Chapter 3. The Rival Appears

The wild ducks had all disappeared from the imperial palace lakeside.

“I ordered the production of a proper duck boat, yet why have I not heard any news? Report to me.”

Caenian repeatedly clenched and opened his empty fist. The soft sensation was disappearing by the second.

“I, I shall report, Your Majesty.”

The row of attendants wiped sweat from their foreheads. It was always like this after Duke took Bestia away for one reason or another. The man who looked exactly like the former emperor emanated a chilling aura.

“The grain of the wood we showed you earlier displeased you, so we are searching for new wood, Your Majesty.”

“The imperial chief designer’s duck boat blueprints displeased you, so a new design……”

Zap.

“So the delay is my fault?”

The movement of his clenching fist suddenly stopped at the attendants’ words. His black pupils sharpened. With his eyes gently folded at the corners, it was a face that Bestia had never seen before in him.

“Hiiiek! N-no, Your Majesty.”

“W-we shall order the duck boat to be prepared immediately!”

The terrified attendants prostrated themselves, their pale hands trembling violently.

“Go.”

Caenian didn’t say more. He didn’t even look at the two attendants quickly backing away. His eyes remained fixed only on the quiet lake.

When naturally no duck sounds could be heard and even the insects held their breath, Potters, who should never leave Caenian’s side under any circumstances, opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty.”

“There is something I humbly wish to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

At that, Caenian’s expressionless gaze shifted to the man standing one step behind him. With his permission, Potters spoke again.

“Do you trust the woman called Betty?”

“Sir Potters, you ask me an impertinent question.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. But I, Potters Kleeman, exist solely to protect Your Majesty’s safety. My intuition……”

“That woman would harm me?”

But Caenian cut off Potters’ words before he could finish.

Dare threaten the emperor’s life?

The corner of his lip twisted, as if he had just heard something absurd. It could also be read as asking how dare you, a guard knight, say such a thing.

“I cannot hastily conclude, but I keep feeling something strange. I continue to think she’s hiding her identity……”

“Sir Potters.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“That woman is certainly a bit strange. No, not a bit, but quite significantly, she irritates my nerves.”

But Potters endured the burning shame on his face and struggled to continue. Despite pondering for four full days, he had found no answer.

What made him uneasy? Why couldn’t he forget that woman’s face?

“Your Majesty, I wish to thoroughly investigate which noble family she belonged to. I dare ask for your permission.”

So Potters dared to question the emperor’s intentions. Caenian remained silent toward him who bowed his head again. Silence flowed once more.

“Enough. There’s no need.”

The man who finally spoke directed his gaze toward the lake. A swan that had flown to the duckless shore stared intently at Caenian.

“But even if she’s the Chancellor’s errand girl, I should investigate her safety……”

“I don’t want to be choked by suspicion.”

“Ah.”

“Nor do I want to lose the present by being consumed with things that haven’t even happened. Like him.”

Flutter flutter.

The swan bathed in the lake water. Caenian’s eyes folded at the corners. Long ago, this lake had once been like a painting. The water surface hadn’t rippled, and it had been quiet without the sound of birds.

“I’d like to feel danger with my whole body at least once.”

Under the pretext of protection and safety, many living beings had lost their lives. Inside a protective shield created by others, the child had doubted himself.

‘Father must think I’m an incompetent crown prince who can’t even take care of myself!’

‘No! I bloody my hands because I love you!’

Love? What a joke.

Caenian’s lips twisted at a fragment of memory that suddenly surfaced. The swan, startled by his suddenly fierce gaze, fluttered away.

Tick tock tick tock.

The sound of the clock filled the empty air where nature’s sounds had disappeared. The time for the cute duck to return was approaching.

“I’m not saying your caution is misplaced, just that it’s not time yet. I absolutely hate acting on mere intuition.”

“Please forgive my oversight, Your Majesty.”

Tap tap.

“Forgiveness? Sir Potters, you have no sin. Don’t make such an expression.”

Caenian immediately softened his expression. He returned to the kind face that Bestia knew well and sometimes even dared to ignore.

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

Potters bowed his head even deeper to Caenian, who had lightly patted his shoulder.

“Now, I wish to ask you a question.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I humbly request you ask freely.”

Caenian’s eyes were on Potters, but his hands pointed elsewhere. An attendant who had been waiting from afar scurried over. Delicious strawberries sat on a golden tray.

“I shall replace them with fresh strawberries, Your Majesty.”

Fresh strawberries, picked in time for the emperor’s duck to return, emitted a tangy scent.

“I heard you intervened in a search for a missing person in a village?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“I understand it was a small village unrelated to your family?”

Caenian looked at the red fruits with a pleased expression. Fresh strawberries were placed next to the old ones. Caenian reached for one of them.

“I couldn’t ignore the brotherhood of children who set out to find their friend.”

Potters had met two children previously. What he did afterward was really nothing special. He merely told the captain of the neighborhood patrol in the area to help with the search. He had first met him during the runaway duck incident at the New Year’s Parade.

But how did His Majesty know about this?

“Haha, Sir Potters.”

Caenian burst into laughter in front of the bewildered Potters. The man who had personally disposed of the strawberry that had lost its freshness smelled sweet.

“So that’s why you left my side.”

His red juice-stained lips shone seductively. His gaze toward the pale-faced guard knight curved gently.

“I know you have a kind heart, but you are my guard knight and the second son of Margrave Kleeman. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

“Yes. It was clearly my oversight, Your Majesty. My actions could have caused friction between territories……”

“The safety of the empire’s people is my responsibility. So please focus on your role.”

And his pitch-black pupils flashed dangerously. The emperor who had been smiling kindly just moments ago was nowhere to be seen.

Thud!

“I have committed a mortal sin, Your Majesty.”

The man who realized his true sin knelt down. The sight of the large man trembling violently was bizarre.

“What mortal sin? You’re doing well.”

What made the situation even more eerie was Caenian’s attitude. With a languid expression, he put another strawberry in his mouth that had been picked long ago and lost its fragrance. The red flesh was mercilessly crushed in his mouth.

Tick tock tick tock.

“Your Majesty! I have brought Betty!”

Just then, Duke appeared from far away. Caenian twitched his eyebrow. At his brief gesture, the attendant cleared the empty plate and Potters straightened his posture.

As if nothing had happened.

“My duck! You’ve become even cuter since I last saw you?”

— Quack? (I’m not yours, you know?)

“Betty, look. By next week, we can play in the water together in that lake.”

— Quaaack! (I don’t like water play!)

“Seeing how happy you are makes me feel good!”

Flap flap!

— Quack! Quaaack! (You idiot! You can’t understand a word I’m saying but you’re keeping a pet!)

“Haha. Are you expressing your excitement with those adorable wing flaps!”

— Quaaack! (Is this person really the emperor! Isn’t he just an animal lover!)

* * *

How many days had passed? The imperial palace was noisy from early morning, reaching its peak by afternoon. It was four hours before the banquet began.

“Hurry! Hurry!”

“They’re arriving one after another!”

The banquet, now in its third iteration, was created by Caenian to resolve the frozen diplomacy caused by the former emperor’s reign of terror. Its purpose was to address the awkward exchanges that occurred when beastmen who fled from Delta Empire spread to various countries.

“Your Majesty, the distinguished guests are arriving one after another.”

“The second prince and third princess of the Berna duchy have arrived, Your Majesty.”

“We’ve received word that Princess Rika of Runda Kingdom has also entered the palace, Your Majesty.”

Two attendants took turns delivering updates. Caenian, who had been listening with one ear, looked up. His deeply furrowed brow revealed his mood.

“You two. Either one person summarizes and speaks, or don’t speak at all.”

“Huh… Yes, Your Majesty.”

“We apologize, Your Majesty.”

“There are over a hundred people invited to the banquet. Are you going to tell me about each one? I ordered not to disturb me while I’m reading.”

As he finished speaking, a thud! was heard. It was the sound of a thick book being closed.

“We will be careful, Your Majesty.”

“We shall keep it in mind, Your Majesty.”

The attendants bowed their heads. Those who had briefly looked up hurriedly lowered their eyes. The book title they glimpsed was deeply etched in their minds.

『A Guide to Raising Ducks at Home for Duck Owners ver.1』

— Quack. (Sigh. Of all books, that one.)

Bestia, who had become a duck again, saw it too. She couldn’t help but sigh.