Chapter 66

Chapter 14. It’s been a while (3)

Chermil Palace was always the same.

Nothing has changed, just the season has changed.

The gift boxes piled up to celebrate Kalian’s safe return were also the same.

“This place has been so lonely, but I’m so glad you came back safely, my prince.”

When the blunt Merlin gave this greeting, not only Merlin but also the other maids took turns welcoming Calian. Calian smiled awkwardly and expressed his gratitude.

In the short period of time I was away from the palace, I felt like only Calian had changed in Chermil, as the hand that helped me with my return felt unfamiliar.

Of course, it was Kalian’s daily routine that he had to get used to again.

“I was like that too when I got home. Get some rest today and get busy again tomorrow, so you’ll get used to it quickly, so don’t worry.”

Jan, who must have seemed very awkward, said this and handed me some mint tea. Kalian smiled when he saw the tea because it was the most he drank outside.

When I left, there was a hot wind blowing, but when I returned, it had already become chilly. It wasn’t that bad, so Kalyan took the tea out to the terrace for a while and enjoyed a sip.

Jan followed Kalian and sat down on the chair next to him. Yan has not yet fully returned to his life as a servant serving the prince. Calian, who had no intention of criticizing him, just laughed quietly so as not to be noticed.

“How strange.”

Calian opened his mouth while looking at the calm artificial lake.

“There are three princes living on the blade. It is quieter than anywhere outside the palace.”

After saying that, Kalian quietly drank the mint tea in his hand.

A morning full of thoughts about returning to daily life after a long time passed in silence.

* * *

Alan was really busy.

It was undergoing final maintenance ahead of the founding of Balkan. Alan, who was supposed to have lunch with Calian, arrived a little after lunch time. I was so busy working that I couldn’t even look at the clock and was late for my appointment with the prince.

Alan even said he hasn’t had a proper conversation with his family, Rachel and Veronica. This was because the two had not yet been allowed to enter the palace, so they had to go straight to Alan’s mansion.

“I’m sorry that you were so busy that you didn’t have time to ask His Majesty for the two of you to enter the palace.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be able to go in and out of Chermil starting tomorrow anyway.”

Alan said this as he sliced a perfectly cooked steak.

The reason the mother and daughter had to request entry into the princes’ space was because of the moving magic circle. As Arsene once thought, Calian was also a wizard, so they decided to research together how to create a ‘moving magic circle that only certain people can use’, for which there was no answer at all. Since it was difficult for Calian to move from place to place, the researchers had no choice but to invite people to Calian’s room.

Alan, who was thinking about Rachel and Veronica, looked at Calian and asked.

“Have you talked to my family?”

Calian thought of Veronica, who had the same hair color as Alan. I didn’t know anything about him other than that he was a young wizard who was a year younger than Calian and had just made his way into the second circle.

“I had a chat with Lord Grace, but I couldn’t talk to Veronica beyond the first greeting.”

“I guess we can just divide it up little by little.”

“Yes. There is no need to rush.”

Calian nodded and answered, putting a hazelnut, a nut common in Kairis but somewhat unfamiliar to him, into his mouth and mumbling.

After finishing their meal, exchanging daily stories and things they had experienced so far, the two went for a long walk. As we walked to the rose garden, Alan’s mouth opened first.

“Please show me.”

There was no need to ask what I wanted to show. Alan probably wanted to see this as soon as he could meet Calian. Calian held out his hand and concentrated his magic. A sharp magical energy that seemed to cut through anything formed a round sphere.

“her.”

Alan, who saw it, reacted as if it was truly amazing. Even the supreme Sispanian thought it was amazing, so would it have been different if it were Alan?

Kalian, who heard those words, also smiled embarrassedly and said.

“I just ate and went for a walk.”

Even though the walk lasted two hours, it was embarrassing to eat, walk, and then eat again.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t go to Lemain, so Calian hurriedly took a shower and changed into clean clothes that weren’t too flashy. Since it was a place where two other princes were present, I thought there was no need to stand out by wearing fancy clothes.

Jan, who was standing next to her while she was getting her hair done, opened her mouth.

“As soon as the prince got off his horse, he ran to Lord Manasil, and it seemed like his majesty was very disappointed.”

“Ah...”

It was definitely Calian’s mistake. No matter how happy I was to see Alan, I should have said hello to Lemain first. It was a shame because Lemain was generous and understanding, but he almost got scolded as soon as he arrived at the palace.

Nevertheless, since he offered me a meal, it was not something I would dislike, but rather something to be thankful for.

Kalian soon finished preparing and went to the small banquet hall set up in Arpia Palace. As I was leaving, I saw that there was only one carriage in front of the Chermil Palace, and as I expected, both Randel and Planz were there. Calian seemed to have acted too late, so he greeted his two older brothers with an apology.

“Sorry for being late. It’s been a while since I said hello to you two brothers.”

Even before I left Rosellita, I was talking with Randel once or twice a day. Therefore, Randel nodded his head and said hello, saying that he was glad he had made it through the trip without any injuries. And Plantz said,

“Welcome.”

So said!

To be precise, Calian was just as surprised as the day Alan said he already knew the axis of time. This is because I had never dreamed of Plantz’s welcome greeting.

Of course, it was a voice that could not be found and heard even if all auras were concentrated in the ears, but it was meant as a welcome anyway. That’s why Calian tried not to let his thoughts about whether that bastard take medicine anymore come out.

One corner of Plantz’s mouth rose as he saw the surprise that Calian could not hide, and Randel looked at Plantz’s face for a moment.

Immediately after that, Lemain came in and dinner began, so Calian was unable to figure out Planz’s plan.

“Randel. Have you read all of Sirteiya’s treatises that you said you were reading? I’m glad that your knowledge is deepening.”

Lemain was considerate of Calian by asking more questions of the other two princes than of Calian.

“You said you are training hard in swordsmanship, and you seem to be in better shape than last time, Planz. Let’s go hunting together sometime.”

like this.

I asked Kalian if he had learned a lot from the outside world, and he quietly answered yes. Lemain will know better whether you have learned a lot or broken a lot.

Anyway, seeing as Randel and Planz answered Lemain’s questions without any hesitation, it seemed like they had had this situation several times while Calian was away. Alan’s contribution was definitely great.

While the father and son were having such a peaceful time together, the door to the banquet hall was carefully opened and a valet whispered something into the valet Raoul’s ear and left. And Raoul looked very embarrassed and said something to Lemain. Lemain’s face, which had a small smile on it, hardened as soon as he heard Raoul’s words. And after a moment of silence, he nodded.

“Ask them to come in.”

A person who can come to the dinner table of kings and princes, but who can embarrass the chamberlain just by visiting. A person whom Lemain will never welcome.

There was no need to look to see who was visiting.

Calian lowered his eyes for a moment and took a small breath.

Again.

Again.

I get the illusion that the sound the shoes make also carries the scent of Renieri.

What is it trying to hide that creates such a strong scent?

Calian turned his head and looked straight into her face.

And he smiled.

“Long time no see.”

Silique.