Chapter 369: Chapter 369
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Some of the beasts he easily slaughtered had hesitated to attack him once the man calmly approached them.
Failing to notice Zeleskiaz’s presence, surprise would invade the wild beings and yet, the gaze challenging them to engage in a fight was still a natural warning for their instincts, warning them that their blood would be spilled instead of the human before their eyes.
It was a blade, a kind of sword named cutlass, shorter than those he had glanced the duke and his son carried... yet in his hand as deathly and far more dangerous. For his senses once against the prey was unmatched by any common noble... although the man known as Lucid Warrior was one whose strength could defy his.
’... Ten of high rank... and yet I had to let four free as they were relatives of a bird species...’
Tranquil, the Crown Prince took out the blade of the flesh of a mist bear, known as the gladiator for its big size and fast run was once used to entertain the eye of the people at an underground coliseum. One that disappeared at the conquer of its antique city.
The blade had been imbued with the prince’s aura so his prey could be discerned between the other nobles’ and its strength made the dead body jerk, for the invasion was a type of poison that pushed the dead blood in the prey’s vessels to move unwillingly. Nevertheless, such little movement was of no concern. For another one was ruling his thoughts.
’... I wonder if a gift can be made with this fur... would my lady like it, however?’ — The man thought seriously, for the rage he had at the distasteful encounter had been already satisfied with the first half he had ended. — ’Lady Marianne is... her gentle character makes me believe she would not wear a beast’s fur.’
Smiling to the correct conceptions, the soft and yet also hard fur of the gladiator bear was stroked by his hand. Imagining a lovely Marianne decorated in winter by the overwhelming fur over her shoulders... And so, his smile widened... moved as the illusion was enchanting just as the grey eyes she would glance at him with.
’haha... my love... flowers would suit you better... many, like the bouquet I gifted...’ — The eyes of the prince then drifted to find a lonesome dandelion, ready to be blown away by a strong breeze as it had bloomed fully. And as he sensed another one’s presence approach, he stood from his crouched position. Grinning as he thought of a future. — "The Empress’s Garden will need to be extended."
"Why would it be extended? Has the Crown Prince found one to marry?"
"Why? If you don’t become Emperor will you become Empress, Sverre? I know you are aware I’ll kill you if you try." — To the sibling mounting a horse, Zeleskiaz said aloof. Not even glancing back at Sverre as his hand was cleaned with an already dark red piece of cloth.
"... If it is I who kills you first there is no need for any of that nonsense you mentioned, however."
"Hah... Nonsense would be if only you could." — Finding entertainment in the second prince’s sayings, Zeleskiaz sheathed his weapon. Turning to look at him, and nonchalantly continue to honestly speak. — "This strategy you are trying to pull, I suggest you refrain from it. That ignorance you feign doesn’t suit you. As much as I’m indifferent to your existence... You were there when Jasmine said it at the Summer Ball."
"... At least an attempt was made."
" You are supposed to be smarter than this. Strategy advisor."
"... Well. It is not easy a card to use... the woman you have chosen I mean. Our great Fenrir protects her."
"Even if that wolf doesn’t, I do. Don’t speed up your death Sverre."
"..... I certainly have been careful. Have you not noticed? I have not even crossed words with her... metaphorically speaking as she is not normal."
"Sverre... see this?" — Pointing at the huge bear behind him, Zeleskiaz warned. Placing his hand on the weapon on his waistband ominous as he glared with controlled calmness in his expression. — "Accidents happen during a hunting competition. Remember? Another prince dead by a beast’s claw won’t be odd."
"Sigh. You are also a strategist, yes."
"One with more experience too so stop your taunt that only gets you into more danger... hah. The Empress even talked on your behalf. She foresaw this idiotic approach of yours, Sverre. Aren’t you proud?"
Meeting the dark violet eyes similar to his, Zeleskiaz watched the brief ponder his comment produced on his sibling; who then looked away to peek at the dead bear and mumble impassive.
"It is no less than our mother... she only fails to read you, Zeleskiaz."
"... Are you done? What you came for, say it. I’m sure you didn’t come here out of coincidence."
"It is a coincidence."
The answer of the second prince immediately made him scoff amused at another foolish attempt. Giving his back to the young yet listless Sverre to sarcastically accept his statement while leaving him on his own.
"Of course it is. I’ll go this way, don’t let a coincidence happen again." — Thinking to himself how his patience had developed thanks to his lovesome efforts, Zeleskiaz’s rustle as he stepped on the grass took him away from Sverre’s sight.
Cautious still as he could feel Sverre’s measured aura, which he knew a better control was possessed by the second prince to do better than this... and also cautious of whatever scheme was ongoing...
’It’s not like him... The hunt, he will use it somehow.’ — The Lady in his heart was the source for him to place notice of Sverre’s ways.
Zeleskiaz’s past self that had yet to learn concern for a loved one, was now wary of the plans his sibling could have.
Unlike before her appearance, there was no existence that would move him to pay attention to Sverre’s schemes. Easily taking action against the sibling’s efforts which appeared mediocre while his strategies were easy to overthrow as it was himself the target.
Nevertheless... the warning his Father, the Emperor, had given was truly heard even as disinclined. Resounding loudly within himself as words for his beloved were told.
— You are my heir. —
’My love... I am sorry to call you my weakness...’
— Once your enemies learn of your valued ones... —
’You exceed any value anything could have...’
Troubled, Zeleskiaz clenched his hand over the cutlass’ handle. More sorry to have found this enormous sentiment... as his being was danger itself when his future was to reign an Empire many wanted to attain. — ’May you forgive me... yet if this is to place you in danger...’
"Forgive my selfish desire... for I will still attain your love."
Another beast was found. And the prize at the end of the hunt he would audaciously request became more intense a target to accomplish the more his wishes depicted the moment.
His blade would continue to win more beasts to offer his beloved... So a graze would be granted... Yet also preparing the orders he would give the men serving on her troops, along with those he could find in the shadows of a valued squad.