"Extra! Extra!"
A boy selling newspapers ran around, throwing out flyers.
"Breaking news!"
He scattered papers wherever his hands reached, but none ended up dirtying the streets of the Imperial Capital. That was because every passerby picked them up to check the contents.
The Mailly Imperial Capital Extra was always brief and concise. A single illustration and a few lines of text—that was all.
"The rumored Third Prince, 'Yuri Briol', reveals the truth of last night."
"A childhood friendship and twisted fate that cannot be heard without tears."
"The devastating effects of drugs infiltrating even the Imperial Capital."
"The Third Prince's wonderful smile, expressing his desire to save those lost in darkness."
"Full interview and detailed coverage in tomorrow's issue!"
One of the many flyers fluttering through the streets landed on the head of a woman walking through the Imperial Capital.
She snatched it and unfolded the paper.
"Hm…"
Her delicate brow furrowed.
"Why is he here?"
There weren't many people in the world who could refer to the Third Prince of Briol as he. And she was one of those few.
Sibylla Arsaint, a princess of the Holy Kingdom and a commander of the Allied Army, currently invited to the Empire.
"How ridiculous…"
She had been walking down the street when a flyer suddenly flew onto her head. And on it was Yuri's face—causing her to let out a scoff.
The composition of the illustration was particularly absurd.
Yuri was shown sitting at a table, smiling gently, as if he were some renowned figure in the art world being interviewed.
It didn't match Yuri Briol's actual demeanor at all.
"What the hell is he doing now?"
There were a few keywords printed, but with just this flyer, she couldn't grasp the full details.
It was closer to a promotional leaflet advertising tomorrow's paper than a report conveying facts.
"Sigh…"
This wasn't the time to be distracted by such things. Sibylla shook her head to rid herself of stray thoughts and continued walking toward her appointment.
"Ah, Princess."
Her counterpart was waiting for her at a table outside a teahouse.
Though dressed fashionably in the current Empire style, he was a priest. And not just any priest—he was a high-ranking official with influence over the entire temple presence in the Empire.
"It's been a while."
"Have you been well, Vlad?"
"Yes. I apologize for requesting a sudden meeting."
"What's this about?"
"I found myself in need of help, and since you were visiting, I reached out."
"Not my brother?"
"No, haha."
The Holy Kingdom delegation was currently staying in the Imperial Capital, but their representative was not Sibylla—it was her older brother, Larrson.
When Sibylla set out for the Empire at the Emperor's invitation, Larrson had insisted on accompanying her. As a result, Paladin Fenek and the rest of the Holy Knight Order were busy attending to him. He was so difficult that they ended up renting out an entire hotel just for him.
Vlad took a sip of tea.
"Would you like some tea, Princess…?"
"I'm fine."
Sibylla had no intention of staying long, so she didn't bother ordering a drink.
"Just get to the point."
"Shall I, then?"
"That'd be easier."
"Understood."
Vlad laced his fingers together and leaned forward.
"To be frank, I'd like you to connect me with the Third Prince of Briol."
Sibylla had more or less expected this direction. The kind of help people sought from a princess with no real backing usually didn't go beyond introductions to others.
"Sorry, but I won't be much help."
"You're lovers, aren't you?"
"It's a front."
Sibylla answered frankly. But Vlad didn't seem surprised—in fact, he smiled knowingly.
"Even if it's an act, wouldn't feelings eventually grow?"
"You're not surprised?"
"I already knew."
"How?"
"His Highness Ragna let it slip while drunk. Anyone who's in the know already knows."
"I see."
Ragna had tried to set up his niece Ekaterina with Yuri, but Yuri used Sibylla as an excuse to reject him.
However, Ragna had seen through Yuri's excuse from the beginning.
When Yuri wasn't around, Ragna even joked to Sibylla as if he knew everything.
He had probably prepared everything in advance and was eagerly awaiting the encounter between Yuri and Ekaterina.
Sibylla shrugged.
"Well, I figured. But why does Yuri want to meet?"
"He's trying to expand a business."
"What kind of business?"
The Temple, on the surface, operated for humanitarian relief, but in truth, it functioned more on financial logic than any other organization.
So what kind of business relationship could there be between such a Temple and Yuri?
"Recently, drugs have been spreading through the Empire."
"I've heard."
"These drugs are nothing like what circulated before. It's distasteful to say this, but the quality is high. That's why they're trending among the nobility."
"So it's a money-making opportunity."
"Yes. And last night, the Third Prince of Briol personally admitted an addict to the Temple's care. That stirred up another frenzy in the Capital. Thanks to that, the Temple's rehab clinic is now the talk of the town."
"You want to ride that wave?"
"Yes."
Vlad smiled gently.
"We want to join hands with the Third Prince and actively promote the drug addiction rehab clinic."
"Aha…"
Is this what living in the Empire does to people? The bold idea of using a prince as a promotional tool was astounding.
Yet for some reason, Sibylla had a strange feeling that Yuri Briol would actually agree to it.
Thinking of his mischievous face, Sibylla let out a quiet laugh.
"What's in it for me?"
"I'll recommend you for a position in the Temple Knight Order."
At Vlad's words, Sibylla raised her eyebrows.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"You think I'd actually join the Temple Knight Order?"
"What other choice do you have?"
In the Holy Kingdom, knightly forces were largely split into the Holy Knight Order and the Temple Knight Order.
The Holy Knight Order was loyal to the royal family, while the Temple Knight Order protected the Temple.
Given that Larrson was the most likely successor to the throne and held jealousy toward Sibylla, her chances of rising through the ranks in the Holy Knight Order were slim to none.
Vlad had pointed out exactly that.
He knew Sibylla wanted to succeed as a knight.
"There's at least one captain's seat open under the Temple Knight Order. Beyond that, it'll depend on your own abilities."
Sibylla fell into thought.
Thinking it over, it was the best option available to her. With rumors already spreading, there was only so long she could hide behind Yuri as a shield.
Before Larrson became king and forced her into a political marriage, she had to make a move.
After much consideration, Sibylla nodded.
"Fine."
"You've made a wise decision."
"But, I'll hold off on officially joining the Temple Knight Order. Let's just say you owe me one for now."
"Of course. Take your time."
"When should we arrange the meeting with Yuri?"
"Anytime is fine, but the sooner, the better. We could tell the Third Prince it's about the friend he admitted to the clinic—"
"No, it's fine. There's no need for that."
Sibylla let out a quiet chuckle.
"You can just ask him, 'Hey, I want to use you to promote the clinic. What do you think?'"
"Would that really be alright?"
"It's fine."
The Yuri she knew wasn't someone who cared about appearances or formalities. He was a thoroughly practical person.
All that mattered was offering the proper price to seal the deal.
"But I'm not sure what he'll want. Just talk to him and see."
"Negotiations are all about adjusting terms."
Sibylla nodded. It was a more satisfying meeting than she'd expected.
When the high-ranking Temple official Vlad had suddenly requested to meet, she had considered all sorts of possibilities, but it turned out to be an easy conversation that resulted in a mutually beneficial agreement.
Sibylla suddenly held out her hand. Vlad tilted his head in confusion.
"This is…?"
"A handshake."
After saying so, she felt a bit embarrassed.
This was something Yuri Briol always did. No matter who he was talking to, he always offered a handshake once the conversation ended well.
Had she picked up the habit without realizing it?
Vlad looked a little surprised for a moment, but then smiled and took her hand.
"Princess, you've changed."
"Me?"
"It's a good change."
"Well…"
Though she wasn't personally close with Vlad, he was at least the man who had done everything he could when her mother was suffering from illness.
Larrson's maternal family had pressured him, but Vlad had ignored them and focused on the treatment.
"Thank you."
"Of course."
Still holding her hand, Vlad looked at her quietly, then slowly let go.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Hmm?"
"I mean the Third Prince of Briol."
"He's a strange one."
"You're the first person I've seen speak of him so casually."
***
After finishing his interview with a reporter named Ail, Yuri gathered his group before leaving the hotel.
"We'll head to the imperial palace in a few days, and the tournament is after that. Until then, feel free to enjoy your time."
"Yes, sir!"
"But…"
He had already told them they could roam freely in the Imperial Capital when there were no official events.
Still, Yuri felt strangely uneasy about the younger ones—Simon and Guinness.
"Just saying this in case… but don't do anything stupid."
"Stupid?"
Yuri's gaze landed squarely on Simon and Guinness.
"Especially you two."
"Huh?"
"I keep seeing your eyes wandering lately as we walk around."
"I don't know what you mean…"
"I get that you're excited to be in the Capital. I'm not going to dictate your lives, but there's one thing I want you to keep in mind."
"What is it…?"
"Romance is something you take seriously."
"Sorry?"
"If you're just looking to mess around while you're here, I won't let it slide. Uphold the honor of Briol. If you're going to be with someone, do it with the intent to take full responsibility."
Simon and Guinness blanked out, staring at Yuri.
"Y-yes…"
The Third Prince was royalty, and in terms of strength, he was a monster far beyond them.
But he wasn't even of age yet.
Compared to the Third Prince, who had grown up in the palace, they had far more worldly experience, having endured trials to become knights.
And yet, oddly enough, the expression on his face and the tone of his voice carried a weight that couldn't be ignored.
It was the kind of wistful look you'd expect from someone who could write an entire book on the subject of love.
"Y-yes, understood."
"We'll keep that in mind."
The two responded, trying to hide their flustered reactions.
Laurent nodded in admiration, and Jose, who was standing nearby, burst into hearty laughter.
"As expected of His Highness, always so thoughtful."
"Wow, Prince Yuri. I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable about love affairs. Hahaha!"
For the record, Jose had agreed to stick with them until Bursen's group arrived in the Capital. But since Bursen was delayed, he continued to travel with them.
Then Jared, who'd been standing with a sulky look, muttered,
"Says the guy in a fake relationship…"
Most of those close to Yuri already knew that his relationship with Sibylla was a front.
Yuri looked at Jared and said,
"I only did that to refuse a meeting I didn't want."
"Speaking of which, Your Highness. There's something I've been wondering for a while."
"What is it?"
"Don't you have someone you like?"
A surprising question.
The others all nodded, seemingly curious as well, and looked at him.
If you put it plainly, Yuri was the most popular young man on the continent right now.
His feats in the Allied Army had made him widely admired. In terms of appearance, power, status, fame—he lacked nothing.
And yet, Yuri showed an uncanny lack of interest in the opposite sex.
Not only had he clearly defined his relationship with Sibylla as fake, but he had even turned down the affections of a beauty like Mariloz.
Meeting everyone's gaze, Yuri let out a quiet sigh.
"You're really making me say this again. I told you before."
"Huh?"
"I…"
Yuri lightly caressed the hilt of Guilty, falling deep into thought.
The bitter regrets of his past life had led him to one firm resolution.
He remembered the time he threw away his umbrella to let the sorrow flow, only to be blinded by the rain and collapse in grief.
With a faint, wistful voice, Yuri said,
"I don't do love…"
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]