Chapter 4.1 – To Anes Island, the Paradise on Earth

In the Imperial City of the Verque Empire, two men with golden hair stood facing each other.  

One of them, with his radiant golden eyes and deep blonde hair, resembled the incarnation of the sun god from mythology.  

He was none other than Emperor Kailus, the sole sun of the Empire and the half-brother of Helio.  

Descending slowly from the high imperial throne, Kailus addressed the man kneeling on one knee before him.  

“I have a favor to ask of you.”  

“Please command me.”  

The man, who shared the same hair color, answered humbly, his dark blue eyes gleaming.  

Without another word, Kailus passed by him and opened the door leading to the inner chamber. The man rose and followed Kailus inside.  

As soon as they entered the room, Kailus shed his imperial dignity and spoke rather playfully.  

“Don’t be so formal. I said it’s a favor, not an order.”  

“What kind of favor is it? Is it about your brother again?”  

As if waiting for those words, the man’s demeanor changed in an instant.  

He was Lennon Ruicen, Kailus’s long-time friend and cousin.  

“You’re always so quick to catch on.”  

“It would be stranger if I didn’t know. After all, every favor you’ve ever asked has always been about Helio.”  

At Lennon’s remark, Kailus shrugged his shoulders awkwardly before diving straight into the topic.  

“You know about the selection for the Grand Duchess, don’t you?”  

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard the rumors. You’ve stirred up something interesting.”  

“It wasn’t done for amusement.”  

“Yes, yes, I know that too. But still, you’ve surely earned some resentment this time, haven’t you?”  

“As expected… I suppose so?”  

Kailus lowered his head deeply.  

“I thought he’d be angry, but there’s been no reaction so far. Is he very upset? What should I do if that’s the case? I even sent him a birthday gift recently, but he hasn’t said anything about it. Until last year, he would at least send a thank-you letter.”  

“Kail, calm down for now.”  

Lennon quickly reached out to interrupt Kailus, who was suddenly spiraling out of control.  

“When you decided to act on your own, didn’t you prepare yourself for this kind of outcome?”  

“I had no choice. If I didn’t do something, that child would insist on staying alone forever. Well… I’ll admit, a part of me did want to see him angry because he looks cute even when he’s upset.”  

“That brother complex of yours…”  

Although Lennon knew Kailus better than anyone, he still couldn’t understand this particular aspect of him.

How could one truly cherish a child born from their father’s affair?  

At first glance, Kailus might seem kind and softhearted, but in reality, there was a certain coldness to him. He was inherently sharp and adept at understanding relationships and interests.  

Even so, when it came to his younger brother, he turned into a complete fool.  

Sure, one could argue that a younger sibling, seven years his junior, might naturally seem endearing. But whenever Lennon thought of Helio…  

‘Hmm. No, that’s not it.’  

While Lennon shook his head in disbelief, Kailus regained his composure and continued with a clearing of his throat.  

“Ahem. Ahem. Anyway. It seems like all the candidates have gathered. Honestly, I’d like to take a look myself, but I can’t. Meril is pregnant, and I can’t leave my duties for long because of state affairs.”  

“So you want me to go and check on them in your stead?”  

“That’s right.”  

Kailus nodded in satisfaction as Lennon pinpointed the main point even before he could say it. As always, Lennon was quick to catch on.  

“If that’s the case, I think you’ve chosen the wrong person. Even if I go, they won’t let me in.”  

At Lennon’s remark, Kailus’s composed expression faltered slightly, his brows knitting together.  

They hadn’t been on bad terms as children, but at some point, things had gone awry.  

Well, to be precise, it wasn’t so much that their relationship had soured; rather, Helio had grown uncomfortable around Lennon and had begun avoiding him.  

“That’s….”  

After a moment of contemplation, Kailus summed it up in a single sentence.  

“He’s just shy.”  

“Ha. I should just stop talking. Why don’t you just watch from the sidelines? Don’t stir things up unnecessarily.”  

“I originally planned to do that… but the more I think about it, the more worried I get.”  

“Worried about what?”  

“I want Helio to meet someone who genuinely likes him during this opportunity. But what does that boy know about women? He hasn’t even been close to people, let alone women.”  

No, no. At his age, surely he must know something.

Lennon swallowed his words, unable to interrupt.  

“What if he falls for someone who’s only after his status? Or worse, what if he gets into trouble because he’s drawn to someone just for their looks? I’ve been so worried lately that I can’t even sleep at night.”  

“Are you sure you’re worrying about the right person? Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the young ladies over there?”  

Honestly, Kailus didn’t know his brother at all.

Lennon wanted to add one more comment but held back. As absurd as it sounded, Kailus meant every word he said.  

“He’s a delicate and sensitive child.”  

“In what way?”  

A scoff escaped Lennon almost involuntarily.  

“I still can’t forget the look in his eyes when he first came here, trembling with anxiety. That’s when I made up my mind. I must protect this child no matter what.”  

The emotions Kailus felt toward Helio were a mix of affection and pity. This was also why, despite following Kailus, Helio couldn’t fully open his heart to him.  

“And besides, I’m worried about something else as well.”  

“What now?”  

“With his personality, won’t he just keep working and ignore all the young ladies?”  

“That does sound more plausible.”  

As Lennon agreed, the worry on Kailus’s face deepened further.  

“What if we suggest he take a vacation with all the young ladies? Once he leaves the estate, he’ll naturally have fewer tasks to occupy himself with.”  

“Hm. Would he listen? I’ve told him repeatedly in letters to take a break, but he seems so busy with everything that he doesn’t rest at all. 

“Ugh, he’s so stubborn. At times like this, you need to issue an order.”

Who would dare defy an imperial decree?  

Clicking his tongue lightly, Lennon’s eyes suddenly sparkled as if he had come up with a good idea.

“Ah! Why not assign him that task? You were planning to send someone anyway. It’s not the Grand Duchy, but it’s close enough to have a valid reason.”  

“…Are you talking about Anes Island?”  

Kailus asked back at Lennon’s suggestion.  

Anes Island was famous for producing the finest pearls, so much so that it was often called the Pearl Island. However, over the past few years, its production had steadily declined, and now only small quantities of low-grade pearls were being supplied.  

As a result, the tax revenue from Anes Island had significantly decreased.  

Moreover, to procure high-grade pearls, they had to import them from the neighboring Principality of Morgan at a much higher price than before.  

At first, they believed the Lord’s explanation that abnormal weather had raised water temperatures, reducing pearl harvests. But if that were true, the neighboring principality should have faced the same issue.  

On the contrary, their export volume had increased significantly.  

This raised suspicions that the Lord of Anes Island might be smuggling pearls.  

There was circumstantial evidence, but no concrete proof.  

“If we send an investigator directly from the Imperial City, it would raise the Lord’s suspicions. But if we frame it as a vacation disguised as an inspection, Helio wouldn’t object either.”  

Lennon, as if everything had already been resolved, continued enthusiastically.  

“That place is a famous resort, after all. Atmosphere is crucial for romance, and in a place like that, even nonexistent romance might bloom. What do you think? Two birds with one stone.”

“That’s quite a good idea.” 

Kailus remarked, finally breaking his silence to agree with Lennon’s suggestion.  

“Right?” 

Lennon beamed, satisfied that the matter seemed resolved. There was no longer any need to go as far as Castia. A broad smile spread across his face.  

“Then you should hurry. It’ll take even more time to get there from here.”  

Wait, what was he saying?  

Startled, Lennon asked in disbelief, 

“You’re telling me… to go to Anes Island?”  

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m worried. If I send him to the island, wouldn’t I be even more concerned?” 

Kailus replied matter-of-factly.  

Lennon suddenly realized he was being sent even farther than Castia. Instead of achieving two goals at once, it felt as though an additional burden had been placed on his shoulders.  

“Helio can take a breather, get closer to the young ladies, and you can use this opportunity to smooth out any awkwardness between you two. Investigate the island, ease my worries—oh, forget two birds, this is nothing but positives!” 

Kailus enumerated his points on his fingers, clearly pleased with himself.  

Lennon, on the other hand, stared at him in disbelief, as though he were in a daze.  

“And since it was your suggestion, you don’t have any complaints, do you? You don’t seem to have much to do these days anyway.”  

Lennon’s mouth, which had been slightly agape in shock, gradually stiffened.  

“Don’t tell me… you planned this from the start?”  

From the very beginning, Kailus had no intention of sending him to Castia.  

Turning his back to the indignant Lennon, Kailus smiled lightly and said,  

“It’s an order.”