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Join the ServerThe festival truly began not on the day itself, but with the events of the eve. As the ‘Flower of the Empire,’ Ethan initiated the custom by placing an earthen jar at the base of the Topiary Goddess statue. Following his lead, citizens of the Empire brought their own jars, each containing a personal wish.
For about a month prior, Ashilton’s commercial district had been buzzing with festival preparations, but from the day Ethan received his jar until the eve of the festival, sales reached an unprecedented peak.
Earthen jars of all shapes and sizes, intended to hold Nishan, sold out as if they had grown wings. Those advertised as originating from the same kiln as the jar used by the ‘Flower of the Empire’ commanded even higher prices. Fragrant herbs and sachets to fill the jars also saw brisk sales, and establishments offering luxuries and provisions for the various parties to be held throughout the city were similarly bustling.
“No matter how I look at it, it’s strange.”
Gazing at the swing being installed opposite the Topiary Goddess statue, Enoch muttered accusatorily to his brother. Huey, who had been checking on the setup of rescue teams and temporary emergency centers nearby, and receiving reports on similar installations across the city, frowned at Enoch’s sudden interruption.
“I’m busy right now. We can discuss your grievances later.”
“I’ve already checked that the improved new drugs department’s medicines are being deployed in sequence, haven’t I? Since I’ve lightened your workload, you should humor me now, shouldn’t you?”
“It seems you don’t even notice the medical support staff, the ambulances, or the emergency equipment at the center.”
Despite the rebuke, Enoch leaned in close to him.
“I understand that due to the unfortunate incidents at the Royal Palace, the annual season party cannot be held in the Emerald Hall as usual this year. But why, of all places, are they insisting on holding it in the center’s Peridot Hall?”
Huey recoiled at his brother’s close proximity, pushing Enoch’s forehead away with the tablet he was holding.
“Given its connection to the Royal Palace via the Jade Bridge, it doesn’t seem strange for the center, often called a ‘second palace,’ to host it. Emerald Hall and Peridot Hall are practically twin halls, after all.”
“While their appearances are similar, their purposes differ. Emerald Hall is primarily used for parties, banquets, and entertaining dignitaries, whereas Peridot Hall has traditionally hosted seminars and informal parties for intellectuals and business people. Are you truly saying it’s not at all strange that Devon Green is hosting this party, inserting a brief report on the center’s achievements, and claiming it’s merely a formality to honor the hall’s tradition?”
“His Majesty the King has approved this. And watch your words. That is His Highness Devon.”
Enoch sighed.
“Good heavens. It’s the spring festival’s season party! It includes the debutantes of noble ladies and gentlemen. A party that should be fresh and exhilarating, and yet they’re adding a dull progress report!”
Huey let out a sigh at Enoch’s exaggerated gestures.
“Indeed, it’s quite typical aristocratic behavior to conflate the debutante party, which is held separately the day after the festival, with the open party. You’ve been acting like a starving wildcat for days; I suppose you’re feeling a bit more alive now.”
“……Well, unlike some people, I haven’t been imprinted, you see. I’ll experience heartbreak and find new love, and all that.”
At Enoch’s somewhat deflated retort, Huey’s lips curled into a smirk.
“If you’re going to keep living like such a wreck, I’d rather suggest you follow your Esper instincts and channel that energy elsewhere. It seems the elders who supported you are quite disappointed with your current state.”
“Even a small emotional disappointment is better than information leaks or experiments orchestrated by Devon Green.”
“That is His Highness Devon Green. Watch your words. This is your second warning.”
Enoch narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“Right, you’re the loyal First Esper who trembles at his title, so why, exactly, is the partner for this open party that bastard, ‘Wilfried Zaisler’?”
“……”
****
*Click.* Huey irritably pressed the tablet’s button, turning it off. He lifted his head, about to retort to Enoch’s sneering face, when an familiar silhouette appeared over his brother’s shoulder. It was Ethan Prescott, dressed in flowing garments—though not quite as ceremonial as the ones from a few days prior—running to escape the event officials and Royal Palace public relations staff clutching cameras.
“Whoa!”
He had thought Ethan ran remarkably well in such attire, but his assumption proved false. Having sprinted so close, Ethan eventually tripped on his flowing hem, stumbling forward.
Huey flinched in surprise, taking half a step forward and extending his arms.
“Whoops! Well now, what scheme are our Royal Palace public relations staff cooking up this time?”
With a playful grunt, Enoch practically caught Ethan in an embrace, then grinned and spun around, shielding him behind his back.
“Lord Enoch Cloud!”
“It’s an official schedule! We need to take photos for distribution in advance!”
“Ugh, Enoch! Those people are telling me to wear these clothes and pose on that flowery swing!”
“Calm down. Your stamina has weakened lately; you shouldn’t run like that. Did the event department not inform you that you’d have to ride the swing, Ethan?”
“I heard, but I don’t want it captured in photos!”
“Even if you don’t take them today, you’ll be photographed countless times during the event itself. It’ll be harder to find a good shot then. It might be better to take them today. And Ethan, it suits you well.”
“Enoch!”
‘Enoch.’ ‘When did he start calling him by just his first name?’
Huey subtly furrowed his brow, retracting the arm he had extended. No one had seen it, so no awkwardness ensued, but he felt a quiet irritation at Ethan Prescott, who clung tightly to Enoch’s back, panting and muttering incessantly, without even acknowledging him with a greeting.
“It’s too noisy; I can’t work.”
Huey muttered, as if for them to hear, and turned his tablet back on. As he prepared to leave with an annoyed expression, Ethan finally acknowledged him.
“Greetings, Officer Huey Cloud.”
Huey’s brow furrowed a little deeper at the impeccably polite greeting, which was uncharacteristically formal for Ethan.
Just then, Enoch, who had been teasing Ethan moments ago, casually draped an arm around his shoulder and began shooing away the officials.
“Ethan, my brother has been on edge for a while, so let’s move somewhere else. Bliss needs to arrive soon anyway. And I’d appreciate it if the public relations department didn’t get too greedy. Not before Bliss Moore decides to cancel this long-planned promotional shoot, at least.”
“But Lord Enoch, solo shots are standard. If we take them in advance…”
“When Bliss arrives, everyone will be watching until Ethan’s solo shots are taken, so that will be more efficient. I also have business with Ethan, so why don’t you all go relax at a cafe somewhere?”
Huey’s gaze fell on Enoch’s hand, which was gripping Ethan’s shoulder tightly. Noticing Ethan’s rapidly heaving chest, he understood the situation. Ethan had only run a short distance, almost as if walking, yet his gasping breaths weren’t subsiding, which was more than just being out of breath.
“…I’d prefer the shooting to take place after my business is concluded.”
When Huey even gestured towards where the medical equipment was being brought in, the event and public relations officials had no choice but to retreat. While the photoshoot was important, it could not take precedence over an emergency center.
“Then… we will return when Lord Bliss arrives. Until then, the emergency center installation…”
“Are you asking me to cut down on time just for a photoshoot? I wonder what you’re thinking when preparing for this event.”
At his loaded words, their eyes darted to his hand, encased in a pristine white glove, and fear filled them. Unable to utter another word, they retreated as if fleeing, and Huey beckoned to Enoch, who was supporting Ethan.
“Let’s go to the emergency center booth.”
Enoch eyed the cooperative Huey with suspicion, then bit his lip and followed. It was, after all, true that Ethan needed a place where he could rest comfortably, away from prying eyes.
Huey guided them to a booth opposite where the machines were being installed. Inside the already set-up booth were a portable bed and drawers filled with medicines. Enoch gently laid the pale Ethan onto the bed.
“Ethan, where are Kyle and Maxon?”
Unlike Enoch’s anxious tone, Ethan, lying flat and seemingly more comfortable, his gasping slightly subsided, replied.
“Kyle and Maxon are investigating, under Bliss’s orders, whether anyone tampered with the lift platform and the swing I’m supposed to use during the event.”
“I told you not to run.”
When Enoch admonished him with a rather stern expression, Ethan offered a weak smile.
“I’m feeling a bit better now. I’m usually fine, so I don’t know why this keeps happening. Do I really need an artificial heart?”
“Ha. Even if alternative medicine has advanced enough to replace a heart, it’s an incredibly major surgery with a long recovery period. It’s not something to talk about so lightly. And if you get hurt, Ethan, I won’t be able to bear it either.”
After his complete break with Scott, Enoch had managed to survive on Ethan’s pocket money, avoiding the animalistic urge to move on to a new matched Guide. Naturally, Ethan’s health and potential long-term absence presented a significant problem for him as well. However, Huey’s eyes, which had assumed his brother was continuing casual encounters and s*x guiding, much like when he was an actor after breaking up with Scott Kenton, now held a bewildered glint.
It was a look of suspicion, wondering if Enoch was perhaps engaging in private s*x guiding and had, this time, given his heart to Ethan. Yet, Enoch, who prided himself on not being *that* much of a scumbag, simply stated his piece and exited to contact the guards.
Suddenly, with only Huey and Ethan remaining, an awkward silence settled between them. Huey recalled the neutralizer he carried in his pocket; he had been keeping it with him ever since Ethan’s condition had worsened. Perhaps this was an opportunity to save Ethan Prescott. Yet, could he truly endure Devon’s wrath if he thwarted his Guide’s wishes?
“…Would you like some water?”
Hearing a grateful acknowledgment, he turned and approached the water purification system, rationalizing his actions as he closed his eyes.
‘Yes. This is because my ‘new substance’ was used to put Ethan in this state. If I had considered other means, I wouldn’t have wanted to save him this desperately. Didn’t I even calmly consider handing Ethan over to Victor Frankl at the end of the festival?’
He failed to realize that he, a man indifferent to the assassinations and conspiracies decimating his collateral family members, was showing an excessive concern for Bliss’s Guide.
*Clink!*
The thin bottle, slightly larger than a pinky finger, shattered in an instant, just before it could be tilted towards the water glass.
“Ha. Brother. Damn it. I knew it.”
Enoch, unable to hide the contempt filling his gaze, glared at him. Behind him, Bliss Moore, who had been staring into space, slowly turned his head towards the shattered bottle fragments.
[Huey was the one who first suggested moving Ethan to the emergency center. The guy who usually only moved when Ethan begged him for something, offered kindness first? And then, after offering water, he tried to put that in it as soon as Enoch left. It’s definite! But Bliss, Samwol said they don’t know what kind of liquid that is.]
As he listened to Dongja’s chattering report, Bliss’s expression grew steadily colder. He was dressed in his uniform for the photoshoot. The red scorpion of Antares seemed to pierce Huey’s vision with its cold, dry, and overbearing voice.
“……I’m disappointed. I thought I understood you, to some extent.”
‘Ha.’
Suddenly treated like absolute trash, Huey Cloud let out a long sigh. He and Bliss Moore had always shared a subtle bond. They were both rare ability users: Bliss, a weapon-like figure without a Guide, and Huey, who possessed a Guide but was isolated from people due to the unique nature of his abilities.
Bliss was now declaring that bond utterly shattered.
‘It seems it will be difficult to borrow the bunker again.’
He slowly turned away.
‘It is you who missed the opportunity. Huey Cloud had no need to exert such effort to save Ethan, especially if it meant revealing his hidden secondary manifestation and risking both a stable matched Guide and his right to succeed as head of the family.’
“I never thought you’d stoop to such petty acts yourself, Brother.”
At Enoch’s voice, heavy with disappointment, Huey scoffed. ‘Does merely being known as a Drug ability user make me a petty person through and through?’
“A pity.”
With a pale face, Huey walked past them. He passed the bed where Ethan lay on his way to the door, but he couldn’t bring himself to look. He did not want to see Ethan’s face, likely reflecting the same judgment as Bliss and Enoch.
*Thud.*
The temporary booth’s door closed, and Bliss picked up a fallen fragment. Meanwhile, Enoch quickly found some gauze, absorbed the scattered liquid, and sealed it in an airtight bag.
“It seems contaminated, but let’s analyze it anyway. Just in case, ask Doctor Sera to analyze what’s on the glass shard as well, for cross-verification.”
“…Very well.”
Bliss, having placed the bottle fragment into the bag, hurried over to Ethan. Ethan, who had raised himself from the bed and was staring blankly into space, shifted his gaze to Dongja, who was floating beside him. As Bliss held him, Ethan leaned his head in and whispered into his ear.
“Bliss, there’s no liquid Samwol doesn’t know. But, I heard something similar from Dongja a while ago. Is it possible for such a rare coincidence—gwi not knowing about certain liquids and teas in the world—to happen multiple times within a few days?”
“…!!”
[Oh, now that you mention it, you’re right! That was really strange. My pride was a little hurt that there was a tea I didn’t know about. I mean, the tea didn’t even look like tea leaves! But wait, Devon ate that too?!]
Dongja flopped onto his back in the air, kicking his feet as if completely baffled. Bliss’s eyes deepened.
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