Chapter 10
“Oh right. Sis, could you send a message to my family and ask them to bring the things from my laboratory at home? I don’t have my usual tools or ingredients, so it’s really inconvenient.”
While organizing the gifts the Emperor had given me in my bedroom, I asked Sis to contact my family. The new laboratory was spacious and comfortable, but I still preferred using my own equipment.
“Ah, Lady Rine. I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince already asked the Astell estate to send your belongings yesterday. They should arrive this afternoon.”
“Ivan did? He never told me.”
“He said you treasured your research materials, so you would probably look for them soon. He said he would contact them personally.”
He knew I’d need them and contacted my family in advance?
I’d noticed it before, but his thoughtful side seemed to be genuine.
Since Ivan’s public image was so perfectly polished, it was hard to tell which parts of him were real.
Then again…
Just because he was a demon didn’t mean he couldn’t be considerate.
“Did my family say anything? If Ivan contacted them, they must already know about the engagement.”
“No. They only asked us to tell Your Future Highness that they hope you’re doing well.”
Sis smiled awkwardly.
She explained that because it involved my family, she had planned to tell me after the party, when things had calmed down.
I could easily imagine what my family was doing.
They had probably thrown a celebration.
Well… I guess that’s understandable.
I’d lived like a complete recluse.
I rarely attended social events.
I barely even left the house.
I spent nearly all my time locked inside my laboratory.
Even my parents and the servants constantly worried about me.
At least they didn’t oppose the engagement.
If my parents approved…
The only remaining problem was…
Rion Astell.
My older brother.
Just like a true sibling…
Whenever Rion buried himself inside the Magic Tower for research, he forgot the entire outside world.
Seeing him became almost impossible.
Sometimes a poor junior mage would barely escape his laboratory screaming,
“That man is insane!”
Only then would anyone know Rion was still alive.
If Rion found out…
He wouldn’t even listen to my explanation.
He’d immediately oppose the engagement.
Honestly…
It’s better if he doesn’t find out until this fake engagement is over.
There were about two hours left before the victory banquet.
We couldn’t arrive after the Emperor, so we needed to head there early.
But first…
There was somewhere I wanted to visit.
“Sis.”
“Has there been any reply from the Carrot Palace?”
“No.”
“I sent someone quite a while ago…”
“It’s strange.”
“I’ve already sent another messenger.”
“Could you wait just a little longer?”
I’d sent word asking to visit Ate at the Carrot Palace.
I wanted to deliver the Emperor’s gift and check on his condition.
But no reply had come back.
If Ate had simply fallen asleep, the servants would have told us.
The complete silence bothered me.
“I should go myself.”
“It’s strange that no one has answered.”
“The gift for Prince Ate has been wrapped.”
The Emperor’s artifact had been beautifully packaged.
A pretty gift wrapping always made the recipient happier.
So we hurried toward the Carrot Palace.
As we got closer…
The palace felt strangely quiet.
Of course, it wasn’t close to the Diamond Palace where the party would be held.
Still…
It was the residence of an Imperial Prince.
It should have been much livelier.
“Why is it so quiet?”
“I don’t even see any servants.”
“Maybe they’re all inside?”
“…Let’s hurry.”
“I have a bad feeling.”
If the Prince had simply been sick…
The news would already have spread.
This silence gave me a terrible feeling.
When we entered the palace…
I spotted a passing servant and quickly stopped him.
“Excuse me.”
“Where is Prince Ate?”
“Is he seriously ill?”
“Ah!”
“Lady Astell!”
“His Highness is in his bedroom.”
The servant answered nervously.
But he clearly avoided saying anything else.
He was definitely hiding something.
When we reached the bedroom…
The maid standing outside looked extremely flustered.
Of course…
We hadn’t made an official appointment.
But this wasn’t ordinary embarrassment.
“Please tell the Prince I’ve come to see him.”
“Lady Astell…”
“I’m terribly sorry.”
“But His Highness isn’t in any condition to receive visitors.”
“Please return.”
“Lady Rine only came to deliver the gift His Majesty bestowed upon the Prince.”
Sis pointed toward the gift.
“If His Highness isn’t asleep, please allow her to check on him.”
The moment the Emperor was mentioned…
The maid hesitated.
After thinking for a moment…
She slowly opened the door.
“Please…”
“Don’t speak loudly.”
“His Highness has been suffering since dawn…”
“He’s very sensitive today.”
So it really was serious.
Sis looked puzzled.
“Why wasn’t anyone informed?”
“His Highness said…”
“He didn’t want to ruin the joyful day of His Majesty’s victorious return.”
“He repeatedly begged us not to tell anyone.”
“We had no choice.”
The maid quietly explained.
Now I finally understood why everything had been so quiet.
Inside the room…
Only Ate lay in bed.
No one else was there.
Sis handed me the gift.
“I’ll wait outside.”
Then she quietly left.
The room became silent.
As I approached the bed…
I saw Ate struggling to breathe.
“Huff…”
“Huff…”
He looked miserable.
“Again?”
“I told you to get out.”
“Those medicines don’t work anyway.”
Sensing someone nearby…
Ate waved his hand irritably without opening his eyes.
When I didn’t respond…
He slowly opened them.
“…You?”
“How did you get here?”
His blue eyes widened.
Then he let out a long sigh.
“Isn’t the party about to start?”
“You shouldn’t be wasting time here.”
“Hmm.”
“You’re only ten.”
“So why are you trying so hard to act like an adult?”
“W-What?”
He frowned in disbelief.
Since nobody else was around…
I decided to speak honestly.
“If you’re sick…”
“Just say you’re sick.”
“It’s okay.”
“You’re still a child.”
“Once you’re an adult…”
“There’ll be many more times when you’ll have to endure pain without saying anything.”
“…You don’t know, do you?”
“I’ll never become an adult.”
“The doctors all said…”
“I’ll die before reaching adulthood.”
A dark shadow crossed Ate’s pale face.
I silently looked at him.
Then placed the gift package into his arms.
“…What’s this?”
“A gift from His Majesty.”
“He brought it back from the western frontier.”
“…Father?”
He hesitated.
Then carefully unwrapped it.
When he saw the brilliant diamond necklace…
He slowly frowned.
“Wow.”
“It’s ugly.”
“Who even wears something like this these days?”
“Oh?”
“If you don’t want it…”
“I’ll take it back.”
“I-I never said I didn’t want it!”
The moment I reached for it…
Ate hugged the necklace tightly.
Ha.
So you actually like it.
When I told him it contained a defensive magic artifact…
His face brightened even more.
He looked genuinely happy that the Emperor knew what he liked.
“You came just to give me this, right?”
“I got it.”
“Now leave.”
“Sorry.”
“I can’t.”
“Huh?”
No matter how I looked at it…
The fancy clothes hanging nearby were clearly meant for today’s party.
Which meant…
He’d been preparing for it for quite a while.
“You want to go to the party, don’t you?”
Ate stayed silent.
He probably needed time to think.
Maybe I should wait.
“…But…”
“If I cough up blood there…”
“I’ll ruin the party.”
“And…”
“It’s already too late to get ready.”
After a while…
He honestly admitted how he felt.
He’d been acting like an adult the whole time.
But after receiving the gift…
His guard had finally come down.
Now you finally look like a ten-year-old.
“Oh dear.”
“Should I help?”
…Huh?
A voice suddenly came from behind me.
Startled…
I turned around.
Standing against the wall…
Was Ivan.
His neatly combed black hair and dark green military uniform suited him perfectly.
“…Brother?”
“Ivan?”
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
“More importantly…”
“It’s not too late.”
Ivan smiled.
Then opened the door.
The maids waiting outside immediately entered with determined expressions.
“Hurry.”
“The party will begin soon.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
As the maids surrounded Ate…
Ivan walked over to me.
Then…
With a more serious expression than usual…
He gently took my hand.
“Rine.”
“Can I speak with you for a moment?”
