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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: A Tale of Two Birthdays
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Amidst the flurry of servants, there was one place that was somewhat quiet, yet filled with the sound of a child’s cheerful laughter.
A child with hair as white as snow fiddled with the bow tie at his neck and turned around.
“Mother! What do you think? Do I look good?”
“Of course. There’s nothing that doesn’t suit our Crown Prince.”
A fair face, snow-white hair, and golden eyes that shone brighter than gold.
He had the same face as Lucian, but he was more confident, more energetic, and about half a hand taller.
His name was Leopold Odelion, the Crown Prince of the Audrian Empire.
He was so excited about his birthday tomorrow that he couldn't seem to calm down.
Watching Leopold with a pleased expression was his mother, the most precious woman in the Audrian Empire, Serena Odelion.
As the woman who received the Emperor's sole affection, she was a stunning beauty, one who you would never believe had an eight-year-old child.
“You look wonderful, my son.”
“Father!”
Just then, the door opened and the Emperor, Ruber Odelion, appeared. He had the same golden eyes and white hair as Leopold. It was easy to imagine this is what Leopold would look like when he grew up.
As Leopold ran to him, Ruber swept him up into his arms. He planted a kiss on his cheek, making Leopold giggle.
“Are you looking forward to your birthday banquet tomorrow?”
“Of course! It’s my birthday, which only comes once a year!”
“Tell me if there is anything you want. I’ve prepared several surprise gifts again, but the best gift of all is the one you wish for, isn’t it?”
“Hmm, in that case, I want… a younger sibling!”
For a moment, Ruber’s hand flinched. Oblivious, Leopold beamed.
“I want a younger sibling! Harry was bragging so much about getting a little sister!”
Ruber’s expression stiffened, but when Leopold looked up at him with sparkling eyes, he forced a smile and set him down.
“Then I suppose your father will have to put in some effort.”
“Why do you have to put in effort to make a sibling?”
“That’s just how it is. Now, shouldn’t you go and finish trying on your accessories?”
“Oh, right. Don’t leave while I’m putting on my shoes and accessories!”
Leopold trotted over to the maids. Ruber, who had been smiling warmly, hardened his face the moment Leopold was out of earshot.
“…Who brought up the topic of a sibling to Leo?”
“It is not something Your Majesty needs to worry about. It seems some of his playmates have recently gotten younger siblings.”
“They didn’t speak of *that* child?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Seeing Serena’s grim expression, Ruber let go of his suspicion. His face softening, he caressed her cheek.
“The number of people who have seen that child has increased recently, so I was worried. I hope I didn’t frighten you unnecessarily.”
“…No. It is something Your Majesty is right to be concerned about.”
She had worried that someone might have told Leopold about Lucian.
After being raised in secret, away from prying eyes, he had been exposed to many people three months ago.
Of course, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, they had fabricated a story that they were ‘forced to pass off an orphan as royalty to offer as a sacrifice.’
Furthermore, even though he had been exposed, they had erased every person who had previously cared for Lucian and served him at that time from the world, ensuring they could never utter a word.
But there had been a bit of a commotion when he was sent to the Ghost Manor, so it was highly possible that someone had witnessed the scene.
“Dein, are we still sending supplies to the Ghost Manor?”
The Head Chamberlain, Dein, flinched and bowed his head.
“A servant named James is delivering supplies once a month.”
“Is he a man who can be trusted?”
“Yes. He is tight-lipped and has no fear of the Ghost Manor. He has not spoken of him or the manor to anyone else. I will continue to keep a close watch.”
“Hmm… then that will do. It’s better to have one person in charge than to keep changing them. Still, report immediately if he does anything suspicious.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“No one must ever find out about that child. Especially not Leopold.”
The Empress and Dein bowed their heads.
Ruber clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze meaningful as he watched Leopold choosing accessories in the distance.
The boy wrinkled his nose, deep in thought, then broke into a wide smile when his eyes met Ruber’s. In response, Ruber gave a faint smile and waved.
Then, he suddenly flinched.
He had remembered his second son, whom he had met for the first time four years ago.
Those golden eyes, filled with fear yet brimming with curiosity. Being identical twins, he looked just like Leopold, but the difference in their auras was so stark that they were easily distinguishable.
The last time he had seen the boy was when Lucian was boarding the carriage to the Ghost Manor.
He had thought that sparing his life, when he was born the younger twin, was a great act of mercy, but blood is blood, after all.
‘…He won’t leave my mind.’
This was why he had avoided seeing the child all this time. When Empress Serena heard that twins had been born, she hadn't even glanced at Lucian, the one born later.
Because she knew she would grow attached if she did.
Her choice had been the right one. Even now, didn't she look as if she were about to cry at the mere mention of Lucian?
Ruber quietly wrapped an arm around Serena’s shoulders.
He rationalized that he had done all he could and forced Lucian from his mind.
* * *
The day before Lucian’s birthday.
Ria and Kaizareu acted as they normally did, according to their plan, and sent Lucian on an errand.
“I’m going alone this time, right?”
[Yes. You said you’ve memorized the way, didn’t you?]
“Yup!”
“I’m not going with you, so don’t follow any weirdos, and don’t fall for it if they offer you food. If anyone tries to drag you away, kick them right in the crotch!”
Ria wanted to say that was a fine thing to be teaching him, but she felt the same worry, so she kept quiet.
Kaizareu used magic to change Lucian’s appearance, just like last time.
As he was carefully placing a hat on Lucian’s head, Kaizareu paused, then nudged Ria in the side with his elbow.
“…See? It was worth spending the money, right?”
[For once, I agree.]
Lucian was wearing the new clothes they had bought him. Clothes certainly made the man, and these were worth every penny. He looked so cute and classy that you could mistake him for a nobleman’s son.
[Shouldn’t you go with him, even now?]
Kaizareu shot Ria a look as if to say, ‘Are you serious?’
[Still, I’m worried about sending him off like this. Lucian is just too pretty.]
“Sigh. Lucian, what are we going to do with your bride doting on you like this? You’ll end up completely whipped, won’t you?”
[Shut up.]
Kaizareu slapped away Ria’s hand, which was clinging to Lucian, and led him to the main gate. Ria glared daggers at Kaizareu and reluctantly saw Lucian off.
“Here are the things you need to buy. I put a dimensional pouch inside, so put the items in there. When you’re done, keep it in your inner pocket.”
“Okay. I’ll be sure to keep it safe so no one can steal it.”
Lucian puffed out his chest, as if to say he was no one’s child.
[Lucian, you don’t have to buy everything on the list. If you get tired or scared, you can come back anytime, okay?]
“Okay. Well then, I’m off!”
Lucian spoke boldly and marched bravely past the fence. Ria watched his retreating figure for a long time. Kaizareu, standing beside her, clicked his tongue.
“So dramatic. Hey, eight isn’t that young. He’ll be fine on his own. You do know we have a mountain of things to do today, right?”
[…Who doesn’t know that? I’m just worried.]
Kaizareu told her to come inside and headed back to the manor first. Ria, still worried about Lucian, couldn’t bring herself to leave. Soon, Lucian became a tiny dot in the distance.
Ria! Hurry up!
[That damn lizard. So impatient.]
Ria grumbled and reluctantly headed back to the manor.
* * *
Upon arriving in the village, Lucian swallowed hard. He had boasted to Ria and Kaizareu, but truthfully, he was nervous.
He had felt much more at ease with Kaizareu before, but now…
Come on, come on! Freshly picked apples from this morning!
This isn’t an opportunity that comes every day! Buy now and get it for half price!
This is the item that’s been flying off the shelves! If you miss this chance, I can’t promise when you’ll be able to buy it again!
The merchants hawking their wares, the bustling people, and the crowd filling the square made him feel breathless.
But Lucian steeled himself and looked at the shopping list Kaizareu had given him.
“Sugar, almonds, seasonal fruits, a mortar… a mortar?”
He didn’t know what a mortar was, but he decided to buy what he knew first. He peeked around the market, buying items from the list as soon as he saw them, and when he couldn’t find something, he asked people for directions to the right shop.
“Um, excuse me…”
Lucian approached a spice stall, his voice barely a whisper. The dozing owner jolted awake, then his eyes narrowed as he saw Lucian.
“*Yawn*. What are you looking for, little one?”
“I’m here to buy sugar.”
“…Sugar? An errand for your mom?”
“Huh? Y-Yes…”
Sugar was among the most expensive spices, something most commoners couldn’t even dream of buying. And this kid was here to buy it on an errand?
“You didn’t mistake honey for sugar, did you?”
“It says sugar right here.”
“Hmm… alright, then. How much do you need?”
“Oh. It doesn’t say.”
Lucian struggled for a moment, then showed two fists as a rough estimate. The shop owner measured out the sugar into a cloth bag by eye.
As he weighed it, the owner glanced at Lucian and named a price.
“Two gold.”
“Two gold? Just a moment.”
He had quoted 50 silver higher, and the kid was readily agreeing? This was a windfall! The shop owner cheered inwardly.
Just as the naive Lucian was about to hand over two gold coins, someone blocked his hand.
“You really shouldn’t be trying to cheat a kid, mister.”
“Ch-Cheat! Who are you!”
“Huh? Dio?”
The one who had helped Lucian was none other than the weapon shop owner’s son, Dio. He didn’t spare Lucian a glance as he snorted.
“That doesn’t look like it’s worth two gold. This is one gold and thirty silver, isn’t it?”
“Thirty silver! It’s one gold fifty silver… Hup.”
The owner, having blurted out the original price, clamped a hand over his mouth. But Dio, who had heard everything, glared at him.
“See! You were trying to rip him off!”
“Th-This little brat…! What does a kid like you know…!”
“Hey! Everyone, come look at this! A grown man is cheating a clueless little kid!”
Undeterred by the adult’s threat, Dio raised his voice to draw attention. People passing by started to gather, curious about the commotion.
“Look here! This man is trying to…!”
“Ah! Ah! Alright! Just be quiet!”
“Mister, I’m a local here. If you want to keep doing business, you should probably stop cheating people.”
“…You cheeky little brat. Fine, whatever! Have it your way!”
“You heard him. Not two gold…”
Dio took one gold and thirty silver from Lucian’s coin purse and placed it on the stall counter.
“Hey! I said one gold fifty silver! You still owe me twenty silver!”
“If you tried to cheat him out of fifty silver, shouldn’t you give that much of a discount? Take it or leave it. Everyoooone…!”
“Good grief! Fine, take it and get lost!”
The owner finally threw up his hands and shooed the two of them away from his stall.
Lucian blinked, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Dio stuck his tongue out at the fuming owner and handed the bag of sugar to Lucian.
“Here.”
“…Thank you.”
“You have to haggle at the market. They usually quote a higher price than what it’s worth. You’ve never run an errand before, have you?”
“No…”
“I thought so. …Are you a noble or something?”
Dio looked Lucian up and down, noticing he looked much classier than before.
Lucian remembered Ria’s warning never to reveal his identity and shook his head vigorously.
“…Whatever.”
Lucian stared at Dio, who was sulking and kicking at the innocent ground. Finding the stare uncomfortable, Dio rolled his eyes and scratched his head.
“…I’m leaving.”
Dio left Lucian and walked away, grumbling to himself.
‘Tch, should I not have helped him?’
He had been on his way back from an errand for his dad when he happened to spot Lucian. With such a striking face, he had recognized him instantly.
He hadn’t helped him expecting anything in return, but he had at least thought they might become friends. But the kid was so quiet.
“Sigh, what did I expect…”
“Why are you sighing?”
“Aaaah!”
Dio screamed at the voice that came from right beside him. Lucian flinched and took a step back.
