Chapter 82
Upon returning to his palace, Calix immediately sought out Daisy.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“A guest will be coming. Make the preparations.”
“…A guest, Your Highness?”
Though it was the Crown Prince’s palace, there were few attendants, not only because Calix disliked having people around, but more so because no guests ever came, making them unnecessary.
Of course, compared to his childhood, there were now more nobles who showed interest in the Crown Prince. However, this was not a place one could simply visit at will, even if they wanted to.
In short, unless Calix extended an invitation himself, no guest could ever come to the Crown Prince’s palace.
“Oh my!”
Only then realizing what that meant, Daisy let out a flurry of excited chatter.
“I’ll prepare everything properly and bring it in. Please wait just a moment, Your Highness.”
As Daisy hurried off toward the kitchen of the palace, Ilion, who had been waiting for Calix, appeared.
“Your Highness, what did His Majesty say?”
At that question, Calix realized that the helpless irritation he had felt due to his father had completely dissipated.
He had been so caught up thinking about Lea, who would be arriving soon, that he was momentarily flustered.
“…Never mind. We’ll talk about it later.”
“Yes, understood. But why did Daisy disappear looking so excited?”
“Who knows.”
Calix brushed past Ilion and entered the parlor. He sat down on the sofa, but quickly stood back up. Restless for no reason, he couldn’t remain still.
Watching this unfamiliar behavior, Ilion narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Then, as if something dawned on him, his mouth fell open.
“Don’t tell me, His Majesty said something strange?”
“…Ilion, one day that mouth of yours is going to get you in serious trouble. Don’t speak carelessly about His Majesty.”
“My apologies… But Your Highness, your behavior is odd. If you don’t want people to misunderstand, you should stay composed. Why are you so fidgety?”
“Me? I’m not.”
“You are. This may be rude to say, but… it’s like a puppy that really needs to pee…”
Before Ilion could even finish, Calix splashed water over his lips using his water ability.
“Ugh.”
“You won’t fix that habit of yours until you get a proper scolding, will you?”
“…My apologies.”
Wiping the water off his face with one hand, Ilion muttered. Just then, the gatekeeper knight entered the parlor and asked,
“Pardon the intrusion, Your Highness. Lady Haisley has arrived. What would you like me to do?”
Hearing the long-awaited news, Calix replied swiftly before Ilion could say anything more foolish.
“Let her in.”
The sound of the Crown Prince’s palace receiving its very first guest echoed.
* * *
Lea stood before the Crown Prince’s palace, holding a lavishly wrapped box. With nervous eyes, she waited for the gatekeeper, and Ilion came out to meet her.
She stiffened at the sight of the unexpected person. Though much time had passed, the memories still lingering in her mind tormented her.
“…His Highness asked me to escort you personally. Please, come in.”
He looked similar to Zion, but his aura was completely different. Ilion, carrying a more raw energy, spoke with a rough attitude.
“Yes… then, pardon my intrusion.”
She entered the Crown Prince’s palace with Rose. Though she had visited frequently before her regression, the memories felt so distant now that everything seemed unfamiliar.
Just before entering the parlor under Ilion’s guidance, Lea turned to Rose and said,
“I’ll be right back. Wait here for me.”
“Yes, Lady Haisley.”
As she stepped into the parlor, old memories began to trickle back.
“You’ve come?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Calix was fidgety for no reason. In hindsight, it only made him look like he had thrown a tantrum over not receiving a birthday present.
He must have lost his head earlier from anger at the Emperor. Regret came flooding in, but the water had already been spilled.
Lea marveled at the table adorned with splendid desserts and a beautiful tea set. It made her happy, as it showed that he was now properly enjoying his rights as the Crown Prince, unlike in the past.
“I’m sorry for giving it to you so late, Your Highness.”
Rather than handing the wrapped gift over directly, she passed it to Ilion, who stood sulkily nearby.
When presenting a gift to a royal, it was customary not to hand it over personally, but instead to do so through one of the palace attendants.
Though Daisy wasn’t present at the moment, Ilion was practically Calix’s right hand. So she thought it would be fine.
“Ilion is not a palace attendant… Are you looking down on him right now?”
“…Pardon?”
“If you’d waited a bit, Daisy would’ve come. You could have handed it over then. What kind of grand gift did you prepare that you’re making such a fuss over it?”
His words were colder than a bitter winter wind, and Lea’s body stiffened with tension. The joy she had felt from being able to give him the gift plummeted and crashed to the floor.
“…That’s not it. My apologies, Your Highness.”
Lea had tried to explain herself, but soon gave up and simply apologized. Unlike the splendid table setting, a chilly silence settled over them.
She placed the gift she had intended to give to Ilion back onto her lap and lowered her gaze.
Calix suddenly felt a bit sheepish. He began to wonder if this was really something to get angry about.
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