#104
“Just tell me the important matters instead.”
It was too much for Enrique to attend meetings in his condition. He was receiving brief updates on the situation from Duke Duvain, but he still wanted to divert Anture’s attention elsewhere.
“Important territories in Baron are sending letters of surrender one by one. Among the remaining areas, none have expressed the intention to fight to the death yet.”
“It seems the announcement that lords who declare allegiance will keep their territories is having an effect.”
Anture nodded.
From the lords’ perspective, as long as they could maintain their territories, it didn’t matter much who became king. The problem was those bound by blood… In Enrique’s opinion, they probably wouldn’t be much different.
“What are you planning to do with the King and Crown Prince of Baron?”
Enrique asked out of genuine curiosity. The matter had been discussed several times in meetings, but Anture was hesitant to make a hasty decision.
As a prince who had studied history, Enrique knew about the era of the Great Emperor of Ruben’s continental conquest. The official story was that kings who fought to the death either met their demise or chose suicide, while those who surrendered received small territories and titles to live quietly.
In reality, most of the royal family members with strong bloodlines died. They either got involved in movements to restore the monarchy and were killed, or they were allowed to die naturally of illness some time later when things had quieted down, effectively ending the royal bloodline.
“For now, considering public sentiment, I’m thinking of granting them an appropriate territory in Baron and a title. I’ve sent a letter to Father Emperor asking for a decision, so we should have an answer soon.”
Anture’s response was as Enrique had expected. Enrique nodded. It was the smoothest solution.
Of course, Enrique had no intention of letting the King and Crown Prince of Baron live out their days peacefully. When discussing this war, Enrique had glimpsed the desire for revenge flashing in his father’s eyes. He planned to kill those two soon, exacting revenge on behalf of his vengeful father.
“However,” Anture briefly cut off his words. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a fierce killing intent flashed in his dark pupils.
“There won’t be such an easy end for the King of Monta. I will personally end his life to vent your anger.”
Anture’s grip on Enrique’s hand tightened. Anture held deep regret, no, murderous intent, over the incident where Enrique nearly lost his life due to Monta’s attack. Enrique couldn’t bring himself to discourage this. He and the child had almost died. This was, after all, a war of kill or be killed. If the situation were reversed, the King of Monta would make the same choice.
“Ah, what happened to Monta’s fleet?”
Enrique asked something that suddenly occurred to him.
“They’re still camped on the Ruben coast without moving an inch. They’re probably at a loss after hearing about Baron’s defeat.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“Well, if it were me, I’d just push into the coast, but it’s probably a difficult decision to make when their homeland is under threat.”
As they exchanged words back and forth, Anture’s expression softened somewhat.
Waaah-
A baby’s cry erupted from a corner of the room. Pol was seen quickly picking up the baby and trying to soothe it. Enrique gestured for Pol to come over. Anture didn’t even glance at Pol approaching right next to him, let alone the child in Pol’s arms. Enrique inwardly clicked his tongue.
“Is he hungry?”
Enrique asked, ignoring Anture’s behavior.
“Yes, it seems so. I should quickly have some goat’s milk prepared.”
Pol said, gesturing to another attendant.
Although Shamier had urgently dispatched a doctor, they hadn’t managed to send wet nurses. It was impossible to find a wet nurse in this fortified castle. Pol had no choice but to feed the baby goat’s milk. Fortunately, a wet nurse sent from Shamier would arrive soon.
“Anture, hold the child once.”
Enrique urged Anture. But Anture still wouldn’t even look at the child. Instead, he took Enrique’s hand and pressed his lips to the back of it, saying,
“You shouldn’t lift anything heavy yet, so leave the child to Pol.”
Anture made no effort to hide his dislike of not only himself but also Enrique holding the child. It was unclear whether he resented the child for nearly causing Enrique’s death due to blood loss, or if he was wary of a child with black hair and black eyes who could potentially replace him. Either way, it was childishly petty towards an infant.
“That’s enough.”
Enrique said, glaring at Anture. Anture pretended not to notice. Instead of continuing to tolerate this, Enrique yanked Anture’s hair hard.
“It hurts, Enrique.”
Anture made an exaggerated sad face.
“Either quickly hold the child in your arms, or let me hold him. Choose one of the two.”
When Enrique demanded a choice with a fierce look, Anture hesitated for a moment. Then, as if he had made a decision, he held out both hands to Pol.
Pol looked back and forth between Enrique and Anture. He looked very uneasy about handing the baby to Anture. Enrique nodded at Pol. Only then did Pol very carefully hand the swaddled baby to Anture.
“No, not like that. You need to support the head slightly. Yes, like that. And hold him gently. You absolutely must not hold him too tightly, but you also can’t hold him so loosely that he might fall.”
Pol nagged anxiously. Anture frowned as he awkwardly moved his arms and hands according to Pol’s instructions. Pol helped Anture hold the baby properly by moving Anture’s arms and hands this way and that. Only after correcting his posture several times did it start to look somewhat proper.
Waaah-!!
Perhaps disliking the unfamiliar arms and scent, the baby cried loudly. At the same time, the wrinkles between Anture’s brows deepened. His face clearly showed his aversion to the baby. On the other hand, he also looked awkward, as if he didn’t know what to do with the child.
“Pfft-”
Enrique let out a small laugh at the sight. Black eyes, black hair, and fair skin. It looked like a small Anture nestled in the arms of the large Anture. Seeing this sight, he couldn’t help but chuckle. A warm feeling welled up in his chest.
“Quickly take him back.”
Anture, unable to endure any longer, urged Pol. Pol, as if he had been waiting for those words, swiftly took the child back. Anture heaved a sigh of relief after handing over the child. He looked utterly exhausted, as if he had just completed an incredibly tiring task.
Just then, an attendant came in with freshly squeezed goat’s milk. Pol sat in a chair in a corner of the bedroom and began to feed the child small spoonfuls of goat’s milk. As the child’s crying stopped, the bedroom became quiet again. Enrique patted Anture’s hand, who still looked drained.
“The scouts have spotted a carriage coming from Shamier. It should arrive tomorrow.”
“They must have sent a wet nurse. That’s a relief.”
Enrique said with relief. Even though the baby was becoming fair and chubby on goat’s milk alone, a wet nurse’s milk would be much better.
“Enrique.”
Anture called out seriously, holding Enrique’s hand. Enrique realized that the moment he had been anticipating had finally come.
“When the wet nurse arrives, pack your things and return to the Shamier palace.”
“…Are you already prepared to depart for Monta?”
Anture nodded. He had probably finished preparations long ago. He had likely been buying time to ensure Enrique and the child could safely return to Shamier with a wet nurse.
The words “I want to go with you” rose to the tip of Enrique’s tongue. He didn’t want to part from Anture, and as the Crown Prince of Shamier, he also had a strong desire to participate in the war. But he was well aware that it would be too much for his current physical condition. In his present state, he would only be a burden on the march.
“…You’re leaving me again.”
Enrique muttered, fidgeting with Anture’s large, firm hand. Anture cupped Enrique’s cheek with his hand and met his gaze.
“I always leave in order to be by your side. It was like that in the past, it is now, and it will always be so in the future.”
“…Yes. I know.”
Enrique answered softly, burying his cheek in Anture’s hand. A faint smile appeared in Anture’s eyes.
“But if you’re gone for too long, I can’t guarantee what will happen after that.”
Enrique issued a threat.
“Don’t worry. There will never again be an opportunity for anyone other than me to be by your side.”
Anture whispered, rubbing his lips against Enrique’s cheek.
