Chapter 13

Celtic Durak was a man who suited the pen better than the sword. His body was unheard of, and the lines of his face were soft and mild. The neatly grown black hair fluttered around his shoulders. 1

There wasn’t any corner that resembled Aurest to this man who would have been more suited to walk the scholar’s path. So I often forgot that Celtic and Aurest were cousins.

My mother and his are different.

My mother was the second empress, and Aurest’s mother was the first empress.

The first empress, Ellaine Durak, was the twin sister of the Marquis of Durak. Ellaine passed away from a postpartum fever after giving birth to Aurest.

The Marquis Durak supported his two nephews, Hector and Aurest, who were very sad and who lost their mother. It was natural that the children of the Marquis of Durak and the two princes were close. Celtic Durak was closer to Aurest than to Hector, perhaps because of their commonality as the second son.

No one dares to deny the fact that Celtic, who played with Aurest as a child and guarded Aurest’s side on the Western Front, is the Crown Prince’s friend and right arm.

Celtic was following one step back. When I slowed down a bit, he stood side by side with me. The corridor of the palace, leading to the small garden, was silent without a single human being.

The pillars that were shining golden during the day looked like old trees that were burnt black by being eaten at night. Small leaves in the garden glowed in silver under the moonlight. The night breeze blew. The sound of the leaves hitting each other was faint.

Gwasasasasa….¹

“The wind is still cold.”

He put the liquor he brought out on my shoulder. The touch of wine was quite delicate.

“Thank you.”

It was about to get chilly. Celtic, who looked still at my face, said softly.

“You don’t look very happy. Do you have any concerns?”

I didn’t mean to say I was depressed because of Tristan’s injury. It gets tired if he transfer my words to Aurest. So I came up with another excuse.

“Because my brother hurt his hand. It’s still up to me to leave him without treatment.”

Aurest was too suspicious and did not hurt not only others but also the court doctor. When there was something to be done to receive treatment, even at the expense of a large sum, he calls a court doctor. The healing priest was the way because it was impossible to harm a person because of it’s nature of power.

“Your Imperial Highness is sweet. I see why the Crown Prince always bragged about it.” Celtic smiled warmly and said… “The priest came and saw the wound, so don’t worry too much. He’s also a healthy man, so he’ll get better soon.”

It seems to be like there’s healing priest sent to Aurest, than to Tristan, who rolled on a piece of glass.

I answered with a bright smile.

“That’s a good thing.”

Once the words broke out, Celtic continued to bring out new topics and continue the conversation. He acted like a gentleman with an ironic rule that he should not be bored with ladies. The air grew colder and colder as the night went on. Gareth was dozing off when we went back into the room.

I just remembered Celtic, who just went in and stretched out and pushed Gareth into the guest room.

“Can you keep this walk a secret from Aurest?”

“Oh, why?”

“When I sent him to serve as an escort, he was jealous and not raging about whether I was just playing with a young brother. If he found out what’s going on today, he’s going to go crazy.”

There was a rather mischievous smile on Celtic’s face.

“Oops, it’s also a secret to call him Aurest.”

His skill to appeal to Aurest’s closeness was very high. It didn’t look that way, so there was a corner like nebula².

“How do I do this? My lips are so light. It’s very difficult to promise to keep a secret. But…” He also said with a slight smile. “If you promise to take a walk with me in secret sometimes, I think I can shut up.”

Anyway, Celtic seemed to have a good feeling for me. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to be close friends. I didn’t feel comfortable thinking that Aurest’s closest ally was next to me. 1

“If that’s the condition, we’ll do as much as you like.”

Celtic raised my hand and kissed it lightly on the back of his hand, and answered softly.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to let you go. Sweet dreams, please.”

“You too…”

***

Early morning close to dawn.

The birds were singing outside the window. 1

As soon as I opened my eyes, I was ready to go out by cleaning up the maids and servants. After a simple decoration, I stepped out of the room. The maids and servants were busy preparing breakfast, wandering the corridors and stairs. A guard, who had taken two glasses of milk from the kitchen and had fallen, was startled to see me passing before him in a leisurely.

“Your Imperial Highness?”

“Sir Gereint. Thank you for your hard work this morning.”

It was Gereint Bell, a knight who discovered the talent of flower arrangement some time ago. He quickly followed my back, boasting a sense of balance that didn’t spill a single cup of milk.

I looked at him.

”Why are you following me?”

“Oh, we must have accidentally crossed directions. Then excuse me first,” Gereint bowed his head and strode past me.

It seems that Gereint and I were not just in the same direction, but also in the same place. He was in front of the door of Tristan’s room when he stopped.

Gereint’s hands were busy raising two glasses of milk, so he couldn’t knock, or catch the doorknob. So Gereint tapped the door with his knee, then opened it with his elbow. Gereint, who showed a mysterious performance, entered the room.

“You drink this. Children should eat well.”

“Do you think I’m still fifteen? I’ve been over twenty.”

The sound of conversation was heard through the gap in the door that had not closed.

I stood by the door and quietly overheard their conversation.

“If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. I’ll have to bring another.”

“Yes, I’ll give it to my brother.”

“There’s no such thing as cuteness.”

“I’m always grateful for your kindness. But don’t do this again. Don’t come. Don’t even pretend to know me.”

“Poor thing. Is that a declaration of end of the relationship?”

“Don’t listen lightly. This is for you.” Tristan breathed a short sigh. “If the Crown Prince knew that you were constantly interacting with me, I’m sure he wouldn’t let it go.”

“That’s my problem. If you have time to worry about others, just worry about yourself.”

“May I literally give it back?”

“No, no. Tristan. Take a look at yourself.” Gereint jerked. “If that hands rot, your prosecutor’s life will be over.”

“I know.”

“Is that the look on the face of someone who knows it? Tristan. I’m serious, so listen carefully.”

“……”

“Cling to the princess and pretend to be cute. Then, the crazy Princess will go over to you and call a healing priest for you.”

A crazy princess…

I knew it would look like that to others. I also made up my mind. But when I heard it myself, it was more bitter than I thought.

“Sir Gereint…” Tristan cut off Gereint in a cold voice. “I’ll take care of my body. Don’t use your worries as an excuse to insult my master.” I felt strange for some reason.

Do not insult my master… Don’t say that…

“Hahahahahaha!” Gereint’s frivolous laughter broke my thoughts.

After laughing for a long time as if pleased with Tristan’s reaction, said Gereint in a rinsing voice.

“I was rash. I’m sorry to insult your master.”

“I accept your apology.”

“You’re still the same. Yeah. Don’t change. It’s better to endure and live than die solemnly.”

“…I’ll take it into account, but I don’t think the knight will say that.”

“First butter… It’s my family motto. The Bells aren’t knights.” Gereint patted Tristan on the shoulder. “I’ve got to go now. I’ll leave this here, so drink it. You gotta grow.”

“No, I’m 23.”

“You don’t know that! Don’t lose hope!”

Without knowing, I stepped back from the door and hid behind a large ornament in the hallway. Before long, Gereint walked out. I confirmed that the whistle of Gereint had become very far away and knocked on Tristan’s door. The door opened with a bang.

“Why is it again…? Your Imperial Highness?” Tristan’s face is straightened out. He asked carefully. ”Do you have anythingnto say?”

“Open the door.”

I pushed my way into Tristan’s room. It was a simple room. The morning sunlight pouring into the open window was the only ornament in the room.

As soon as he woke up, the bedclothes were straightened out and I see that he had a habit of cleaning up his bed. On one side of the table was a plate of biscuits and two glasses of milk, one half empty.

“Sit here, please.”

I sat in the chair that Tristan pulled out. It was warm because it was a window seat where the sun was pouring down.

“Is your wound okay?”

“Yes, thanks to your concern, I’m fine.”

“Give me your hand.” Tristan lowered his posture as if he was going to kneel in front of me. I was surprised and hurriedly held him back. “Don’t do that. Didn’t you hurt your knee? All you have to do is show me your hands. Yeah, you’d better sit here.”

I pointed to the chair opposite. Tristan sat opposite. I opened his hands gently. I removed some dark red blood bandages and checked the wound.

“That’s terrible.”

Every time the medicine was applied over the wound, Tristan’s hand flinched. I felt a tingling gaze on my bent head, I raised my head.

Our eyes met.

Tristan was staring at me without blinking. I could see myself through his deep black eyes. Tristan blurted out.

“You’re beautiful.” 1

It was an awkward voice.

“What?”

Tristan seemed surprised at his words. He closed his mouth tightly and lowered his eyes. I let out a sigh of laughter.

“Did you think you could say anything on your mouth?”

It seemed like he listened to Gereint’s advice to pretend to be cute to the princess. 1

I finished wrapping the bandage and got up from my seat.

“Get ready to go out.”

Even if he didn’t show any grace that he couldn’t even become himself, I would still show him to the healing priest.

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That was why I got up early in the morning and prepared to go out.

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[1] <b>Gwasasasasa</b> <b>…</b> : This is a SFX..!! Wind blowing SFX…

[2] <b>It didn’t look that way so there was a corner like nebula</b> .: It means it was unclear, undefined, clouded.