The Emperor had been frequently summoning his eldest son lately. Last night, there was another call for Clive to enter the palace early in the morning. 

Since the Emperor only engaged in ordinary conversation when Clive actually arrived, he wasn’t in a hurry to go. 

However, since the Emperor had expressed his wish to have breakfast together, Clive set out early. Inside the carriage heading to the Imperial Palace, Ulik cautiously asked Clive, who was looking outside.

“What happened last night?”

“What?”

“After the lady left the library, you shouted ‘Argh!’ Or was it ‘Ugh!’?”

“None of your business.”

“Did something happen between you and the lady?”

“I said it’s none of your business.”

Ulik found Clive’s new behavior over the past few days amusing. How delighted he was to have something to tease Clive about after such a long time, though the prince wouldn’t know. 

Clive typically needed to have people and situations under his control to feel satisfied, but that approach didn’t seem to work with Eirene. 

The fact that Clive had shouted was worthy of being recorded in a history book. Even Madam Hannon couldn’t believe it and asked several times if Clive had really yelled. 

Ulik was dying of curiosity about what had happened between them last night, but he barely restrained himself, knowing he would be scolded if he asked more. 

Asking Eirene would be pointless since she either wouldn’t know or wouldn’t tell him. He could only hope that Clive would eventually share what happened. If he could just hear the story, Ulik was willing to wait forever.

* * *

The Emperor, who had invited Clive to breakfast, did not attend. Though the large table felt empty with only Clive sitting there, he enjoyed his breakfast alone.

“What’s happening?” he asked the servant who brought fruit after the meal.

“His Holiness the Pope has arrived,” the servant answered respectfully.

“He visits frequently.”

Clive wasn’t asking because he didn’t know. He was aware that the Pope had come to the Imperial Palace yesterday, the day before, and even before that. 

While frequent meetings between the two for the safety and development of the Empire wouldn’t be unusual, the Pope had increasingly overstepped his boundaries. 

This wasn’t a recent development. It had started long ago, with the incident that forced Clive to give up his position as Crown Prince. The Pope was implementing his plans gradually.

“Fruit pairs perfectly with alcohol. Bring me a drink.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare it.”

Though Clive was the only royal who drank in the morning, this was a common request, so the servant silently brought a bottle. When Clive said “a drink,” he meant a bottle. 

The level of alcohol in the bottle decreased rapidly. The servant watched silently, but each of Clive’s actions would spread throughout the palace before half a day passed, and by tomorrow, the news would travel beyond the palace’s high walls. 

Clive straightened his back, lifting the front legs of his chair, and rocked back and forth. Despite the squeaking sound, the servant kept looking down. 

Ulik, who was standing at a distance, signaled him to stop, but Clive casually ignored him. Unlike the servant, Ulik persisted, frowning and shaking his head, which Clive again pretended not to notice. 

Half the bottle disappeared, and the rest vanished in the blink of an eye.

“I should get going now. Tell His Majesty I enjoyed the meal.”

The servant, looking at the empty bottle beside the untouched fruit, quietly clicked his tongue as Clive walked out. Clive deliberately pretended not to hear. 

He couldn’t punish the servant and then seal his mouth. Hoping the servant would spread the word about today’s events, Clive went outside. He walked slowly down the corridor, looking around. 

Though there was nothing new to see in the Imperial Palace where he had been born and raised, he examined it like a tourist every time he visited. He stopped walking when he heard construction noise from outside. 

It seemed they were replacing the fountain installed last year. Breaking things down, digging up the ground, and installing new structures. The palace structures had been changing continuously over the past few years. 

He couldn’t understand his father, the Emperor. No matter how many times he asked, the Emperor only said he disliked the look of things, never giving a reason. 

Clive wished he would at least offer a plausible excuse, but the Emperor kept his mouth shut. Though indecisiveness was his flaw, the current Emperor of Bainfelt was a benevolent ruler to his people. 

People wondered how such a son as Clive could have come from such an Emperor. Since Clive’s mother, the former Empress who passed away after giving birth to him, had also been gentle-natured, the question was even more perplexing. 

Mutations happen anywhere. Clive considered himself such a case. Everyone said he had changed after stepping down from the Crown Prince position, but he had always been this way. 

Back then, he had simply tried harder because he was the Crown Prince.

“Brother!”

Clive heard someone calling him. He knew who it was without looking, since only one person could call him “brother.” 

It was Florian, his younger half-brother and the current Crown Prince. Florian, walking with difficulty with a servant’s support, was making a great effort to move faster. 

Clive quickly walked over to the Crown Prince first.

“I came out when I heard you were here, brother.”

A bright smile spread across Florian’s face.

“Again with ‘brother.’ I’ve told you not to address me that way in public.”

No matter how many times Clive told him to call him “Grand Duke,” Florian always called him “brother.”

“This is a private place.”

“We’re inside the Imperial Palace.”

“It’s just us. Brother.”

Clive couldn’t say anything more to his smiling younger brother.

“You seem to be in good condition today.”

“It’s cloudy, isn’t it?”

Florian, who often spent most of his time in a chair or bed due to illness, strangely felt worse when the weather was clear. On sunny days, he became much more sensitive, complaining that his skin and eyes stung in the sunlight. 

But on cloudy days like today, he would venture out of his bedroom on his own. Of course, he still needed someone’s help. People who didn’t know their relationship wouldn’t see them as half-brothers. 

They resembled each other greatly, differing only in their eye color, which they had inherited from their respective mothers.

“Good. You need to stay healthy.”

Clive lowered himself and stroked Florian’s hair, which was similar in color to his own. Florian wrinkled his nose and blocked Clive’s hand with his fingers.

“Brother, have you been drinking?”

“Yes.”

“Please drink in moderation. It’s bad for your health.”

“It’s like water to me, so I’m fine.”

“I’m worried.”

“You rascal.”

Clive messed up Florian’s hair. The once small child had grown into a boy and now a man who worried about his brother. Though he still acted hysterically at times, he was a kind-hearted brother. That made Clive worry more.

“I won’t drink anymore today.”

“Drink with me later.”

“Her Majesty the Empress will scold me.”

“We can drink without Mother knowing.”

At times like this, he still seemed like a boy. His small frame contributed to that impression.

“Let’s drink when you get healthier.”

“Yes. You promised. Now come walk with me.”

Clive joined him, wondering why Florian, who usually disliked stepping on the ground or grass, wanted to go for a walk today. His chattering voice clearly showed how good his mood was.

* * *

After parting with Florian and while waiting for the carriage, the sky grew increasingly dark.

Since the temperature hadn’t dropped much today, it would likely rain rather than snow. The carriage arrived, and Ulik opened the door. 

Just as Clive was about to get in, he noticed another carriage entering and waited to see who it was. The door of the carriage that had stopped behind opened, and Aishe appeared.

“Ulik, is there a reception at the palace today?”

“No. We haven’t received any notification.”

Clive wondered why Aishe had come when there was no reception. He had a bad feeling about this. 

Aishe, who had gotten out of the carriage, spotted Clive and momentarily had the eyes of a startled rabbit before composing herself. After taking a deep breath, she walked daintily toward him with a shy expression. 

This was the Aishe that Clive had known all along. Even though her face had been hidden behind a veil, her behavior was identical. 

Things he hadn’t noticed before were now all visible after knowing the truth.

“I greet Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“What brings Lady Baix to the Imperial Palace?”

“The Duchess of Dike was looking for me.”

His sister? Since when had the two been acquainted? 

If he hadn’t known that Aishe Baix was actually the real Aishe from the Phineas family, he would have paid no attention. His sister had always enjoyed socializing with people. 

But the Phineas family was different. What was she plotting? He had been moving carefully to avoid mistakes, but now he needed to accelerate things.

“I hope you have a pleasant time. See you later.”

“Your Highness!”

Aishe grabbed Clive’s collar as he was about to enter the carriage after showing a perfunctory smile.

“What are you doing?”

The smile he had shown moments ago had completely vanished. Under his cold gaze, Aishe released Clive’s collar.

“I’m sorry!”

“I dislike being grabbed like this, Lady Baix. I apologize if I startled you. Do you have something to say?”

Aishe, her eyes reddened and looking like she might cry at any moment, tried to smile.

“How is my cousin doing?”

“Cousin? Ah, my fiancée? I didn’t know you two were cousins.”

“We’re distant cousins, so not many people know. I heard she was invited to Dervel Palace, so I was asking.”

“She’s having a very comfortable and good time. With me.”

Aishe’s wet eyes dried instantly. She clasped her hands together and took a step closer to Clive.

“I heard you’ll be hosting a ball soon. Could you invite me too?”

Her voice, suddenly bright, was full of coquetry.

“I’ll have an invitation sent to you.”

Clive, who had answered dismissively, nodded slightly and got into the carriage. He closed the curtain of the open window without even glancing at Aishe, who was still standing there. 

It was because he felt disgusted facing Aishe, who was telling lies so naturally with a blank face.

* * *

“When Lady Baix appears, everything around her brightens up. It’s like a large star twinkling,” Ulik said admiringly, recalling Aishe.

Clive, who was resting his chin on his hand and looking out the window, smirked.

“What nonsense.”

“Put aside your personal feelings and speak honestly. She truly shines, doesn’t she?”

“I didn’t notice.”

Ulik shook his head at Clive’s persistent denial and fell silent. After staying quiet, he suddenly leaned forward, bringing his face under Clive’s chin.

“By the way, since when have you disliked having your collar grabbed?”

“For a long time.”

“So when exactly? This was the first I’ve heard of it.”

“You’ve been neglecting me, haven’t you?”

“Let’s not let the conversation drift that way. Ah, right.”

Ulik sat up straight and pushed up his glasses. This was a habit that emerged before he started a serious conversation.

“There was nothing unusual about Lady Baix’s birth documents. I also inquired with the servants, relatives, and domain residents, and they confirmed she has been present since birth. They say she was often absent, going away for treatment because of her weak health. It’s a good excuse for moving between both places without raising suspicion.”

The fact that even the birth documents had been altered meant that this had been planned since Aishe’s birth, perhaps even before. 

Why would someone born as a daughter of the Phineas family pretend to be Lady Baix?

“I also approached the servants working at the Phineas main house, but they wouldn’t budge at all.”

“They must have managed their servants thoroughly, having prepared for so long. Still, keep approaching them and find out. Someone might eventually tell us something.”

“Yes. And about Kailro Phineas.”

He was Aishe Phineas’s twin brother. Kailro, who rarely showed himself in public, occasionally appeared at important palace receptions. Clive had seen him before. Most recently at the engagement ceremony. 

Now that he thought about it, he looked exactly like Aishe. Since they were presented as children from different families, Clive had never thought to match them together. 

The more he learned, the more interesting this family became.

“They say Kailro Phineas says strange things consistently when he drinks.”

“Didn’t you say he doesn’t drink?”

“Yes, that’s right. He’s quiet and doesn’t talk much. But apparently, recently when he drinks, he says he has a beautiful hidden sister.”

Clive, who had been looking out the window the entire time, turned his face to look at Ulik. So they had an ally inside that house. 

Of course, it might not be the case, but if Kailro had negative feelings toward Eirene, he wouldn’t have referred to her as his “beautiful sister.”

“Have you approached him?”

“He hardly goes out these days. I can’t meet him, so I’m waiting. Actually, it was difficult to even learn about his drunken talk.”

“I heard he’s cautious by nature. Approach him while maintaining an appropriate distance.”

Clive’s gaze returned to the window. He was glad he had met Eirene that day. If he hadn’t met her, he would never have noticed what was happening in the Phineas family. 

Even if he had discovered it, it would have taken much longer. He felt grateful to Eirene. By pursuing the secretive Phineas family, he would also learn about their exact relationship with the Temple. Though what he suspected was probably correct.