until a proper team is formed .
There was a greenhouse in the back garden that was as big as Kalianâs two rooms combined.
The greenhouse, whose walls and ceiling were entirely made of glass, was always full of Renieri leaves. Unlike the strong silique perfume smell, there was no special scent coming from inside the greenhouse. This is because the white, mysterious Renier flower blooms only one day a year.
Inside the greenhouse, there was a white table and chairs, and a beautiful, almost painted silique was sitting there.
However, Lennon, seeing the fierceness in his eyes, shrugged his shoulders.
âIt looks like youâre not in a good mood again⦠Well. It canât be good.â
On the first day of the festival, Prince Planz came out to the square drunk.
That alone was heartbreaking, but there was another problem. Two days later, no one was criticizing Planz. The fact that Planz did not even receive a look of reprimand because of Kalian further irritated Silike.
At the same time, Lennonâs heart became heavy. As soon as I arrived, I was going to tell Kairis that Alan Manasil had arrived, but I thought it would be better not to say anything like that. You can hear the news even if it doesnât go through Lennon.
âJust give me the shoes and letâs go back quickly.â
Lennon cautiously glanced at the butler who was standing behind him.
The butler handed the gift box he was holding to the head maid, and the head maid opened the lid of the box and held it in front of Silike.
âWhat is this?â
Even though it was clear that he already knew everything, Silike asked this and looked into the box.
They were light yellow shoes that matched Silikeâs eyes well, and there was a large diamond in the center of the gold piece that decorated them. Silikeâs eyebrows were seen slightly raised as she glanced at the shoes. It is satisfying.
âThis is the Tensil diamond I told you about. A diamond mine was discovered while building a canal. It is said to be one of the first products made with the stones from that place. Do you like it?â
Silike, who looked away and took a sip of coffee, answered.
âNot bad.â
âThank goodness. So, what I had plannedâ¦!â
âby the way.â
Lennonâs mouth closed in embarrassment.
Silike, who cut off Lennonâs words, turned her head and looked at the head maid for a moment.
It also seemed like this was the end of my appreciation for shoes. Lennonâs expression was slightly distorted as he was stopped from saying what he wanted to say, let alone thanking him.
âI donât know how much that costs!ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The maid, who seemed to be uninterested in Lennonâs thoughts, showed respect with a calm expression and then took Lennonâs butler out of the greenhouse.
âTwo months have passed. How is it still possible?â
There was strength in the fist resting on the table. The voice came out between my teeth.
Lennon was not surprised by the sudden change in Silikeâs face. This is because I knew better than anyone else that I had that kind of personality.
Lennon managed to smile and comfort Silike.
âItâs⦠I guess itâs because of Sispanianâs blessing.â
âDidnât you say you were also concerned about the power of blessing? The noise coming from all over the place about the three princes is very loud. Itâs very annoying.â
Lennon swallowed dry saliva.
Silike, who had been lost in thought while flapping her fan, opened her mouth again.
âSend more items as soon as they come back. We will increase the quantity.â
âIsnât it dangerous? It would be better to use another moveâ¦!â
Sillike did not listen to Lennon until the end.
The way he turned his head and gestured toward the door was similar to the way he was chasing flying insects.
A small grinding sound came from Lennonâs mouth. However, in the end, Lennon was kicked out of the place without even being able to start saying what he wanted to say.
* * *
Lemain was lost in thought with deeper eyes.
âA house to stay in Kairis.â
Of course, this is a welcome thing.
I had already invited Alan to sit down with the intention of keeping him at Kairis. This is because it was judged that a person like Alan was needed to suppress the power of Silike.
âWhat did you mean by saying something like that?â
However, since Alan brought up this story first, I couldnât help but be suspicious of his intentions.
âI saw a red-eyed cat in the square and I really liked it. I thought I would teach it this and that and raise it, but then I realized I had no place to stay.â
Lemain, who was silent for a moment, spoke.
âWhat are you going to teach Calian?â
âDonât you think it would be fun?â
After asking that question, Alan picked up a cookie from the table in front of him. Then he cut it in half, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.
It may be said that it was a truly unreasonable action to take after receiving the kingâs questions, but Lemain waited in silence. Alan, who soon took a sip of tea to wet his mouth, spoke with a face full of anticipation.
âBlack hair and red eyes. And magic.â
âSo⦠you are saying that you will stay in Kairis to teach magic to Prince Calian.â
âFurthermore, I plan to create an environment that cats will enjoy. In order to do that, wouldnât it be necessary to help the landlord organize the house?â
Raising disciples was an excuse, and the intention was to eliminate the Silike forces and make Calian the next crown prince.
Of course, it didnât hurt Lemain. Lemain picked up the teacup, took a sip, put it down, and asked.
âCan you handle it? You know, but the house is a mess right now.â
âItâs my first time growing something. I wonder if I can handle it.â
A barely visible smile appeared on Lemainâs lips.
âAnyway, itâs a good cause. Teacher and disciple.â
The priestâs relationship with the prince.
This is the most plausible justification for Allen to sit on Kyris.
Of course, the Marquis of Brisen, including Silike, will try to oppose the princeâs magic education, but their opponent is Alan Manasil.
âI first nominated Prince Calian as my disciple, so there is no clear reason to stop him from Brisen. Also, I wonât be able to teach magic all day, so even if a teacher with spare time helps you with some work, I wonât interfere. âYou canât do that. It was a pretty proper invitation.â
Lemain heard this and moved his head slightly.
This is because the nuance was as if Calian had created this cause. But Allen did not add any other explanation.
Lemain soon gathered his thoughts and answered Alan.
âYes. I will provide you with a place to stay. Even if someone who owns a cat comes into the already messy house, it wonât get any worse.â
Alan slightly bowed his head and expressed his gratitude.
But the conversation was not over. Regardless of permission, Lemainâs questions continued.
âBut Iâm curious why. This kid is said to have nothing special about him.â
âWas there anything special?â
Alanâs eyes were meaningful as he asked the question.
âRather, it was difficult for me to find anything special about Prince Calian.â
Even his health condition was needlessly special.
âI heard that the child is afraid. I heard that he is also afraid of horses. I heard that he chased the Lord, so it seems like that has been fixed.â
Alan remembered Calian riding the horse with great skill and leaning against it.
âCome to think of it. Why from earlierâ¦.â
Then, suddenly, I felt a strange sense of strangeness in Lemainâs words.
âI heard that Landel is like deep water and Planz is like angry waves. Well, I just said that Calian was a quiet child with no problems. I didnât know he had talent.â
âWhy are you saying you heard everything? âItâs as ifâ¦â
As if he had never looked into it with direct interest.
âIf there was something special, it would have been passed down to me. So I was actually a little surprised.â
Alan lifted the tea and cleared his throat and stood up.
Then, I walked to the window and looked at the garden outside. I felt like I needed to tell a more surprising story.
âLike you, I got married a little early. As a result, I already have a granddaughter who is like a foal.â
At that moment, Lemainâs finger twitched.
I knew it, but I felt like it would take some time to get used to a man who looked younger than me saying things like this.
Of course, the âmore amazing storyâ that Alan thought of was not bragging about his granddaughter. Alan said, raising his arm with his palm down.
âThe last time I saw you, your head was around my waist. Itâs probably about this much. Itâs probably bigger now. So itâs about this size.â
Alanâs arm rose a little higher.
I wondered why he was talking about height all of a sudden, but Lemain listened quietly to Alan. Alan, who was staring at Lemain, asked.
âDo you know the heights of the princes? How far they reach when they stand together with you.â
Lemain did not answer. Because I didnât know.
Alan, who expected that to happen, shifted his gaze and looked at the documents on the desk.
âI know that sometimes attention can be poison and indifference can be medicine. I know even better that being busy is no excuse. Werenât you with the princes yesterday too? We walked together and stood together, so how could you not know? â
Lemainâs eyes cooled.
He felt that Alan was now trying to interfere with the kingâs private sphere.
âLord Manasil, you are showing too much interest. You saw me for the first time today. My way of treating my children does not have to meet your standards.â
A voice that did not necessarily mask the discomfort continued.
âItâs funny to even explain this, but I care about the princes.â
âDo you really think that?â
Lemain paused for a moment and stared at Alan. I was trying not to get angry anymore because I knew who he was. Lemain answered, thinking that he should quickly end this exhausting conversation.
âThis is especially true of the Kalian child you met. To me, my fingers are already sore before I even bite into them. I will try to teach that child, so I will understand your current attitude, butâ âHa!
â
Alan laughed briefly.
It was an obvious mockery that came out after cutting off the kingâs words.
Anger appeared on Lemainâs face, but it wasnât Allen who should care about such things. Alan said, looking at Lemain with a face that didnât seem to bother him at all.
âThen stop listening and take a look.â
âWhat do you mean?â
Lemain asked without hesitation, as if there was nothing on his mind. What on earth should we look into?
âI never thought you really didnât know anything!â
Alanâs eyebrows rose.
A voice that clearly seemed to be dispelling its anger came out.
âInstead of saying that your finger is already sore before you even bite it, just bite it once and see if it hurts more or less than before.â
ââ¦â¦.â
âIf you just wait and see, you will lose.â
Lemain said in a sharp voice.
âLord Manasil. Speak clearly.â
Alan walked back and stood in front of Lemain.
Alanâs voice changed this time as he remembered Calianâs parched back. He said it was smaller and faster.
âYour skin becomes bluish and the area under your fingernails turns purple. Your lips are dry and you are out of breath. A dark light begins to appear at the corners of your eyes. Instead of standing up, you close your eyes and stop. You feel dizzy. I guess. The robes looked like they had been hastily repaired. They must have been reduced in size. How long does it take to make a uniform? A month?â
The anger on Lemainâs face slowly disappeared.
He couldnât answer yes to Alanâs question, so he bit his lower lip. It was because he knew what Alan was going to say
. â¦â¦â¦â
Alan cut off Lemain again.
âYes. You understand right away. If so, you would have recognized it right away. Not even the others⦠Your Majesty, who has already experienced the same thing once. Thatâs what I did too.â
Freya.
A name that had barely been forgotten appeared in Lemainâs mind.
âEven if it wasnât for that, if I had reduced my clothes in just one month, it would have been noticeable at first glance. Even if you didnât know your height, even if you didnât look at your hands or lips, you should have known that they are getting thinner like that. What that child sought to survive should have been his father, not a blind wizard!â
Lemain bent over and covered his face with both hands.
The tips of his fingers were trembling. He had no idea.
âPoison⦠â¦.â
âNow try biting off that finger you said you really cherish.â
Alan bent down and picked up the remaining half of the cookie. Then he chewed and swallowed it and looked down at Lemain. A look of despair appeared between his fingers cupping his face. The distorted expression on his face was clearly visible.
âOr you wouldnât have made that face like you do now.â
Alan took a step back. Just like he did with Calian, he meant not to offend Lemaine any further.
âIn this matter . Just keep pretending you donât know anything. Itâs better now. However, I dared to tell you this in the hope that something like this would not happen in the future. Please forgive me.â
After finishing his sentence, Alan showed his courtesy in an undisturbed manner and then left.