Chapter 15

She had never danced at a ball, except for the time she made her debut into society upon reaching adulthood.

“The invitation arrived, actually. Granted, it’s from a rather questionable host, but with an event of this scale, I’m sure even those from the royalist and Marquis factions will attend regardless of politics.”

In high society, there was hardly anyone who showed the slightest interest in Elena. A knight of no name, backed by the secluded Baron Saulliren, who never made appearances anywhere.

It was true that being a knight affiliated with Ridwan worked to her advantage, but the real issue was her lineage, the House of Vened.

Both her father’s and mother’s families had long since collapsed and scattered. Elena was the sole remaining heir to the Vened name. No one would show interest in such a house. Elena herself had no interest in that kind of attention either.

So an invitation?

“I’m already struggling to keep up with the knight order’s schedule. I don’t think I’ll be able to attend.”

“I figured as much. In that case, I’ll send a refusal. I only asked just in case, so don’t dwell on it.”

Since it was something she didn’t care about to begin with, Elena didn’t even ask who the invitation was from. And with that, the light conversation came to a close on her end.

What followed was nothing out of the ordinary: talk of health, politics, and the weather. For this brief moment, Elena let go of everything concerning Van and allowed herself to relax and join in the conversation.

* * *

While Elena enjoyed her break, Van headed to the palace alone to meet Ranun, claiming it was faster that way.

He had been worried about Ranun, who’d seemed lonely during their last outing. On top of that, Van had to rush back north because of an emergency, and he felt sorry for leaving Ranun so suddenly.

“Brother! Brother!”

Having shifted back into human form near the capital, he entered the palace. Almost as if he’d been waiting, Ranun was already in the lobby with several attendants, beaming the moment Van appeared in the distance.

Van looked down at his youngest brother, who barely reached his waist. Ranun’s cheeks flushed pink with joy, and he flashed a bright smile just from seeing him.

“What will you teach me today, Brother?”

“I’ll teach you the sword.”

“Yay!”

“That makes you that happy?”

All he offered was a sword lesson, but Ranun’s grin only grew wider.

“Very! Marquis Chariot recently added more subjects, saying the more I study, the better.”

His jet-black eyes twisted slightly, perhaps the schedule was too demanding. Of course, it must have been exhausting for a thirteen-year-old to keep up with the duties of a Crown Prince alone in the palace.

“I’ll tell the Marquis to hold back a little.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That much I can do. You know who I am, don’t you?”

“You’re my brother! Thank you, Brother!”

Ranun’s eyes sparkled at Van’s words. Hugging him tight, he nuzzled into Van’s uniform like a pampered child.

As Van patted the boy’s small head, he thought of Marquis Masen Chariot.

That greedy man… Van sighed softly, thinking he really ought to say something to him. And as if summoned by perfect timing, just like always, the Marquis appeared.

Van had to wonder who was feeding Masen real-time updates whenever he entered the palace. The way he came running was almost laughable.

“I greet the Grand Duke. I heard a dragon was flying in from afar… What a dramatic entrance, as always.”

“I’m a busy man, every second counts. Surely the Marquis understands that much?”

“Haha, you still seem well.”

“Thanks to you, I suppose.”

Still holding the unusually petite Ranun in his arms, Van faced Marquis Masen Chariot. That curled mustache, the protruding gut, and the layers of greed clinging to every inch of him, nothing had changed.

“I don’t see those followers of yours who usually trail behind.”

“They’re all busy securing the kingdom’s peace.”

Unlike last time, Masen only had one attendant behind him.

It was a bit disappointing. If only Count Scouve Rossen, who trembled at the slightest provocation, or Count Severino Patint, whose lofty pride made him burst into fury when stepped on, had come, it would’ve been entertaining. But with just the two of them, it was a dull lineup.

“It worries me when Your Grace leaves the north. If the monsters attack again like before…”

“That’s not for you to worry about.”

Van cut Masen off before he could continue stirring up trouble. If he hated Van coming to the palace so much, he could just say it outright. But he never had the guts to be direct, always dancing around the issue. It was pathetic.

“Still, Your Grace’s foot… ah, should I say your hand? Hmm. The kingdom’s safety rests in those mighty hands, after all.”

Masen cleared his throat as he spoke.

Van silently sighed at how deliberately the man lowered him with his words.

He hated those eyes – eyes that didn’t see him as human but as a beast. The same gaze that had followed him relentlessly when he was a child. Forcing a smile, Van lifted the corners of his mouth.

“If you understand that, then perhaps I deserve better treatment?”

“I am treating you well… am I not, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Hmm…”

Feigning ignorance, Ranun looked around and gave a vague nod.

Masen always dragged Ranun into these moments. He knew full well the boy didn’t know how to handle the tension. Fortunately, Ranun followed Van’s earlier instructions, pretending to know nothing, just keeping quiet.

“In any case, shouldn’t you find a partner soon? Time is of the essence. People are starting to worry.”

Masen must have thought that with Ranun’s nod, the topic could safely shift.

“What? Got a lady in mind you’d like to set me up with?”

What was he plotting this time? Van scoffed at the sudden turn of topic.

“Of course. Though, she’d have to accept Your Highness’s condition. There aren’t many noble ladies like that, are there?”

“True. Unless she’s like Her Majesty, now that was someone full of grace. Quite unlike the Marquis.”

“Haha… yes, indeed.”

Van’s pointed jab hit its mark, and Masen’s eyes narrowed. Van thought him as an insufferable man, and Masen, in turn, seethed at Van.

Van’s mother, Priel Nizena, had died of illness. Her relationship with her older brother Masen was strained, to say the least. Still, Masen had loved her. When she passed, he collapsed from grief and even stopped eating for a while. Because of that, he never liked it when her name was brought up.

“In any case, I suppose I’ll be seeing you in a month.”

“I never said I’d attend.”

“Oh, but I believe you will. Surely you can spare some time from chasing after a little rat and show your face once in a while?”

“…Right. If I want to continue exchanging words with a Marquis who parades around with a pet mouse, I suppose I must.”

“On that note… I should take my leave. Goodness, look at the time.”

Masen’s mustache twitched. Strange, how he always picked a fight and then ran off as if stung. Van snorted, watching his lumbering back.

He’d never actually tried it, but he briefly imagined transforming and swallowing the Marquis whole on the spot. It might be satisfying to chew him up, but then again, he’d probably leave a foul taste in his mouth. With that, Van shook off the foolish thought and turned toward Ranun.

“Brother, do you dislike the Marquis?”

Now that Masen was gone, Ranun asked the question in a cautious whisper.

“Yes.”

“But he said he worries about you. He told me that if there’s someone you want to meet, he’d help introduce you.”

“Masen said that?”

How bizarre, the things he’d been telling Ranun. Just earlier, too, why was he so interested in relationships that didn’t even exist?

“Yes, he did.”

“Ranun.”

Van looked down at the boy nestled in his arms. Despite being carefully watched over through the royal bloodline, Ranun still hadn’t grown much. He looked so fragile.

It was painful, leaving behind this youngest brother, who resembled both their mother and middle brother so closely, alone in the palace.

“Who could ever love a beast like me?”

Van didn’t like self-pity, but for some reason, the words just slipped out in front of those clear eyes.

A four-legged beast. These ears, far sharper than those of most people, had picked up all kinds of useless things. A dragon is nothing but a watchdog for Valra. The collar of Anhal is only fitting for a dog, so there’s no need to fear it.

The nobles who came and went through the palace, and the citizens of the kingdom, they all spoke that way behind his back, unaware he could hear them. He’d always pretended not to care, but in truth, their words had cut deep.

“Brother, someone amazing is bound to love you someday. I already love you, you know?”

“…Yeah.”

Serheim’s weather was warm compared to the north, but Van still wore his heavy cloak. And with that cloak, he wrapped it gently around Ranun, who had burrowed into his chest.

… So the boy wouldn’t see how uneven Van’s expression had become.

……

T/N: What is this cutie patootie