"Your Highness, our young master—"
“That’s enough, Sir. There’s no need to defend me. After all, His Highness doesn’t seem to be displeased.”
Fenrir stood beside Cher with a bright smile and once again performed a respectful gesture.
Lightly tapping the head, cheek, and chest in sequence, then bowing — this was a form of greeting unique to Roaquin.
"Allow me to greet you once again, Your Highness, Grand Duke of Schwarhan. I am Fenrir Roaquin, the sixth son of Palamar."
"Now that’s a proper greeting."
"I was assured that Your Highness would not treat us as barbarians."
“The important thing is how well you can each fulfil your responsibilities.”
Cabelenus calmly moved his hand, signalling him to sit.
Fenrir slightly bowed his head, then sat down opposite Cabelenus.
"How far does your decision-making authority extend?"
"It’s not very large. From the beginning, there weren’t many who were curious after hearing Your Highness’s proposal."
"It’s probably because of resentment toward the empire."
"That’s correct. Since the current emperor’s mother was accused of being a witch and burned at the stake, Roaquin was driven to the brink."
"Then why did you come all the way here? Don’t you resent the empire?"
"I resent it."
The gazes of the two men met in midair.
Fenrir did not avoid Cabelenus’s gaze and looked straight at him.
"I have grown up hearing countless resentments. So, I came to believe that was only natural. But that’s all there is to it."
"That’s all?"
"Resentment alone has no meaning. No matter how much the weak cry out in pain, they are not saved. Even receiving cheap pity is only fortunate."
“...”
"I hated that. So I thought: instead of waiting for salvation, I have to seize it myself.”
Fenrir’s lips curled upward.
Between his gentle eyes, a deeply buried, long-hidden greed was clearly reflected.
“You’re being too honest in front of me.”
"I know Your Highness will tolerate my rudeness."
"You’re quick-witted."
"Unfortunately, I have five older brothers. It was impossible not to be conscious of others.”
“Three of them are already on the verge of collapse.”
Cabelenus gave a slight nod.
“The other two will also collapse soon.”
Fenrir smiled confidently.
“How many troops do you have at your command?”
“Roaquin’s soldiers aren’t many in number, but they’re all physically strong and agile. If used well, numbers don’t matter.”
“Good. Inform my aide of the number and strength of troops you can deploy. I’ll review and assign them to the operation.”
“So, will you hand Beltein over to our side?”
“As long as you fulfil my wishes perfectly, I’ll hand it over willingly.”
When Cabelenus nodded, Gazeff, who was standing behind him, handed over the prepared documents.
The documents included maps of Neustein, including Beltein, with several red lines drawn across the sea at the centre.
"This…"
Fenrir’s expression hardened as he realised the meaning of the lines.
The red lines on the map were not just drawn arbitrarily.
They were sea routes.
“Your goal is to find new routes starting from Beltein.”
“...”
“You believe that if trade can occur without going through the empire, Roaquin’s situation will improve greatly.”
Cabelenus nodded with his arms crossed.
Fenrir quickly changed his expression, but it was already too late.
“Your attempt isn’t bad in itself, but achieving your goal will be quite difficult. There are many variables in that sea.”
"I don’t understand what Your Highness is trying to say."
“Do you know why people from other countries rarely use the port at Beltein?”
"Neustein has always been a closed-off country, after all—"
"Neustein is a small country without any remarkable goods for trade, and above all, its seas are full of reefs. If you enter the wrong way, sinking is a frequent occurrence."
Cabelenus reached out and pointed to the red line on the map.
"There are ten routes in total here, but only one can be safely navigated. That area has many reefs, so ships often sink."
“...”
“No matter how deeply you think about it, it’s pointless. The conclusion will always be that Roaquin has nothing to lose.”
"Then I understand it even less."
"Why? Because it looks like I’m making a losing deal?"
Cabelenus smiled.
"…To be honest, yes. Your Highness wields power comparable to the current emperor, so there’s no real reason to go this far just to ask for our help."
"What I want isn’t power."
"Then why go to such lengths…"
"I have something I must protect."
For a moment, he thought Cabelenus was joking, but there wasn’t a hint of a smile on his face.
Cabelenus was sincere.
Fenrir’s face reflexively twisted.
“Something you must protect?”
"I don’t intend to hold anything back in this matter. I will protect it perfectly, without a single scratch, and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes for that."
"May I ask what it is you are trying to protect?"
“Haven’t you already seen it?”
A smile spread across Cabelenus’s lips.
As if just the thought alone was sweet to him.
It was a look that didn’t suit a man weighed down by all kinds of ill repute.
But precisely because of that, he knew that man was sincere.
“I’m not a virtuous man. If necessary, I can use and discard others without hesitation.”
"Except for one — her alone."
His beast-like eyes flashed.
Fenrir unconsciously swallowed dryly.
Cabelenus was not currently revealing his weakness. He was issuing a warning.
“She’s the only person who makes me stop calculating profits and losses. You understand what I mean, don’t you?"
"So what you’re saying is — if I want what I desire, I must protect her by any means."
"Good, you catch on quickly. Seems I did not misjudge you."
Cabelenus leisurely extended the map toward Fenrir.
"I like people who can restrain their desires. Those who understand restraint know well what they should have and what they cannot.”
"If I am someone who can restrain my desires, then what kind of person are you, Your Highness?"
"I am someone who recognises desires — and can fulfil them.
Cabelenus’s fingertips slowly traced across the map.
Fenrir’s Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably as he looked at the red line visible beneath the large hand.
“If I were to achieve results beyond Your Highness’s expectations, I take it you would be willing to offer even more than this.”
“If you’re capable, then by all means.”
“Aren’t you afraid of Roaquin’s growth, Your Highness? If Roaquin becomes strong, the empire will be the first to be targeted.”
Cher hastily grabbed Fenrir’s sleeve, but Fenrir paid no mind and stared directly at Cabelenus.
There was an answer he needed to hear.
“There’s no way I’m afraid. It will take decades for Roaquin to return to normal. If they have any sense, they won’t be the ones to start a fight.”
“That means…”
“If they start a fight, I won’t avoid it — but I won’t be the one to start it. Roaquin doesn’t mean much to me, anyway.”
“...”
“That look on your face tells me you’re satisfied with my answer.”
Cabelenus chuckled softly.
It was obvious what Fenrir was worried about.
"Even just removing the empire’s pressure would make life in Roaquin much better."
“That depends on what you do moving forward. Even if there’s no foreign influence, if it festers and bursts from within, it’s all over.”
“I’ll take that as advice.”
Fenrir mischievously narrowed his eyes.
Cabelenus leisurely swept his eyes over the young man full of fiery spirit.
Though still young and inexperienced, showing some awkwardness, a certain spirit gleamed in his bright, shining eyes.
He was a better ally than Cabelenus had expected.
・・・・・
"Why on earth do people eat beans? They don’t even taste good."
“That’s why you’re short.”
“But you haven’t eaten a single bean either, Mister.”
Michael pointed at Cabelenus with his fork and snapped irritably.
Cabelenus’s bowl was piled high with untouched beans.
“I grew up just fine without eating beans.”
Cabelenus, wearing his usual indifferent expression, covered the beans with a piece of meat. But there was nothing he could do about Michael’s clearly disgruntled face.
“I’ll grow just fine without eating beans, too, you know?”
“Tell me that after you’ve actually grown.”
“Just you wait. I’ll grow up big just to spite you. I'll become really huge, so don’t go getting scared when that time comes.”
“Yeah, right.”
Cabelenus answered flatly, then subtly averted his eyes when their gazes met.
Before he knew it, Alicia had set down her utensils and was watching the two of them.
“Michael, you shouldn’t be picky with your food.”
“But Mister didn’t eat the beans either!”
“That’s—”
"You said it yourself before, Mum! It’s wrong to tell someone to do something you don’t do yourself!”
“That and this are—”
“And you also said that adults should set an example!”
There was nothing to say in response to the child’s logic.
Alicia wrinkled her nose, then looked over at Cabelenus.
Cabelenus pressed his lips tightly, feeling the pointed gaze.
“Just tell him not to eat it. Beans or whatever — it’s not like it’s a problem if he doesn’t.”
“Growing kids need a balanced diet.”
“You can just feed him something else.”
“...”
“…Alright.”
Cabelenus pressed his forehead, scooped a few beans with his spoon, and put them in his mouth.
Though the chef displayed their finest skill, there wasn’t a single thing about the taste or texture that he liked.
He felt like he’d be better off chewing on rocks instead.
“See? You’d better eat quickly, too.”
"You have to finish everything on your plate."
“...”
“If you eat it all, I’ll eat it all too.”
Michael’s eyes sparkled.
There weren’t many chances to tease Cabelenus.
“Then if I eat it, you have to eat it right away too.”
"Huh?"
“If you suddenly refuse to eat it, then that’s the end of it.”
“Mister, do we really have so little trust between us?”
Michael forced a smile and twisted his body awkwardly, but Cabelenus wasn’t the type to be fooled by that.
Instead, Cabelenus smirked triumphantly and pointed at Michael’s plate with his spoon.
“Of course not.”
“...”
“No more excuses — take a spoonful too.”
“Right. That’ll do. Michael, hurry up and pick up your spoon.”
Now that his mum had teamed up with the mister, there was no more room for excuses.
Michael, wearing a sulky expression, put a spoonful of beans into his mouth.
“Make sure to chew well so you don’t get an upset stomach, okay?”
"Mmm…"
“When you’re done chewing, take another bite.”
“I’m not done chewing yet.”
Even though there was nothing left in his mouth, Michael pretended to chew as if he didn’t notice.
There were still plenty of beans left on the child’s plate, making it hard to willingly accept reality.
"Mister."
"What?"
“Beans don’t taste good, do they?”
"They taste bad."
"Right? Doesn’t it make you want to stop eating them?”
Michael mumbled as he poked at the beans with his spoon.
"That’s true, but I’m still going to keep eating them."
"Why? You said they taste bad!"
“I’ve been making a sincere effort lately.”
Cabelenus furrowed his brow and gathered the remaining beans with his spoon.
At this point, saying he couldn’t do it was out of the question, as expectant eyes looked up at him.
In the end, Cabelenus met their expectations by finishing the plate clean.
“Look, Michael. Mum and Mister have finished eating. Now it’s just you left.”
"But…"
"You have to eat everything, even beans, to become a cool adult."
“...”
"You promised Mister, too."
"...Tch, fine."
Despite pouting, Michael picked up his spoon again.
Alicia gazed fondly at the child chewing quietly, then turned her gaze toward Cabelenus.
“Thank you for your help.”
Alicia whispered softly, just out of Michael’s earshot, and a faint smile spread across Cabelenus’s lips.
"Once you’ve finished eating, shall we go see Rex?"
“...”
"Today, I’ll even let you touch his fur yourself."
"...Really?"
“But only if you finish all those beans."
Cabelenus nodded toward the half-eaten beans.
Wearing a thoroughly gloomy expression, Michael scooped another spoonful of beans into his mouth.
"Anyway, I won’t be able to see Rex today."
"Why not?"
"I have something to take care of."
"What business could you possibly have?"
“No way. I’m a really busy person too, you know?”
Michael snorted and quickly turned his head away.
"All you ever do is play."
"This time, I’m not playing around."
"Then?"
“I have something very important to do.”
“Something important? What is it?”
“It’s a secret, so I can’t tell you… Wait! I’ll let you join too, Mister! On second thought, that sounds better!”
Michael’s face, which had looked like he carried the weight of the world just moments ago, suddenly lit up.
Cabelenus frowned slightly as he looked at the overly excited gleam in the child’s eyes.
“I’m suddenly feeling uneasy.”
“Uneasy? This is a super important matter.”
Michael spoke firmly, but the more confident he was, the darker Cabelenus’s expression became.
There was an unpredictable side to that child.
“What’s going on? Is it a secret from Mum, too?”
“Well… I’ll tell Mum later!”
"Later? Why?"
Alicia playfully dragged out the question, and Michael’s expression instantly turned awkward.
“Because it’s more fun if I tell you later!”
“Really?”
“Yeah! Really! It’s way better if you find out later! Totally! Seriously!”
His awkward expression and tone, like a broken toy, looked downright suspicious.
Even at a glance, the child was lying.
And yet, Alicia’s expression as she looked at Michael was nothing but amused.
Cabelenus couldn’t make sense of the situation at all.
"Can I ask what’s going on right now?"
"Honestly, I don’t really know."
"You don’t?"
“Michael didn’t tell me. So, I don’t know anything.”
Alicia smiled as she rested her chin on her hand.
Cabelenus frowned even deeper as he looked at her.
Though she pretended not to know, her eyes clearly showed she already knew everything.
The only one unaware of this was Michael.
‘What on earth are these two thinking?’
Cabelenus tightly pressed his lips together, staring into the nearly identical ash-grey eyes.
It was because neither side seemed willing to be the first to openly share what was really going on.
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