The First Prince, Bulteon.
He was known from a young age for his hearty disposition. Additionally, rumors of his stunning appearance were widespread.
The descendants of the blessed bloodline, known as the offspring of dragons, were generally handsome or beautiful. However, it was said that there were three individuals among them who possessed an especially remarkable appearance, one of whom was the First Prince, Bulteon.
For reference, the other two were the Second Imperial Princess, Iris, and the Fifth Imperial Princess, Sien. Recalling the beauty of these two, I had roughly anticipated just how striking Bulteon must be.
Perhaps throughout his life, the number of women he’d made cry could fill several wagons.
I was just beginning to realize that this assumption wasn’t far from the truth.
“Would you care for a drink?”
It was a garden located on the outskirts of the Academy.
A place filled with flowers blooming extravagantly with each season. It was also a popular spot for women and lovers who were drawn together, much like butterflies to flower scents.
It was a place that rarely lacked for visitors…
But today, it was unusually quiet.
Not because Bulteon had used his authority to drive them away, but because current students had chosen to stay away due to the unsettling atmosphere caused by recent rumors of vampires.
Moreover, the garden was overgrown with weeds due to the strange climate. No one would want to visit such an unkempt space, unless they were unusual individuals.
Who would have thought one of those exceptions would be the powerful heir to the Empire?
My head was already beginning to throb.
“I apologize, Your Highness Bulteon. There are so many pressing issues of late… I have no leisure to drink even in broad daylight.”
“Hahaha, is that so? Truly, you’re worthy of being one of the sacred pillars of the Empire. When I offer a drink, most pretend to lose and have a cup anyway.”
Whether it was praise or mockery, I couldn’t tell. To begin with, politics wasn’t my forte.
Those in power always conceal their true feelings, so their subordinates are careful in their actions. Regardless of whether they express or hide their true feelings, those who fear power will try their best not to oppose them.
It was a tiresome process in many ways.
I was a celestial swordsman, someone who preferred wielding a sword over playing politics with words.
As such, there was only one way for someone so unsuited to navigate interaction with someone of power:
Reveal your true sincerity without reservation.
This was a far superior strategy to any deceptive tactics.
“To be honest, Your Highness, I have no idea why you’ve come to seek me out specifically at this moment. Isn’t it an emergency with His Majesty himself preparing to return? And isn’t the competition with Princess Iris already irrelevant at this stage…?”
“I’ve heard that my younger sister looks up to you.”
“Younger sister,” I thought.
From the title “First Prince,” it was clear that Bulteon was the emperor’s eldest son. He naturally had several sisters.
But among them, surely there was only one who followed me.
After a moment of hesitation, I responded cautiously.
“… Are you referring to Princess Sien?”
“Yes, Sien. My dear younger sister… unfortunately, I’m also swamped, but since this opportunity presented itself, I thought we could have a conversation. Would that not be possible?”
At his straightforward explanation, I found myself speechless.
I could relate to his feelings. If Lia were to trail after some man, I would, as her brother, have been inclined toward a discussion—likely involving my areas of expertise.
Swords, axes, that sort of thing.
There were plenty of ways to talk.
At this point, outright refusing a chat didn’t seem viable. I decided to engage with Bulteon wholeheartedly, though I had no intention of clinking wineglasses with him.
When it became clear I wouldn’t reach for a cup, Bulteon grinned knowingly and downed the wine in his own glass without hesitation.
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and let out a small sigh. His faint smile seemed somehow melancholy.
Perhaps it was a bitter smile brought on by the wine.
Even this was fleeting. Soon, Bulteon’s playful grin returned as he spoke to me.
“Stop worrying so much. I understand just how heavy a burden you’ve been carrying.”
“In that case, may I inquire about your purpose here?”
“Have you heard of the Imperial Legacy?”
The abrupt transition to the main topic left me momentarily speechless. Though I’d heard about it from Princess Iris, I didn’t understand why Bulteon would be concerned with it.
Thinking back, I remembered something.
The twins from the Alphenhausen family had always shown a distinct wariness toward Bulteon. Until now, I had interpreted this as their wariness of a rival to their lord. But meeting Bulteon in person awakened a new suspicion in me.
Could there be something more?
In the battle for power, animosity was like a blade. Even if it was pointed at an enemy, it needed to remain hidden until the perfect moment to strike.
Neither the Alphenhausen twins nor Princess Iris were naive about this. So why did they particularly show aversion toward Bulteon?
In response to my questioning gaze, Bulteon merely gave a faint laugh.
“Judging from your reaction, you’ve heard of it, it seems. Was it Iris who told you?”
“Pardon my impertinence, but matters of confidentiality, even before a Prince, must remain private…”
“Ho ho, interesting. Do you really think I’m unaware of the Imperial Legacy?”
I chose silence over a response.
Of course, Bulteon likely knew, but secrets exist for a reason. There was no need to blab when I didn’t need to.
Shaking his head at my stubborn stance, Bulteon continued.
“Fine, I can’t blame you for sticking to principles… Let me change the question then. What do you think of Sien?”
“I see her as a kind and thoughtful junior.”
“What about Sien’s ‘eyes’?”
This was the second time he’d asked. Words failed me, and I closed my lips. Privately, I felt the need to revise my impression of Bulteon.
The First Prince was surprisingly straightforward.
His direct questions were making it harder to avoid answering. As I hesitated again, Bulteon refilled his empty glass and brought up an unexpected nostalgic story.
“I have many siblings, but for some reason, Sien sticks in my mind. Do you know why?”
“Because she’s pretty?”
It was an impulsive remark.
After saying it, I realized I might have overstepped, but it was water under the bridge. Besides, Bulteon seemed to find amusement in my comment.
A hearty laugh erupted from him.
That was the reaction of a caring older brother. Compliment the sister, and things would likely turn out fine.
“If that’s what you think too, I’m relieved. I had assumed she only seemed beautiful to me because she’s my sister, but if you agree, that’s comforting… Only half true, though.”
While swishing the wine in his glass, Bulteon’s gaze deepened as he stared into it.
A weighty seriousness for someone his age. Perhaps all the years he’d lived had aged him beyond his years.
“Sien wears clothes too big for her. The Fifth Princess of the Empire, the daughter who inherits the purest dragon blood… she stood out from a young age, but still. I can’t shake the feeling that Sien is overexerting herself.”
“Overexerting…?”
“She hasn’t grown up yet.”
Bulteon tapped his skull twice with his thumb as he spoke.
“Sien’s growth stopped in her childhood. Maybe because she tasted too much bitterness at an early age? She wears distrust like armor and mocks the world to protect herself.”
“She has the capability to do so.”
“That’s true. But internally, she’s still the scared child she once was.”
Another glass downed, without even a snack.
Iris expects too much from Sien. She might believe Sien resembles her, but she’s overloading her with expectations. Sien isn’t ready to be the disciple of the Great Witch. She’s even less suited to be the talent that fulfills the Imperial Legacy.”
“Is it because of the ‘Dragon’s Eye’?”
This was the first question I had asked in a while.
In response, Bulteon’s gaze flickered towards me, silently asking for clarification.
“Could it be that there’s a connection between what Her Highness Iris expects of her and the ‘Dragon’s Eye’?”
“A worn-out legend.”
A curt statement.
As though it were an unimportant tale, Bulteon continued in a detached tone.
