Chapter 68
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Chapter 68
Kibon answered with a very serious expression.
"If that concerns you, I can leave the invoice with the Minister instead."
"...No, never mind."
I had failed to mock the foreigner. In conversations like this, the one who didn't understand always emerged victorious.
In any case, we arrived at the Dining Hall at a leisurely pace and ordered our meal.
'Hmm....'
When I ate hastily at first, I hadn't noticed, but Kibon's dining etiquette was flawless.
"Kibon."
So I couldn't contain my curiosity and spoke first.
"Where did you learn the Empire's dining etiquette? It's truly excellent."
Kibon looked slightly flustered.
At times like this, it was the privilege of a superior not to have to prostrate and apologize with "I apologize if I was inappropriate."
Since he seemed at a loss for words, I naturally redirected the conversation to myself.
"Even though I'm from the Empire, I learned it at the Academy. It's quite complex, so it seems the Imoet Kingdom must have similar dining etiquette."
Kibon answered slowly to my words.
"I learned it directly from my father."
I was genuinely startled and swallowed my food.
The "Family Relations: None" from Kibon's file floated before my eyes.
'So his father must have passed away!'
Had I brought up an awkward topic?
But now, changing the subject seemed even more self-conscious.
I laughed awkwardly and spoke.
"Ah, he must have been a good man."
"Yes."
And Kibon unexpectedly continued slowly.
"My stepmother is also a good person, and my new younger sibling is adorable."
Wait.
This seems like such sensitive family matters—should I even be hearing this?
As I rolled my eyes, Kibon's words continued.
"If only I hadn't existed... everything would have been perfect."
"...What?"
I was genuinely taken aback and nearly dropped my fork.
"My father married a woman he didn't love and had me."
Kibon continued speaking with an unfazed expression.
"Out of consideration for me, the other three have endured considerable inconvenience. They're certainly good people, but precisely because of that, my existence sometimes feels like an obstruction to a perfect family."
The feeling of being a foreign object wedged into a household was something I knew all too well.
But I could hate the Baron Loapi family without reservation. They had done things worthy of hatred. However, if that weren't the case, it would be difficult.
'He really can't confide in anyone and will suffer alone inside.'
But did all three of them die? Is that why his file says "Family Relations: None"?
Kibon served me more food as he spoke.
"Please eat more. You have so many meal vouchers—why do you keep not using them?"
He regarded my wrist, where my sleeve hung loosely, with clear disapproval.
"I don't know who gave them to you, but whoever it was probably meant for you to use them generously."
"Ah...."
Now that he mentioned it, I remembered Crown Prince Kiaros, who had given me these vouchers.
He had been present at that gathering earlier, yet he had remained silent throughout.
'I suppose it would have been awkward for him to step forward.'
The Emperor, the Empress, Jayden.
There would have been no place for him among them.
'Our circumstances differ greatly in status, but in essence, it mirrors Kibon's situation.'
A moment for Jayden, the Emperor, and the Empress to resolve their misunderstandings.
Just as I had quietly withdrawn from that scene, Crown Prince Kiaros must have done the same.
The image of him standing alone at a distance—the last I had seen of him—lingered strangely in my mind.
'Perhaps Crown Prince Kiaros worked so tirelessly for the Empire's affairs precisely because he needed to affirm his own existence in some way.'
At the same time, something weighed on my heart.
It was the words I myself had spoken while attempting to console Jayden.
[Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress truly love each other dearly, and the Young Prince, the fruit of that love, is both of your treasures.]
Ah, I should not have said that.
Crown Prince Kiaros must have heard every word.
Of course, I had meant it for the child's sake, but adulthood does not shield one from hurt.
The thought robbed me of my appetite entirely.
"Minister."
Kibon furrowed his brow as he watched me hold the fork without eating.
"Minister?"
"Ah...."
"Why aren't you eating?"
"Well, that is...."
"Does the food here not suit your taste?"
"No, no. It's not that."
I forced myself to take a bite of the food Kibon had served me.
Then I smiled awkwardly and spoke.
"I keep thinking about Crown Prince Kiaros...."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Kibon, whose dining etiquette had been impeccable until now, suddenly erupted into violent coughing.
"Drink some water."
I calmly handed him a glass of water.
After coughing for some time, Kibon finally composed himself. Then he asked, his tone somewhat flustered.
"Why are you thinking about Crown Prince Kiaros...."
"Oh, it's nothing."
I had no intention of telling Kibon what had happened earlier.
After I brushed it off vaguely, Kibon blinked slowly and spoke.
"There are rumors spreading throughout the Imperial Palace that you kicked Crown Prince Kiaros without restraint."
"I didn't kick him quite that hard."
"So you kicked him a little, and that's why you're brooding?"
"Just... I was thinking it would be nice if Crown Prince Kiaros wasn't alone, and that I hoped he'd be in a better mood. That's all."
Kibon regarded me quietly.
Fortunately, he didn't press further, so the topic ended there.
But it was when we finished eating. Kibon smiled faintly and spoke in passing.
"Crown Prince Kiaros is probably in quite a good mood, I'd imagine."
Really. It doesn't cost anything, yet I'm being so extravagant. "Quite good," he says.
I answered with a grumble.
"Since we're speaking behind closed doors anyway, you can just say he'll be in a good mood."
As always obedient to my instructions, he immediately corrected himself.
"Since we're speaking behind closed doors anyway, Crown Prince Kiaros will probably be in a good mood."
"..."
He does as instructed, but there are limits to the Empire's language.
Kibon walked alongside me toward the Imperial Palace and asked.
"What if you told him directly?"
"Told him what?"
"Crown Prince Kiaros, about your thoughts."
"How could I possibly dare tell Crown Prince Kiaros about some passing thought of mine?"
I answered dismissively.
"I'm just an ordinary person."
"..."
"What's with that skeptical look?"
"Well, except for the occasional moment when your eyes go wild and shock people... you could be ordinary most of the time..."
"My eyes go wild? I have low energy levels, so I absolutely never get excited and act recklessly."
"Eyes going wild without getting excited is actually more frightening. Anyway."
Kibon spoke matter-of-factly.
"If you told Crown Prince Kiaros that thought, I suspect he would be quite happy—much happier than you'd expect."
I shrugged with a face that showed I disagreed.
We weren't close enough to share such trivial thoughts. Expressing such feelings without real business felt like flattery.
Noticing I wasn't listening carefully, Kibon continued.
"Perhaps Crown Prince Kiaros... might not actually enjoy that position."
"Why would he dislike such a good position?"
"Because he might think that while his responsibilities are immense, no one truly needs him."
"What are you saying? He has the abilities that come with such heavy responsibility, and the entire Empire needs Crown Prince Kiaros, so what—"
"No, I mean his responsibilities are so great, but he has nowhere to place his heart, so sometimes he might want to escape..."
My footsteps, which had been continuing the conversation half-heartedly, came to an abrupt halt.
"What?"
My vision suddenly spun.
"Flee?"
In the original story, the entire continent had descended into chaos when Crown Prince Kiaros alone died, and now he wanted to flee? Flee? FLEE?
Kibon flinched and began backing away slowly. I glared at him and muttered darkly.
"Don't say such nonsense."
Kibon continued retreating until a massive tree blocked his path. I approached him with long strides, my expression grave as though he were the Crown Prince himself.
I barely heard Kibon murmur, "You're... too close..."
I slammed my palm against the tree behind him with a loud crack, my breathing heavy as I spoke.
"Where would you possibly flee to?"
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