CH 52

st, they are here."

When Lacis had heard in his room that the Bardia family had arrived at the guest house, he had felt alone in his haste to do something about it, as he was the one who could protect his younger sister.

Recently, he and his younger sister Fara have finally started to communicate a little bit.

This is because Lacis and Fara had hardly seen each other until recently.

He felt that she had been trying to avoid seeing him as much as possible, probably with some kind of purpose.

When Lacis met his sister for the first time, he was stunned by her beautiful behavior and mature appearance, which were not appropriate for her age.

And now Lacis was proud of the younger sister.

When Laicis learned that he had a younger sister, he immediately contacted the princess's mother, Eltia, through a personal message, hoping to meet her.

However, the only response from Eltia was that she was too busy with her education and could not make time to meet with him .

When he told her in person that he still wanted to meet her, she said with an emotionless expression on her face,

Prince Lacis, may I?　Royalty has roles. A princess has a certain role to fulfill. A prince has his own duties. The princess is fulfilling her duty now. Unfortunately, there is no need for the prince. Please take time for Prince Lacis ."

Eltia told Lacis that there was no need to see her.

Why, his own family.

Why can't he even see his sister?　

Shocked by Eltia's words, he tried to think about the true meaning of her words, but did not understand.

At that time, it was his great-grandfather Norris, who gave Lacis the answer, who asked for his advice.

'It's just between you and me. It may be because Miss Eltia doesn't think very highly of you, Lacis-sama.'

"Why?"

Norris answered Lacis's question with a smile.

The smile contained an evil feeling, but the young Lacis could not notice it.

Norris's smiling face and atmosphere were that of a good-natured old man.

Norris then dared to tell Lacis something that he would not talk to a child about.

He told her that his father, King Elias, only loved Eltia.

Therefore, neither the king nor Eltia thought well of him , Lacis' mother and queen.

Therefore, neither the king nor Eltia want to let Lacis meet the princess, who is his sister.

Hearing this statement, Lacis immediately rejected it.

'No, that can't be true. Father loves and he may love me too, but he would never treat me like that and he would never give special treatment to Miss Eltia alone".

"I am sorry for your suffering. But it is true. Why does Miss Liesel sometimes look so deeply sad?　Do you have any idea why this is the case, Master Lacis?"

Lacis denied that it was possible, but Norris was right: his father, Liesel, does sometimes look deeply saddened.

But when she spoke to him, she would immediately smile and laugh.

So it never bothered me.

The more Lacis thought about it, the more confused he became.

Norris, who was watching him, smiled again with an evil smile and whispered to Lacis.

'Where is the king going when Miss Liesel was in deep sorrow?"

......"

Hearing Norris's whisper, Lacis understood, but remained silent.

nfortunately, His Majesty goes to Miss Eltia's place. everyday day, while only occasionally to Miss Liesel. That is the way it is. I am sure the wise Master Lacis would understand."

Lacis was furious when he heard Norris's words.

"Father neglected mother?　"

*Does he love Eltia, his concubine, more than his mother, the queen?　)

(That can't be )

Shaking his head and giving Norris a strong, sharp look, he said.

..... "That nonsense, Norris and I will not tolerate such a lies ."

'Then why don't you check out for yourself?　You could ask someone who knows about Elias's schedule. ......"

After Lacis listened to Norris, he looked up his father's schedule and confirmed it.

It turned out that, as Norris had said, he was definitely going to see Eltia more often than his mother Liesel.

And it was indeed the day that he Mother Liesel looked sad that Father was going to see Eltia.

Norris was right.

But it was heartbreaking for Lieselis.

While his mother, whom he loved so much, was being neglected and grieved,

his father was taking care of Eltia, his concubine, without thinking about it or giving it a second thought.

(Why was such a thing allowed?　)

He did not understand.

And when he was unsure, he asked Norris for advice again.

Norris, with his good-natured, kindly air and smile, took Lacis's advice.

"His Majesty Elias, the father of -yours , is very good as a king. Do you understand that?"

"I can ...... understand that."

Norris is right, his father Elias has a very good reputation in the country as a very excellent king.

But when he found out that the story was true, his respect for him was reversed and turned to contempt.

". I should continue to respect His Majesty Elias as a king. But it is a different matter to respect him as 'person' ."

'Kings and people are a different matter: ......'

Lacis looked down with a thoughtful face after hearing Norris's words.

Norris continued , satisfied with his appearance.

His Majesty Elias is a good king, but as a person he is probably inexperienced. But that is all right. No one is perfect. In order to fulfill his duties as king, it cannot be helped if he is inexperienced as a person.

If you he good as a king, it is acceptable to be inexperienced as a person.

I(s such a thing acceptable?　)

But it is true that his father is fulfilling his duties as king.

Various thoughts ran through Lacis' mind, and here a moment of silence between the two of them.

Then,Lacis suddenly muttered, "A king and a man are both excellent human beings."

"How can I become a person who can suppress him both as a king and as a man? ......"

Lacis knew that he would eventually become king.

That is why he respected her father, Elias, as a king.

However, when he looked at him as a person, he saw how he neglected his mother, and she began to hate him.

This made it impossible for him to trust his father.

Norris, who knew Lacis's feelings as well as he did, hid his wickedness behind a smile and replied,

"If you don't mind, I will support you."

'Norris ......?'

Lacis looked at Norris with a dubious expression on his face.

I am nearly the oldest person in this country. That means I have seen many different people and relationships. If I can make up for you lacks in experience, then surely you can become an outstanding person, man as king and person ."

'Well, ...... you're right, Norris. Thank you, Norris, and I look forward to working with you in the future."

"u. I will help you as much as I can. If you need anything at all, please tell me immediately."

Norris bowed to his ' words and then answered.

Lacis looked refreshed after his worries were resolved.

In contrast, Norris had a smile on his face, but Lacis did not notice his wickedness.

◇

Lacis felt impatient and thoughtful in his room, worrying about sister, when there was a knock at the door.

When he answered, it was Norris who came in.

"Norris, what's wrong?"

"I just met with His Majesty Elias. The plan will go without a hitch."

"I understand. Thank you for everything, Norris."

"No, , this is the least I can do. ePlease be on your guard. ......"

"I know ."

Norris looked satisfied when he saw how confident Lacis looked.

He bowed to Laycis and then left the room.

After talking to Norris, Laicis felt that her impatience had calmed down.

Then, after taking a deep breath, she murmured.

'I will definitely protect my sister. ......'

It was as if she was saying to himself.

◇

Norris left Lacis' room and moved into the shadows of the corridor, where he would not be seen by many people.

Then, with a hand signal, eyes and a mouth appeared in Norris's shadow, creating an uncanny physiognomy.

The face in the shadow looked at Norris with a grin and a disgusted look.

Norris, paying no heed, called out to the shadow.

'How's the prince doing?"

'...... nothing in particular has changed. I have complete faith in you. There's nothing to doubt."

"I see. Good. Let me know as soon as you have any news."

"...... Gyoi."

The eerie physiognomy shadow disappeared silently.

And the shadow no longer spoke.

All is well at ....... Watch and learn. You Magnolia hick."

"Heh ...... all is going well ....... Watch. Magnolia hicks."

Norris muttered as if to throw up and left the place.