Chapter 8, A Pleasure To Meet You (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Rmain was sitting on the office sofa, looking at documents.

 

Rmain also had black hair.

 

He was a man who possessed the perfect appearance of a King, as if he had just stepped out of the cover of a book teaching the virtues of Kingship. His expression was prudent and his eyes were deep.

 

That appearance brought someone to mind.

 

[He looks like Randel.]

 

From the deep blue eyes reminiscent of a vast ocean to his facial features, the downcast expression, and the oppressive atmosphere that silently crushed people. Randel resembled Rmain in every way.

 

[Even the tendency to prefer non-interference is the same.]

 

The heartless King who feigned ignorance of Freya and Kalian’s deaths. That was Kalian’s personal evaluation of Rmain, and that thought had not changed in the slightest. This instinctive discomfort he felt toward Rmain seemed unlikely to ever disappear.

 

As he walked towards Rmain, Kalian tried hard to empty such thoughts that came to mind. He was afraid they might inadvertently show on his face or slip out of his mouth.

 

So, by the time he arrived by Rmain’s side, Kalian, who had barely managed to hide his complex emotions, offered his respects with flawless bearing.

 

And in a quiet but clear voice, he opened his mouth.

 

“Greetings to Your Majesty, the King.”

 

Rmain put down the documents he was holding onto the table.

 

Judging by the teacup that was almost empty and the pile of other documents next to it, it was apparent he had been working on the sofa for a while.

 

Since he put down the documents, Kalian thought he would look at him now. However, Rmain immediately picked up another document.

 

[You are going to keep looking at your documents?]

 

Absurdity colored Kalian’s face.

 

Of course, Rmain did not notice Kalian’s expression. He did not look at him at all, so how could he know? Kalian’s eyes soon turned fierce.

 

“Come sit here.”

 

Laughter rose, completely unsuited to his angry state.

 

It was because Rmain’s voice was similar to Plants’.

 

Of course, their way of speaking was different, but the voice reminded him of the older Plants.

 

[They really inherited things evenly.] Kalian thought.

 

Kalian sat across from Rmain, tucking away such idle thoughts and lowering his gaze to where people’s eyes would be with a smile. With that, his perfect Prince’s image was complete. Then he opened his mouth with a calm voice.

 

“Congratulations on your thirty-eighth birthday.”

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

Rmain nodded his head. A monotonous voice flowed out from behind the documents.

 

After responding with such an emotionless tone, Rmain lifted a teacup to take a sip, then raised his hand to rub his brow. He seemed quite tired.

 

“Are you doing well?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian answered without hesitation.

 

“I am doing very well.”

 

It was clear Rmain had failed to notice how rapidly Kalian had lost weight. Because this was his response to Kalian’s words.

 

“That’s good.”

 

[That’s it? If you’ve just taken a glace, be it if you noticed or not, is that all you are going to say?]

 

“If there is anything inconvenient while you’re here, tell me.”

 

The corner of Kalian’s mouth lifted slightly.

 

‘There are more than one or two things I’m uncomfortable with right now.’

 

Should he say he still has not adapted to the silent luncheons with Rmain’s other two Sons? Should he say it seems like an assassin sent by Rmain’s Wife will come looking for him soon? Should he say he is wasting away from an unknown illness and may die if something goes wrong? Or should he say, he was not actually not his Son.’

 

[If I said any of that, would Rmain even take a look at me?]

 

“I’m… doing well.”

 

In the end, Kalian repeated the same words.

 

Rather than a response, it was a perfunctory reply. Still, Rmain only nodded his head.

 

Now, Kalian understood.

 

The reason seeing them one by one three times was faster than seeing the three at once. Because he could not do such a thing with the three of them sitting in front.  If he put them in front of him one by one, he only needed to open his mouth while working.

 

[How very efficient. He’s basically saying sparing even just 5 minutes for his Sons would be a waste!]

 

Kalian sneered.

 

Rmain still had not lowered the hand and he had raised to his brow.

 

After that, Kalian could not even remember what conversation he had with Rmain. It seemed like there was no need to remember either. Exactly 5 minutes after meeting Rmain, Kalian, who came out of Arpia Palace, said while boarding the carriage.

 

“I should have just said ‘Pleased to meet you’ instead.”

 

Ian, who was waiting with a worried face, quietly chuckled.

 

It was because he knew how Rmain treated the Princes even though he had not heard about what happened in the office.

 

The carriage departed and before long stopped in front of Cermil Palace. Kalian, who got off the carriage with a sigh, looked around.

 

The wind blew ripples on the lake.

 

“There is some time until 10 o’clock. Please take a look around.”

 

At Ian’s words, who could see through how suffocated Kalian felt, Kalian nodded gratefully and moved his feet towards the lake. He slowly circled near the lake and went to the garden where roses were planted.

 

[Looks like a parasol.]

 

After a while, seeing a black parasol opened in the middle of the garden, Kalian stopped.

 

[Who’s in the garden on a day like this?] Kalian, who walked near the parasol out of curiosity, hastily stopped.

 

It was because he noticed that the person tending to roses under the parasol was none other than Randel.

 

Kalian knew his hobby was tending a rose garden. He thought it was a very Randel-like hobby. But from Randel’s current appearance, he did not seem to be enjoying his hobby.

 

Randel’s attendant, with a stiff expression, held up the parasol while carrying a red cape identical to the one Kalian wore over his arm. In front of him, Randel, in uniform, knelt in the garden and was pruning the side branches of a rose bush.

 

Kalian wryly laughed.

 

Randel would not have entered the garden in such attire on a day like this just because he was eager to tend to the roses.

 

[Amazing Rmain. To think you’ve shake up Randel like that.] Kalian bitterly laughed.

 

A few years after Kalian died and the full-fledged struggle for the throne began, there was a major accident where the carriage carrying the Tansyll King and the Crown Prince, who were returning from a visit to the Serenty temple, broke an axle and fell off a cliff.

 

With that accident, the King and Crown Prince of the Halidom of Tansyll both perished.

 

At that time, the only remaining royal of Tansyll was Randel. And Randel left Cyries and succeeded the Tansyll throne. He made the decision without any hesitation, according to what Kalian had heard.

 

[Since even his own Father, Rmain was like that, he naturally would have no lingering affection for Cyries]

 

It was an understandable choice. Even if it had been Kalian, he would have left this country without hesitation.

 

“Prince Kalian.”

 

At the sudden voice, Kalian hastily escaped from his prophetic recollection. The one who called Kalian with an embarrassed face was Randel’s attendant.

 

Randel, who had already risen from his spot, was looking at Kalian.

 

“I apologize.”

 

Kalian, who conveyed his apology, lightly bowed his head to Randel to show his respects.

 

Randel, who took off his gloves and handed them to his attendant, silently looked at Kalian. His deep blue eyes that contrasted completely with his fiery red eyes turned toward Kalian.

 

Randel did not rebuke Kalian. Because he too would not be unaware of the reason Kalian was here alone.

 

“I see.”

 

Randel just left those words and returned to Cermil Palace.

 

…

 

Rmain was fair.

 

He treated his three Sons exactly the same.

 

The strong smell of alcohol wafting from Plants. It was more apparent to the one standing next to him. Kalian, feeling dizzy, turned his head away from Plants and frowned.

 

[Is this guy out of his mind? He is so young, yet he drank so much that even I find it hard endure the smell of liquor from him!]

 

Plants’ eyes, which were usually hazy, seemed to have become even more blurry.

 

Even though he knew why, that did not mean he could generously understand Plants’ reckless behavior.

 

Today, he was in the position to stand before those outside the Royal Family.

 

Of course, it would be enough to just stand behind the King without saying a word. They just needed to make hand gestures and stand still. Still, Kalian was worried that Plants might cause an incident.

 

The only thing that could reassure him was how he had never heard any gossip about a Prince from the Cyries Royal Family causing a scene at an external event. So, Kalian decided to believe that Plants still had some reason left within him.

 

As if reading Kalian’s inner thoughts, Plants turned his head slightly to look at Kalian. Seeing Kalian’s furrowed brow, Plants grinned, but Kalian failed to be concerned about that.

 

“10 minutes left. The event will begin soon.”

 

The royal event coordinator spoke to the Royal Family.

 

Kalian, who was sitting in a chair near the main gate, mentally prepared himself. Although this position was already familiar to others, it was not so for Kalian. It was inevitable that he would be a little nervous.

 

The plaza was packed to the brim with people. Security forces mixed among the crowd in the plaza and Pavel Knights of the Royal Knight Order were stationed on the cafe and restaurant buildings surrounding the plaza. These forces were monitoring for any suspicious movements, ensuring the Royal Family was to be safe from harm.

 

Soon, the two large crystal panels lit up and began projecting the image of the still-empty stage. Sensing the imminent start of the event, the expectant voices of the crowd filled the plaza.

 

“Now, we will open the Palace gates.”

 

With those words, the Palace’s main gate slowly opened to both sides.

 

As the gate opened, revealing the Palace emblem largely engraved in the center split in half, cheers and applause exploded. This was the gradual unveiling of the Palace interior.

 

Before long, the Palace gates, which were usually tightly closed, were wide open; and those gates would not close for the next three days.

 

“5 minutes left.”

 

The inspection of the King’s Personal Knight Order, the Kaela Knights, began.

 

Although brief, the people held their breath as they watched the inspection of those who moved only for the King.

 

The Royal Family, including Kalian, rose from their seats.

 

The attendants moved busily. Ian also quickly approached to check Kalian’s uniform and withdrew.

 

“1 minute left.”

 

A red carpet was laid from the Palace’s main gate to the stage.

 

The Knights lined up in two rows, leaving the red carpet between them empty. The Royal Family was scheduled to pass through them.

 

The Knights’ swords stretched straight up as if piercing the sky.

 

The weather was very clear. The sunlight reflected off the swords held by the Knights, showing how sharp they were.

 

Finally, at 10 o’clock.

 

With the resounding voice of the Commander of the Kaela Knights announcing the royal procession, Rmain’s feet moved. Following behind him, Sillike slowly stepped forward. And then Randel and Plants moved.

 

[it’s my turn now.]

 

Kalian, who had been looking at their backs, closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them.

 

He straightened his back.

 

He raised his head.

 

The atmosphere surrounding him changed in an instant.

 

He lowered his gaze to where people’s eyes would be and smiled.

 

In just a moment, he became the perfect Prince of Cyries as he took his first step out.