Calen Castle
–
At Adam's words, Killian looked at Juliet again.
The maid in front of him was truly unique.
She was dignified, not servile, and even rude in the face of her status and authority, even though she was a maid who had no good status and no wealth.
It was a wonder he didn't like such impudence and didn't get angry.
It was funny and cute to see his fluttery glasses twitching on his nose as he looked at her silently.
His low spirits gone, he laughed.
“Alright, that’s a very good opinion, so we will proceed with the meeting once we arrive in Ricaren.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.
I think we will be very busy this summer.
We will have unexpected guests and the new business, and in two months, Ricaren's broken Magic Square will finally be restored.
My heart is pounding because I think something big is going to happen.”
With Adam's excited voice, Killian unknowingly hardened his impression.
He liked the new business, but he didn't want unexpected guests.
He was irritated.
Furthermore, if the Magic Square was restored, traveling to and from Austern would be easier, but he would no longer be able to use Calen Castle as a refuge…
* * * * *
After the meeting and dinner, Killian ordered the maid who brought the tea to leave.
Adam, disapproving of her face, quickly entered the Prince's room without hiding his happy face as he told her she could rest.
“What are you thinking?”
"What?"
“Do you really have feelings for that unworthy ugly girl?”
“What are you talking about?
It can’t be!”
Adam shook his head at the furious Killian.
“If you like her, sleep with her immediately.
I hope Your Highness' attention cools before you reach Ricaren, but if you don't think so, I hope you never show yourself on the surface.
You will be in the emperor's seat.
Sleeping with a maid isn't a big scar, but it's not a good thing to see.
What a maid, with such a look!
Not only is it perfect for ridicule, but it can also be its weakness.
We don’t know what kind of scandal they will create by adding branches to their liking.”
Killian's eyes flashed coldly at Adam's cold words.
“What do you think of me?
Do you think I have feelings for a maid?
I’m amazed.”
“Not really?
Am I mistaken?
That's a relief.
Then I won't worry about the maid anymore.
She has business sense skills, but that doesn’t mean Your Highness needs her.”
Adam looked at Killian's expression and continued, “I'm relieved to know that Your Highness doesn't have much on his mind.
So, there's no reason to keep her by your side, so I'll get a new maid as soon as I get to Ricaren.
It is beneath your dignity for a maid who looks like that to serve you.”
“No.
I know you're saying this for me, but I can't forgive you for saying this or that about my maid.
I don't judge people by their appearance.
She's good at her job, she has no other motive and she's smart.
I don’t want to give up on anyone who helps me because of just one thing, their appearance, so don’t poke them.”
Adam's face hardened at Killian's sharp refusal.
After a moment of silence, he spoke again: “Alright, I won’t discuss your maid any further.
But do not cover up for the maid or show partiality towards her in front of others.
And when you meet Lady Anais, I hope you show her the utmost care and affection for now.”
“Why should I do this?
To keep Francis under control?
You know better than anyone that I don’t need it.”
“Marquis Anais has not yet expressed his support for Prince Francis.
Even a ten-year-old slum boy knows that although Duchess Anais and Prince Francis' mother are sisters, they don't get along very well.
Furthermore, there is a rumor that the Marquis loathes Duke Dudley's family, the Duchess's parents.”
Adam looked at Killian, who seemed to be lost in thought, and then continued to express his opinions.
“It's not exactly clear, but I heard that because of the Marquis' mistress and his illegitimate son, he had a falling out with the Duke's family in the past.
He doesn't show anything on the surface, but this story came from a close aide of the Duke, so it's not an unsubstantiated story.Although he is strictly neutral, if his daughter marries Prince Francis, he will have no choice but to support that side.
Therefore, before Prince Francis makes a move, you must interrupt them.
At the moment, Prince Francis and Lady Haint are not on good terms.
If Your Highness and Lady Anais approach, it will be very helpful for the neutral line nobles to decide where to go.”
“I haven’t decided to become the Emperor yet.
If I decide, I will become emperor without having to organize such a political thing.”
"Yes.
If you make a decision, His Majesty will give you the seat of Crown Prince immediately.
However, Prince Francis and Duke Dudley should not be ignored.
Also, don't forget that Duchess Miguel is the princess of the Vicern Empire.
Because of Duke Miguel, they formed a force that cannot be forgotten.
It is difficult to see what kind of negotiations were made between Duke Michael, who has a son who is second in line to the throne of Vicern, and Duke Dudley, who has a grandson who is first in line to the throne in Austern.
Do not reduce your alertness to collusion between the two duke families.”
Killian frowned upon hearing about Duke Dudley and Duke Miguel.
Perhaps they were the most disruptive to his solid path forward.
Adam observed Killian and only then continued: “It's good that Your Highness has a heart, but if you don't want to be an emperor, things will get even more complicated.
Who can be Prince Francis' adversary if not Your Highness?
I understand you agreed that Prince Francis should not be Emperor.
Isn’t that true?”
“Yes, he shouldn’t.
He won’t leave me alone when he becomes emperor, so I’ll have to stop him from being emperor.”
Adam nodded in Killian's acceptance.
“Thank you for your understanding.
Therefore, I hope that you will treat Lady Anais with a kindness that will never again be found in your life, in order to subdue Prince Francis' ambition.”
"I am going to try."
“Attempts alone are not enough.
Promise you will do your best.”
Killian's expression was distorted, but Adam remained unconcerned as he was muttering under the guise of loyalty.
******
4.
Calen Castle
Three days later, Juliet and the Prince's group arrived in Ricaren, capital of the Principality.
It was not comparable to the splendor of Austern, but it was a very beautiful city, with colorful buildings, the clothes of the rich and well-built roads, which were unique to the Principality of Bertino.
The carriage entered the entrance of Castle Calen when Juliet, fascinated by the strangely peaceful urban atmosphere and relaxed amidst the hustle and bustle, craned her neck and looked outside.
The pre-received knights and guards lined up and reverently awaited their master's arrival.
Unlike the heavily grand and resplendent Austern Imperial Castle, Calen Castle, which glowed calmly in a subtle purple, was a small-scale king's castle composed of one main, one inner, and three outer supporting towers.
Arriving at the main castle, the carriage door opened and she could see the subjects, servants and maidens lined up waiting for their master.
Not surprisingly, they all bowed their heads in unison.
“Welcome back to Castle Calen, Your Highness.
You look even better since the last time I saw you.”
Sa-chan
Sa-chan
Thanks for reading.
^-^