Chapter 10 …

How to Live as the Favorite of the Constellations

 The Symbol of Disaster (1)

In truth, the talk about gifts for his older brother and the Duke was nothing more than an excuse.

Arvian, holding his parents’ hands tightly, was absentmindedly observing the Imperial Capital with great focus.

The capital was always crowded. But today, it was more crowded than at any point in Arvian’s memory.

‘The capital really has changed completely. The roads, and even the number of travelers.’

And above all, what stood out most was…

‘There are so many children.’

Well-fed, plump-cheeked children were running around the streets without their parents.

Their faces were bright—so bright that it was hard to believe they had ever known the pain of war.

When was the last time Arvian had felt so glad to hear the sound of children laughing?

Arvian stared blankly at them.

“Arvian, what are you looking at so intently? Did you see something interesting?”
“Ah…!”

Startled by the Countess’s gentle voice, Arvian flinched. He looked up at her and shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. The capital just feels so strange. It’s my first time seeing so many people like this. Really… really… it’s amazing.”

Saying so, Arvian once again became absorbed in the scenery of the capital. The Countess smiled while watching him.

Until just moments ago, she had worried that her son’s behavior and speech were too mature for his age. But now, it seemed those worries were unnecessary.

Wasn’t this simply the excitement of a child seeing the capital for the first time?

“The roads in the capital are beautifully paved, aren’t they? They’re a bit different from our Count Davriel territory, don’t you think?”

“Ah… now that you mention it, I think so.”

The Davriel County still had many dirt roads scattered throughout, and even on maps, there were numerous narrow, winding alleys.

But the capital was different. All roads were straight and wide, and residential and commercial districts were perfectly separated.

It looked as though the city had been planned this way from the very beginning.

“Arvian. Do you remember the name of His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Of course. It’s His Majesty Izar Sol Rodenfelt.”

“That’s right. The very first thing His Majesty did after ascending the throne was the redevelopment of the capital. He reorganized it into administrative, commercial, military, academic, and residential districts centered around the Imperial Palace.”

Records and history books of previous emperors were well documented, so Arvian had already finished studying them.

However, it was customary for historical records to be compiled after an emperor’s death, so the current emperor’s achievements were not widely recorded yet.

Arvian stroked his chin briefly and muttered.

“I heard the previous emperor passed away due to an epidemic. You believe it was caused by deteriorating sewage systems and poor public hygiene, don’t you?”

“Eh? W-What?”

“To fix the sewage system, you’d have to overhaul the entire capital at once, so instead of just digging up the surface, it’s better to rebuild the entire structure first…”

Arvian muttered, then quickly snapped back to reality and looked up at the Countess. He smiled brightly.

“…That’s what the books said!”

“Books… said?”

“Ah, or maybe it wasn’t books? Hmm… it might’ve been the servants.”

Arvian turned his head away, pretending ignorance.

He could feel suspicious gazes poking at the top of his head.

‘Ugh… I don’t want to be misunderstood in any way.’

In his past life, he would have used all his knowledge and abilities without hesitation.

Becoming a genius at a young age had been the fastest way to approach the hero.

But not anymore.

Now that all battles were over, he wanted to live an ordinary life.

‘If I become too smart and capable, I’ll just get dragged into unnecessary trouble.’

Arvian wanted nothing more than a peaceful life in the Count’s territory with the Count and Countess until the end of his days.

He did not want to be involved in any conflicts.

“Hehe… hehehe…”

Arvian laughed awkwardly while glancing at them. The Count lifted Arvian into his arms and asked as he walked.

“Arvian. Have you finished thinking?”
“Huh?”
“The gifts for your brother and grandfather. From the looks of it, you seem to have completely forgotten about them while sightseeing.”

“Ah, right!”

Arvian quickly climbed down from the Count’s arms and looked around. Soon, he pointed at a nearby souvenir shop.

“Let’s go there! I think there might be something!”

They held hands and walked into the shop together.

Fortunately, Arvian was able to find gifts for the Duke and Kaelus.

What he chose were silver fountain pens inlaid with brightly colored gemstones.

Rather than decorative items that would sit unused, he thought something consumable like fountain pens would be better—and he liked the design as well.

“Thank you for your purchase. Please come again!”

They left the shop behind the smiling owner.

In Arvian’s hands was a neatly ribbon-wrapped box. He quietly looked down at it.

The fountain pen with the blue gem was for Kaelus, and the one with the red gem was for the Duke.

They were not expensive items, but he had chosen them carefully, so he hoped they would like them.

‘How long has it been since I gave someone a gift?’

At the time of purchase, he had been satisfied, but now doubt slowly crept in.

Maybe there had been a better gift.

Maybe he should have chosen something more proper.

The Duke’s household probably had better fountain pens already—what if this gift wasn’t even usable?

What if the design he chose was outdated?

“They will both surely like it. Don’t worry.”

“…Yes.”

How did he know what I was worrying about?

The Count’s calm whisper and warm gaze soothed Arvian’s anxious heart.

Arvian handed the gifts over to the Count to carry.

He wanted to keep them with him, but his small clothes didn’t have enough space.

If possible, he wanted to give them immediately upon meeting.

“Arvian. Since we’ve chosen the gifts, shall we go now? If you’re still not satisfied, we can walk around the capital a bit more.”

“No. It’s okay. They must be waiting for us.”

They were already far past the scheduled time. Even though they had informed them they might be late, it would be impolite to make them wait any longer.

And Arvian’s legs were starting to ache as well.

‘And…’

I want to give them the gifts quickly.

“Since you’ve decided, let’s head to the main road. Carriages can enter here, but the road is narrow, so accidents can happen.”

“Yes.”

“Arvian, can you still walk? Shall I carry you?”

“I’m fine for now. I’ll tell you if I get tired.”

Arvian walked while holding both of his parents’ hands.

Even though the narrow and low perspective was blocked on both sides, he did not feel uncomfortable at all.

Even though their hands were raised high, there was no numbness.

Even when their eyes met as he looked up, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

Arvian unconsciously tightened his grip.

This was something he had never even imagined before.

At that moment—

“Hey, looks like there are more people over there.”
“We were just getting to the fun part… You. Consider yourself lucky today. If I see you again next time, I won’t let it slide. Tch!”

Small voices of children came from nearby.

Though quiet, they were loud enough to catch attention.

Arvian stopped walking and turned his head.

Deep inside an alley, he saw children glancing around nervously before quickly fleeing.

‘What is that?’

Arvian stopped and looked carefully.

Then his expression hardened.

Something was left in the place they had just fled from.

No—it wasn’t something.

It was a child.

A child curled up, covered in thin rags or sackcloth.

There were faint bloodstains on the ground and wall.

“……”

“Hmm? What is it? Did you see something there?”

The Count and Countess stopped and followed his gaze.

Then they exchanged troubled looks.

After a brief hesitation, the Count quickly lifted Arvian into his arms.

“Son. Aren’t you hungry? A little further ahead is a shop that sells desserts made by a former imperial chef.”

“Yes, Arvian! Their crème brûlée is especially excellent! They even put a beautiful swan made of sugar on top!”

The couple began walking briskly, pretending nothing had happened.

A rational decision by parents with a young child.

Should he also pretend he didn’t see it?

Arvian’s hesitation did not last long. He pushed against the Count’s shoulder and slipped out of his arms.

“About just now.”

“Hmm? You mean the fountain pen?”

“It was a person. Other children seemed to be beating him.”

“Ah… um… Arvian, that is…”

“A child, Father.”

The Count let out a small groan, trying to find the right words.

With redevelopment and welfare policies, many poor people had been helped…

But it was impossible to eliminate poverty completely.

‘Usually, in the new districts, you don’t see beggars.’

Perhaps the child had come to beg here and was beaten badly, then left in an alley to avoid attention.

The Count wondered how to explain to Arvian that it was best not to get involved with such matters.

‘I tried to divert his attention…’

Our young master doesn’t seem willing to fall for such simple tricks.

While the Count was thinking, the Countess stepped forward.

“Arvian. Are you worried about that child?”

“……”

“I don’t know what circumstances they have, but that child might not want our help. Just like how Arvian has grown up and doesn’t need his mother and father to feed him anymore.”

As she tried her best to persuade him, a conversation from a passing family became clearly audible.

“Mom, there’s something over there!”
“Huh? What is it—gasp! What is that, a Patum?! Come here! You mustn’t go near a Patum!”

The woman quickly picked up her child and hurried away.

The child tilted his head, confused.

“Patum? What’s a Patum?”
“You don’t need to know yet! Don’t pay attention to it!”
“Ah, what is it?!”

Arvian knew that word.

Patum.

A term used to refer to people with black hair or black eyes.