Planche didn't bother to change clothes. The sloppily buttoned shirt and the wide-open collar showed his bare skin. No matter where he was from, whether Secritia or Kairis, it was unacceptable for a member of the royal family to be seen like this.
Despite Callian's surprise at Planche's rude behavior, he did not make the mistake of putting a knife to his brother's neck. He let out a small sigh and controlled his expression to hide his astonishment.
Randell frowned at Planche's appearance, but he averted his eyes as if he had seen nothing. Callian noticed that gesture.
The First Prince couldn't mess with the Second Prince. The reason was clear.
The three princes of Kairis were all half-brothers. The current Queen Silica was the mother of the Second Prince, Planche. Because of this, it did not matter that he was the First Prince, he could act like he was above the Second Prince.
'The Power of the Queen's Family is significant indeed.'
While Callian was thinking of such things, the servants in the room could only shut their mouths and prepare to serve the food. Soon well-made dishes began to be placed before them one by one.
There was delicious soup and savory breads, along with scrambled eggs and thinly sliced ham. There were fresh salads and fruits of various kinds. For Callian, who had suffered from a long war, it was a mouth-watering sight. If he were alone, he would have eaten everything.
But he did not touch any of the food.
His head was filled with thoughts of his brother Chase, and of his sworn enemy, Planche, who sat across from him. The chilling atmosphere within the dining hall also played a part in keeping his hand from moving to the food.
'It feels like walking on a tightrope.'
There was no conversation between them. Although they were half-brothers, that alone could not be the reason for this silence.
He knew this because Chase had also been his half-brother. Despite this, they laughed and chatted as they ate. Chase had always taken care of him, and his voice echoed in his mind.
'To think you became a knight. You've become very reliable, Berne.'
'Don't worry, Berne. You don't need to worry about anything.'
He remembered how Chase had looked, as the King of Secritia. The one for whom he would even sacrifice his own life without regret. But he couldn't ask about him here, which made him feel more anxious and nostalgic. There was even an impulse to just run away right this instant to go and meet him.
With those thoughts, his anger against Planche flared up again, so he picked up a glass of water and drained it all at once. Someone sneered,
"How indecent."
It was Planche's voice. Planche was barely clothed, but he smirked and spoke mockingly.
"There's not a shred of nobility in you. After all, you take after your mother."
It was a derogatory remark about Callian's mother, a commoner. Unable to hide the anger that flared up inside him, Callian's eyes glowed with fury.
Planche saw Callian's red eyes burning with hatred through his bangs. Planche's gaze became sharp in response.
Even in this situation, Randell did not look up from his food as he ate calmly. A perfect bystander.
Callian turned to Randell with the same fierce look in his eyes.
Then, Planche spoke with a menacing voice,
"You dare—"
Callian's gaze shifted to Planche again and their eyes met. Neither was willing to turn away. Only then did Randell speak softly.
"Enough."
"Those disgusting blood-like eyes have ruined my appetite. I'll leave now."
Planche did not take his eyes off Callian as he said that.
He did not wait for Randell's permission to leave. He just stood up and walked away.
That was rather fortunate. Callian's patience was not so great that he could look at his face for much longer.
"Callian, watch your behavior. His Majesty's birthday celebration is near. Don't cause problems."
But then, Callian heard a voice that diminished his patience even more.
Randell said that with an indifferent expression. At no point did he look at Callian.
'Is he saying this situation is my fault? What about the bastard who just left?'
The words that accused him were so absurd that Callian almost laughed.
If it had not been for this absurd situation, where he had met his death and woken up in another body, Callian would not have held back as much as he had done today.
Of course, Randell had no idea of his brother's struggle to contain his murderous intent. He simply left without caring about Callian's reaction.
"Not a day goes by without something happening…"
He could hear Yan's voice from behind.
Callian leaned his back on the chair and exhaled to calm his rage. This was a sigh that sounded like the sad lament of the youngest who suffered a lot of mistreatment. Yan stared at the prince with a face full of compassion.
After a while, Callian rose quietly from his seat.
Yan approached him to pull out his chair and straighten out his disheveled clothes, working meticulously to make sure everything was flawless. Even though he had most likely watched Callian be ignored and looked down on every day, Yan continued to be gentle and careful.
Callian noticed that the other two princes' attendants were not really as attentive.
There were deep nail marks on Yan's palm, while his eyes were even more twisted than Callian's. At the sight, Callian's seething anger gradually faded. He said in a soft voice,
"Thank you."
Yan's eyes widened and he turned to look at Callian.
The prince was neither weeping nor angry. Instead, he had a small smile. Callian had expressed his gratitude for the first time and Yan struggled to find the words to answer him, but before he could even open his mouth, Callian spoke again,
"What's next on the schedule?"
"There will be a lesson on the War of Gods in one hour."
"Well, I want to be alone until then."
When he heard these words, Yan did not object, but looked at the prince with concern.
***
He had recovered the original Callian's memories, which would not only help him fulfill his duties and classes, but also to move around this palace without getting lost at all. Thus, Callian headed to the artificial lake outside.
There was not another soul around. Only Callian and Yan, who followed him from a distance.
"Haa…"
Callian stopped at the lake and breathed out the heavy sigh he had held back. That's when he saw the statue in the middle of the lake.
It was a black dragon with its wings spread toward the sky, whose eyes were two bright red jewels.
'Isn't that Cysphanian?'