Chapter 19, Aren’t They Being Too Obvious (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Kalian removed his hand and raised his head.

 

His face was tense from trying to contain his anger.

 

It was only natural. After all, was Kalian not the one who should be the lividest here?

 

Of course, that expression was created for the surrounding onlookers. In truth, Kalian’s true feelings were quite the opposite. He wanted to thank Plants’s tongue.

 

[You can be useful sometimes, Plants!]

 

Kalian looked at Rmain.

 

What Kalian wanted from Rmain right now was not for him to punish Plants in a burst of fury. Rather, he hoped Rmain would do nothing at all. That would bring the greatest benefit.

 

As if reading Kalian’s wishes, Rmain truly did nothing.

 

He did not scold Plants, did not schedule future punishment, did not send any contemptuous glances. He simply looked forward again and nodded to the Grand Chamberlain to indicate that the second act could begin.

 

Seeing this, Sillike bit her lip.

 

Right now, Rmain had essentially shown that he had no expectations whatsoever for Plants, and this would continue on for the foreseeable future.

 

Kalian smiled once again, though it did not show.

 

[Sillike, just how far will you go?]

 

He thought Sillike would surely try to smooth over this situation. Kalian had high expectations for what she would do.

 

The fan in Sillike’s hand made a cracking sound as it broke. [You fool… even after I’ve warned you!]

 

Rmain was well aware that Plants’s conduct was poor.

 

How could he not know, when he had even issued a drinking ban on Plants after he appeared drunk in the plaza? So somehow, he might have overlooked Plants insulting Kalian. He could have dismissed it as Plants being Plants.

 

But insulting the origins of the deceased Royal Consort Freya in a public setting, and doing so in front of Rmain, who had cherished Freya dearly, was crossing a line.

 

[Plants!] Sillike’s eyes turned to Plants.

 

It was not that Plants was unaware of what he had done. She had not raised him to be that oblivious.

 

Goosebumps rose on Sillike’s arm as she met Plants’ eyes.

 

Right now, Plants was not showing a perplexed expression or a face of regret.

 

[…You! You deliberately said it!]

 

One corner of Plants’s mouth was slightly raised.

 

It was only then did she realize he had acted this way on purpose. He had clearly done this in retaliation to the few words she had said when visiting him before coming here.

 

Sillike’s silent scream was directed at Plants, [Why must it be today of all days, Plants!]

 

Allan Manasil had come to the Royal Palace. The nobles’ lips now carried Kalian’s name to be amongst the Crown Prince candidates. On the same day, Plants had made this irreversible mistake.

 

There was no need to consider what thoughts and decisions would be made by the nobles who had been maintaining an appropriate foothold in Beurisen’s territory.

 

Sillike bit her lip again and turned to look ahead. Though the second act was well underway, none of those in the special seats were watching it. Sillike desperately connected chains of thought to resolve this situation, while Kalian did the same to make best use of it.

 

At that opportune moment.

 

Having discovered something, a sigh escaped from Pollun.

 

“My god!”

 

It was both a sigh of relief and surprise. Before him was a rope that had been cut halfway through.

 

“If this had fallen on Your Highness…!”

 

Just thinking about it felt suffocating.

 

Pollun hurriedly began taking measures to prevent the rope from being damaged further. Afterwards, he set up strong defenses to ensure no one could approach until the performance ended.

 

Pollun, having caught his breath, suddenly turned his head to look below.

 

The black-haired Prince, who had warned him to prevent an incident, had basically saving his life. Yet, he sat there without any sign of disturbance.

 

He remembered the expression Kalian had shown, and he believed Kalian’s words which led him to giving up his seat beside Rmain.

 

That Youngest Prince must have surely worn the face of a teacher watching their student solve a problem well.

 

Moreover, after that, he did not seemed to pay any attention to this area at all. There was no sign of anxiety about whether Pollun had understood his words and could resolve the situation.

 

[Even if we get through today without any accident, I don’t think that Prince will seek me out.]

 

Pollun had a feeling that his life had not been saved in exchange for something in return. Pollun, being a merchant to his bones, had never experienced a trade that did not require compensation.

 

“My god…”

 

Making the same sound again, Pollun dryly gulped.

 

…

 

The performance had ended completely.

 

No flower petals had fallen.

 

[Seems like the issue has been handled.]’

 

Still, just in case, Kalian lingered after standing up, speaking with Ian to kill time.

 

After Randel and Plants had gone down first, he then left that place. As expected, nothing peculiar had occurred.

 

When he came down the stairs, Pollun was waiting.

 

Rmain spoke to him.

 

“It was a pleasant time.”

 

Rmain said nothing about Pollun not staying by his side. Rather, he thought it fortunate that other nobles had not directly witnessed Plants’s behavior.

 

“I’m glad you were satisfied, Your Highness.” Pollun showed his humility.

 

Meanwhile, Kalian observed not Pollun, but Sillike, who was watching Pollun. Though there was a small question in Kalian’s eyes, it was not apparent enough for anyone to notice.

 

[No reaction from Sillike?]

 

[Certainly. Plants had caused trouble. But separate from that, if that planned incident did not occur, Sillike wouldn’t have overlooked it. She is not linear and inflexible in her thinking to forget such a major ploy just because of Plants’s actions.]

 

[Right now, her expression shows she’s not concerned about any incident occurring.]

 

In fact, right now, Sillike was barely even listening to Pollun’s greetings.

 

[In that case, Sillike doesn’t know about it. That means Lannen must have acted alone.]

 

Kalian thought through many possibilities at once.

 

“Then, I’ll see you again at the ballroom.”

 

Pollun said this while looking at the three Princes.

 

Though it was specifically directed at Kalian, Kalian showed no reaction and simply accepted the greeting before heading outside and mounting Raven.

 

[Randel, Beurisen Trader’s Guild, Pollun’s Trader’s Guild. Just what is the connection between all of them? Could Tansyll be involved in this as well?]

 

Bern had never paid attention to the Halidom of Tansyll, which was attached to Cyries. He did not know the exact events had occurred during this period.

 

As a result, Kalian furrowed his brow as he struggled to piece together what had happened in Tansyll during this time.

 

[If it’s connected to the merchant guilds, it would have something to do with goods. If they’re trying to profit by making a move on royalty, then those goods must be exceptional… Ah!]

 

[Goods of extraordinary value?]

 

Once he thought that far, he finally had the answer.

 

A smile that was both knowing and mysterious appeared on Kalian’s lips.

 

[Diamonds. It’s the diamond mines!]

 

When he found the hidden word, all the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit together.

 

He remembered a brief conversation he had with Chase when he was Bern. It was a memory of discussing news of the incident.

 

“This seems too much like a child’s prank to be terrorism.”

 

“Do you think it was simply terrorism targeting royalty?”

 

“Since a Prince was hurt, yes. If not, is there something else?”

 

“Well. Why don’t you think about it, Bern.”

 

This whole incident was too obvious and simple. Like it was deliberately trying to reveal that royalty had been targeted. In short, it was a foolish ploy.

 

[The Priests of the Halidom wouldn’t have much need to buy diamonds. Most would have been meant to be sold to Cyries. The merchant guilds from Tansyll’s side would have preferred Pollun over Beurisen right now, and that would flip if Randel got hurt.]

 

Kalian had only now figured out the cause of the problem, which Chase had immediately realized.

 

[Beurisen tried to frame Pollun to take over the diamond trade. After all, besides Pollun, there were no other large merchant guild capable of managing such transactions.]

 

[So, the reason for targeting Randel has also become clear. If Randel got hurt, the King of Tansyll would intervene. Those scheming must have calculated this matter would be wrapped up quickly before any plot holes could be properly investigated. Lannen, you’re unexpectedly clever.]

 

Having finished organizing his thoughts, Kalian turned his eyes to look at Pollun.

 

Though Pollun would likely want to meet Kalian right away, he could not grant that wish. Now that he knew how valuable the issue was, he thought he should properly collect on the price of Pollun’s life.

 

“Tell the event coordinator I won’t be attending the ball today.”

 

At Kalian’s quiet voice, Ian looked at him in surprise. Then, seeing Kalian’s sad face that seemed deeply shocked by Plants, he let out a sympathetic sigh.

 

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

“It’s alright, Your Highness.”

 

How much guilt Kalian felt while watching Ian nod his head with an even more dejected expression than his own remained unknown.

 

…

 

Rmain, who had returned from the performance and was sitting at his desk, stared at his visitor. Then, removing the glasses he had been wearing and placing them on the desk, he said, “This is unexpected.”

 

The person who had come to see Rmain stood silently for a moment before walking to the sofa. The click-clack of shoes echoed in the quiet office as Rmain silently watched.

 

After quite some time, Rmain stood up. Then, as if chasing away the Reunieri Flower fragrance filling the office, he opened the window.

 

Around the time he was opening all the windows in the office.

 

*Knock knock.*

 

With the knock, the Grand Chamberlain entered carrying a tray with tea.

 

Rmain slightly moved his hand and declared, “Not needed.”

 

The corners of Sillike’s eyes twitched.

 

It was the treatment if an unwelcomed guest.

 

After sending the Grand Chamberlain back out, Rmain slowly walked over and sat across from Sillike. His eyes held no emotion.

 

Actually, this was already very familiar to Sillike. It had been this way ever since Freya died.

 

“What brings you here.”

 

Rmain opened his mouth. It was an emotionless voice that perfectly matched his eyes.

 

“He’s a young child, please forgive his mistake. Beurisen will take on any punishment he deserves.”

 

Sillike clenched her molars. She had never thought she would end up saying such words to Rmain.

 

Rmain raised an eyebrow.

 

Until now, no matter what actions Plants had taken, she had never come to visit him like this. Moreover, she had never brought up such words. After all, this was Sillike, someone who would never have humbled herself to this extent, even when Plants’ mistake was considered to be serious.

 

“Forgiveness, you say. What am I to forgive?”

 

Of course, Rmain knew why Sillike’s attitude had changed.

 

Kalian.

 

More precisely, it would be because Kalian was currently backed by Allan Manasil.

 

Thinking of Kalian brought further attention to what Sillike, who was sitting before him, was doing right now. He could guess why she was so readily offering to have Beurisen take responsibility.

 

[She must think it’s more important to keep the nobles from turning away from Plants at this point in time. That way, after Kalian disappears, the nobles who have lost the pillar they support won’t go to Randel.]

 

She must be confident she can recover whatever is lost under the name of punishment after Kalian’s death.

 

[‘Continue to pretend you don’t know about this incident,’ huh? I shall do as you ask.] Rmain smiled slightly, remembering Allan’s words. He smiled while suppressing the urge to twist off Sillike’s slender neck.

 

[He smiled?] Unable to read his thoughts, Sillike showed a slightly astonished face.

 

During all this time, Rmain had never shown emotion in front of others. Yet here he was showing such an obvious smile.

 

Sillike gripped the new fan in her hand tightly, and Rmain spoke.

 

“In that case. What punishment do you have in mind?”

 

Of course, she would never give up any of the Royal Knight Orders under her. She was not desperate enough to abandon that.

 

Having composed her feelings, Sillike opened her mouth. It was just as Rmain had expected.

 

“Since it was an impressive performance, I think it would be good to give a reward.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

It truly was an impressive performance.

 

Sillike’s words meant she would concede some of Beurisen’s trading rights to Pollun Trader’s Guild. Rmain could determine the scope of the concession based on the size of the needed ‘forgiveness’, and the Beurisen Family would accept it.

 

“So, for today, it would be best for Plants to return with me.”

 

Naturally, the King accepted the deal.

 

After all, he believes Kalian’s death would no longer happen.