The good thing is that I didnât die.
The unfortunate thing is that I didnât even faint.
Perhaps it was unfortunate for both Plants, but Arsene was still busy with work, neither dying nor fainting.
âDid you know, Vice Commander Prince, that the number of Balkan wizards will increase again within the next two weeks?â
âknow.â
âDid the Prince, Vice Commander, take a shower?â
âI did it.â
âHave you had breakfast, Vice Commander Prince?â
âI did it.â
âThe vice commander, the princeâ¦â
âGet out.â
Plantz, who responded with a look in his eyes that wished he could get out of the office or out of this world, sat down with an annoyed face. Arsene immediately opened his mouth again when he saw the shirt collar pin and cuffs decorated with pale blue topaz being removed and handed to Relic.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âClose.â
Plantz covered his mouth as if he was about to say something, then immediately rolled up his sleeves and turned his eyes to the documents.
Thanks to this, Arsene, who was unable to say the words âdespite your busy schedule, took a shower, ate a meal, and came home well-dressed,â took a sip of the dark-colored coffee reminiscent of a wolfâs pupils. I didnât know that it was late because I was with Calian, but seeing him so clean, relaxed, and even luxurious made me feel angry for no reason.
Reric glanced at Arsene, who was consuming caffeine, not knowing whether he was drinking it to survive or to die, and said to Plantz.
âWhat tea can I bring you, Prince?â
Plantz, who was quickly going through the directory, answered in passing.
âNot coffee.â
âYes. I will prepare it right away.â
After answering this, Reric hung up his ice blue jacket, handed Plantz a thin cardigan of a similar color, and went outside.
Meanwhile, Arsene, who had been looking at Planzâs face for a while, quietly turned his eyes to the documents. I thought that if I were to meet Alan this time, I would ask him to appoint just one more person who is young and smart, but short-spoken, rich, but poor in social skills, and someone who is stuck in an ordinary life. Of course, the number of deputy commanders will not increase, but in any case, he will be someone who can help make things easier.
â
Reric came back in not long after and put down one cup of orange and vanilla-flavored black tea on the seats of Planz and Arsene and spoke.
âThen call me again when you need me.â
After Relic, who gave the usual greeting, went out, Arsene, who was impressed by the scent of tea, felt like taking a break and opened his mouth.
âWhat have you been talking about since morning?â
âthis and that.â
Even though itâs annoying, he always answers.
Of course, if that can be said to be a proper answer, then yes.
âItâs because you donât look good.â
I was asking because I was worried about Calian, who would have been with Plants forever. Not the 2nd prince, who is like newly grown moss, but the 3rd prince, who never hesitates to show us what kind of hell he can see with his beautiful face.
I was definitely not worried about that Planz. never.
âYou, Vice Commander.â
âyes.â
âDo you want to try snake hunting?â
I was wondering why they were looking for Vice Commander Arsene Hertz and not a wizard.
âBig snake.â
Plantz added, already unfolding the second bundle of documents with an expression that seemed like it was nothing special.
âI donât have a salary anymore. I donât have any more salary to cut, so I wonât be able to buy anything for a while, my prince, Vice Commander.â
This is what Arsene answered to Plantz, who is in charge of the âolder brotherâ in the turbulent and crazy sibling relationship that tries to strengthen their friendship by cutting ties with each otherâs parents.
âWouldnât it be a little different from getting a bottle of Basilica from the liquor store over there?â
Plantz, who didnât know what Basilica was, but knew it was nonsense, ignored Arseneâs words and asked again.
âAre you willing to do whatever my brother asks you to do?â
âPrince Planz.â
Arsene, who was looking down at the nice-smelling teacup, called out to Plantz. I looked into the light green eyes that seemed to contain a forest that was just blooming in the clear morning sky.
âThe prince will never let you do that. If anything goes wrong, there will be a war with Secretia. Even if you donât have to worry about a war, the prince wonât let Vulcan into that land, no matter what the reason. You know that.â
Would Calian try to bring Arsene, who is no one, and Balkan, who is not an army, into Secretia?
Planz, who already knew that Arseneâs words were true, sighed briefly.
How to catch a snake without anyone going there.
I still donât know what kind of absurd conclusion my crazy brother will come up with while thinking about it.
âIs that why you talked so long this morning?â
âno.â
Plantz, who felt that this might be his first time talking to the blue-haired wizard without growling at each other, became a little more lenient and added an explanation.
âCutting out someoneâs insides.â
Arsene frowned at these words and looked at Planz. Plantz shook his head because he seemed to be asking what he had said to make Calian upset.
âitâs not me.â
Not me.
The crown prince who lives somewhere held the sword himself.
ââ¦â¦So I told you to do it?â
It may have been because he was telling me not to give up on being the kingâs older brother. Planz, who was thinking about that, put down the teacup he had taken a sip of and opened his mouth.
âInnocent sinners do their work.â
Arsene, who had given up on asking more about what was going on, giggled and nodded.
An innocent sinner.
It was because I really liked those words.
* * *
Itâs not a fruit I particularly dislike, but I didnât enjoy it either.
Of course, only Calian did that.
âI guess itâs your favorite fruit.â
Sour, bitter and astringent.
Isnât grapefruit a fruit with a truly indescribable taste? Last time they served grapefruit cake, but this time it was sorbet made with grapefruit intact. Randelâs voice rang through the empty room as he addressed Calian, who was putting down his spoon after tasting the strange taste.
âYou donât look good.â
âAre you saying that when weâre talking about fruit?â
âDoes it matter when I take it out?â
âItâs okay to say this even though youâre not worried.â
âEven if something happens, do I need to worry about you?â
âYou trust me too much. Still, youâre only human, so something could happen.â
Randel smiled slightly as if that wouldnât happen, I assure you, and put the sorbet in his mouth. Randel, who swallowed the scent of grapefruit spreading in his mouth, spoke again.
âIs it Brisen or somewhere else?â
âI donât know what youâre talking about.â
Calian, who had his eyes set on the dried grapefruit pieces that decorated the sorbet, was hasty in guessing Randelâs intentions and instead of giving an answer, he asked for the exact meaning.
âThe one thatâs touching you. Your expression doesnât look good, so I wonder what made you like that.â
âHave you started thinking more now that you donât have to tend to the garden? Youâve become more curious.â
At the end of summer, most of the roses in the garden withered and fell.
Randel put the sorbet in his mouth again without answering Calianâs words as he thought about the one rose that was left when he returned from Rosellita.
â I felt like I should tell the story myself, so I contacted him again.
I feel like the voice of Chase, who came to Calian to directly tell me the words I couldnât say, is lingering in my ears again. As I was facing an endless abyss, someone with the insight to see through even the abyss came to mind.
âYes. Something happened, but you donât have to worry.â
âokay.â
Calian nodded in response to the answer that seemed to be either fortunate or disappointing. However, regardless of his actions, the memories from before that he had revealed to Kirie kept coming back to him.
â I once told that name to Prince Planz. The day before I left Kairis, I mentioned that name while talking to Prince Plants. Butâ¦â¦.
âBecause itâs not difficult to remember. Please let me know.â
Plantz, who was on the axis of time before meeting Sispanian, clearly asked Calian the name of Bern. As if you donât know anything.
â It wasnât delivered.
â ⦠I donât think I can convey it with my own words. I think so. It was the same for Arianne and Sir Castrin, but Sir Kyriena Manasil remembered it.
Serenti.
â He is the one who shuts up Sispanians, so what canât they do?
â Iâm sorry.
It wasnât Chase who should be sorry.
â sorry. Prince Calian.
Serenti.
Serenti.
Serenti.
â no. thank you
At the end of the apology, I said hello again to Chase, who couldnât bring myself to mention my old brotherâs name, and ended the conversation, pretending like nothing had happened.
And I finished the remaining conversation with Plantz.
â Itâs not your fault.
â okay.
â Serenti. If we meet, we will definitely have to vent our anger.
â okay.
Plantz said nothing more.
I didnât even ask anymore what the kingâs name was. After that, Kalian acted as if nothing had happened and stood up.
You probably knew that it couldnât be anything, but you couldnât say that it was nothing. In fact, I didnât have any intention of telling the pea that it was not okay at all to the pea that had just started rolling around saying that it was going to get in my way, so I could just keep my mouth shut and get up.
So I went to see Kirie.
And then I came to see Randel.
âIf you have trouble on your mind, come back next time.â
Before I knew it, the deep water was staring at the dark fire.
Calian responded with a slight smile at the look in his eyes that made me think he had even read the entire conversation with Chase.
âSeeing Brother Randel calms my complicated feelings.â
âIâm glad you think so.â
Randel answered calmly, even though he knew it was not a compliment.
Calianâs words continued with a colder energy than the fine ice crystals he had swallowed.
âIf it helps, come up often.â
âIf I think it will help, I will.â
Words of caution and consideration were exchanged for a moment, with no sincerity towards the other person as much as the sorbet that had just melted away.
âCould you please meet the Margrave Gray Brisen just once?â
As soon as the long exchange of greetings was over, Kalian asked this. Randel took another bite of sorbet with leisurely movements and then gave a slow answer.
âIs it a request or an order? Would you like to tell me that first?â
âDo you hate it when I ask you to do a favor?â
âYou donât feel like it.â
Calian nodded briefly and said.
âMeet Margrave Briesen. You donât need to say anything special, but please take the appropriate amount of time.â
âShouldnât you also tell me whether itâs for your benefit or my benefit?â
Oh,
he really gets into a lot of arguments.
âTo make me feel at ease inside and Brother Randelâs heart to feel at ease. Itâs necessary, so itâs a win-win for both of us.â If
we use Gray Briesen well to deceive Evan and get rid of him, that damn pea wonât be able to make strange threats anymore, so Calian will feel at ease, and if the pea properly comes forward to help Randel. Since the oath tied to his heart will be resolved, Randelâs heart will also feel at ease.
After getting the answer to his question, Randel lowered his eyes and said,
âIâll check the possible date and send you down.â
Calian nodded his head in gratitude. He looked slightly bowed. He then asked the following question:
âSince when have you been meeting Lennon Brissen?â
âI havenât met him.â âHave you
never met him?â
âDidnât you clean up Rosellita?
â It was Lennon Brissen, the owner of the Brisen Merchants at the time, who tried to hand over the sacred items that Blue Warbler had collected in collusion with Count Hail Latran to Randel. Calian, who could no longer tolerate Lennon constantly blocking his way, bought the Brisen Merchants as well. Didnât he clean up Lennon?
Calian, recalling that incident, nodded.
âIs it because of me?â
âThatâs right.â
Itâs very different from some guy who blames himself for everything in the world.
Treat the two older brothers in moderation . Calian, who had given up the thought of mixing half and half, answered in a calm voice,
âI canât say Iâm sorry.â
âDo whatever you feel comfortable with.â Itâs a relationship of giving and receiving anyway.â
Landelâs feelings become complicated when he says something that Demirea would say.
âI feel a little sad when you say that. Between brothers.â
Randel raised his gaze at these words and looked directly at Calian. He intuited a fire that would not be extinguished in cold, deep, and stuffy water. âYou are
saying uncomfortable words.â
âIs that so?â
âItâs new.â
Calian said . I laughed.
Every time I look into Randelâs eyes, I always think of the deep sea of that day. I wonder how on earth Chase jumped into the cold sea that was so deep. I wondered what kind of spirit he had in jumping in without fear. If it had been Randel, of course, Plantz would have been injured
. It was as if he had already shown me the day before, but anyway, what would Randel have done?
Chase, who would have jumped in without hesitation, and Randel, who would have thought ahead, seemed so different from each other that I laughed.
âI have one question.â
âAsk me.â
âWhy did you just leave? that day. Without helping.â
In response to Calianâs question, Randel opened his mouth without hesitation. He did not even ask when the day Calian was referring to meant.
âWouldnât this be a good thing for both of us? I kept the secret, and the second one kept his position.â
Silike lost too much blood and was unable to come to his senses throughout the punishment, and was on the verge of death. Thanks to this, Silike was able to escape from the sight of the Van Vriesen nobles. Randel, who thought of his son, answered like this.
Hearing this extremely rational personâs answer, Calianâs fingertips drew an arc on the table.
Randel and Chase were different.
Randel and Plantz were also different.
âIf it was me who was dying, then âI guess you stepped forward when the time came.â
âWouldnât that be good for both sides and look good?â
Calian saved his life, and Randel, instead of being caught hiding something, joined hands with Calian, who was carrying Vulkan on his back. Letting the friendship between the two brothers know was brought to Brissen. It would be the perfect way to respond, so if that were the situation, Randel would have stepped in and healed him.
Calian nodded briefly.
âI understand.â
I couldnât say that this way of thinking was wrong and selfish. Although it was funny, it was the most correct thought as a prince. Since it was something that had to be done, I had no intention of blaming it.
âPlease send me all the way. I will relay the schedule.â
Randel looked one more time at Calian, who was trying to stand up without any further questions.
âI also want to ask you something.â
Calian did not answer, but did not get up either.
âI am thinking of going to Arfia Palace instead of Camilon. Is it still the same?â
He said he would raise a dog in Camilon, but he never said anything about going to Arfia Palace and doing something. So, I was curious about whether Calian really intended to ascend to the throne. âMy brother said he wasnât going
. I canât yield to Brother Randel. So, I guess I can go.â
Itâs not that coveted and has a lot of uses, but after hearing that he wouldnât give up the crown to you, Randel asked one more question. âIsnât it possible that
the position is now needed for a purpose?
â Asked if he wanted the throne itself rather than the throne as a means to achieve something.
âNo. My dream actually got a little bigger.â
Calian shook his head.
âThe crown of this small country is no longer enough to be used as a means. âIâm thinking of going to meet someone later.â I said, â
Iâm going to turn over the sleeping Serenti and go hit her in the back of the head.
If I do that, Arsene will really try to erect a statue, but Iâll have to deal with that by then.
Then, I put a short name on the main gate of the palace. Randel put the last spoonful of sorbet into his mouth as he looked at his youngest brother, who had set a grand goal for himself.
Calian, who was still sitting quietly with an unreadable expression on his face, stood up. Talking
to Plantz. I did this and got scolded by Hina. After hearing the truth from Chase, I confessed my feelings to Kirie. After that, I met Randel and asked for what I needed. So now I was about to go ask questions. It was too late to stop because of the rain
. Because the road is too short. There is still a long way to go before I can walk straight without being distracted. So, I came to my senses and tried not to stop. I was planning to go to the Heisia Palace site. To meet the extremely great man one more time. âIâll just leave now.â
Sorbet
said
. The taste stayed in my mouth for a long time.
It was sour, bitter and sweet.