133 months ago
"I'm sorry, Prince Joan. Later than planned.
Prince Lance, the first prince of the kingdom of Sursis, had become a frequent visitor to our kingdom of Chinensis with his ten-year-old body but escort.
"I don't mind, Prince Lance.... Prince Cedric again?
I answer him with a grin, apologizing as soon as I got out of the carriage and panicked. From time to time he sometimes came later than he promised. Most of the cause was his younger brother, Prince Cedric II.
"Oh... you guys, I'm telling you to come if you don't want to leave so much, but I really can't try to come with you.
When he scratched his head and sighed, he rearranged his clothes as if he remembered. Not disturbed now, but I'm sure they pulled my clothes again before I got in the carriage. It seems that whenever he visits our country alone, Prince Cedric II will stop Prince Lance.
"You're still close.
Normally, their royalty hardly has time with their brothers. Separated and raised by teachers and nannies. Except for their hopes, I didn't know why they were so close to each other that they were raised separately. It's an utterly unknown realm for me without my brothers and sisters.
"He's still a little frightened of the outside world… even though he says the kingdom of Chinesis is a good country, he refuses hard.
"That's normal. If you grew up as a royalty, you can't help but be scared of the kingdom of China.
The distortions between the royalty and the upper echelons of the kingdoms of Cersis and Chinensis persist all the time. The people are still the second prince. I'm sure he's got a lot of education.... especially Prince Cedric.
"Is there something normal or something? It doesn't make sense if you know the truth more than normal.
I laugh at the same mouthfeel as ever as I lead him to the guest room. Three months had passed since the day I decided to exchange words directly with him and have an exchange. I was attracted to his glare then and took that hand, but I really think he's straight for ever.
"Prince Cedric... surely now he was six years old.
Enter the guest room and continue the conversation, recommending the couch. "Oh... I'm six now," he muttered in a sigh as he sank himself on the couch as recommended. I command the maid to prepare tea while I hear it.
"Now I take care of the Lord... but I still have to open my heart to the others. Well, there's been a lot going on, so I can't help it.
"With all that, are you studying properly?
I also sink myself on the couch and recommend the tea the samurai brewed me. Including a sip of tea as they were with each other, I finally took a breath. When Prince Lance woke himself up off the couch and picked his fingers between his eyebrows, he said, "Naturally I do. Because there's no other way to fill it with effort," he replied.
"I had a lot of worries about how to deal with them in the beginning... but... they never get tired of me just being next door even when I'm focused on studying.
"You're really missed... Didn't I tell you it's been two years since I got involved?
It is rare for brothers to be so close to each other royalty. I also feel like knowing Prince Lance's character would explain why Prince Cedric, my brother, will miss you. But there's not much for a six-year-old to be satisfied with just being next to his brother without playing or wanting anything.
"I've been talking more from myself than I used to... Still don't try to get involved with anything but me.
"What kind of life did Prince Cedric have until you left him?"
Rather than absolute trust, I find it a little surprising that I also feel slightly dependent. Prince Lance looked away from me and frowned when he accidentally returned it to his eating mood.
"... had a special education.
It was a rare way to put it into words for Prince Lance, who always speaks happily.... special education. I immediately understand what that means. His rumors and aliases, the second prince of the kingdom of Sursis, had also reached the kingdom of China. And naturally, … there were a few people who didn't feel comfortable about it.
"... Prince Lance. Don't you hate Prince Cedric?
I'll throw him the question I've been thinking about.
Why would he, the first prince, take care of Prince Cedric? In the Kingdom of Sursis, the First Prince is basically to inherit the throne. Normally, you don't have to worry about him taking that throne away from you by Prince Cedric, the second prince. … but.
If you hear rumors about their brothers, Prince Cedric should be an abominable being who can't help but think he's in the way.
With his eyes slightly rounded to my doubts, Prince Lance regained my face from the front. As it is, he tells me the answer without confusion.
"There's no way I hate you. He never tried to torment me.
Saying so and shaking his neck sideways as he deserved, he was filled with that glare he hadn't seen in three months. I blink over and over again at the words I tell you without getting too lost or misleading. [M] Then Prince Lance went on to answer my confusion.
"Originally, I've heard rumors of examples… but the feeling of brotherhood simply diminished over hatred.
Burning eyes as far back as I can remember can be directed somewhere else that isn't here. After all, until two years ago, I guess there was nothing in contact with him and Prince Cedric, just like normal royalty.
"But now it's a family that matters to me, with no changeover. My mind hasn't caught up with the growth of my body yet... but the truth is, she's a sweet kid.
Prince Lance laughing at me for saying so was definitely my brother's face. For me without my brothers and sisters, I find Prince Cedric a little envious of having such a considerate brother. Keep saying, "Someday I may be saved by that kindness.," he laughed, adding his thoughts to the future of this country.
"I want to draw Cedric on you one day, too. I feel like you... know Cedric a lot better than I do.
That's what he said. Now he turned that strong grin on me.
As far as Prince Cedric's rumors were concerned, I thought he was quite a long way from me, but Prince Lance's words were strange and convincing. When I said, "Shall I go from me to the kingdom of Sursis again?", I sighed back, "I will run away again anyway." When I visited the kingdom of Sursis, Prince Cedric was bound to flee somewhere. He also learned to climb trees after he started descending with Prince Lance under the castle, and more recently he escaped and hid on trees.
"Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until he wants to...
With his head, he roared more like a father than a brother. I recommended him another cup of tea, thinking that it would be rare for a human to age so much at ten.
Still, I couldn't wait a bit to see Prince Cedric, who had never had a proper conversation.