When the banquet was well underway, a servant who rushed to Siegfriedâs coffin whispered something to the chief servant. After hearing the story, the chamberlainâs countenance hardened and he hurriedly came up behind Lemain.
âmajesty.â
Lemain looked back slightly.
Because there were many people around to listen, the chamberlain covered his mouth with his hand and spoke in as quiet a voice as possible.
âPrince Calian went out of the palace a little while ago.â
Lemainâs head tilted a little more towards the chamberlain, but he did not say anything else. The chamberlain continued.
âBut it is said that Duke Siegfried guaranteed it.â
Even when I thought about the relationship between Duke Siegfried and Calian, nothing came to mind. Lemain, who was silent for a moment, answered in a low voice.
ââ¦â¦ i get it.â
Thatâs it. Lemain turned his head again without any instructions. The chamberlain bowed his head and retreated after understanding that he was to leave it as is without any other action.
âSiegfriedra.â
Lemainâs eyes narrowed.
* * *
Meanwhile, that time.
Duke Sleimanâs mouth, who was out in the garden, twisted. Finally, a loud sound came out of his mouth.
âPuhahaha! Hahaha! Puuuhahaha!â
Even though I tried to hold back my laughter, I burst into laughter. Slayman laughed like that for a long time and wiped away the tears that were streaming down his face. Then my mouth opened again. Instead of words, laughter poured out again.
Once Siegfriedâs men burst out laughing or crying, they donât know how to stop.
âPuh⦠Ha. Ugh!â
âItâs nothing to laugh about now!â
In the end, the person standing in front of him raised both hands and covered Slaymanâs mouth. It was Jan who spoke in a whispering voice as if he was worried that someone would hear.
âWouldnât I be happy to hear that my son trusted me and did this?â
After a while, Slayman stopped laughing and spoke to Jan, who still had her messy hair down.
An expression as if his stomach was going to explode appeared on Janâs face. Then, Slayman made an expression that asked what he was worried about.
If Calian had seen this, he would have immediately recognized that the two were father and son without any explanation. Because everything appeared on both of their faces the same.
âYour little boy ran away and asked you not to let the garrison chase him. You sold Siegfried and the garrison didnât chase him. So thatâs it, isnât it?â
His son had an accident, but Slayman, who he liked, looked at Jan. Then he told me not to worry.
âI donât know if they knew it, but they did it very well. It was a good solution.â
âWe have to start solving it now. Arenât you going to ask your Highness how the prince and your father know?â
âAre you in such a hurry that you just do things without even thinking ahead?â
A smile appeared on Slaymanâs lips.
It wasnât a laugh made out of fun, but the laugh of a father looking at his son who hasnât grown up yet.
âDonât worry. I wonât ask.â
âyes?â
âLemain has too many thoughts to ask. So I canât ask. Let alone discipline, I will just pass it off as if nothing happened. Do you understand?â
Jan, who was lost in thought and narrowed his eyebrows at those words, asked.
âBecause itâs Siegfried?â
Slayman stroked Yanâs head as if he was the correct answer.
âIâm glad you donât have a hair like mine. Youâre better than me when I was your age!â
âI wonder if they look alike.â
Sleiman did not know that his son still thought that âour prince is someone who learned horseback riding through writing.â Therefore, when Jan said, âThatâs right, thatâs right.â He muttered, then smiled cheerfully as if he remembered something.
âNo. But you are good at playing the violin. You definitely take after me!â
Siegfried canât use a sword, but he can play the violin. That was Jan.
So, the reason Jan had a disgusted look on his face when he saw Slayman, who had just arrived at the palace, was because he found his father laughing heartily while selling his son.
âI, the person you sold so hotly, still deserves a name.â
Yan made a stinging expression.
There was no way he wouldnât have known since he put down that weight and came to the palace.
âIf Lemain asks your little boy what his relationship with me is, there will be an answer later, but after hearing the answer, there is nothing Lemain can do.â
If you answer that you had nothing to do with it but received help accidentally, it would be as if you were wary of Siegfriedâs good intentions.
The same goes for answering that you received help because of a relationship.
If you listen to that answer and punish the prince, it would be like ignoring Siegfried, who had guaranteed the prince, and if you believe that answer and do not punish the prince, it would be like acknowledging the friendly relationship between the prince and Siegfried.
At that time, the Marquis of Briesen will not be pleased. It was a problem with no options.
âLemain probably decided not to do anything the moment he heard that I had guaranteed it. So the little one can just act shamelessly as if today was a pre-planned outing. Thatâs why I said it was a good thing.â
Slayman concluded his speech with a confident expression.
âSo, from now on, sell it often. Iâll take care of that much. Isnât that what youâre talking about, Dad?â
Jan looked at Slayman with an impressed face.
Slayman, who felt proud in those eyes, straightened his back, broadened his shoulders, and said.
âIâm not as mean as you think!â
Well then.
I was an idiot for thinking I was cool for a moment.
Yan clicked his tongue. Slayman, who pretended not to hear the sound, walked over to the bench in the garden and sat down. Jan, who followed behind, opened his mouth.
âThe people in the royal palace really donât know who I am, right? Not even your majesty or other royals.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI also think about it. If not, the internal affairs officer would have reported it a long time ago. I did my best, so you donât have to worry.â
âWell, if anyone had known, Silike wouldnât have placed me next to the prince.â
Slayman smiled happily and stroked Yanâs head once again.
âMy son is so innocent that no one would suspect anything.â
Jan frowned and glanced at Slayman.
But Slayman did not lift his hand. As I looked at the blonde-colored curly hair that was the same as Slaymanâs, it reminded me of the poodle âJanâ who was waiting for me at home, so I kept reaching for it.
âButâ¦â
Yan opened his mouth like that but immediately stopped talking.
In fact, I was going to ask Kalyan about his symptoms these days, and I remembered Kalyanâs words about it being related to magic. I thought that if it was something that only Slay wouldnât know about, there would be no benefit in it being known anyway.
However, I couldnât put in what I said, so I asked something else instead.
âHow is Leah?â
âIâm doing well. It was hard to let go of wanting to come with you this time.â
She was Demirea Janâs younger sister and the head of Duke Siegfriedâs family. He was not only good at using a sword, but he was also a smart kid.
Slayman lightly clenched and unclenched the fist on his knee.
Then he looked alternately at his own palm, which was covered in calluses, and at Yanâs hand, and asked.
âSo you. Is it worth living here?â
âHow does it look to your father?â
âIt looks like I just pooped.â
Even if you say it, definitely.
Thatâs why my mother takes me home.
Yan shook his head. Slayman moved his head, paused for a moment, and then opened his mouth.
âStill, if you think it would be better to live here listening to the words of a master rather than serving a little boy, come down at any time. Leah has now taken the position of Sogaju, who said he didnât want to do that.â
Jan, who thought about his younger brother for a moment, opened his mouth, thinking of Kalian.
âYouâre the same age as Leah.â
âyes.â
âWhen I first came to see her at the palace with my father, she looked like a withered tree branch. Leah looked like a leaf that had just sprouted and sparkled.â
I could hear the babbling sound of water from the artificial stream that meanders through the garden.
âI felt pitiful, but it was amazing that I could think of someone that way. Thatâs why I felt sorry for him at some point, and then I started protecting him. Now I just want to watch him. After that, I can live now.â
âOkay. Thatâs it then.â
Slayman, who was staring at Yanâs face, smiled with an old, poopy face.
Suddenly, I remembered Kalian and Yan having a conversation with relaxed faces. I also remembered Kalianâs first steps, which were full of momentum.
âThat little guy. I think a lot of fun things will happen if you watch him.â
Jan opened his eyes wide. With a look on his face asking what he was saying, Slayman added.
âThere is such a thing. Donât worry if you donât know. Anyway, Iâm going down tomorrow so I donât want to see you for a while.â
âI wonât be able to see it. I will see it in three months.â
âAre you sure you want to quit?â
Jan shook his head and answered simply.
âBecause youâre about to turn fifteen.â
âOh, yes. It has already happened. Yes, just wait.â
Yan tied his hair neatly again and stood up.
After finishing the conversation with my father, Slayman, I was planning to wait for Kalian near the main gate.
âIâll see you then, Lord Siegfried.â
Yan, who had already returned to being Kalianâs servant, politely showed his respect.
Slayman had a disgusted look on his face and waved his hands as if telling him to go quickly. Jan smiled and left.
* * *
It was quiet.
There was still time for the banquet in the palace, but all events in the square were already over. People were returning home or gathering at nearby bars to enjoy the entertainment that had not yet ended. In the square, which was crowded with people all day long, only the magic lantern illuminating the fountain was shining brightly.
â Tap, tap, tap.
The untimely sound of horse hooves echoed in the plaza, which had been immersed in silence. The starting point of the sound was two horses coming from the royal palace. At first, they seemed to be going down the royal road, but then they suddenly changed direction and crossed Hatsuara Square.
These were the words of Alan Manasil and Calian.
It was natural that Calian was chasing Alan, and Alan also knew that someone was following him. However, he had no intention of stopping talking, so he just stared straight ahead in silence.
However, even though it was close to what was being said behind him, the other person did not stop him by calling him something. I became curious about the other personâs behavior as he continued to follow me behind without saying a word.
Alan glanced back and frowned.
âWho is it?â
What I saw at first glance was a white cloak. The garrison members do not wear such fancy capes.
Only then did Alan realize that the person behind him was not just a knight, so he slowed down and stopped. The sound of the hooves of the horses following me also quieted down.
As we reached the center of the square, the light from the fountain was brightly illuminating the surrounding area.
Allen turned his head back and was only then able to see the other personâs outfit in detail. As expected, it never belonged to the garrison.
At first glance, they appear to be nobles or royalty.
Soon, the other person got off the horse, walked slowly, and looked at Allen while standing under the lights.
black hair. And red eyes.
Alan also saw the King and his family in the square this morning. The third prince, whose face was shown on the crystal tablet standing right here, was now standing in front of Alan.
âWhatâs going on with that handsome prince?â
A deep curiosity appeared in Alanâs eyes.