Chapter 36

Tomorrow will be the time of departure.

The number of attendants, including Marc, is twelve.

The standard retinue for a royal visiting another country—six escort knights, two civil officials, two chamberlains, one medical officer, and Marc as a close aide. Too many would be seen as intimidation, too few as a slight.

At the edge of my desk sits a single bottle of wine.

It’s something I bought at a shop I stopped by accompanied only by a simple escort when I inspected the Castle Town. Not raising the royal banner, not bringing a ceremonial guard. A day I simply walked the town as a prince.

The shopkeeper knew I was a prince, but his attitude didn’t change.

“You make such a difficult face for one so young.”

I remember being told that.

There is only a little left.

…Should I finish it?

There is a knock on the door.

“Enter.”

The one who came in was the First Prince.

“It’s been a long time since we spoke just the two of us.”

At that moment, a dull pain ran deep in my head.

I don’t know the reason. And it disappeared immediately.

This occasionally happens when I am called by my older brother.

“…Yes, it has.”

My brother sat down in a chair. Silence for a while. Eventually, he spoke.

“Listen.”

His voice was somewhat stiff.

“There were voices whispering that you were incompetent. I heard them.”

My brother’s fist clenched slightly.

“I should have denied them. But I—said this in front of you, didn’t I? ‘Do you intend to end up just like that?'”

I blinked. I don’t remember it well. But I know that’s how my surroundings viewed me.

“But I didn’t want to push you away back then.”

My brother’s gaze shot through me.

“I intended to rouse you.”

I listened quietly. My brother continued.

“You are kind. But naive. A royal cannot protect the country with naivety. That’s why—”

His words stopped.

“But to you back then, it must have sounded like it had a different meaning.”

I tilted my head.

“A different meaning?”

My brother averted his gaze for just a moment.

“…No. Forget it.”

I had absolutely no idea why my brother’s tone of voice was strangely cautious. My brother let out a deep sigh.

“You have been doing well lately. The treaties, the academy.”

He looked straight at me.

“I have re-evaluated you. I even think you are a source of pride.”

The depths of my chest quietly grew warm.

“Make sure you come back.”

A low, strong voice.

“It is not an order. I am saying this as your older brother.”

I straightened my posture.

“As long as I am a royal, it is my intention to serve for the sake of the country and for the sake of the people.”

A beat.

“And, I will absolutely return.”

My brother’s fist relaxed.

I lifted the wine.

“I bought it in the Castle Town.”

“I see.”

Two cups. I poured.

“…It’s not enough.”

“Please don’t be unreasonable.”

“When you get back, let’s drink the rest.”

“At that time, it will be my older brother’s treat.”

A small laugh.

There, there was not a Crown Prince and a Third Prince.

There was just an older brother and a younger brother.

—Only my older brother remembers that night.

The morning of departure was chilly.

The morning sun hit the stone castle walls, shining white.

On the stone paving in front of the castle gate, the attendants were already lined up. A total of twelve people.

The great banner of the Royal Family was not raised.

The flag raised at the tip of the spear bore the twin lions of the Royal Family, but with a thin silver mark of three drooping lines added above them. It was a mark indicating the Third Prince, different from the King’s crest. Courtesy, not intimidation.

I placed my hand on the saddle.

My deep navy blue cloak quietly took on a luster catching the morning light. Silver edging, not gold. The color indicating reason, not the color boasting the King’s majesty. At my waist, I wore a slender sword, but there were no jewels on the pommel. It was strictly a blade for ceremony.

Above the castle gate, a bell rang once.

The King, the First Prince, and the Chancellor approached.

The Imperial Guard waited at a distance. Simple, but not a slight.

The King said shortly.

“Do not forget that you carry the country on your back.”

“Yes.”

The First Prince looked straight at me.

It was the same eyes as yesterday.

“Make sure you return.”

“Absolutely.”

He said nothing more.

The Chancellor quietly added.

“The neighboring country is mighty. A single word, a single gesture carries meaning.”

“I am aware.”

A priest chanted a short benediction and lightly sprinkled holy water. I crossed myself over my chest.

Prayers do not become a shield. But they support people’s hearts.

Outside the castle gate, there were not many people yet. But a few merchants and artisans were looking this way from afar.

There were some whose faces I had met before. When our eyes met, one of them took off his hat. I gave a small nod.

There is anxiety deep in my chest. Even though a treaty has been concluded, paper does not stop a blade.

If they become serious, I could become a bargaining chip or a hostage.

I straddled my horse. Marc followed.

“Your Highness, preparations are complete.”

“Ah.”

The castle gate opened with a creak. The cold outside air flowed in. I did not look back. But behind me, I felt my brother’s gaze. Hooves struck the stone. One step. And another.

I left the castle.

…Fear is in my chest. But remaining in ignorance is far more unbearable to me.

The morning sun was illuminating the path forward.