Chapter 45
It was the same for everyone else.
Cheyan had only just appeared in the conference room.
He arrived a mere five minutes before the Emperor and Crown Prince, and yet he was saying things like that.
What on earth has gotten into him?
Aserian was amazed by his sudden appearance.
The guy who usually ignored any request, even if he personally delivered a note, was now acting like this? Could it be that he had felt some sense of urgency because of the Black Forest in the capital?
No way.
There was no way that was it.
Cheyan was the kind of person who would just stand with his hands behind his back, watching from a distance while telling others to “do your best on defense.”
Even Emperor Debrica looked at his son with a bewildered expression.
Who on earth did he inherit that shamelessness from?
Maybe it was from the late Abamama…
But looking at Cheyan’s bright, carefree smile, a small chuckle escaped the Emperor’s lips.
His son, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, was still the same—reckless and fearless of his father or older brother.
But perhaps that was exactly why he couldn’t help but love the boy.
“Welcome, Cheyan.”
“Yes, sir.”
Other nobles couldn’t easily look away from Cheyan, who had shown up in the conference hall after a long absence.
Earlier this year, at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, Cheyan hadn’t even appeared—he had just left a gift—which had stirred rumors in the palace.
Some thought that the Emperor and Cheyan had a falling out.
But that rumor didn’t last long. Emperor Debrica had been seen wearing the brooch Cheyan gave him for his birthday every single day without fail.
Regardless, many people wanted to build a relationship with him—not just because he was the second prince, but also because he held the even more prestigious title of Mage Tower Lord.
The problem was, despite his gentle appearance, Cheyan didn’t easily let people get close.
He always wore a kind smile, but that very smile kept others at a certain distance.
Today, as he habitually smiled at those staring at him, his eyes suddenly widened.
He had spotted someone, and his smile changed slightly from usual.
“Ah, we meet again.”
Waving cheerfully, Cheyan greeted none other than Grand Duke Persha, Kainel.
“….”
Kainel, who had been silently looking down, glanced at Cheyan, then quickly averted his eyes again without much reaction.
“Oh, how unfair. Regulars stick together, huh?”
…Regulars? What regulars?
Did they know each other?
Cheyan’s sudden remark made everyone present widen their eyes.
Many had yet to properly speak with Grand Duke Persha, and now Cheyan claimed to be on familiar terms with him?
Ignoring the nobles’ curious stares, Cheyan clapped his hands toward Crown Prince Aserian.
“Aren’t we starting the meeting? I’m a busy man.”
“…Let’s begin the meeting.”
Aserian shook his head slightly, as if he couldn’t stop his brother.
Still, noticing that his brother’s presence seemed to please him, his usually stern eyes softened, and the Emperor secretly smiled with satisfaction.
This place has changed quite a bit.
Near the conference hall, there was a separate space for secretaries and aides of important figures to rest.
Stepping into the fairly spacious room, Celes couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia as he looked out the window.
The palace had been one of the places he frequented long ago.
At that time, the Emperor—who rarely allowed anyone but Grace or Celes himself to provide treatment—was an irritable man.
“It’s hard to get a look at your face.”
“And what good would that do?”
“Just seeing you makes me feel better, somehow.”
“Stop talking nonsense and make sure you take the medicine. Why didn’t you take it all this time?”
“It was too bitter.”
“…Mix it with honey and take it.”
If he were Emperor, he couldn’t even force him. As Crown Prince, he could’ve shoved it into his mouth by force.
Unlike the Mage Tower, the palace had changed a lot from his memories.
The overall structure seemed the same, but there were new buildings and many changes in the surrounding landscape.
“The garden is beautiful, isn’t it?”
Someone quietly approached and spoke.
Turning, Celes saw a man in his early thirties smiling gently.
Why does he look familiar?
The man’s face seemed oddly familiar, though Celes couldn’t remember exactly where he had seen him.
“My name is Del. I’ve been to your shop before.”
“The shop?”
Was he a previous customer? But unless he was a regular, it was rare to remember a customer’s face.
Then why do I recognize him?
“I once took some food to go.”
“Ah, the pot.”
“Ha, yes, that’s right.”
Suddenly, Celes realized why the face seemed familiar.
He had only seen him once, but it had left an impression.
The customer had bought a bowl of stew to go, even bringing his own small pot. The neat, expensive-looking suit and the small pot created a surprisingly memorable image.
An aide, maybe?
It was strange—running into someone from his shop here.
“I am assisting Grand Duke Persha.”
“…!”
At Del’s words, Celes’ eyes widened slightly.
This man was Kainel’s aide?
So the stew he bought back then…
“…Ah.”
At last, one mystery was solved. He had always wondered how Kainel had known about the shop.
So it was him who bought it.
Why he took it to go, he didn’t know, but likely Kainel recognized the familiar taste and came in person.
Knowing Del was Kainel’s aide, Celes’ gaze softened.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Huh?”
“Just saying.”
Just knowing he was the aide of such a prickly person earned Del high marks in Celes’ eyes.
Del, startled by the sudden compliment, soon smiled gently again.
“Are you doing secretarial work?”
“Yes.”
“Will you continue this work?”
“For only a month.”
“I see.”
“…?”
For a brief moment, relief washed over Del’s face, then vanished. Celes tilted his head.
Why would Del look like that just because I’m doing secretarial work for a month?
“Then you’ll return to the shop afterward? That’s a relief…”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“I only helped at the shop temporarily because a staff member was injured. There’s no reason to go anymore.”
Mark’s arm was healed.
He wouldn’t return daily to run the kitchen like before.
“Ah…”
Del’s disappointment was evident.
Celes, puzzled again, wondered: Did he really want me to stay at the shop? Why?
“Is there a problem?”
“Well…!”
-Kreeeeeek!
“…?”
Everyone’s attention rushed to the door.
“What… what is that sound?”
“Isn’t it an alarm?”
“Why now…!”
“Could it be…!”
Realizing what the sound was, Celes and Del both ran outside.
Had the Black Forest appeared in the palace?
The sound was clearly a warning of monster appearance.
-Kreeeeeek!
Outside, the sound grew louder.
Nobles panicked, hastily leaving the conference room.
Bang!
“Monsters! Monsters!”
“…Cheyan.”
Soon, Cheyan and Crown Prince Aserian appeared outside the conference room.
Then Celes understood where the alarm was coming from.
Cheyan held the red alarm, continuously emitting a terrifying wail.
Why had he brought it into the conference room?
“Brother! Monsters, monsters!”
“….”
“Finally, monsters have appeared in the palace…”
“Stop.”
“Yes.”
At Aserian’s brief command, Cheyan, who had been making a fuss, immediately shut his mouth.
“You triggered the alarm on purpose, didn’t you?”
“You noticed?”
The panicked expression on Cheyan’s face instantly transformed into his usual bright smile.
“Cheyan.”
“Why? To me, they looked like monsters. Isn’t their nonsense more terrifying than a monster’s cry?”
“….”
Unable to deny it, Aserian sighed deeply.
What am I supposed to do with this guy?
“Still, what were you thinking, setting off the alarm like that, you brat?”
-Kreeeeeek!
Even as nobles scrambled about, the monsters’ wailing echoed thunderously.
