Chapter 164: Baton Pass
The question Sigren had been hearing most often these days was:
“Did you get dumped?”
“…”
Sigren stared at the knight who had asked the annoying question—Kane Erez. As usual, Kane wore a carefree expression. Sometimes, Sigren wondered if Kane would still be so nonchalant if he knew everything. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“I didn’t get dumped.”
At that, the knights around him let out a teasing chorus of “Oh—oh—!”
Sigren glared at them, and they immediately fell silent.
Lately, the palace knights had been acting more familiar with Sigren, as if they had developed some sort of camaraderie with him.
“Your Highness, you should be good to Lady Fiona.”
He was already planning to, without needing their advice. However, he still didn’t know what to do. So lately, he’d simply been watching Fiona.
“But, Your Highness, what happened to the songstress?”
“I sent her back to her hometown.”
It seemed the knights hadn’t been training enough lately, given how easily they were distracted by trivial matters like this. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“There will be an extension of training time for the foreseeable future,” Sigren declared.
The knights groaned in unison. They should’ve expected this outcome from the moment they asked that question.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“I have an appointment with His Majesty.”
‘Shouldn’t I call him father instead?’ Kane thought to himself as he followed Sigren.
Sigren noticed his escort’s gaze. “Princess Aria has been asking for you again.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks to you, I’m going to die of annoyance. I’ll have to fire you sooner or later.”
“Fire me…? I’ve endured so many beatings just to climb up—” Kane suddenly stopped, realizing he had said too much, and quickly covered his mouth.
“Ah, so that’s your real motive.”
To Kane’s surprise, Sigren smirked instead of getting angry. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“What a ridiculous fellow.”
Recently, the prince’s attitude towards Kane had softened. It would actually be a bit sad if Kane were dismissed so coldly.
“It might be better for you to go to Princess Aria.”
“Yes? Well, of course, Her Highness is a good person, but—”
“That’s not what I meant… Well, you could go…”
Kane looked at Sigren with a puzzled expression. Without waiting for a response, Sigren left his escort behind and entered the audience room.
“You called for me, Your Majesty?”
“Oh, Sigren, you’re here.”
The emperor greeted him warmly. Sigren wasn’t the only one in the room; Crown Prince Enoch was also present. Enoch shot a glare at Sigren but turned away as soon as the emperor began speaking. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Enoch seems to have done enough self-reflection, so he will be returning to high society.”
It meant that the rumors had settled down.
“Anyway, I have an important task for you.”
“A task?”
“Yes, soon the temple and several important figures from other countries will be arriving in the capital.”
“Why?”
“For diplomatic relations between countries, of course. Additionally, there’s a need to share more information about the darkness and the monsters. It’s not only the empire that has suffered.”
“….”
“This is only possible because the recent monster attacks have subsided, and all the damaged roads have been restored.”
“Is that why you called me? To help with the preparations?”
The emperor nodded. “Yes, exactly. Moreover, princes and princesses from other nations will attend. It’ll be a good opportunity for both of you to find suitable partners.”
‘Damn it,’ Sigren thought, swallowing his displeasure. He had distanced himself from Fiona to protect her, but now this issue was coming up again. Well, the emperor had never liked the idea of Sigren being tied to the Heilon family anyway. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Enoch cast a disdainful look at Sigren.
“A foreign princess is too good for someone with his blood, Father. There are better matches.”
“Be quiet, Enoch. Other countries are thanking us for slaying the dragon.”
“….”
The emperor was quite proud of that fact. It was, after all, his son who had become renowned abroad. But Enoch didn’t share that sentiment. In his mind, only someone as lowly as a songstress was a fitting match for Sigren. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Besides, Enoch, I expect you to find a good partner soon as well. It’s about time both the crown prince and the imperial prince marry.”
“I understand, Father.”
For Enoch, this wasn’t a bad opportunity—a chance to forge a beneficial alliance by marrying a foreign princess.
For Sigren, however, it was nothing but an annoyance. He had just barely reconciled with Fiona, and now he had to deal with foreign royals? His head was already aching.
“And Sigren, I’d like to bestow upon you a land grant.”
Enoch was shocked and turned to the emperor. “Father, why only him?”
“Enoch, I already gave you land in the past, but you handed it over to Duke Ernest.”
“….”
Sigren shook his head lightly. “This is more than I deserve.”
He could see through the emperor’s intentions—the emperor wanted to make him completely independent from Abel. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“I still think this is too much for me.”
The emperor interpreted Sigren’s modesty as humility.
“Don’t worry about it. If managing it feels overwhelming, you can leave it to an agent.”
“On what grounds is Father giving it to you?”
“If you envy me that much, brother, you can have it all.”
Neither the land nor the foreign princesses interested Sigren. In fact, both would likely complicate matters.
“You always act so unbothered—such bad luck.”
“….”
As usual, Sigren ignored him. He only bothered with Enoch when it came to matters concerning Fiona. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
***
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