How to Live as the Enemy Prince

Rumein’s gaze turned towards the Kaela knight that was standing outside the door. It was a gesture giving him an order to go follow Calian. Allan shook his head and spoke.

“Just leave him be. The prince will find it uncomfortable if you tail him.”

Rumein stared at the person who instigated this problem in the first place with a stern face and spoke.

“It’s better for him to be slightly uncomfortable than being in danger.”

Hearing that, a strange smile spread on Allan’s lips.

“There is no one that would dare attack Allan Manasil’s carriage in all of Kyris, so do not worry.”

Even though he knew that the carriage’s safety measures were not particularly needed by Calian and just said this instead.

It was true that the closest thing to complete safety like the Arpia Palace was Allan Manasil’s carriage.

“There’s a hidden blade following him behind, so there is no need to think he is unsafe.”

Rumein’s eyebrow moved. It meant that Calian had a bodyguard attendant after all. If Rumein were to question Allan, he would need to acknowledge that the prince was breaking the rules and would need to reprimand him on that. Rumein decided to pretend not to have heard anything.

“Looks like I can’t do anything but wait and see for now.”

After concluding the topic on hand, Rumein finally pointed at the sofa that was on the opposite side of him. He had just realised that he was making Allan stand at the doorway this whole time. Allan was going to go and sit down even if Rumein didn’t explicitly give the order, nevertheless sat down in front of him.

Rumein stared at Allan for a bit then spoke after making a long sigh.

“He’s already caused one big incident. I’m worried about his future.”

Allan wondered why this man was so concerned about Calian when he was very indifferent to him before the incident.

Taking an almond cookie into his hand, Allan munched on the cookie while pondering the sudden thought that popped into his head.

Watching Allan munch on the cookie for a bit, Rumein then asked him a question.

“Do you know the reason why he left?”

Allan nodded moderately. It’s because he was only moderately sure.

“He suddenly decided to leave after asking me about the magic school of Riverne.”

“A magic school? Did that child decide to even make a magic school as well?”

“Perhaps. But he may not have as well.”

After giving a vague answer Allan thought for a moment. He then asked him a question that didn’t hide its true intentions.

“If a magic school were to be constructed it would not help your majesty out in any way. As talented mages are not something that can be created in a short time. Perhaps, are you thinking it could be a problem for you in the future, your majesty?”

The question was asking whether Rumein wanted to stop Calian’s power from increasing. Rumein shook his head and calmly replied.

“I already know that he is not someone that is greedy for my position, so I wouldn’t need to keep him in check for doing such a thing. What I’m worried about is that there are plenty of people that keep him up at night aside from me. I am glad that you are next to him, protecting him from all the troubles rather than worrying that he’ll grow too strong. No need to think that I may be aiming to keep him down.”

Rumein knew the reason why Allan was on his side. Allan made sure Rumein knew right from the first time they met. He is simply there to organise the kingdom and plan out a safe and problem-free succession of Calian to the throne.

“Speaking of which. How about you go along with Calian for the upcoming Roselita?”

Silica may currently be in a gentle, quiet state right now, but he was worried that in the long trip going all the way to Siegfried territory, something may happen to Calian. Of course, it wasn’t like Allan didn’t understand Rumein’s feelings about this.

Therefore, Allan gave a gentle smile and reassured Rumein.

“The Prince outside is safer than your neck inside the palace, your majesty. So please cast away such frivolous worries.”

Rumein quietly wrapped his hand around his forehead.

He then hoped that Calian would come back already and get this person away from him as early as he could.

—

Melfir was hurriedly running thinking that Calian was waiting for him, but stopped for a moment, reorganised his thoughts, and asked his servant.

“Did he come alone?”

“Yes. He came alone with only two servants.”

He came alone, on top of coming here while riding Allan Manasil’s carriage.

It was definitely a secret meeting of sorts.

Melfir opened his mouth again with a tense expression.

“Is there anyone among the servants that saw the prince?”

“He asked me to clear his surroundings first, so I greeted him after sending everyone away,”

“All right, good job.”

Melfir answered and hurriedly ran again. The butler was tired from all the running and had to catch his breath for a bit before running to where Melfir was running again.

Stepping inside the residence, Melfir quickly washed his hands, dusted off his clothes, and went to the reception room. He wished he could have time to change into some neat garments before meeting the prince, but he knew he shouldn’t keep him waiting too long.

He saw Yan and Kyrie standing outside of the reception room.

As everyone else also cleared the area, Melfir also left his attendant outside before heading into the reception room alone. He then saw Calian sitting down with a tea cup in his hand with the window to his back, lifting his head to see Melfir come in.

As Melfir’s gaze met with Calian’s, Melfir bowed in greeting.

“Baron Melfir Pollun greets his highness, the Third Prince,”

Calian put down his teacup and answered with a smile on his face.

“It’s good to see you again,”

As their first meeting was nothing but a single passing whisper to his ear, Melfir bowed lower after hearing Calian’s proper voice. As Calian knew why Melfir was giving such a courteous bow towards him, he couldn’t help but silently laugh.

The Pollun Merchantry coincidentally just started to properly trade diamonds with Tensil. It made Melfir doubly worried about what Calian would ask of him to pay back his life debt that he owed to him.

“I apologise for coming in without calling in ahead. It’s because it would be troublesome for me to show my face around.”

It didn’t actually matter whether Calian came and met Melfir first or called for him to come to the palace. Who would get in the way of a prince meeting up with a baron?

The reason Calian came to meet Melfir privately, out of the eyes of the public, was all for Melfir. Calian never extended his hand out to any other nobles or houses other than the Magic Union. Therefore, if it was known that Calian was personally meeting Melfir, the public would make a big deal about it.

Melfir knew this reason as well, therefore he respectfully answered.

“I understand you were being considerate of me, your highness, so how can I accept your apology? Your presence is a great compliment to me.”

Nodding his head in response, Calian pointed at the chair on the other side of the table and spoke.

“Please sit. I have some matters to discuss with you.”

Melfir’s expression became slightly tenser as he carefully walked to the seat and sat quietly, to which Calian opened his mouth after seeing.

“I’m sure you must have had a lot of thoughts this whole time.”

When Melfir gifted Raven’s necklace to Calian to ascertain the prince’s personality, Calian sent back to Melfir the cost of the necklace as if he knew exactly what was happening. There was no other contact from the prince following the event, so Melfir was unsure whether Calian was angry or wished for something more valuable. He felt uneasy for a long time.

Hearing Calian, Melfir didn’t particularly deny that he had and answered him.

“Yes, your highness. As a merchant it is in my nature that when I make trades, it doesn’t simply end with receiving something. Which is why I have been worrying for a long time.”

“I like your honest answer,”

He smiled, gave his tea a sip, and then watched Melfir for a bit. Just as Melfir was about to swallow back his anxiety while gazing back at Calian, Calian started to speak.

“What does Lord Pollun deal in?”

Melfir’s shoulders became stiff for a moment.