Chapter Six: The Despicable Prince? (2)
“You are quick-witted... but without a brain.”
The man laughed at Oliver's words.
“I told you not to say that name out loud.”
Despite his smile, the aura emanating from him was extremely threatening. As for the imperial clerk standing in front of them, he was drenched in a cold sweat.
A while ago, they were standing at the main gate of the Imperial Palace talking without entering, which left the writer confused. But he could not object. He is just a servant, while the one who stands before him is a king.
Conqueror of the West, King of the Wolves, Master of the Rebels, Emperor of the Sword—countless titles have been associated with this man's name. They are all famous across the continent.
"…I apologize."
After receiving his subordinate's apology, the man finally withdrew the killing intent that surrounded him. Then he smiled sweetly at the sweaty imperial clerk.
“I've kept you waiting too long. You can start now.”
Upon hearing his voice, the writer finally regained consciousness.
“I-I apologize, Your Majesty. I will begin immediately.”
The writer raised his voice loudly:
“His Majesty King Kaiden Lam, King of the Adamant Kingdom, enters!”
Caiden Lam, the first king of the young Adamant Kingdom, entered the Imperial Palace with confident steps. The young king who destroyed Lionel's great kingdom in the west, swallowing up dozens of countries around it.
Oliver and dozens of black-armored knights followed him. The scene looked as if a pack of black wolves had broken into the palace.
***
“I salute your majesty, Emperor of the Ventrum Empire.”
His voice was polite without subservience. Emperor Cavellius III looked at the man kneeling in front of him on one knee.
(Kayden Lam... King of the Kingdom of Adamant I.)
He was currently the most famous man on the continent. After overthrowing Lionel's seemingly eternal kingdom, he declared himself Lord of the West, attracting everyone's attention.
“The journey must have been arduous. The Empire welcomes you, King Adamant.”
The Emperor gestured casually with his hand, and Kaiden slowly stood up. He replied with a slight smile, accepting the Emperor's words:
“Thanks are mine, Your Majesty. We were exhausted by exterminating monsters near the border, but your invitation made us rest comfortably in the palace.”
The Adamant Knights, led by Kaiden, were famous for their skill in hunting monsters, composed of elite swordsmen and survival experts.
“There is no need for thanks. It is only natural that we honor those who serve the Empire’s requests without fear.”
The Emperor smiled and asked:
“How long will you stay here?”
“A week at most.”
“Ah… I wish longer than that. But I can’t detain a king against his will.”
"I apologize."
Kaiden revealed a wide smile with his teeth:
“I will try to stay longer at the upcoming Foundation Festival, even if Your Majesty orders me to leave.”
The ministers in the reception hall were confused by his audacity. It was rumored that he was a rising king with no roots or manners—and the rumor appears to be true.
But the Emperor laughed out loud, amused by his insolent honesty.
“Good. You must be tired today. You can go.”
“I thank Your Majesty for your generosity.”
He placed his hand on his chest and bowed lightly. It was a flawlessly perfect gesture, and it was hard to believe that it came from the same man who had only recently dared to address the Emperor so freely.
***
“Ah…I want to go back to Adamant already.”
Oliver groaned as he stretched, annoyed that they had to stay a whole week in a strange mansion.
"But honestly, the Emperor surprised me with his kindness. I expected him to try to humiliate us, especially with all his talk about our lack of legitimacy."
Kaiden answered coldly:
“If it had been someone else, perhaps. But the Emperor cannot challenge my legitimacy.”
“Oh, right.”
Oliver scratched his head forgetfully.
“The current Emperor is also the youngest son of the late Emperor, right? He overthrew his brothers to sit on the throne.”
“But the emperor’s blood still flows in him. As for me... he might think that I am without origin.”
Remembering the emperor's face devoid of any disdain made Kaiden narrow his eyes in disdain. He grabbed the hilt of his sword and walked with long strides that made Oliver gasp to catch up with him.
Oliver said in a low, hesitant voice:
“But… Sir, do you really think that woman is still alive?”
He had only seen her once, over ten years ago. And she—Kayla Angel—is presumed dead.
“In my opinion… that crazy black magician tricked you.”
The idea of resurrecting the dead with black magic was absolutely ridiculous, no matter how much you thought about it.
“And even if she comes back... how will we find her? Maybe she comes back with a completely different face.”
Kayden replied coldly:
“They said she had a mark on her body... the Ouro Poros. We just have to find her.”
“A snake that swallows its own tail?! We cannot look for a sign like this in every woman in the world.”
Oliver sighed:
“Don’t you remember what happened in the kingdom when news spread of your search for a woman with that mark?”
The handsome young King of Adamant was still unmarried. Many nobles, eager to be close to him and gain their influence, went so far as to tattoo their daughters with the mark.
But Kayden just said calmly:
"It doesn't matter. I'll know the truth as soon as I see it."
***
That night, Prince Edwin was tossing and turning in his bed sleeplessly.
(Today…was weird.)
Why did his nanny help him? That new nanny who came two weeks ago, always cold. Until yesterday, she had shown no interest in him, no matter how much trouble he did. She stared at him like he was a soulless doll.
But today…
He remembered how I retrieved his bracelet from the fangs of Jill's gang. The cheap bracelet, with fake pearls and rubies, that can be easily bought in the market. However… it was his most valuable possession.
Because it was a memory of his former nanny...Emma.
“Your Highness, please don’t cry. I love your smile.”
Her last words echoed back in his ears.
“No matter how sad or difficult it is, never lose your smile. Only then will you smile freely when true joy comes.”
She handed him the bracelet, holding his hand tightly.
“I leave you with my last wish...”
Despite his tears, he remembered her smile well.
“You should be happy, Your Highness Edwin.”
(Happy? Why do adults always make promises that are hard to keep?)
He thought of his late mother, the Third Empress Edith. She was always weak, bedridden, and they barely spent time together. She was even cold towards him, so how much he cried as a child because of her neglect.
When she died after giving birth to his sister, he did not feel much sadness... except pity for his sister, who would grow up without a mother.
But when Emma, the only woman by his side, left... he cried for three days straight.
(Emma... you idiot.)
He bit his lip. He knew he would never know happiness. He is an unwanted prince, hated by everyone.
So he assumed the new nanny would hate him too.
But today was different. I scolded the gang instead. Even Emma, who loved him, didn't do that.
“...really weird.”
He covered his head with the blanket. That warm feeling in his chest was strange… but it wasn't unpleasant.