Chapter 55.1
Chapter 55.1
Bashar sat with his upper body slightly bowed, his forehead resting on his hand. The atmosphere felt heavy, making it difficult to speak freely, so I took a moment to observe him. I still didn’t know why he had summoned me. With a deep sigh, Bashar lifted his head. His golden eyes met mine.
“My brother…,” he began, then hesitated. “What did he say?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I’m asking what you talked about with my brother just now.”
So, this was why he called for me. Although Haroon and he had quarreled, Bashar still seemed to prioritize his brother. Since they were at odds, they probably couldn’t speak directly, so he’d brought me here as an intermediary.
“We didn’t talk about anything in particular. His Highness simply mentioned wanting to reward me for my assistance.”
“…Is that all?”
I nodded. There was nothing of importance discussed that I couldn’t share with Bashar. My conversation with Haroon had truly only concerned a reward.
“I see.” Bashar murmured the words under his breath. Watching him, I recalled Haroon–the prince, on edge after what seemed to be his first-ever argument with his brother.
“His Highness Haroon seemed quite distressed.”
Bashar’s shoulders flinched at my words. I continued, undeterred as he averted his gaze. “It seemed like the two of you had a disagreement. Have you not reconciled yet?”
“…Disagreement?” Bashar echoed my word as if hearing it for the first time, instead of answering my question. I paused, unsure how to react as he furrowed his brow in thought.
“Did my brother say we had a disagreement?”
“I witnessed you arguing the other day. And today, His Highness Haroon confirmed that you haven’t made amends.”
“…Your hearing is quite keen. To have overheard that.” Bashar stammered slightly, his words sounding defensive. He seemed embarrassed that I had witnessed their quarrel.
It would have been stranger not to have seen it. Everyone present had noticed the confrontation between Bashar and Haroon. However, given who they were, everyone quickly pretended not to see and looked away. The two princes had argued loudly, seemingly oblivious to those around them. It was impossible to miss.
For him to be embarrassed now… perhaps he didn’t realize how loudly he’d spoken to Harun then.
“…It’s not like that.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Bashar continued to murmur, his gaze still averted. His voice was too low to hear clearly, so I asked him to repeat himself. He bit his lip, then spoke slowly and deliberately. “I said we didn’t argue.”
I blinked slowly. They had not only raised their voices but also exchanged harsh expressions. Anyone would have thought they were arguing. Furthermore, both the Crown Prince and Haroon had explicitly told me about the argument and their lack of reconciliation. And yet, Bashar was saying they hadn’t argued? I was beyond bewildered; I was speechless.
While I searched for words, Bashar added, “We didn’t argue. I was simply expressing my thoughts.”
“…Your thoughts?”
“Yes. But I suppose I’m not used to it, so it must have looked like an argument.”
Not only I, but also the surrounding knights, and even Haroon himself, had thought they were arguing. But to hear it wasn’t… I was at a loss for words.
“I told him to never again think of being a decoy for me. And yet, he… why?”
Unconsciously, I had been staring at him with my mouth slightly agape, my surprise evident. I quickly schooled my features and shook my head. “No, His Highness Haroon refused, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He said if the same situation arises again, he will not hesitate to step in for me. Even though I don’t want him to.”
These brothers cared deeply for each other, to the point where they were willing to sacrifice themselves for the other. Bashar seemed to think nothing of being injured in Haroon’s place, while Haroon was willing to risk danger to protect Bashar. The problem was that neither wanted the other to act this way.
“So that’s what you were arguing about.”
“…I told you, we weren’t arguing. My brother simply refused to listen to me.”
“What were you trying to say?”
“That I’m willing to lay down my life for him, but he shouldn’t do the same. I wanted to tell him I intend to train myself to protect not only myself but also him in the future.”
“…And His Highness Haroon… he didn’t listen, not even halfway through, did he?”
“No. He said he would continue to face the assassins in my place.” Bashar’s voice was tinged with dejection. He seemed frustrated that his conversation with Harun hadn’t gone well.
So that’s what happened. I finally understood why the two brothers had raised their voices. Haroon, upon hearing Bashar’s plea not to sacrifice himself, likely responded irritably without listening. And Bashar, in turn, must have become agitated.
I recalled Bashar’s frustrated cry, “That’s not what I meant! That’s not what I want from you, Brother!”
“…I never wanted that from you either, Bashar.” Both princes had been visibly agitated, but beneath that anger lay hurt and frustration. Bashar didn’t want Haroon to be in danger, and Haroon didn’t want Bashar’s unconditional sacrifice.
They need to talk. Until now, Bashar had been ready to give his life for Haroon, for anything that would benefit him. But judging from what he’d just said, a shift had occurred in his thinking. He wanted to protect himself, to stand by Haroon’s side, rather than sacrifice himself for him.
The problem was that his expression was so lacking that his words were easily misinterpreted by Haroon. And with Haroon cutting him off in his agitation, their conversation never truly progressed.
Does Bashar not realize…? I gazed at the prince’s worried face. Dark circles were prominent against his deep complexion. He looked even more exhausted than he had immediately after the monster incident.
“It’s been difficult to talk to my brother since that day. He doesn’t seem to want to listen to me, and I…” Bashar trailed off with a sigh. He closed his eyes briefly as if in pain, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. “For some reason, it’s hard to speak to him.”
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