Chapter 287

Chapter 287
## Chapter 287: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

‘It’s also to confirm the Saintess’s end.’

Perhaps what the Archbishop truly wants is revenge.

It wouldn’t matter if the target were truly the Hero.

‘Even so.’

Even if the Hero was responsible for driving the Saintess to death, he should never have returned.

The Hero’s return would mean that chaotic times would begin again.

Or perhaps, it itself was chaotic times.

“Something seems to be bothering you.”

“I heard someone was targeting me.”

“So, you’re afraid?”

Lion chuckled at the Second Prince’s question.

“I’m far too well-protected to be afraid. I’m sure you are too, Your Highness.”

It couldn’t be helped, could it?

Though not directly stated in the conversation, the target of the attack was actually not Lion, but Kyle.

‘If I protect myself, that’s the same as protecting me.’

Anyway, since preparations for the grand event seem to be underway, Lion can naturally withdraw.

“…….”

Kyle gazed intently at Lion.

‘He doesn’t seem to know.’

So, while he knew something would happen at the hunting competition, he didn’t seem to know about the ‘operation.’

‘If he knew, who knows what kind of incident he’d cause. It would be best to keep it a secret.’

Kyle quickly assessed the situation and opened the door leading to the party hall.

“The Emperor’s speech will begin soon, so let’s go.”

“Yes. I’ll be right there.”

“Be right there” meant “I’m not coming.”

He was undoubtedly trying to guess and figure out some mystery that wasn’t revealed to him.

‘It’s a good attitude.’

However, there was no need to worry about it now.

It was even less necessary on the balcony, where the rain had just stopped and a cold wind had begun to blow, rather than in the warm indoors.

‘If I catch a cold, the plan will be disrupted.’

This matter required everyone to be in their best state.

So, Kyle added one more sentence.

“After the speech, there will be time to dance with your partners. If you want to watch, you should secure a good spot first.”

“Shall we go right away?”

And as expected, without any deviation, Lion immediately followed Kyle back into the party hall.

‘At times like this, he seems so simple.’

Kyle inwardly shook his head and naturally returned to his original spot.

And after a short while, as scheduled, the Emperor concluded his brief speech.

“The speech ended quickly today.”

“Indeed. It usually ends around the time half the nobles fall asleep.”

“Well… it is understandable.”

The nobles whispered amongst themselves, glancing towards where the princes were seated.

“Ahem, it’s as if the Empress isn’t even here, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Some observant individuals, having already made up their minds, naturally paid their respects to the Second Prince, Kyle, rather than the First Prince.

They didn’t know exactly how things were progressing, but they had figured out that the Second Prince was on the winning side.

Among them, a noble with sharp eyes opened a fan to cover his mouth and whispered.

“But how did he gather such power when he couldn’t even make a move last year?”

In fact, this was one of the things most nobles present were most curious about.

Clearly, up until the Emperor’s birthday last year.

No, even up until the beginning of this year, the Second Prince’s presence was weak.

And that wasn’t all?

“He was sickly, too.”

It was expected that he would have a hidden card, as an illegitimate child had managed to secure the position of prince.

But even so, who would follow the Second Prince if he himself was sickly?

That’s why many had sided with the First Prince, not the Second Prince.

“There’s no way to know.”

“Perhaps he was acting sickly all along.”

“Ahem. I have heard things a little differently.”

At that time, a sturdy man adorned with splendid decorations naturally joined the conversation.

“And you?”

“Haha. I am Jade, who operates a small merchant guild.”

“Jade then…!”

One of the second prince’s hidden trump cards.

I heard he’s someone who leads a large merchant guild with capital from the underworld.

In other words, he was not someone to be trifled with, even as a commoner.

Furthermore…

‘If even a fraction of what I’m about to say is conveyed to the second prince…’

They might find themselves in a predicament before they could even flatter or gain favor!

“Hahaha. Please don’t worry. Merchants are naturally tight-lipped. More importantly, may I tell you a story I know?”

Before the nobles could say anything, Jade seized the flow of conversation and began speaking at his own whim.

The nobles, though somewhat uncomfortable, were all astonished the more they heard his story.

“So, what you’re saying is… the second prince was cursed?”

“And that curse was suddenly healed one day…”

Coincidentally, that timing overlaps with the revelation of the murder case that occurred in the empress’s garden?

“Well, it’s just a rumor. Now, it’s time to dance, so I’ll be taking my leave. I don’t have a partner. Hahaha.”

Jade then disappeared, dropping a meteor among the nobles.

“Huh…”

Even if it was a rumor from the second prince’s closest confidant, no one would believe it.

Especially the empress…

‘She did not attend.’

While the empress was supposed to attend the emperor’s birthday festival, she used this incident as an excuse and did not appear.

Some of the more perceptive nobles realized something from the current conversation.

Something would undoubtedly happen at the birthday party.

If they wished to gain power, they should strengthen their security and remain until the end to cling to the victor.

If their lives were more precious, it was better to enjoy today and leave quickly.

As various thoughts swirled…

—

“Phoo!”

Regardless of the emperor’s speech or the rumors.

Lion, who had been eagerly awaiting the time his younger sibling would dance, could only spit the drink he was having back into his cup.

It was fortunate he didn’t actually spray it out.

–Lion. Did you see that too?

–Oh, my sides! Hahaha!

Tiamatrak, who had finished watching and returned as promised, clutched his stomach and burst into laughter in mid-air.

–Of everything I’ve seen today, your younger sibling is the funniest!

He wanted to retort, but he couldn’t.

That was…

‘To use magic like that…’

A subtle illusionary magic was cast at the feet of Rikschel and Clarentia.

And Rikschel’s foot, visible through the magic…

had lightly stepped on the boot of Marquis Byedantis.

‘No…’

I see.

My younger sibling couldn’t dance!

Indeed, he was a person who resolutely abandoned anything he deemed useless for his successor training.

‘I should have known from when he didn’t know about sweet potatoes…’

Anyway, it seems Marquis Byedantis is stepping in for Rikschel.

The way he skillfully controlled even the hem of the dress was befitting a Sword Master’s movements.

“My, Young Master Rikschel, you dance beautifully.”

“Marquis Byedantis, I thought you were a fearsome person, but you are so beautiful…!”

And thanks to their efforts, they appeared to be a perfect couple in the eyes of others.

‘Thank goodness…!’

The Arcana accessory would have drawn even more attention!

“Y-Yeah… My sibling is amazing!”

Lion forced an awkward smile and clapped his hands with all his might.

If he didn’t cheer him on like this, Rikschel’s ears would probably explode.

‘Hang in there…’

He was already cheering for them, and thanks to the first prince, Lion even got a general idea of the situation.

Clearly, the reason he even tried to dance was undoubtedly to grant his grandfather freedom of movement.

It was necessary to prepare for when events unfolded.

‘A mage as a tank….’

Right. Whoever is desperate has to do it, what else can be done.

And so, Lion watched Rikschel’s tearful dance time to the very end, and with Rikschel’s bright red ears, the first day of the party concluded.

—

“Please, stop laughing at me, Older Brother.”

“Laughing? When did I ever, *cough*, laugh?”

Lion chuckled, replaying yesterday’s events in his mind.

At the time, seeing it directly, he had only felt pity, but thinking about it a day later, he found it incredibly cute.

‘Ah, should I really commission an artifact for saving videos?’

Is that not what memories are? This is what memories are.

Lion felt the absence of a smartphone for the first time in a long while.

“Hoo…”

Rikschel sighed, wanting to lift his head to cool his flushed face, then deliberately changed the subject.

“The party will continue as scheduled today. However, the space has been expanded from indoors to outdoors.”

“Ah, the Lepicent family said they would open the Empress’s Palace garden.”

Although the Empress couldn’t be confirmed as the true culprit, she felt responsible for the incident that occurred in the Empress’s Palace garden. After a long discussion with the Imperial Family, she decided to open the garden, which had never been accessed by outsiders before, for this party.

In other words, they are truly innocent.

For those who know all the facts.

“Because the evidence destruction is complete.”

“That’s right. And conversely, it’s also the cleanest place.”

Since something had already happened there, it was a place where no tricks could be played.

‘Indeed, he’s planning to turn the tables at the Hunting Competition.’

Rather, it is more beneficial for them to be wary of this side and disperse their guards.

‘The most unsettling place is the safest place.’

In fact, normally, he would just stay in the guest room, so he would tell them to have a good time.

He had shown his face on the first day, and even if the eccentric and sickly Lion couldn’t participate on the second day due to drinking, no one would suspect him.

However.

‘Because I need to investigate a bit myself.’

The Lepicent Duke’s family might have cleaned the garden thoroughly, but someone else might have set up some device.

I mean the Archbishop.

He said the Archbishop was the one who handled the final moments of the murder.

“Then I’ll stay outside. It’s too stuffy inside.”

“If you’re tired, it’s fine to stay in your room.”

Petrick, who had been quiet until then, interjected.

Although his tone was dry, he was clearly concerned about Lion’s stamina.

“Hey. This much is fine. I didn’t do any strenuous work.”

Normally, he would have stopped there, but Lion, who knew their concerns well, added a little more.

“Still, if I get tired, I’ll come back right away to rest.”

“Alright.”

“Yes. Don’t push yourself, Older Brother. There’s also the Hunting Competition tomorrow.”

“Yes, yes.”

Lion put their worries to rest and got up from his seat.

His outfit was lighter than yesterday’s, but he carefully covered himself again.

“Then I’ll be going first!”

Lion winked to give them time for their conversation and left the spot.

“…It seems he’s noticed something.”

“I think you’re mistaken.”

“I hope he doesn’t overexert himself today.”

Petrick smiled as he watched Lion walk away.

“Hmm… I think he’ll be fine.”

Petrick had made thorough preparations for this event.

He had sought help not only from Elviana, the second princess, but also from the underworld, which the audacious successor had taken charge of.

And not only that…

“Today, the watcher will be the Spirit King.”

He had told Nature, the chick, or rather, the Spirit King, to stop Lion immediately if he overdid it!