PLQYM | Chapter 17

It was decided that Joachim, the Prince of Antien, would return to his homeland.

After that day at Lake Peino, Lucian was relieved of his duties accompanying the prince on his inspection tours, all due to a sudden order from the Emperor. Lucian didn’t mind in the slightest. In fact, after that strange conversation with Joachim, he felt uncomfortable even looking at him, so the Emperor’s command was a relief.

Lucian next saw Joachim at a farewell banquet held in his honor. After the ceremonial speeches—blessings exchanged between the two nations, gifts presented, and an invitation to visit their kingdom next time—the actual party began. Once Lucian had fulfilled his duties at the Emperor’s side, he was finally given a bit of free time. Typically, he would have had no break, but a request for a private meeting had come from the border count, which granted Lucian a brief respite.

“Luce.”

Just as Lucian was catching his breath in a corner of the banquet hall, Joachim approached him as if he’d been waiting all along. Dressed in formal attire that suited the event, styled perfectly from head to toe, he now looked every bit the dignified royal prince, a far cry from the man who once wielded a bouquet like a sword.

‘He’s so different from the guy who barged in here waving a bouquet.’

Lucian bowed politely as Joachim reached him.

“Your Highness.”

“Oh, don’t bother with such formal greetings.”

Joachim looked around as if making sure no one could overhear and then leaned in to whisper.

“I heard some fool tried to mess with you?”

“Mess…?”

Where does he learn to speak like this? It’s no wonder he and Heraith are so close; they even talk the same way.

“Your choice of words is a bit off, Your Highness. Mess with me?”

Lucian chuckled awkwardly. The person Joachim was referring to was undoubtedly Baron Verti, who had recently tried to bribe him. The baron didn’t seem to have any personal feelings for Lucian; he just wanted to pay his way to make things easier for himself. Yet, somehow, the story had twisted into this.

What’s more, Lucian hadn’t mentioned anything about it, but Heraith found out immediately and removed the baron from his position. It must have been the Emperor’s many eyes and ears around the palace that relayed the story. Rumors even reached Lucian’s ears that the Emperor had been so furious that the baron was lucky to keep his title.

Not that Lucian felt any guilt over it. The baron’s actions weren’t remotely justifiable, and anyone audacious enough to try such a thing in the Imperial Palace would likely do it again.

−A good scare will stop fools from trying.

On that point, Lucian agreed with Heraith’s approach. In any case, this situation was beyond his control.

“Knowing him, he’s probably holding a grudge against you,” Joachim said.

“That seems to be the case.”

Lucian had also heard the rumors that Baron Verti had been openly declaring that he wouldn’t let Lucian off and that he’d get his revenge.

“Don’t worry too much. Heraith will handle it. And if he doesn’t, I can take care of some low-ranking noble like that.”

“Please don’t trouble His Majesty with something so trivial. And no matter what, Your Highness, it wouldn’t be right for you to intervene with another nation’s noble.”

Lucian responded with a faint smile, lowering his gaze in slight discomfort. He felt no regret, but his expression clearly showed he was troubled by the situation.

Joachim frowned as he watched him, muttering to himself.

“Seriously, I really like you.”

Then he tilted his head and asked, “Are you really not going to come with me? I’ll make you my aide and offer triple your current salary. How does that sound?”

“Haha…”

Lucian avoided answering, giving a vague chuckle. He knew Joachim was only joking, anyway. After all, taking such words seriously from an Emperor or a prince could only lead to disappointment.

“Stop pestering him and go back to your own kingdom.”

Heraith had approached, signaling the end of his business, and as he did, the surrounding nobles quickly bowed and dispersed. The Emperor’s words, though likely overheard by some, were promptly forgotten by those around them.

Lucian hurriedly bowed to greet him, while Joachim only offered a casual nod and a sly smile.

“Don’t bully Luce.”

“Bully him? I’m just being thoughtful and considerate. Isn’t that right?”

Joachim looked to Lucian, who maintained his calm demeanor as he replied, “His Highness did apologize for taking me to Lake Peino the other day.”

“Oh?”

Heraith’s brow lifted. Although Lucian hadn’t said anything about it, he seemed to be aware of Heraith’s dislike for that particular incident. That explained why Joachim was so quick to assure Heraith that there was no need to dwell on it now.

‘He’s sharp.’

A keen sense of awareness was something Heraith valued; it made working together easier.

Now, Joachim was the one looking displeased. Despite his full effort to woo Lucian, his target was blocking him at every turn.

“As I’ve said before, if Heraith ever becomes unbearable, you can always come to me. Got it?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline.”

“You never know what the future holds. Don’t rule it out too quickly.”

Joachim let out a chuckle, gesturing to a tray of fruit wine carried by a passing attendant. As the attendant approached, Joachim picked up a glass and offered it to Lucian.

“Apologies, but I’m still on duty,” Lucian said, glancing subtly toward Heraith.

Heraith, observing with an unimpressed look, raised a brow as if to say, How ridiculous. Seeing the disdainful expression on Heraith’s face only seemed to spur Joachim on.

“Well, could you at least humor me with a sip, as a gesture to celebrate my return? After all, I’m the guest of honor here.”

“But…”

“If you don’t take it, I could always delay my departure until you agree to come with me.”

At last, Lucian sighed in defeat and raised his glass. “Then, I’ll drink just a sip, to wish you a safe journey back.”

“Farewell for now; we’ll see each other again soon enough.”

Joachim clinked his glass against Lucian’s, downing his fruit wine with a grin. Lucian followed suit, taking a small sip, unsure if he should finish the glass. Before he could decide, Heraith plucked the glass from his hand and set it back on the attendant’s silver tray.

Joachim scowled at him.

“Heraith, why are you so strict with my Luce?”

“Your Luce? Since when did he become yours?”

“Wow, how petty.”

Before long, the Emperor of the Empire and the Prince of a kingdom were engaged in a childish argument with a tone one would only use in private. Watching them bicker, their expressions carefully controlled, their voices low, Lucian couldn’t help but take a few steps back.

Stepping away until he could no longer hear the conversation, he found it absurdly amusing how, from a distance, it seemed as though they were engaged in serious diplomatic discussions between nations.

Ha… So childish.

As Lucian looked up at the ceiling, shaking his head in disbelief, an attendant approached him with a smile.

“Would you like some fruit wine, Sir?”

The attendant who had previously brought him the wine was back. It seemed they were concerned that Heraith had taken his glass.

Lucian was actually a bit thirsty, but drinking alcohol in this situation… Seeing his hesitation, the attendant offered another glass.

“This one is non-alcoholic.”

Well, if that’s the case, it should be fine to have another sip.

“…Thank you.”

With a polite nod, Lucian accepted the glass. The attendant smiled back and returned to the center of the hall. As Lucian sipped his drink, his eyes drifted toward Heraith and Joachim, who were now deep in what seemed to be a serious discussion.

They’re not children.

Observing their now somber faces, Lucian took another sip of the cool, sweet fruit drink. But then…

As his gaze wandered around the banquet hall, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar face.

Huh?

There, in the crowd, was Baron Verti, the very man Heraith had expelled on his account.

What is he doing here?

The baron, glancing around the room, spotted the attendant who had just handed Lucian his drink. He waved him over with a bright smile.

What…?

Lucian tilted his head in confusion. He had a foreboding feeling. Then, as he saw the baron discreetly pass something to the attendant, that feeling turned into a certainty.

A chill ran down his spine, his heart pounding as blood seemed to rush to his head.

He put something in the drink, didn’t he? And I’m already feeling strange.

It seemed likely that whatever was in his drink had already started to affect him. Lucian looked back toward Heraith and Joachim. They were still engrossed in conversation, their expressions serious. This was clearly not the time to interrupt.

The moment he decided to leave, his vision began to blur, and even as he shook his head, he found it harder and harder to stay upright. His grip on the glass weakened, and it fell, shattering on the floor with a faint chime, lost in the noise of the banquet.

I need to get out of here.

He felt an overwhelming urge to sit—or even better, lie down somewhere. Without fully realizing how shallow his breaths had become, Lucian stumbled his way to the exit, gripping the walls for support.

“Sir Lucian?”

A voice called out to him.