Chapter 58
[“Trust, once lost, is difficult to restore.”]
Ezekiel closed his eyes in the carriage that rolled along slightly faster than a person could run.
[“The company and investors would suffer enormous damages.”]
He recalled Raijin’s words again.
They were accurate observations. Though that wasn’t everything, looking back, such issues were among the reasons the business had collapsed.
Moreover, he hadn’t just stopped at pointing out flaws. He had provided quite detailed suggestions on how to resolve them.
‘The train discussion was interesting. The column I mentioned was written by Professor Sidian of the Silver Tower. If you happen to visit there… First, go to the first floor and make a scene about how Litrel is trash and how research funding for such a useless magic tower is a waste. Then Professor Sidian will appear.’
‘W-what?’
Though he wanted to ask more, he couldn’t get any further answers.
While he couldn’t understand the reason without hearing it, the meaning was clear enough. It must have been a hint about whom to consult regarding Litrel impurity removal.
Even if they were merely theoretical discussions and conjectures, there was an irresistible force in his suggestions. His confident tone seemed to reawaken the affection and passion that Ezekiel had tried so hard to forget. The Crown Prince made him reflect on his past self, who had fearfully and carelessly turned away from obvious flaws.
That’s why he wanted to believe in Raijin’s words.
Perhaps this chipped blade he had loved wouldn’t end up being used to stab someone. He could feel his heart racing. Perhaps this time it could be properly forged into the tool he had dreamed of.
Even if the price was death again from failing to stop the Grand Duke… he could die happily.
As the carriage left the Grand Duke’s residence and entered the main road, Ezekiel pulled a note from his jacket pocket. Raijin had handed it to him earlier when he came close to bid farewell at the doorway.
Unfolding the paper revealed sentences written in handwriting that wasn’t particularly elegant for a high noble:
[If things work out well, I would like you to send me a White Falcon, a souvenir from the Imperial Capital. Additionally, I would like an answer regarding the contract I proposed. Your first friend, Raijin el Izatrix.]
‘White Falcon’ was a sort of code word. It referred to a magical artifact shaped like a thick, small card that could share written conversations with a connected partner card. Though the artifact was quite expensive, it wasn’t something he, as a prince, couldn’t afford. Raijin had asked him to send it disguised as a souvenir from the Imperial Capital.
Raijin deeply relied on, trusted, and loved his brother. However, separately from that, he seemed to clearly recognize that he was being excessively controlled. Since that dark-hearted Grand Duke would inspect and monitor everything coming to his naive brother, this roundabout method would be the only way to communicate anything.
‘Your first friend, Raijin el Izatrix.’
It was a postscript returning his earlier words about being Crown Prince Raijin’s first friend. Ezekiel smiled. He would certainly be an interesting person to keep close.
Recalling Raijin’s last appearance, he had to correct his previous thoughts.
The Crown Prince was already captivating enough just as he was.
***
After the Third Prince’s visit to the Grand Duke’s residence, Ja-hyun collapsed ill.
He had already been under penalty for insufficient points, and pushing himself to exhaustion in that state was nothing short of suicidal.
While the prince was present, he had remained tense to avoid making mistakes, gritting his teeth and pretending to be fine. Of course, that pretense ended completely the moment the prince left and the mansion doors closed.
As soon as the heavy doors shut behind them with a thud, his legs began trembling as if the string forcefully moving his body had snapped. Chills came belatedly. His muscles refused to move properly as if they had lost all function, and his vision spun.
The last thing he remembered was his brother’s expression growing increasingly rigid as he stood beside him, arms supportively wrapped around him.
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