🐅 🐅 🐅
KYRIL was racking his brain in the Celestial Axe Tower. Two weeks had passed since Feilong’s rest had begun. Disquieting rumors were already circulating around the palace. He’d never taken leave from his job until now, as he’d never been sick or injured. As a result, his sudden need for rest seemed all too sudden. What’s more, those words hadn’t come from Feilong himself.
Palace residents began speculating among themselves in hushed tones.
“What happened to His Majesty…?”
“Is he feeling under the weather, perhaps?”
“No one has seen Prime Minister Tomi recently either.”
It was unnatural for Feilong to not even show his face, regardless of any ill health. Though Crown Prince Kyril had taken over governmental affairs for the present, the people were worried about his ability to respond to a crisis. Yes, he was known for being capable, but all the same, he was still thirteen and untested in battle.
The concerned whispers grew even louder.
“Just when we finally reached an armistice with Anda…”
“I’m worried about those western barbarians.”
“The rural clans are acting restless as well.”
The courtiers fell silent and looked away upon seeing Kyril.
I need to solve this problem as soon as possible, he thought, panic stirring in his chest.
Despite his efforts to decipher the Yulan text copied from the barrel organ, he couldn’t find any clues about the magic. He couldn’t glean anything from talking to the traveling performers either.
Kyril could do very little between the mountain of work he’d inherited. Some nobles and bureaucrats were taking advantage of the cruel emperor’s absence by attempting to throw Kyril off balance. Even worse, eagle-eyed monarchs and feudal lords of minority groups were watching for opportunities to claim independence. Skirmishes seemed liable to break out near the empire’s borders at any moment. Clearly, Kyril was being underestimated due to his youth.
If Mother were here right now, then maybe…
Kyril opened the door to his room as that thought crossed his mind. The room contained three beds belonging to him, Angelina, and Ryuho. Until now, the three of them had slept side-by-side in Kyril’s bed. Tonight, however, Feilong had taken Kyril’s place. Upon seeing this, Kyril breathed a sigh of relief.
How will Father react if he returns to normal and remembers this? he wondered.
Before Feilong had turned into a child, he and Ryuho had constantly been at each other’s throats. Feilong had always lost his composure in matters concerning his daughter. As such, he’d always competed with Ryuho, his jealousy on full display.
When Kyril chuckled, Angelina sat up in bed. Ryuho’s ears twitched in response to her movement.
“Big Brudder,” Angelina said, hopping off the bed and toddling over to him.
Kyril scooped up Angelina in his arms. He hadn’t been able to play with her often as of late, as he’d been holed up in his office.
“Are you busy, Big Brudder?” Angelina asked.
“Yes, a bit.”
Angelina’s azure eyes watered as she peered at him. “When will we be able to sleep in the same bed again?”
Those words shook Kyril to his core. “…We’ll have to be a little patient until Father returns to normal,” he answered with a vague smile.
Angelina hung her head. “I want to help, too,” she insisted, squeezing Kyril in her arms.
As a small girl, she probably couldn’t help with his office work. Even so, being unable to do anything was vexing. Kyril was a child, too, after all. Regardless, he had to investigate the magic cast on Feilong and manage government affairs at the same time. Though he was still eating meals with everyone, he went to sleep late and left early in the mornings.
“Lina,” Kyril said.
“I want to help you and Fodder, not just be protected,” she replied while still embracing Kyril. “We’re family, aren’t we?”
Kyril gasped. He’d vowed to resolve this situation himself to avoid worrying Angelina. However, perhaps he should have relied on her more as family.
“I’m sorry, Lina,” Kyril apologized while patting her head. “I didn’t want to worry you, but it seems like I just made you more uneasy.” When his little sister nuzzled her forehead against him, he continued, “Would you mind researching how to dispel the magic? You can do so when Father takes his afternoon nap.”
Angelina nodded emphatically. “Of course!”
As Kyril continued patting her on the head, relief washed over Angelina, prompting her to yawn loudly.
“Go to sleep soon, okay?” Angelina urged.
Kyril placed his sleepy sister back on his bed. Since the mattress probably couldn’t accommodate a fourth person, he tried heading towards Angelina’s bed.
“Stay with us…” Angelina mumbled while half asleep, not letting go of Kyril’s shirt.
“There’s not enough room for me, Lina,” Kyril answered with a bemused smile.
Ryuho stood up and moved over to Angelina’s bed. Though he didn’t say anything, he was giving up his spot next to Angelina to an overworked Kyril.
“Thank you, Ryuho,” Kyril said.
Ryuho merely wagged his tail and curled up into a ball. Meanwhile, Kyril lay down next to Angelina, who’d already fallen asleep.
What a strange feeling, Kyril thought. If not for this disaster, sleeping in the same bed as Father would have been unthinkable.
As a general rule, the Jinlongian royal family entrusted their children to wet nurses rather than raising them personally. However, Phaenna had raised Kyril herself, as she hadn’t been a slave to the empire’s customs. As a child, Kyril had slept in the same bed as his mother, although his father had never joined them.
Kyril readjusted the covers over his tiny father. Feilong’s peaceful sleeping face somewhat resembled Angelina’s. Kyril found him quite adorable.
Just then, Angelina let out a long breath. She must have fallen into a deep sleep. Though panic and unease had overwhelmed Kyril until mere moments ago, a sense of relief now spread through his chest. As that strange feeling enveloped him, he pulled the covers over himself. When his mother appeared in his dream, she embraced the tiny Feilong and smiled at Kyril.
“Don’t worry, Kyril,” she said. “You and Lina have each other.”