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chapter 22
Itern’s face flushed bright red in an instant. Her lips, which had been trembling with embarrassment, pressed together stubbornly.
She didn’t know why, but she could tell that Zigkart was testing her patience—as if he were poking at her little by little to see when she would finally get angry.
What a brat.
Itern widened her eyes, let out a sharp breath, and scolded him in an intentionally mature tone.
“That may be true. But even if you’re useless, I wouldn’t kill you.”
Zigkart narrowed his eyes. He seemed disappointed that his provocation hadn’t worked. At the same time, he looked somewhat relieved.
Seriously, he’s like a spoiled little kid.
This boy urgently needs some emotional education.
“Did you understand? You shouldn’t casually talk about killing people. If you understand, answer me.”
“…”
“Answer?”
Zigkart deliberately put on a sulky expression, wrinkling his handsome little nose. He puffed out his cheeks like a pufferfish and stuck out his lips.
Itern crossed her arms.
“What kind of face is that?”
“The face I make when I don’t want to listen to you.”
Mumbling his reply, Zigkart blew out a little puff of air and deflated his cheeks.
The frown lines between his brows disappeared, but his sulking expression remained.
Just look at him throwing a tantrum because she told him not to kill people casually!
“So you’re not going to answer?”
After glancing at Itern for a moment, Zigkart asked instead:
“Do you think life is precious?”
“Why don’t you ask whether cream castella is delicious instead? At least that’s worth thinking about.”
“What? Why are you suddenly talking about cream castella?”
Itern shook her head dramatically and let out an exaggerated sigh.
“This is why children…”
Zigkart’s eyebrows shot up.
“We’re the same age.”
“I mean your way of thinking is childish. Now listen carefully. Cream castella is delicious. It’s so delicious that I’d happily eat it as a snack every single day.”
“That’s just your personal op—”
Before he could finish, Itern slapped a hand over his mouth.
Zigkart’s eyes widened as he tried to shake his head, but Itern stubbornly continued.
“So when someone asks, ‘Is cream castella really delicious?’ the only possible answer is, ‘Of course it is.’ Got it? Then what about the question, ‘Is human life precious?'”
“…”
“You don’t even need to think about it! Of course it’s precious! That’s why instead of asking such an obvious question, you might as well ask whether cream castella tastes good!”
After unleashing her speech like a rainstorm, Itern wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead and finally removed her hand.
“Understand?”
“I understand that you’re a child who likes things like cream castella.”
“You really—!”
Itern clenched her tiny fist and shook it threateningly.
“If you keep saying things like that, you’ll get scolded. Human life is obviously precious, and you can’t kill people just because they’re useless! That’s something you should know too!”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? You’re going to become the Grand Duke someday. Do you want the people of the Duchy of Landshuter to live in fear?”
A strange, brief silence fell.
It was the kind of silence that sent a chill down one’s spine before the mind could even process why.
Just as Itern was about to point it out, Zigkart suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
With his laughter, the eerie silence that had coiled around them vanished as if blown away by the wind.
“Why are you worrying about the people of my country? You’re weird.”
“Not as weird as you.”
Itern pouted and lightly nudged his shoulder.
“Don’t say things like that anymore, okay?”
“If you let me try this supposedly delicious cream castella, I’ll think about it.”
Itern’s eyes widened before she burst into laughter.
“That’s easy! Alright, when we get back, let’s ask Dora for some snacks.”
Maybe if I feed him enough sweets, he’ll soften up a little, she thought.
Besides, having more scary people around doesn’t do anyone any good. I’ll treat him well while he’s here—for the sake of my future.
***
Starting the very next day, Zigkart immersed himself in creating medicine for Empress Meikellen.
When Itern heard that he had shut himself inside the room prepared for him, refusing to let anyone enter and rarely coming out himself, she was a little surprised.
“He’s really working that hard?”
Lance, who had slipped away to give her a progress report, nodded.
“Yes, Your Highness. Aside from meals and brief tea breaks, he meets no one.”
“I see. Thanks for telling me, Lance.”
“It is simply my duty.”
Receiving praise from the young princess, Lance’s cheeks reddened with pride.
After dismissing him, Itern pushed aside the book she had been reading and rested her chin on her hand with a serious expression.
Dora looked at her curiously.
“Your Highness, is something troubling you?”
“Hm? No, not really. But don’t you think it’s a little strange, Dora?”
“Strange? What is?”
“The young duke.”
For the first time, Dora’s hands paused in the middle of her embroidery. However, she didn’t seem to understand Itern’s concern.
Sliding deeper into her chair, Itern continued:
“I’ve been thinking about it since last night. I’m grateful he’s helping Mother like this. Really grateful. But… I don’t understand why he’s trying so hard.”
“Your Highness, is that what’s been worrying you? Though first, please sit properly. You’ll hurt yourself.”
Instead of straightening up, Itern stuck out her lower lip.
“Do you know why?”
“Well…”
Dora resumed embroidering and paused thoughtfully.
“I doubt this is solely the young duke’s own decision.”
“Then what? You think the duchy is involved?”
“Of course. How could someone so young come up with all of this on his own?”
Of course, there were already many things about Zigkart that couldn’t easily be explained. Dora knew that as well, which was why her expression remained somewhat uncertain despite her confident words.
Itern tapped her foot against the floor before suddenly springing to her feet.
Zigkart might have forbidden anyone from entering, but surely that didn’t apply to her. Empress Meikellen was her mother, after all.
“I’m going to see him.”
“Right now? Then I’ll come with you.”
Itern shook her head.
“No, that’s okay. Lance is there too, so nothing will happen.”
Despite Dora’s insistence, Itern eventually slipped away and headed straight for Zigkart’s room.
Since it was located right beside the chamber she usually used, it was hardly more than a short walk from one room to the next.
When she opened the door and stepped inside, Zigkart—who had been sitting at a long table—turned sharply with a frown.
“Am I not allowed in either?”
As soon as she asked, his expression gradually relaxed.
Shaking his head, he pushed an opaque glass container to the side.
“No, it’s fine. Come in and sit here.”
