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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Permission Granted
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Nihil's eyebrows drooped downward. His gaze fell, his white eyelashes half-covering his melancholy eyes. The corners of his mouth quivered ever so slightly, as if he were forcing them upward.
As if he were utterly heartbroken but desperately trying not to show it.
Sir Evan, who had broken out in goosebumps watching Nihil, wanted to leap to his feet and shout that it was revolting, but he couldn't ruin a perfectly good meal now. He just clenched his fist tighter in frustration.
On top of that, Nihil murmured in a voice so quiet it was barely audible—though certainly loud enough for the sharp-eared Lianus to hear clearly.
"Waiting alone would be too lonely... but what can you do..."
Sir Evan thought to himself that this wasn't a wildcat at all—it had to be a sly fox.
He was a bit stunned seeing this guy, who usually showed almost no expression, craft such a detailed and convincing one with expert skill.
But innocent Lianus took the murmur at face value, his face paling instantly.
'Why didn't I think about it from Nihil's perspective, the one who'd be left alone!'
Lianus berated himself for his short-sightedness, fidgeting restlessly for a while before suddenly whipping his gaze toward Sir Evan.
His eyes pleaded as if to say: My friend is so heartbroken, and I want to take classes with him—what should I do? Sir Evan swallowed a bursting laugh, putting on a grave expression before speaking.
"Your Highness, getting His Majesty's permission for him to enter the palace is the first step, but it's not impossible."
"I'll take responsibility for getting permission! What's the method?"
Sir Evan figured his early-morning barking had paid off, but he didn't answer right away. He carefully weighed his words.
If the 2nd Prince's inferiority complex toward the 1st Prince was greater than he thought, it might burden His Highness even more.
"Tell me quick!"
The kitten began urging him on. Sir Evan was determined to separate the baby snake from the kitten this time, so he prepared a few excuses in case of refusal before opening his mouth.
"Class separation..."
"Let's do it!"
"Ah, yes..."
The excuses he'd mulled over proved pointless—the kitten accepted any method without a second thought.
That cunning little snake really should have seen this.
"Class separation! Why didn't I think of that? Nil, we can take classes together. How about starting tomorrow? Should I go see His Majesty right now?"
Lianus couldn't hide his excitement. He jumped to his feet and started bouncing around the bedroom.
'I should give Nil some books as a gift. Oh, and a fancy fountain pen. Maybe I can teach him all sorts of things!'
The thought of sitting side by side studying already had him thrilled. Classes were sure to be so much fun.
Sir Evan watched with a relieved sigh and a fond smile.
Nihil, his role complete, reverted to his expressionless face as if the melancholy had never been. He issued two firm words toward Lianus, who was still hopping about.
"Sit. Eat."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After finishing the slightly cooled meal, Lianus prepared to see His Majesty. It was still chilly outside, so he wrapped himself tightly in a thick cloak and scarf.
Nihil urged him to go tomorrow, but this time Lianus firmly refused. He wanted to secure permission as soon as possible and grant Nihil his freedom.
"Come right back once you get permission."
"Yeah, yeah! Don't worry!"
"You don't have to get permission."
"I'll definitely get it!"
"I'll wait."
"Okay!"
"Eat this."
"What's th—mmph!"
A spoon thrust mercilessly into the mouth of the innocently beaming Lianus. A thick liquid slid past his tongue and down his throat.
His mouth filled with bitter, astringent, sour, and then another wave of bitterness. His lips parted involuntarily to spit it out, but Nihil's hand clamped his jaw shut.
"Don't spit. Swallow."
"Ugh...!"
"Holding it in your mouth will make it worse. Swallow quick."
Only after seeing Lianus's throat bob did Nihil release his hand.
As the unbearable bitterness made Lianus's eyes water again, a small piece of chocolate—prepared who-knows-when—popped into his mouth.
Lianus carefully rolled the tiny piece around, melting it thoroughly before asking,
"Medicine?"
"No."
"...?"
"Poison."
"...Huh?"
"I'll give you the antidote when you get back."
"What? W-Wait!"
At the word "poison," Lianus's pupils shook wildly.
It had to be a joke, but Nihil's utterly serious face made him doubt.
And an antidote, no less!
Nihil rubbed Lianus's belly as he fretted, smirking faintly before quickly composing himself and speaking.
"The more you're exposed to the cold air, the more it'll spread through your body."
"R-Really?"
"Then you'll get a fever."
"...!"
"Your head will go foggy, your muscles will loosen. Eventually, your body will feel paralyzed, like you can't move."
Lianus's face drained of color.
Sir Evan chuckled at Nihil, who threatened him without changing expression despite feeding him the medicine he'd brought last night.
Poison, my foot—it was just a warning that staying out in the cold too long would bring back his cold symptoms.
"See? You can't trust just anyone, Rian."
"Hic... snic..."
The kitten's wails seemed ready to burst out any second.
Sir Evan knew it wasn't poison, that the wildcat was lying—but the sight was too adorable, so he decided to watch a bit longer.
"Bring snacks on the way back."
"S-Sn... snac...?"
"Off you go."
Lianu's, still sniffling, was suddenly shoved out of the bedroom by Nihil.
Click. The door shut. Stunned, Lianus stood blankly for a moment, blinking.
His heterochromatic eyes, brimming with tears, looked up at Sir Evan imploringly.
The kitten asked the big guard dog in a whimpering voice,
"Sniff... Sir Evan, what snacks should I bring?"
A stifled guffaw leaked from beyond the door.
Sir Evan strained not to laugh, his face twisting oddly, but the oblivious kitten just tilted his head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Lianus, who had approached His Majesty with some confidence, was now rigid with tension. Queen Helia happened to be in the middle of a conversation with him.
But Lianus couldn't abandon his friend just because he feared the Queen, so he mustered his courage and pleaded with the King.
Having heard the situation, the King called the 2nd Prince with a stern expression.
"2nd Prince."
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
"You wish to have a commoner child stay in the palace as your close friend."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please permit it."
King Sedes looked down at his son with calm eyes.
The 1st Prince had the Queen, so he never asked the King directly for favors—but the 2nd Prince had always kept to himself, so this was the first time he'd come asking for something.
"Are you aware that child could tarnish your reputation?"
"It doesn't matter."
Even as he nervously gauged the reaction, Lianus was resolute. His body trembled like a leaf, but his eyes were steadfast.
King Sedes was delighted by the change in his 2nd Prince but hid it, asking even more lowly and sternly,
"Do you want that child by your side that badly?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
King Sedes's sharp golden eyes quietly scanned Lianus. He didn't bother asking why the prince would humble himself for a commoner child.
Royals should be able to do whatever they desire. They had the qualifications and the rights, Sedes believed.
But the duties and consequences of that power must be borne solely by themselves.
Even if fingers pointed for bringing in a commoner, even if that commoner betrayed him—it was for the prince to endure.
The King doted on the 2nd Prince without showing it. He loved the dark green curls that blended his lover's golden waves with his own blackish-blue hair, and the eyes—one emerald like hers, one golden like his.
Unlike the Queen and 1st Prince, he was honest with his feelings and poor at lying—just like her.
The 2nd Prince made him certain she lived on in him. He couldn't openly support him, but he wanted to grant whatever he could.
Those fearful eyes were precarious yet firm.
The matching golden eyes blinked slowly once.
"Permitted."
Lianus's face lit up at the King's approval. As he was about to express his gratitude,
"Your Majesty."
The Queen, who had been silently observing, spoke up.
Her crimson eyes curved deeply, while Lianus's face stiffened.
"What is it, my Queen?"
"Your Majesty, setting aside how an uneducated commoner might blemish the 2nd Prince—not to mention potentially harm him—shouldn't you at least meet the child first?"
"No need. He chose to take him in himself, so let him take responsibility."
"In that case, may I meet the child as the 2nd Prince's concerned guardian?"
'Guardian, my foot.'
King Sedes furrowed his brow imperceptibly. He wanted to refuse, but had no grounds.
The Queen didn't even need his permission to meet a mere commoner. This was a warning and pressure aimed at the 2nd Prince.
Sedes could only nod. To keep the sparks from flying further, dismissing the 2nd Prince quickly was best.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Leaving the audience chamber, Lianus sighed deeply and boarded the carriage.
He should have listened to Nihil and gone tomorrow. Then he wouldn't have to deal with the Queen.
His Majesty had granted permission easily, but thinking of the Queen meeting Nihil already drained his energy.
"Your Highness, what are you fretting over?"
Sir Evan, sitting across in the carriage, asked Lianus, who was deep in thought.
"When Nil said he doesn't want to meet Her Majesty, I was wondering what excuse to make to her."
"Oh..."
Sir Evan was genuinely impressed by the remark that disregarded the Queen's dignity. To fear her so much yet prioritize refusing her—whatever that white beast had said, it had instilled real guts in the kitten.
His confidence seemed to pierce the heavens.
A mere commoner couldn't refuse the Queen's invitation anyway. But seeing his lord think of his friend first made Sir Evan's mood complicated.
The lonely kitten had always craved companionship, but trusting someone this deeply was another matter. Opening up so quickly was rare.
Sir Evan debated whether to welcome the change, then just clamped his mouth shut and rolled his eyes.
But if that guy actually refused the Queen, things would escalate—so he'd have to beg or even kidnap him to sit before her.
Keep barking, and she'd relent out of annoyance.
Barking a bit for his kitten's safety was nothing. He'd endure a few more flying pillows.
Besides, the guy seemed unexpectedly soft on the prince—things would work out somehow.
Sir Evan briefly pondered how to safely kidnap the wildcat, then tossed another distraction to shift the kitten's train of thought from excuses for the Queen.
"Have you decided on snacks to bring back?"
"Oh, snacks!"
The kitten bit the bait immediately. Sir Evan smiled warmly at the whimsy, finding it utterly lovable.
"What would Nil like?"
"I doubt he picks at food. He probably hasn't tried much anyway. Just bring a variety, no?"
"Right! Better than asking the palace kitchen—let's stop at a dessert shop and grab all sorts. Let's go!"
Sir Evan smiled and ordered the carriage turned. Then he immediately regretted his words.