Ch4 - [The other person’s teammate] The first real significant encounter between the two of them

Brief note about the title of this chapter: There’s a saying in CN that’s like “The other family’s child” to lament why are other ppl’s kids better than your own. This is the same idea.

Two hours later, the invitation cards printed with the Monte family seal came out one by one, fresh out of the oven. They were delivered by the guards to every corner of the Imperial capital.

As an outstanding ‘handsome and talented youth’, Nalun also received the invitation, which he returned one second later.

“What a coincidence.” He gave a nonchalant glance to the invitation deliverer: “I just happened to have a gathering with my friends on this day.”

Nalun didn’t actually know that his lofty and elegant refusal immediately lost its grandeur as soon as he turned around and left. His 9 year old niece eagerly chased down the invitation deliverer, practically crying to take the invitation from him.

Ilia: “Little uncle said he regretted it. Please give me the invitation! Also, please do not expose him.”

“This……”

Ilia clasped both hands and gazed at him with a pair of big, innocent blue eyes: “Just give it to me. I will help you hand it over to him.”

“….. then, alright. Here you go.” He patted the golden haired little Lolita on the head, thinking: Although the Honored Prince Charvey had an eccentric personality, his niece was unexpectedly adorable and innocent.

To the aristocrats of the Imperial Capital, it was preordained that they’d be unable to remain home leisurely this weekend. On the same day, they received two different heavy-weighted invitations. In addition, they discovered that the time on the invitations were strangely identical. Recalling the rumors of a certain feud between the Admiral and the Honored Prince, everyone keenly whiffed the aroma of competition.

The deeply crafty people believed firmly that this wasn’t just a simple question of picking one out of the two. Instead, it was a selection of sides. The Admiral or the Honored Prince. This was a hard question.

Although the Honored Prince Charvey’s reputation amongst the common people couldn’t compete with the national idol, Admiral Sirius, as the blood relative of his majesty, the Emperor, from his mother’s side, the Honored Prince had an extremely high and majestic status. Before the Old Honored Prince Charvey retired, he also made great contributions to the Empire.

One side held power within his hands. The other side had a highly respectable lineage. Neither of them were good to offend.

A few days later, the day of the arrangements finally arrived.

Nalun called over Alida and headed over to the arranged location together.

Alida looked mentally exhausted. There were even heavy black circles under his eyes.

Nalun: “Didn’t sleep well?”

Alida shook his head: “I can’t even explain it.”

Nalun didn’t get it, however the big brunette clearly didn’t want to discuss this topic. Instead, with a shake of energy, he said in anticipation: “Today, I plan to have a good relaxing time!”

The gathering was held at a private courtyard halfway up LuoRi Volcano. Right now it was just in time for Spring. All nature within the mountain were rebirthing. The originally active volcano has already been extinguished a long time ago. Humans transplanted all sorts of vegetation and covered most of the mountain. With a light breeze, a faint sweet fragrance carried over.

Nalun walked halfway and then stopped: “You head up the mountain first.”

Alida didn’t understand: “Why? Aren’t we going together?”

Nalun thought for a moment and gave a very suitable excuse: “Lately, my wrist has been aching slightly. I heard that there’s a clinic at the foot of the mountain. The owner of the clinic is a descendent of a famous family that practiced ancient traditional medicine. Therefore, I planned to take a look along the way.”

Alida said with worry: “Didn’t you say it was already better!”

Nalun swiftly answered: “It relapsed.”

Alida furrowed his brows tightly: “Forget it. Why don’t I come with you?”

Nalun said seriously: “No need. Aren’t you looking forward to this gathering? Madam Hill and Miss Betty are both at the gathering. There’s no need to accompany me.”

Alida made a stern face: “Do we need such courtesy between us? Do you think I would abandon my sick friend just for women? Nalun, we’re friends! Of course I have to take care of you first!”

Facing his little pal’s sincere words, Nalun felt a bit touched. However, this tiny bit of emotion didn’t make him change his mind. On the contrary, he was a bit disappointed– He had heard this place was a private clinic. The owner of the clinic was completely blind but had excellent medical expertise. Their public appraisal was also very good. They wouldn’t divulge any of their patient’s information.

If the wound on his body remained untreated, it would become a big issue soon. Nalun had located the gathering at LuoRi Volcano just so he could treat his wound without anyone noticing. If Alida insisted on following him……

“You’re right. However, we’re still not going.”

Alida didn’t understand: “Why?!”

Nalun answered sincerely: “Because, I suddenly feel better.”

The big brunette sank into a haze of confusion and silence.

Plans to seek treatment resulting in failure, Nalun was somewhat distraught. From the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of a group of people behind him and said in bewilderment: “Why’s there so many people here?”

Some of the people were even from families that were friendly with Sirius?

Alida’s voice was somewhat gloomy: “Oh. I heard that Sirius invited people here today to soak in the onsen. Didn’t you receive the invitation?”

“…..”

He received it. However, to display clearly that he was utterly uninterested, he returned the invitation directly without even opening it. He didn’t know that the other had also picked LuoRi Volcano.

Alida: “Let’s go quickly, so we don’t bump into that annoying guy.”

However, it was already too late.

“Isn’t this the Honored Prince Charvey?” A measured shout came from behind them.

Nalun turned around. Immediately, he recognized the person who arrived–Sirius’s #1 hound, Officer Diya.

This boorish and unsightly fellow, who was born on a backwater mining planet, actually came here as well. And not to mention, he used an extremely taunting tone to call out and stop them.

“I heard you refused the invitation and then secretly sent someone to accept it again?” Diya looked at Nalun with an ambiguous smile: “I originally thought it was a rumor. Who would have thought you really came.”

Nalun stood in place, face covered in frost. He didn’t quite understand Diya’s taunting words. However, right now, he really didn’t want to think too much to understand it.

Because Sirius Monte’s gaze was currently locked directly on him.

Nalun can feel the blood in his whole body flowing faster, his heart beating madly. This gaze always gave people a feeling of helplessness, like there was no place to hide any secrets.

He thought: if Sirius had even the slightest memory of that night, that would practically be a catastrophe to Nalun. Just thinking about this was enough to drown him in a feeling of humiliation.

Since that night, this was the first real significant encounter between the two of them.

As an Admiral who had an extremely large following in the Empire, even in casual dress, Sirius still remained looking upright, big and tall, possessing a grandeur and impressive aura that’s impossible for normal people to achieve.

This was a man who was destined to stand on a pedestal and receive people’s reverence.

Even Nalun had to admit that in terms of outward appearance, Sirius possessed the assertive dominance of a leader more than him.

Nalun’s own appearance was not bad, but a little too soft. Also because of his personality, he wasn’t very likable. Just as Alida said, in comparison to the awe inspiring lion-like Sirius, he was more like a poisonous snake, waiting for the opportune time to strike.

The poisonous snake flicked his serpent tongue and revealed a fitting smile: “Admiral Sirius, long time no see.”

Sirius nodded his head, gaze landing on his wrist: “It really has been a few days since we last met. Does your hand still hurt?”

Nalun’s smile stiffened: “It’s only a small injury. Nothing to be concerned about.”

Alida said indignantly: “Nalun, you were just saying your wrist still hurt! A certain person really doesn’t know how to control their own strength.”

Nalun: “……”

To the side, Diya said: “Very sorry. If we happen to have more ‘friendly duels’ in the future, I will definitely remind the Admiral to remain gentle to avoid injuring his majesty, the precious Honored Prince. After all, the Honored Prince isn’t like one of those vicious, evil bandits from the battlefield nor a tough-skinned soldier on the training grounds.”

Nalun looked at his own teammate; then he looked at the other person’s teammate, a sense of melancholy arising spontaneously within his heart.