Chapter 131
The Return of the Eccentric Prince
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It was midnight when we finally reached the royal capital .
Once I had arrived, the once sleeping royal castle gradually became busy . I didn’t intend to wake everyone up, but we had no choice . Waiting for dawn was simply not an option .
I intend to ask Father for help . In the meantime, I excused myself to change into something lighter . The dirt and mud were cleanly washed away with hot water . When I finally settled down, the door violently opened with a bang . I couldn’t help but jump . Turning towards the source of the noise, I saw my elder brother standing there panting heavily .
He wore a scarily grim expression, a contrast to the aloof smile that always floated on his face . Silence quickly fell in the room as I didn’t know what to say .
My brother paced up to me without saying a word, his eyes fixed on me, and then he hugged me tightly . Honestly, I had no idea what was going on .
His embrace was so tight to the point that I had trouble breathing . It hurts, I wanted to complain, but I noticed his arms quivering .
“…-cht, Nacht…! I’m so glad-!”
‘I’m so glad that you’re safe!’ He finally squeezed out the words he wanted to say .
It was impossible for me to push him away when I saw him like this . I gently patted on my brother’s back in hopes of calming him down .
“I’m back . I’m sorry if I had made you worry . ”
“As long as you’re safe, then it doesn’t matter!”
My brother’s face and eyes were red and moist . I know it wasn’t like he hated me or anything, but I didn’t expect him to worry for me to this extent .
No, that’s not it . Even back then, he was always like this—a caring person .
When I was young, I remembered my brother’s crying face at my bedside when I had a high fever .
“You still can’t leave your brother alone as always, Licht . ”
A powerful voice caught my attention as I reminisced about the past .
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The man standing in the hallway smiled bitterly . Like my brother, he had a well-featured, handsome face .
“…Father . Not only had I woken up the palace, but you had also come to receive me, my deepest apologies…”
“Oh, stop it . I came to see my son who finally came home . At least let me hold you first . ”
My apology was suddenly interrupted by a soft voice as he hugged me, his embrace overlapping my brother’s .
“Thank the gods you’re okay . If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to face Amelie in heaven . ”
Despite everything, it was still embarrassing to be hugged by your own father when you’re no longer a child, but I couldn’t push Father, who loved Mother so much, away .
After the little informality, I decided to switch gears and delivered my report on Grenze .
I spoke about the epidemic and the sick that were isolated in a village deep in the forest, what the son of General Heinz von Geisster, Philipp, had done, and Johan’s decisive response .
And of course, I did not forget the light of hope that his sister, Princess Rosemarie, had given us .
I tried to explain our situation as simply and quickly as I could .
But before I noticed, I had become excited . The despair and hope that I had gone through in a short period of time were too vivid, it was impossible to stay calm . It was hard to understand what I was saying as I jumped through the story one point after the other, but my father and brother both listened with admirable attention .
My father deeply sank into the sofa made out of mahogany and dark brown leather . He laid his hands on his long legs and closed his eyes as if going into deep thought . But I had no doubt that he was still listening to me intently . On the other hand, my brother had impeccable posture with his back upright, but half of what I said was likely flowing out the other ear .
When I had finished, Father slowly opened his eyes .
“…I see . ”
His muttered words were low and heavy .
“It seems that my judgement was so poor that I ended up causing trouble for countless people . ”
I didn’t know what to say to my guilt-ridden father .
The Grenze epidemic and deforestation were most likely closely linked together .
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If limits were placed on deforestation in time before the forest was destroyed, then perhaps the disease may not have spread in the first place .
I did indeed feel indebted to the soldiers who lived at the border and acted as a buffer to the threat Scherz posed . I could not condemn my father for playing the waiting game when the peaceful and prosperous future we had attained after a long time was at stake .
However, I know that one shouldn’t bring their personal feelings into politics .
“Father…”
“But this isn’t the place or time for regrets or remorse . Let’s respond immediately . ”
Father declared and stood up .
“First, let’s arrange food and supplies . Oh, and bring along our doctors and pharmacists, including anyone who has medical knowledge . Then, in order to keep other towns in the west, including Grenze, from needlessly worrying, let’s have someone manage that area in place of the Geissters for a while . The investigation regarding Philipp von Geisster will be put on hold for the time being…”
“Father . I would like to leave for Grenze immediately . ”
“Nacht?”
It was my brother, not Father, who was looking my way with his brows furrowed .
It was not my desire to make my brother more anxious than he already was, but it was impossible . After all, I must keep my promise .
“I have to return to my friend and benefactor . ”
“…But Nacht-!”
“Licht, enough . ”
Father put his hands on Brother to calm him down .
“But Father! If he contracts the disease…”
“The prince and princess of our neighbouring country are in that forest, aren’t they?”
“…T-That’s-”
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“They are not trying to save their own countrymen… They are trying to save the lives of the people of Wind . Do you realise how essential they are?”
A strong light lit up in my father’s eyes, which were usually as calm as a brilliant lake .
“We cannot betray the people who risked their lives to help us . Isn’t that right, Licht? With how honest and just you are, I am sure you understand . ”
“…Yes . ”
My brother lowered his face down for a moment, but slowly blinked and raised it back up . He answered Father while looking at him straight in the eyes, and Father nodded with satisfaction .
Father promptly arranged for a maidservant to call for the Prime Minister and the Commander of the Knight Guard before coming back into the room once again .
I intended to leave the room now in order to prepare my departure for Grenze as quickly as possible .
With that decision in mind, I said my goodbyes to Elder Brother and Father .
But before I could leave, my father approached me . For some reason, as if it was a secret, Father cupped his hand over my ear .
“Hey, Nacht . I’m a little worried, can I ask you something?”
“…? What would you like to know?”
“I want you to listen carefully and keep a cool head, alright?”
I nodded while tilting my head, clearly confused as to why he would tell me this .
“Are you in love with Nebel’s Princess?”
“…Huh!?”
For an instant, the words didn’t register in my head .
Who is in love with who?!
I wanted to shout, but I endured it . For starters, I couldn’t yell at the monarch of the country . Put up with it, me .
“Your eyes were shining so brightly whenever you talked about the princess . And even now, your face is bright red, you know?”
“That’s because of the outrageous thing you just said, that’s all… It’s really not like that . ”
I rubbed my red cheeks away with the back of my hands and sighed .
She certainly was a beauty .
But more striking than her looks was the powerful glint in her eyes .
However—No, it’s because of that, isn’t it .
I don’t think I am someone suited to be in love . The light of salvation at that time was just so dazzling, I couldn’t even reach for it, I felt it was that sacred .
“Is that so? Well, I think if you and the princess could get together, that’ll be best for both countries . ”
“A mere boy like me with that person… how presumptuous . Moreover…”
“Moreover?”
Father urged me to continue .
But I shook my head without saying anything more .
“No, it’s nothing . ”
The man who escorted me back to the royal city came to my mind .
When he finally delivered me to the royal palace, he immediately turned back towards the forest and disappeared into it .
I was sure he was worried, leaving Johan in the woods, but I had a feeling that the prince wasn’t his only concern .
Before, he had said ‘my ray of hope,’ and I wasn’t interested in figuring out who he was referring to .
However, once I remembered the princess’ blushing face as soon as her eyes landed on him, I couldn’t dismiss their relationship as mere ‘mutual trust . ’