Chapter 12: Between Rumors and Ruin

Ever since that incident, the Crown Prince began visiting the ducal estate frequently. That didn’t mean they had grown close or started casually joking around with each other, though.

“Haah…”

With a long sigh, Kebel rested his chin on his hand. Thanks to the Crown Prince, the number of letters he received had increased significantly.

His goal had been to live quietly and uneventfully, but now everything felt like it was getting tangled, and his mood was slowly turning sour.

“Should I go find Enok…?”

Kebel looked down at the invitation in his hand. On the plain envelope was the red seal of the Crown Prince. Just when would the original story begin, and when would Enok and the Crown Prince finally meet?

He wished they would meet as soon as possible. Only then could he shake off the troublesome Crown Prince.

With a short breath, Kebel stood up. After enduring daily lessons to the point of exhaustion, even the sound of his chair moving had disappeared. At that, he let out a faint chuckle and brushed his hair back.

The more he adapted to life here, the more afraid he became. It felt like he might completely lose who he used to be before possessing this body.

That thought made him a little sad. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside and rang the bell beside him. Not long after, a servant entered with a knock.

“Bill, I’m going to the palace. Prepare things.”

“Yes, young master.”

Several years had passed since he came into this world, yet the distance between him and his attendants still felt uncomfortable. Bill, who was around his age, carried out his duties well, but his strictly professional attitude, like he was drawing a line, felt awkward to Kebel.

It wasn’t that it upset him, but something about it left a bitter taste in his mouth. After all, in Kebel’s original world, Bill would still be considered just a child.

Once ready, Kebel boarded the carriage. Before leaving, he had told a servant in advance to make sure Osh wouldn’t stand waiting like an abandoned puppy again.

Osh always listened to him so obediently. Sometimes that behavior gave Kebel a strange feeling, but he brushed it off.

Clatter, clatter. The carriage rattled along. No matter how luxurious it was, compared to Kebel’s previous world, it felt unbearably slow. Thinking about how Osh came to see him every day despite this, Kebel felt a sudden wave of gratitude, and guilt.

“When I get back, I’ll definitely thank him…”

A small smile formed on his lips.

The trees passing by the window felt dull now. When he rode with Osh, everything had seemed beautiful. But now, it was boring, enough to make him yawn. Unable to hold it in, Kebel let out a long sigh.

“I wonder what Osh is doing…”

Leaning his head against the carriage, the constant jolting made his temples throb. If only Osh’s shoulder were here…

Startled by his own thought, Kebel lightly smacked his lips. It wasn’t like he should keep thinking about it just because he experienced it once. Osh must have been flustered and uncomfortable too. Embarrassed by the memory, Kebel rubbed the back of his neck.

Next time, he decided, he would offer his shoulder first.

****

After a long journey, the carriage finally arrived at the palace. Along with Ida, Kebel followed a waiting attendant inside. The palace, guarded heavily, was even more magnificent than he had imagined.

The ducal estate he lived in was already grand, but compared to the palace, it was nothing. Just walking inside made him feel as if an invisible weight pressed down on his shoulders.

As they reached the top of the red-carpeted stairs, the head attendant stopped. In front of a dark velvet-toned door stood a man who appeared to be an imperial aide. The door opened after a knock, apparently, the Crown Prince had already arrived.

“Please, go in.”

As soon as the words fell, Ida stepped back. From here on, Kebel had to go in alone. His feet felt heavy, like he was being called in for a personal consultation with a strict professor. Still, he followed the attendant inside.

The reception room was dazzling, almost painfully luxurious. Decorated in gold and red, it was breathtakingly opulent. It truly showed just how wealthy and powerful the Charlois Empire was.

“Come, sit.”

Snapping out of his daze at Beryl’s voice, Kebel composed himself and sat down. As if on cue, a maid served tea. It was the same herbal tea Kebel often drank at the estate.

“You seem to like that tea. I had it prepared, though I’m not sure if it suits your taste.”

“Thank you.”

“You must be tired from the journey.”

Kebel formed a polite smile. Silence fell again, heavy and uncomfortable. He fidgeted with his hands, then looked at Beryl with an overly bright smile, silently urging him to say something.

Noticing his discomfort, Beryl spoke with a faint smile.

“I called you here on purpose.”

“…Pardon?”

“There have been some strange rumors spreading outside the palace lately.”

Rumors? What kind? If they were about him, there was no way Kebel wouldn’t know. Yet he hadn’t heard a single whisper. Pushing aside his confusion, he asked carefully:

“May I ask what kind of rumors?”

Beryl took a sip of tea before setting the cup down. His golden eyes, soft a moment ago, sharpened as they fixed on Kebel.

“I clearly said I would support your house. So why is the Duke of Ilya lending more support to Count Sereban?”

Though he smiled, there was something chilling about it. Kebel felt a shiver run down his spine and unconsciously straightened.

Why hadn’t he realized this before? He had thought that if Osh changed, the story, and his fate, would change too. After all, Osh had clearly been changing little by little.

But that had been naive.

Doubt piled on doubt. Closing his eyes briefly, Kebel wondered, ‘was Osh really changing? Or just pretending?’

Disgusted with himself for doubting, he bit the inside of his cheek. Regardless of the reason, the Duke was following Count Sereban’s plans simply because of Kebel’s connection to Osh. The story was still flowing just like the original.

Fear crept in.

At this rate… his death wasn’t far off.

His fingertips trembled. His mouth felt dry, his heart aching faintly. Could he really push Osh away? He had always thought he would, someday, but the time had come too soon. Tears welled in his eyes. Somehow, Osh had already become too important to him.

Kebel bit his lower lip hard. Seeing this, Beryl clicked his tongue.

“Careful. You’ll hurt your lips.”

Kebel took a sip of tea. Watching him closely, Beryl finally spoke again.

“I hear you’ve been close with Osh Sereban lately.”

“…Yes.”

“There’s an unpleasant rumor going around… that I’ve intruded between the two of you. Were you truly unaware?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Kebel lowered his head sincerely. Not because of Beryl’s status, but because he felt guilty that the Crown Prince had become the subject of gossip because of him. After all, Beryl was destined to meet Enok and protect this empire from Osh.

“I didn’t bring it up to accuse you. I just thought it’d be better to clarify things, for both our futures. So don’t take it to heart.”

Leaning back with a sly smile, Beryl crossed his legs elegantly.

“By imperial law, a ‘consort’ cannot be male. There are reasons, of course, like producing an heir, but it’s also to prevent political chaos.”

“…”

Kebel was too stunned to respond. He understood exactly what Beryl meant. But that role wasn’t his, it was supposed to be Enok’s.

‘Did I… mess up their meeting back then?’

The moment that thought struck him, Kebel’s eyes sharpened with determination. As soon as he returned, he would make sure, no matter what, that Enok and the Crown Prince met.

Watching him silently, Beryl let out a soft chuckle and spoke again.