PLQYM | Chapter 11

In an instant, Lucian’s face grew even stiffer than before.

The more Prince Joachim watched him with mischievous curiosity, the more Lucian’s face hardened.

‘Can’t believe I have to listen to this kind of garbage.’

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Well, at least his expression didn’t betray his thoughts as usual; maybe that was lucky.

Lucian glanced at the teacup placed before him, smacking his lips at the bitter taste forming in his mouth. He smelled the sweet fragrance of tea rose, but his mood was beginning to sink.

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‘What on earth is he thinking?’

In these past few hectic days, he’d learned that the relationship between Emperor Heraith and Prince Joachim was neither ally nor enemy—it was right in-between.

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Due to the intertwined history of Pranas and Antien, it couldn’t exactly be called friendly. However, because of their long-standing bond since childhood, the two men had a relationship far more amicable than that of typical heads of different states.

It was said that ever since Heraith was appointed as Crown Prince, an invisible wall had formed between the two. But that was only in the eyes of outsiders.

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‘If they’re biting at each other without regard for prying eyes, they’re probably on pretty good terms.’

If they really didn’t get along, they wouldn’t look at each other at all.

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Not knowing he had a somewhat distorted view of the two men, Lucian had come to that conclusion.

Still, that didn’t mean he had to indulge in such talk himself.

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Lucian was annoyed.

Had it been anyone but a prince of a foreign nation, he might have had a thing or two to say.

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Taking a slow, deep breath, Lucian tried to quell the anger that flared up within him.

They say like attracts like. If this person had a similar disposition to the Emperor, he’d likely latch onto any mistake and follow it with even more troublesome questions.

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No, even more, he didn’t want to give a foreigner any excuse to spread strange rumors.

“Is that what’s trending in Antien these days?”

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“Trending? What do you mean?” Joachim’s eyebrow arched at Lucian’s question, as if to ask what on earth he was talking about.

“Antien’s royal family seems to enjoy making up ridiculous scandals about royalty.”

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“Huh?”

“Or perhaps Your Highness just enjoys spreading such nonsense.”

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While Lucian spoke in a straight-laced tone, Joachim looked like he was at a loss for words.

It was a jab meant to catch Joachim off guard by exploiting a rare lapse in his composure.

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Lucian hadn’t expected a response, but he thought Joachim would at least be a bit surprised. However, he didn’t anticipate this.

“I don’t understand why personal feelings would be involved in my duty of serving His Majesty.”

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Does this Empire only select people with poker faces to serve as the Emperor’s aides, or do they put them through poker face training before sending them out?

Joachim clicked his tongue inwardly as he observed Lucian, who was just as expressionless as Heraith, but in his own distinct way.

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As he watched Lucian calmly express his words in a low, steady tone, it somehow stirred a sense of rivalry within Joachim.

‘If he’s like this, I won’t back down either.’

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Determined and knowing that the aide would once again complain about his strange habits, Joachim leaned towards Lucian. “So you’re saying you and Heraith don’t have a special relationship?”

“Of course not.”

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“What?” Once again, Joachim received an unexpected answer from Lucian. “You’re really not interested in Heraith romantically…?”

Joachim looked genuinely baffled, as though he’d just heard the most ridiculous thing in his life. “He is the Emperor of the Great Empire of Pranas before being my superior. And I am the one serving as his personal aide. Where could I find a more special honor?”

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If you just listened to his words, you’d think no one could be more loyal to the Empire than him, yet Lucian’s gaze, while mentioning the Emperor, was as cold as ice.

“Eh, somehow I doubt that’s the truth.”

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“It is the truth. I consider it an exceptional honor.”

Joachim almost laughed out loud at Lucian’s brazen declaration that did not carry a shred of falsehood.

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He decided to let it slide for now. There was no reason to keep sparring over this with the mulish aide.

Besides, there was no need to dig up something he denied himself.

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In any case, that wasn’t what truly mattered to him.

“So, you’re telling me you really don’t harbor any special feelings for Heraith?”

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“Why do you keep asking the obvious?” Lucian replied, looking genuinely confused.

‘Hmm…’ Joachim’s face finally broke into a grin.

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The killing smile that caused countless noble ladies of his kingdom to swoon was now directed at Lucian. Joachim lowered his voice. “In that case, what about me?”

“Pardon?”

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Oh-ho! Those wide, surprised eyes were actually quite cute. Was this why Heraith kept this man around?

“Me. I’m talking about me,” Joachim said, gesturing to himself. “What do you think of me as a partner?”

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“…”

No one had ever resisted his smile like this. Though he might fall slightly short compared to Heraith, Joachim was surely an outstanding option–no, actually, he was the best.

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Though his hair was more like a lion’s golden mane than Heraith’s platinum shine, his eyes—a pure, mesmerizing emerald green—captivated anyone who dared to meet them.

Despite such high standards, Lucian felt nothing for this prince.

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‘Both His Majesty and this man… they know exactly how powerful their looks are.’

And that was the problem.

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Thanks to the Emperor, Lucian had grown so accustomed to Heraith’s own dazzling looks that most beauty didn’t faze him anymore; he’d probably have been swayed if it weren’t for that.

But the man he dealt with daily was none other than Emperor Heraith, whose beauty and biting wit were unmatched.

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Whether or not it was realistic, Lucian wouldn’t even blink unless someone more striking or more eloquent than the Emperor appeared.

Should he be thanking the Emperor for that?

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Feeling almost grateful to Heraith, Lucian couldn’t help but chuckle.

Maybe it was the relaxation brought by the thought of the Emperor, but his tension finally eased as he lowered his gaze from Joachim. His expression, so carefully kept, also softened.

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At that moment, Joachim’s eyes widened.

The young aide to the Emperor, whom he’d thought of as nothing more than a greenhorn, suddenly transformed. The tightly guarded face softened with a smile, revealing a pure, pale expression.

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Not that he’d transformed into some world-class beauty to capture the prince’s gaze. And beauty-wise, could anyone surpass the Emperor of the Empire? But this aide had a captivating charm that wasn’t dependent on good looks.

White skin, clear ice-blue eyes, a black mane with a chaste air, a slim yet firm body, and a slender waist.

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Something about him stirred an intense urge to push him down and keep him there…

“Your Highness?”

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The call snapped Joachim out of his daydream.

Those clear ice-blue eyes, again guarded and calm, were back on him.

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“Right then…” Clearing his throat subtly, Joachim regained his composure and resumed with a smile. “Since you and Heraith aren’t close like that, then I’d say I’ve got a chance.”

But this time, his proposal came with a much different intensity than before.

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What had started as playful teasing now carried a real sincerity.

Lucian must have sensed the difference, as his gaze filled with caution. “…That remark is over the line. Please keep in mind the weight of your words and refrain from jokes.”

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“I may enjoy joking, but I was serious about that last part.”

“…!”

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Lucian barely suppressed the irritation rising within him as he stared back at Joachim.

Why did only these kinds of people appear around him?

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Both His Majesty and this man weren’t the type to be unaware of the gravity of their words. But listening to them speak sometimes, it was hard to tell if they were serious or joking.

‘Do they see me as someone easy?’

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No way.

Not that it mattered, though. Even if it was annoying.

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“If you have no further business with me, may I be excused?”

“…”

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Finally, Lucian stood to leave.

Joachim looked up at him with a mischievous smile across his face. “Alright. But I’d like you to come a bit earlier tomorrow. At this hour, we can hardly get anything done, can we?”

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“Please take that up with His Majesty. I have no authority over it.”

As much as Lucian wanted to deny it, it seemed he’d gained yet another ‘strange’ boss.

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Well, maybe they’d do better to chat among themselves.

As for himself, a humble subordinate, he had no intention of getting involved in their affairs.

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“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.” Lucian gave a deep bow and prepared to exit.

Whatever his thoughts were, Joachim made no move to stop him this time. “Come early, Luce. Very early.”

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Honestly, both him and His Majesty—was ignoring what people said a noble trait?

“I’ll take my leave.” Lucian left without further reply.

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“…”

Once he was gone, the air that had felt so lively sank.

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The teacup was left completely cold, without even a wisp of steam rising from it.

Joachim took Lucian’s teacup, found where he’d touched it, and took a sip, lounging back leisurely in his chair.

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The chill of the tea, now bitter in his throat, left a taste much like the rejection he’d just felt from Lucian.

Placing the cup down, Joachim muttered to himself, “How has Heraith managed not to lay a hand on him all this time?”

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Joachim prided himself on knowing his friend, Emperor Heraith, better than anyone, and this puzzled him all the more.

So then…

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“Is he saving him because he’s too precious?”

But anyway, thanks to that, it seemed he had his own opportunity, and for that, he could be grateful.

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“Heraith. Ever heard of ‘losing it if you hoard it too long?’” He chuckled to himself, picking up Lucian’s teacup once more.

Perhaps because he looked forward to seeing Lucian tomorrow, the tea tasted much sweeter than before.

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