Balzac pressed my cheek firmly with one hand.
His hard fingertips pressed against my soft cheek, making my chubby cheeks jiggle.
“Hahima. (Don’t.)”
“Come on, let me comfort you a bit.”
He said pitifully and started kneading my cheek like kneading rice cake.
“Comfort?”
“Eh? (Why?)”
Balzac lifted his head, filled with frustration.
“Some lunatics caused a riot at the harbor, so I got drafted there. I don’t even have time to investigate exam matters!”
Then Joshua sat beside me and scolded him.
“You’re going anyway, so just come back quietly since investigating won’t help.”
That’s true.
Balzac has no talent for using his brain.
“Uhe, johaesseo. (That’s better.)”
Balzac narrowed his eyes.
“This isn’t about you, big brother. Ah, Eril, I’m not talking to you.”
“You’re talking nonsense. Ah, Erilot, I’m not talking to you.”
Joshua grabbed Balzac’s hand still on my cheek and abruptly threw it aside like trash.
Balzac crossed his arms.
“You’re so cocky, little brother.”
“You keep nagging about being born one minute apart, but if you were born ten minutes earlier, you’d already be old and lying in a coffin, big brother.”
Ugh.
Watching them, I wondered if the twins really get along well.
Dad and uncle get along well, so why are these two like this?
‘Though when they’re in sync, they get along incredibly well.’
I flailed my arms to break their gaze off me.
“Fight again. Again.”
“This one was born a whole minute later and picks fights.”
“You were born a minute earlier and said stupid things.”
“Balzac. Joshua.”
I frowned and called their names, and both turned their heads with a ‘tch’.
Balzac clung to me again and poked my cheek repeatedly.
“Joshua, don’t bother me while I’m healing. I’m already dying from too much work.”
“Too much work?”
I asked, still letting him poke my cheek.
Balzac and Joshua are old enough now to help not only with bloodline education but also with castle affairs.
They belong to the guards, but it seems Balzac gets drafted more often than Joshua.
Joshua’s Gaho is a broad skill, so Balzac’s side suits “guard” duties better.
Balzac nodded and sighed deeply at my question.
“The exam’s a mess, Grandpa’s in a bad mood, so the guard atmosphere’s terrible, and the guys who appeared at the harbor didn’t even have flags on their anchors.”
Then he suddenly opened his eyes wide as if he realized something.
“...Uh, am I supposed to write the report on this?”
Balzac looked at me and Joshua with a pleading expression to say no.
Joshua turned his head coldly.
He definitely won’t write it for him.
Unless Balzac gives up his big brother spot.
But I focused on something else.
“A ship without a flag?”
Another hint.
Teresika roses native to the Aligiosa Kingdom.
A ship appeared without a flag.
Grandpa in a terrible mood...
I already know why grandpa is so upset.
‘Since Uncle Grimyé couldn’t enter the Central Tower, he’s been in a bad mood ever since!’
Balzac, who had been playing with my slime-like cheeks to his satisfaction, got up from his seat.
He yawned widely and stretched.
Stretching limbs fluidly, he looked more like a beast than Loreina, who has the beastification Gaho.
His wild red hair was just like a lion’s mane.
“Annoying. We should just catch those guys from the ship and kill them.”
What?
I quickly grabbed Balzac’s clothes.
“No!”
There must never be international conflict!
Four days later.
The guest procession arrived at Astra Castle.
Astra’s direct descendants gathered at the castle to welcome the guests.
The faces of the three-year-old children were all stiff.
Nobles of the empire, or even royalty.
Because the guests who appeared were completely different from what they expected!
Grandpa walked out from the center.
His footsteps seemed heavy, full of weighty presence.
Grandpa looked more impeccably perfect as a duke than usual today.
He approached the man standing in the middle of the guests.
“Thank you for traveling a long way. Your Highness Velein.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Duke Astra.”
The man called His Highness Velein looked a bit different from the empire people in appearance and dress.
Instead of a hat, he wore a turban, and over his smooth silk clothes he had a shoulder sash.
Also, his well-defined handsome face was very different from the empire’s handsome type.
Tanned bronze skin.
Jet-black hair like pitch.
Tall stature.
He looked about Dad’s age, but the atmosphere he gave off was completely different.
This man’s full name was Velein Aligiosa.
‘First prince who will inherit Aligiosa.’
Since Grandpa greeted him, now it was Dad’s turn.
Dad is the eldest son, except for Uncle Grimyé in the capital.
Dad looked really perfectly handsome today.
Hair shining under the sunlight.
Ruby-red eyes.
A dangerous aura that seemed to hold poison within.
I couldn’t help but stare.
‘Good. Everyone’s watching.’
Leaving a strong impression at the first meeting is important.
And Dad’s shining appearance left a drill-level impression.
I was proud just watching.
Dad stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest, and bowed lightly.
“I greet the esteemed guest from Aligiosa.”
“We greet the esteemed guest.”
“We greet the esteemed guest.”
“We greet the esteemed guest.”
The second and third generations followed Dad and paid their respects.
Velein laughed warmly.
His thick eyebrows and strong features still gave a gentle feeling.
“It’s amazing to see the famous Astra clan with my own eyes. Come on, Abino. You should greet them too.”
Velein gently grabbed a boy’s shoulder and let go.
The boy bowed and greeted.
“Abino Aligiosa. The prince of the current king.”
‘Ah, that’s Abino.’
Abino Aligiosa looked about my age.
His slightly curly black hair shimmered over a neat forehead.
Tanned skin, and eyes that looked exactly like his father’s.
But Abino was much more famous than his father.
‘He was missing during the civil war and was only found last winter.’
But apparently, because of the shock from the civil war, he developed amnesia and doesn’t remember much of that time.
A first prince going missing.
If the reason were known, there would have been a huge inquiry and accountability.
‘But because of Abino’s amnesia, it all fizzled out.’
No one knew where, how, or when he disappeared.
Only Abino’s closest palace attendants were separated.
Velein pitied his only son who had gone through rough times.
So, after finding him, he said he would do anything for the boy.
‘That’s probably why he was brought on the voyage.’
He wanted to give his son fresh air safely by his side.
Even now, he couldn’t take his eyes off his son.
‘What a devoted father.’
Velein’s eyes were full of affection for Abino.
Just like my dad.
‘Are handsome guys always devoted fathers?’
Velein laughed heartily and explained how he came to Astra.
“We were drifting during the voyage when the ship happened to drift into Astra’s territory. Thank you, Duke Astra, for helping us.”
I smiled without spirit.
‘Yeah, that lie’s way too obvious.’
Nonsense.
What castaway wouldn’t fly a flag while drifting?
‘What if they were shot for being an unidentified ship in another country’s waters?’
I glanced at Grandpa.
His expression, which had been stiff lately, looked a tiny bit better.
Of course Grandpa’s mood ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) had improved.
‘He’s scary even though he’s my grandfather.’
Bringing Prince Velein of Aligiosa from a distant continent here was definitely Grandpa’s doing.
100 percent. No, 1000 percent Grandpa.
‘He’s trying to pressure the emperor through Velein.’
It was clear.
The emperor dared to give Uncle Grimyé the foreign minister position to check Astra.
And gave Astra’s direct line eldest son the foreign minister position?
Everyone knows Grandpa called the elders and got extremely angry about it.
So this was a protest move about not getting the Central Tower position.
‘Bringing the first prince of a powerful kingdom called Aligiosa to pressure the emperor.’
It was to show the world how far Astra’s influence reaches.
And also to demonstrate what the Duke of Astra can do, how far and by what means.
‘And while at it, assess the abilities of the three-year-olds.’
Some people besides me understood Grandpa’s intention.
Among the direct descendants, yes, but mostly the retainers and aides handling the work.
Their faces showed admiration for Grandpa’s scale, but also slight fear.
“Well then, let’s go inside.”
Grandpa smiled not like a villain and walked forward.
As the Astra people and the Aligiosa people moved together,
Just as they entered the gate,
Velein’s son, Abino, spoke up quietly but loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“Father, I want to go play.”
He probably didn’t want to get involved in difficult talks from now on.
‘Makes sense. He’s about ten years old, after all.’
Velein looked at Grandpa worriedly, hesitating.
‘The prince is asking for Grandpa’s permission?’
I was surprised.
It means Grandpa holds the upper hand in his relationship with Velein, the first prince of a powerful foreign kingdom.
We’re not empire people, but a first prince from a mighty other kingdom.
‘Grandpa looks even bigger all of a sudden.’
I felt a strong desire to raise Dad well to make him follow Grandpa’s path.
Velein asked embarrassedly.
“Is that alright?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. I’m a doting father, so if my son asks for anything, I can’t say no.”
“I understand.”
“Hmm?”
I felt Grandpa’s gaze hit me briefly and then fall away.
Maybe just my imagination?
“You all take the prince to the garden.”
Grandpa told the three-year-olds to take Abino to the garden.
“Your Highness, this way, please.”
“I will escort you to the garden.”
The topic of this year’s annual evaluation was the reception of distinguished guests.
Everyone could tell that the guests in the exam were Prince Velein of Aligiosa and Prince Abino.
They told the children to take them there — to properly entertain and play with them.
‘Well, politics talk isn’t really appropriate around kids. Though I want to listen.’
But I wasn’t worried since Conrad would hear and report everything.
𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 The three-year-olds took Prince Abino to the west garden.
The place where the new Teresika roses were planted.
“Your Highness, what is your clothing made of? It looks different in texture from the clothes worn in the empire. It looks very special.”
“The clothes are special, but the prince himself is even more special, isn’t he?”
“Your Highness, the pattern on your turban is really splendid. I....”
“Me too...!”
The three-year-olds were all desperate to win Abino’s favor.
‘Well, the evaluation will probably be decided by a single word from Abino.’
Seeing how powerless Velein was, it was clear Abino held the real power.
“Hmm...”
But Abino looked indifferent.
Still, the three-year-olds made a fuss, complaining about being tired.
“You must have had a tough journey crossing the sea.”
“Traveling such a long sea! You’re really brave. Did you encounter sea monsters? The knights of Aligiosa must have cut them down in one slash, right?”
“Hey, what are you doing? Bring the prince some food!”
‘Like puppies.’
The three-year-olds were like puppies.
Very fierce, and when upset, barking fiercely like chihuahuas.
But now, they were like country dogs wagging their tails happily because they loved people so much.
‘It’s understandable. They probably don’t have time to be calm.’
I smiled with ease.
There was no other three-year-old who figured out that the guests were royalty from Aligiosa.
If Blizen hadn’t given me a hint, it would’ve taken me much longer to get a clue.
Balzac mentioned the ship without flags coming into the harbor, so they probably noticed somehow.
Still, without Blizen’s help, it would’ve been hard to know in time.
‘If I know this much, how unprepared are the others? They probably didn’t prepare anything.’
They’d have only assumed high-ranking nobles or royal family from the empire.
No research or preparation on drinks, scents, or food favored by the Aligiosa people.
They must be anxious.
‘So they’re trying to use the young Prince Abino right in front of them.’
He still looks young, so they want to win his favor and get a good evaluation.
But.
Despite the efforts of the Astra chihuahuas, Abino wore a tremendously bored expression.
“Haam...”
I even saw him yawn internally.
“Hah...”
No matter what the kids said, he stayed expressionless the whole time.
“Your Highness! Your Highness! We brought various kinds of warm tea and cold tea. Which do you prefer?”
“Phew...”
“If you don’t like tea, how about juice? I can have fresh fruit pressed immediately!”
Joffrey’s tail was spinning like a propeller.
Though stupid, proud Joffrey was doing his best, yet Abino didn’t even blink.
“A good show.”
Watching it felt like drinking a substitute cider.
At that moment, Joffrey’s older sister, Loreina, stepped forward.
‘Will Loreina be better than Joffrey?’