Chapter 50: There’s Nothing About You I Don’t Know

“But… what if I really say no?”

“Then I won’t be forceful, like you said. We’ll take it slowly, like ordinary people do, and learn to fit ourselves to each other. That’s why I believe you’ll come to like me.”

Beryl smiled with complete confidence.

But Kebel couldn’t return the smile.

A subtle tension settled inside the carriage. What was he supposed to say? Kebel swallowed nervously. Still, seeing that Beryl was even willing to postpone the engagement for his sake, he chose his words carefully.

“I’m truly grateful, Your Highness. I’ll try as well…”

“I appreciate hearing that. Then tell me, how many points do I have now?”

“Points? How could I possibly rate Your Highness?”

“But don’t I seem at least a little like a decent man to you now?”

Encouraged by Kebel’s positive response, Beryl laughed out loud.

His eyes sparkled as if asking for more praise.

The sight was unexpectedly cute, and a chuckle escaped Kebel’s lips. That small laugh alone eased the tension between them, making the atmosphere noticeably warmer.

Perhaps Beryl had been more nervous than he let on. He leaned back against the carriage wall, and as his legs spread slightly, his knee brushed against Kebel’s.

Kebel noticed, but Beryl seemed completely unconcerned.

“I’m willing to change for you whenever necessary. So eventually, you won’t be able to help liking me.”

Beryl laughed heartily.

Seeing him return to his usual self, Kebel found himself smiling too. This version of Beryl was much easier to deal with than the strange, apologetic one from before.

Noticing Kebel relax, Beryl casually stood and moved to the seat beside him. Then he turned his body toward Kebel.

The smile immediately disappeared from Kebel’s face.

“Can’t you let me have at least this much?”

“You’re sitting too close.”

“Even after we’ve held hands and I’ve proposed?”

Beryl clicked his tongue with exaggerated sadness.

Seeing such a large man shrink into himself so pitifully made Kebel feel a little sorry for him.

After all, Beryl had postponed the engagement for his sake. Surely he could compromise on something this small.

Feeling relieved that a major problem had been resolved, Kebel reached behind Beryl and gently patted his back as if comforting a child.

“Thank you. I truly mean it.”

At those sincere words, the corners of Beryl’s lips softened.

It was surprising to discover that even the Crown Prince of the Empire was vulnerable to praise.

For a moment, Kebel felt like a beast tamer handling a dangerous predator.

“Ah, there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned yet. It’s something we absolutely need to address.”

“…What is it?”

The end of Kebel’s voice trembled.

Of course. Things had been going too smoothly.

Anxiety tightened his chest.

“I’m a very jealous man. I may be a merciful Crown Prince to my subjects, but when it comes to matters involving you, I can’t be.”

“And…?”

“I’m willing to make certain concessions when it comes to that man. But I want clear boundaries drawn. After postponing the engagement this much, if you continue letting him influence you…”

Beryl paused.

“You already know what that would mean. Better than anyone, in fact. You understand me well enough.”

His serious golden eyes locked onto Kebel’s.

The anger was clearly there beneath the surface, but Beryl kept it restrained.

Outside the window, the passing scenery seemed to mirror the turmoil hidden inside him.

Perhaps because Osh’s name had come up, Kebel cautiously asked:

“I heard there was an incident at the Imperial Palace. Are you alright, Your Highness?”

He felt guilty for using Beryl’s wellbeing as an excuse, but he needed an opening to ask about Osh.

Just hearing Kebel express concern brightened Beryl’s mood.

“You’re asking rather late.”

“You’re right. I should have asked sooner.”

“It wasn’t serious enough for you to worry about. As you know, I’m in excellent shape. If something like that could kill me, I would’ve died long ago. Do you know how dangerous the Imperial Palace is?”

Beryl twisted his lips into a bitter smile.

It seemed he too had endured countless hardships to reach his current position.

Trying to comfort him, Kebel poked the muscles of Beryl’s arm.

“With muscles like these, the culprit probably took one look and ran for their life.”

“Hah. That’s probably true.”

Clearly pleased, Beryl flexed his arm.

Thick muscles bulged beneath his sleeve as he struck several poses, proudly showing off his physique.

Kebel instinctively leaned back. If he got hit by accident, his nose might genuinely break.

When Kebel gave him a small round of applause, Beryl grinned and crossed his legs, completely absorbed in his own display.

Seeing his chance, Kebel finally asked:

“So… who was responsible?”

“…Why do you ask?”

Beryl narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Waving his hands innocently, Kebel hurried to reassure him.

“It doesn’t mean anything. I was simply worried about you. After all, I’m the heir of House Ilya, and we’re on the same side.”

“The same applies to you. I heard House Ilya had its own unpleasant incident.”

“…”

“What? Nothing to say now? Or is there something else you actually want to know?”

He already knew.

Beryl’s question had turned the tables completely.

Kebel bit his lower lip.

Watching him, Beryl clicked his tongue.

“Maybe I should have killed him after all…”

The words slipped out in a low mutter.

The horrifying remark drained the color from Kebel’s face.

Noticing his reaction, Beryl folded his arms and crossed one leg over the other.

“You seem to know more than you’re letting on. Since I’ve decided to be generous with you, I’ll explain a little.”

“…”

“So tell me. What is it you really want to know?”

Kebel kept his mouth shut.

There were countless questions he wanted answered, ‘what punishment awaited Osh, what would happen to Count Sulleban, and what consequences would fall upon the count’s family’.

As if reading his thoughts, Beryl stroked his chin and asked,

“Who do you think was responsible?”

Kebel looked up at him.

The answer he gave now would determine the answer he received.

Carefully gauging Beryl’s mood, he replied,

“The Count.”

“Why?”

“Because… his faction opposes ours.”

“That’s true. Our goals are different. But suspicion alone isn’t enough. Not under the law. Without evidence, nothing can be proven.”

Kebel nodded.

So the Count was suspected, but there was no proof.

Which meant the Count had escaped unscathed.

If that were true, perhaps Osh’s punishment would be lighter than expected.

“What happens now, then?”

“The Empress is taking the blame.”

The Empress.

Kebel had forgotten about her.

In the original story, Empress Marie had been one of Count Sulleban’s strongest supporters.

House Sulleban had once been a powerful noble family, but its influence had diminished after falling out with the Imperial Family two generations earlier. The current Count harbored deep resentment toward the throne.

Marie, chosen as Empress through noble support, was the daughter of Marquis Larua. The Larua family had maintained close ties with House Sulleban for years.

The Emperor disliked this alliance and responded by taking a favored concubine, showering her with affection.

The child born from that union was none other than Beryl Zenith Charloa.

Just when it seemed the balance of power had shifted, the Empress recently gave birth to a prince of her own, and support for her faction had begun growing once more.

The very idea of the Empress accepting blame would undoubtedly provoke fierce resistance from the nobility.

At the same time, Kebel found himself admiring Beryl. Despite growing up amid such political turmoil, he had become surprisingly upright.

“Don’t make that face. If you become my fiancé, you’ll witness things far worse than this.”

There was a loneliness in Beryl’s voice.

Seeing him pretend not to care about what was clearly a familiar occurrence made Kebel feel unexpectedly sorry for him.

He had always assumed Beryl had grown up spoiled and loved.

Now, for the first time, Kebel wondered whether Beryl’s childhood had actually been a lonely one.

The realization made him regret some of his earlier prejudice.

Even so, there was still one question he couldn’t leave unasked.

“What about Osh Sulleban?”

“So that was your real goal.”

A mocking smile twisted Beryl’s lips.

The sharp curve of his mouth revealed exactly how displeased he was.

Realizing he had stepped onto dangerous ground, Kebel instinctively retreated toward the far end of the carriage.

It made little difference.

He was still trapped.

The atmosphere felt ready to explode at any moment.

Yet, true to his promise, Beryl restrained his anger and forced a smile onto his face.

The expression looked unnatural.

“Regardless of why he became involved with House Ilya, I have no intention of letting this incident pass lightly. So don’t look at me with those eyes.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“You think there’s anything about you that I don’t know?”

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