Chapter 121

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Devoncia staggered and caught himself against the wall. He felt dizzy, almost as if he were suffering from anemia. Even though he’d only just recovered from being ill a few months ago, he could feel a fever creeping back into his body.

He stood there, head bowed, steadying his breath before calling for a maid.

“Meiji.”

One of the maids standing nearby quickly approached, bowing her head.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring me some ice.”

“It’s right here.”

The maid, Meiji, held out a glass already prepared with ice.

Devoncia took a single ice cube from the glass and placed it in his mouth. By now, whenever he felt a fever coming on, he’d gotten into the habit of sucking on ice. There were still two more weeks left in the royal schedule here. If the Crown Prince were to collapse from illness, it would be a disgrace, not only for the Empire, but for the kingdom as well.

After melting a few more pieces of ice in his mouth and composing himself, Devoncia straightened up and found Skylar approaching him.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Skylar watched him intently, dressed in all the finery of someone who’d just come from a banquet. His eyes swept over him from head to toe, sharp suspicion flickering in his gaze.

Even so, Devoncia greeted her with a gentle, amiable smile.

“Are you worried about me?”

Skylar didn’t bother to answer, only narrowing his eyes. The look he gave him was even more piercing, as if demanding an explanation.

Devoncia feigned ignorance and turned to gaze out the window. The sky, still tinged with the last traces of sunset, was painted a soft lavender. It was nothing like the pitch-dark academy. The scenery, with its obvious difference in time, only made his eyes feel heavier.

It was already past midnight in the Empire, but in the Kingdom, it was only eight in the evening—the perfect hour for a banquet to be in full swing.

Remembering this, he spoke in a gentle, chiding tone.

“What would people think if two members of the imperial family leave at once? At the very least, you should stay and hold down the fort, Skylar.”

“And why aren’t you able to do that?”

“Who knows, maybe my time’s come.”

Devoncia used his status to make a sly joke. A remark that, depending on her response, could be twisted into an accusation of treason or lèse-majesté. Even the slightest hint of agreement could be seen as wishing for the death of the Empire’s next heir. It was a truly uncomfortable and dangerous way to speak.

Skylar had lived through this kind of game from him hundreds of times. He might be a prince and never actually punished for a slip of the tongue, but if he gave him something to use against him, it would be a real nuisance.

At times like this, the best thing to do was simply ignore him.

“….”

“It was just a joke. You can relax.”

“Some joke.”

Devoncia gave him a faint, unimpressed smile and dismissed the attendants. With a single flick of his hand, the maids and guards quickly left the room.

Once the door closed, he got straight to the point.

“What do you think of Flannel’s proposal?”

“What’s there to think about? It wasn’t scheduled to begin with, and it was just idle chatter, so there’s no need to issue any sort of official response. If they want to make a formal request, they should at least offer something concrete, then I might consider it.”

“That’s a rather cold answer. Still, the princess seemed to like you quite a bit. Would it hurt to be a little kinder to her?”

“Why should I?”

Devoncia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at her blunt reply. There was a clear sense of hostility in his brother’s words and actions. Old resentment, or perhaps a long-standing sense of inferiority, feelings that had almost boiled over during their sparring match a few days ago.

“Don’t worry. I won’t take anything from you this time.”

“I’m not worried. It’s not like you’d ever take something unless it was mine to begin with.”

“That’s not wrong.”

Devoncia didn’t deny it. Still holding onto the window frame, he looked out toward the east, the direction of the Empire. Skylar noticed where his gaze lingered and felt a vague sense of irritation he couldn’t quite explain.

“Are you done with your questions now?”

His voice was cool. Devoncia continued speaking, still refusing to look at him.

“Seems you still have questions for me.”

“Are you having trouble with your magic?”

“No one’s magic is ever truly perfect, Skylar.”

“Do you really think I’d ask without knowing that much? Don’t try to lecture me and just answer the question.”

“Why? Did you dig around and come up empty-handed?”

“….”

“Silence isn’t a good look, you know. It’s too easy to take it as an admission.”

Devoncia always had a way of admonishing Skylar that felt like mockery. He loathed it, but even in a foreign country, he wasn’t about to cause a scene by grabbing him by the collar.

Barely reining in his irritation, he shot back at his brother.

“Deflecting the question isn’t a good look, either. It makes you seem caught off guard, like my casual question hit the mark.”

Skylar’s retort was razor-sharp, striking right at his weak spot. However, Devoncia’s shameless face didn’t flinch. He merely kept that picture-perfect smile.

Annoyed, Skylar immediately opened the door and swept out of the drawing room. Once he’d left, Devoncia let his smile fade. His mood was foul as well. They’d both spent the day poking at each other’s vulnerabilities.

“Meiji.”

He summoned his servant with a word.

Immediately, Meiji, who had been waiting outside, entered the drawing room. Bowing her head, she awaited her master’s command.

“Do you have instructions for me?”

“I’ve decided to accept Flannel’s proposal. Listen carefully to what I’m about to say, and deliver it word-for-word to the King of Flannel.”

Meiji moved closer to the Crown Prince, ready to memorize his message. Devoncia lowered his head and whispered the confidential contents softly into her ear.