𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
The sound of a lively female voice resonated towards Crown Prince Lewis as he strolled through the garden.
When he turned around, Charlene was waving at him with a smile as radiant as a fully bloomed flower.
ㅤ
“Hey, I was looking for you, Your Highness!”
“. . . . . .Charlene. . .! You’re alive!”
ㅤ
As Lewis rushed over, Charlene pushed back her bright sunflower-like blonde hair, narrowed her orange eyes, and smiled.
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“There’s no way I could die that easily. Who do you think I am, Your Highness.”
“Charlene. . . . . .I’m sorry, I should have treated you better.”
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His vision blurred with large tears. In front of a tearful Lewis, Charlene opened her slender arms wide to embrace him.
When he pulled her slim waist close, a gentle scent wafted through the air.
As she stroked his head, Charlene whispered softly.
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“I wanted to see you too. I couldn’t just leave things as they were.”
“Charlene. . . . . .”
“Hey, please look at my face.”
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Lewis, lifting his face as asked, saw Charlene, covered in blood.
With bloodshot eyes, and a twisted grin, Charlene laughed loudly.
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“That’s right, I can’t die until I get revenge on you!!!”
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Charlene’s chest and arms, holding Lewis, were all covered in blood.
Warm bodily fluid dampened Lewis’s face. He screamed.
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“Your Highness! Your Highness! Please wake up! Your Highness!”
“Ah. . . . . .”
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Lewis woke up. Several servants were holding down Lewis, who was looking up at the ceiling.
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It was morning.
His entire body was chilled with sweat. Lewis had been tormented by nightmares until morning again.
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“. . . . . . Sorry, I caused you to worry. . . . . .”
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Urged by his servants, he cleansed his body, and Lewis took medicine and white broth into his mouth.
His hands were still shaking. He felt as if Charlene’s voice was still echoing in his ears.
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“Charlene. . . . . .I’m sorry. . . . . .I let you die. . . . . .”
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He couldn’t stop crying. He curled up on the bed with his shaking body, and Lewis kept apologizing. The servants exchanged glances. Then they hesitantly called out to Lewis.
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“I regret to inform Your Highness. There is a magical mirror communication from the second prince.”
“Indeed. . . . . .Is it difficult to have a conversation today.”
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The second prince――at that word, Lewis rose from his bed.
Keizen, who turns 17 this year, is an excellent younger brother studying abroad in the Strelitica United Kingdom.
In contrast to the silver-haired, blue-eyed Lewis, who looks like his mother, Keizen is a vibrant younger brother with reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, and a tall, well-proportioned physique. He looks a lot like his father―though he never says it outright, there’s a sense that he sees his younger brother as the true heir. All the nobles around them disparaged Lewis as a stopgap crown prince, and Lewis himself thought he deserved it.
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“. . . . . .Get ready. This is a rare call from my brother. Prepare.”
“Understood.”
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Lewis got out of bed and ordered his servants.
――Showing this pale face to his brother was embarrassing, but running away would also be a disgrace as a brother.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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Upon finishing my preparations, he headed for the conversation room where the servants had already prepared the magical mirror for communication. This magical tool from a foreign country was a gift from Prince Keizen, the second prince, from his place of study abroad. It allowed for long-distance interactions.
Reflected in the mirror was an even more resolute-looking Prince Keizen. He wore his school uniform from the noble school he was studying at and smiled, revealing his teeth as he was pleased to see Lewis.
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“It’s been a while. I heard that both father and elder brother were not doing well, so I was worried and decided to get in touch.”
“Keizen, thank you. We have been causing you to worry. . . . . .Have you spoken to father?”
“Yes, but. . . it’s problematic. It’s a mystery to even the doctors why he is so sick.”
“I see. The news has already reached you then.”
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Their father has been eating less since a few days ago and has been resting every day, taking a break from his duties. The doctors are scratching their heads at father’s condition, which is not a chronic illness, and are unable to prescribe any medication. According to Keizen, although some conversation was possible, it seemed to be difficult for him, and he could not talk for very long.
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“I apologize. I have left all the duties to elder brother. . . . . .”
“What are you saying? I am the crown prince. Your role right now is to study abroad, Keizen. Let’s each fulfill our responsibilities.”
“. . . . . .Despite father’s crisis, I feel guilty not being by his side.”
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Keizen’s gallant brows furrowed, showing his discomfort. He couldn’t help but envy his masculine features.
Although Lewis was working in place of his father, he was on the verge of mental exhaustion from the constant disappointed looks of “Is he the crown prince. . .” from those around him.
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(If only everyone had a crown prince like Keizen. . . . . .)
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Keizen then changed the topic by saying “Speaking of which.”
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“I heard a rumor that the blessing of Land God Kai is waning.”
“You are quite well informed.”
“Yes, I was in regular contact with father through letters before he fell ill. My friends, I believe, are helping out in the castle. Are they of use?”
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While feeling a pinch in his heart at how his younger brother was being useful even from a distance, he put on a smile.
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“Yes. . . . . .Lulumia did mention it. You’ve been sending personnel to the church and castle.”
“I’m glad! So you’re making use of them!”
“Yes. The high priest and Lulumia don’t get along, and considering the previous leading saint. . . . . .I didn’t want to leave the defense solely to the Saint’s Guard Knights. It’s a great help.”
“I’m glad. Please let me know if you have any troubles, elder brother. The royal family of the Strelitica United Kingdom said they would help.”
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
The Strelitica United Kingdom is a kingdom located to the east of the Saitishiga Kingdom and is a country of different culture with vast lands. It’s a kingdom where kingdoms with different faiths are connected by marriage, and they have a king and queen. In this turbulent era where the movements of neighboring countries are unstable, the Saitishiga Kingdom, which has fertile lands and a spiritual spring, is always in danger. Following the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” they are deepening their interaction with the distant Strelitica United Kingdom.
As the second prince, Keizen’s role is to study in a key friendly nation and expand his connections.
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(What am I. . .doing as the crown prince?)
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Shaking off the dark feelings that were starting to rise, Lewis put on a smile.
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“Anyway, I will somehow manage here. While your concern is very helpful, Keizen, please be careful and think of yourself first.”
“I understand, elder brother. But I will be returning for a short time, so let’s exchange opinions then.”
“Of course. Be careful on your way.”
“. . . . . .Elder brother.”
“Hm?”
“You’re relying on me, like father, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, of course.”
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Upon confirming his elder brother’s trust in words, Keizen grinned, revealing his teeth in a smile.
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“Then, see you.”
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The magical mirror turned completely dark as soon as the conversation ended.
Feeling suddenly lonely, Lewis stared at the mirror where his brother’s image had been reflected for a while.
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“That one. . . . . .He seems to be quite concerned about us. I wonder if he’s okay with his studies abroad?”
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Lewis wondered out loud.
It was because of his own lack of ability that Keizen was pulling all the strings.
Feeling helpless and empty even though it was beneficial—Lewis, the crown prince and the elder brother, couldn’t help it.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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Meanwhile, at that time, Charlene was heading towards Margrave’s territory in a carriage.
It was the land where Queen Isyria, the mother of the two princes, has been recuperating for many years, away from the royal capital.
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