PLQYM | Chapter 9

Heraith’s eyebrow twitched.

“You’re asking for Luce?”

“Oh, is his name Luce? That’s a cute name.”

Joachim smirked, even giving Lucian a playful wink for good measure. He certainly was a charming man. His laid-back attitude, unusual for someone of royal status, was quite a contrast to Heraith’s prickly nature. But that charm seemed to have little effect on Lucian. In fact, it was almost the opposite.

‘This is so annoying. Am I an object or something to be handed around?’

Someone once said: when your boss smiles kindly, be on guard. After all, why would a superior smile at a subordinate? It’s usually when they’re about to give you something to do. Although, to be fair, his boss always overloaded him with work, smile or no smile.

Now, seeing this smile from another “untouchable” figure like Joachim… to Lucian, it felt like a smile straight from hell. And as if that wasn’t enough, standing beside him was his direct superior, shooting terrifying glances that made it clear he wasn’t pleased with the situation.

Feeling utterly powerless, Lucian could only do his best to read the room.

‘I’d better just stare at the ceiling.’

With a blank face, Lucian stood upright, staring fixedly at nothing, as if to say he wouldn’t be swayed by whatever the prince said. Joachim’s smile deepened, seeming entertained by Lucian’s indifference. Finding Lucian unmoved, Joachim turned his attention back to Heraith.

“Weren’t you planning to assign one of your aides to be my guide anyway?”

He wasn’t wrong. Every time, as a gesture of respect to the Antien prince, the emperor would assign one of his aides to attend to him, with instructions to treat him like royalty. Though they called it “hospitality,” neither Heraith nor Joachim took that at face value.

‘It’s just surveillance disguised as hospitality.’

The emperor wanted real-time updates on where Joachim went, what he saw, and how he reacted. With a satisfied smile, Joachim looked at Heraith, his eyes glinting with curiosity and expectation.

“If a rookie like that tags along, you’ll be uncomfortable. You need to assign a more experienced one. And besides, if you assign someone else, Yulie might be disappointed.”

“Ah, right. There’s that guy.”

At Heraith’s calm response, Joachim laughed as if he’d just remembered, though his lips trembled slightly. Yulie Erich was the emperor’s Chief of Staff, one of the most inscrutable and formidable figures among those who served the emperor.

“But as I recall, he hasn’t returned from his trip yet. Last I heard, you sent him to the Southern Border Count.”

“Hm.”

Heraith tilted his head, leaning to one side of his chair.

“Didn’t know you were so interested in my Imperial affairs.”

“It’s just a bit of interest in a friend. The empire, the kingdom—none of that matters to me.”

At that, Heraith smiled a painted-on smile.

Meanwhile, pretending to look into the distance, Lucian subtly glanced at the two men and came to his own conclusion.

‘Well, at least our side’s got the better looks.’

Although the Antien prince was certainly handsome, Lucian still found him far inferior to the Pranas emperor, even if he looked at him while doing a handstand. Reaffirming this fact to himself, Lucian maintained a mask of indifference.

Joachim, still determined, continued to pester Heraith.

“Then how about until Yulie comes back? You’ll be busy anyway. Besides, he’s still a rookie, right? He can’t have much work to do yet…”

“He’s busy.”

“What?”

“Our Luce, he’s busy.”

Keeping his smile, Heraith continued.

“Though he may look like a green Academy graduate, he’s a once-in-a-century genius.”

Excuse me?

Lucian doubted his ears. Who? Me?

Hearing this for the first time in his life, Lucian’s gaze, which had been fixed in the distance, finally turned toward the two men. But they continued their silent showdown, exchanging glances as if the first to look away would lose.

“So he’s already handling major tasks. Can’t let him go just for you.”

“For an old friend, can’t you be a bit generous? Who knows when I’ll get to visit again. Back home, I can barely have any fun because of my brother’s watchful eyes.”

“Yeah, I don’t think so. I can’t manage without our Luce.”

Our Luce?

A slight crack appeared between Lucian’s brows.

‘Since when did I become “our Luce” to His Majesty?’

Lucian couldn’t help but react this time. He had no idea what the emperor was up to, showering him with such exaggerated praise.

“Fine then!”

Joachim clapped his hands together.

“Let’s ask ‘our’ Luce himself.”

“Our?”

This time, Heraith’s brow twitched. His irritation was practically seeping out now, but Joachim was unfazed by the emperor’s increasingly sharp demeanor, still smiling brightly.

Well, birds of a feather flock together. Both Prince Joachim and Emperor Heraith were formidable in their own ways.

“So, Luce, what do you want to do?”

But Lucian couldn’t finish his thoughts because Joachim, using the emperor’s pet name for him, had directly addressed him. Suddenly, both men’s gazes bore into Lucian, as if asking him to choose between them.

‘Seriously, what am I supposed to do here?’

Flustered, Lucian alternated glances between Heraith and Joachim. Although Heraith appeared unaffected, he was clearly displeased. Having become attuned to Heraith’s moods over the past few months, Lucian could tell the emperor’s mood was at rock bottom.

Meanwhile, Joachim, smiling as ever, looked delighted, eagerly anticipating Lucian’s choice.

‘Why are there only oddballs around His Majesty? Does something about him attract these unusual types?’

Even as he chastised himself for jumping to conclusions, he couldn’t shake the feeling he wasn’t entirely wrong. These two alone were more than enough to account for the “oddity” quota.

Lucian paused to consider his options. Judging from the emperor’s expression, it seemed he didn’t want him to serve the prince. Naturally, Lucian wanted to do what the emperor desired and avoid what he didn’t. But outright refusal might offend the prince.

In the best-case scenario, it might blow over as a small incident, but worst-case, it could lead to something major. After all, international relations often hinge on trivial matters. Wars have started, and lifelong grudges have been forged over the smallest things.

‘Why am I even being asked this?’

Of course, Lucian couldn’t care less about international affairs or diplomatic tensions. To him, the most pressing concern was:

‘I really don’t want to answer this. What good could possibly come from two high-ranking superiors asking a rookie to pick a side?’

All he could do was smile and politely say, “I’m still new, so please guide me.”

‘Come on, think about it. I’m a rookie, and my superiors are the emperor of an empire and a royal prince. How could they expect me to answer that honestly?’

Despite his internal frustration, Lucian forced a bright smile, pressing a hand to his chest and bowing respectfully as he spoke as earnestly as possible.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, I’ve only recently started working as His Majesty’s aide. So, I wouldn’t even know what to do if I were to serve Your Highness.”

Joachim’s face visibly drooped in disappointment, while Heraith’s gaze softened slightly.

“But it would be improper for me to refuse Your Highness outright.”

Lucian turned to Heraith and flashed a gentle smile, bright and innocent as he could muster. At that moment, Heraith’s brows pinched sharply. Joachim stared at Lucian in surprise, though Lucian, busy meeting Heraith’s gaze, missed it entirely.

“However, since you’re asking my opinion, I think it would be reasonable if I assisted His Highness only during the times I’m not serving His Majesty.”

“Oh?”

“…”

Though, of course, that would still require His Majesty’s permission.

Lucian’s response was as gracious as he could make it. Joachim seemed pleased, but Heraith’s face turned stony. Lucian once again bowed his head respectfully.

“But ultimately, I will follow His Majesty’s decision.”

I did what I could. If you order me to serve the prince, I’ll do it. What choice do I have?

Still bowing, Lucian waited for the emperor’s reply, unaware that Heraith’s face was crumpling behind him.

The emperor was in a terrible mood.

In the end, following Lucian’s suggestion, they continued with their usual schedule, with the prince receiving his guidance for only three hours—either in the morning or afternoon. Joachim took it without complaint, pleased with the compromise. Heraith, however, was far from pleased, pacing around his chambers with a scowl.

–Then, I’ll see you at tea tomorrow. I’ll be counting on you.

After giving Lucian’s shoulder a few taps and flashing a mischievous grin, Joachim headed to his lodgings. For Lucian, who had no choice but to follow orders, there wasn’t much else to think about.

Then, as Heraith was still pacing and mumbling to himself, he abruptly stopped and looked straight at Lucian. In two strides, he closed the gap between them, and their eyes locked.

Heraith’s angry gaze burned with intensity as it bore into Lucian’s.