The Arrow of Destiny Cuts Through the Night

#68

A new teapot was promptly placed on the table.

The distinctive bitter aroma of Swilleaf tea, which would be contained within, wafted over the table.

With a tense expression, the sound of gulping and a prominent movement of the Adam’s apple could be heard as the teacup was tilted. Soon after, Ernis Claude spoke with a surprised tone.

“My throat, which was hurting until just now, seems to have improved a bit.”

…Already? One of Kain Starchis’s eyebrows shot up. While Swilleaf tea does help with weak bronchial tubes, it doesn’t usually show effects this quickly. The current absence of pain was likely due to his desire to believe in its effects.

However, explaining all this again seemed quite troublesome, so Kain simply nodded in response.

“…That’s good.”

After all, from today onwards, the 5th Prince would be drinking more Swilleaf tea instead of Wintril, so the effects would come eventually.

“Wintril was the tea I’ve been enjoying lately. I wondered why my cough had been getting worse recently… To think it was just because of this tea!”

Ernis Claude grumbled. His complexion was still pale and sickly. The tea only provides temporary relief without addressing the underlying issue.

All the attendants waiting behind them were fidgeting nervously, tense at the thought that the 5th Prince might start coughing again. Whether aware of the attendants’ shrinking hearts or not, Ernis Claude leaned his upper body slightly over the table and said,

“By the way… Your name was Kain, right?”

Meeting Ernis Claude’s cloudy gray eyes, Kain replied,

“Yes.”

“I’m curious about something. May I ask you a question?”

“…”

Kain glanced slightly at Jersian sitting beside him.

He was worried about saying something wrong that might ruin Jersian’s work, as he couldn’t lie in his response. Understanding the meaning in his eyes, Jersian furrowed his brow for a moment, then gave a slight nod. Only then did Kain answer Ernis Claude.

“Yes.”

“I’ve already heard rumors that you met Jersian Gerold in the Marquis’s forest. But why did an elf come down from the Fiokhim Mountains to the human realm in the first place? What reason could there be?”

“…”

Kain Starchis tilted his head slightly. It seems he too was unaware of the elves’ concept of ‘destined partner’. Is it possible that everyone is unaware of this, even after a thousand years?

Well, compared to elves who can sometimes live up to a thousand years, humans’ lifespans don’t even reach 100 years, so it might be difficult for such stories to be passed down among them until now. Kain chose to tell the truth rather than circling around with lies.

“I came here to meet Jersian.”

“…Jersian?”

Ernis Claude asked again with a dubious expression.

“Is that really the reason?”

“Yes.”

But this was a truth that could be proudly stated even before the World Tree. No matter how many times he was asked, the answer would be the same. Ernis Claude still frowned as if he couldn’t believe it. This made the dark circles under his eyes stand out even more.

“…Then why Jersian specifically?”

“Because he is my destined partner.”

“…”

At Kain’s answer, Ernis Claude, who was about to bring the teacup to his lips, set it down with a thud. He seemed to need a moment to process the information that had just entered his mind.

“What?”

Soon after, Ernis Claude asked again with a frown.

“Did I hear that wrong? Destined partner?”

Kain replied with his usual calm expression.

“No. You heard correctly.”

“…”

Jersian, who had been listening to their conversation while savoring his tea at the same table, slowly turned his red eyes towards Kain’s face.

The concept of elves’ ‘destined partner’ that he was talking about is difficult to understand at once. Moreover, it would be even more so for the 5th Prince. Jersian was about to speak up, thinking it was about time to intervene so as not to upset the 5th Prince.

Hahaha! A loud laugh filled the table where the three were sitting. Huh? Why is he laughing at this timing? Jersian’s gaze quickly turned to the 5th Prince’s face.

“Destiny! It’s been a while since I heard that word.”

“…”

Fortunately, the 5th Prince didn’t seem to be in a bad mood. He continued speaking with a curious expression.

“How romantic. I didn’t know you two were already in such a serious relationship. What, was it love at first sight then?”

“Yes.”

When Kain readily agreed,

“Oh, I see. Even elves have quite high standards, it seems.”

The 5th Prince looked alternately at Jersian sitting next to him and Kain, as if truly intrigued. Although the exact meaning of ‘high standards’ was unclear, Kain didn’t bother to ask the 5th Prince for clarification.

“I definitely heard before that you were engaged to the princess of the Tesena Kingdom, but suddenly your fiancée changed, so I was curious about the reason. If you met your destiny, that’s understandable. I didn’t have a chance to talk at the engagement ceremony because of my brother, but congratulations on your engagement once again.”

The 5th Prince, not knowing the elves’ concept of ‘destined partner’, clearly thought it was just describing the love between loving partners.

“…Thank you.”

Jersian expressed his gratitude.

Cough! He coughed again after a brief pause. The 5th Prince frowned and took a few more sips of the Swilleaf tea. Then he continued speaking.

“There’s a reason why brother Kemirun disliked that engagement ceremony. My brother still doesn’t understand why Marchioness Elmerila suddenly changed her mind at the end. In the end, he’s very regretful about missing the opportunity to build a stronger relationship with the Tesena Kingdom.”

“I’m aware of that.”

Jersian nodded in agreement with Ernis Claude’s words.

Honestly, the expression of the 1st Prince Kemirun Del Claude that he saw at the engagement ceremony was closer to anger than mere ‘regret’, but still.

Looking at Jersian who readily acknowledged this, the 5th Prince deliberately cleared his throat once with a ‘hem’ and then said,

“Jersian Gerold. My brother might not like you very much, but I’m not like that. There’s nothing more foolish than blaming the descendants for the mistakes of their ancestors.”

“…”

Jersian’s eyes, which had been sitting quietly with an indifferent expression until now, suddenly sharpened. Whether the 5th Prince had a separate intention or not, Jersian was uncomfortable from the start with the fact that he referred to that incident as ‘the mistake of the ancestors’.

“I’ve also heard that you’re receiving successor training at the Marchioness Elmerila’s house. I value your skills highly, Jersian Gerold, more than other riffraff.”

“…”

Jersian’s mood continued to sink lower as he listened to the 5th Prince’s ongoing words. The fact that he’s receiving successor training is already information known to many people. What’s important was the intention behind the 5th Prince openly saying these words to Jersian.

‘All the humans who have reached out to me first have been like this.’

The 5th Prince made no effort to hide his intentions. He was clearly underestimating Jersian, thinking him young. Jersian coldly sneered inwardly at this thought.

‘I’m sorry, but people like you are too predictable.’

From Marchioness Elmerila to the imperial family’s missions, he was already accustomed to being used. When he was younger, he felt nothing but pride when others sought him out. He even felt a sense of satisfaction from being needed by someone.

But relationships that start out of necessity eventually end once that purpose is fulfilled. Jersian’s endless distrust towards humans naturally arose from such experiences.

The only person who truly cherished Jersian Gerold as a being, without any other intentions, was ‘Kain Starchis’ sitting right next to him.

Completely unaware of Jersian’s inner thoughts, the 5th Prince spoke lastly with an air of self-importance,

“I hope we’ll have opportunities to talk like this often in the future. If you wish, I don’t mind inviting that elf to the imperial palace as well.”

“…”

That elf? Jersian raised the corner of his mouth.

They had introduced his name as ‘Kain Starchis’ several times. Right, to the 5th Prince who was already blinded by the imperial throne, an elf’s name would be trivial information.

“…Yes, I enjoyed our time as well. I’ll be looking forward to the invitation.”

It was concluded that the reason for staying at Bellier Castle after leaving the imperial palace wasn’t just for recuperation. He seemed quite urgent, hiding his claws in front of the 1st Prince at the engagement ceremony, but immediately trying to lay groundwork when meeting separately. Jersian, who disliked humans with different outsides and insides, smiled with his eyes.

Seeing that smile, the 5th Prince said,

“I see we understand each other well. Then, let’s meet again in Whinicer Forest.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”

I wonder if you’ll be the one to claim the imperial crown in the end, or if it will be Kemirun.

The important thing is that neither option is really what I want. Jersian muttered inwardly while maintaining his smiling face.