EIYTMA Chapter 6

It was purely by chance that the young princes ended up staying in the poor and insignificant Querluxia territory.  

 

“Ezekiel!”  

 

Five years ago. It was the season when summer wild roses bloomed in full across the imperial capital. At the time, it was fashionable among the nobility to decorate their mansion window grilles with the first-blooming white wild roses of early summer. The imperial palace was no exception.  

 

On that day, Étienne, sitting amidst the flourishing wild rose bushes, called out to him.  

 

Had he known that call would change his fate, Ezekiel would never have responded to Étienne’s request.  

 

But at the time, Ezekiel was merely an eighteen-year-old prince, still bearing traces of youth.  

 

For princes of the imperial family, even a one-year age gap often made it difficult to be on good terms.  

 

However, the princes of Muirenas were different. That was likely due, in large part, to the fact that Ezekiel had been destined to be dedicated to the gods from the moment of his birth.  

 

Ezekiel was an intelligent and beautiful young man, but his position posed no threat to the imperial throne. Étienne, for his part, was quite fond of his younger brother, despite the small age difference.  

 

So, when Étienne called out to him with a bright smile, Ezekiel went to sit beside him. Étienne pouted his lips.  

 

“Why are you so late?”  

 

That morning, Étienne had sent his attendants to Ezekiel, inviting him to a sparring match. Unfortunately, Ezekiel had already completed his early morning training, and at the time Étienne had wanted to meet, he had a prayer session to attend.  

 

Under normal circumstances, Ezekiel might have postponed the prayer to have breakfast with Étienne.  

 

However, at that time, the High Priest of Sitarux, the god of light and creation, was visiting the imperial palace.  

 

A prince of Muirenas was consecrated at the age of nineteen. A noble would inherit their family estate, and a commoner would marry and take over the family trade or establish a home.  

 

The Emperor of Muirenas had vowed to dedicate his third son, Ezekiel lo Muirenas, to the gods upon his nineteenth birthday. That birthday was approaching in the coming winter.  

 

Since it had not yet been decided which god he would be dedicated to, the High Priests of the seven gods were each making efforts to claim the prince for their own.  

 

Naturally, Ezekiel could not carelessly cancel his meetings with them. As a result, Étienne’s invitation had to be pushed back. Étienne, it seemed, was annoyed by this.  

 

“Sitarux, really? I’m afraid my already too-holy little brother might become even holier.”  

 

“Is that so?”  

 

Ezekiel laughed lightly. Étienne shrugged his shoulders.  

 

“Don’t go there. I hear Sitarux’s holy knights are so strict that they refuse to use the restroom in front of others.”  

 

Sitarux, the god of light, justice, and creation, was known for his particularly strict and conservative doctrines. Perhaps it was because he was the first god, the creator of the world. His priests and holy knights also adhered to extremely rigid principles. Étienne grumbled playfully.  

 

“I’m genuinely scared that if you join them, you’ll turn into a complete statue.”  

 

Unlike the cheerful and mischievous Étienne, Ezekiel was quiet and serious. Of course, when he was with Étienne, he displayed the wit and liveliness typical of young men his age, but only in those moments.  

 

By nature, he was diligent to a degree that was almost unimaginable for a prince born into privilege, and he was not one to talk excessively. Étienne often joked, “I sometimes forget which one of us is supposed to be the crown prince.”  

 

“This summer will be your last, right?”  

 

“Last… might not be the right word. There’s still autumn.”  

 

“But you have to decide before my crown prince ceremony, don’t you?”  

 

Étienne’s birthday had been last autumn. Originally, his crown prince ceremony was scheduled for his nineteenth birthday, but unfortunately, the Empress had passed away just before then.  

 

The Empress of Muirenas had been widely revered, and her passing caused deep sorrow throughout the empire. Because of this, Étienne’s crown prince ceremony had been postponed to this autumn.  

 

“It’s more convenient that way. But Father said I should take my time to decide.”  

 

Ezekiel smiled. The Emperor was especially fond of his third son, who had been dedicated to the gods. It was not hard to see why—Ezekiel was exceptionally intelligent, dependable, and talented in almost everything.  

 

There was even a joke that the phrase “holding one’s child as if they were a treasure” had originated from the Emperor’s treatment of Ezekiel.  

 

Or perhaps…  

 

“To be frank, if Prince Ezekiel hadn’t been dedicated to the gods, Prince Étienne would have been in real danger.”  

 

Such remarks were often whispered among the court. But Ezekiel paid no heed to such words. There was no reason to resist the fate that had already been decided.  

 

In fact, Ezekiel even welcomed the idea of becoming a servant of the gods. He was naturally inclined toward quiet study and self-discipline. The grand and complex affairs of ruling an empire, managing people, and wielding power suited Étienne far better.  

 

Whether Étienne was aware of Ezekiel’s thoughts remained uncertain.  

 

“So, where do you want to go?”  

 

“Well… at this point, Sitarux or…”  

 

“Are you serious?”  

 

“Haha. Irud, the god of earth and cycles, also seems like a good choice.”  

 

Étienne scrunched up his face, but Ezekiel only smiled. He preferred strict, conservative temples. He found it easier to follow established rules. However, Étienne seemed displeased with his choices.  

 

“If you’re going to choose, you might as well pick Elixir. How great would that be? Wine and love! The god of temptation!”  

 

“I heard you’ve recently developed a taste for alcohol, Brother. For the sake of Muirenas’ future, I think I’ll remove Elixir’s temple from my list of options.”  

 

“Oh dear, it seems I have a spy in my court. Where did you get such fresh information?”  

 

Ezekiel shrugged. It wasn’t exactly a secret in the imperial palace that Étienne, having reached adulthood, had taken a great liking to sparkling wine. Still, Ezekiel deliberately answered playfully.  

 

“Lady Arbois has been collecting sparkling wine made from green grapes. How could I not know?”  

 

Now, Étienne’s face was completely crumpled.  

 

Felicia, the Duke of Arbois’ daughter.  

 

Commonly known as Felicia, she was Étienne’s fiancée. Once he became the crown prince, she was to be welcomed as the crown princess.  

 

She was a beautiful woman with dazzling blonde hair, but Étienne did not particularly like her. People said she was excessively meticulous and difficult.  

 

From Ezekiel’s perspective, she simply had a personality befitting the eldest daughter of a ducal family. Of course… she was a poor match for Étienne.  

 

“Why should I care whether that woman collects wine made from green grapes or apple cider?”  

 

“Don’t speak like that. It’s too cruel to a lady who gathers fine wines because she wants to enjoy them with her fiancé.”  

 

“Then why don’t you marry her?”  

 

“Oh dear.”  

 

Ezekiel smiled as he sipped his tea.  

 

“If I could, I’d gladly do so for you.”  

 

“Ugh, Ezekiel! You’re doing this on purpose!”  

 

Annoyed, Étienne started tickling Ezekiel’s side. For the sake of the attendants, who were on edge in case the teacups broke, Ezekiel quickly surrendered.  

 

Étienne huffed but soon burst into laughter.  

 

“So, why did you call for me? If it’s about morning training, tomorrow would have been fine too.”  

 

The fact that Étienne had specifically invited him for a midday tea meant he had something else to discuss. Étienne, who had been tossing a cookie into his mouth, snapped his fingers.  

 

“Oh, right! I wanted to ask you to come on summer vacation with me.”  

 

“Summer vacation?”  

 

Ezekiel’s eyes widened in surprise.  

 

Although Étienne had yet to be formally appointed crown prince, he had been involved in imperial affairs for quite some time. The emperor, believing his still somewhat youthful son should get some rest, always granted him a long summer vacation. This time, it seemed Étienne wanted to bring Ezekiel along.  

 

“But… we are not supposed to go out together, are we?”  

 

The imperial children were, as a rule, never allowed to travel together. If Étienne were to be assassinated, the remaining heir had to ensure the survival of the imperial lineage.  

 

For that reason, Étienne’s vacation had nothing to do with Ezekiel. However, Étienne simply shrugged.  

 

“I told Father I wanted to spend time with you before you’re dedicated to the temple, and he permitted it.”  

 

“Really?”  

 

That was rather surprising. Ezekiel’s eyes widened, and Étienne playfully scrunched his nose.  

 

“Would I lie to you?”  

 

Then, as if revealing a secret, he lowered his voice.  

 

“Actually… Father ordered me to spend my vacation with the Duke of Arbois’ daughter.”  

 

Ah. Now Ezekiel understood.  

 

In other words, Étienne de Muirenas had dragged his innocent younger brother into this just to avoid spending a holiday alone with his fiancée, whom he disliked.  

 

Well, it wasn’t a big deal. Ezekiel had no particular dislike for the Duke’s daughter, and he also welcomed one last vacation with his brother.  

 

“Very well.”  

 

He should not have agreed so easily.