*Johan von Verward’s point of view.
“It’s too hot.”
Nacht, with his face stuck to the glass window, quietly complained.
He vexingly arched his lips and a wrinkle could be seen forming between his brows. It was considered the norm for him to make a sullen face, but if one looked closely, it would seem that his expression had a hint of fatigue mixed in as well. I couldn’t blame him for feeling this way, however, because we had been thrown around the carriage for quite some time now.
“It’s too hot. It’s cramped. I’m suffocating.”
“In that case, would you rather ride a horse outside?”
I presented my generous offer with a smile, and it seemed to crush his sullen face even further.
“Don’t joke about putting me out in the sun. Barring our robust soldiers, is there even any sheltered royal that could possibly withstand this heat? They’ll probably dry up the second they step foot outside.”
“But it looks like your brother is having the time of his life.”
“That’s a special case.”
Prince Licht, Nacht’s older brother, didn’t fancy sitting in horse-drawn carriages and was riding on a horse ever since we had departed from the capital. Although he seemed to be fit enough for the task, he certainly worried a lot of his escorts.
“What a troublesome guy. I’d love to lock him up in here, but then he’d be annoying us from the inside. You really can’t put him anywhere.”
What a way to describe your own brother. I wholeheartedly agree with him though.
To describe Prince Licht in one word; it would be merry. And that was exactly what made him bothersome and sometimes insensitive. Even Princess Julia, who was trying to win over his heart, straight up declined his offer to ride together.
She had smiled at the time, but her eyes were singing a different tune. Even I could see that she didn’t want to get sunburned, but that dimwit wasn’t aware of it in the slightest. It was the best thing about him but also the worst.
“We’ll arrive soon anyway. I’ll let him have his fun.” Nacht rolled his eyes and uninterestedly murmured out.
The city that lies next to Wind’s border, Grenze.
That was where we, Prince Licht, Princess Julia, Nacht, and I, Johan von Wervard, were making our way towards.
“But… It really is hot over here. I didn’t expect the temperature to change with the city only being a little south of the capital.”
“No, the temperature doesn’t change much throughout the kingdom each year. This year must be an exception.”
“Have you been here before?” Nacht, who had his whole frame plastered on the window up until now, raised his face to my words. His widened eyes seemed more suitable for someone his age.
“Several times, several years ago. I remember also coming here in the early summer, but it wasn’t as hot as this.”
“Heh, really~? If I were to just judge you by your face alone, I’d say you’re quite the pampered royal. But it seems that the moment I take my eyes off you, you just go wherever you please, huh?”
Am I being praised? Let’s just keep smiling just to be safe, yeah. More importantly, though, I’m curious about the part he said about my face. Do I really look like a pampered royal?
“This heat may really be related to the disease that is spreading at the moment.”
“If that’s all it is then the medicine we brought from the capital should do the job. I was a bit worried about this new disease, but if it ends just as a rumour then all is well.”
Nacht relaxed his expression ever so slightly.
And then, as we were having our casual conversation, the carriage finally arrived at Grenze.
Being the country’s first line of defence towards a former hostile country, Scherz, Grenze was a castle city surrounded by towering walls. Although it’s a city ran by the military forces, it was a prosperous establishment that held much influence and economic importance due to being the base for trading with Flamme.
When I came here a few years ago, I only saw solid castle walls and expected a downcast and depressing atmosphere. Contrary to my assumptions, the citizens of this city were lively and cheerful.
Drinking drunkards that often started fights over silly arguments would end up singing the night away together a few minutes after. Back then, I couldn’t understand how anyone could be so simple, but Margrave Heinz von Geisster had just laughed and told me that everyone in the military was like that. He was the man who governed this land.
We did exchange letters a few times, but I haven’t seen him in person for the last two years. How are you doing? I truly hope you’re doing well.
When you think of a man who could smile like he could, you couldn’t help but give one yourself.
It’s been a while since the last time there was someone who could get me excited like a kid again.
Disappointingly, though, the chance of me meeting him at the border city could not come true.
What greeted us at the main house wasn’t the muscular old man of the past, but rather someone that looked a lot younger: Philipp von Geisster. He asserted that he was Heinz’s son and told me the current condition of his father who was bedridden.
It seemed that Heinz had contracted a disease and was resting.
Behind Prince Licht who was expressing his sincere sadness and pity, Nacht and I looked at each other.
Nacht’s pale complexion washed over his face, and I probably had something similar on mine.
What disease could possibly fell that invincible geezer? Just thinking about it was truly terrifying.
“I had heard there was a new disease spreading in these parts. Has Sir Geisster contracted it as well?”
When Nacht asked, Philipp’s eyes widened to some surprise.
“How come you know of the illness?”
“Just a few rumours from some merchants… Is there any problem?”
“Nothing of the sort. I didn’t expect any news to have reached the capital this soon.” Philipp smiled and slowly shook his head. “The fever has already run its natural course in this area, though. My father is bedridden because of his age, nothing more.”
His words piqued my interest.
Both the fact that the disease has stopped spreading and that Sir Heinz was ill were surprising to me.
“Run its natural course? Are you sure of this?” Nacht asked with a difficult expression.
“Yes. It was hot this year so the disease had spread more than usual. That’s probably why the rumours were exaggerated. Once the heatwave is over, I’m sure everyone will feel better in no time.”
“…Is that so.” Hesitatingly, Nacht finally nodded, although his face told me he was clearly unconvinced.
It was all too sudden and I could understand why Nacht was feeling the way he did. However, let’s not fret about it too much, since that’s one thing less we have to worry about.
The only task left was to deal with the deforestation issue.
‘But is that really the case?’
The voice of an adorable girl echoed through my mind. It was no one other than my dearest sister that I’ve missed for several years.
Her voice usually came to me when I try to avoid trouble or make irresponsible decisions. Perhaps it’s the voice of my little conscience.
In this situation, what would my sister do?
She would probably do the very opposite of what I was about to do.
If it was her, she would go out of her way and investigate until she was satisfied; until there was nothing left to look for. She would do so without seeking fame nor acknowledgement and see her task through to the end.
She would never turn a blind eye to the issue in front of her, especially if it was something life-threatening.
“…”
I churned out a long sigh.
As a prince of an allied country to Wind, I should avoid doing something hasty. Let’s not cause any trouble for our Margrave’s successor.
But, you know.
As long as they don’t find out…
There is more than one way to get what I want.
While being guided by Prince Licht and Princess Julia, I whispered quietly in my heart.
*Johan von Verward’s point of view.
“It’s too hot.”
Nacht, with his face stuck to the glass window, quietly complained.
He vexingly arched his lips and a wrinkle could be seen forming between his brows. It was considered the norm for him to make a sullen face, but if one looked closely, it would seem that his expression had a hint of fatigue mixed in as well. I couldn’t blame him for feeling this way, however, because we had been thrown around the carriage for quite some time now.
“It’s too hot. It’s cramped. I’m suffocating.”
“In that case, would you rather ride a horse outside?”
I presented my generous offer with a smile, and it seemed to crush his sullen face even further.
“Don’t joke about putting me out in the sun. Barring our robust soldiers, is there even any sheltered royal that could possibly withstand this heat? They’ll probably dry up the second they step foot outside.”
“But it looks like your brother is having the time of his life.”
“That’s a special case.”
Prince Licht, Nacht’s older brother, didn’t fancy sitting in horse-drawn carriages and was riding on a horse ever since we had departed from the capital. Although he seemed to be fit enough for the task, he certainly worried a lot of his escorts.
“What a troublesome guy. I’d love to lock him up in here, but then he’d be annoying us from the inside. You really can’t put him anywhere.”
What a way to describe your own brother. I wholeheartedly agree with him though.
To describe Prince Licht in one word; it would be merry. And that was exactly what made him bothersome and sometimes insensitive. Even Princess Julia, who was trying to win over his heart, straight up declined his offer to ride together.
She had smiled at the time, but her eyes were singing a different tune. Even I could see that she didn’t want to get sunburned, but that dimwit wasn’t aware of it in the slightest. It was the best thing about him but also the worst.
“We’ll arrive soon anyway. I’ll let him have his fun.” Nacht rolled his eyes and uninterestedly murmured out.
The city that lies next to Wind’s border, Grenze.
That was where we, Prince Licht, Princess Julia, Nacht, and I, Johan von Wervard, were making our way towards.
“But… It really is hot over here. I didn’t expect the temperature to change with the city only being a little south of the capital.”
“No, the temperature doesn’t change much throughout the kingdom each year. This year must be an exception.”
“Have you been here before?” Nacht, who had his whole frame plastered on the window up until now, raised his face to my words. His widened eyes seemed more suitable for someone his age.
“Several times, several years ago. I remember also coming here in the early summer, but it wasn’t as hot as this.”
“Heh, really~? If I were to just judge you by your face alone, I’d say you’re quite the pampered royal. But it seems that the moment I take my eyes off you, you just go wherever you please, huh?”
Am I being praised? Let’s just keep smiling just to be safe, yeah. More importantly, though, I’m curious about the part he said about my face. Do I really look like a pampered royal?
“This heat may really be related to the disease that is spreading at the moment.”
“If that’s all it is then the medicine we brought from the capital should do the job. I was a bit worried about this new disease, but if it ends just as a rumour then all is well.”
Nacht relaxed his expression ever so slightly.
And then, as we were having our casual conversation, the carriage finally arrived at Grenze.
Being the country’s first line of defence towards a former hostile country, Scherz, Grenze was a castle city surrounded by towering walls. Although it’s a city ran by the military forces, it was a prosperous establishment that held much influence and economic importance due to being the base for trading with Flamme.
When I came here a few years ago, I only saw solid castle walls and expected a downcast and depressing atmosphere. Contrary to my assumptions, the citizens of this city were lively and cheerful.
Drinking drunkards that often started fights over silly arguments would end up singing the night away together a few minutes after. Back then, I couldn’t understand how anyone could be so simple, but Margrave Heinz von Geisster had just laughed and told me that everyone in the military was like that. He was the man who governed this land.
We did exchange letters a few times, but I haven’t seen him in person for the last two years. How are you doing? I truly hope you’re doing well.
When you think of a man who could smile like he could, you couldn’t help but give one yourself.
It’s been a while since the last time there was someone who could get me excited like a kid again.
Disappointingly, though, the chance of me meeting him at the border city could not come true.
What greeted us at the main house wasn’t the muscular old man of the past, but rather someone that looked a lot younger: Philipp von Geisster. He asserted that he was Heinz’s son and told me the current condition of his father who was bedridden.
It seemed that Heinz had contracted a disease and was resting.
Behind Prince Licht who was expressing his sincere sadness and pity, Nacht and I looked at each other.
Nacht’s pale complexion washed over his face, and I probably had something similar on mine.
What disease could possibly fell that invincible geezer? Just thinking about it was truly terrifying.
“I had heard there was a new disease spreading in these parts. Has Sir Geisster contracted it as well?”
When Nacht asked, Philipp’s eyes widened to some surprise.
“How come you know of the illness?”
“Just a few rumours from some merchants… Is there any problem?”
“Nothing of the sort. I didn’t expect any news to have reached the capital this soon.” Philipp smiled and slowly shook his head. “The fever has already run its natural course in this area, though. My father is bedridden because of his age, nothing more.”
His words piqued my interest.
Both the fact that the disease has stopped spreading and that Sir Heinz was ill were surprising to me.
“Run its natural course? Are you sure of this?” Nacht asked with a difficult expression.
“Yes. It was hot this year so the disease had spread more than usual. That’s probably why the rumours were exaggerated. Once the heatwave is over, I’m sure everyone will feel better in no time.”
“…Is that so.” Hesitatingly, Nacht finally nodded, although his face told me he was clearly unconvinced.
It was all too sudden and I could understand why Nacht was feeling the way he did. However, let’s not fret about it too much, since that’s one thing less we have to worry about.
The only task left was to deal with the deforestation issue.
‘But is that really the case?’
The voice of an adorable girl echoed through my mind. It was no one other than my dearest sister that I’ve missed for several years.
Her voice usually came to me when I try to avoid trouble or make irresponsible decisions. Perhaps it’s the voice of my little conscience.
In this situation, what would my sister do?
She would probably do the very opposite of what I was about to do.
If it was her, she would go out of her way and investigate until she was satisfied; until there was nothing left to look for. She would do so without seeking fame nor acknowledgement and see her task through to the end.
She would never turn a blind eye to the issue in front of her, especially if it was something life-threatening.
“…”
I churned out a long sigh.
As a prince of an allied country to Wind, I should avoid doing something hasty. Let’s not cause any trouble for our Margrave’s successor.
But, you know.
As long as they don’t find out…
There is more than one way to get what I want.
While being guided by Prince Licht and Princess Julia, I whispered quietly in my heart.
