LP 3.17 The Prince’s Rebellion

A frail body required only a light sleep magic. After a brief tremor, the King's breathing soon settled into a steady rhythm. Gosrick, who had been watching from the side, suddenly clicked his tongue.

“To think he's in a position where he has to cling to a mere verbal promise.”

He had once been such a powerful man—. He muttered as if lamenting. However, Kosha tilted his head.

“It wasn't just a verbal promise.”

“What?”

“I think he noticed that I'm a Mage.”

“…Noticed? His Majesty did? How? No, wait, is that even okay?”

Gosrick asked back in surprise. But Kosha remained composed.

He, too, was someone who once had his own mage. No matter how human they were, it was natural for their intuition or senses to develop after interacting with a mage for a long time.

“But what does that have to do with the promise?”

“Because I'm a Mage.”

Kosha answered as he tidied the King's bed, as if performing some solemn ritual.

“Verbal promises are things humans do.”

It was no different from the price paid for being born with power. Races possessing mana were generally like that. A word spoken must be kept. Somehow, by any means necessary. If it cannot be achieved, until it is.

Of course, the 'method' of fulfilling the promise might differ slightly from what the other party desired….

“I thought he already knew!”

“No, how would I know that? I'm not another race.”

“Back then, in the torture chamber. I thought he let me go because I 'promised' to make the antidote.”

This time, Kosha added more as he stroked the four pillars of the King's bed one by one.

“…Was that it?”

Gosrick's expression went blank. He couldn't remember it well now, but in truth, the reason he had let Kosha go back then was simply because the fellow was such a massive coward that he couldn't even communicate properly in the torture chamber.

While Gosrick had a moment of belated realization, Kosha slowly cast protective magic on the King's bed. Like a spiderweb, thin and delicate. So that the one who cast the curse would not easily notice.

This room was completely under the influence of the curse, but this bed, at least, would gradually become protected.

“Everything you witnessed today and the conversation you had will be reported to His Highness.”

Gosrick, watching the mage wander here and there, tossed out the words bluntly for no particular reason. Having finished the final touches of the protective magic, Kosha turned around with wide eyes.

“Huh? Of course.”

His tone was truly as if asking why he was bringing up something so obvious. He looked infinitely sincere and truthful.

Because of that, Gosrick had to cross his arms sullenly and repeat the words he had already rehearsed hundreds of times twice more in his head. Grafen, Grafen! Spy, spy! Honey trap, honey trap!

If even you don't keep your wits about you, who will, Gosrick!

“Let's go back now, Sir Gosrick.”

Having finished tidying up, Kosha gently tugged the sleeve of Gosrick, who was deep in his own thoughts. Gosrick's expression as he was powerlessly dragged along was nothing short of troubled.

The next thing that changed was Kosha's position among the 'vassals.' Kosha was now officially able to participate in the inner circle meetings!

That was entirely different from being wrapped in a cloak and left abandoned in a corner. Kosha was formally granted the right to dress properly, sit in his designated seat, listen, and voice his opinions. All under Lucian's public declaration made before everyone.

Of course, he still had to wear the Idelma gold shackles….

However, there were reasons for this. First, there was considerable backlash from the existing vassals regarding Kosha's joining. It was sudden and dangerous, his identity was not yet certain, mages cannot be trusted… all sorts of words were thrown haphazardly to his face.

But Lucian was firm.

'Are we in a position to be picky about this and that right now?'

He dismissed all complaints with a single sentence.

'Why should I exclude someone who can do what you cannot? Especially in such an urgent situation?'

It was a statement that walked a very thin line. No matter how close they were, the atmosphere became unsettled in an instant.

And it was then that Lucian offered the Idelma gold shackles as a conciliatory measure.

In exchange for participating in the meetings, the mage would have his mana restricted just like a 'human' for that duration.

Of course, Kosha wasn't surprised when he heard that. Because Lucian had given him a hint the night before. To be precise, after Kosha had confessed to him about that 'silver-haired mage.'

That night, after finally calming him down with a long kiss, Kosha dragged him into his own small servant's room, which was the closest available. Kosha confessed everything.

What he had to check at the north tower, the story of meeting that silver-haired mage for the first time, and even the suspicion that she might have harmed the King's Mage.

'She said she was a mage belonging to Gaikrux. So the Tower Lord should know her. Can't Your Highness meet the Tower Lord? Can't you ask who she is?'

Lucian just listened silently to the ceaseless stream of words. His long eyes were narrowed, as if he were concentrating. It seemed as though he was gauging the truth of Kosha's words, or perhaps he was just lost in other complex thoughts.

'Or, um, I think I might be able to look for that silver-haired mage again—'

He hadn't mentioned the meeting in the office that day or the story about receiving the button yet…. It was just as Kosha, sensing the mood, tentatively brought it up.

'Don't.'

Lucian spoke for the first time.

'Don't act rashly. I think I know who that silver-haired mage is, so for the time being, pretend you don't know.'

'You know that mage?'

As Kosha opened his mouth in surprise, Lucian pulled him in. Without any warning.

In that narrow room, on an already small bed, even though they were sitting side by side without a single inch of space between them, it felt as if it wasn't enough. Strength entered the arms that embraced him, and lips pressed against his ear.

'Never, ever try to act alone.'

He whispered.

'I know that's your way. It might be a characteristic of <you all>. But no more.'

'…I didn't do it on purpose.'

'Whether on purpose or not.'

Lucian stopped mid-sentence and grit his teeth. As if suppressing something surging from within.

So Kosha just… quietly stroked his back. He tried to use calming magic, but strangely, the mana kept bouncing back.

But it didn't matter. It felt as though simply stroking his back was better than using magic. By the time he felt Lucian's heartbeat slowly calming through their touching chests, Lucian gripped Kosha's cheeks with both hands.

Their tightly embraced bodies finally separated, and their eyes met.

Only faint moonlight filtered into the room, but it was enough to look into each other's eyes. It was around the time Kosha thought that Lucian's pupils were like a blue glowing moon in themselves.

'You are a mage.'

'Uh… yes.'

'Whose mage are you?'

'…Your Highness's, Lucian's mage.'

With a slightly shy feeling, Kosha answered. Lucian probably didn't know, but from a mage's perspective, this was like….

'Do you promise?'

Lucian asked again impatiently.

'…I promise.'

Kosha nodded with a flushed face. From a mage's perspective, it felt as if he were making a marriage declaration.

Did Lucian know the meaning held by a mage's 'promise' back then?

And after a long while, Lucian broke the silence and spoke.

'…I will give you a seat in the meetings.'

His voice was much calmer and more rational than before.

'Don't wander around making your own judgments. First, listen to what the others are saying. Then, explain to them what you want to do.'

'…….'

'Explain, and make them understand. Get the necessary support, and move officially.'

Because that is how humans, how 'we', work, he added.

'Secure your share that way. Get your achievements recognized, and establish your position. So that no one can touch you recklessly.'

'…….'

'Prove yourself.'

Kosha blinked.

What he was saying sounded a bit strange. Human recognition, recognition of achievements, a position among humans—such things meant nothing to a mage. While some mages enjoyed being 'worshipped' by humans, that was a different matter.

To make it so no one could touch him recklessly? But who on earth would dare 'touch' a mage?

And… what on earth was he supposed to prove?

'Can you do it?'

But because Lucian, who said it, looked desperate.

'I'll do it.'

He could only nod.

Kosha was his mage, he had promised to be so, and the option of refusing what he wanted didn't exist in the first place. No matter what it was, whether it was something he could do or not.

Anyway, if he chose to become a human's mage, he needed to adapt to the rules of their world. Mages tended to be a bit too free, after all. In the past, that had sometimes been a cause of misunderstanding and exclusion….

And Lucian secretly replaced the Idelma gold shackles with thinner ones without the other vassals knowing.

So, everything was fine for Kosha. Even while wearing that metal, which was no different from an insult and shame to a mage. He even felt a bit happy!

On one hand, he felt terribly reckless for feeling that way….

But, Kosha….

He and Kosha….

“Kosha.”

As he followed Gosrick back to the West Wing, a familiar voice was heard. Lifting his head, he met blue eyes.

“Your Highness!”

Kosha, who had completely forgotten about Gosrick, trotted straight toward him. He seemed quite busy, as he was surrounded by all sorts of people in the middle of the road.

As Kosha habitually tried to bend his knee to greet him through the gap in the people, Lucian's grip suddenly caught Kosha's forearm strongly, stopping him.

…So that he couldn't bend his knee.

“……?”

A startled Kosha looked up at him inquisitively, and Lucian naturally raised his hand to push the surrounding people aside and pulled Kosha closer.

“You must walk carefully so you don't fall. …Let's finish the remaining agenda after the meal. In half an hour.”

Lucian was a person who usually skipped meals entirely when busy or, at the very least, did them concurrently. It was rare for him to give officials a separate mealtime, so what on earth was this 'half hour' that was barely worth giving? It was a time that would be over by the time the soup was heated and a spoon was held in hand.

However, no one dared to protest about a mere mealtime in front of the sole Regent Prince. Clearing away the people who were hesitantly backing away, Lucian pulled Kosha along.

“Was I a disturbance while you were busy?”

Ignoring Kosha's questioning words, Lucian leaned his head down toward Kosha's ear.

“From now on, don't bend your knee to greet.”

It was a sudden change of topic. Kosha, who had spent his whole life greeting by pulling one foot back and bending his knee as a matter of course, was about to be flustered when Lucian added softly, as if to reassure him.

“Bow from the waist. That is how 'vassals' originally do it.”

Of course, whether one was someone's vassal or not, that was simply 'Izelant' style etiquette. Kosha's mouth fell open.

“Oh, I didn't know. I'm sorry.”

“It's alright, just don't get it wrong in the future. Because you're a 'vassal' now. Right?”

He pulled Kosha along, his eyes curving into a gentle smile. Kosha was so completely captivated by it that he failed to hear the incredulous snort of Gosrick following behind.

“I'll teach you how to greet properly once we go up. It'll actually be easier.”

After Kosha was given a seat in the 'meetings,' Lucian seemed to use a slightly more mindful and polite tone of voice. He wasn't the type to be blatantly rude originally, but there was a difference in how he treated Kosha, especially in front of people.

Because Kosha liked that dignified way of speaking so much, this too was enough to completely steal the mage's heart.

“Are we going to the office?”

“Mm, I've had a meal prepared there.”

Since there's no time, it'll just be simple things— Lucian added lightly.

“Do I eat with you?”

“Of course. Surely you don't want to eat separately?”

Kosha shook his head desperately. Lucian laughed lightly and pulled the mage along.

“…Isn't this a bit too blatant?”

At the voice heard from the side, Gosrick turned his head. Mylotte was standing there, clutching a bundle of documents tightly in his arms.

Mylotte… doesn't know. Gosrick grit his teeth. He hadn't heard the mage's 'Graphen language.' And that was something he could never mention, following his lord's orders.

Following Renata's suspicion, it seemed he also suspected the mage's origin to some extent, but….

“I know you're deeply fallen for your first romance, but the timing is the timing, and there's such a thing as dignity; shouldn't you do it in moderation? Honestly, I thought my lord would just have an arranged marriage when the time came….”

The 'ignorant' Mylotte prattled on. Suddenly unable to bear it, Gosrick let out a curse and kicked a stone on the ground.

“Ah, damn it.”

“W-what's the matter, Sir Gosrick?”

Mylotte looked back at Gosrick in surprise. Naturally, Mylotte had done nothing wrong… but Gosrick, who had been sensitive lately, pointed a finger at him as if lecturing.

“It's not romance.”

“Pardon?”

“I said it's not romance. How scandalous, between men!”

Suddenly? Mylotte went blank.

No, the two of them sleep together every day, eat together, and are so affectionate every time they see each other that it's practically a commotion, and that's not romance? Even for something that isn't marriage, bringing up gender in romance was a statement like something from a grandfather a hundred years ago.

Of course, Gosrick knew it well too. In truth, he didn't want to be a human like an old man from a hundred years ago either. But… he couldn't exactly reveal 'that.'

Leaving Mylotte behind, Gosrick strode forward with an angry gait. And he repeated in his head again. Grafen! Spy! Honey trap! What on earth is my lord thinking!

—

Meanwhile, the third and final of the 'changed things.'

It was the matter of Lucian's 'detoxification.'

No, can this still be called a detoxification problem? It was a bit of a dilemma. Because….

Kosha peeked softly out of the west window of the office. Only five or six of the closest vassals were gathered in the room, and a heavy tension hung in the air. The red sun, which had already begun to tilt, crossed the ridge of the Mardote Mountains in an instant.

After confirming that more than half of the sky had been dyed a deep blue-black, Kosha closed the curtains and headed toward Lucian. He was sitting in a chair in the middle of the room, wearing only a shirt.

Although the shirt collar was tied appropriately, a single thin shirt did not cover his body well. The lines of his sculpted body were all visible through it. That suddenly caught Kosha's attention.

Isn't this too erotic? Even if only close aides are present, he didn't want to show this appearance to just anyone. Should I tell him to throw something over it next time? If I ask nicely, he might listen.

Because, Kosha….

“Mage?”

Mylotte called Kosha as if urging him. Ah, only then did Kosha snap out of it and approach Lucian. He carefully unbuttoned the front of the shirt and, taking care not to let his bare skin be seen by others, slid his hand under the collar.

This wasn't to satisfy personal desire; it was strictly a 'diagnosis.' This was because testimonies had been emerging from various places that Lucian seemed to be 'sane' occasionally even after sunset.

Hadn't Kosha himself witnessed it 'that night'? A Lucian who, though a bit rough, could communicate seriously.

His palm touched the area of the heart. The concentrating mage's eyes glowed green.

“…How are you feeling right now?”

“Mm, not that bad.”

A languid voice answered.

“What is the thing you want to do right now?”

“…….”

Instead of answering, Lucian stared intently at Kosha. Their eyes met, and his lips moved very slightly. The room was dim, but it was enough to recognize the shape of the mouth.

'Kissing you.'

Before Kosha could even be horrified by that confirmation, Lucian spoke again as if nothing had happened.

“I suppose I should check the accumulated reports first? There's a mountain of work to do.”

He lied without even blinking. The gesture of gesturing toward the desk with his chin was naturally seamless. As if the lip shape Kosha saw had been an illusion.

“Th-that….”

His face turning red, Kosha stuttered like a fool.

“For now, you… you seem to be normal….”

“I would say the same thing.”