Chapter 26
—Gaizel’s mother was a kind person .
She was a princess from one of the kingdoms destroyed by the late Emperor Dilph . Her beautiful silver hair and well-groomed appearance reminded one of a lily .
However, even when she became royalty, her stature and heart were too weak . After giving birth to Gaizel, due to her sickly conditions, she was confined to bed .
“You didn’t cry . Good job, Gaizel . ”
On the day he came home after getting injured in a quarrel during sword practice, his mother said with a smile .
Because of his mother’s words, Gaizel felt proud—he was sure he had a very strong heart .
—I am strong . I will never cry . I can do anything by myself .
Gaizel, despite being the youngest amongst his brothers, put tremendous effort in anything he did—even more than his brothers .
Especially in regard of fighting . He mayhap had a natural talent in it—said talent only continued to develop because of his effort . It was around that time when he first met Van, whom introduced himself as a knight .
Regardless, Gaizel’s brothers disliked him . He was harassed every time .
Moreover, his brothers’ supporters—all those nobles and their children alike—also bullied him . Gaizel began to find life in the palace suffocating .
Still, he went to visit his mother every day .
When Gaizel visited, his mother always hugged him and said ‘I love you . ’
Depending solely on those words, Gaizel continued to survive each day .
But one winter, his mother suddenly died .
He vaguely remembered what the doctor had said—it was because of the cold .
His mother’s funeral, due to her being a consort, was very modest .
‘Had her son been a bit higher in the line of the succession, it would’ve been different . ’—such heartless words were said . But nothing entered Gaizel’s ears .
While sending off his mother, who was resting inside the coffin, and reading the parting words, Gaizel didn’t shed any tears .
Contrary to expectations, he knew everything about funeral arrangements and the proper courtesy . He performed his duty so well, it was hard to think of him as an ordinary boy .
“—Did you see the face of the Third Prince?”
“—His gaze was so cold, was he even sad?”
Gaizel’s attitude may have seemed bizarre to the adults . Although they refrained from saying it directly, inside, they agreed and ridiculed Gaizel—‘—what a terrifying boy . ’
Gaizel could sense their thoughts—
—however, towards himself, Gaizel was unforgiving .
I’m strong . I can live without relying on anyone else .
Holding on to his late mother’s words, Gaizel desperately moved forward . Even when the funeral concluded and he was alone in front of his mother’s tomb—Gaizel didn’t cry .
He just couldn’t allow himself to cry .
After the loss of his mother, Gaizel’s position in the royal palace was further compromised .
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Suddenly, an order was issued for Gaizel to leave the royal palace and live with the local duke’s family . Behind the scenes, perhaps his brothers also played a hand in said decision .
Gaizel, who understood that he couldn’t refuse, accepted with a double-meaning reply .
Unfortunately, however, due to the suddenness, the preparations by the duke’s family couldn’t be completed in time—as such, Gaizel momentarily lost his place .
While waiting for the duke to finish the preparations, Gaizel decided to follow Van—his childhood friend—to a neighboring kingdom in the South, one named Lacie .
At the end of the long journey, Gaizel discovered that Lacie was the opposite of Verscia . Whilst Verscia constantly fought a cold climate, Lacie was a kingdom of mid-summer humidity and warmth .
He remembered that the majority of Lacie’s population had fiery red hair—it was a very strange sight considering Verscia was a home to people of various hair colors .
For a time being, Gaizel lived in the house of Van’s relatives . Their confusion as to how to treat Gaizel, who was a prince, was obvious .
Gaizel didn’t behave like kids his age . He was a calm and quiet child, which resulted in both other children and servants alike keeping their distance from him .
Gaizel knew he was alienated—despite so, he didn’t let it show on his face .
However, his discomfort gradually accumulated, and one day, Gaizel, who had had enough, slipped out of the house .
It should be fine if I return by evening…
Then, Gaizel headed towards the city alone, absorbing the unknown, foreign, land .
A market lined with brightly colored fruits and fish he had never seen . A lively port . At the end of the street was what appeared to be the royal palace of Lacie—two huge towers could be seen .
Due to the complexity of Lacie’s embroideries, and also the foreign language its residents exchanged, Gaizel gradually lost the concept of time . Before the freedom and openness he had finally obtained, there was no doubt he had gotten a little careless .
By the time he realized it, Gaizel had completely lost his way .
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Looking around, there were too many people to identify his original direction . Gaizel was attacked by wave of anxiety .
What do I do…
Fear started to spread when all the roads appeared the same to him . He didn’t know how to return home . Despite so, even if he decided to sit still, no one would come .
Gaizel desperately tried to retrace his memories .
Then, one tower wall caught his eyes . It was one of the towers on the left and right of the royal palace . If he went to one of the towers, he might be able to return to the main street .
I’ll go . Better than staying here doing nothing .
Gaizel immediately took action .
He often looked up to the sky and aimed for the tower . The distance was farther than he thought . After running a little, he was able to reach a narrow road that lead to the tower .
“…I still can’t see the main street… maybe I have to get to the center first . ”
Although it was near the royal palace, there were only a few people in the surroundings . He progressed through the thick wooded area, scratched by tree branches—how long had it been since he left the house?
Gulping, Gaizel desperately controlled his fear .
Either way, I can’t go back .
He was alone in that foreign land .
At that rate, if no one managed to find him, what would happen to him?
I see, that’s right, I’m …alone .
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Hyuu, hyuu—dried breath leaked from him .
His visibility was blurred by sweat .
After vowing to have a strong heart, realization that he was all alone finally came in full swing .
He didn’t have his mother anymore . His father also never cared about him .
His brothers only ever saw him as an obstacle .
I have, no one…—
—I only have, myself—
Eventually, the path of darkness ended . It seemed that Gaizel had lost his way and reached a garden . Although it was near the royal palace, no soldiers or guards could be seen .
Is this truly how it’s going to end?
Am I going to die without anyone ever finding me?
The terrified Gaizel saw something amidst the swaying shadow of the leaves .
“…?”
What appeared was a girl .
She seemed to be a little younger than Gaizel . Her blue eyes were both round and cute . Because she was surprised by Gaizel’s sudden appearance, her eyes went wide .
What impressed him the most was her hair—her hair was a shade of silver he had yet to see in Lacie .