Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 157

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“Black Wyvern, descending!”

The Black Wyvern lowered its altitude to dock at the Merton County’s open space. The faces of people, who looked like ants, came into view.

Merton County personnel and Alphonso.

After completing the docking of the Black Wyvern next to the small airship that had supported Alphonso, stairs were installed. As I was about to descend to the ground, I noticed Julian’s stiff expression.

Only then did it occur to me that he might be uncomfortable around the Count and Countess. They were Ayra’s parents.

“Julian, have you perhaps still not met the Count and Countess?”

“······ I haven’t had a chance to visit, as I’ve been busy.”

Julian was in the wrong.

After retaking the Northwest, there was a grand victory ceremony and distribution of rewards. Julian was recognized for his contribution in leading the alliance agreement with the Khan tribe and received the title of Baron.

It was a miracle achieved in the Lionel Kingdom, where experiences of military victory were rare.

Naturally, all the lords of the provinces, who were away from central politics, also attended to share the joy of victory. Of course, the Merton County couple had also visited the royal capital.

It hadn’t even been a month.

‘He should have had a meal with the Count and Countess back then, tsk.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Well, it was up to Julian to handle.

“Thank you for visiting Merton County, Your Majesty.”

“I hope I’m not bothering you during this busy time preparing for the Red Moon.”

“Haha, you could bother us a thousand, ten thousand times. Your Majesty’s visit is always welcome.”

Earl Albert Merton’s gaze turned to Julian next to me.

“Aren’t you the famous Baron Julian Cowar? I wanted to get acquainted with you, and thanks to Your Majesty, I get to meet you and say hello. Haha! Nice to meet you. I am Albert Merton.”

A smiling mouth, a hearty laugh.

However, the Count, whose eyes were chillingly cold, reached out to shake Julian’s hand.

He was a 5-star knight.

I heard that during the Red Moon, he took the lead in subjugating the monsters and magical beasts coming down from the western mountains with the Knights.

I could imagine what would happen the moment the frail Julian grabbed that hand.

“I am honored to meet you too, Earl Albert.”

The two shook hands.

I thought I heard a cracking sound.

Julian’s lips trembled, and the color drained from his face.

“Hohoho, come in, Your Majesty. Dear, stop tormenting Baron Julian and come in.”

The Countess, covering her mouth with a fan, mediated the situation. Only then did Earl Albert release Julian’s hand.

“Hahaha, you must be hungry, let’s go in, Your Majesty. Our family’s chef has been busy since morning after hearing the news of your arrival. Baron Julian, you come along too.”

I followed the Merton family to the dining room.

On the way, Harry, who had been wriggling in my chest, poked his head out. The guy was constantly looking around with curious eyes.

Anyone could tell that his current appearance, where it was impossible to know if he had six legs, was just a normal kitten.

“Cu, cute!”

The youngest daughter of the Merton County family discovered Harry and exclaimed.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Harry.

“Could that be the rumored cat that Your Majesty is raising?”

Earl Albert asked.

“Nyaa!”

Harry got angry at the word cat. But that made him look even more like a cat.

I stepped in to explain.

“He’s not a cat. He’s Harrion.”

“Ah, I see. I heard the rumors. A mutant cat with six legs······.”

“Nyaat!”

“Keuk!”

It happened in an instant.

Harry, who had sprung out of my arms, scratched Earl Albert’s nose.

Such agility that even a 5-star knight couldn’t react.

As expected, a divine beast was a divine beast.

“Nyahat!”

Harry, who had returned to my arms, warned me not to call him a cat again.

“Keueut······.”

Earl Albert took a handkerchief to his nose, where blood was welling up, and glared at Harry.

“Hey! How can you scratch the Count’s nose like that?”

“Nyaang!”

Harry snorted at my scolding and slipped back into my arms.

“I’m sorry, Earl Albert. I was originally going to leave him at the palace, but for some reason, he wouldn’t let go, so I brought him along, and he caused this accident.”

“No, Your Majesty. It is my fault for calling him a cat even though you said he wasn’t a cat.”

After that small accident, we arrived at the dining room.

Everything was already set up for lunch. I took off my coat and sat at the head of the table, looking at the people sitting down.

Julian was, unfortunately, right in front of the Count.

It was obvious that he had been placed there on purpose, and I chuckled.

“It’s a bit late for lunch, so everyone must be hungry. Let’s eat.”

I picked up a fork and brought the salad to my mouth first. Perhaps because it was adjacent to the Forest of Elves, Fran’s hometown, the 7th branch, it was very refreshing. The freshness of the vegetables was completely different from those in the royal capital.

Then I moved my hand towards the steak.

Basically, I was a meat-lover. Vegetables were enough as a palate cleanser.

The Merton County’s chef must have put a lot of effort into it. The bursting of the juice in my mouth made me smile.

‘As expected, meat is better than vegetables.’

While I was savoring the meat.

“Nyaang! Nyaang!”

Harry, who was burying his nose in a plate and lapping up milk under my feet, scratched my leg.

I glanced down and saw that his gaze was fixed on the meat on my fork. Why all of a sudden when he doesn’t even have teeth?

“You want to eat this?”

“Nyaang!”

The guy who answered opened his mouth wide. I could see something whitish on his gums. It was definitely teeth.

‘When did he get them?’

But can he tear meat with teeth that haven’t even fully grown? I was a little worried, but I didn’t think anything would go wrong, so I gave him one with the bone.

“Nyaang! Nyaang!”

Harry struggling to tear the flesh off the bone. I chuckled and looked up.

Everyone was watching Harry’s struggle with a look of heartache, but only two people were in a completely different world.

Earl Albert and Julian.

The Count, crunching and chewing the meat with the bone, had his eyes fixed on Julian. Julian was sweating profusely and moving his fork.

I was a little full, and I thought I should give Julian a break.

“Earl Albert.”

The Count hurriedly turned his gaze to me.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“An official letter will be sent soon, but there will be extensive support from the Royal Knights during this Red Moon.”

“Oh! That’s welcome news.”

“I will participate as well.”

“Your Majesty too?”

“I’m going to clean up the Twin Forest, which has been a headache in the west, this time.”

“Are you talking about the Twin Forest? Is that true?”

Earl Merton’s eyes widened.

“Yes, so I’m telling you in advance because I think I’ll need a lot of help then.”

“Hahaha, it’s an honor. Think of Merton County as Your Majesty’s villa and use it comfortably.”

After the meal, we had simple tea and chatted about various things.

“Your Majesty, when are you planning to hold the wedding with the new Second Queen of the kingdom?”

“The Royal Council is saying a lot about choosing an auspicious day. What’s certain is that it will be from after the Red Moon until before the harvest?”

Due to adaptation issues and various practical problems, the wedding with Ranua had been postponed.

Nurgal wasn’t particularly dissatisfied either.

It was a time when the Khan tribes, which had been divided into several tribes, were uniting to build a nation. Right now, they must be too busy with internal affairs.

All he said was to let him know when the time came.

My mouth was dry, so I reached for the teacup but stopped. It was already empty.

‘Shall I get up now?’

I put down the teacup, drank water from the water glass instead, and opened my mouth.

“Earl Albert, I’m going to take care of some business with Chief Alphonso for a while. Have a pleasant conversation with Baron Julian until then.”

At my words, Julian, who had been restless, stared at me with wide eyes.

I gave him a smile.

When else would he have the chance to have a cozy conversation with the Count and Countess, Ayra’s parents, if not for this opportunity?

“Hahaha! I understand. I don’t know what the business is, but be careful. Baron Julian, think of it as your own home and be comfortable.”

I left Julian, who was mouthing words, and got up from my seat with Alphonso.

***

“That G-Dragon guy, if Your Majesty persuades him to return to the royal capital, he will pretend he can’t win and come back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. I’ve rolled around the Emerald Palace garden with that guy hundreds of times while fighting. I can tell just by looking.”

Alphonso’s confident assertion.

I decided to believe him. Alphonso might have spent more time with G-Dragon than I had.

He even went on a trip alone to crush the magic stone mine owned by the Imperial Fatty, who was the husband of the 4th Princess.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder how Gracia is doing.’

The 4th Princess, who had been sent to the monastery, suddenly came to mind.

Well, she’s still royalty, so she probably won’t be abused. I erased thoughts about her from my mind.

Now was the time to focus on bringing G-Dragon back to the royal capital.

After passing through the village of the Black Anvil tribe and arriving at the area with the abandoned mine, the Black Wyvern docked in a suitable spot.

“Let’s go down, Your Majesty.”

I nodded and put my hand into my chest to take out Harry.

“Nyaang?”

“You wait here.”

“Nyaang! Nyaang!”

Harry resisted fiercely when I tried to leave him in the airship for a while.

I tried to force him away.

“Nyaaaaaang! Nyaaaaaang!”

He couldn’t have cried more sadly. I was embarrassed by his reaction, which I had never seen before.

Alphonso, who had been watching the scene closely, opened his mouth.

“Ahem, this guy, it seems like he’s trying to keep G-Dragon from stealing Your Majesty’s affection?”

I tilted my head.

“This guy has never even seen G-Dragon before?”

“How can humans understand the senses of a divine beast?”

He’s a human himself.

I grumbled inwardly and made eye contact with Harry.

“You, are you really acting like this because you think you’re going to be second place, like that guy said?”

“Nya, nyaang······.”

Harry avoided my gaze as if he was embarrassed. Surprisingly, Alphonso’s reasoning seemed to be correct.

My head started to hurt.

After a moment of contemplation, I looked at Alphonso. I never thought the moment would come when I would ask that guy for advice.

“Take him with you. It’s something you’ll have to go through once anyway. You have to let them know that you give them both unconditional love. Haha.”

Alphonso, speaking easily as if it’s not his problem.

After much deliberation, I finally accepted his advice and put Harry back in my arms.

I got off the airship, bent my knees, and put my hand down. It was to catch the signal sent by the bow tie that G-Dragon was wearing around his neck.

“Your Majesty, no.”

Alphonso stopped me.

“Why?”

“Even at this moment, he will be watching us. But if you find him so quickly, he might be embarrassed and run away.”

Alphonso was talking as if he was a G-Dragon psychology expert. But perhaps because of his confident expression, it was strangely persuasive.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“Look for G-Dragon desperately. Then he will pretend he can’t win and appear.”

Haa, what a hardship.

***

‘Geuoh? Geuooo!’

From the moment Evan set foot on the ground, G-Dragon headed towards the ground with lightning-like movements.

Evan’s back of the head was visible in G-Dragon’s sight, who was peeking out.

‘Geuoh!’

He wanted to run to him right away, but something felt off.

“G-Dragon! I brought you a lot of Seungjeondo Mountain iron ore that you used to like! Come and eat some!”

A special treat that makes your whole body tingle as soon as you touch it with your tongue!

‘Geuoh······.’

Slurp, saliva was naturally gathering in his mouth.

But it was too embarrassing to go out now.

“My cutie! I’m sorry I was so heartless!”

Evan is looking for me so desperately, should I go out?

‘Geuoh? Geuoh, geuoh!’

Just a little bit, I decided to go out a little later.

And as time passed, Evan, who had been desperately looking for him, seemed very tired and plopped down on a large rock.

“I don’t have to go back to the royal capital, just show me your face······.”

Evan said weakly.

‘Geu, geuoh!’

I suddenly realized that if I kept watching, he might leave as he was. G-Dragon, who had decided to show himself, slowly approached Evan.