Chapter 33

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: 원수였던 언니가 나를 아낀다
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Gritting his teeth.

Calein subtly ground his teeth. Callista Luperne had been truly arrogant since childhood.

She was a woman with a knack for making every polite word sound like a command.

“...I shall speak privately with the Duchess. Withdraw.”

He had no choice but to parrot Callista’s words.

He figured if he didn't comply, Callista would immediately draw Gale’s sword again and demand an audience with the Emperor.

That couldn’t happen. It would be better to corner her properly when they were alone.

The attendants and maids, as if on cue, swarmed out the door.

Calein, panting, glared at Callista, then lowered his voice.

“Now that I’ve sent everyone away, listen to me carefu—”

“Shut up.”

*Thud!*

Just as Calein was about to say something, his body was suddenly slammed against the wall.

For a moment, he stared wide-eyed, unable to comprehend. Callista’s face, her hand twisted in his collar, was inches from his.

“Cough... You’re cra—”

“You’re the crazy one.”

Callista pinned him against the wall and spoke in a low voice. The murderous intent emanating from her eyes and voice seemed almost visible.

“Didn’t I tell you not to unleash your knights just anywhere? Hmm?”

“Gah…”

“Didn’t I tell you I wouldn’t go easy on you if you were caught bothering just anyone like a mad dog? Didn’t I?”

As he choked, old memories resurfaced for Calein.

How disrespectful Callista had been to him during his brief time at the Imperial Academy.

She not only omitted the proper courtesies due to him as a member of the Imperial Family but also, when they were alone, occasionally dropped honorifics and resorted to threats.

Just like now.

“W-what the Imperial Knights do, or who they arrest in the Imperial Palace, is none of your busi—”

*Thud!*

Calein tried to begin his excuse, but he was merely slammed against the wall once more.

“Have you already forgotten that they crossed the Imperial Palace grounds and even entered the Luperne Duchy?”

“What… what does that matter? It was just one little kid and one knight…”

“One little kid?”

Callista glared at him for a moment, pausing her words. A vivid blue rage seemed to flicker in her icy eyes.

“...You touched the Lady of Luperne, you idiot.”

She spoke again.

“What?”

Calein’s head went numb, even as his throat ached.

“What… what do you mean? They clearly said it was a child… Gale must be crazy to accuse *you*…”

“Not me.”

Callista tightened her grip on Calein’s collar, glaring at him.

“Cough…!”

“My sister, Harper Luperne.”

Calein was speechless for a moment.

*Was there such a person?*

*No, I think there was. A maid’s child, wasn’t it?*

*And hadn't the Empress once mentioned that even such an insignificant-looking child could be useful if the family was strong?*

But what he couldn’t understand now was why Callista Luperne was getting angry for that child.

*Sister, what an unfitting title is that?*

*Since when did heirs of powerful families have sibling affection?*

“If your brain is too dull to understand, just memorize it.”

Callista’s threatening voice rang clearly in his ears.

“If this happens again in the future, that sword won’t be plunged into the floor, but into someone’s flesh.”

Having finished speaking, she finally released Calein’s collar.

“Cough! Hack!”

He clutched his throat, coughing.

“This… this arrogant wench dares to treat a Prince…”

“If Your Highness is aware of your status as a Prince, perhaps it would be wise to act a little more like one.”

Callista had, by then, reverted to honorifics. However, her chillingly mocking tone remained unchanged.

“Otherwise, I shall report to His Majesty, starting with the incident where Your Highness was caught cheating on the Academy exams. To His Imperial Majesty, who still believes Your Highness voluntarily withdrew from the Academy.”

Calein bit his lip tightly.

*That devilish wench.*

The painful memory of being forced to leave the Academy years ago, after failing to swap answer sheets with Callista, tormented him.

Callista took a few steps back, as if to leave. Calein felt as though he would collapse from sheer rage if he let her go like this.

“You… you wretch with no title, what authority do you have to act so wildly?”

As he snarled through his teeth, a furrow appeared between Callista’s brows. Seeing this, Calein twisted one corner of his mouth into a sneer.

“You haven’t even received the status of Junior Duchess, have you? With that, what right do you have to seek an audience with His Majesty?”

“...You truly don’t know even the most basic things, Your Highness.”

Callista, who had been listening silently, spoke again. This time, Calein’s brow furrowed again.

“Do you think the Imperial Family and the Luperne House only have one or two ventures planned together, starting next month?”

“W-what does that have to do with…”

“With Father currently absent, whose hands do you think the family seal is in? I’m not requesting an audience; His Majesty is practically begging me to come to the palace.”

“That’s impossible! The Elder Council surely…”

“Ah.”

Callista’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“It seems you’ve had a little chat with the Elder Council Chairman, haven’t you?”

Calein bit his lip tightly once more.

He hadn’t intended to reveal this. It was information he’d let slip after being provoked.

“Working behind the scenes with the advisory Elder Council, bypassing the Head of House and their direct line… That, too, would be something His Majesty would praise greatly upon hearing.”

Calein’s face flushed red again at her sarcasm. But he couldn’t think of anything more to retort.

“My business here is concluded, Your Highness. We can discuss the Elder Council’s affairs again later.”

Callista said. It meant she was leaving, but her tone somehow sent a colder shiver down his spine.

“I hope no Imperial swords are found within the Luperne Duchy again. We might not return their owners alive.”

“...”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

She spun around and left the room without a bow.

*Bang!*

Calein, still standing pressed against the wall, his collar disheveled, belatedly punched the wall.

***

“Your Highness, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress and Marquis Luseik have arrived.”

Nell said to Killian with a frightened expression.

However, Killian’s face seemed not just calm, but almost cold.

“...With my maternal uncle? They’ve come to give me a proper lecture today.”

He rose from his desk chair and stood facing the door.

As expected, the two entered without waiting for Killian’s permission.

The Empress, whose beautiful face was full of sharpness, and the Marquis, who closely resembled her.

“Mother, Maternal Uncle, you’ve arrived.”

“...Sit down, Killian.”

The Empress’s sharp voice echoed through the room. Killian sat down with a thud, as if accustomed to it.

“What is the matter?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

She spoke in a cold voice, devoid of even a speck of affection.

“How dare you disobey my orders and go out? Did you think you could just return quietly and it would pass without incident? Furthermore…”

The Empress’s lips trembled, as if consumed by rage.

“The second daughter of the Luperne Ducal Family passed near the alley where you disappeared. You almost ran into her.”

“...”

Killian’s eyes widened at the Empress’s words.

It briefly looked as if he was trembling with fear, but inwardly, he was smiling.

The Empress was unaware that Killian and Harper had already met. It was to be expected, but Killian felt a renewed sense of relief.

“Do you wish to be flogged like when you were a child, Killian?”

The Empress asked, glaring at him with blazing eyes. Nell, standing nearby, flinched.

“Shall I fetch the whip at once?”

“...”

The Empress glared at the silent Killian for a while, then placed her right hand on her chest and sighed.

In an instant, the anger vanished from her face, replaced by a truly heartfelt pity, almost to the point of desperation.

“Killian, you are like my own son.”

The Empress pleaded.

“I am simply worried about you.”

“...”

“You don’t know how cunning and dangerous nobles can be.”

The Empress added. Her cold fingers brushed through Killian’s hair.

“If it becomes known who your real mother is, they will find a way to pull you down from your position as a Prince.”

Her voice echoed eerily through the room.

“The son of a traitor is destined for such a fate. In this Imperial Palace, I am the only one who cares for you. The only trustworthy nobles are those of my own family, the Marquis Luseik House.”

She put emphasis on every word, as if trying to brainwash Killian.

These were words she had told Killian a hundred times. He listened to her without reaction.

“Etch Her Imperial Majesty’s words into your bones, Your Highness.”

Marquis Luseik, who had been quietly observing the two, added in a low voice.

“It is beneficial for everyone.”

In contrast to the Empress’s words, his expression was utterly cold. There was neither anger nor affection.

When he was younger, Killian, tired of Marquis Luseik’s coldness, had once tried to lean on the seemingly warm Empress.

Now, however, he thought the Marquis, whose attitude was at least consistent, was a hundred times better.

“...I shall etch Mother’s words into my bones.”

Killian replied politely after a period of silence.

Thanks to his bowed head, neither the Empress nor Marquis Luseik could see that his eyes held only cynicism, not trust or obedience.

The two nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer.

“Your Majesty, I must take my leave now. The Imperial Palace nobles are gathering at the Rostian Count Family’s banquet…”

At her brother’s words, the Empress finally took her long-fixed gaze off Killian and elegantly rose.

Nell quickly opened the door and stepped aside, and the two exited without another glance at Killian.