Subliminal Wayfarer

Inside the royal palace, the king’s office—

Lucas Blacke stood up, a satisfied look on his face as he bid farewell.

“It was truly a delightful conversation today, Your Majesty. I think I must be off now. There’s so much to do with the wedding coming up. Ha ha ha!”

His unusually hearty laughter made Ludwig frown, while Princess Freesia smirked as if amused.

“You’re already the richest man in the kingdom, yet here you are, itching to plunder the royal treasury. The world truly is upside down.”

“My wealth and making sure Grace gets what she’s entitled to are separate matters, however.”

As always, his words flowed effortlessly.

Ludwig had been watching the duke, who was also his longtime friend, with a sour expression, and now he spoke seriously.

“Lucas, I wasn’t planning on saying this, but…”

“It’s probably best not to say what you weren’t planning to, Your Majesty.”

“…Who does a duke think he is, to silence the king?”

“Oh, me? I didn’t so much as lift a finger.”

“You… ah, damn it.”

Ludwig clenched his fist, then relaxed it.

He almost reverted to their school days and grabbed Lucas by the collar. But he knew by now that there was no point in wasting his energy. A guy as sturdy as Lucas wouldn’t budge, and he certainly wouldn’t back down either.

He had thought there was something important to discuss, but it turned out to be about securing more benefits for his future wife.

 

“Didn’t you say you’d reward me appropriately after I helped you for those three years back then, Your Majesty?”

“…Didn’t you decline at the time?”

“Did I? No. I said I didn’t need anything at the moment, but that I’d ask for something when I did. Do I seem like the kind of person to refuse a reward?”

 

Lucas had cut him off firmly.

He was right, but Ludwig still felt bitter.

What on earth could Lucas possibly want now?

He already had everything, and Ludwig had even granted his request for an unusually fast-tracked marriage.

 

“When I checked, I found that Grace’s reward for her achievements was absurdly small. A mere 300,000 grand and a title? Reassess and increase it.”

“What? But that’s already been settled!”

“Just call it additional compensation. It would be nice to raise her title to Countess as well. And—”

“You thief.”

“Who, me? Surely not.”

“Did Grace O’Ellin ever say she thought her reward was insufficient?”

“Not at all. She’s never once brought it up to me. I simply came running after seeing the records, upset on her behalf.”

 

Ludwig stared at him in disbelief, while Princess Freesia looked at Lucas in admiration as he smiled brazenly.

“What are you both staring at?”

“…Frightening. They say the rich are the greediest, and you truly prove it.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Your Majesty.”

His smile was so charming that Ludwig almost threw his tea in the duke’s face. Thankfully, as a true king, the first thing he had learned was patience.

“Oh, and Your Highness?”

“What? Is it my turn now? Speak, Duke.”

The princess replied with a smile, as if she were looking forward to what he had to say.

“That Wings project you’re working on.”

“Wings? What about it?”

“I’d like to sponsor it.”

“Really?”

“I promise my full and extensive support.”

He had just bled the king dry, but now he was offering to sponsor the princess.

Ludwig and Freesia exchanged puzzled glances, unable to figure out Lucas’s true motives.

“In return, I’ll need a favor.”

…Of course, nothing came free.

 

* * *

 

After finishing his audience with the king and princess, Lucas left the royal palace immediately.

He was on his way to the waiting carriage when someone came rushing out from the opposite hallway.

Recognizing the face, Lucas was about to greet her.

“Princess Vivian…”

“Shh!”

She shook her head frantically and hurried into a nearby open door, disappearing from sight.

‘…What was that?’

She seemed to be in a hurry.

Lucas tensed slightly, wondering if there was an assassin or enemy nearby.

Of course, there were guards everywhere, and his own escorts were stationed just ten meters ahead, but one could never be too careful.

Moments later, a tall figure appeared at the end of the hallway where Princess Vivian had been.

Step, step.

A man with a long, towering frame and exceptionally broad shoulders walked toward him.

Upon seeing him, Lucas clicked his tongue.

“So it was you.”

“Brother.”

It was Cain Blacke, Lucas’s younger brother and the second son of House Blacke, who worked as an administrator at the royal palace.

“Are you seriously getting married? And in just a month? This time, I truly admire you, Brother. I found it quite inspiring.”

Beneath the red hair that curled slightly at the ends, his handsome face appeared, smiling.

His half-swept-back hair only enhanced his good looks, and beneath his curved brows, his green eyes glowed warmly in the sunlight.

“This is perfect timing. You know Mother’s come to visit, right? Come home.”

“I already met with her. Mother seems to adore my dear future sister-in-law… I’m curious myself, but as you know, work keeps me busy.”

“You’re not interested, I suppose.”

“Why would I waste my attention on someone else’s woman? I’m already too busy paying attention to my own.”

No matter how Lucas looked at him, Cain didn’t seem like a hardworking administrator. Yet, he was praised as one of the most capable individuals in the kingdom. Quite honestly, this puzzled Lucas.

After thinking for a moment, Lucas came to two conclusions. Either there were very few competent people in the country, or Cain had started those rumors himself.

‘Ah, it could be both.’

Cain did possess exceptional abilities, but his greatest weapon was his glib tongue. Behind that pretty face and doe-like eyes lurked a dark soul. He was someone who could not only manipulate means and methods but also change outcomes to serve his purposes.

Truthfully, Cain should have been the head of House Blacke. If he were, he could have made the household the most famous house on the entire continent.

Lucas couldn’t help but feel regret. If that had been the case, Lucas could have lived a leisurely life, enjoying his time with Grace without a care.

It felt like a missed opportunity.

“Why are you looking at me like a beast eyeing prey it can’t have, Brother? It’s unsettling.”

“…Never mind. You’ll come to the wedding, right?”

“The wedding’s in the royal palace, so of course I’ll be there. And I find my future sister-in-law’s remarkable background intriguing. She’s accomplished quite a bit. Oh, by the way, Brother, did Princess Vivian pass by here?”

Clearly wanting to end the conversation, Cain glanced down at his wristwatch—the same model Lucas was wearing.

“Do you think I’m going to answer that?”

“You saw her, didn’t you? Where did she go? It would be fun to have a little chase with her, but I don’t have much time.”

“Why are you following the princess?”

“We’ve got some unfinished business.”

“Unfinished business?”

Cain smiled leisurely in response to Lucas’s question. His languid eyes curved in a way that closely resembled Lucas’s.

“You really don’t want to know, do you?”

Lucas raised his hand as if to signal he understood.

Just seeing that sly smile was enough to make him feel disgusted without hearing the details.

“…I’m leaving. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

“Of course. Oh, one more thing!”

As if suddenly remembering something, Cain turned back toward Lucas. Then, like when they were kids, he smiled mischievously and offered a secretive congratulations.

“Congratulations on the wedding, Brother. I hope you bring nothing but happiness to your bride.”

Amused by his teasing younger brother, Lucas chuckled as well.

Cain waved his hand and swiftly turned on his heel, walking directly toward the room where Princess Vivian had hidden.

‘That rascal…’

He knew exactly where the princess had gone, but he had deliberately stalled for time.

That temper of his was never easy to deal with.

Shaking his head, Lucas made his way down the long hallway.

By the time he reached the first-floor lobby, Jaime had already brought the carriage around and was waiting for him.

Just as Lucas was about to get into the carriage without a second thought, a pigeon suddenly flew into the carriage.

 

* * *

 

Grace had brought the unconscious woman to Heath’s residence.

Although Ruppell had been somewhat uneasy, the woman’s groaning and the crying baby left them with no choice but to enter Heath’s mansion.

“It’s just a simple fainting spell. She seems to be suffering from malnutrition. I’ll prepare some supplements. She also has bruises all over her body… I’ll get some ointment for that as well.”

Julius, one of Heath’s attendants, examined Carol.

Appearing unfazed, Heath immediately ordered the staff to prepare supplements and a soft meal.

The baby had fallen asleep peacefully in Julie’s arms.

“Thank you for your help, Lord Heath Serpiente.”

At Grace’s words of gratitude, Heath smiled gracefully as if it were nothing.

“Please, just call me Heath.”

“…I was worried when Your Lordship said your residence was empty, but it seems the lower floor is a café?”

He emphasized it again, that she should just call him by his first name, but Grace pretended not to hear. It felt awkward to call him by name since they weren’t close.

He had asked her to address him comfortably, but how could she do that when she didn’t feel comfortable doing so?

“Yes. This building actually belongs to my family. We use the lower floors for shops because of the prime location, and the upper floors are left vacant.”

Heath didn’t seem to mind her ignoring his request and smoothly continued the conversation.

He sat comfortably in the chair opposite Grace, observing her.

The shawl draped over his thin shoulders, his white hair, and his pale face gave him a fragile appearance, but that languid atmosphere quite suited him, so it didn’t seem out of place.

Every time he habitually brushed aside the hair that fell over his face, Julie found herself staring, almost entranced, by his white hair.

Though it appeared white, it shimmered with a subtle greenish-blue hue whenever the sunlight hit it.

As Julie gazed blankly at him, her eyes met Heath’s.

His crescent-shaped eyes gleamed like rubies, sparkling in the scattered light.

‘Huh…?’

For a moment, Julie thought she saw his red pupils elongate vertically, like slits.

Unconsciously, she continued staring at Heath, mesmerized.