What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 182

#182 The Woman Who Will Steal the Prince (2)

‘Sara Bellial deserves no such consideration.’

Yes. Sadie had definitely said that.

It was a dim confessional in the Imperial Palace temple, one spring day before I knew the child’s identity.

I vividly remembered the sharp glint in the young boy’s eyes, who was still a prince then.

It was an unconcealed antipathy that was hard to miss. Even back then, I had a vague idea.

That there might be a bad history between the editor of and him.

“I’m sorry. I suspected there might be a rift between the Imperial Family and the Bellial House.”

“······.”

Step, step, step, step. Two pairs of footsteps echoed in the narrow hallway.

Unlike the palace, this was just a regular house, so the stairs leading down to the kitchen were quickly reached.

From downstairs, the savory aroma of freshly baked socca [a type of chickpea pancake] wafted up.

I calmly continued, “I was wondering how to use the precious opportunity Your Majesty gave me… You take such good care of me in every way that I don’t need anything more. So, I thought about whether there was anyone around me I could help.”

The Crown Prince’s pink hair swayed silently.

I tried to express my opinion as carefully as possible.

I couldn’t insist recklessly because I didn’t know what the circumstances were.

“But everyone seems to be doing well. Which is great. And I can do things on my own without borrowing His Majesty’s name… Except for sunhalo grass. That still can’t be taken out of the palace.”

According to Cardinal Boutier, knowledge about medicinal herbs could not be disclosed until the remains of the Theocratic Army in the Empire were recovered and the status of Divine Affliction patients was identified.

Of course, priority support would be given to those who were sick, but maintaining the order of the country was also important.

Emperor Frederick did not want some of his people to abandon their livelihoods and become bone hunters, or for sunhalo grass to be traded on the black market.

Of course, there would also be the calculation that the Imperial Family should have as much information about the new medicine as possible.

“As I kept thinking, I even considered Lord Bellial. We’re not close, but I felt sorry for his sick grandson. And it’s a shame that the family has been torn apart because of it.”

‘It’s a common story. A child is sick, the parents try to cure the child, but nothing works.’

Lord Bellial’s lament from the temple echoed vividly in my ears.

The old woman’s voice was very dry, but that couldn’t be because she was emotionless.

Perhaps it was because she harbored a desert too vast to be soaked with tears.

I subtly glanced at Prince Cedric’s profile.

His dyed gray eyes were just staring blankly ahead.

But he didn’t seem to be showing anger like before, so can I take that as a positive sign?

Or does he become more emotional when he’s in his child form?

“I don’t know if his grandson is suffering from Divine Affliction. I just know that he’s unconscious and haven’t heard about any other symptoms. But since he’s probably tried every treatment… I thought it would be good if I could suggest a new method.”

He remained silent. I sighed softly and looked ahead.

I had nothing more to say. I don’t know what happened.

Would I find out if I searched the Imperial Archives?

-Bang!

Just then, the kitchen door burst open.

Marquis Francois D’Huem blinked his light pink eyes and made a dramatic entrance.

His timing is impeccable, really.

“Your Highness, Crown Prince, you’ve arrived just in time!”

He was wearing an azalea-colored apron and had a round, flat pan on one arm.

On top of the golden-brown chickpea pancake, which was steaming, was sprinkled fragrant herb powder.

Perhaps because I had eaten less dinner, my tongue reacted first. It looked delicious to anyone.

What can’t this handsome man do?

“You can take a closer look, Your Highness. Enjoy the irresistible flavor! It’s one of Antoinette, Maria, and Therese’s favorite snacks. Lovely Maria especially prefers the crispy edges.”

“Ah, yes.”

He began to rattle off his sisters’ TMI [Too Much Information], which no one had asked for, like a machine gun.

Ah, yes, this was the problem with this person….

“Wow!”

-♬♩♪!

At that moment, cheers and music erupted from outside the window. The three of us exchanged glances in unison.

I heard the sound of chairs scraping from the dining room, and soon, a clattering and rushing sound echoed down the hallway.

I chuckled. Eva and Herrit must have been the first to cling to the window.

And most likely, Christel and Sant were with them.

“The parade has begun. Shall we go out and see it in person?”

The Marquis asked with a charming wink.

I usually don’t accept his suggestions, but this time I happily agreed.

It’s my first ‘festival’ in the Toegong universe!

*

“I’ll be back!”

Eva shouted cheerfully, holding little Haynes’ hand.

In her other hand, she held two pieces of socca the size of Herrit’s face.

When Marquis D’Huem took the warm pancake out of the pan, I wrapped it in thin paper, and Christel finished it off by sprinkling pepper and salt.

Everyone lined up in front of the entrance to receive their dessert. Even the Crown Prince was not exempt.

“Eat it now, Sir Johan. It won’t taste as good when it’s cold.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you outside, Your Highness.”

Sir Johan, who received his socca, took the two children and left.

He seemed concerned about my safety, but the little ones were much more vulnerable than I was, who had regained my Aether.

I have partners, after all.

“I’ll enjoy it, mister. It looks delicious.”

“Your Highness, I’ll be waiting outside!”

“Thank you. And thank you for keeping the kitchen clean!”

Lady Elizabeth, Ganael, and Sant greeted us in turn and went out the door.

Sant especially bent over at the waist, not knowing what to do.

The Marquis smiled kindly at the young Count, whom he adored like a nephew.

“Since Your Highness is a big eater, you should take two pieces.”

“Anything less than four pieces won’t do, Marquis. Should we buy our alcohol outside?”

“Let’s do that. There will be many charming stalls in Claire Square by now. There’s a high-end tavern in the East District that makes Cointreau [a type of orange-flavored liqueur], and every harvest festival…”

The Marquis and Christel, who were drinking buddies, had a pleasant conversation.

I smiled as I packed socca for David and Benjamin.

I felt sorry that I had briefly harbored strange suspicions about them.

He was an eccentric with a mindset that ordinary people couldn’t understand, but when you got to know him, he was kind and cared about the Imperial Family more than anyone else.

“Your Highness, Your Highness. We’ll clear the way.”

Benjamin said kindly. I nodded and took our share of the snacks.

The Crown Prince put on a plain black robe and pulled his hood over his head.

Christel giggled at the obvious intention.

-Squeak, clank!

The door closed behind us as we left the mansion.

Don’t forget to do the dishes when you get back, Jung Yeseo.

“Wow. There are so many people. Follow me closely, Your Highness!”

Christel said loudly.

I couldn’t help but laugh, as I had never been treated like this even when I was a child.

We blended into the crowd with surprising speed.

I took a bite of the hot, salty socca and thought.

Since Robert Blanquer was confined to his villa, no problems had occurred so far.

What were the Ark’s warning and Bakari’s prophecy ultimately trying to tell me?

…Could it be that I succeeded in avoiding the danger of the Chief God?

*

“Amazing.”

The parade was truly larger and more elaborate than I had imagined.

A brilliance qualitatively different from the luxury of the Imperial Palace adorned the heavens and the earth.

The night streets were all red, blue, thick, and flashy.

The sound of unrestrained laughter and chatter was also a commotion that was hard to hear in the palace.

I gaped and stared blankly at the dazzling procession.

I was sad that Eunseo and Hyung weren’t here with me.

-♬♩☆!

I flinched. Thanks to the trumpeter who made a mistake, I snapped out of it. A chuckle escaped.

Bugles, cymbals, and old violins played the same song in their own way.

It wasn’t as elegant and delicate as the Serenité Lordship’s concert, but it was pleasant to listen to.

Everyone looked happy and energetic.

“Look over there, what’s going on! The carriage decorations are so fancy!”

Christel pointed to the procession, her beautifully dyed orange eyes shining.

I nodded my head diligently so she could see well.

There were so many people, like the middle of Gangnam-daero [a major street in Seoul] on Christmas.

The stores on the opposite street were nowhere to be seen.

We weren’t walking as we pleased, but were slowly carried along by the waves of the crowd.

When I came to my senses, I had already drifted to Claire Square.

The air at the end of autumn was quite chilly, but the mulled wine that Sant handed out warmed my hands.

“Is that a peacock?”

“It’s a turkey!”

Christel and Lady Elizabeth shouted back and forth.

Ganael was holding hands with her fiancé.

A house-sized turkey made of straw, cheap cotton, and old clothes was riding on a flower cart and passing right in front of us.

“They’re really devoted. I can’t imagine how long they’ve been preparing. It’s pretty.”

The protagonist had a very excited expression.

I wasn’t much different, but seeing her, who was genuinely enjoying it like a nineteen-year-old, made my lips curve into a smile.

The Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony and the eve were also big festivals, but I was always separated from the crowd.

It was different and delightful to be able to share the entertainment of the Liester people so vividly.

A participant who lost a shoe, a crushed bouquet, a baby crying because he was scared of his costumed mother… The clumsy aspects of each place added to the friendly atmosphere.

Since we couldn’t take pictures or videos, we wrote diaries in our hearts with our eyes and ears.

In front of the turkey, a giant imperial crest made by connecting ficelles [thin twines] passed by, and behind it….

“It’s an acrobat troupe, Your Highness!”

“Yes, we’ve met before.”

Eva, who was taking good care of Herrit, shouted. I smiled brightly and took the child’s words.

The ‘best clown troupe in the Imperial Capital’ that the Crown Prince had called to the Juliet Palace was also part of the parade. The guy who felt my gaze sneered.

One of the acrobats jumped barefoot onto a rolling wheel, and Herrit, excited, scattered flower petals.

The other kids of the same age across the street also screamed with joy.

One juggler skillfully juggled eight balls.

“Wow!”

“How does he do that?!”

“God have mercy!”

Christel was serious, and Marquis D’Huem simultaneously scattered genuine exclamations and gold coins.

It was chaotic but only pleasant.

Next, a giant flower carriage carrying costumed actors slowly approached.

As if they had been waiting, Benjamin and David came out and handed the Crown Prince and me a tulip each.

I tilted my head, not knowing why.

“It’s to commemorate His Holiness the late Pope, Your Highness. You can throw the tulips.”

Ah, I see. I held the tulip and turned to the front again.

It was meant to remember the ‘last deceased’ Pope, but since Irena Schneider, who closed her eyes a hundred years ago, there has been no Pope in the continent.

So, the actor standing in the middle of the cart was definitely playing Irena.

The reactions of the people were very different from before.

“God.”

“Thank you, thank you!”

Instead of whistling and playfully jeering, the crowd threw tulips, offered silent prayers, or applauded politely.

The actor wearing the Pope’s mask pretended to bless with a benevolent gesture.

I heard that Liester had a record-breaking harvest this year.

This was also thanks to the rapid recovery from the golem rampage and the aftermath of the ‘Sky of the Heavens’.

I often saw people talking about the military preparedness while walking here, but none of them had dark complexions.

Everyone seemed to regard the events of that time as amazing stories.

“······The Pope.”

I muttered as I threw the tulip.

In fact, I felt like I knew what the smart Demi was trying to say these days. The wish-fulfilling holy relic, and….

“Uh.”

At that moment, I made eye contact with ‘Irena’. At the same time,

-Flap!

She threw off her fake papal robes.

I could see the corners of her mouth smiling under the mask.

I froze, sensing a tingling unease. I could feel the Crown Prince building up his energy.

In the moment when the crowd’s admiration turned to bewilderment,

-Bang!

“Aaaagh!”

“Ugh!”

With a small explosion, the ‘Pope’ disappeared.

Screams rang out, and the surroundings were blocked by a few people running away and many people pushing in.

I widened my eyes and glared at what was hanging from the wooden block.

Large letters were written on the white cloth so that anyone could recognize them.

The handwriting was very elegant.

‘I’m going to steal the moon of the Theocracy.

-Madame Victoire’