Chapter 14, Until a Proper Hand is Formed (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Heisia Palace, where Queen Sillike resided.

 

In its back garden, there was a greenhouse about twice the size of Kalian’s room.

 

The greenhouse, with walls and ceiling made entirely of glass, was always filled with Reunieri leaves. Unlike the strong scent of Sillike’s perfume wafting through the air, there was no particular fragrance inside the greenhouse. This was because the mysterious white Reunieri Flower bloomed only once per year.

 

Inside the greenhouse stood a white table and chair, where Sillike sat, looking as if she had been painted into the scene.

 

However, seeing her fierce gaze, Lannen’s shoulders flinched.

 

[She seems to be in a bad mood again… Well, it’s understandable…]

 

On the first day of the festival, Second Prince Plants had appeared in the plaza while intoxicated. That alone was enough to be infuriating, but there was another issue. Two days later, no one was criticizing Plants. Why? It was because of Kalian. He took all the attention, and not even a reproachful glance was directed at Plants. This irritated Sillike even more.

 

Lannen’s heart grew heavy as well. He had come to deliver news that Allan Manasil had arrived in Cyries, but given her mood, it seemed better not to bring it up. She would hear the news through other channels anyway.

 

[I’ll just deliver the shoes and quickly leave…]

 

Lannen carefully signaled to the butler standing behind him.

 

The butler handed the gift box to the Grand Chamberlain, who opened the lid and presented it before Sillike.

 

“What is this?” Though she surely knew already, Sillike asked this while looking into the box.

 

Inside was a pale yellow shoe that matched well with her eyes, with a large diamond set in the center of the gold decorations. Sillike’s eyebrow raised slightly as she examined the shoe. She was definitely pleased.

 

“These are the Tansyll diamonds I mentioned. They discovered a diamond mine while constructing the canal. I’m told this is one of the first products made with the initial raw stones. Do you like them?”

 

Sillike took a sip of coffee before answering.

 

“Not bad.”

 

“I’m glad. Now, about my plans…!”

 

“By the way.”

 

Lannen’s mouth closed awkwardly.

 

Having cut off Lannen’s words, Sillike turned her head to look at the Grand Chamberlain for a moment.

 

This also meant that her appreciation for the shoes was finished. Lannen’s expression twisted as not only was there no word of thanks, but he was also prevented from saying what he had intended to.

 

[Does she know how much those cost!?]

 

The Grand Chamberlain, indifferent to Lannen’s thoughts, showed his respects with an expressionless face and left the greenhouse with Lannen’s butler.

 

“Two months have passed. Why is it still not done?”

 

Her fist rested on the table; tension visible in her knuckles. Her voice came through clenched teeth.

 

Lannen was not surprised by Sillike’s suddenly changed face. He knew her temperament better than anyone.

 

Lannen managed a smile as he tried to placate Sillike.

 

“That’s… It must be because of the Boon of Syspanian.”

 

“Didn’t you say you had taken the blessing’s power into account!? All this talk about the Third Prince, everywhere I thread, is disgustingly loud and obnoxious.”

 

Lannen swallowed dryly.

 

Sillike, who had been lost in thought while fluttering her fan, spoke again.

 

“Send more of that as soon as you return. Increase the quantity.”

 

“Isn’t that dangerous? Rather than do this, if you tried another method…!”

 

Sillike did not listen to the end of Lannen’s words. She gestured him toward the door as she turned her head away. This was no different from shooing away an insect.

 

A small grinding sound came from between Lannen’s teeth. But that was all; in the end, Lannen was driven from the place without even getting to start what he had meant to say.

 

…

 

Rmain’s eyes grew deeper in thought.

 

[A house to stay in Cyries…]

 

Of course, it was welcoming news.

 

He had already been thinking of keeping Allan in Cyries when he called him to sit down. He had judged that someone of Allan’s caliber was necessary to suppress Sillike’s forces at this time.

 

[But, what are his true intentions here?]

 

Since Allan brought up this topic first, it made his intentions seem suspicious.

 

“I saw a red-eyed cat in the plaza that caught my fancy. I thought I should teach and raise it, but then I realized I don’t have a place to stay.”

 

After a moment of silence, Rmain said,

 

“What do you intend to teach Kalian?”

 

“Who knows? But doesn’t it sound interesting?”

 

Allan replied thus while picking up a cookie from the table before him. He then broke it in half, put it in his mouth, chewed and swallowed it.

 

Though this was truly irreverent behavior after receiving a question from the King, Rmain waited silently. Soon, after taking a sip of tea to wet his mouth, Allan spoke with an expectant expression.

 

“Black hair and eyes as red as blood, and the ability to use magic.”

 

“So… You’re saying you want to stay in Cyries to teach Prince Kalian magic?”

 

“Not only that, but I also think I should help create an environment the cat would like. To do that, I’ll need to help the house owner sort out the house, don’t I?”

 

The excuse was taking the Third Prince as his Disciple; the intention was to clean up Sillike’s forces and make Kalian the next Crown Prince.

 

Of course, this would do no harm to Rmain. After taking a sip of tea and setting down his cup, Rmain asked,

 

“Can you handle it? As you know, this house is currently in quite a mess.”

 

“This is my first time raising something too. Can you handle it?”

 

A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corners of Rmain’s mouth.

 

“The pretext is good enough. Master and Disciple.”

 

The Third Prince and his Master. It was the most plausible pretext for Allan to settle in Cyries.

 

Of course, the Beurisen Marquis Family, including Sillike, would try to oppose the Third Prince’s magic education. However, their opponent was none other than Allan Manasil.

 

“Since I personally chose Prince Kalian as my Disciple, Beurisen has no clear grounds to prevent it. Since I can’t spend all day teaching magic, they can’t interfere if a Master with spare time helps Your Highness with some work, no? Don’t you agree that this invitation I’ve received is more than proper?”

 

Hearing these words, Rmain tilted his head slightly.

 

The nuance suggested that Kalian had created this pretext. However, Allan did not add any other explanation to it.

 

Soon, having organized his thoughts, Rmain answered Allan.

 

“Very well. I’ll arrange a place for you to stay. The house is already in such a mess anyways. Having someone who wants to raise a cat move in can hardly make it worse.”

 

Allan bowed his head slightly to convey his thanks.

 

However, the conversation was not over. Apart from the permission, Rmain’s questions continued.

 

“But I’m curious about something. I heard there was nothing special about that child.”

 

“Was there nothing special?” Allan’s questioning eyes were meaningful. “Rather, I found it difficult to find anything that wasn’t special about Prince Kalian.”

 

Even his unnecessarily poor health condition was special.

 

“I heard that child is very timid. I heard he was even afraid of horses, but hearing that he followed you, it seems he’s overcome that.”

 

Allan recalled how Kalian had handled the horse with very skilled technique and how he had been leaning against it.

 

[Come to think of it. Why since earlier…] Suddenly, Allan felt a strange dissonance in Rmain’s words.

 

“I heard Randel is calm like deep water and Plants is like raging waves. As for Kalian, well… I only heard he was a quiet child without any problems. I didn’t know he had any talent.”

 

[Why does he keep saying he heard everything? It is as if… As if he had never taken an interest in observing directly.]

 

“If there had been anything outstanding, it would have been reported to me. So, I am actually quite surprised.”

 

Allan, after wetting his throat with tea, stood up from his seat.

 

Then he walked steadily to the window and looked out at the garden spread before him. It seemed he needed to convey something even more surprising.

 

“Like Your Highness, I also married quite early. Because of that, I already have a Granddaughter who’s like a wild pony.”

 

For a moment, Rmain’s fingers twitched.

 

Though he knew this, it would take time to get used to hearing such words from a man who looked younger than himself.

 

Of course, the ‘more surprising thing’ Allan had in mind was not about his Granddaughter. Allan raised his arm to his waist with his palm facing down as he spoke.

 

“The last time I saw her, her head came up to my waist… About this high… She must be taller now. So, about this high.”

 

Allan’s arm rose a bit higher.

 

Though it seemed random to suddenly talk about height, Rmain quietly listened to Allan’s words for now. Looking at such a Rmain, Allan asked,

 

“Do you perhaps know of the Princes’ heights, Your Highness? How tall they come up to when standing beside you?”

 

Rmain did not answer. Because he did not know. He truly did not know.

 

Having expected this, Allan shifted his gaze to stare at the documents placed on the desk.

 

“I know that sometimes attention can be poison and indifference can be medicine. I know even better that being busy is no excuse at all. Weren’t you with the Princes yesterday? Weren’t you walking together, standing together? How could you not know even this?”

 

Rmain’s gaze grew cold.

 

He felt that Allan was now trying to interfere even in the King’s own private affairs.

 

“Lord Manasil. Your interest in this is excessive. You’ve met me for the first time today. It is unnecessary for the way I treat my children to meet your standards.”

 

His voice, not bothering to hide his discomfort, continued.

 

“It’s ridiculous to have to explain this, but I do cherish the Princes.”

 

“Do you really think so?”

 

Rmain paused for a moment and stared at Allan. Because he knew who this person was, and he was trying not to get any angrier. Rmain answered, thinking he should quickly end this wasteful conversation.

 

“Kalian, the child you met, especially so. For me, he’s already a finger in pain, even before being bitten. Since you say you’ll teach that child, I can try to understand your current attitude, but.”

 

“Ha!” Allan laughed.

 

It was clearly mockery that cut off the King’s words.

 

Anger appeared on Rmain’s face, but Allan was not one to care about such things. With a face showing not the slightest bit of concern, Allan looked at Rmain and said,

 

“Then instead of just hearing about things, why don’t you take a look yourself?”

 

“Look at what?”

 

Rmain asked without hesitation, as if nothing troubled his mind. [What exactly am I supposed to look at?]

 

[To think he really doesn’t know anything!] Allan’s eyes turned sharp.

 

A voice that was clearly suppressing anger flowed out.

 

“Instead of saying he’s a finger in pain even before being bitten, just try biting once. See whether it hurts more than before, or less.”

 

“…”

 

“If you just keep watching, you’ll lose him.”

 

Rmain spoke in a sharp voice.

 

“Lord Manasil. Speak plainly.”

 

Allan walked back to stand before Rmain.

 

Remembering Kalian’s small, bone-dry back, Allan’s voice changed this time. Speaking more quietly and rapidly, as if rushing,

 

“His skin has a bluish tinge and beneath his nails is purplish. His lips are dry and his breathing is labored. Dark shadows have begun to appear around his eyes. He stops and closes his eyes while trying to stand up. Feeling dizzy, I suppose. His formal attire showed signs of being hasty altered. They must have reduced the size. How long does it take to make formal attire? A month?”

 

The anger that had shown on Rmain’s face gradually disappeared.

 

Unable to answer to Allan’s question, he bit his lower lip hard. Because he had caught on to what Allan was trying to say.

 

“Surely, someone hasn’t…”

 

Allan cut off Rmain’s words again.

 

“Yes. You understand right away. Then, you could have noticed right away too. No, you should have noticed. And, this is not just anyone but… You who have already experienced the same thing once, Your Highness. I too, have…”

 

[Freya.] The name Rmain had barely managed to put away surfaced in his mind.

 

“Even if it wasn’t that, if his clothes needed to be altered in after just a month, it should have been obvious at a glance. Even if you didn’t know his height, even if you hadn’t seen his hands or lips, you should have noticed him wasting away like that. It should have been his Father he sought for survival! Not a Mage he had never met before!”

 

Rmain bent over, covering his face with both hands.

 

His fingertips trembled. He had not thought of it at all.

 

“Poison…”

 

“That finger you claimed to cherish so much, why don’t you try biting it now?”

 

Allan bent down to pick up the remaining half of the cookie. Then, chewing and swallowing it, he looked down at Rmain. Through the fingers covering his face, his devastated expression was completely visible.

 

“Or stop making such a face.”

 

Allan stepped back one pace. Just as he had shown to Kalian, it was a sign that he would not provoke Rmain’s mood any further.

 

“Continue to pretend you don’t know about this incident. At this point, that would be best. However, I dared to speak up hoping there would be no such incidents in the future. So, please forgive me.”

 

Having finished speaking, Allan showed his respects with an unwavering demeanor and then left.