Chapter 31
“No. It’s just that what I need to convey is important. It seems Your Highness has summoned me. Once your meeting is over, may I have some time to speak with you?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Although there were still documents needing approval, he nodded at the remark that it wouldn’t take long. Relief spread across his face, as if he had been worried the request might be refused. Following the door that Marilian opened, he entered the crown prince’s office. While discussing work, a teacup was set on the table. Raising his head, he met amber eyes glinting with a trace of amusement.
…So she does it herself instead of having a maid do it. He had often seen this when visiting the office… yet now it felt strangely new, as if he had just discovered it. Watching the cup in silence, Jordan, who had been staring at him intently, asked why he was acting that way. “It’s nothing,” he replied and lifted the cup. Observing this quietly, the crown prince turned his gaze away. His eyes toward Marilian were sharp, as if displeased. Silently signaling her to leave, she bowed and stepped back. Once the red hair disappeared from view, Luian spoke.
“Is something bothering you, Your Highness?”
“I’m displeased because you seem to have softened.”
“…Excuse me?”
Taken aback, he repeated himself. Seeing the puzzled look, Cheongan didn’t respond, instead focusing on the teacup Marilian had brought.
“I thought you had changed thanks to Ishilia, but after just a few years, you’ve returned to the same ways as before.”
“……”
“You’ve grown cold again lately. On top of that, you’re veering off in strange directions you shouldn’t be.”
“……”
“If you don’t understand, that’s fine. I’m simply saying your character is still lacking. I don’t intend to meddle further.”
He spoke first and seemed to convince himself. Luian sensed it concerned him somehow but couldn’t understand exactly what he meant. The way he left out both subject and object suggested he assumed the listener wouldn’t understand. What a temper… The crown prince, plainly treating Jordan like an idiot, made Luian set down his cup on the table.
“Have you made an appointment with Marilian?”
“She seems to have something to convey to me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“…I see.”
Meeting Cheongan’s inscrutable gaze, he raised his head. When he asked why, he simply repeated what Luian had just said. Seeing the person who insists everything’s fine with a frown, he wondered if he was meant to take it seriously—or if he was being deliberately tested. What a character… Luian opted for silence.
The crown prince clicked his tongue, perhaps finding Luian’s muted reaction dull. Losing interest quickly, his eyes settled calmly on the documents. Luian picked up the stack he had set aside. Amid the rustle of papers, Jordan spoke.
“It’s best to stop here.”
“What do you mean?”
“…You are indeed a capable person, but you need to understand yourself better. Or perhaps you already do and are hiding it? Either way, that’s enough for now.”
It was impossible to read the capricious man’s mind. His moods changed constantly, so one could only adapt. Luian bowed without surprise at the sudden dismissal. As he greeted and opened the door, Jordan’s voice followed.
“And tell Marilian to summon the knight commander.”
“…Which knight order are you referring to?”
“The order of the enemy knights, I presume.”
…Right? Closing the door after the crown prince waved impatiently, it was always tiring to be with Jordan. Luian sighed and looked up to see amber eyes.
“Your Highness requested the commander of the enemy knights.”
“…Understood. I heard there’s a garden nearby, but I suppose there’s no time to visit.”
The garden was provided by the emperor for the palace staff—a place many from the foreign affairs department visited to rest or take short naps. Luian knew of it but never felt the need to go.
“What did you wish to convey?”
“The documents sent to Your Highness are divided into two types.”
Nodding, Luian guessed what Marilian intended to say. Both seemed urgent to him, but Jordan categorized them into highly urgent and less urgent. Aside from truly important documents, Jordan helped process the rest. One of the documents from the foreign affairs department had an issue, which Marilian reported quietly. Luian shook his head, realizing her concern wasn’t a serious problem.
“Seems there’s a mix-up. Your Highness likely knows already.”
The lack of reprimand meant it would be overlooked. Someone who had teased him to make mistakes before would instead smile at spotting a flaw. Still, leniency was a one-time thing. He acted lazy outwardly but would quickly cut things off if limits were exceeded. Documents reaching the crown prince were usually delivered by Luian himself, otherwise handled by a steward—likely the stage at which the problem occurred.
He must have assumed Marilian would sort things first and leave. His assistance wasn’t charity; it prevented Jordan’s whims from halting work. Henceforth, he would review documents and forward them to an appropriate junior officer.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“…Are you truly alright? You don’t look relieved at all… Perhaps I should have told you before meeting Your Highness. I couldn’t do so because you seemed busy.”
“No, it’s fine. It shows on my expression, I suppose. But it’s nothing serious.”
“…I caused quite a fuss. I will be careful, my apologies.”
Marilian mentioned she must attend to the matter commanded by Your Highness. Luian nodded, watching the red hair fade down the corridor. Keeping his hand raised from their previous wave, he held it to his face.
Does it show that clearly? Looking at his reflection in a corridor vase, his expression was blank. …How does she know? Feeling like his thoughts had been read left him dizzy. He lowered his hand and turned his head.
A faint yet oddly irritating sound reached him.
[Luian.]
The golden eyes of his childhood came to mind. A ticklish sensation stirred within. …He knew this feeling. That irritating sound then, like now, had echoed not outside but within him.
It had shaken him and made him look at Ishilia—
“……”
Cheongan, silver-tinged, was struck with astonishment.
—
Moments spent facing Marilian were brief—handing documents to the crown prince or meeting him in the office. Such encounters were rare but comforting. Yet… realizing this made his body tremble. Why did he feel this way?
Confusing days followed, memories of events unclear. Everything passed swiftly. Days with Marilian increased, and he found comfort in silent company. Strolling in the garden, exchanging brief words—everything flowed naturally.
Now, Luian sat on the sofa with Marilian, facing the crown prince.
“Please review this.”
“…A marriage registration?”
The crown prince clicked his tongue as he read the documents Luian handed him. Jordan, who received them, watched sharply.
“This is a child who worked hard for you. Are you alright?”
“…I don’t know.”
“The man once called the romance of the century… It’s absurd enough to make one laugh.”
Though said casually, his feelings surely weren’t. To the crown prince, Luian was a man who had betrayed an old friend. Yet he treated Luian as usual. His calm demeanor was strange. Even noticing the observing gaze, the crown prince quietly tapped the paper Luian had set down. His deep-set amber eyes scanned the document with Luian and Marilian’s names.
“I’ll grant your request.”
“……”
“I said I would. You’re not as happy as expected. I feel the same. Leave it be and step back.”
“Your Highness, I…”
“Leave.”
His blunt voice cut off Luian’s words despite his indifferent expression. A clear dismissal, and he left the crown prince’s office. Red hair approached to greet him. Seeing her anxious face, he smiled. After hesitating, he added:
“It’s alright, Mari.”
“…I see.”
Amber eyes smiled at him. He recalled her joyful expression when he first used the nickname. At that moment, she had expressed happiness toward him—a rare, direct expression, both pleasant and strange.
“A shadow has fallen on your face. Are you truly alright?”
