Chapter 45

When I found the lost twins and guided them to the pavilion, it was empty.

Should I think this is convenient, or should I think it would have been better if someone was there to quickly take care of them?

The twins thanked me and gave me some candy, so I had Iku check it for poison, and it was fine.

Hmm, should I think this sparkling smile is a perk?

The twins held the same candy I was given in their hands, and Warnel, who had given me the soufflé, remembered the spoon and returned to the pavilion.

"It's delicious, thank you."

"Yeah, it's delicious!"

I took a bite of the nut pastries that Furu recommended and a smile spread across my face.

The taste was carefully made, and the texture was smooth, truly delicious.

That's why I'm even more curious.

What is Warnel feeling so uneasy about?

Is it because the nuts get stuck in his throat without chewing properly?

Or is it because the skin of the berry-based ones feels bad on the tongue, making him uneasy?

"I brought the spoon! Ah, Brother!"

"Brother?"

It's not about me, right?

I wish it was about me, though.

When Warnel returned, I started waving with a smile.

At the same time, I heard hurried footsteps from behind.

Turning around, I saw a boy with navy blue hair approaching with a stern expression.

He's supposed to be six, but he looks so sharp.

He's grown a lot since I met him at three.

"Who are you!?"

I felt a blow to my heart!

Terry, you don't remember me... Ugh, my heart hurts.

I had been using Sefira to observe him unilaterally, and it's natural that Terry, who was only three, wouldn't remember.

But I wish he did.

"Are you with the palace guards?"

Terry, who noticed my uniform, looked at my attire.

The clothes were prepared by my father, the emperor, so the quality is good.

And since I'm going outside, I've dyed my hair black, so I stand out.

Actually, my hair has been getting more silver lately, like premature white hair, which is a bit, well, yeah.

"Are you the first prince?"

One of Terry's palace guards whispered this to him, and he made a very displeased face.

Since I'm an adult, I know what happened three years ago, and I know what happened to the guards back then.

I want to say it's not my fault.

When he glanced at the sword at my waist, he quickly clasped his hands behind his back.

No, I don't intend to make false accusations.

"Furu, Warnel. Stay away from him."

"What's wrong?"

"Is Brother angry?"

The twins showed confusion on their faces when Terry called out to them sternly.

Am I being identified as an enemy? Oh, this is so sad.

They were so cute.

But now, Furu and Warnel are the priority.

"I'm not angry at you, so it's okay. But you should thank him later since he must have been worried."

"Okay."

"Got it."

They're so honest.

But if I get treated like this by Terry again in three years, I might cry.

I'm already holding back a lot right now.

Is it because the adults around him think this way that Terry has this attitude?

No, since we've met, this might be a chance to clear up the misunderstanding?

"What did you do to win over my brothers?"

"You're supposed to be my brother, too, right?"

I said this while standing up from the crouched position where I was looking at Furu and Warnel.

Immediately, I was glared at.

"No! Don't get too full of yourself!"

Immediate denial... My heart is breaking.

"Even if you deny it, I don't think it will change anything."

"You, a coward who plots in secret to aim for the throne, don't deserve to be called my brother."

"That's a false accusation. But, I see. So that's what they're saying about me."

Who told Terry such lies?

I've never aimed for the throne, yet it's being said as if it were true.

If I really had such intentions, I would have been more assertive and wouldn't have been a recluse.

How should I explain this?

Can a six-year-old understand logical reasoning?

"Never showing your face and hiding, not acting like a man. And now, even involving young brothers. I won't allow it! Could it be that Warnel's disappearance was also your doing? What a despicable act!"

He pointed at me and wouldn't stop making assumptions.

It's not scary because it's just a child making a fuss, but I'm being treated like a villain.

This is worse than the last time.

And Terry seems too agitated to listen.

Maybe I should leave and try again later.

Was it a mistake not to approach him first?

Maybe I should start showing that I have no ill intentions.

In any case, I should deny these false accusations for now.

"......I just found the lost twins and guided them, just like before. I came to the garden for my own business. I'll take my leave now."

But what should I do with the candy in my hand?

Eating it while being glared at would create an awkward atmosphere.

But I can't carry the candy Furu recommended, which I've already started eating.

Thinking about this, I noticed something was wrong with Furu.

"Furu? What's wrong?"

"I feel sick."

His eyes were out of focus.

And as soon as he answered, he suddenly crouched down.

"Furu, are you feeling queasy again?"

Warnel, looking worried, crouched down beside him and asked.

I tried to go to Furu's side, but Terry pushed me away and ran over.

I was about to fall but was supported by Iku.

However, both pieces of candy were on the ground, ah...

"Furu! Furu!?"

Terry, worried, tried to lift Furu's face, but his eyes were still out of focus.

His complexion was rapidly deteriorating.

It clearly looked like his blood pressure was dropping.

I've seen someone faint from anemia in my previous life, and it looked similar.

(What happened?)

(Temperature drop, abnormal breathing detected)

The invisible Sefira answered me and informed me of Furu's condition.

I want to tell her not to scan people without permission, but I understand the situation is serious.

I also approached and looked at Furu.

"Furu, are you having trouble breathing?"

I think he faintly nodded.

"We need to call a doctor. Is this the first time you've had these symptoms?"

"No, it's... confidentiality... obligation..."

Terry's guard hesitated to speak.

He can't leave us alone, but there's no sign of calling a doctor.

"Iku, gather some people."

"Understood."

Iku responded and immediately took out a whistle.

It's something the palace guards blow when they detect an abnormality.

There are penalties if they blow it for no reason, but Iku immediately took out the whistle and blew it at my request.

During this time, I placed my hand on Terry's shoulder.

"First, we need to lay Furu down and let him rest."

"Don't touch him!"

My hand was slapped away.

Even though he's a child, he used a forceful and loud slap.

But Terry, without a moment to spare, picked up Furu and turned his back to me.

Warnel, seeing his brother's unusual behavior, looked at me with a face that was about to cry.

"Calm down, Terry. I have no intention of harming anyone. We just need to help Furu."

"Lie!"

Tears welled up in Terry's eyes as he turned to look over his shoulder.

His expression was stern, but he was still a child, and I could see that he was trying to act like a prince when he looked sharp.

But now, his face was distorted not by anger towards me but by fear, and his small shoulders were trembling as he desperately tried to protect Furu from me.

Regular update

Next: Attempted Assassination of the Prince 4