Chapter 95
[“I’m exhausted. Let’s go inside.”]
Helion turned away, his tone indifferent. Only then did Zrot lift his head and stare at the back of the prince’s skull. His lips moved soundlessly.
[“What kind of bastard—”]
Anaka stifled a laugh. Zrot clicked his tongue exaggeratedly before climbing into the carriage.
[“See? That’s why you shouldn’t have answered.”]
[“You won’t even curse him with me, and that’s what you say?”]
[“Move out. If the Crown Prince is tired, we’d best follow quickly.”]
The carriage door shut in Zrot’s face. He puffed out his lips in a pout.
[“Kingdom or Empire… Does power always twist people like this once they get a taste of it?”]
Only once the welcoming party had vanished into the distance did he mount his horse. He pitied not just himself, but also the knights who had to serve that First Prince. They must have it even worse.
* * *
“Your Highness. Must you really humiliate the delegation that traveled all this way to see you?”
Zrot’s prediction had been spot-on. The knights serving the First Prince had it rough—and none more so than Cheche.
This was the first diplomatic delegation to visit the Empire in ten years. Yet Helion, far from offering them a warm welcome, had mounted his horse after uttering the absurd remark, “I’m tired, so let’s hurry inside.” Even if the insulted delegation turned back right then, no one could blame them.
“We welcomed them with enough pomp. What more do they want?”
“Since when are such irresponsible words acceptable?!”
True, the welcoming party had been lavish. Knights in full uniform carried the Empire’s banners, and a full band had been assembled—trumpets piercing the sky, drums throbbing in their ears. By all appearances, it was a successful reception.
But what good was ceremonial splendor when the Crown Prince himself behaved like this?
“This is a critical moment—one that could decide whether the war ends! The Empire has no reason to bow to the Kingdom, but neither must we provoke them needlessly!”
“Nag, nag, nag. Anyone listening would think you were my superior.”
“Could you please take this seriously for once?”
“What’s the point of rehashing the past? We’d be better off discussing the future.”
If only he’d just shut up. Cheche felt a throbbing in his temples.
“I swear, the stress of serving you will be the death of me.”
Then again, maybe the headache wasn’t just from stress. The back of his neck prickled—as if the delegation behind them were glaring daggers.
“You feel it too, don’t you, Your Highness? That hostile stare. They’re furious. If this ruins our plans, the blame falls entirely on you.”
“I don’t think the delegation is stupid enough to confuse official duty with personal grudges.”
“…Forgive me, but you’re speaking too loudly.”
The words “delegation” and “stupid” rang out especially clear. The daggers glaring into the back of his neck sharpened further.
“And Cheche—sorry to disappoint you, but they didn’t come here to discuss ending the war.”
“Then why would a delegation travel all this way? What business could they possibly have in an enemy nation during a ceasefire?”
“Because of me.”
Helion pointed at himself with a single finger. That simple motion drew the eyes of the gathered Imperial citizens straight to his face.
“Wow!”
Gasps erupted from the crowd. The citizens stood behind the barricade formed by the knights—too far to eavesdrop, but close enough to see the Crown Prince’s face clearly.
Even Cheche had to admit it inwardly. As much as he hated to acknowledge it, Helion’s face was flawless. Even without those sun-like eyes, his features alone were proof enough of his divine lineage. His beauty surpassed anything a mere human could possess.
But Helion’s words weren’t suggesting the delegation had come just to admire his looks.
“Do you truly believe they came here to harm you, Your Highness?”
“The Emperor and Empress paid them. Yet they failed their mission. That’s precisely why this ceasefire hasn’t turned into peace.”
The war would never end until Helion died—because his death was the war’s objective.
Maybe the Kingdom’s people were right. Maybe this war was his fault. Countless lives had been lost simply because he refused to die.
At that moment, a woman burst from the crowd.
“Your Highness!”
“Stay back!”
Edward, trailing behind them, swiftly drew his sword. Helion raised a hand to stop him. The woman held a child in her arms.
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