Chapter 38
Chapter 38. The Eagle and the Snake
In Veshnu, another empire bordering Tessibania, the Crown Prince’s palace was in a bit of an uproar due to an uninvited guest.
“You look so comfortable, as if this has been your home from the start, Vante,” remarked the visitor.
Vante, the Crown Prince of the Veshnu Empire, shook his head with a smile, unfazed by the other’s sarcasm. His soft platinum blonde hair swayed gently. With his gentle eyes, tall stature, and fair skin, he looked every bit the fairy tale prince.
Although he had only been Crown Prince for barely two months, he carried himself with such innate dignity that it was natural for Nexior Aktavil, who until recently had been the Crown Prince himself, to feel irritated.
Nexior, who hadn’t inherited the platinum blonde hair characteristic of the Veshnu royal family, had instead inherited reddish-brown hair and freckles from his mother’s side. He had always considered this a flaw, and now that he had lost even the position of Crown Prince, his base jealousy was directed entirely at his blonde cousin.
“Well, it’s nothing compared to the Grand Duke Aktavil’s residence, but I suppose it’s only a matter of time before one gets used to it. I’m already annoyed at having to move into the family estate you all used to lead…”
Remembering his father’s admonition to watch his words in the palace, Nexior clamped his mouth shut, his face contorted.
“I heard you’re joining the diplomatic mission with your father this time?” Vante inquired.
“Yes. Even with the portal to the border, it’s going to be quite a journey. You must be worried about the hardship, cousin.”
“Hardship? Hardly. To visit our cousin who’s been sold off to an enemy country, I’d gladly endure such a trifle.”
Despite Nexior’s snide remark, Vante simply curved his eyes and turned a page in the book he had been reading.
Noticing the book’s cover, Nexior’s lips twisted. “The Study of Kingship, is it? My cousin is diligently preparing to be emperor, I see.”
“I have to work harder to make up for lost time.”
“Don’t study too hard. You never know when another war might break out and you’ll have to step down from that position.”
At Nexior’s words, Vante looked up. His gentle eyes curved, hiding his blue irises. “Like you did?”
“You…!”
“I’m joking. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. As you said, since our sister has gone all the way to Tessibania, shouldn’t we do our best to maintain this peace?”
Beneath his gently curved eyes, Vante’s blue irises concealed a sharp glint.
Nexior wanted to shout about how long he thought this peace would last, but remembering his father’s stern face, he recalled the purpose of his visit to the Crown Prince’s palace.
“Well, what worries me is Sister Vinea’s situation. Unlike us, she’s right in the middle of a battlefield, isn’t she?”
At Nexior’s sudden change of attitude, Vante put down the book he was reading.
“Think about it. A woman from an enemy country we’ve been at war with for 100 years becomes the Empress. Would the people of Tessibania be happy about it? It’d be a miracle if they don’t throw stones at her.”
Although they were alone in the room, Nexior leaned forward over the desk as if divulging a great secret.
“So, about this diplomatic mission. How about you go instead?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. How about you visit the Tessibanian Empire as part of the delegation instead of me?”
“Uncle would be angry if he found out.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll be riding in a different carriage from Father, and he’ll be too busy to pay attention to me anyway. And even if we’re caught, surely he wouldn’t kill the nephew he cherishes so much.”
Half right and half wrong.
Because it was his father’s plan, Vante wouldn’t be harmed while en route to Tessibania. As for what might happen after arriving in Tessibania, well, that was uncertain.
Nexior grinned, causing the freckles on the bridge of his nose to scrunch together.
“Sister left like that, and Aunt has fallen ill. Wouldn’t it be better if you went to see how Sister is doing and reported back directly?”
Vante lowered his gaze and remained silent for a moment, as if considering.
Seeing his silence, Nexior tapped the mahogany desk nervously with his fingertips.
“Think it over carefully. When else will you get a chance to see Sister’s face? I hear you haven’t been in touch with her much lately. Aren’t you worried? And what about Aunt?”
After a moment’s thought, Vante nodded. Nexior’s face lit up.
“I’ll go. But you’ll keep this a secret from Uncle, right?”
“Of course. I’ll take care of all the preparations. I’ll send someone soon, so keep quiet about this to your family.”
Having obtained the answer he wanted, Nexior left the room with a light step.
As soon as the door closed with a thud, the smile that had lingered on Vante’s face throughout the conversation vanished completely.
“Stupid Nexior.”
Vante grimaced in annoyance and pulled a letter from the desk drawer.
The letter, bearing the seal of the Tessibanian Imperial Family, was from his beloved sister.
Unlike the five-page letter of greetings he had sent, the reply he received was just a few short lines. However, as it was the first letter he had received since the wedding, it was more welcome news than ever.
Although the contents were not so pleasant.
[Vante, Uncle will try to usurp the throne again. Even if it means killing our entire family.]
The elegant handwriting, the concise sentences. It was undoubtedly his sister’s letter.
“Uncle is going to kill us?”
He still couldn’t believe it. How well Uncle had treated them. Even after abdicating the throne, he had remained in the palace, willingly offering to assist Father.
“Sister…”
His mind was in turmoil. His sister wouldn’t lie about such a matter, so there must be something to it, but there was a limit to what he could discern from a letter.
For now, he could only vaguely guess that Nexior’s sudden visit and proposal were somehow related to Uncle’s ‘plan’.
“If I tell Father, he won’t believe me, and Mother…”
Vante quietly swallowed his words.
“I have no choice but to go alone.”
It seemed Uncle was planning something, but with the delegation departing in just two days, even if he sent a letter to his sister now, it was doubtful whether it would arrive in time.
On the other hand, going alone in disguise would make him an easy target for an attack. What to do?
His sharp mind, which had already mastered more than half of the necessary processes despite having been Crown Prince for only two months, worked furiously.
Finally, having made up his mind, Vante stood up.
“Wait for me, Sister. I’ll be coming to see you soon.”
* * *
“Brother.”
A voice heavy with concern settled in the grand reception room of the Veshnu Imperial Palace.
It was the voice of Emperor Orban, the former Grand Duke of Aktavil who had recently ascended to the throne.
“I’m terribly worried that Vinea hasn’t sent any news. This ‘Radiance of Blessing’ and all, I wonder what it’s all about…”
“I’ll look into it during this diplomatic mission. Please don’t worry too much.”
The man sitting in the chair beside him replied.
With platinum blonde hair identical to Emperor Orban’s, but a slightly older face. Black eyes.
It was Grand Duke Gartan Aktavil, the former emperor and the current emperor’s older brother.
Orban waved his hand at Gartan’s overly formal attitude.
“Please speak comfortably. Why are you being like this?”
“How could I dare to do so with the one who has become the Emperor of Veshnu?”
“I left the palace early to marry. If even you act like this, it becomes even harder for me to feel at home in the palace.”
Faced with his brother’s circumstances, Gartan nodded reluctantly.
“Since you insist, I have no choice. I’ll speak comfortably when we’re in private.”
“Please feel free to do so anytime. Even as emperor, I still have much to learn from you, brother.”
“Indeed. Now that you’ve become emperor…”
Gartan skillfully hid his cold contempt beneath a smile.
“Still, not all the news we hear is bad. The Radiance of Blessing, they say. For Vinea’s fame to reach even Veshnu, it’s certainly cause for congratulations.”
The Empress of Tessibania who had prevented the spread of an epidemic at the border. Vinea’s status was rising day by day.
What could have been a major incident that might have implicated Veshnu as well was resolved with the two empires joining forces to restore just one abandoned temple.
Moreover, exchanges between the two empires were slowly beginning after the end of the war. If it hadn’t been discovered early, the epidemic could have spread beyond the Tessibanian Empire.
Orban nodded with a proud face.
“Though she’s my daughter, she’s truly brilliant. If not for the issue of war responsibility, she might have been leading the Grand Duchy of Aktavil instead of Vante.”
“I suppose so.”
Was she merely brilliant?
The fact that she was still alive even after sending several skilled assassins set her apart from her weak father and younger brother.
Gartan bowed his head as if letting out a short laugh, hiding his twisted lips.
“I’ve already sent word by letter that you’ll be leading the delegation to visit Tessibania. Vinea must be looking forward to it. It’s her uncle she hasn’t seen in a long time, after all.”
“Yes. I should bring things Vinea likes. She must have felt quite lonely in an enemy country…”
“Brother.”
Emperor Orban, who had been bowing, straightened up and raised his hand slightly with a smile.
It was an action typically taken towards subordinates, interrupting the other person’s speech. Gartan’s eyebrow twitched.
“You should be more careful with your words. An enemy country, you say?”
“…Right. That’s correct. The war is over, and we’ve formed an alliance with Tessibania.”
Gartan, who had risen from his seat, smiled gently.
“I’ll be going now. We need to move quickly to prepare for the delegation.”
“If you need anything, please let me know anytime. I won’t spare any imperial support.”
Gartan turned and left the reception room. As soon as the door closed, the smile that had lingered on his face completely disappeared.
“Even that support wasn’t originally yours.”
It was insufferable how he acted as if he could control imperial matters with just a word, not to mention interrupting him.
Gartan nodded to his son who was waiting outside the door.
“How did it go?”
“I did as you said. He agreed.”
“You’ve finally done something right, Nexior.”
“Just trust me, Father. If Vante arrives in Tessibania as planned—”
Thwack!
Gartan brought the end of his cane down hard on the floor. His eyes, glittering like a snake’s, turned towards his son.
Faced with the ominous killing intent that seemed about to devour him, Nexior stumbled back. His trembling gaze fixed on the cane Gartan held.
Only someone who had been hit hard enough to bleed would know how sharp the tip of the cane, decorated with a golden eagle, really was.
“Watch your tongue, Nexior. I’m telling you to act so that your dull brain doesn’t bypass your tongue.”
“Y-yes. I’m sorry.”
“Stupid fool.”
Gartan turned his head and began to walk. With each step, he struck the floor with his cane.
Nexior clenched his trembling hands.
“Just you wait, Vante. I’ll take back your position and regain Father’s trust. Without fail.”
