As I glared at him without losing, Kir spit out.
âI hate the empire.â
âYou hate the Empire? Why?â
âI just hate it. So donât tell me to go to the Empire. Donât even mention the Empire!â
At the end, his voice as he spoke while clenching his teeth as if holding back the urge to scream. I didnât know Kir would hate the empire that much. No wonder, every time he went to the empire with the Grand Duke, he didnât look good.
âSorry. I didnât know you hated the Empire so much.â
When it comes to disliking something, the reason doesnât matter. And I didnât mean to force myself to change his mind either. Because I respect his feelings. After I apologized, Kirâs irritation seemed to subside. Itâs a pity though.
âI was going to ask you to come over when you have time, but I guess not.â
I murmured softly. Kirâs head turned back to me as if he had managed to hear that.
âWhat are you talking about?â
Oh, I didnât mean to tell him this. I regret that my muttering voice was so unknowingly loud. However, I just told the truth because I thought there would be an uproar if I hid it further from Kirâs menacing appearance.
âI am going to the empire. I was going to ask you to come over later, but I canât because you hate the Empire so much.â
At that moment, the fork and knife in Kirâs hand fell and a sharp rattling sound echoed through the restaurant. Kirâs face was bleached white. His expression was full of betrayal, as if he had been stabbed in the back of the head.
Of course, I knew that Kir would be surprised by the news of me studying abroad. We were childhood friends and at the same time I was like his older sister. We spent so much time together attached to be simply a normal friend, and I had a great influence on him.
It was ambiguous to call me his family, but there was a bond built up to like siblings fighting each other. I also knew that Kir relied heavily on me in his heart. It would be natural for him to feel sad when I say that I, who had always lived with him, was leaving.
Still, Kirâs reaction was more intense than expected.
âWhat are you talking about all of a sudden? Going to the Empire.â
It was a low voice, like a voice barely lifted from a hoarse throat. I could feel Kirâs emotions fluctuate. I was taken aback by the gradual build-up of anger.
But could the talk suddenly shift about me like this? When I glanced at him, I suddenly saw that the Grand Dukeâs eyes were shining. Father also tried to put on a serious expression, but his mouth twitched. Both of them couldnât shake the feeling of holding back the amusement.
In the end, I looked up and explained to Kir, who was on the verge of exploding.
âYou know my tutor, Mr. Hafterry, right? He invited me to go with him.â
âWhen.â
It was a cold voice that seemed like you could actually feel the cold. Strangely, I got goosebumps, so I set the tableware down and gently brushed the nape of my neck.
âIâll leave in three days.â
âYouâ¦..!â
I was startled by Kirâs scream. I was so surprised that my heart was pounding. As I pressed my hand over my heart and looked up, Kir took a deep breath. His shoulders were shaking that I got frightened because he couldnât hide his feelings.
I was sad about separating with Kir. Weâve been together since we were young, so itâs sad that weâre going to get separated. But even so, his friend was getting a good opportunity, so I felt sad that he criticized me before congratulating me. Even in a place where adults can see it.
When I shot him with an unfair look, Kir responded with a look that said, âWhat did he do?â. In the meantime, though, Kir apologized to others, perhaps his emotions were somewhat controlled now.
âSorry.â
Everyone was quiet because the atmosphere was so hectic. But my father and the Grand Duke were different. The two were people who could put forward their opinions in this place.
âIt was a very rude and unpleasant act, Grand Prince.â
My father pointed out Kirâs rudeness to me. As expected of my father. Fatherâs eyes staring at Kir will change if he was more rude! It was brutal, as if threatening.
In fact, Father was one of those who could legally beat Kir. So when he sparred with a wooden sword, he was beaten a lot under the guise of training. Dad, pleased to hit Kir ten times.
I was offended. I was really surprised.