Chapter 57

Balzac pressed my cheeks with one hand.

As his hard fingertips pressed into my soft cheeks, my cheeks jiggled.

"Hahima. (Don't.)"

"Let me get a little comfort."

Saying something pitiful, he kneaded my cheeks like mochi.

'Comfort?'

"Eh? (Why?)"

Balzac raised his head and said with a voice full of anger.

"Some crazy guys are causing a commotion at the port, so I've been assigned to that side. I don't even have time to investigate the exam-related matters!"

Then Joshua sat next to me and scolded him.

"Since you're useless at investigations anyway, just go nicely."

That's true.

Balzac has no talent for thinking.

"Uhe, that's better. (That's better.)"

Then Balzac narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you talking to, brother? Ah, Eryl, I'm not talking to you."

"You're talking nonsense. Ah, Erylott, I'm not talking to you."

Joshua grabbed Balzac's hand, which was still on my cheek, and threw it aside like trash.

Balzac crossed his arms.

"You're arrogant, little brother."

"Because of a one-minute difference, if I had been born ten minutes earlier, you'd already be old and lying in a coffin, brother."

Oh.

Watching these two, I wonder if the saying that twins get along well is really true.

Their father and uncle got along well, so why not these two?

'When twins match, they match incredibly well.'

I flapped my arms to divert their attention.

"Again, fighting. Again."

"This guy, who was born one minute later, is starting a fight."

"Because this guy, who was born one minute earlier, is saying stupid things."

"Balzac. Joshua."

Frowning and calling their names, the two turned their heads with a "tch."

Balzac clung to me again and poked my cheeks.

"Joshua. I'm healing, don't touch me. I'm already overwhelmed with work."

"Overwhelmed with work?"

I asked, offering my cheek.

Balzac and Joshua are quite old and now help with the castle's affairs, not just the bloodline education.

They belong to the guard, but it seems Balzac is often assigned.

Joshua's blessing, <Compression>, is a broad skill, so Balzac is more suited for 'guard' duties.

Nodding and sighing deeply at my question, Balzac said,

"The exam is a mess, Grandfather's mood is bad, so the guard's atmosphere is the worst, and the guys who appeared at the port didn't even have a flag on their anchor."

Then, as if realizing something, he opened his eyes wide.

"…Eh, do I have to write the report?"

Balzac looked at me and Joshua with a pleading expression.

Joshua turned his head very coldly.

He definitely won't write it for him.

Unless Balzac gives up his position as the eldest.

But I focused on something else.

'A ship without a flag?'

I found another clue.

The Tereza Rose, which originated from the Aligiosa Kingdom.

A ship that appeared without a flag.

Grandfather's mood is the worst...

I already know why Grandfather's mood is the worst.

'Because Uncle Grimey hasn't been able to enter the Central Tower since then!'

Balzac, who had been playing with my cheeks like slime, seemed satisfied and stood up.

He yawned loudly and stretched.

Stretching his limbs, he looked more like a predator than Loreina, who has the blessing of the water sign.

His wild red hair was like a lion's mane.

"I'm so angry, I want to find a reason to kill those guys on the ship."

What?

I quickly grabbed Balzac's clothes.

"No!"

There must be no conflict between countries!

* * *

Four days later.

The VIP procession arrived at Astra Castle.

The direct descendants of Astra gathered in the castle to welcome the VIP.

The faces of the third-generation were all stiff.

Nobles of the empire, or even the royal family.

The VIPs who appeared were completely different from what they had expected!

Grandfather walked out from the center.

His footsteps seemed heavy, with a heavy presence.

Today, Grandfather looked even more flawlessly perfect as a duke.

Grandfather approached the man standing in the center of the VIP group.

"Thank you for your long journey, Prince Belain."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Duke Astra."

The man called Prince Belain had a slightly different appearance and attire from the empire.

Instead of a hat, he wore a turban, and over his smooth silk clothes, he wore a shoulder strap.

Moreover, his well-defined handsome face was very different from the empire's handsome type.

Tanned copper-colored skin.

Jet-black hair.

Tall stature.

He was about the same age as Father, but the atmosphere he exuded was completely different.

This man's full name is Belain Aligiosa.

'The first prince who will inherit Aligiosa.'

Since Grandfather greeted him, it was now Father's turn.

He is the eldest son, excluding Uncle Grimey, who is in the capital.

Father looked exceptionally handsome today.

His hair, shining in the sunlight.

Ruby-red eyes.

A dangerous aura, as if harboring poison.

It was impossible not to be drawn to his gaze.

'Good. Everyone is looking at him.'

Making a strong impression at first meeting is important.

And Father's dazzling appearance leaves an impression like a power drill.

I felt proud just looking at him.

Father stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest, and bowed slightly.

"I greet the noble of Aligiosa."

"I greet the noble of Aligiosa."

"I greet the noble of Aligiosa."

"I greet the noble of Aligiosa."

Following Father, the second and third generations bowed.

Belain laughed warmly.

Despite his thick eyebrows and strong features, he gave a gentle impression.

"It's amazing to see the famous Astra family with my own eyes. Come, Abino, you should greet them too."

Belain gently held and released a young boy's shoulder.

The boy bowed politely.

"I am Abino Aligiosa, the grandson of the current king."

'Ah, so this is Abino.'

Abino Aligiosa looked to be about my age.

His slightly wavy black hair fell over his straight forehead.

Copper-colored skin, and his eyes were just like his father's.

However, Abino was a much more famous child than his father.

'Because he was found after going missing.'

Abino went missing during the civil war and was only found last winter.

But due to the shock of the civil war, he developed amnesia and couldn't remember much of what happened during that time.

For the first prince's son to go missing...

If the reason was known, there would have been a major investigation and accountability.

'But it all fizzled out because of Abino's amnesia.'

No one knew where, how, or when he disappeared.

They didn't even know if he was kidnapped or left the palace on his own.

Only Abino's closest palace staff seemed to have left.

Belain felt sorry for his only son who had gone through such hardships.

So after finding his son, he decided to do everything for him.

'That's probably why he brought him on the voyage.'

He wanted to let his son enjoy the fresh air in the safest place by his side.

He can't take his eyes off his son even now.

'He loves his son so much.'

Belain's eyes were full of affection as he looked at Abino.

Just like our Father.

'Do handsome men love their children deeply?'

Belain laughed and explained why he came to Astra.

"While we were sailing, our ship drifted and ended up in Astra. Thank you, Duke Astra, for your help."

I smiled soullessly.

'Yeah, it's a complete lie.'

Unbelievable.

Would any drifter not put up a flag while drifting?

'What if they enter another country's territorial waters and get shot for being an unidentified ship?'

I glanced at Grandfather.

His usually stiff expression looked a little better.

It was natural for Grandfather's mood to improve.

'Even though he's my grandfather, he's really terrifying.'

Bringing the first prince of Aligiosa, Belain, from a distant continent must have been Grandfather's doing.

One hundred percent. No, one thousand percent, it was Grandfather.

'He's trying to pressure the emperor through Belain.'

It all made sense.

The emperor dared to give the foreign minister position to Uncle Grimey to check Astra.

A foreign minister to Astra's direct descendant, the eldest son?

Everyone knows that Grandfather immediately summoned the elders and was extremely angry.

So this is a protest against not giving the Central Tower position.

'Bringing the powerful kingdom of Aligiosa's first prince to pressure the emperor.'

It shows how far Astra's influence reaches.

And he wants to show it.

What Astra Duke can do, how, and to what extent to achieve what he wants.

'While also evaluating the third generation's capabilities.'

Quite a few people, besides me, understood Grandfather's intentions.

Among the direct descendants, but mostly the retainers and aides who handle practical matters.

Their faces showed admiration for Grandfather's scale, but also a slight unease.

"Let's go inside."

Grandfather moved with a smile that didn't look like a villain's.

As Astra people and Aligiosa people moved together,

The moment they entered the gate.

Prince Belain's son, Abino, said in a small but audible voice,

"Father, I want to go play."

He probably doesn't want to be involved in the difficult talks that will follow.

'Well, if you think he's about ten years old, like me.'

"Hmm..."

Belain, who is weak for his son, looked at Grandfather with a troubled expression.

'Is the prince seeking Grandfather's permission?'

I was surprised.

This means Grandfather has a firm grip on the relationship with the first prince of a powerful kingdom, not even an imperial subject.

'As expected, Grandfather.'

Grandfather seemed even bigger.

I wanted to raise Father to be just like Grandfather.

Belain laughed awkwardly and asked,

"Is it okay?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. I can't refuse anything my son asks for."

"I understand."

'Hmm?'

For some reason, it felt like Grandfather's gaze touched me and then moved away.

Was it just my imagination?

"Take the prince to the garden."

Grandfather told the third generation to take Abino to the garden.

"Prince, this way."

"I will take you to the garden."

This year's evaluation test topic is the reception of VIPs.

It's clear that the VIPs for the test are Prince Belain and Prince Abino of Aligiosa.

Saying to take him to the garden means to properly entertain and play with him.

'Well, it's a bit inappropriate to talk politics in front of children. I want to listen, though.'

But Conrad will hear and tell me, so I'm not worried.

The third generation took Prince Abino to the west garden.

Right where the new Tereza roses were planted.

"Prince, what is your clothing made of? It looks different from the clothes worn in the empire. It seems very special."

"The clothes are special, but perhaps the prince is even more special, making them look even more so."

"Prince, the pattern on your turban is really excellent. I..."

"I also..."

The third generation was in a frenzy trying to win Abino's favor.

'Of course, the evaluation will be decided by one word from Abino.'

Seeing how Belain can't do anything, it's clear Abino holds the key.

"Hmm..."

But Abino was indifferent.

Still, the third generation was in a frenzy, saying they were tired.

"Surely, you must have suffered a lot from the long journey by ship."

"To have crossed such a vast sea! You must be very brave. Did you encounter any sea monsters? The knights of Aligiosa must have cut them down in one stroke?"

"Hey, what are you doing? Bring something for the prince to eat!"

'They're like puppies.'

The third generation usually acts like puppies.

Very fierce, barking fiercely if things go wrong, like Chihuahuas.

But now, they seem like very friendly country dogs, wagging their tails vigorously.

'No wonder. They must be under a lot of pressure.'

I smiled calmly.

No one else among the third generation could have known that the VIPs coming this time were from the royal family of Aligiosa.

I would have taken a long time to figure it out if Blizen hadn't given me a hint.

Balzac mentioned that a ship without a flag had entered while he was on guard, so he must have noticed something.

But without Blizen's help, it would have been hard to know in time.

'If I had trouble, how about these guys? They probably didn't prepare anything.'

They probably assumed the VIPs would be high-ranking nobles or royalty within the empire and prepared accordingly.

Preferred drinks, fragrances, foods, etc., of the people from Aligiosa.

They must be anxious because they didn't investigate or prepare anything.

'So they're trying to use Prince Abino in front of them.'

Since he looks young, they're trying to win his favor to get a good evaluation.

But.

Despite the efforts of the Astra Chihuahuas, Abino looked incredibly bored.

"Yawn..."

I even saw him yawn internally.

"Ha..."

He remained expressionless no matter what the children said.

"Prince! Prince! We've brought various types of warm and cold tea. Which one do you like the most?"

"Hmm..."

"If you don't like tea, how about juice? I'll have fresh fruit juice made right away!"

Joffrey's tail was spinning like a propeller.

Although he's stupid, Joffrey, who has a strong sense of pride, is doing this, but Abino doesn't even blink.

'Good entertainment.'

While watching like I'm drinking a proxy soda, Joffrey's sister, Loreina, stepped forward.

'Is Loreina better than Joffrey?'