Chapter 59
He wanted to graduate from the Academy where he was now advancing to the senior class, and he wanted to become an adult who could admirably fulfill his responsibilities. And like others, he wanted to meet someone he liked and share his heart. Kyle, who had been reading a popular novel containing a love story to pass the time, blushed alone.
For some reason, there was a face that kept appearing hazily in his mind. A person with a white, clean face, a tall and straight figure, and black hair. That figure now at the boundary between boy and young man. Though no one had said anything, Kyle felt embarrassed all on his own and buried his face deep in his pillow.
There was a knock at the door.
“Prince Kyle.”
“Yes?”
Kyle lifted his head from the pillow and answered.
“There will be a dinner gathering tonight where all the imperial family members will dine together. If you wish to attend, you should start preparing diligently from now.”
“Mm, I understand.”
Kyle got up. His heart, which had been filled with thoughts of Blair, cooled. Kyle began his preparations with a stern expression.
Gatherings where the imperial family dines together are created periodically. Until now, he had been able to avoid them by staying at the Academy, but since he was currently staying at the Imperial Palace, Kyle had to attend. He was already sighing.
He styled his vivid blonde ponytail by personally shaping it with a heated iron, and wore an outer coat made of blue satin that matched his eye color well. Kyle didn’t particularly like others touching his body, so he often prepared himself. Since this wasn’t a banquet, there was no need for excessive ornamentation.
It was a gathering attended by everyone from Empress Kalshon to Kyle’s mother Empress Owentree, Joshua, Kyle, and Adriana. Dain, who was still too young, couldn’t attend and was being cared for by his nurse, while the Emperor sat at the highest seat. It was an excessively rigid and uncomfortable setting. Kyle found himself missing Blair for no reason.
The Emperor, who had not a trace of familial affection, quite enjoyed displaying his authority by periodically looking over the family he commanded. Despite knowing that they all didn’t get along particularly well, he would regularly create such occasions. The fact that all the empress consorts he had taken were outstanding beauties, and consequently their children were quite handsome, would also have contributed to his vanity.
Kyle secretly examined his father’s face, which he hadn’t seen in a while. Perhaps it was the shock of losing Empress Spirenda? The Emperor seemed to have aged considerably in a short time. Eyes that had lost all their vitality, withered skin. I wonder when he’ll die. Though this was the person who had passed down half his blood, Kyle’s gaze toward the Emperor was numb.
The dinner wasn’t particularly heavy or light. When the Emperor spoke first, the appropriate person would follow with an appropriate response. Despite the palace chef putting his utmost care into the meal, Kyle couldn’t taste anything. The Academy had been ten times more comfortable than this place, and the Monetery Count’s residence was incomparably more comfortable than here.
After finishing the meal, the Emperor left first. Joshua and Empress Kalshon departed next, and Kyle was about to leave with his mother, Empress Owentree, when a voice called out to him.
“Kyle.”
Empress Owentree, noticing that Adriana was calling for Kyle, bowed politely and disappeared first. Only Kyle and Adriana remained. The two weren’t particularly close siblings. The significant age difference played a part, and they had few points of contact—when Kyle was young, Adriana had gone to the Academy, and when Kyle had grown a bit, he went to the Academy.
“Yes, Sister.”
Adriana’s posture was upright and dignified. She was already developing the majesty of a ruler. Adriana left the room first. Seeing her gesture, Kyle followed. The two walked slowly through the palace corridors, conversing. Did she have something to discuss? Kyle tilted his head slightly, imperceptibly. He had planned to meet his mother right after the formal dinner, but it seemed he would have to postpone that briefly.
“Is the Academy bearable?”
At her question, Kyle nodded with a slight smile.
“Yes. It’s enjoyable. I learn a lot, and I can see many things that aren’t visible in the palace.”
“Indeed. I also quite regret not having graduated from the Academy.”
“Is that so?”
Kyle nodded quietly. Adriana changed the subject.
“You’ve made a good friend.”
“Pardon?”
Kyle tilted his head, not understanding her words.
“I was asked to spare your life at least, should I become Emperor.”
“What… do you mean, Sister?”
“The third child of House Monetery. I owe him a debt. When I asked what he would like in return, that’s what he said. He’s quite interesting in many ways. Are you close to him?”
“Ah, yes. We’re quite close.”
Kyle’s face turned red. Whether Blair felt the same way was unknown, but since Kyle considered it so, he gave an affirmative answer. His heart began to pound.
“I see. Well, I told him I would do so, as I’m indebted to him. I’m just letting you know.”
“I understand.”
Kyle, who had been carefully choosing his words, replied awkwardly.
“Anyway, that child is hard to pin down in many ways, but he’s quite interesting to watch. He has real ability too. If possible, I’d like to keep him by my side as an advisor, but it seems he has no such intention, which is quite regrettable. Did he say anything about you? He said it would be good to spare you because you have a good character and a pretty face. He’s truly incomprehensible.”
Adriana shook her head. Adriana prided herself on her ability to judge people. But Blair Monetery, despite being ten years younger than her, never felt young, and it was difficult to figure out what kind of person he was. She couldn’t tell at all what he was thinking. If everyone were like him, politics would have been impossibly difficult, but fortunately, among the people she had encountered in the political arena, there was no one like Blair. Thankfully, not everyone was as shrewd and intelligent as Blair.
Adriana scanned the beautiful face of her brother walking beside her. She could see right through what her eight-years-younger brother Kyle was thinking. It was truly strange that she couldn’t read the inner thoughts of Blair, who was even younger than Kyle.
“Anyway, he’s both interesting and capable, so stay close to him. I’ll go in first, rest well.”
Having said her farewells, Adriana walked with clicking heels toward her own palace. After seeing Adriana off, Kyle rushed into his room and began pacing anxiously. His plan to visit his mother, Empress Owentree, had long vanished from his mind.
‘Blair? He cared about me?’
He couldn’t understand how Adriana and Blair had come to know each other. Of course, since Theodore worked at the palace, there would be some connection. But Kyle naturally accepted that Blair had been helpful to Adriana. Indeed, as Adriana said, there was something different about Blair compared to ordinary students.
Until now, Kyle had thought that only he had one-sided feelings for Blair, while Blair regarded him indifferently. So the information he heard from Adriana today was truly surprising. Kyle’s mood began to soar.
Could it be that Blair also has feelings for me?
When that thought crossed his mind, his face became so hot he couldn’t control it. Kyle placed his hands on both cheeks. His hands were too cold. His heart pounded rapidly. It beat so forcefully that he placed a hand on his chest. His heart thumped so loudly that he could feel the pulse in his temples and cervical vertebrae. It felt like his heart might jump out of his chest.
A favor asked of a strong imperial candidate, and it’s just that? Of course, Kyle knew that Blair, the son of a wealthy family, didn’t immediately need anything. Perhaps he had tossed it out casually, like offering food to a stray cat, something he didn’t need. But that didn’t matter.
Hope began to bubble up. His mood became so good it felt like he could fly.
Elated, Kyle sent a message asking if he could visit the Monetery residence. He knew he had made a mistake last summer when he visited without notice. It was fortunate that the adults of the Monetery family were so kind-hearted. To let him stay for ten days after arriving unexpectedly without any notice. They were truly good people.
After the storm had passed, the Imperial Palace was no longer as frightening and cold as before. Perhaps it was also because Kyle himself was growing up. This new emotion he was experiencing was making him mature into an adult.
He thought it was good that he had gone to the Academy. When he first enrolled, he had worried about what would happen to his mother, who had no one to protect her, if he left her side. But Empress Owentree was doing well in her own way. Of course, Kyle too was advancing steadily as an adult.
Now Kyle had also passed the age of majority. After graduating from the Academy, even if he couldn’t become Emperor, he could find his own path. It would be good to leave the tiresome Imperial Palace, live with his mother, and explore other possibilities.
Of course, the Monetery family replied that Kyle’s visit would be welcomed anytime. Kyle started packing gifts and luggage while humming. Although whatever he brought would not be impressive to the Count and Countess of Monetery, there was significance in a member of the imperial family personally bringing imperial items.
That night, he didn’t have the recurring nightmare. Kyle dreamed a warm, fluffy dream of splashing in the sea with Blair.
[To be continued in the next part…]
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
