The Flower Dances and the Wind Sings

27.

When she arrived at the reception room, Caron was still not there. A servant waited with tea, and, at the sound of the door opening, someone came in. Ercella jumped to her feet without realizing it.

… Brother!

It was Caron. Ercella recalled Caron looking down at her sickly face with dismay. The older brother who used to hold her hand while swallowing his tears without saying a word. I can’t believe I’m alive and get to see you again like this… She felt her vision get blurry immediately.

“What an honor for you to stand up and greet me. You really see everything when you get to my age. It wasn’t long ago when you refused to debase your esteemed self.”

She never thought she’d be glad to hear his sarcastic jokes. Ercella approached Caron excitedly. Suddenly, she noticed Vicente standing behind him. She never guessed Caron and Vicente would have already met. Ercella was surprised by their unusual appearance.

“…Vicente? Why have you two arrived together?”

“Is that what you have to say as soon as you see me? And here I thought things were going well. If you ask why I’m here with him, all I have to say is that I met him on the way here.”

His subtly polite tone made him appear more arrogant. Normally, she would’ve laughed and been open with him, but Caron’s calm demeanor dampened her excitement.

Long ago he begged Ercella to survive; she felt resentful that she was the only one who remembered that. “… Is there anything particular to say?”

Unlike her composed exterior, she was anxious inwardly. She asked casually, trying to keep her poise. “Brother hasn’t changed at all.”

“I saw you only a fortnight ago but you act as if it had been ages since we reunited,” Caron said in a low voice.

Ercella, who was in pain alone, changed the topic. “… Aren’t you hot?”

Caron had not taken off his coat. Even though it was hot outside, he was still dressed impeccably. He developed this politically conscientious habit in order to not be belittled by the older nobles. Now that he’s older, I wish him to be more comfortable.

“Thank you for your consideration, but it’s alright. Let’s sit down first.”

“Well, then…” Ercella sat again at Caron’s recommendation, turned around, and looked back at Vicente. “Oh, come here and sit down.”

Ercella said, tapping the seat beside her. Vicente sat down without a word. Caron watched the process with interest and sat opposite Ercella.

Ercella playfully said to him. “How come you look older?”

“Even if you grew up, you still have a knack for getting on my nerves.”

“It’s not fun to live too peacefully.”

“Yes, it would be very peaceful without you. Such a pity.”

Tch! He still needed to have the last word. Ercella discontentedly stuck out her lower lip.

Caron ignored Ercella, uncaring of his sister’s pout, and looked at Vicente. Caron’s lips formed an ambiguous smile. Finally, Caron spoke. “You resemble the Duke.”

“But his eyes look like mine,” Ercella shot back. She knew what Caron meant even without context. She was bored of hearing that he looks more like Harsen than her. I don’t need to hear that from my brother too.

“Right?”

Ercella beckoned with her eyes and asked Vicente. The gentle, shiny blue eyes seemed to want affirmation. He didn’t dislike it, so Vicente smiled and moved his neck.

“Yes.”

Caron, who had been watching this interaction, let out a low laugh before continuing with his mischievous pranks. It didn’t seem like he’s gotten it all out of his system yet. “Is my sister good to you?”

Ercella glared at Caron upon hearing his insulting, petulant question. Was he for real? She thought of ending this tomfoolery once and for all.

“Of course, she is,” Vicente answered plainly. I can’t tell if he really thought that or if he’s being courteous, but it’s probably the latter.

But, even so, simply hearing Vicente say those words made her heart pound.

A beat later, Caron laughed cheerfully. “I see. It seems that, unlike you, your son has grown up to be quite courteous. What a relief.”

Having said that, Caron smiled as if he found it amusing. Ercella stared at the smile others would have admired. I hate that he draws attention even when he stays still.

Caron even went so far as to add,”My worries would have been fewer if you were like him…”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“You always do whatever you please. My head still throbs when I remember how much I suffered because of you when we were kids.”

“… That’s enough, Brother. I don’t want to act disgracefully in front of my son.”

Eventually, Ercella relented. There’s no use bickering with my brother in front of Vicente. It will only further ruin my image.

“Of course. My dear sister didn’t come here to quarrel with me in front of her son. Let’s go to my office next door. Um, nephew, you…”

“I’ll be waiting here.”

“Good thing he’s quick-witted. Unlike you, Ercella.”

“I’m quick-witted, too. Will you get up now, Marquis?”

“I don’t think so.”

He was being petty. Ercella forced his arm up, saying she could no longer entertain Caron’s antics.

“Don’t rush. I even came early because of you.”

“Yes, sure.” Retorting half-heartedly, Ercella pushed at Caron’s back, and beckoned to Vincente simultaneously, telling him to wait. Vicente drank the tea in front of him instead of answering.

***

Ercella looked around, realizing nothing had changed. The faded mahogany furniture was still decorating the room.

Other than that, the room contained only necessary items. It was too humble to be called the Marquis’ office. Suddenly, she spotted a mountain of documents piled up on the desk. “What’s all this? Is something the matter with the estate?”

“That’s how work is. Now that I got promoted, I’ve got even more work to do.”

“Oh.” Only then did Ercella remember that Caron had become the Lord Chamberlain around this time. He caused quite an uproar when he succeeded Count Mayence, the former Lord Chamberlain, at only thirty-six, considering how preposterous the idea was in society.

It was his daily routine to be a target for people’s envy, admiration, and jealousy. It’s great and all, but considering the hardships Caron had to experience while managing state affairs at a young age, it was a pity too.

“So, what’s going on?” Caron asked as he sat in the office chair. Ercella sat across from him and decided to get to the point. I wanted to ask how you were doing, but it would be better to skip it because it’s a greeting that I wouldn’t normally say.

“I heard that Duke Garten visited Conrad regarding the territorial dispute.”

Caron’s eyes widened, perhaps taken aback. “Yes, the Duke volunteered himself. I was a little surprised too.”

“Any idea why he did that?”

Caron shrugged his shoulders. Ercella’s eyes narrowed.

“There’s something that Brother doesn’t know? That can’t be. Did you get rid of your nasty hobby of planting spies in people’s families?”

“Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Duke Garten replaced all the attendants who would assist him.” Caron’s confident look while saying that made Ercella speechless for a second. I can’t believe he had put a shadow on Duke Garten. In a way, this guy is as dangerous as Duke Garten.

Suddenly, she felt her hair stand. You didn’t plant people in Harsen’s house, did you? She looked at him suspiciously, but Caron appeared as if falsely accused. “Your expression, it’s very strange. For your information, I didn’t plant any in Bernhardt.”

“… Really?”

“Yes, really. Besides, I don’t need to…”

“Hmm…” Ercella muttered and looked at Caron.

It must be true since he looks awkward. She decided to put her faith in his words and moved back to the original topic. “What is the Duke thinking?”

“I don’t know, but I’m curious, as well. Originally, Count Pantetz was supposed to go, but apparently, a situation occurred at his home. I had to find a new replacement for the job, but none of the candidates eligible to go to the delegation were in good condition. And in the midst of trouble, Duke Garten volunteered to go.”

Ercella got alert when Caron mentioned ‘Count Pantetz’.

According to the past, Count Pantetz should have gone to Conrad. If not for the unexpected situation at his home. Ercella was confused because she couldn’t tell the cause of this minor change of events. “No matter how I see this, it would’ve been better for Count Pantetz to go…”

“Indeed. But it won’t make much of a difference if Duke Garten goes. This is nothing but an act of pacifying Conrad’s grumbling anyway. The war with Lenardt ended only a few years ago, therefore His Majesty does not want to be at odds with Conrad in order to appease the public sentiment. Sending a delegation over there isn’t about getting something, it’s about solidifying diplomatic relations. Either way, Grania has the upper hand in power, so there is no need for wordplays in this diplomacy.”

Yet, when Ercella’s expression remained troubled, Caron sighed lightly. “I know what you’re worried about. Duke Garten is a snaky old man and is easily pissed off. But he’s been in politics for a long time and he’s not one to mess with public affairs. That’s why His Majesty sent him believing in that. In any case, His Majesty has already decided, so better wish him luck than worry.”

“In that case, I wish him luck…”

“But I wonder why my sister is interested in all this.”

“… I want to know if there ever will be a war.”

“A war? With Conrad?” Caron narrowed his eyes. “There may be friction, but to worry about war. Why would you think so?”

Ercella agonized over how much to tell him. Just before her death, the relationship with Conrad was worse than ever. Soldiers were conscripted from all over Grania, and Harsen and Vicente would often come home late.

But if she said that she wasn’t confident she could persuade Caron. Eventually, she decided to bring up a story that Caron would believe. “So far, Conrad has been asking Grania for Azrel. Azrel holds a lot of significance to Conrad. Apart from being a granary terrain, Conrad began from Azrel. After expanding their territory, the capital was moved, but Azrel still holds a great significance as the beginning of Conrad, so they have been persistently demanding it Grania for a hundred years.”

“They are no threat to us.”

“Conrad’s commercial district is rapidly developing. As such, their exchanges with other countries are also frequent. They’re more open-minded than the doctrinaire Grania. I’m not sure, but there will be some kind of change. We can’t continue to underestimate Conrad’s national power.”

“Is that why you thought a war might happen?”

“It’s a weak assumption, but I don’t think it’s groundless.”

As if lost in thought, he lightly swept his hair flowing down his forehead. Although still reluctant, he didn’t want to appear affected by her words.

“I’ll look into this separately. I should also consider the possibility of developing a new weapon. But I never expected to hear the word war from your mouth… Is it because of your son?”

Ercella raised her head without hesitation. “Yes, should a war occur, my husband and son will be the first ones to take the lead. That’s different from Brother who is in a position to protect himself.”

“… Take back what you just said to your brother.” Caron sighed and wiped his gaunt face. He felt sad that his younger sister was being mean again. Of course, Ercella couldn’t care less.

“What if His Majesty returns Azrel…”

“…….”

“I’m being absurd. There’s no way that’s possible, right Brother?”

It’s the best way to prevent the possibility of war in advance, but Ercella cowered from Caron’s cold gaze. All of a sudden, she felt like she committed treason.

“Let’s pretend I never heard that. Don’t go around saying you’re my sister. You’re embarrassing me.” Caron nervously shook at her utterance about returning Azrel. It would definitely anger the people of Grania if they heard it. In fact, had someone else said that they would’ve been accused of treason.

Anyway, it was necessary to be careful because even the remarks of the childish and immature Duchess about returning the land were treason to the ruling Monarch. Of course, Ercella wasn’t tactless enough to bring it up in front of others. That was only because he was Caron.

“What do you think, Brother?” In her heart, she didn’t think she was wrong. They didn’t have a justifiable cause but coveted the little land, so they unilaterally invaded it and finally signed a treaty. Even if it was her motherland, she couldn’t deny its barbaric ways.

Caron, who was speechless for a moment, opened his mouth one beat late. “… You know there’s no God in Grania.”

As he said, the King of Grania was also a human being, implying that he can not make the absolute right choice.

His answer was enough, so Ercella decided to shut up without further questions. I don’t mean to bother Caron with events of the past. [T/N: Invasion of Azrel] Instead, she decided to ask a favor that she had always had in mind. “And I need a man.”

“A man?”

“I need to find out something, if possible… I’d like someone who can be active in other countries. Of course, he has to be a reliable person.”

“… What’s going on?” Caron grimaced. But Ercella didn’t mean to tell. If I said it was to find clues about an incurable disease, my suspicious brother would insist on an answer. There was no way she could explain it.

When Ercella remained silent, Caron sighed realizing she wouldn’t tell him. Her stubbornness won. “Soon, I’ll send someone to the Duke’s.”

“Thank you.” Ercella beamed. Caron remained expressionless, impervious to the brightness. His sunken green eyes bore a more serious glow. “Don’t do anything dangerous.”

“Of course.” She, too, erased her smile and answered seriously. I know how precious I am to this man.

“Don’t forget why I’m here.”

“I know.” I didn’t forget. He had to inherit his title at an early age and walk on a tightrope between the King keeping him in check and the envy of his subordinates. There’s no way I wouldn’t know why he endured all that.

“I’ve lived to protect one thing.” He sighed and continued. “Visaride.”

She knew very well that it included ‘Ercella’.

* * *

I might upload another chapter before June if you do