What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 573

#573

Is Annulment Even Possible, You Bastards! (3)

“…David.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will take appropriate measures.”

Romero’s chief steward bowed neatly and withdrew.

A servant moved silently to follow him.

Another servant helped Natalie refill the empty glasses.

Orelie’s glass was filled with warm black tea, while Cedric’s was filled with iced coffee.

Frederic Liester often made fun of his only son’s changed tastes.

Coffee with water was an unimaginable drink in imperial society until recently.

It was a trend now, but the Liester royals immortalized in portraits in golden frames would have frowned at it as barbaric.

-Pour, pour, pour…

-Clink, clatter

As the new glasses were filled, the Cardinal signaled Natalie to dismiss the others.

Soon, the servants walked softly and disappeared behind the pillars.

The noise from outside also faded away as if it were nothing. Romero was quite cool in the middle of the day.

The two chandeliers that occupied the high ceiling of the living room were darkly extinguished, and the doors to the tea room and the study were wide open.

There was no warmth in the fireplace or candlesticks. Instead, a large glacier cart brought from the North Sea was placed next to the Prince.

All of this was an effort to take away even a handful of his heat.

“How are you feeling?”

“…”

“It’s okay. There’s no need to rush.”

Orelie said in a casual tone.

Her beloved godson’s cheeks seemed gaunt, but she didn’t bother to point it out.

Cedric looked down at the documents in his hand again.

Most of the reports coming to him these days were about birthday celebrations, balls, and garden parties.

Due to his recent poor health, large-scale monster subjugation and border patrols had been postponed indefinitely.

But once he ascended as Crown Prince, he would inevitably review even more state documents.

The ruby eyes sank like a dead sun.

“…The ‘Blessing’ is not listening.”

After a long time, a heavy answer flowed out.

His black gloves gripped the armrest of the sofa as if to break it.

“Why?”

“That’s right. The owner of that sacred object is Christel.”

“…”

“It’s a very mysterious treasure. Isn’t it? The flow of Ether [magical energy] reflects the owner’s heart…”

‘It’s truly like the Changhae [a vast and unpredictable sea]. You can never predict the weather,’ the Cardinal’s voice was indifferent.

Cedric slowly closed his eyes at her even tone.

This was a very old calming method for the two of them.

Orelie was always an adult who conveyed the current situation to Cedric as objectively as possible.

So that the precious child could see everything from a step away. So that the precarious vessel would not shake by responding emotionally.

Logically.

“If that child were a priest, everything would have been much easier. It might have been a grace.”

“…”

“But she’s just an ordinary young lady… We have to go a little further.”

“I’ve never heard anyone say Christel de Sarnes is ordinary.”

“Ah. My mistake.”

The Cardinal chuckled softly.

Cedric stared at her for a while, then looked back out the window.

He couldn’t feel his godmother’s Ether, but he willingly accepted the sense of stability she gave him.

A quiet, long sigh flowed out.

The afternoon sunlight dared not fall on the statue-like sharp nose, shattering into pieces.

-Crash!

“…Oh, my!”

“Oh, my goodness… What’s going on…”

Outside, his servant David Capuchon was appearing to quell the commotion in the backyard.

Already, a crowd was gathering in the Juliette Palace garden.

The Prince’s gaze slowly swept around them.

Barbara Schwahn, still in her worn clothes—it was well known that the old woman invested all the pension she received from the Imperial Family in magical research—and her ‘grandnephew’ caught his eye.

Then, Benjamin Girardin, with a calm face, came into view, along with other Juliette servants and maids.

Cedric frowned slightly. Something was wrong.

“…Is the ‘grandnephew’s’ identity confirmed?”

The moment he saw the man, a strange sensation that was hard to describe ran up his spine.

For some reason, his fingertips were tingling.

It wasn’t to an unpleasant level, but he was ready to hate it at any time.

“Hmm? He’s with Teacher Barbara, so I don’t think they asked separately.”

“…”

“Why? Does he look suspicious?”

“…No.”

Not just anyone, but the teacher who had exchanged letters with his father until just before he died.

Cedric shook his head, not wanting to bother the old woman for no reason. It was just his imagination.

Recently, the Blessing of Changhae was vehemently rejecting him, so his physical condition was at its worst.

The necklace hidden under his shirt seemed to despise him.

“Did you say you were attending the Andre family’s shipboard ball?”

“…”

The red iris rolled. This time, the man’s gaze reached a certain servant.

The skinny man was taking care of three puppies and a cat all by himself.

He looked like he couldn’t even take care of himself.

His attire was clearly that of a servant, but for some reason, he seemed to be in charge of the hospitality that the stewards usually did.

The white apron had long ribbons hanging down behind his waist.

“If you meet Christel there, try to talk to her. She’s just clumsy and awkward in expressing herself. Just like you.”

“…”

“I didn’t want to talk about this, but… That kiss was actually light. It wasn’t something that should have escalated like this.”

“…”

“It’s commonly used as a greeting among imperial nobles… Cedric?”

He flinched. He looked up at his godmother.

The beige eyes he met drew a soft curve.

“It’s a commotion that happens once a year. There’s no need to worry too much.”

“I’m not worried. I’m just…”

The man’s eyes narrowed. He pressed down on the necklace and muttered.

“The things that person is taking care of are bothering me.”

“Huh?”

At those words, Orelie finally looked outside.

The book she was reading had long been out of her interest.

“Ah, I heard there are cute babies in Juliette. They’re so lovely.”

“…”

“I’ve never seen a puppy like that before.”

“They don’t seem to be ordinary beings.”

“…What?”

“I had a chance to see them up close.”

That statement was a bit shocking. Orelie adjusted her monocle and managed her expression.

Cedric had never set foot inside Juliette.

He often used the training grounds or crossed the garden, but he basically hated the Cold Palace.

He had a relationship like cats and dogs with the ‘guest’ staying there.

In fact, there were few royals who liked the space used by Yuliter Statia.

Then, could it be—

“Did you go in your younger form?”

“Don’t worry. I wasn’t seen by anyone.”

“Seidi.”

The Cardinal said in a stern voice.

“I’m not worried about such a thing. More than anything, what’s important is my godson’s health.”

“…”

“Was it that bad? That you couldn’t stop the Ether depletion…”

‘To the point where you’re hiding in Juliette?’ The following words scattered busily like morning mist.

The Prince bit the ice in his coffee instead of answering. Crunch.

It was an affirmation.

“Goodness… I think we need to adjust the schedule.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“I heard you’re looking for a priest. Neither your mother nor I are so busy that we can’t even see the posters plastered all over the Imperial Palace.”

“…”

“…Were you a witness?”

Cedric still didn’t answer.

This time, even he couldn’t find the words to answer.

The only memory of that night was the figure hurriedly disappearing in his dim vision.

And when he came to his senses again, he was in bed.

David’s hunched shoulders, secretly wiping away tears behind the curtain…

It was so familiar, but it was a sight that made his chest heavy every time.

“If so, we must secure that person.”

“Godmother.”

“By any means.”

Even considering the existence of the hostage from the enemy country, Yeser Venetian.

“…”

The Prince quietly looked down at the table.

Next to his coffee cup, there was a shabby trinket.

*

Wow! That was almost a disaster!

Really, really!

-Clack, clack, clack…

“So that’s what happened.”

“…Yes. That’s why I was late writing the report. I’m really sorry.”

I bowed deeply to Prince Yeser, who was sitting across from me.

The carriage swayed from side to side, pushing me around as if scolding me. He smiled kindly and said it was okay.

He had been waiting for me for over twenty minutes past the appointment time, but he added that it was actually interesting.

He said that he had never had his servant or maid involved in such a thing, so it was quite a fresh and interesting experience.

It was also the first time that David from Romero Palace had entered the Juliette tea room.

…No matter how I think about it, I don’t think it’s a compliment.

“Hoo…”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I would take my pets out in this situation, so I ended up leaving the lesser pandas with Ganael.

I’m tearfully grateful just for them taking care of them together, and a maid should act like a maid so that the children don’t get disliked by anyone for no reason.

Still, it was a great relief that the Imperial Palace was an animal-friendly space.

“‘I was surprised by a kitten that suddenly bit my leg and kicked over the table…'”

I flinched.

“…”

The man stared at me with his usual purple eyes.

I quickly averted my gaze, afraid that my lie would be exposed.

His laughter once again disturbed my ears. The outside of the carriage was very crowded.

The Imperial Capital, which was celebrating the Prince’s birthday week, was full of carriages, carriages, and more carriages everywhere you went.

The whole street was crowded with people.

“Then, were all the guests that Yeser was in charge of kicked out? David didn’t tell me in detail.”

Oops.

“No, that’s… First of all, Ms. Schwahn was escorted to the Imperial Palace by the stewards, and her grandnephew left the palace. I heard that Romero Palace provided him with a mansion in the Imperial Capital for his use. For accommodation.”

“Ah.”

Hmm.

“…Should I see it as being kicked out?”

“Yes. You’re smart.”

He shrugged and covered his mouth.

I belatedly realized that I was being teased and bit my tongue.

The Prince praised me, saying, ‘That’s great. It’s a wonderful ending,’ but I knew that wasn’t sincere.

Are you happy to make fun of a black-hearted ajusshi [middle-aged man] who is mentally thirty years old?

-Clatter, clatter…

In the meantime, the carriage slowly stopped, and I stretched my neck and looked out the window.

But we were still on the road.

“Wow, it’s almost a parking lot…”

The wide road in the Imperial Capital was as congested as the merging section of a highway during the Chuseok holiday [Korean Thanksgiving].

The map said that the ‘Costume Street’ was right in front of us.

Indeed, all the young ladies and gentlemen in the neighborhood seemed to be flocking here.

To try on and alter custom-made costumes for the last time before attending a luxurious party.

“The road is so congested. I can even see the face of the passenger in the next carriage… Huh!”

“Huh?”

Crazy, Cedric Liester is in the carriage right next to us!

I just made eye contact!

“…Do you know him?”

“Yes? Yes?”

Oh my god, why is this person so quick-witted? He seems faster than me!

“No. No, that’s… Roughly. An acquaintance.”

I was literally talking nonsense. Even I thought it was complete nonsense.

Would the Prince believe this?

He’s the one who witnessed me falling from another world, lying in his bed!

“An acquaintance? But Yeser is…”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Your Highness. I think I need to have a conversation with that person for a moment.”

“Ah. I’m fine with it.”

I couldn’t figure out what he meant by being fine with it, but anyway, I decided to gratefully accept the fact that we had agreed, as he rested his chin on his hand and began to watch in earnest.

I hurriedly pressed my forehead against the window and looked at the Crown Prince.

Even at that moment, the two carriages were crawling forward like snails.

His snail glasses were also spinning around up close.

“Hey, you! Why is your face so pale?”

“…”

…But the other person only glared at me as if to burn me to death, and didn’t even accidentally move his lips.

I frowned, worried about him, who was as pale as a ghost.

I’m sure he heard me, so why is he ignoring me? I know you’re a paladin with overpowered stats!

-Knock, knock, knock!

Then, someone politely knocked on the front of the carriage. The Prince and I quickly turned our heads.

A faint voice was heard from outside. One person was our coachman, and the other person was…

“Welcome to La Debutante! Are you a customer of our atelier? Did you make a reservation?”

…Huh?

“Yes, customer. We’ll help you park right away. We offer two hours of free parking for purchases of one or more dresses or suits. If you vacate your spot within thirty minutes, we’ll provide you with a refreshment exchange ticket that you can use on your next visit. Turn right just ahead to meet our information staff. We hope you make a wonderful debut with our atelier today! Thank you.”

…Huh, what.

Ms. Gain? Wasn’t that Ms. Gain just now?