HTTRPIAO Ch 5

‘You’re really…’

For a moment, Etienne frowned as irritation rose. He was about to say something about how inappropriate this behavior was when he paused at Rishar’s next words.

‘Just a little longer. Since I don’t know when I’ll return… can’t you stay with me just a little longer?’

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At the words ‘don’t know when I’ll return,’ his heart gave one big thump. Etienne couldn’t shake off Rishar’s hand. As he said, they didn’t know when they would meet again.

Rishar, who became Grand Duke Eckhart early this year, was departing on an expedition to fulfill his duties as the empire’s youngest general and as a knight who had sworn loyalty to the Emperor.

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His first mission was to deal with the big wave of monsters that had appeared for the first time in 10 years.

Because it was different from normal monster waves, it would take at least several months, or even several years if it took long.

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It was a dangerous mission where he could be seriously injured or die if things went wrong.

When that thought occurred to him, he could no longer reject Rishar. Etienne let out a long sigh and relaxed his body. Rishar’s face brightened.

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‘Hyung-nim.’

‘What.’

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Rishar called Etienne in a low voice to which Etienne responded bluntly.

‘Can I write you letters?’

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Rishar hesitantly opened his mouth while watching Etienne’s reaction. His eyes, like the night sky transported directly into the darkness, sparkled.

Etienne quietly looked at the gentle eyes that didn’t match his large build. His chest felt even tighter than before.

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‘…If you don’t expect replies.’

When he finally managed to answer, color returned to Rishar’s face. He seemed pleased even though Etienne said he wouldn’t reply to the letters.

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Looking at him like this, he’s still just a kid.

Etienne thought as he watched the brightly smiling Rishar. Strangely, the tightness in his chest seemed to have eased a bit.

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‘I should go now.’ Ding, the bell announcing midnight rang from far away. Rishar, who glanced toward the sound, muttered as if regretful.

‘…Take care.’

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This much should be fine, right?

After hesitating briefly, Etienne bid Rishar farewell. At that, his navy blue eyes sparkled as if containing stars.

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‘I’ll be back.’

Rishar greeted with a smiling face. Then he carefully raised his hand. For just a moment, a soft warmth touched Etienne’s cheek before pulling away. Rishar, who withdrew his hand, narrowed his eyes as if making a smile.

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‘Stay healthy.’

After giving his final farewell, Rishar turned around with obvious regret on his face. Etienne stood on the balcony until his figure completely disappeared from view.

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That night, Etienne couldn’t sleep at all.

“…What do you plan to do from now on?”

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“Eh?”

Etienne, who had been lost in reminiscence, returned to reality at the Empress’s voice. The Empress frowned when Etienne asked back blankly.

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“I asked what you plan to do when that guy returns.”

“I will do as Your Majesty commands.”

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“Good.”

Pleased with Etienne’s answer, the Empress nodded lightly.

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“You just need to do as your mother says.”

“Yes, mother.”

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Etienne bowed his head submissively. However, a bitter smile was placed on his lips.

Until now, the Empress had not wanted Etienne to do anything on his own. The only thing she wanted from her son was one thing: not to be discovered as an Omega.

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“To think of making a branch family member the heir instead of his own child, he must be completely insane.”

The Empress muttered with a face that seemed more incredulous the more she thought about it.

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“There seem to be some idiots calling him a hero recently, but don’t mind it.”

“Yes.”

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Etienne answered mechanically. The achievements Rishar had made over the past 3 years were formidable enough for the Empress to be wary.

Not only had he successfully blocked the big wave of monsters, but he had also repelled the barbarians who had been eyeing the empire. It was an achievement worthy of being called a hero.

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It was natural that support grew for the opinion that Rishar should be made crown prince instead of Etienne, who had yet to accomplish anything notable.

“From now on, you will also engage in public activities.”

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“…Excuse me?”

Etienne’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. The Empress let out a light snort.

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“Why are you surprised? The situation has changed because of that guy and the Emperor. Even if you can’t go on expeditions and achieve merit like him, you should at least show your presence as a prince.”

“Ah, yes.”

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“Don’t worry too much. Your mother will prepare everything. You just need to show your face a few times while being careful like now.”

“Understood.”

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“Ah, do pay attention to your reputation.”

“Reputation…?”

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“Make sure you don’t get called things like ‘the rogue prince of the imperial family.'”

Rogue prince.

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For a moment, laughter rose at that word the Empress used. Etienne put strength into the corners of his lips.

If he laughed here, the Empress would surely find it strange. He had to manage his expression to avoid suspicion.

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“No more conflicts with nobles like last time. Refrain from alcohol for a while too.”

“That time I had no other choice. A mere viscount’s son dared to disrespect me, a prince.”

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Etienne spoke arrogantly on purpose, realizing which incident the Empress was referring to. While others might have frowned at his words, she did not.

The Empress, who had been born into high nobility, had clear views on social hierarchy and deeply ingrained superiority.

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“You did well there. Foals that don’t know their place and run wild need to be stepped on.”

As Etienne expected, the Empress’s voice softened a bit. She thought her son had finally said something right.

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“Still, show some restraint. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

“I will try. But please understand about the alcohol.”

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“What?”

“I don’t want to drink either, but it can’t be helped. You know why too, Your Majesty. I need alcohol because of the medicines I’m taking.”

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“Hmm.”

The Empress contemplated Etienne’s words. Etienne was taking not just one or two medicines.

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Medicine to suppress heat cycles, medicine to suppress hormones, medicine to weaken pheromones, medicine to hide his jewel eyes, and so on…

Etienne had been taking medicines to hide his Omega traits since he was a child. 

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Even the best medicine can become poison if taken in excess. But the medicine that Etienne had been taking was artificially controlling what should happen naturally.

Obviously, this was bound to cause problems.

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Because of this, the doctor and apothecary in charge of Etienne recommended that he drank alcohol occasionally, saying that when intoxicated, his nervousness and tense body would naturally relax.

That was the only way to lower the stress levels accumulated in his body.

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“It can’t be helped.”

If the balance between body and mind is broken and he can’t control his pheromones, everything would be in vain.

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Although the Empress frowned in displeasure, she took a step back. She too knew that Etienne’s body was at its limit, like a cracked glass.

“Drink alcohol… but be careful with your behavior so people don’t start calling you a rogue prince.”

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“I will be careful.”

“You may leave now. I will inform you of your duties through the head maid.”

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“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Etienne answered obediently. After bowing according to protocol, he left the reception room.

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“Your Highness!”

After passing through the long corridor and stepping outside, Ben, who had been anxiously pacing in front of the Empress’s palace, came running.

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“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

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Etienne smiled faintly. He exhaled deeply as if releasing a held breath. Only after leaving the Empress’s palace could he finally breathe properly.

 

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* * *

 

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“We have arrived.”

At the coachman’s voice, Etienne slowly opened his eyes. As the carriage came to a complete stop, Ben, who had been sitting across from him, stood up.

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“Your Highness.”

Ben, standing before Etienne, called out to him with an apologetic expression.

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“I’ll apply the eye drops.”

“…Alright.”

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Etienne answered in a subdued voice, tilting his head slightly back. Upon receiving Etienne’s permission, Ben took out a small medicine bottle from his chest. Then he moved his hand with careful motions.

Drip.

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A black droplet fell into eyes that looked as if aquamarine had been embedded in them. At that moment, his eyes burned as if touched by fire.

Etienne endured the pain while biting his lower lip. Despite being a situation that happened frequently, he never got used to the burning pain that made him feel like his eyeballs were melting.

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“It’s done.”

Etienne blinked his eyes open and closed, feeling the stinging gradually subside. When his eyes opened again, they were incredibly dull.

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Ben sadly watched as the eyes that had sparkled like a clear lake lost their sparkle and became cloudy. Etienne pretended not to notice Ben’s gaze as he got up.

“Let’s go.”

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“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ben, composing his expression, tapped the coachman’s seat. The carriage door swung open as if on cue.

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“Your Highness, just a moment.”

Ben, who had stepped out first, reached out to adjust Etienne’s clothing.

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“All done.”

Ben withdrew his hands with a satisfied expression. Etienne, dressed more elaborately than usual, was beautiful enough to draw admiration from anyone who saw him.

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“You look wonderful today.”

“Such flattery.”

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“It’s not flattery, it’s just the truth.”

Ben protested as if wronged. His gaze moved to the red diamond brooch on Etienne’s chest.

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“Even all red diamonds pale in comparison to your beauty, Your Highness.”

The brooch made with red diamonds, of which there were only about thirty in the world, was sent to Etienne this morning by the Empress Leona.

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While Leona usually showed no interest in whatever Etienne did, it was different when he had to appear before many people.

Regardless of her dislike for him, she didn’t want him to be looked down upon by others besides herself.

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After all, Etienne was her child and carried the blood of the Herace house.

 

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