CHAPTER 64………………
Inside the imperial palace, hurried footsteps rang out through the silent corridor.
This was not a place where a mere servant could dare to run, but the fact that he did so proved just how urgent the matter was.
The moment the great doors at the end of the hall swung open, the man inside rose to his feet at once. He, too, seemed no less pressed than the one who had come running.
“What is it? Don’t tell me…”
“It is not certain, but this time the rumor is unusually detailed.”
“…Give it here.”
The man draped in a golden cloak reached out at once and snatched the letter from the servant’s hands.
As his brown eyes darkened, the servant bowed low.
“The messenger said the man’s hair was silver, like moonlight itself. His eyes were said to be unmistakably blue.”
“How many such people have we come across before!”
“They say this time it was different. He radiated a holy aura so dazzling that just looking at him was blinding.”
“…”
“If such a man exists, surely there can be only one in this world?”
The servant raised his head with conviction. But the man before him, crumpling the letter, looked troubled.
“Then why would he appear at an engagement ceremony, of all things? Does that make any sense to you?”
“…Your Highness.”
“He once stood as Crown Prince of the Empire. And such a man would arrange a marriage on his own whim?”
“My apologies.”
The servant fell to his knees without hesitation. Before him stood Aaron, Second Prince of the Traneth Empire and current Crown Prince Regent. Pride had no place here—he had to fold it away two, three times over.
“What you mean is… if we investigate from here onward…”
“Have you forgotten that the last sighting was nearly four years ago, near the Southern Grand Temple? If it were San Fidelio, perhaps—but to think he would appear at a mere count’s manor further south…”
“Yet they say the man there is the greatest magnate of the south, known by everyone. His influence has seized control of trade not only across the south but much of the east as well.”
“If my elder brother were one to care for such things, he would never have abandoned this seat to begin with!”
Aaron’s rebuttal was so forceful that the servant dared not say another word.
To forsake the throne—the power to rule the entire empire—for mere wealth? It was inconceivable.
As the servant struggled anxiously to find a way to redeem his mistake, a voice soft as an angel’s drifted in.
“Your Highness, why do you let your temper rise so?”
“…My lady.”
“The desire to find the Crown Prince is something all share. With that comes countless rumors—naturally.”
Chloe, who until then had quietly observed, now soothed Aaron gently.
Her golden waves brushed alongside his silver hair, sun and moon side by side.
She leaned toward the kneeling servant.
“Is there nothing more known? His family, perhaps, or his position?”
“Nothing was said of his family. Only that he was called captain of the San Fidelio knights—this they swore they heard clearly.”
“…My goodness. That is precisely where His Highness the Crown Prince was last seen.”
Her eyes widened, hand covering her lips.
“This is not a tale to be dismissed lightly. By the way, was the bride’s family said to be wealthy?”
“Y-yes, those who attended said they are indeed among the wealthiest in the south. B-but of course, nothing to compare with the august House of Duke Oren.”
Sensing his chance to redeem himself, the servant rushed to flatter Chloe, who was known as the duke’s foster daughter and the reigning star of the capital’s society.
When Chloe had first entered society three years earlier, many had doubted her. But with her radiant beauty, keen mind, and the unshakable support of the ducal house, she had secured her place.
Now, no one dared whisper against her.
She alone walked freely in and out of the palace where no empress resided. Officially, she was assisting the Second Prince in secret matters, but to those unaware, they appeared merely a loving pair using errands as excuse. Some even wagered on when she might become crown princess.
“Not at all. My family’s wealth is my father’s doing, not mine.”
“…Such modesty.”
“Go now. I will speak further with His Highness.”
Chloe cast the servant a glance, signaling him to leave, while Aaron stood troubled.
This was no time for repeated hearsay.
When the door closed and only the two of them remained, she went quickly to Aaron’s side.
“Your Highness must be deeply unsettled.”
“…Who can say how long Father can endure. Today again he called for my brother many times. Haaa.”
“Oh dear.”
She poured him tea, her expression heavy with sympathy.
Though born of distant kin to the ducal house, Chloe’s manners and bearing matched, if not surpassed, any noble daughter. Perhaps even more than her late friend, who had truly been one.
“Now more than ever, you must endure steadfastly.”
“Yes. I cannot shame my brother.”
She bit her lip, smiling at the overly upright prince.
For if the lost Crown Prince returned, none would lose more than Aaron. His regency was only temporary. The rightful heir’s return would mean he must step aside. It was hardly a position from which to long for his brother’s reappearance.
“How could any of this be Your Highness’s fault? Who else could carry such a heavy burden so well?”
“My lady.”
“Truly. You are the late Empress’s only son. By blood, your claim is no weaker than your brother’s.”
“…”
“Oh, I meant only that you fear the worst, that is all. Of course, it could never come to that…”
“Enough. I know well how much aid you’ve given in the search for my brother.”
Perceptive as she was, Chloe bowed at once when she sensed his displeasure.
Fortunately for her, Aaron did not scold her as impertinent but only sank into thought.
Sweeping back his silver hair, his gaze grew clouded.
His duty as Crown Prince Regent remained, but if he wished to suppress unnecessary rumors, he ought to send her away before long.
“I must return to the Grand Hall.”
“Ah… of course.”
Chloe rose with a wistful smile. Whatever her role, he was still a prince. To press too far and topple her hard-won tower of privilege would be folly.
Still, she did not overlook the letter clutched tightly in his hand.
“Your Highness, what will you do with that letter?”
“This…”
“It does seem implausible, doesn’t it? For the Crown Prince to hold a quiet betrothal far away in the south… Even if he were captain of San Fidelio’s knights, it seems too far-fetched.”
Her lips curved with a composed, elegant smile.
“Why, the Archbishop himself, who was in the capital recently, knew nothing of it. And have we not already seen countless false reports, all chasing money? Tempting though it may be, caution is best. Perhaps this is the same…”
“Even so, it must be verified with my own eyes.”
“…You, Your Highness? Personally?”
“It concerns my brother. I will be at peace only if I see for myself.”
He unfolded the letter again, studying its sender’s address.
Never had he dismissed even the wildest tale. Not out of foolishness, but out of desperation.
“I must hurry. Even with the Archbishop of San Fidelio lending his power, who knows how long His Majesty can endure.”
“…But will it be safe? The empire is vast. Reaching the south alone will take days. And I hear the Lennox Grand Bridge collapsed not long ago, so one must detour greatly.”
“…A sound bridge, collapsed? Why?”
“That, I do not know. But in any case, Your Highness cannot be absent so long. You are the only one who can remain by the Emperor’s side. And think, too, of the nobles’ eyes upon you…”
Her anxious gaze deepened his hesitation.
Indeed, the south was no short journey. To pursue only the faintest chance could prove reckless.
“As you know, the nobles are restless. Some even whisper that it is time to seat you upon the throne instead…”
“Preposterous.”
Aaron cut her off sharply, but he understood her meaning.
The crown prince’s seat had stood empty far too long. Doubts multiplied.
His brother had always been reclusive, but that could not serve as excuse forever.
If Aaron, too, left the capital, the nobles—wolves all—would not miss their chance.
“Then… I will send my knights instead.”
“No. That would only draw attention. Your men are not free from the world’s eyes.”
“Still, to leave it unconfirmed…”
“You have me.”
“…My lady.”
“Why look at me so? For Your Highness’s sake, it is only natural.”
Her reassurance quieted him.
When he fell silent too long, she put on a faintly hurt expression.
“Do you not trust me, Your Highness?”
“Of course not. I have already owed so much to you and to Duke Oren. To burden you further…”
“It is no burden. It is my honor to do this for you.”
She bent her knees in a graceful bow, and at last he gave his consent.
For indeed, Chloe possessed more information than anyone. Aaron could not openly seek the Crown Prince himself, so he had relied on the ducal house at the heart of the capital’s noble circles. That reliance weighed heavily on him.
“I will surely earn the Duke’s reproach for sending his daughter so far.”
“Oh, I will tell Father I wished to observe affairs in the south. As it happens, our house also runs trade there. It is most convenient.”
“…If so, then I am grateful. But be cautious.”
“Of course. Should any mishap befall me, I alone will bear the blame, so do not worry.”
She smiled, testing him softly.
His pale brown eyes, ever so rigid, seemed all the more endearing to her for it.
Unlike other royals, he never took help as his right, nor discarded it once given.
“Then I had best depart at once. If the betrothal has been held, the wedding cannot be far behind.”
“My lady.”
She hastened her steps, careful not to betray regret. Just the pace to make even an indifferent man glance back once.
At the door, Chloe clasped her hands, her face alight with anticipation.
“They say he is the richest man in the south. That alone is enough to stir my curiosity.”
