The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 34.2
Because his head was bowed, his balance naturally shifted forward. He nearly fell, but the Crown Prince caught him by the waist.
“You should be called the Empire’s finest aide.”
Once again, Kailos whispered into Leslun’s ear. Instinctively, Leslun covered both his ears with his hands.
“Do well.” Kailos patted Leslun on the shoulder.
Every spot where the Crown Prince’s breath and touch lingered broke out in goosebumps. Leslun felt that what he carried on his shoulder wasn’t merely the Crown Prince’s hand, but a heavy burden.
He didn’t know why he had been sent—but what unsettled him even more was…
“You’re small and cute.”
That was the first impression he received from the blunt prince.
***
Leslun was by no means small. He was of average male height, and though his face still lacked a touch of maturity since he had only just reached adulthood, there was nothing remotely “cute” about him.
…At least, that’s what Leslun and his parents believed.
To call him small and cute—Leslun, flustered, tried to reason it out for himself.
He was, relatively speaking, smaller than the Prince of Vancor. Hadn’t he been surprised himself when he first saw him?
The Prince of Vancor was unusually tall. Perhaps even taller than Crown Prince Kailos. And since even Kailos looked down on him, of course a prince that large would as well.
Though… I think the Crown Prince has better proportions.
His angular face, broad shoulders, thick chest, and large hands—all accentuated by his exotic appearance. Not quite a giant, but certainly a rare build.
So, to stress again: Leslun was not small.
Anyone would appear smaller compared to that prince. Even Robin, who was slightly taller than Leslun, would no doubt be deemed a “small and cute” person in comparison.
Leslun quickly calmed himself. With a steadier expression, he gave a polite bow.
“It is an honor to meet you, Prince Tarensiu of Vancor. I am Leslun, aide to His Highness Crown Prince Kailos.”
“Only one?”
The words of Prince Tarensiu were open to interpretation. Leslun answered without hesitation.
“To make your visit as comfortable as possible, we were instructed to receive you with only the minimum number of attendants. His Highness the Crown Prince awaits you at the Imperial Palace.”
Even as the words flowed smoothly from his lips, the thought of what Kailos had said a few days prior lingered in Leslun’s mind:
“I never gave permission—so why must I receive this prince they’ve sent of their own accord?”
He had already scoffed at their intent to use the Academy as a tool to consolidate their power. And now they were saying the prince had already made his move.
‘If you dislike it so much, why not just send him back?’
Robin had suggested other ways, but although Crown Prince Kailos had shown his displeasure, he hadn’t outright refused. After all, they couldn’t expel a prince who had come to the Empire without any formal grounds. They had to act quickly.
Considering all of this, Leslun resolved to pay utmost attention to maintaining harmony between the two nations.
Whatever his purpose for coming, the other was still a prince of a kingdom. Rumors painted him as a wayward, unruly prince, unlike the perfect heir Kailos, but still—no weakness could be shown.
Of course, Leslun was but an ordinary countryside youth, so he knew his shortcomings. All the more reason he had to face this duty with everything he had.
“Let us go.”
Leslun took the lead, walking a step ahead of the prince toward the Academy.
Robin’s instructions had been to tour the Academy first, and then head directly to the Imperial Palace.
But then—
“No.”
The refusal was unexpectedly clear, even carrying a strangely childish whine.
Even without turning around, Leslun could tell Prince Tarensiu hadn’t moved a single step from where he stood. He had already expected today to be difficult, but it seemed it would be even worse than he thought.
Would it have been better to just go to Crown Prince Kailos, admit he couldn’t do it, and accept the scolding?
“I…”
At that moment, Prince Tarensiu spoke again. And when Leslun heard his next words, he had to wonder if he had heard correctly.
***
“Instead of the Academy, what I chose was…”
Leslun trailed off.
He stared at the pound cake neatly placed on a white plate atop the table, unable to finish his sentence.
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