I know it's hard for Julian. But still, I'm glad he agreed to be my friend.
And I know... I should fix him. Because honestly, it's my fault he's like this.
Well, not directly, but if I hadn't died, then maybe he wouldn't have ended up hurt like that. Not that I can just storm into the royal palace and yell, "Hey! I'm the reincarnated crown prince!" and punch those guys in the face.
Yeah, right?
So, I'll do what I can. Even if it's something small, like giving a bit of warmth to his lonely life.
Later that evening, when Julian and Loid were getting ready to head back to their rooms, ah yeah, I should mention: they're staying in our baron's manor for the night. Of course, Dad doesn't know they're royalty. They said they'd leave tomorrow.
Apparently, they waited for me to wake up before leaving. Genuine, huh?
Or so I thought.
The whole time I was talking with Julian, Luca was hiding behind a tree nearby, sneaking glances like a little spy. Did he think I wouldn't notice?
Seriously.
Did he think Julian was gonna steal his big brother?
He's just too cute.
After they left, I walked over to him.
"You want some sweets?" I asked, ruffling his hair.
He looked up at me with those big green eyes… then looked away, pouting.
Huh?
"Luca? Are you mad at me?" I asked, pretending to be all hurt.
"I am nowt," he said, puffing his cheeks. "A big man won't be that pretty." Still pouting.
What?!
"Hah! Ha ha ha!" I laughed, loud, really loud. Maybe the loudest in a long time.
I don't even know why. I just… felt lighter.
"You mean petty, right? Who even taught you that?" I said between laughs. It had to be Dad, right? That kind of mix-up sounds exactly like something he'd say.
Just when Luca was about to respond, Mikael walked up to me.
"Young Master Kaiser," he said, voice unusually serious.
Eh? Now what?
I gave Luca's hair another gentle ruffle, feeling like petting a cat. His hair really is soft.
Mikael continued, "The Baron wants to speak with you. He's in his office."
That's weird. If Dad wanted to talk, he'd usually just come find me himself. A strange feeling crept in. Something's… off.
I went upstairs to his office, the one next to his bedchamber. The windows were all shut, not a breeze in sight. The room was dim, lit only by the crystal lamp on the ceiling, desk buried under books and papers.
He looked up when I entered. His expression was stiff.
"Ah, Kaiser. You're here."
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"No," he said, but rubbed his temple. "Just… tell me everything. How you got hurt? What exactly happened?"
He must've already heard from Adrien, Mikael, and the guards, right? Well… I told him. I left out the Children of the Hollow part. And I definitely didn't mention that I killed the bald man.
He sighed deeply, pressing his fingers into his temples.
"I see… I shouldn't have sent you. To think I almost lost you..." His voice was low. Almost like he was blaming himself.
"Dad, nah… Baron," I said.
He looked up, his eyes tired.
"I'd like you to withdraw from this investigation."
He blinked. Like I'd just said something ridiculous.
"What?"
"Yeah. This does involve us. But the real target was Young Master Julian. They infiltrated our estate just for that. One of the kidnappers disguised themselves as our servant, but beyond that… it's not really our business, is it?"
I looked him straight in the eye.
"Julian's identity, the reason they're after him, and who they are… those aren't things we need to dig into. So please, I want you to stay out of this. Out of things that don't concern us."
Dad stared at me in silence.
"…Huh?" he finally said. His fists are clenched.
"You almost died," he said. "And you're saying this doesn't concern me?"
"Yeah," I replied without hesitation.
"Kaiser-"
"Baron," I interrupted him.
"I don't want to say this, but… even Adrien, a fourth solid ring Arcanist, couldn't handle them. What do you think our small countryside barony can do? Revenge? For what? If it's for me… then I'm really okay. Messing with those creepy people won't do anything good for our home. I don't want any more of this. I don't want to deal with them anymore, Dad. It's… terrifying."
I said that last part on purpose. I meant every word, but I really wanted him to hear that one. Well, I would say, I want to see how he will react after that.
He looked serious. Ah...did I cross the line?! He isn't angry...is he? Damn.
Dad stood slowly, then came to me. Without a word, he dropped to one knee and hugged me tight.
HUH?
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't think about how you felt. You looked like your usual self, so I thought… I didn't realize how scared you were. I'm sorry, Kaiser. For being a nuthead of a dad."
He was warm.
A nuthead, huh? I'd take that over a cold king any day.
I still remember clearly the king from my past life, my father back then.
When I took a fatal wound to the chest, all he said was, "It's alright. As long as he isn't dead."
That was it.
I cried silently that day. I wish someone would hug me. Tell me I did well. Stay by my side. But there was no one. That palace was big, cold, and empty.
So, I hugged Dad back.
If I had to choose between being Xavier or Kaiser…
I think I'd choose Kaiser.
Being a hero, being powerful, that's nice. But being clumsy and loved, free to cry or laugh around people who care for you…
That's way better.
And just like that, I asked Dad for something outrageous. Shameless me.
"No!" he barked, slamming his hand on the table. "Absolutely not!"
Damn, he's so stubborn.
"But why? It's just for a week!" I pleaded, tugging on his sleeve like some desperate street vendor.
"No means no! Don't forget how bad you were hurt last time. And now you want to go to the Viscount of Rowley?" His eyes were throwing knives at me now. "If I let you, your mother's going to skin me alive. And besides that, I don't want you to go."
He folded his arms across his chest like a fortress.
"I'll take Adrien with me," I offered, as if tossing a peace treaty.
"No."
"Then Mikael too."
"No means no!"
"Ah, Dad, come onnnnn! Just this once? I wanted to see the fireworks!" I whined, full-blown tantrum mode. Well, technically I am a kid. A reincarnated one, but still.
"If you want fireworks, I'll hold an entire show right here in Ashford."
Good grief, this guy! You can't reason with him.
"Why don't you just let him go?" Arlan said, entering the room like a storm cloud in a fancy coat. "Even if he dies out there, it's his choice." He shrugged like we were talking about throwing away spoiled bread.
Wow. I seriously can't tell if this guy's trying to help or throw me under a carriage.
"Shut up, Arlan! Don't talk about your siblings like that!" Dad growled, full fire-mode.
"As if I care," Arlan mumbled back, not even looking fazed.
"What did you just say?" Dad snapped. Yikes. Scary mode: activated.
Arlan just laughed it off, waving his hand like he was swatting flies. "Nothing much, really. But, Dad, no matter how tightly you cage a bird… once the door opens, it'll fly away."
Wait, what? Since when did this guy start speaking in riddles?
And then, he just left. Like, seriously, did he come all the way here just to drop that cryptic line?
Arlan's been acting weird lately…
Anyway, Dad didn't give me permission in the end. Just said he'll "think it over" and "talk to Mom." Which basically means: No with extra steps.
But even if he doesn't agree, I have to go. I can't leave my money alone!
I need to get my money, don't I?
I walked out of the house. The sun was still out, just dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky red like a half-hearted apology.
And just as I thought, Adrien stepped out from the garden path like he'd been waiting for me.
"Is your work done?" I asked.
He gave a small nod.
"Good. Be ready. We're leaving for the Viscounty of Rowley tomorrow."
"…Why?" Adrien tilted his head, blinking like he didn't understand the air around him.
Seriously?
"Adrien, I hate to say this, but while you were busy and I was in bed half-dead, those Rowley rats crossed the Sevan Lake and took everything. All the gold. I'm pretty sure they're gone for good now that they've looted it all. No more gold. And we failed. We failed to catch them in action and claim it as our own."
I took a breath.
"Exactly that's why we need to go to Rowley now."
Adrien stared at me like I was growing horns.
"We failed Plan A," I said, straightening up with all the smugness of someone who definitely thought two steps ahead. "So now… it's time for Plan B."
"You… had a Plan B?" Adrien asked, eyebrows furrowed.
"Of course I did. You really think I'd make a plan without expecting failure?"
"…No, but… how?"
"Alright, answer me this: who owns the Sevan Lake?"
"No one."
"Wrong. Technically, it's government land. Which means…" I gave him a sly grin.
"They infiltrated government territory," Adrien said slowly, catching on.
"Exactly! They thought no one would notice. That's where they messed up."
"But… if we report them, we won't get anything from it," Adrien said, sounding genuinely puzzled. Sometimes this guy is dense like a sack of bricks.
"Who said anything about reporting?"
That's when it hit him.
"…The royal seal."
I nodded.
"Instead of using it on the land claim papers, we'll write up a fake royal decree. One that charges them for trespassing into government land."
"But, young master… you know Viscount Rowley. That geezer won't admit it so easily."
"I know," I said, brushing his worry off with a flick of my hand. "Don't worry about that."