BR 2.11

“My Lord, you must rise now.”
“Just a little longer….”
“Come on, you’re late!”

When Erons didn’t rise at once, Lelis grabbed the quilt he’d wrapped himself in tightly and pulled it away. 

This was the first time Lelis had acted so forcefully, and Erons couldn’t resist any longer.

Rubbing his eyes as he rose, it seemed roughly the same time he usually got up. 

In fact, today felt slightly earlier. 

It was certainly not late, so why was Lelis making such a fuss about him being late?

“I’m not late at all… What am I doing?”
“You have an outing scheduled.”
“I’m going out?! Wow, where? Where am I going?”

An outing! 

At those words, his drowsy eyes snapped wide open. 

Until recently, merely stepping outside the front door had been an outing for him, but since the shrine had been built, it meant setting foot on land beyond the mansion’s walls. He’d been overjoyed just to be allowed into the garden, let alone an actual outing! 

His heart pounded even louder at the thought of his first outing.

“Yes. Your outing schedule has been arranged. There isn’t much time, so you must hurry and prepare.”
“I’ll wash up quickly and be right back. Just a moment!”

Erons was so excited that he ran to the bathroom without even grabbing a change of clothes.

“Good thing I had the bathwater drawn and woke him up.”

Could he really be that happy? 

A gentle smile touched Lelis’s lips as she tidied up the mess he’d left behind.

The formal attire he was wearing for the first time felt stifling, more so than he’d expected. It wasn’t even warm outside, but the layers of thin clothing made him sweat almost immediately, even though he’d just finished bathing. 

How on earth do nobles wear this stuff every day? 

With Lelis’s help, Erons managed to put on the awkward-as-hell outfit and headed for the first-floor lobby where Nike was waiting.

“Your Grace!”
“Yes, I’m coming…”
“I look a bit strange, don’t I? I guess these fancy clothes just don’t suit me.”

Standing before others dressed like this was a first for Erons, and he fixed his gaze awkwardly on the floor. No matter how expensive the garments were, he thought they would look woefully inadequate to Nike, who was born and raised as a noble.

“…No.”

But Erons’s assumption was completely wrong. Nike showered him with praise that went beyond mere admiration.

“You look beautiful. Very, very beautiful. It suits you perfectly.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“It’s truly a shame that I’m not the only one seeing you like this.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. We should be going soon.”
“Yes, let’s go!”

It had been a long time since he’d ridden in a carriage. 

The carriage, adorned with what might be silver or platinum wherever possible, was larger and more splendid than the one they’d taken to the mansion. 

Erons wondered where this lavish vehicle was taking them. 

He’d come out because he’d heard they were going out, but no one had told him the destination.

“Your Grace, we… ”

He’d meant to ask where they were going, but his words caught in his throat. 

The carriage had been moving for quite some time before Erons finally noticed Nike’s displeased expression. 

He’d been so excited, gazing out the window, that he hadn’t paid any attention to his mood.

“Your Grace, are you feeling unwell?”
“No, not at all.”
“Really?”
“Why? Do I look angry?”
“… Yes. A little. No, actually, quite a lot…?”
“It’s nothing like that, so don’t worry.”
“Then, may I ask where we’re going?”
“… You’ll find out soon enough. Just wait a little longer.”

It seemed like they were heading somewhere quite important, but since Nike didn’t seem inclined to tell him, Erons quietly nodded. Beyond the window, they passed through the country roads that would turn yellow in autumn, then through the central district of Gelbin that he had seen with Urno. 

Swiftly cutting through the city center, they arrived at…

“.. The Imperial Palace?”
“Yes, the palace.”

It was indeed the Imperial Palace. The very palace Rune had told him to go to.

“We must disembark now. Take my hand,”
“Hold my hand, brother.”

A hand suddenly appeared beside Nike. Erons startled, but instantly recognized the voice of the person holding out the hand.

“Your Highness! When did you arrive?”
“I heard you were coming, so I came early to wait. Ah, since many eyes are watching, I’ll speak more formally now. Is that alright?”
“Of course. It’s perfectly fine.”
“Good boy. Come on, take it. My arm’s about to fall off.”
“Ah…”

He wanted to take it. But he couldn’t. Nike, who already didn’t look happy, seemed even more displeased after Rune appeared, making it impossible to ignore.

For Nike, Rune was the last person he wanted to face today. At least he hoped he wouldn’t run into him while getting off the carriage with Erons and heading into the Vame palace. 

Damn brat.

“Step aside, Your Highness.”
“No. I have no desire to listen to someone who lied about the arrival time. It’s a good thing I came out early because I was suspicious. Otherwise, I almost started without even seeing his face.”
“Rune.”
“Goodness. Even if you are a Duke, uttering my name in such a crowded place is terribly rude.”
“Your Highness was the one who was rude first.”
“I said it beforehand. That I would personally escort him.”

The standoff between Rune and Nike showed no sign of ending. Erons, still unable to disembark from the carriage, was thoroughly flustered. They were growling at each other like wild beasts, and he didn’t have the courage to intervene. What’s more, people had gathered one by one upon hearing the commotion and were now completely surrounding the carriage.

“The child will go with me.”
“Isn’t that up to him, Your Grace? It doesn’t seem like something the Duke should dictate.”

“No, I am –”

“Child. Come with me. Take my hand.”

“No, it’s just that… ”

If it were just one of them, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. But one was a Duke and the other a Prince. Whichever hand he took would lead to a difficult situation. Who was he supposed to choose?

“Both of you, stop. It’s disgraceful.”
“Ah…”

Another hand suddenly reached out, nearly making his head throb, but at the familiar voice, Erons let out a sigh of relief.

“With so many eyes watching, what on earth are you doing? Have you no regard for your dignity?”

It was Urno who extended his hand. He pushed aside Nike and Rune, reaching out to Erons, who hadn’t yet managed to exit the carriage. 

His impolite tone was just the icing on the cake.

“Take it.”
“Huh?”
“Take it.”
“Ah.., yes.”

Taking Urno’s hand, Erons finally managed to step down from the carriage. The attention of those around them, previously focused on the altercation, instantly shifted to him.

Not only was an unfamiliar Omega stepping down from Nike’s carriage, but three individuals had attached themselves to him, insisting on escorting him. And these were none other than the famous figures known to everyone in the empire. 

Erons was immediately the subject of gossip.

The murmurs of others wouldn’t be seen or heard once he left the area, so Erons didn’t particularly care. But the stares bothered him.

The sharp glances piercing his back stung. They weren’t aimed at Erons specifically. More accurately, they were directed so intensely at Urno that they ricocheted over to Erons.

The owners of those gazes were Nike and Rune. It was obvious even without looking. They’d fought tooth and nail, yet Urno was the one who received Erons’s choice. 

It was only natural.

Their dissatisfied stares continued until the distant Vame palace gates opened.

Though used as a courtroom, the interior of the Vame palace hall resembled a ballroom. It was the sort of space where, given an orchestra, a banquet could be held immediately without seeming out of place. 

The decor, so far removed from its intended purpose, was surprising enough, but what was even more astonishing was that, aside from the long carpet stretching toward the bench, there was barely room to stand.

“Sit here.”
“Thank you.”

Urno guided him to a chair placed on one side of the spacious hall. With Erons at the center, Rune and Nike flanked him on either side, while Urno surrounded him like a knight of honor behind.

Though grateful for such treatment, Erons felt it only added to his burden. No one seemed to notice his feelings. 

He was reminded anew that the attention he received outside the palace was nothing compared to this. Whereas outside the palace it had mostly been palace servants, here the space was packed almost entirely with nobles. Their stares, a tangled mix of envy, jealousy, and curiosity, were so piercing that Erons couldn’t even lift his head.

Ding, ding.

As the bell signaled noon, the doors of the court opened, and a judge, accompanied by several guards, appeared. The murmurs that had filled the palace instantly died down, and everyone rose from their seats. 

Only after the judge crossed the carpet and took his seat at the bench could the spectators sit down.

“We will now proceed with the trial concerning the adoption of Duke Debelov’s adopted son.”
“What… me?”

When the judge unrolled the scroll he had prepared and read its contents aloud, Erons momentarily doubted his own ears. He had been absolutely certain he was the one adopted by Nike.

“Duke Debelov. Step forward with the person to be adopted.”
“Your Grace, what does this mean…? ”

Instead of answering, Nike gripped Erons’s hand tightly and led him straight to the center of the carpet leading to the tribunal. 

So this was why he had avoided answering when asked about his destination or the reason for coming to the palace. 

Only now did Erons realize his status hadn’t changed. He was still an orphan. He couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the shock.

Standing directly facing the judge, Erons realized. 

The reason so many nobles had filled the Vame palace since morning and the reason their gazes had been fixed on him with such peculiar intensity. It was because Erons was the subject of today’s trial.

“Duke, is the person beside you the one you intend to adopt?”
“Yes.”
“His name.”
“… ”
“I asked for his name.”
“Child.”

“… Huh? Me?” Erons, who had been in a daze, hadn’t even realized the question was directed at him. 

A trial for no crime committed. 

Facing the judge as if he were a criminal was too much for Erons, who had grown up ignorant of the ways of the world. And the strange sense of betrayal toward Nike made it even harder for him to regain his composure.

“I asked for your name.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. Erons.”
“What was your previous surname?”
“… I have none.”

His weak voice grew fainter, but the aftermath was immense. 

When Erons admitted he was an orphan, the palace hall filled with the murmurs of nobles. Some whispered to each other, some grabbed their necks and nearly collapsed, and others scolded their children. Their reason was the same. They were furious that an orphan without a name had usurped the position of a Duke’s son.

“Silence, everyone!”
“His Majesty the Emperor!”

As a courtier shouted this, the door beside the judge’s seat opened, and the Emperor appeared. At the unexpected guest’s arrival, everyone hurriedly rose to pay their respects. Erons and Nike were no exception.

His brilliant golden hair, flowing behind him, resembled the sun itself walking forth. With each step, the majesty and dignity emanating from him embodied the very essence of an Emperor.

“How is the proceeding progressing?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We had just begun.”
“Is that so? Good. I shall observe as well. I’m curious about the child that fellow brought in… I couldn’t sleep… at all…”

The Emperor gaped as if he’d turned into a goldfish, utterly astonished. “Why… why is he… ”

The Emperor’s gaze locked onto Erons. Once fixed, his eyes rarely looked away. 

Erons, too, found himself unable to break the stare, sensing something complex in those eyes that seemed directed at him.

“… Stop.”
“Pardon? Your Majesty, it has only just begun.”
“Are you defying my command?”
“Ah, no, Your Majesty! I obey. We shall now adjourn briefly until Your Majesty’s next command.“

The adjournment came almost immediately after the trial began. The unprecedented situation caused murmurs among the observers to echo through the palace halls. 

Seeing the halted trial and the restless crowd, Erons couldn’t shake his anxiety, fearing a verdict might deny his request.

“Duke. Follow me.”

The Emperor, exiting the court, called out to Nike. Nike rose immediately. 

Erons, who had wanted someone by his side, grabbed him. 

Leaving Erons behind, who was looking at him with pitiful eyes, was not easy, but Nike, as if to comfort him, held his hand tightly before following the Emperor.

No one else followed the Emperor on his path. Though no one hinted where he should go, he headed for the Emperor’s palace, Heln Palace.

As expected, the Emperor had already arrived first, seated and sipping tea.

“It’s been a long time, Your Majesty.”
“It has been a while. Was the reason you vanished for so long that you’d gone mad?”
“Not at all. Unfortunately, I’m perfectly sane.”
“What exactly is that child?”
“He is the child I intend to adopt as my son.”
“Do you think I don’t know you have no such intention?”
“Your perception is sharp, as always.”
“What were you thinking, bringing him here? What scheme do you have to adopt him?”
“I simply wish to make the child part of my family.”
“It can’t be such a simple reason!”

The Emperor leapt to his feet and grabbed Nike by the collar, lifting him up. Though it should have been unpleasant to be held so high that his heels left the ground, Nike merely smiled. He didn’t wipe the faint smile from his lips.

“Are you planning to repeat what happened back then?”
“I don’t understand what you mean, Your Majesty.”
“I asked if you plan to kill him again!”

The agitated Emperor tightened his grip on the collar and shook him. This action seemed to irritate Nike, who slightly furrowed his brow. What could he do if he disliked it? 

His opponent was the Emperor. 

Whether he liked it or not, he couldn’t show it. Nike suppressed his rising anger and gently removed the Emperor’s hand.

“You seem very agitated, Your Majesty. Please calm down.”
“Are you out of your mind? Release that boy immediately. I can see right through your thoughts. How could you!?”
“Then simply issue an order forbidding it, wouldn’t that suffice?”
“… What?”
“Order that I may not take that boy as my adopted son. Go out and issue that command. Prevent me from becoming that boy’s father.”

Nike, adjusting his clothes torn to the point of buttons popping off, showed no sign of displeasure. In fact, he looked pleased. 

Seeing the Emperor collapse in a heap, looking utterly defeated, the Emperor sat down with a thud.

“…Was that your plan?”
“Well, if that’s how it appeared to Your Majesty, then so be it. Your Majesty’s eyes are always accurate.”

A hint of madness lurked beneath the gentle smile. He was merely smiling, yet it felt cold and grotesque, sending a chill down the spine. The Emperor had hoped it wasn’t so, but now he was certain. 

He had never approached Erons with pure intentions.

“You’re mad. Properly mad.”
“As I mentioned earlier, I am perfectly sane, Your Majesty.”
“Ha… Shut up.”

The Emperor pressed his forehead in exasperation. How had a man come to this? Even if you’re ruined, you should at least ruin yourself properly. 

“Are you granting permission?”
“Do you think I would grant it so easily?”
“Then you need only refuse.”
“That’s even worse. Because you want it.”
“You should have quietly awaited the ministers’ verdict. Why did you interfere? Since Your Majesty has intervened, do not forget that this verdict rests in Your Majesty’s hands.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Not at all. Merely an observation. Is it not the true duty of a loyal subject to assist His Majesty the Emperor in making the most righteous choice?”

That was no mere observation. It was a seed sown to sow confusion in the Emperor’s choice – nothing more. 

Yet even without such words, the Emperor’s head was already pounding.

What choice was truly the right one? Which choice could save both him and Erons? What, exactly, was the most righteous choice he could make?

“I shall take my leave first.”
“I haven’t told you to leave yet. Sit down.”
“As a father-to-be, I cannot remain still, worried about my son who will be alone.”
“Didn’t I tell you to sit down?”
“Then, I shall await Your Majesty’s wise judgment.”
“Nike Rilderon!”

Nike’s hand, turning the doorknob, froze. Turning to face the Emperor, his expressionless face held a glimmer of anger. Having been placed on equal footing with the Emperor by his final outburst, Nike did not hide his feelings.

“It’s been nearly thirty years since I abandoned that name. Isn’t it about time you grew accustomed to my current one, Brother?”
“That isn’t what’s important right now.”
“No. It matters. That name means more to me than anything else.”
“Ha, truly, that child…”

The Emperor trailed off, gesturing for him to leave. Pressing him further would only deepen the confusion. Rather than ask fruitless questions, it was better to send Nike away and wrestle with the matter alone.

Nike bowed respectfully to the Emperor and exited the audience chamber. His steps toward the Vame Palace felt lighter. His smile, brimming with satisfaction, was brighter than ever.

“Ahh.”

This feeling was always exhilarating. The sheer pleasure when everything moved exactly as he intended.