow.
“Think again.”
I’m going back.
I think I’ve come to the wrong place, so I’ll just head back.
Someone standing five steps away said that. She said this while hiding her clenched hands under the hem of her dress. But I didn’t listen. Didn’t even pay attention. I lowered my waist, looked the child in the eyes, and opened my mouth again while looking only at my child.
“The only time you bow your head is when you look down at the backs of those who are bowing before you. So nothing in the world will be able to see you bowing your head. No one in the world can make you lower your head and look at the floor. “It won’t be possible to make it.”
Until you hand me the world you created like that. Planz.
The last words are small and small.
The child who heard those little words alone raised his head. I quietly looked up at the light green eyes that were the same light as mine.
“I’ll just accept the child’s courtesy.”
And then he gave the answer he came up with again.
“Do you believe that this child knows royal etiquette?”
“…… yes.”
“Then you don’t need a hand to teach you manners.”
Was that the right answer?
Or maybe it was a wrong answer.
The person who did not tell me nodded with a satisfied face.
“Okay. As you said, let’s let that child bow alone. Planz, as you wish. Until that child bows flawlessly to you again and again… let’s wait.”
Fragrant words continued.
“Come on, baby. I need you to tell me to do it. It’s your decision.”
It was that kind of spring.
I couldn’t forget that it was such a harsh spring day.
Both children who survived that spring.
* * *
Calian turned his head.
Every time I see him, he says it’s the first time I see him, and he smiles with an expression on his face that says, ‘I almost thought you and I had such a secret relationship.’
Planz just stood there without saying another word. He did not block Kalian’s path. He didn’t even pay attention to Rashid, who had just greeted him. Most surprisingly, he didn’t even warn his younger brother, who seemed to have his jet-black tail hanging vertically, that he shouldn’t bark or bite today.
“Don’t come forward. Stay behind. I won’t forget where we are.”
Just before reaping Silent.
Because Kalyan said this.
“Greetings to Crown Prince Plants and Prince Calian. It is truly an honor to meet you.”
While Kalian was removing the silent curtain, a greeting not unlike the one given from the rooftop of Naeransha Street was heard. Calian, who took one step forward and stood in front of Planz, looked at Rashid and blinked once. As if I was trying to remember whether the guy in front of me was the first guy I met or not.
“nice to meet you.”
And he received a flawless example from Rashid with the joy of seeing the other person for the first time.
Rashid, who was looking at the plant erected behind Kalian, looked at Kalian. After examining the red cloak, which did not go well with the crown prince’s royal blue uniform, he looked at Calian’s red shirt, which was undoubtedly its original counterpart.
“If I had come a little earlier, I think I would have been able to see something nicer, but that’s a little disappointing.”
Calian nodded with a small laugh.
“It would have been a very interesting sight to see. That too was a pity, Baron.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was at least one more audience? I’ve been thinking about that for a while.”
“I will work a little more diligently in the future, prince. I feel like I haven’t even heard a friendly conversation between you two, and that’s a big regret for me.”
This refers to an incident that occurred just moments ago in which a conversation was seen but no sound was heard.
Those were not words that showed that he had seen the faces of the two people who were talking. It wasn’t even a half-hearted boast that he knew that Calian had used Silent. The message was to remind Calian of something he didn’t notice, even though he came close enough to see it. It was a warning.
“Did you care enough about us to feel regretful about missing our personal conversation?”
“Are you stating the obvious? Who on this earth would dare not pay attention to the two of you? Me too.”
“It’s too much to say. To hear you care so much about me.”
“I would appreciate it if you would be willing to do so.”
Words containing both honey and poison were exchanged.
Perhaps he had forgotten that Pea, standing behind him, was learning every detail of the shamelessly peaceful conversation in his ears.
Kalian, who came out of the Senyu Pavilion and looked at the nobles who had already arrived, turned his eyes to Rashid.
“But isn’t it fortunate?”
“What do you feel fortunate about?”
“I heard that he saw us talking here at least. The Baron may be disappointed, but I can alleviate my regret.”
Even though I didn’t see Calian, who had the slightest hesitation in lightening his clothes in front of others, grab the pea and wrap it up, I did see them fighting and reconciling in a friendly manner. It’s less disappointing.
And since he seems to have a force that will never be trivial, he feels less disappointed when dealing with Rashid.
Rashid, who understood everything well, answered with a calm face.
“I don’t think it’s a pity that the prince thinks so.”
“I do, Baron.”
Calian smiled.
I can’t help but feel like spring is blooming.
The nobles came a little closer. There is only one way out of Senyu Pavilion, so you have no choice but to pass by without stopping or going back. Rashid spoke after catching a glimpse of the nobles who were approaching, although he could not hear the words exchanged, but he recognized the face of the person standing opposite Kalian.
“Do you mind if I ask you something I’m curious about?”
Calian, with a bright smile on his face, nodded when he asked when you were given permission.
“Actually, I was on my way to visit the royal palace for something else. But at that moment, I heard some news that tickled my ears, didn’t I?”
“You mean the news that Your Highness is in Shurinz?”
“Yes, prince. Such news has reached my little ears.”
“Is that so.”
“…… only.”
As if ignoring or cutting off Calian’s answer. Rashid continued what I said.
“There was something I was more curious about than that, so I came to this step.”
Kalian laughed.
Below article. Each of the three sons treats their father like a mule, not like a cow. Baron Naburangi, who has never even met the King, could dismiss the King as ‘something like that’. That’s it.
Your Majesty was wrong.
Not me, not that brat. Your Majesty.
“Are you curious about me?”
“Is that possible? Anyway, how could I be curious about Prince Calian? If it’s about someone hiding in the prince’s shadow. I don’t know.”
Two dark green eyes move behind Calian again.
– Tuk.
There was a small sound of the pea hitting the tip of its toe against the floor.
It felt like a leash that wasn’t there was being pulled. Calian, who made a smile instead of a sword, answered in a relaxed tone.
“Is there someone like that? I’m not sure.”
“Yes, prince. There is such a person.”
The red eyes that followed, as if catching the green-colored gaze that was blatantly directed behind his back, shined without hesitation.
“There is someone that I keep in my enclosure and protect. Should I say I hid it? I don’t think so.”
“You weren’t hiding it, were you?”
“Is there any reason to hide and hide it? It’s a peaceful place with no beasts that are so poisonous that it’s necessary to do so.”
“I didn’t know that the prince would find this place unwelcoming.”
Calian said with a look as if he had heard something interesting.
“Well, then. Is it okay if I tell you that I have a question for the person I am trying to protect and enshrine in my enclosure?”
“Yes, prince. I don’t mind if you think of it that way.”
“I will listen. What are your questions? If it is a question I can answer, I will answer it.”
Rashid nodded as if it didn’t matter and opened his mouth.
“No matter how much your Majesty wanted to rest… I don’t think you would leave the capital at such a time, right after Prince Calian disappeared for a few days.”
A question asked a little louder than other words.
The footsteps of the nobles who were approaching him quieted down.
I think I can guess their faces without having to turn my head. You may have already heard Rashid’s question. So, their faces will look like they have discovered one more interesting thing to see.
From now on, all conversations that took place would be heard by their ears.
“Wouldn’t you be curious? What was the purpose of the fact that the Prince brought you to Shurinz and took such trouble to convey it through the mouths of others? I couldn’t solve the problem on my own, so I came here to see you.”
I waited for the right time and went out as if I had accidentally bumped into someone on purpose.
So that you don’t have to stand in front of the nobles to attract their attention and receive their attention, but naturally receive their attention. The faces of the nobles who had forcefully taken Calian’s side did not have time to frown, and they waited for the moment to ask the question that everyone was curious about. In order for everyone to wait for Calian’s answer and to prevent Calian from avoiding attention with ambiguous words.
And he told the nobles an interesting story that did not necessarily confirm whether it was Prince Calian who started the rumor that Lemain was away.
“It’s my hard work…”
Kalian’s fingertips moved at Rashid’s actions, which he had not expected to do publicly. He gave his answer by drawing a small arc that others would not notice.
“Is there a need for me to intentionally let you know that His Majesty is away? If I hide it on purpose, you won’t know.”
“You never know. The prince might have thought of using this opportunity to embrace the person he has so cherished in his lofty position.”
A red cloak appeared in Calian’s sight.
Calian twisted his body slightly. He then took a step forward and blocked the way of Plantz, who was trying to cover Rashid’s mouth.
The thin fingers that were placed behind his back naturally moved.
The unreasonable informality was directed at Plants.
– are you okay.
I forgot where this is.
Flanz stopped.
Rashid continued.
“If not, then this opportunity. The prince was thinking of embracing the person he had so cherished, even in a high position… I wonder if he wanted to make those who heard the rumor make such a foolish judgment.”
A long smile rested on Calian’s face, resting on his fingertips.
He smiled as if he had discovered a new sense of fun.
“I couldn’t find an answer, so I came to see you like this.”
“Was it that difficult to get the answer right?”
“Yes. It was that difficult.”
“I heard an unexpected question. What answer should I give?”
“Did I ask a question that would make you worry?”
“I always worry. The Baron is someone who always gives me something to worry about.”
A fire shines in eyes filled with the energy of spring. It shone so coolly that it seemed to swallow up all the greenery in the world.
“No matter when, where, or how the Baron and I meet, and with what we hold in each other’s hands, it’s always the same.”
Rashid revealed one thing that Kalyan had hidden, so Kalyan also revealed one thing. He mentioned that he had already met Rashid several times, who had not been seen in front of nobles since he came to Kairisis.
No one saw Rashid in the palace.
So, where did Rashid meet Kalyan?
Calian, who had added such a question to the minds of the interested nobles, nodded as if he had decided on the answer. He then took something out of the pocket of his black vest decorated with black embroidery and gold and handed it to Rashid.
Rashid lowered his gaze.
I accepted what Calian handed me. And I looked.
“I think this might be the answer. What do you think?”
A beautiful green emerald brooch.
An emerald brooch that only looks like that to others. However, if you look closely, you can clearly see the broken and shattered cracks inside the intact surface.
The emerald that Kalyan shattered in Rashid’s hand.
A shabby jewel that has lost all its value. saw it
Soon Rashid burst into laughter. He let out a laugh that was neither a sneer that would be out of formality nor a roar of applause. Without bothering to stop the nodding of my head, I smiled and opened my mouth.
“Yes, my prince. That is the answer.”
“I’m glad to hear that there is an answer.”
Just like the emerald that Calian broke in front of Evan one day, like Evan who lost his surname Briesen and died helplessly.
Could this mean that the one who will be broken once again at Calian’s fingertips is Gray Brisen, whose eyes are of the same light? Could it be Rashid himself, whose eyes resemble those exactly? Or perhaps all of Brissen. Rashid, who didn’t really think about it, nodded.
“Then, Prince. No… Your Majesty.”
Because it was already an answer I liked enough, regardless of who the warning was directed at. He looked as if he had received a really happy gift.
“Is this the right decision of Crown Prince Planz?”
And like this.
He looked at Plantz and asked, holding Calian’s answer in his hand, which the nobles would not be able to see.
Plantz did not answer.
“Did you find the right answer this time?”
Calian’s head turned back.
The silent smile that had been suppressed while dealing with Rashid disappeared from Kalian’s face for a moment, but then forced itself to appear again.
I couldn’t answer.
Before I knew it, my face had turned completely white.
While taking a deep breath.
“Oh my… I guess I asked an unnecessary question. Please forget what you just heard, sir.”
Rashid looked at that face again and said this. And took one step back. Although the last questions were answered, he had a satisfied expression on his face, as if he had gotten what he wanted.
“It seems the fence is not completely safe, Prince Calian.”
“…… ah.”
I won’t forget where this is.
“Why did I make that promise?”
Calian slowly closed his eyes and remembered them again.
A spring day full of scents.
The strong scent of flowers made my heart flutter and my heart was full.
