Chapter 11, A Pleasure To Meet You (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

When the banquet was at its peak, a servant who had hurriedly come to Siegfried Hall whispered something to the Grand Chamberlain. Upon hearing the news, the Grand Chamberlain’s expression hardened as he quickly approached behind Rmain.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

Rmain slowly glanced back.

 

Due to the many people listening nearby, the Grand Chamberlain covered his mouth with his hand and conveyed the message in the smallest possible voice.

 

“I’m told Prince Kalian has just left the Royal Palace.”

 

Rmain’s head tilted a bit more toward the Grand Chamberlain, but he did not say anything else. The Grand Chamberlain continued.

 

“However, it seems Duke Siegfried provided his guarantee.”

 

Even after thinking about what relationship Duke Siegfried and Kalian might have, nothing came to mind. After remaining silent for a moment, Rmain responded in a low voice.

 

“…I understand.”

 

That was all. Rmain turned his head back without giving any further instructions. Understanding that this meant to leave things as they were, without taking any other measures, the Grand Chamberlain bowed and withdrew.

 

[Siegfried?] Rmain’s eyes narrowed.

 

…

 

Meanwhile, at that time.

 

Duke Sleiman’s mouth twisted as he stood in the garden. Then finally, a loud sound burst from that mouth.

 

“Puhahaha! Uhahah! Pueurhahaha!”

 

Even as he tried to hold back his laughter, it burst forth without constraint. After laughing like that for a while, Sleiman wiped away the tears that had leaked out. Then his mouth opened again. Instead of words, laughter poured out once more.

 

The men of Siegfried simply did not know how to stop once they started, whether it was laughter or crying.

 

“Pu… ha. Ukupkupkup!”

 

“This is not the time to be laughing!”

 

Finally, the person standing in front of him covered Sleiman’s mouth with both hands. The person who spoke in a whispered voice, as if worried someone might hear, was none other than Ian.

 

“When my Son has done something, putting his faith in me, how could I not be pleased?” Sleiman, who had finally stopped laughing after quite some time, spoke to Ian, whose curly hair was still left loose.

 

An expression of utter exasperation appeared on Ian’s face. In response, Sleiman made an expression asking what there was to worry about.

 

If Kalian had seen this scene, he would have immediately recognized them as Father and Son without any explanation. After all, both of them showed everything on their faces in the exact same way.

 

“Your little Prince asked you to prevent the Palace Guard from following him as he escaped, and you sold out the Siegfried Family, so the guards didn’t follow. Isn’t that good enough?”

 

Sleiman, who was actually pleased that his Son had caused trouble, looked at Ian. Then he spoke as if telling him not to worry.

 

“Whether he knew fully well what he was doing or not, he chose right. He really came up with a good solution.”

 

“The real solution needs to start now. Won’t His Highness ask how Prince Kalian and you know each other?”

 

“Was he in such a hurry that he couldn’t even think one step ahead?”

 

A smile appeared on Sleiman’s lips.

 

It was not a smile of amusement, but rather a Father’s smile looking at his Son, who had yet to become a fully grown man.

 

“Don’t worry. He won’t ask.”

 

“What?”

 

“Rmain will think it will be too much to ask. So, he won’t ask. He’ll let it pass as if nothing happened, let alone take any disciplinary action. Understand?”

 

Ian, who had been deep in thought with furrowed brows at those words, asked.

 

“Because I brought up Siegfried?”

 

Sleiman patted Ian’s head as if to say that was correct.

 

“It’s fortunate you didn’t inherit my brains. You’re better at this than I was at your age!”

 

“What else could I have inherited?”

 

Sleiman did not know that his Son still believes ‘his Prince had learned horseback riding through books.’ Therefore, while muttering ‘That’s right, that’s right’ to Ian’s words, he suddenly seemed to remember something and cheerfully laughed.

 

“You can play the violin well at least. That is something you definitely inherited from me!”

 

A Siegfried who could not use a sword but could play the violin. That was Ian.

 

When Ian had made a disgusted expression upon seeing Sleiman, who had just arrived at the palace, it was because he had discovered his Father laughing heartily while selling out his Son.

 

“The Siegfried Family name that you so boldly sold out still carries some weight.”

 

Ian made a startled expression.

 

Having left the burden of his family behind and come to the palace, how could he not know?

 

“If Rmain asks your little Prince what relationship he has with me, there will naturally be answers that come after. Even so, there’s nothing Rmain can do after hearing those answers.”

 

If he answers that there was no relationship but he received help by chance, it would appear as if he was being wary of Siegfried’s goodwill. The same goes if he answers that he received help because there was a relationship.

 

If the King punishes the Prince after hearing either answers, it would be like ignoring the Siegfried Family, who had the power to vouched for the Prince. Furthermore, if he does not punish the Third Prince, be it he believes any of his answers or not, it would be like acknowledging the friendly relationship between the Third Prince and the Siegfried Family.

 

Consequently, Marquis Beurisen would not be pleased.

 

In short, it was a problem without any real positive options.

 

“Rmain probably decided to do nothing the moment he heard I vouched for him. Now, your little Prince should just act as brazenly as he can, to make this outing seem perfectly pre-planned. How could I not praise this to be a job well done?”

 

Sleiman concluded with a reliable expression.

 

“So, feel free to sell me out if you need my name. I can at least handle this much. Besides, isn’t that what a Father is for?”

 

Ian looked at Sleiman with what appeared to be a moved expression.

 

Feeling satisfied with that look, Sleiman straightened his back, broadened his shoulders, and said,

 

“I’m not as worthless as you think!”

 

[Agh, as expected. I was a fool for thinking he was cool for a moment.] Ian clicked his tongue. Pretending not to hear what Sleiman had said as his Father walked over to a bench placed in the garden and sat down. Ian, who followed behind him, opened his mouth.

 

“Are you sure the palace personnel really don’t know who I am? His Highness and the other Royal Family members too?”

 

“Most likely. If they did, the Internal Affairs’ officers would have reported it long ago. I’ve handled such matters really well, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

 

“True. If even one person knew about my true identity, Sillike would never have placed me beside the Third Prince.”

 

Sleiman stroked Ian’s head again with a pleased smile.

 

“Since my Son looks to be really lacking as a noble, it’s no wonder no one suspects you.”

 

Ian frowned and glared at Sleiman.

 

But Sleiman did not remove his hand. Looking at the bronze curly hair identical to his own, he kept reaching out his hand as it reminded him of the poodle ‘Ian’ waiting at home.

 

“But…” Ian, who had opened his mouth, soon stopped speaking.

 

He had actually intended to ask about Kalian’s recent symptoms but remembered Kalian’s words about it being related to magic. He thought there was no point in letting Sleiman know if it was something he would not understand.

 

However, since he could not take back words already spoken, he asked something else instead.

 

“How is Dmirea doing?”

 

“She’s doing well. It was difficult to stop her from coming along this time.”

 

Dmirea, was Ian’s Younger Sister, and the heir apparent to the Siegfried Ducal Family. She was not only skilled with the sword but also an intelligent child.

 

Sleiman clenched and unclenched the fist resting on his knee. He looked alternately at his palm full of calluses and Ian’s hands as he asked.

 

“So, how about you? Is it livable here?”

 

“How does it look to you, Father?”

 

“Like you’ve held in a ton of old putrid stool.”

 

[This is exactly why Mother doesn’t want to come back home…]

 

Ian shook his head repeatedly. Sleiman also wobbled his head, then after a brief pause, opened his mouth.

 

“Still, if you think living as a Young Master of the family would be better than serving that boy, come back anytime. Now that Dmirea has taken on the heir apparent position you didn’t want, you need not be burdened by it.”

 

Ian, who had been thinking about his Little Sister a moment ago, opened his mouth while remembering Kalian.

 

“She’s the same age as Prince Kalian.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“When I first saw him when I came to the palace with you, he looked like a dried-up twig. While Dmirea was like a freshly sprouting leaf, bright and shining.”

 

The sound of water trickling could be heard from the artificial stream winding through the garden.

 

“I saw him as pitiful. It was strange that I could think of someone that way. That’s how it started, then at some point I became concerned, and then protective. Now, I just want to watch over him. Once it became like that, this place is livable now.”

 

“I see. That’s good then.”

 

Sleiman, who had been staring intently at Ian’s face, smiled with a face as if he had just taken a dump.

 

Suddenly, he remembered the sight of Kalian and Ian conversing with comfortable expressions. He also recalled Kalian’s first steps, which had been full of vigor.

 

“Your little Prince. Well, seems like there will be many interesting things to see as we watch him grow.”

 

Ian opened his eyes wide. To his questioning face, Sleiman added.

 

“Somethings are like that. Never mind if you don’t know. Anyway, I’m going back tomorrow so I probably won’t see you for a while.”

 

“What do you mean won’t see me? We’ll see each other in three months.”

 

“Are you really planning to quit?”

 

Ian shook his head and answered.

 

“He’s about to turn fifteen.”

 

“Ah, right. It’s already time. Right. In that case, I’ll be waiting.”

 

Ian neatly retied his hair and stood up.

 

Having finished his conversation with his Father, Sleiman, he planned to wait for Kalian near the main gate.

 

“Then, I’ll see you then, Duke Siegfried.”

 

Ian, who had returned to being Kalian’s attendant, gave a respectful bow.

 

Sleiman made a disgusted expression and waved his hand as if telling him to quickly go. Thus, Ian left with a smile.

 

…

 

It was quiet.

 

Though it was still time for the banquet at the Royal Palace, all the events in the plaza had already ended. People had either returned home or gathered at nearby taverns to enjoy the lingering festivities. The plaza, which had been bustling with people all day, now only had magic lights brightly shining, illuminating the fountain.

 

*Clop, clop, clop.*

 

Unexpected hoofbeats echoed through the plaza that had been wrapped in silence. The source of the sound was two horses that had come out of the Royal Palace, which at first seemed to be heading down the royal road, but soon changed direction and crossed Harts-ara Plaza.

 

It was Allan Manasil and Kalian’s horses.

 

It was natural for Kalian, who was chasing after Allan to move at this speed. At the same time, Allan was aware that someone was following him. However, he had no intention of stopping his horse, so he just kept silently looking ahead.

 

But even though the distance with the horse following behind was close, the other party did not call out to stop him. The other party’s behavior of continuing to follow behind without saying anything aroused his curiosity.

 

Allan, who glanced back slightly, and furrowed his brows.

 

[Who could it be?]

 

What he glimpsed was a white cloak. Palace Guards did not wear such elaborate cloaks.

 

Only after realizing that the person following behind was not a simple Knight did Allan slowed his horse and came to a stop. The hoofbeats of the following horse also died down.

 

Having reached the center of the plaza by now, the fountain’s light was brightly illuminating the surroundings.

 

Allan, who turned his head back, could finally check the other party’s attire in detail.

 

[As expected, it is certainly not that of a Palace Guard.]

 

At a glance, it was clearly a noble, or maybe a royal.

 

Soon, the other party dismounted and walked slowly, then stood under the light looking at Allan.

 

Black hair and red eyes.

 

Allan had also seen the Royal Family in the plaza this morning. The Third Prince whose face had been shown right here, on the crystal panel, was now standing in front of him.

 

[What business could this delicate Prince have with me?]

 

Deep curiosity rose in Allan’s eyes.