Chapter 188
Unintentionally drawing attention
“I don’t really know what to say to you, Brother.”
He should have come back victorious and properly competed with Fabian for succession, but this incident would have quite an impact.
“…I know it’s not something I should say when I think of the soldiers who were sacrificed, but I’m still glad you returned safely. You’ve been through a lot.”
As if he couldn’t even see Kyle’s hostility, Fabian comforted his younger brother, who had returned in defeat. Every time the Crown Prince acted like this, Kyle’s insides twisted.
Playing the nice guy again, honestly.
“You must be exhausted, but could you spare me a moment?”
“Yes, I’d rather talk while eating something.”
“Good. I’ve already had lunch prepared for you, so come to my palace with me.”
“…Yes, understood.”
Kyle really hated this side of Fabian. Saying he was sorry with words, but in reality, having everything perfectly prepared in advance. He was always so calculated.
That’s why he couldn’t properly face this Crown Prince, who claimed they should live peacefully. He could never tell what the true face was behind that gentle mask.
Of course, in any other country, he would have been the ideal crown prince, just not suited to the Leonis Empire.
In general, the Leonis Imperial Family were lionfolk, and their fighting spirit was exceptional. Maybe that’s why they kept poking at the Cantabria Empire, which they’d never managed to conquer for so long.
Was it because a lion, by nature, must become the leader of its pride? Or was it simply that their violent temperament made it impossible for them to accept defeat?
With all these complicated thoughts, Kyle decided to satisfy his hunger first when he saw the lavishly set table. One way or another, as a prince, he kept his manners and quickly filled his stomach.
Opposite him, Fabian watched his younger brother eat with a smile, barely touching his own food.
“You were always such a curious child, even when you were young.”
“What do you mean?”
“You always wore a rebellious expression that made it seem like you wouldn’t care for manners, and yet you were always elegant.”
“…Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Of course. You are my proud little brother.”
Kyle narrowed his eyes as he drank his water. Now that he was getting full, he spoke up.
“Go ahead.”
“Haha, you’ve always been sharper than Adrian since you were little.”
“So if you have any questions, ask them. And please speak to Father on my behalf. I haven’t gone to see him yet since you came to me first.”
“All right, I’ll do what I can…”
“Well, I don’t have much to say, since it was practically a complete defeat, but I still want to participate in the next battle.”
This time, Kyle was determined to successfully kidnap that female Guide, so he couldn’t let anyone else take his place in the next battle. He had to watch out not only for Fabian, but also for his second brother, Adrian.
“Hmm…”
Fabian fell silent, pondering Kyle’s reaction. It was a little different from how he usually knew his younger brother. While searching for the reason, Fabian brought up the question he’d originally meant to ask.
“What kind of person do you think the Cantabrian Crown Prince is?”
“…Do you have to ask about him?”
Of all things, why that question?
“I know how you feel about it, but information about key figures is important.”
He couldn’t disagree, so Kyle could only swallow his curses. Still, it was annoying, acting like he understood his brother’s feelings while asking about the man who had nearly ripped his arm off.
With mixed feelings, Kyle crossed his legs and rubbed his temple. After a moment’s thought, he began to speak.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to be so thoroughly defeated. In earlier battles, he barely responded at all, so I thought he was a weakling. But I was wrong.”
Fabian listened carefully to Kyle’s words. He had gathered rough information on the Cantabrian emperor and empress, but there was little to be found about the Crown Prince.
He assumed it was due to the strange power dynamic in Cantabria caused by the lack of Guides, but he listened even more closely as Kyle continued.
“When we failed at our initial surprise attacks twice, I thought it was just luck. I thought he was a fool who didn’t even know how to launch an attack. But when I approached their camp, I sensed something was off.”
Calmly and logically analyzing the day’s battle, Kyle revealed his suspicion.
“What was it?”
“The weather suddenly turned strange. I expected it to be cold since it was the north, but the blizzard was much worse than that. And yet, the ground in the Cantabrian camp wasn’t frozen at all. It’s not like there was a big difference in distance between our camps. How could it be the same land but with such different weather? I thought that was odd.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.