Chapter 7.4

As Garzen sighed and ran his hand over his face, the youngest prince sitting next to him whispered,

“Brother, why do you keep sighing? You’ll make a hole in the floor.”

“What?”

“Come to think of it, I didn’t see Lusellion Bartshire at the meeting earlier. Don’t tell me you’re sad because he’s not here?”

“What nonsense. Lusellion has a separate task I left him.”

The youngest prince’s eyes widened.

“A separate task? Is it important again this time?”

“Yes, it’s a very, very important mission—one you, a kid, couldn’t even dream of.”

“Ugh, you’re calling me a kid again……!”

“Third Prince, you’re in front of His Majesty. It’s fine to play with the youngest, but mind the place.”

As the youngest’s voice rose slightly, the First Prince, the next in line for the throne, spoke gravely. Garzen acknowledged him, but made a funny face at the pouting youngest prince.

“Since you’re on the subject, I’d like to ask you something.”

The First Prince, who’d been looking at Garzen with exasperation, spoke up. Garzen shrugged as if to say do as you please, and the First Prince gestured to the attendant standing behind him.

The attendant, as if waiting, handed over a newspaper.

“Really, you had it all prepared and just waited……”

“What did you just say?”

“I said you look especially radiant today, Your Highness.”

“Thank you very much.”

The First Prince smiled sweetly and gestured for Garzen to read the paper. To have to read at the dinner table—Garzen grumbled quietly as he opened the newspaper.

But as he read, Garzen’s expression immediately hardened.

“A big fire broke out in the Harrington Earldom……”

The First Prince, expecting this reaction, let out a low laugh.

“The building submitted as evidence burned to ashes. What a shame. After all that trouble traveling with just Lusellion……”

“……”

“Or was there never any evidence to begin with?”

At the First Prince’s sneer, Garzen’s brow furrowed. For this to happen just weeks after submitting the evidence—it had to be arson.

‘I argued they should investigate quickly for this very reason……’

Garzen glared at the First Prince with a sharp smile and tossed the newspaper behind him. Thud—the sound of the paper hitting the marble floor of the royal dining hall echoed loudly.

“If the investigation hadn’t been delayed, this wouldn’t have happened. I appreciate your efforts to tease me, Your Highness, but unfortunately, that’s not all the evidence.”

Apparently, the First Prince hadn’t known that. A crooked smile appeared on his face as he tapped the table, thinking.

“Aha, so you’re saying you have more evidence but deliberately hid it?”

“With so many people interfering, what choice did I have?”

Garzen, wearing a fierce smile, looked around at the men at the table. Brothers eager to tear each other apart. Even if they smiled outwardly, the moment anyone let down their guard, they’d dig into each other’s weaknesses.

“What’s done is done, but I’m especially disappointed in you this time, my brothers. Is it all just for personal gain? This is for the country—what are you thinking?”

Unlike the constantly divided royal family, Hamartia was growing stronger by the day. Now they weren’t just setting fire to temples, but committing other crimes without hesitation.

Garzen recalled the magic device used in the Harrington Earldom’s underground prison. He also couldn’t ignore that most recent pickpocketing victims were Roeta Academy students.

They must be using stolen notebooks to get in and out of the academy.

“Calm down. No one here is just sitting idly by watching Hamartia’s crimes. Why are you so sensitive? You’re making yourself look more suspicious.”

But the First Prince only shook his head with a languid smile, as if he pitied Garzen. When Garzen clenched his fist, the Second Prince scoffed.

“Don’t overdo it, Little Brother. The throne will go to the First Prince anyway—by age or brains. Why do you keep starting fights you can’t win?”

“You’re the one who can’t tell when to b*tt in and when not to.”

“Hm, no. I’m just worried you’ll tire yourself out trying to climb a wall you can’t cross.”

The Second Prince, sneering, pointed his knife at the youngest. The youngest’s shoulders flinched and his face turned pale.

“If you have eyes, look at the youngest. He’s not even involved in the fight for the throne—how easy must that be? Gets all the love from his brothers.”

“……What are you trying to say?”

“I’m suggesting you follow the youngest’s example. If you do, I’ll truly cherish you from now on.”

“B-brothers……”

Clang!

At that moment, the youngest prince, flustered, knocked over his glass with his elbow. The King, who had been watching his sons’ quarrel with amusement, frowned and tapped his glass with a fork.

“That’s enough, this is getting too heated. Second and Third Princes, watch your words and actions.”

“Apologies, Your Majesty.”

The Second Prince, who had just been pointing his knife at the youngest, bowed politely. Garzen let out a dry laugh, his eyes flashing.

“Seeing you bow so deeply, you must be really sorry. Or is your head just heavy?”

“Third Prince.”

When the King called sternly, Garzen raised both hands as if in surrender. The King looked around at his sons and continued gravely.

“I haven’t chosen a Crown Prince to encourage healthy competition, not for you to fight.”

He’d created a situation where they might threaten each other’s lives, but the King of Roeta, pretending to be a merciful god, raised his glass.

“My beloved sons. It’s been a while since we all gathered. At least for today, I hope you can let go of any hard feelings.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The King smiled in satisfaction and turned his gaze to Garzen again.

“By the way, Third Prince. You’ve never used your royal authority before—why request an academy admission certificate?”

“……”

“A noble from Rontiano, and a girl at that. Are you planning to marry her?”

For a King who usually showed no interest in his sons, there was surprising curiosity in his question. Garzen, as if he’d expected this, smiled wryly and took a sip of water.

“Marriage? Of course not. I simply rewarded someone who helped me investigate Hamartia.”

“A reward?”

The First Prince’s eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked at Garzen. Garzen, meeting that gaze, turned away in irritation, but the First Prince wore a meaningful smile.

“How odd. You’re always stuck to Lusellion, and there are even rumors you like men.”

What was wrong with that guy today? Why was he picking at everything……

Garzen frowned and looked at the King.

“In any case, there’s nothing between us, so don’t get curious. Especially don’t expect anything.”

* * *

A wave of hot air, heavy with train smoke, blew by. Brienne, seated at a table behind the stall to escape the blazing sun, took a sip of orange juice and set her glass down.

“Wow, it’s hotter than I expected.”

“Right? I knew Roeta summers were hot, but this is…… I’m really glad the juice is cold.”

Brienne nodded sincerely at Aaron’s words. Having a cool drink after escaping the heat and crowds made her feel a little more alive.

Apparently Aaron, who’d been sweating since earlier, felt the same—his glass was already half empty.

“Drink slowly, Aaron, or you might get a headache. If you need more, I’ll buy as many as you want.”

“Pardon? You’d buy me several more drinks, Miss Ford, you’re really…….”

Unlike Lord Herace, who is always so cool-headed, she’s like an angel. Aaron rubbed his nose as if touched. Brienne shook her head at the exaggerated compliment and asked with a smile,

“Is Herace really that blunt?”

“Yes, unless he’s alone, whatever he says, he always smiles…….”

Aaron frowned as if in thought, then let out a small sigh.

“The problem is, he’s smiling even when he’s angry, so you can’t tell what’s sincere. If you think about it, he’s even scarier than the Duke.”

Herace being angry.

Brienne thought that was a strange description for him. She remembered Herace’s face when he got angry at Kaiden’s engagement and nodded.

“I haven’t met Duke Belif much, but I think I get what you mean.”

When someone who’s always smiling gets angry, it’s the scariest. Especially Herace, who kept smiling even when he was upset.

‘……Whenever I get angry, I just end up crying.’

She wondered what it would be like to always stay calm. Somehow, she envied him for seeming so relaxed in every situation. Suddenly curious, Brienne asked,

“Then has Herace ever gotten angry at you, Aaron?”

“Ah, no. He’s always been good to me…….”

Aaron coughed once and scratched his neck, muttering.

“And I’m…… ahem, even if I look weak, I’m Lord Herace’s trusted escort.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yes! You can tell just by how he entrusted me with your protection, Miss Ford!”

Aaron’s face looked genuinely proud as he raised his head. So Brienne didn’t bother to say she wasn’t so sure.