TGBAP 27

Lucian fiddled with his hair, which had changed to brown.

“How did this happen? Did hyung use magic again?”

“No. I put magic on that necklace. You can’t use magic every single time you go to the village. It’s a hassle too. So from now on, when you go to the village or need to fool people’s eyes, wear that necklace. How is it? A good idea, right! Hurry up and praise me!”

Leaving Kaiser, who puffed out his chest and waited for praise, Ria stared hard at Lucian.

[……The idea is good, but won’t that necklace alone stand out?]

Kaiser flinched and blinked.

Thanks to the changed hair, he looked more plain, but because of the necklace, it was all for nothing.

No, more than that, the necklace was so huge it would stand out no matter who wore it.

“If I put it inside my clothes, it’s fine. Ta-da, perfect, right?”

[From now on, you have to keep the necklace inside your clothes. Never take it out in front of people, got it?]

“Not even in front of Dio and James?”

[Hmm…… for now, not James.]

With his history of touching money, James is dangerous. As for Dio, she still didn’t know what kind of kid he was, but…….

[Still, don’t show it to anyone. At least with that necklace, you could buy a whole house. Someone might get greedy, so you have to be careful. You can’t let anyone steal the precious present Kaiser gave you.]

“Absolutely not! It’s hyung’s present!”

Holding the necklace in his hand, Lucian walked up to Kaiser and hugged him tight.

“Hyung, thank you! I’ll use it well.”

“Hm, ahem, ahem, you…… like it?”

“Super! It’s my first time seeing something this sparkly since I was born.”

“Liking jewels is common to all living things. It’s one of the necklaces I like too, so use it well.”

If he were in dragon form, Kaiser’s tail would have been wagging all over the place.

Ria let out a small snort of laughter, and this time pulled out the present she prepared.

“Huh? This is…….”

Lucian and Kaiser blinked, staring blankly at Ria’s present.

[What I can give you is limited, so I worried about what I should give…… I hope you like it.]

What Ria prepared was a painting.

A portrait of Lucian. In the painting, Lucian wore the outfit from when he first came here, smiling faintly.

“Did Ria draw this?”

[Of course.]

“Ria, you draw better than I expected? Draw me too later.”

Ria’s painting skill was good enough that even Kaiser asked her to draw him too.

Still, seeing Lucian make a subtle expression made her a little uneasy.

[……Why. You don’t like my present?]

“N-no! I like everything you give me, Ria! It’s just, I was wondering why you drew me wearing these clothes…….”

[Ah. I drew you in that outfit on purpose, so it could become a good memory for you, even a little.]

No matter how much this place has gotten better now, the first day Lucian came here was the worst day of his life, when he was abandoned by his family.

Hoping that memory would become better, she deliberately drew him wearing his formal outfit.

[And it’s what you wore on the day we got married. See? How cool is it.]

Of course, back then he was skinny and unkempt, so compared to now it was shabby, but touching up a painting a little is nothing.

Thinking that might be enough of an answer, she glanced at Lucian. A faint smile formed at his mouth.

“Yes. It’s the day I met Ria for the first time. I like it.”

[Every year, I’ll draw one. So later you can show someone else your growth.]

“I’d like that. But it’s a shame Ria isn’t there…….”

Lucian stroked the empty space beside his own portrait.

“It’s the day we got married, but it’s a shame only I’m here. Can’t you draw Ria beside me too?”

[……Me? I don’t even know what I look like.]

“I’ll tell you, so try drawing me, even roughly. It doesn’t make sense for only the groom to be drawn without the bride.”

“Not wrong. This is what you wore at that soul marriage ceremony thing, right? Doesn’t it look lonely with only Lucian there?”

[Hmm…….]

If they put it like that, it’s not like she can’t do it, but how is she supposed to draw something she can’t even see?

[I’ll try. But it’s better not to expect much.]

“Ria can do anything well, so I’m sure you’ll draw it well.”

[Are you overestimating me?]

“It’s true. I don’t lie to Ria.”

His pouting lips were cute, and Ria ended up smiling.

After the gift-giving ended, the three kept chatting. Lucian continued telling them what happened in the village, and after that, Kaiser continued with his own stories.

After talking for a while, before they knew it, the sky had grown dark. Thanks to Kaiser’s magic, the area around the table was still bright, though.

[Should we clean up and go in?]

As Ria and Kaiser rose, Lucian remembered something.

“Wait! On my birthday, the sky always flashed and sparkled. It should be flashing about now…….”

Fweeuung- boom-! Pop-pop-!

Before Lucian even finished speaking, fireworks cracked, painting the sky with brilliant bursts of light.

“That, that!”

As Lucian bounced in delight, Ria and Kaiser exchanged looks, then took Lucian up onto the mansion roof.

After being startled at first, Lucian gaped at the fireworks shining in all kinds of colors.

“Up until last year I watched them alone, but this year I have Ria and Kaiser, so I’m so happy.”

Ria and Kaiser only smiled without a word. With a blissful expression, Lucian looped his arms through Ria’s and Kaiser’s.

“Today is the best birthday ever!”

Those fireworks must have been prepared for the Crown Prince, who is Lucian’s twin.

Born on the same day at the same hour, both should be blessed equally, and yet one receives everyone’s love in the light, while the other has to live as if dead in the shadows—it was unfair.

She hoped that this pure being, who could be this happy over a single cake and a small present, would never be hurt by people again.

[I’ll protect you no matter what, Lucian.]

Ria’s whisper scattered into the air, mixed with the noise of the fireworks. Even so, it didn’t matter. It was enough for Ria alone to vow it.

* * *

At the same time, in the imperial palace’s Emerald Hall, the Crown Prince’s birth banquet was in full swing.

Leopold, held in Ruber’s arms, giggled as he watched the fireworks. He saw them every year, but each time felt new.

“Ah! I have to make a wish!”

‘Please let me have a younger sibling. A little sister or a little brother, either is fine. I want a sibling.’

All his friends had at least one brother or sister, and he hated that he was the only only-child.

They said siblings fight often, but even so, seeing them act like irreplaceable friends always made him jealous.

Ever since he started wanting a sibling, he’d made a long list of things he wanted to do if he got one.

As he reviewed them one by one in his heart and made his wish, Ruber let out a small laugh and patted Leopold’s head.

“If your wish is too long, the sky won’t be able to grant it.”

“Ah! Then something else!”

As Leopold scrunched up and made another wish, Ruber and Serena met eyes and smiled.

Their son scrunching up just to make a wish was so adorable.

When the fireworks that had lasted about ten minutes ended, Leopold let out a regretful sigh.

“I didn’t even finish wishing yet…….”

“You only need to wish for the most important one. Did you wish for that properly?”

“Yes! It reached the sky!”

“Will you tell me what you wished for?”

“No! They said if you say your wish out loud, it loses effect!”

“What? You little rascal.”

“Ah! Grandfather!”

Before Ruber could scold him, Leopold slipped out of his arms and ran to the former Emperor approaching from far away.

“Grandfather!”

The former Emperor, Julius Odelion, who had been talking with priests, smiled kindly at the sight of Leopold.

“You’ll trip.”

“Are you feeling okay? I heard you haven’t been in very good condition today.”

“Even so, it’s my one and only grandchild’s birthday. I have to come, don’t I. Now, did you make a wish on your birthday?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“What did you wish for—can you tell this grandfather?”

“Huh? Um…… they said I can’t say my wish…….”

“One person is fine. And who am I? You never know—I might be able to grant that wish.”

Leopold glanced around, covered his mouth with both hands, and stood on tiptoe. Julius bent his knees to match and Leopold whispered into his ear.

“I wished to have a sibling.”

“You want a sibling.”

“Yes. Everyone has brothers or sisters, but I don’t. If I get a sibling, I’m confident I’ll be super nice to them.”

Sensing Ruber and Serena approaching behind him, Leopold hurriedly added,

“This is a secret from Father and Mother.”

“Alright. I’ll keep my mouth shut tight. That aside, I haven’t given you your present yet, have I?”

Julius rose and gestured to an attendant nearby. The attendant brought over a huge something wrapped in cloth.

“It seems it’s about time you hunted. I found a good eagle.”

When he pulled away the cloth, an eagle with sleek, gleaming feathers appeared.

Leopold gaped, eyes sparkling as he stared at the eagle.

Peeeooh! Peeoh!

“It’s really, really cool……!”

“It just turned one year old. It’s finished simple training too, so if you build a bond with it a bit more, it’ll be more than enough to serve as a hunting bird.”

“Thank you, Grandfather! I’ll raise it carefully!”

Leopold hurried to the eagle’s cage. While Leopold was distracted by the eagle, Ruber and Serena approached Julius.

“I heard you were unwell—are you alright?”

“Maybe because I’m old, minor illnesses come often. Still, it’s my grandchild’s birthday—so I thought I should show my face.”

Julius stepped one pace closer to Ruber.

“Leopold says he wants a sibling.”

“…….”

“It’s been a while since he was named Crown Prince, so a sibling or two would be fine. Who knows? It might be a daughter instead of a son.”

“……I never thought I’d hear you mention an imperial grandchild.”

Ruber’s face cracked as he forcibly held back his rage. Julius only gave a scornful little laugh.

“Are you going to say it’s my fault you became Emperor?”

“…….”

“In the end, didn’t you kill even the brother you cherished because you coveted that seat?”

Ruber’s brother would be Julius’s own child, yet he spoke as if it were someone else’s business.

Ruber clenched his fist tight, trembling.

“On such a joyous day, there’s no need to redden our faces. Let’s stop here. Cough, cough, cough!”

Julius coughed harshly, but Ruber only looked at his father with cold eyes.

Even at his son’s heartless attitude, Julius was unfazed. Rather, he seemed to accept this atmosphere as natural.

“I’ve stood in the outside wind too long. I’ll be going back now.”

Julius’s attendants supported him as he left. Leopold clutched his trouser hem at the end, reluctant, but only let go after Ruber stopped him.

“Grandfather must be very unwell. There were two priests by his side.”

“……Yes, it looks that way to me too.”

“I should visit him tomorrow. What food is good for restoring vitality?”

Not knowing Ruber’s expression had hardened, Leopold kept mentioning Julius.

A grandson’s heart caring for his grandfather was admirable, but right now the situation wasn’t very good. Serena, reading the room, took Leopold elsewhere.

Once Ruber was left alone, the chief attendant approached him.

“How long have those priests been by Father?”

“About three months.”

“Three months…… what are the odds they learn about that child.”

“……If it’s about the prince, you need not worry too much. We dealt with all the priests who went to the mansion that day, and we handled it as them going to exterminate the mansion’s evil spirit, so no particular rumors will spread.”

“It must never reach Father. If Father finds out, that child won’t keep his life.”

“Then I will check once again.”

As the chief attendant withdrew, Ruber folded his arms.

Julius Odelion. His own father, yet someone he can’t feel affection for—no, a heartless father he couldn’t possibly give affection to even if he tried.

Even now, with many eyes watching, he plays the role of a gentle former Emperor, but Ruber, who had watched him up close since childhood, knew his true self well.

‘Do you covet the throne. Use any means necessary. I will treat everyone fairly.’

He had a total of five siblings, but all of them died, and in the end, Ruber became Emperor. The one who set the board so that only one could survive was none other than Julius.

That’s why Ruber would never love Julius, nor consider him family.

He only hides his teeth and claws and pretends to be a meek sheep because he lacks a single chance and justification to deal with him in one stroke.

The reason he didn’t make a sibling for Leopold was also because of this. If Leopold had a brother, it was clear he would follow the same path as Ruber.

‘To seat Leopold securely on the throne, it would be right to deal with Lucian, but…….’

He didn’t want to become the same kind of person as the one he hated most.

If Julius discovers that Leopold and Lucian are twins, he will kill both of them without a moment’s hesitation.

For some reason, Julius hates twins immensely.

In the past, he’d heard there had once been twin brothers born before Ruber himself was born. But Julius learned they were twins and killed both newborn children on the spot, they said.

That’s how much Julius was a cold-blooded man with no mercy even for blood kin.

He absolutely cannot let Lucian’s existence be discovered by someone like that.