" Your Royal Highness! It's so wonderful to see you! "
His tone is kind, but his face isn't.
" You've been gone for far too long, Your Eminence! "
This woman speaks like she knows me—but I haven't the foggiest clue who she is.
I steeled my heart almost in an instant and looked down at all of the people clamoring for my attention. I scanned faces and kept a track of every single person who came up to me. Until I found his face. Right there, where I expected him to be. Reaching down, I parted the people in front of me, three or four men and women being pushed to the side as I walked forward, toward him.
" Advisor Duke! It's wonderful to see your face! "
My tone, just like that man from before, didn't match my face. I sounded jovial...But I know what look I had plastered across this face I now call my own. My eyes are sharp and piercing, and the fury I feel is radiating.
" Yes! Of course! "
* PAT *
Duke patted my arm and played off my obvious anger, making light of our conversation. I was the type to be more methodical in how I take things. However, never before in my life did I want to exact revenge on someone before now. I wanted this man to pay for making me experience such ungodly agony. Bringing my hand up and down, I gripped Advisor Duke's shoulder, pulling him in closer.
I lowered my voice and whispered in a manner only he would hear, and twisted us around so no one would see either my face or my lips move.
" You understand what it means for me to be here, standing before you, right, Duke? "
" W-Whatever could you mean...? "
" Play innocent for as long as you can muster. It'll be in your best interest if you get your affairs in order. "
I let go of his shoulder, the shoulder at which I had been holding so tightly with such a heavy hand that I wouldn't be surprised if I left a bruise. Turning away from him, I raised my hand and waved goodbye.
" Father! "
He had been watching me this entire time. His face wasn't covered in contempt but instead confusion. He looked as though he had no clue why I chose now of all times to show up. Did he think I was mad at him? A fool he is then.
" It's good to see you, Father. "
" Likewise, my boy. I'm glad you could join us in this meriment! "
Our conversation was a bit quieter than you'd imagine. We were in the back center of the grand banquet, where my father sat on his luxurious green and white throne. Just like many other things in this palace, the green and white color palettes seemed to be a thing of his choosing.
After all, my father had medium-length white hair and piercing green eyes.
" Where's Mother? "
" My Queen is retired to her chambers...She believes this banquet to be unnecessary. "
She wouldn't be wrong.
" I see...how unfortunate. I would've liked to see her face. "
" R-right... "
" Well, now that the pleasantries are finished. Father, tell me. Why did you refuse to come see me? "
It was as if I could hear the words get caught in his throat and his body stiffen. He looked down and then to the glass of wine he held in his left hand, slowly swirling it around. His pointed ears slightly dropped. On Flora, it was cute. However, this old man doing it for some reason repulsed me.
" I didn't believe your condition was more pressing than the matter at hand. "
" What matter could be more important than your son's health, I wonder. "
That wasn't a question. I didn't really care why he didn't come see me specifically. I just wanted to know if he knew why Draesil was so sick and bedridden. And if he even knew he died for a moment.
" W-We can talk about this later...Not now... "
I watched him fidget. This man was the King and yet acted as if I held some sort of power over him. Was...the King of the Elven Kingdom afraid of his son, me? I wanted to test just how far I could push the envelope.
" Where's this Human you tended to? I want to meet him now. "
" Absolutely not! "
The King yelled out and stood up, almost dropping his glass. Firmly, the King, just about as tall as me, looked straight into my eyes and denied me vehemently. That only made me want it more. I now needed to meet this Human who could've had a hand in Draesil's assassination. A smirk spread across my face as I stepped forward toward the King. I wasn't the type to be big and bold; however, I was still feeling fury inside my heart.
My smirk fell into a blank stare.
" I'm going to meet him. Whether you want me to or not. I deserve that right as your Heir. "
The King tightened his empty hand before turning away from me and sitting back down.
" It seems I can not change your mind...Fine. I didn't want you to interfere... "
" Interfere with what? "
" You'll find the Human in the courtyard garden. Along with your sister, Santa. "
Is that right? Good to know.
Walking away from the King, I went straight for the entrance that doubled as my exit. Many people who were afraid to come close to the King and me during our heated discussion attempted to block me from leaving so they could butter me up. However, I was completely uninterested in even a single person trying to win my favor. And the one man I was interested in—cowered.
" Worthless. "
I spoke one word subconsciously as I walked away from the gathered crowd of aristocrats. Each of them paused and looked offended. Not that I cared.
. . .
" Lord Draesil! "
Flora came running to me as I exited the banquet hall and held out her hands, offering me a plate of food. Truthfully speaking, it looked much better than what I was being given while away in my room. And considering I was feeling nearly no pain to speak of while operating, enjoying this would be wonderful.
" Flora, it seems you truly are the only person I can trust. "
Her face turned red again.
" Oh my Lord...You... "
" Now, guide me to the courtyard garden. I'll eat along the way; it's easier. "
" Of course! Right this way! "
With a pep in her step, Flora guided me, making small talk with me as I walked and ate the food. It was a little heavy on the vegetables this time; however, the meat that was present was exquisite. Flora told me it had been a variant of "danger-beast", a kind of monster that could only be imported from another land. Something inside of me, as I consumed it, thrived. It felt as though I was being filled with a continuous stream of energy as I finished the plate.
And surprisingly enough...the bits of pain I had been feeling started to subside.
" Flora, I need you to do me a favor. "
" Yes, my Lord? "
" Find out a steady supply of this danger-beast meat. I need more of it. "
" I-It's that good...? "
I nodded as we came upon the exit to the palace that led to the courtyard garden. I set the plate down on the railing that led downstairs as I looked toward the fountain in the middle of the garden. Elves truly knew how to make a wonderful garden. The roses paired well with a surprising amount of hydrangeas. I was curious to know who cultivated those flowers together. Even the trees that were in the garden grew beautifully. It was a wonderful place. If I weren't here looking for a Human that could potentially be related to my pain, I'd spend time looking around with Flora.
" Come, Flora. I need to find this Human. "
Though it didn't take long for me to find him. As well as Santa, the princess, and my sister.
" I'm sorry, Juri...My Father can be very overbearing. I didn't think he'd... "
Juri? Santa had been standing in front of them. They were sort of similar in height, so it was a little hard to see him. Some features of him stood out, like his hair. Were there two colors?
" Santa? "
I called out to my sister, a girl with the same steel blue hair as me and features that seemed to accentuate her feminine qualities. She was a good-looking girl, which is why a Human would want to talk with her alone. However, I had business with him.
Santa turned around sharply, allowing me to get a look at the man. However, before I could say anything—
* RUSH—HUG *
Santa ran toward me, diving into my body and wrapping around me. Naturally, I reflexively held her as well, hugging my new sister to my body. I didn't have any siblings as Sora. Having one now, suddenly with no prior relationship, confused me. Yet, this body I now owned...it only felt natural to hug her. Did she know about my condition? I wondered.
" Hello, Santa. It's good to see you. "
I couldn't say again—I'd never personally met her. However, it was still in some way nice to see who my sister had been. Especially considering Flora was fond of her.
Speaking of Flora, she was rather quiet. While not showing off any enmity, she certainly didn't like that Human, evident by her glare toward him.
" Oh, Brother! I missed you so very much! "
" Have you now? "
I pushed back a bit, separating her from me as I looked at her face. She had tears welling up. I didn't like that. Wiping them away gently, my hand came down onto her head and softly stroked her hair, making sure she was calm.
" Tell me, Santa—who's your friend? "
And then, I looked up at him. A man I would never forget. Someone who would change the life I thought I might live into something exciting.
As well as very sad.
" Oh, you're Santa's Brother...from before... "
His voice was soft and kind; you could tell he didn't mean most people much harm. His appearance was interesting. His hair was rough and not too long, his bangs coming down past his eyes, and his hair was quite fluffy. It was an interesting coloration, golden blonde in the back with fluffy front hair that was a calming blue. He looked like something truly out of a fantasy. One of his eyes was a wonderful sapphire while the other...had quite the shine. His attire was regal yet simple, and judging from his not entirely combed or brushed hair, he was still getting used to this sophisticated society he was in.
Compared to all the Elves I saw in the banquet hall, clean and refined—
" What a relief. "
I spoke outwardly.
" Huh? "
" I thought you were involved. But it turns out—you have nothing to do with his plan. "
This man, Juri, tilted his head toward me for a moment, probably trying to think.
" Santa, who is this? I'm still waiting. "
Santa moved from me and held her hand out toward him, presenting him to me.
" T-This is Juri Zo! He's known as the 'Prismatic Scheme'! "
Prismatic Scheme? What did that mean? Nothing in the memories available to me did I know what that was. It made me curious—what was special about this Human to gain such a gaudy title?
" What's that mean? I'm curious to know. If you do, I'm allowed to as well, correct? "
Juri put a hand to his chin and finally spoke.
" I thought you didn't like me...but you seem way nicer than last time! "
What did he mean by "last time"? Was Draesil not kind to Humans? No, that wasn't Draesil's sort of character. He must've been touchy because he was sick. It is noted that he felt his interpersonal relationships shifting from the overwhelming sickness.
" Ah, my apologies. I was experiencing a trial. Would you mind explaining to me what this 'Prismatic Scheme' title means? "
Juri nodded his head with little hesitation.
" You are Santa's brother, of course I can! "
Slowly, I could feel something shift and change. The air around us was disturbed, and the Mana in the atmosphere warped. What had I been feeling? Within the same moment, Juri tensed his body, a wave of wind flew over me, and my body felt compelled to fight. It was as if something deep inside me violently reacted.
As Juri continued to tense his body, I focused my Mana in my eyes and enhanced my vision, using Mana Sight at full capacity. And I could see something quite intense. It was a warping whirlpool of formless energy that surrounded Juri's body. At first, it was colorless. However, with my intense vision enhanced by the Vitality in my body and the control of Mana Sight, accompanied by my Mana Optimization Formula, I could see it.
" Radiant...Shining...It's as if...there's this warm enveloping rainbow surrounding your body. Something mystical is supporting you. "
Juri looked surprised as I analyzed the energy that warped around him.
" Brother! I didn't know you could see Aura! "
Aura? What is that?
" I-I didn't know I could see it either... "
Based on her words, it must've been something commonly known. But I'm not from here—I wouldn't know about it.
This "Aura" that warped the air around it was extremely powerful as well as very beautiful. Juri let it wash over me as he then smiled and laughed a bit. That laugh was familiar—
" Guess I surprised you with it, huh? Haha! "
Something in my chest throbbed at that moment. And I could feel my hands...they began to tingle with sensation and soon—golden light wrapped around the tips of my fingers. And something interesting happened to Juri as well. The back of his neck began to release a soft golden glow, different from the prismatic Aura surrounding him.
And then, my lips parted to say something totally unexpected.
" ...H-Haruo...Is that you? "
" ...Sora? "
CHAPTER 34 END