When the light of morning hit Arcrayne’s face and woke him up, he found Estelle sleeping in his arms and buried his face in her hair.
Remembering how he’d whined to her the day before made his face burn with embarrassment. But at the same time, the fact that Estelle had accepted him whole, including his weak and pathetic side, made him love her all the more.
Arcrayne was surprised to notice just how much he’d calmed down overnight. Without a doubt, he owed it to the warmth in his arms.
Thank you, he said inwardly, before placing his lips on Estelle’s forehead.
Estelle woke up approximately thirty minutes later, and they had breakfast together. After reluctantly parting with her, Arcrayne headed to his office.
Estelle had expressed a wish to live in the Leo Palace for a while, so she seemed intent on getting things ready for it today.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Your Highness, you look much better today,” said Claus, who’d already been inside the office when Arcrayne came in.
“If it looks that way, it must be thanks to Estelle.” The prince sat in the chair normally used by Sachis.
Since the previous king Ethelbert’s reign, capitalists had been gaining prominence thanks to advancements in mana technology, and the common people had increasing influence; Rosalia had been shifting toward a system that respected the Parliament’s decisions. That said, the Parliament, the Cabinet, the military, and the Church were still under the king’s rule. No change would ever take place without his approval. Which was why the desk was stacked with paperwork that needed to be reviewed by either Sachis or Arcrayne.
At present, Arcrayne’s duties were mostly limited to paperwork, but normally, they would also include participating in social events, diplomatic activity, and attending ceremonies.
As the power struggle was expected to intensify with the fall of Duke Marwick, it was important to pay attention to the nobles’ actions, but the reality was that Arcrayne would be forced to put someone else on that task.
There were too many things to do—handle the aftermath of “Marwick’s High Treason,” as it had been named; prepare for his investiture as crown prince; prepare for the wedding... Arcrayne could barely keep up with everything.
Sachis planned to go back to work in two days if his condition would allow it, so that should reduce the prince’s workload somewhat, but for the time being, it seemed he was stuck here.
Sighing, he began by sorting the paperwork.
✦ ✦ ✦
Estelle went to the Libra Palace to get her things, then returned to the Leo Palace. She was having a pleasant chat with May and Leah in the room that had been prepared for her when suddenly, she sensed the release of a large amount of mana from the floor above. It was followed by a dull sound, and then the building shook.
An earthquake? she wondered. Her attendants exchanged glances too.
Fortunately, the vibrations ceased right away. May and Leah looked relieved, but Estelle couldn’t let her guard down yet.
Two large masses of mana... What is going on...? she thought to herself. Training her power might have expanded the range of her perception, but it wasn’t like she could see mana from dozens of meters away. She’d only been able to sense that it was there because it was so big. They’re both big, but it’s like the bigger one is pinning down the slightly smaller one... Estelle went pale. It must be Lord Arc and His Highness Prince Liedis...
She got up, unable to sit still.
“Lady Estelle, is something the matter?” asked May.
“I sensed with my power that something seems to be happening on the second floor.” As she spoke, Estelle looked at the clock—it was pointing at fifteen minutes past two in the afternoon. “They planned to visit His Highness Prince Liedis in the afternoon and tell him the summary of what happened.”
Estelle had heard that Sachis and Arcrayne would go to him by themselves and tell him about Marwick’s High Treason.
“It looks like a clash of two large masses of mana. Maybe His Highness’s mana went out of control when he learned what happened...” said Estelle.
“If that’s what your senses tell you, then you mustn’t get too close. In fact, you should consider relocating somewhere safe,” said May.
Leah nodded in agreement. The two of them were tasked with protecting Estelle, risking their lives if the need arose.
Suddenly, Estelle couldn’t sense mana from the upper floor anymore.
“Looks like things have calmed down up there,” she said, looking at the ceiling. “May, can I go see what’s going on?”
May shook her head. “No, my lady.”
“It looks safe. If I see anything with my power, I’ll let you know right away.”
As Estelle persisted, a bitter look appeared on May’s face.
“May, please,” Estelle went on.
“Then I shall check the situation upstairs myself first.”
“I think it’s best if I come with you. I’ll be able to see any strange mana.”
May didn’t reply immediately. Estelle stared at her. “Very well,” she finally said with reluctance, appearing to have lost to Estelle’s persistence. “I’ll bring a guard and walk ahead. Stay behind us, and let me know immediately if you sense anything.”
“I will. Thank you, May!” said Estelle, her face filling with joy.
✦ ✦ ✦
Together with May and Neil, Estelle went to the second floor and headed in the direction where she’d sensed mana. There, they saw the chief officer of the palace lead Sachis and Arcrayne into a room. In Arcrayne’s arms was Liedis, looking listless.
“Estelle...” uttered Arcrayne, having noticed them.
“Um, Lord Arc, what happened...?” asked Estelle. She’d passed her escorts and went up to the prince in a half run.
“It didn’t go so smoothly when we talked to Liedis. Mind if I carry him to the bed before we talk?”
Estelle nodded. Arcrayne and Sachis were going into what appeared to be a guest bedroom.
Lying in Arcrayne’s arms, Liedis had his eyes shut tight.
“As we expected, he lost control of his mana,” explained Sachis, while Arcrayne laid his brother on the bed.
“I think it’s only natural, given the subject matter,” said Arcrayne, directing a look of resentment at the king.
He too had lost control of his mana when he’d learned about Mircea’s death. Things must’ve gone the same way when Liedis had been told about the recent events.
“I’ll look after Liedis. You should rest, father. Aren’t you tired after using your mana to protect yourself?”
“I suppose so. Excuse me, then. I’ll take you up on that offer,” replied Sachis, looking somewhat tired, then left the room together with the chief officer of the Leo Palace.
“Brother... Lady Estelle...” came a hoarse voice from the bed, prompting Estelle to look in that direction. She saw that Liedis had his eyes open.
Arcrayne signaled with his eyes to May and the other attendants. With a look of understanding, they all left the room and closed the door.
“I’m...sorry...” said Liedis.
“You don’t have to apologize for what happened with your mana. It was a lot to take in.”
“That’s not the whole problem! What my grandfather did to you is unforgivable! And my mother too! Even if it was for your sake, the things she did were so terrible...” Liedis looked haggard as he vented his thoughts.
“No need to apologize. I’m not angry at you,” said Arcrayne, then sighed lightly. “If anything, I see you as a victim in this. So trust me, and take it easy today.”
“I’m not a victim! I was complicit in the dragon attack at the hunting contest...”
Many of Mircea’s previously unknown crimes had come to light from Truteliese’s testimony and the investigation into House Marwick. His involvement in the dragon attack was one of them.
“I’m sorry, Lady Estelle. I bear some of the responsibility for the scar on your hand.” Liedis’s eyes were on Estelle’s left hand.
Estelle shook her head. “It is not your fault, Your Highness. So please do not let it bother you.” She placed her left hand on one of Liedis’s hands.
“I’m told Mircea was the mastermind,” added Arcrayne. “I harbor no ill feelings toward you, and I don’t fault you for the scar on Estelle’s hand. I would have preferred it if you’d told us, but I can understand why you kept quiet about it.”
Estelle felt the same way. The one thing Liedis might’ve been guilty of was insolent behavior. But when she considered that it could be attributed to the way Mircea had raised him, she could see that too as him being a victim of the duke. If anything, it seemed amazing that Liedis could feel remorse despite his upbringing.
By Sachis’s decision, the dragon attack was going to continue to be treated as the work of anti-government organizations. He didn’t want Liedis’s name to suffer any further, as the prince already bore the stigma of blood relation to traitors. This decision, too, must’ve been hurting Liedis.
Estelle gripped his hand.
“I’m told you want to study theology,” said Arcrayne.
“Yes,” replied Liedis. “Father allowed it on the condition that I graduate from the College and go on to study theology at the University of Albion.”
“Just give the word if you change your mind.”
“Father said the same thing. But I won’t abandon my decision. Even if I were to change my mind, no one would forgive me,” Liedis said in a resolute tone.
“You’re still a child—don’t fuss over things like that. You should look for what you really want to do in life.” Arcrayne reached out to pat Liedis’s head.